Tools

Geez...Water Heater on the Fritz?

If your water heater is on the fritz and you're not sure what to do, 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.

Hot water virtually on-demand is a luxury we've come to take for granted. But like anything else, it takes energy to run. So 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.

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.

Geez...Water Heater on the Fritz? originally appeared on About.com Home Repair on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 13:14:58.

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Is There Such a Thing as Good Garden Design?

A garden designer once told me that good garden design was a lot like pornography: You can't define it, but you know it when you see it. Certainly good garden design is subjective. My tastes seem to change daily, so my garden's design is constantly evolving. I do favor a certain sense of order, but my plants usually have their own way, despite my best efforts.

I was at a garden talk recently and the speaker was a garden designer who specializes in naturalistic garden design. He feels that a successful garden design is one where you don't even realize the space has been designed. I'm not sure that's ever going to be my aesthetic. I like natural areas, but I love billowing boarders and flowering hedges. David Beaulieu has an interesting piece on the evolution of garden design, from geometric order to cottage gardens, sweeping lawns and minimalism. Do you think you're garden aesthetic can be categorized, or do you find yourself constantly experimenting.

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Photo: © Marie Iannotti

Is There Such a Thing as Good Garden Design? originally appeared on About.com Gardening on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 01:58:03.

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How to Build Floating Decks

In what sense do so-called "floating decks" float? Well, the term refers to the fact that such decks aren't attached to a house. Being free-standing, floating decks are easier for beginners to build, for two reasons: You don't have to worry about doing any damage to your house (in the process of attaching the deck to it). If your floating deck is a small one, its portability affords you more flexibility, both during construction and afterward (to correct mistakes).

In other words, building a small floating deck is the perfect project for the non-carpenter who would like to dabble in a stress-free construction project. So are you looking for an excuse to build a small floating deck? Here's one reason why you might want to build one:

Do you have a problem area in your yard? The solution to some problem areas may very well be a small floating deck -- for example, a small area between your house and a large pine tree that always looks pretty much like a weed patch because grass and flowers fail to compete successively with the pine for the available water. Building a small floating deck here could transform the area into a usable space.

This tutorial shows pictures of a small floating deck in the process of being constructed. And not to worry: the accompanying instructions are written for non-carpenters.

View tutorial: How to Build Floating Decks

How to Build Floating Decks originally appeared on About.com Landscaping on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 08:29:15.

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What Does a Refinished Bathtub Really Look Like?

It's a question I get every so often.  The more important question:  How long will this reglazing last?  Even a blindfolded DIYer in the throes of caffeine withdrawal can "refinish" a bathtub.  But will it look any good in a year?  Or in this case, a week later?

I have tried to portray a typical refinished bathtub in pictures.  With this exercise, I quickly learned the limits of my amateur photography skills when it comes to showing fine details.  Still...

If you want it all summed up:  Pretty good.  First time I saw the tub, I didn't know it had been refinished.

While you're at it, check out our complete library of articles about bathtub refinishing.

Image Copyright Lee Wallender; Licensed to About.com

What Does a Refinished Bathtub Really Look Like? originally appeared on About.com Home Renovations on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 03:00:44.

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