Connect a 2 wire light fixture to a 3 wire ceiling box

If you’re changing out a light fixture and find two wires on the fixture and three wires in the box, you’re not out of luck. Here’s how to connect a 2 wire light fixture to a 3 wire ceiling box.

Read more

How long do roofs last on houses?

How long do roofs last on houses?

How long do roofs last on houses? That’s an important question to ask when you’re buying a house, and an important thing to keep in mind if you own your home. A safe assumption is 20 years, though it varies depending on the roof type.

Your roof, air conditioner, and furnace are the big three expenses for a home. The roof lasts the longest of the three, but is also the most expensive.

Read more

Water seepage in basement: Five fixes

Water seepage in basement: Five fixes

It’s not uncommon for water seepage to happen at random places in basements, sometimes even in the middle of the floor. And the first thought that comes into most people’s heads is a sump pump, which is an expensive proposition. Here are five fixes for water seepage in basement or basement water seepage to try first.

It’s possible that the problem does call for a sump pump. But before going to that expense, there are a number of things you can do that cost little or nothing. You should do those things anyway because the sump pump will work better when you do.

Read more

Connect a 2-wire light fixture without ground

Connect a 2-wire light fixture without ground

If you’re changing out a light fixture and find there’s no ground wire in the box, you’re not out of luck. Here’s how to connect a 2-wire light fixture without ground.

If you’re having trouble locating the ground wire, the ground wire is either a bare wire or green.

Read more

Peel and stick tile over existing vinyl

Peel and stick tile over existing vinyl

You can put peel and stick tile over existing vinyl, but there are certainly right and wrong ways to do it. If the underlying vinyl isn’t in good condition, you won’t be very happy with the results. And if you don’t do any prep work, you won’t be very happy with the results.

I’ve seen this go well, and I’ve seen it go poorly. Here are the secrets that allow it to go well.

Read more

Cheap baseboard alternatives

Cheap baseboard alternatives

Over the course of renovating rental property, there have been several times I had to explore cheap baseboard alternatives. I needed something that would be functional and look decent while staying within the confines of a sometimes-strained budget.

My solution won’t win awards but costs a few cents per foot.

Read more

Glue coming up between vinyl tiles

Glue coming up between vinyl tiles

If you have a problem with glue coming up between vinyl tiles when you lay them, I have a couple of solutions.

And you will want to solve the problem. The glue discolors the tile, and doesn’t get any better with age. It attracts unsightly dirt and then nothing about it looks good.

Read more

Fix kitchen light bulb flickering

Fix kitchen light bulb flickering

Flickering lights can be a sign of a serious electrical problem. But kitchen light bulb flickering often is due to other issues because a kitchen provides challenges you usually don’t find elsewhere in the house. Let’s look at things that cause kitchen light bulbs to flicker and burn out more quickly than other rooms and things you can do to prevent it.

And yes, flickering usually does go hand in hand with reduced lifespan.

Read more

Fix bathroom light bulb flickering

Fix bathroom light bulb flickering

Flickering lights can be a sign of a serious electrical problem. But bathroom light bulb flickering often is due to other issues. Let’s look at things that cause bathroom light bulbs to flicker and burn out more quickly than elsewhere in the house and things you can do to prevent it.

And yes, flickering usually does go hand in hand with reduced lifespan.

Read more

Is this vinyl tile asbestos? How to check.

Is this vinyl tile asbestos? How to check.

If you’re working on a house built before 1978, and you’re renovating floors, you need to pay attention to the tile. Asbestos tile was very common before 1978, so you’re not being paranoid if you ask a question like, “Is this vinyl tile asbestos?”

While it’s impossible to answer the question for certain, there are guidelines to follow.

Read more