If your fireplace is old and the tile has aged poorly, or if you just want to brighten up your room by renovating your fireplace surround, change the look of your fireplace. Since the fireplace is a focal point of the room, changing this aspect will have a major impact on the entire area. Things You Will Need + Hand broom Vinegar Hot water Scrub brush Spray bottle 80-grit sandpaper Latex-blocking primer and sealer Paintbrushes Clean the entire fireplace.

Mildew creates an unpleasant odor that can last even after the fungus has been removed. Typically, vinegar is added to the washing machine to remove mildew and its odors. However, if the musty, mildew smell is present on dry-clean-only clothing you cannot launder the items at home in your washing machine. Vinegar has hundreds of uses for both inside and outside your home. However, you can use an all-natural common household item to remove the mildew smell from dry-cleaned clothes without taking them to an expensive dry cleaner.

While most residential electrical systems rely on single-phase power supplies, industrial and commercial applications require three-phase systems to deliver the high voltage necessary for large-scale manufacturing purposes. Three-phase electrical systems use three power leads instead the one power lead used in residential systems. Things You Will Need + Padlock Flathead screwdriver Megger Three-phase electrical breaker Electrical panel rated for three-phase breakers Wire strippers Three-phase electrical panels differ from single-phase panels due to the three power leads that are used in three-phase systems.

Turning a screened porch into an enclosed room is an inexpensive way to add year-round living space to your home, primarily because the foundation work has already been done. The amount of work that the conversion will require depends in part on how high the quality of the original porch construction was. If the porch is a marginally built add-on, turning it into a permanent room will be more difficult and time consuming due to the required upgrades.

Kitchens contain a uniquely concentrated group of functions and elements that present design opportunities and difficulties. You need a food prep area, a stove and oven, a sink and a refrigerator. Most designs also include a dishwasher. You will need a utility area for storing cleaning materials, as well as under-counter storage, storage above the counter, and enough counter area for a toaster, blender, food processor and microwave. Many homeowners also want wine storage or a trash compactor.

It can be very frustrating to find cat scratches on the dining table or the pricey leather sofa. But claw marks don’t mean your favorite furniture is ruined. Light scratches might only require a good buffing to remove them. Even deeper gouges can be improved with some basic household and hardware store supplies (and a little patience). Keep in mind that the most successful method depends on both the depth of the scratch and the type of surface.

Nails left outside or near water often develop rust over time. The rust eventually destroys the nail. Remove the rust to extend the life of the nail or to clean up its appearance. The acid in Coke eats away at the rust, according to the product website. When handling rusty nails, avoid touching the tips. Clean rusty nails with Coke rather than throwing them away. Things You Will Need + Glass or ceramic bowl Old toothbrush If you do cut yourself, you may need a tetanus shot.

Pavers are generally installed outdoors where they are subject to multiple weather events. They can get dirty and stained quickly if left unprotected. This protection comes in the form of a paver sealant. Paver sealant is a liquid that, when brushed over the surface of your pavers, hardens to form a moisture-resistant seal over the paver face. With the moisture unable to penetrate into the paver surface, most staining stops before it can begin.

Many home repairs may call for putting up new drywall. Typically, these sheets come in standard 4-by-8-foot sizes, so most often it’s not too tough to estimate how much you’ll need for a given job. Figuring out before the job begins how much joint compound you’ll need is almost as easy and can save you return trips to the store to replenish materials. Measure the area where the new drywall will be installed.

Soffit vents are an important part of your house's heating and cooling system. These vents, also referred to as "under-eave vents," draw fresh, cool air up through the eaves to replace overheated, stagnant attic air that should filter out through the ridge vents. Soffit vents can be installed onto existing vinyl siding. The process of installing soffit vents to existing soffits involves marking and cutting a hole for the vent, inserting it into place, and fastening the vent with screws.