But like anything else, it takes energy to run. In the tutorial Water Heater Tips for Saving Energy and Operating Costs I'll explain how to easily save water, energy and money in your monthly utility bills.

If your water heater is on the fritz and needs a little TLC, then Troubleshooting a Tank Type Water Heater is what you want to read. From problems such as not enough hot water to a leaking water heater, it's covered.

And when it's time to replace that old water heater with a nice new, energy efficient unit, you'll just love it. And it's really not that hard to do. In the tutorial Replacing a Water Heater I'll walk you through the process, step-by-step. Doesn't matter if it's a gas or electric water heater. I'll show you how.

Then you can get that warm, cozy feeling yourself!

In the tutorial Troubleshooting Wet Basement Problems I'll review common basement wetness problems and what you can do to fix them. We'll cover problems like general mustiness to condensation and leaking water.

Sometimes the fix is as easy as redirecting a downspout, others, well, read and see...

Spring is settling in and that means it's time for fixing up the yard, deck and exterior of the home.

I've assembled the most popular tutorials for exterior home and yard repair in Top Tutorials for Yard & Home Exterior.

It includes articles on:

I've assembled 10 of the most common paint problems you'll find around the house and provided photos of each one along with Symptoms, Causes and Repair techniques. So when your paint starts talking to you, you'll know what it's saying!

Proper paint preparation can start by removing loose paint with a power washer like the unit shown here, or by manually scraping.

In the tutorial Exterior House Painting Preparation, I'll describe the various techniques you can use to get a great looking paint job. And even if you don't do the prep work yourself, you'll know what to ask your painter about how he or she will prepare the surface.

It also becomes increasingly brittle as it gets cold and is especially susceptible to impact damage in the winter. But even in the summer if a baseball or golf ball hits it, your vinyl siding can break or crack.

Then what do you do? With colors and textures often not found in nature, matching existing vinyl siding can be hard to achieve. And without knowledge of how to separate the strips of siding with a zip tool, you'll never get them apart.

Well, don't worry. I'll show you how to repair damaged vinyl siding for under $10 (if you have spare siding material). And I'll also let you know where you can find discontinued siding styles and colors so that repair looks great!

Electric heaters come in several types which I'll cover in the tutorial Types of Home Electric Heaters. There are radiant heaters which heat objects and people, not air, and there are baseboard heaters, in-wall heaters, even heaters that fit in the 4" toe-kick space under a kitchen or bathroom cabinet.

Many of these heaters draw a bit of power and require a 240 volt circuit, so knowing how to install one of those is helpful if you wanted to add a heater yourself. And of course you should also know how to size a room for an electric heater.

It's called ROI Series Introduction: Investing in Your Home Improvement.

Not all projects bring the same return on your dollar. Some projects have higher returns and some are necessary for basic maintenance. Some projects bring no added value to your home.

Take some time to read these articles . It may help you decide what to tackle first this Spring.

1. Home Maintenance and Repair Projects
2. Curb Appeal Projects
3. Neighborhood Norm Projects
4. Appraisal Booster Projects
5. Lifestyle Projects

It's getting to be that time of year when the snow is melting and the gutters need their Spring cleaning.

In this tutorial Cleaning Gutters and Downspouts I'll show you some tricks of the trade on this essential home repair. It's easy to do safely with a few tips.
So, let it flow!

Yes, there is duct tape involved. This unsung hero of home repair has been much maligned but is a trusted friend and loved by true, hammer totin' weekend warriors. And of course it is a staple in the MacGyver toolkit.

So how does Duct Tape lend a hand in clearing a sink clog? Well read the tutorial How to Unclog a Sink and find out!

Itching for Spring? Here are some great projects to consider...
Nothing Says Spring like a Garage Sale
For those of you looking to get rid of all that extra stuff stored in your attic, why not organize a spring garage sale? Not only does it feel great to lighten your household load, but it can bring in a little extra cash.

Should You Build Your Own Fence?
In springtime, many homeowners' thoughts turn toward backyard renovations such as fence-building. If you can't stand the idea of spending these glorious days digging post holes, consider calling a fence company to ease your pain.