Anyone who has gone to college or has sent a child to college is familiar with the sight of an old sofa on the porch of a student rental. Although the sofa is grubby and torn, most kids don't mind using it. A sofa's ideal for a few hours of front-porch relaxing. That image may make you cool to the notion of using an old sofa on your own porch, but you can do a much better job with a sofa by protecting it from the elements and keeping it attractive.

If you own a boat with an inboard motor, it is important to perform regular maintenance to the motor's power train each off-season. This maintenance can be as simple as a routine inspection once the boat is out of the water or it can include an overhaul of the parts of the power train that need replacement. You may need to remove the boat's propeller shaft to replace it or add new bearings.

A stovepipe carries smoke and a small amount of heat away from a fire source and into the air outside and above a structure. Air turbulence, also referred to as an eddy, around the exterior opening of the stovepipe may cause a downdraft, or wind that blows down a stovepipe. When the wind reaches far enough inside the stovepipe it causes particles of ash to become airborne. Make adjustments to a faulty stovepipe to greatly reduce or eliminate downdrafts.

Drinking water from wells is a practice that has been in use for thousands of years. Many older homes still have wells on location and they are often still safe to drink from. However, one problem that often affects wells is the presence of algae. You can eliminate red algae from water in several ways. Red Algae Facts Red algae is typically found in salt water but can also be found in certain freshwater locations.

A gas fireplace is a convenient way to lower heating bills without dealing with the mess of logs, but just as with any appliance, you must maintain gas logs. When dealing with ventless logs, you should be particularly vigilant since everything the fireplace puts out comes directly into the home. Sooting can occur if the burner is dirty or dusy and, at best, it will blow soot into the house; at worst, it can cause carbon monoxide buildup in the home.

Wood floors require basic cleaning and maintenance, which will both protect the floor from damage plus keep the floor looking as attractive as possible. Clean wood floors with apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that works well on wood floors, as when diluted with water, it is a safe cleaner for both finished and unfinished wood floors, while remaining strong enough to clean and disinfect the floors.

A cast iron bathtub can be a charming addition to your bathroom provided it is in good condition and properly maintained. Antique clawfoot tubs are generally made of cast iron and prone to rust if they have not been properly treated. Things You Will Need + Sandpaper, 150-grit Oil based primer Enamel paint Wet/dry sandpaper, 220-grit Water Dry cloth A few coats of high quality primer and paint can help restore the appearance of your cast iron bathtub, help prevent future damage and extend the life of the tub.

Aluminum stains on glass windows typically are a result of water dripping down aluminum window trim, siding, eaves or gutters, which leach aluminum into the water. When the drips splash onto windows, they transfer the aluminum to the glass. Additionally, aluminum transfer can occur when aluminum tools or objects accidentally make contact with windows. Aluminum stains give window glass a darkened or silvery streaked appearance. Thankfully, leached aluminum usually sits on the surface of glass and breaks up easily with exposure to a mild acid and/or light scrubbing.

Your GE Spacemaker washer and dryer has the same parts as a non-stacking unit. This means the procedure for replacing internal parts is the same as for any other washer and dryer. The primary difference in making the repair is how you disassemble the machine to make the replacement. You can save money on labor charges by replacing the belt on your GE Spacemaker washer and dryer yourself. Replacing the drum belt on the dryer takes about two hours but requires no special tools.

Pellet stoves are home heating appliances that burn small wood "pellets," which look like guinea pig food. Often, these energy-efficient appliances are used as secondary heat sources in a home. As with any appliance, though, you are bound to come across some problems with your stove. Save yourself the money of calling in a technician by troubleshooting the issues on your Quadra-Fire pellet stove yourself. Things You Will Need + Replacement fuse, if needed Replacement snap disc, if needed Brush Scraper tool Wet/dry vacuum Warning Always check the manufacturer's recommendations before making adjustments to your Quadra Fire pellet stove.