Updated Articles and Resources

By Bob Formisano, About.com Guide

Top 10 Exterior Home Repair Tutorials Created: Sunday, May 08, 2011 Updated: Sunday, June 09, 2013
Learn how to perform the top exterior home repairs for Spring such as lawn care, gutter cleaning, screen repair, painting and deck refinishing to name a few, and get your home ready for the warm we...
Types of Faucets and How to Tell Them Apart Created: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 Updated: Sunday, May 19, 2013
Faucets come in several types including compression, ball, cartridge and disc. Identifying what type you have is the first step in doing any repair. The type of faucet determines how it gets repair...
Repairing a Compression Washer Faucet Created: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 Updated: Sunday, May 19, 2013
This tutorial will show you how to repair a leaking compression washer faucet.
Repairing a Single Handle Disc Faucet Created: Saturday, May 18, 2013 Updated: Saturday, May 18, 2013
This tutorial describes how to repair a single handle ceramic disc faucet such as found in a kitchen or bath.
How To Repair a Leaking Ball Faucet Created: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 Updated: Saturday, May 18, 2013
Tutorial describing how to repair a single lever ball faucet such as made by Peerless or Delta and which is commonly found in the kitchen and bath.
Disc Faucet Created: Saturday, May 18, 2013 Updated: Saturday, May 18, 2013
Definition of the disc faucet
How to Install a Centerset Faucet with Pop-Up Drain Created: Sunday, September 25, 2011 Updated: Saturday, May 18, 2013
Tutorial describes how to install a centerset bathroom faucet with a pop-up drain.
How To Repair a Leaking Two Handle Cartridge Faucet Created: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 Updated: Wednesday, May 15, 2013
This tutorial will show you how to repair a leaking two handle cartridge faucet with illustrating faucet repair photos.
Tankless Water Heaters - What You Need to Know Created: Thursday, September 28, 2006 Updated: Thursday, May 02, 2013
This tutorial describes tankless water heaters, how they work, different fuel sources and types of tankless hot water heaters, how to size the unit and issues associated with this technology.
Concrete Tile Roof Shingles Created: Friday, April 26, 2013 Updated: Friday, April 26, 2013
Definition of concrete tile roofing.
LED Lighting – The New Home Appliance Created: Monday, April 22, 2013 Updated: Tuesday, April 23, 2013
This tutorial describes LED lighting that is an affordable, safe, energy efficient lighting source far exceeding CFL lighting in performance and safety.
Top Exterior House Siding and Repair Tutorials Created: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Top tutorials on the exterior siding of your house including vinyl siding, wood siding, cement fiber siding, aluminum siding and brick veneer.
Repairing Damaged Vinyl Siding Created: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 Updated: Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Step by step tutorial on how to replace or patch a damaged section of vinyl siding
LED Lighting Created: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 Updated: Saturday, March 30, 2013
Definition of the lighting type called LED (light emitting diode)
Halogen Incandescent Hybrid Lighting Created: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 Updated: Saturday, March 30, 2013
Definition of the lighting type called halogen incandescent lighting.
CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lighting) Created: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 Updated: Saturday, March 30, 2013
Definition of the lighting type called compact fluorescent lighting (CFL).
Incandescent Lighting Created: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 Updated: Saturday, March 30, 2013
Definition of the lighting type called incandescent lighting.
Hazards of CFL Lighting Created: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 Updated: Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Describes how CFL's became widespread, the hazards of CFL lighting usage and lighting alternatives to Compact Fluorescent Lighting.
How to Install an Electronic Dimmer Created: Sunday, January 11, 2009 Updated: Wednesday, March 27, 2013
This tutorial graphically describes how to easily install a dimmer in a single pole switch location for incandescent or halogen lighting. To use a CFL with a dimmer the use a dimmable CFL is requir...
The Incandescent Lighting Ban Created: Saturday, January 14, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tutorial clarifies the phased ban of certain incandescent lighting mandated by the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act.
2007 Energy Bill - Are They Phasing Out or Making Incandescent Bulbs Illegal? Created: Sunday, April 27, 2008 Updated: Wednesday, March 27, 2013
The 2007 The Energy Independence and Security Act contains controversial provisions such as new lighting efficiency standards. This tutorial covers what the new law means for the incandescent light...
How to Clean Up a Broken CFL - Compact Fluorescent Lamp Created: Sunday, March 23, 2008 Updated: Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Compact Fluorescent Lamps contain mercury, a dangerous neurotoxin that can cause kidney and brain damage. This article outlines the cleanup procedures recommended by the EPA for a broken CFL.
Recycling a CFL – Do Not Throw Compact Fluorescent Lamps Away! Created: Sunday, April 13, 2008 Updated: Wednesday, March 27, 2013
A CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp) cannot be thrown away by law in some states. It contains mercury which pollutes our landfills and watersheds. A spent CFL must be carefully packaged and transported...
Repairing Textured Walls: Orange Peel Created: Monday, April 24, 2006 Updated: Sunday, March 10, 2013
This tutorial will walk you through how to repair a damaged textured wall
Pliers, Tongue and Groove Created: Monday, February 25, 2013 Updated: Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Definition of the specialty tool known as a tongue and groove plier made popular by Channellock®.
Types of Pliers Created: Sunday, November 11, 2007 Updated: Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Describes the types and features of various pliers.
Single Lever Ball Faucet Repair Quick Fix Created: Sunday, March 02, 2008 Updated: Sunday, February 24, 2013
Tip on how to quickly stop a leaky ball type single lever faucet without having a new repair kit.
How to Prevent an Outside Faucet from Freezing Created: Saturday, November 12, 2011 Updated: Sunday, February 24, 2013
Describes products and techniques to reduce freezing risk of an outside faucet or sill-cock.
How to Shut Off the Water Supply Video Created: Thursday, February 21, 2013 Updated: Thursday, February 21, 2013
Shutting off the water supply to your house can be a bit scary especially if you've never done it before. Watch this About.com video to learn the steps.
How to Troubleshoot and Repair a Thermostat Video Created: Thursday, February 21, 2013 Updated: Thursday, February 21, 2013
Trying to fix your thermostat and not quite sure what the problem is or how to remedy it? We've been there! Check out this About.com video to see how to do it successfully.
How to Replace a Wall Outlet With a GFCI Video Created: Thursday, February 21, 2013 Updated: Thursday, February 21, 2013
Looking to learn the steps for replacing a wall outlet with a GFCI? Doing the replacement correctly will alleviate future problems. Watch this About.com video to see how it is done.
Top Tips for Window Air Conditioner Maintenance Video Created: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 Updated: Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Are you properly caring for your window air conditioner? Watch this About.com video to get tips for proper window AC unit maintenance.