Expert Advice on Home Improvement

With the rising cost of gas and electricity, finding ways to cut back on your energy consumption is more important than ever. To help you cope, we’re taking a look at four great ways to make your home more energy efficient that are also eligible for the Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credit: upgrading your heating and cooling system, water heater, windows, and attic insulation. Read in full.

This homemade rain barrel for recycling rainwater for use in your lawn and garden is an easy do-it-yourself project that costs less than $50. Watch this video to find out how. Watch this video.

Gail asks, “I would like to put in a tankless hot water heater, but I’m concerned that the water will not get hot enough. Is that a problem?”

When sized properly, tankless water heaters can get the water plenty hot enough. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Dean asks, “When we use the hot water in our new home, there is a very strong smelly odor. Please help.“

There are several possibilities for the unpleasant odor in your water, including the material the pipes are made of and the water supply itself. Read on to find out some of the causes of smells in your water and what you can do about it. Read in full.

If your home uses a septic tank to dispose of waste water, it’s important to know how to keep it in proper working order. Here are the basics you need to know to maintain the septic tank system for your home. Read in full.

Here are six simple do-it-yourself projects that can solve some common home improvement problems around your home. Read on to find out how to coat a garage floor, replace a security light, install bifold closet doors, refurbish an entry door, replace a showerhead, and install a tile floor. Read in full.

Betty asks, “I recently had my septic tank pumped out and noticed a steady stream of water coming from the house drain pipe into the tank. Where could it be coming from?”

The most likely culprit is a leaking toilet, but there are a couple of other possibilities to consider as well. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Watch this video to find out how you can reduce the chance of scalding in the bathroom by lowering the temperature of your water heater. Watch this video.

Drinking water can become contaminated with lead from the solder that was used in the copper pipes in many older homes. Find out how to test your water and remove lead and other harmful chemicals by installing a water filter. Watch this video.

Desiree’ asks, “After draining a hot water heater, do you reset the pressure valve before refilling the tank or after?”

It’s important to remember to close the pressure relief valve on the hot water heater when you are through draining it. Otherwise, water will run out the valve and through the discharge pipe once it refills. Since the pressure relief valve vents at the top of the tank, you could wait until the tank is full before closing it, but it’s better to close it when you start refilling the tank in case you forget. Read more to find out how to go about it. Read in full.