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Maintenance & Repair

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 Websites presented in alphabetical order

811 view detail comment email this

"811 is the new number you should call before you begin any digging project. A new, federally-mandated national 'Call Before You Dig' number, 811 was created to help protect you from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines while working on digging projects." The site describes how 811 works and when to call (tree, pond, mailbox, fence, concrete), and links to state specific contacts. Also includes tips and testimonials and public service announcements. Note: may not display properly in all browsers.
http://www.call811.com
Topics: Gardening, Home & Housing, Public Health & Safety
Last updated Jun 6, 2007


Ace Paint Estimator view detail comment email this

Quickly calculate how much paint you need to paint a room or the exterior of your house.
http://services.acehardware.com/paint/
Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing
Last updated Mar 30, 2005


After a Disaster: Repairing Your Home view detail comment email this

This site offers brief "tips for consumers who may be facing major repairs after a disaster hits home" for avoiding "crooked contractors" and "recognizing a home repair rip-off." Available in Spanish. From the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt030.shtm
Topics: Consumer Research & Advocacy, Finance, Home & Housing, Home & Housing, Hurricane Katrina, Industries
Last updated Aug 12, 2008


Answers @ Ace view detail comment email this

Animated videos accompany directions for dozens of home projects and tasks, such as building a picnic table or determining size requirements for an air conditioner. The National Retail Hardware Association's Everyday Project Library presents additional projects such as repairing faucets and valves. Includes answers to frequently asked hardware and home improvement questions and a glossary of tools and products.
http://www.acehardware.com/infodept/index.jsp?categoryId=1261836
Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing
Last updated May 26, 2005


Be Jane view detail comment email this

Women do-it-yourselfers are the target audience of this site devoted to "empowering home improvement."  Animated tutorials cover the basics of many home improvement tasks on topics such as painting, plumbing, and electrical. Also includes tips and tricks, home buying and hand tool glossaries, message boards, and the "Jane of the Month" feature with interviews of women who have completed various home improvement projects. From a media and marketing company.
http://www.bejane.com/
Topics: Home & Housing
Last updated Feb 6, 2007


DIY Network view detail comment email this

"A television and web network with thousands of do-it-yourself projects ranging from crafts to car care." Projects, browsable by type and searchable, contain step-by-step, easily followed directions along with materials lists. Included are chat rooms and bulletin boards.
http://www.diynetwork.com/
Topics: Home & Housing
Last updated Jan 11, 2007


Do It Yourself Home Repair, Improvement and Remodeling view detail comment email this

The site contains a large collection of tips, tricks, and tutorials covering a variety of subjects, from appliance care to pet care to woodworking. You can scan a list of subjects or search with keywords and Boolean connectors. There is also a free monthly newsletter.
http://www.doityourself.com/
Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing
Last updated Sep 14, 2001


The Family Handyman Magazine view detail comment email this

Features selected articles from the print magazine of the same name (published by Reader's Digest) on do-it-yourself home improvement projects. Covers repairs (such as toilets, clogged drains, mold, and peeling paint), interior and exterior projects (such as painting, deck-building, and shelving and storage), and tools and skills. Also includes a "Handy Hints and Great Goofs" section.
http://www.rd.com/familyhandyman/
Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing
Last updated Oct 15, 2005


FEMA Warns Disaster Victims To Be Careful When Seeking Contractors For Repairs view detail comment email this

"Returning to a storm-damaged home is bad enough, but don't be a victim twice when seeking contractor services to rebuild." Advice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on hiring building contractors after a disaster.
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=5035
Topics: Home & Housing, Hurricane Katrina, Industries, Science
Last updated Sep 12, 2005


Flood-Damaged Walls, Ceilings and Floors: Removing Moisture, Cleaning and Repairing view detail comment email this

"Be prepared to let flood-damaged walls, ceilings and floors dry for several weeks. If restoration work is completed before proper drying, mold and mildew will continue to grow. The result may be structural damage to your home ... and discomfort or illness to family members who have allergies." Provides information about getting the moisture out and methods for making repairs. From the National Agricultural Safety Database (NASD).
http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d001401-d001500/d001496/d001496.html
Topics: Agriculture, Home & Housing, Hurricane Katrina, Water, Weather
Last updated Sep 14, 2005


Handyman USA view detail comment email this

This searchable site is full of "information plans and advice" for a wide range of home improvement projects and repairs including building a deck, electrical, installing doors, plumbing, painting, basketball court dimensions, keeping a basement dry, and much more. There are FAQs, expert forums, an e-mail newsletter, and tips for energy conservation and appliance maintenance. Contributions are welcome.
http://www.handymanusa.com/
Topics: Architecture, Electrical Energy, Energy, Home & Housing
Last updated Aug 25, 2004


HGTV: Home and Garden Television view detail comment email this

The site for the HGTV cable TV station. It covers remodeling, building, crafts, collecting, design, decorating, food, gardening and landscaping, real estate, and finance, providing instruction for home improvement projects, calculators, and details and schedules of regular programs and special presentations. Searchable.
http://www.hgtv.com/
Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing, Media, Recreation, Television
Last updated Jul 17, 2002


Home Improvement Encyclopedia view detail comment email this

Step-by-step guides to home repair, maintenance, and installation. Covers indoor and outdoor improvements, including patios and masonry, wiring, fences, flooring, and lighting, with instructions on selecting and using tools. Searchable. From Better Homes and Gardens.
http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/
Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing, Ready Reference & Quick Facts, Ready Reference & Quick Facts
Last updated Aug 19, 2008


Home Maintenance and Repair view detail comment email this

"Simple procedures for making home repairs and performing home maintenance are covered. Removing stains from carpets or upholstery and from other surfaces is included as is the cleaning for a wide variety of finishes found in the home." Searchable, and browsable by topic. From Michigan State University Extension.
http://web1.msue.msu.edu/msue/imp/mod02/master02.html
Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing
Last updated Feb 7, 2008


Hometime.com: How to Guide view detail comment email this

Contains "do-it-yourself project information for a variety of home-improvement projects," including electrical, plumbing, roofing, framing, flooring, landscaping, painting, contracting, ceramic tile, decks, garages, and saunas. From the PBS TV Program.
http://www.hometime.com/Howto/howto.htm
Topics: Architecture, Arts and Humanities, Arts and Humanities, Crafts, Home & Housing, Home & Housing
Last updated May 29, 2005


In the Workshop: Tool Box view detail comment email this

Suggestions for putting together a toolbox for basic home repair needs. Includes hand tools, measuring devices, safety equipment, and power tools and larger items to keep outside of the toolbox. Include tips for effective use of tools, and ideas for cleaning, sharpening, and protection of tools. This website also has sections on nails and screws and workshop tips. From an independent hardware store.
http://www.colehardware.com/quikfrme/workshop/toolbox.htm
Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing
Last updated Aug 3, 2005


Meruliporia Incrassata Commonly Known as "Poria," "The House Eating Fungus" view detail comment email this

Background about poria, "an orange colored mushroom shaped macro fungus, with the appearance of pancake batter, [which] has shown up recently in homes from San Diego to northern California"; it has been called "the most devastating wood-decaying fungus of houses." Describes how poria differs from other wood decay fungi, how poria might be introduced to an area, and possible control and remediation. Opens directly into a PDF document. From Long Beach, California.
http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/development/informationguides/pdf/informational/Poria%20The%20House%20Eating%20Fungus.pdf
Topics: Home & Housing, Plants by Name
Last updated Nov 14, 2007


Neighbor & Home-Related Disputes view detail comment email this

Collection of documents about legal concerns involving neighbors, and other homeowner topics. Includes FAQs on noise, fences, trees, and boundaries, and articles on issues such as "Rural Neighbors and the Right to Farm" and "When Secondhand Smoke Invades Your Home." From Nolo, a publisher of self-help legal information.
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/homeowners/index.html
Topics: Home & Housing, Pollution
Last updated Nov 1, 2009


Old-house Journal Online view detail comment email this

Corresponds in part to the print magazine Old-house journal , with dozens of articles (from issues back to 1998) that include advice on plaster restoration, trim colors, terrazzo, wood flooring, attic ventilation, termites, replacement insurance, and replacing missing trim. Not searchable. Other Web site highlights include a Restoration Directory with products and services; Talk , with forums for discussing houses by period, tips and techniques, and products; Old-House Notebook , with 40 booklets on common preservation and repair problems covering the exterior, energy systems, masonry, interiors, windows, roofing, and general issues; and Find-A-Pro , ImproveNet's database of remodeling contractors and designers.
http://www.oldhousejournal.com/
Topics: Home & Housing, Insects & Arachnids
Last updated May 9, 2001


Plumbing 101: Plumbing Home Improvement and Repair DIY Articles view detail comment email this

Collection of brief, easy-to-understand plumbing tips. Covers topics such as how to clean mineral deposits on faucets, safe drinking water after an earthquake, operating costs of appliances and energy and water saving suggestions, troubleshooting toilet problems, frozen pipes, decorating and remodeling, and more. Includes a glossary of plumbing terms. From a plumbing company.
http://www.friendlyplumber.com/plumbing101.html
Topics: Architecture, Home & Housing, Home & Housing
Last updated Jun 7, 2005


Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes view detail comment email this

Provides "suggestions about how to prevent water pipes in the home from freezing, and how to thaw them if they do freeze." Also discusses what not to do, such as using a blowtorch to thaw frozen pipes. From the American Red Cross.
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d229a5f06620c6052b1ecfbf43181aa0/?vgnextoid=78313acde6b4e110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default
Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing
Last updated Jun 20, 2009


Recover After a Disaster: Fires view detail comment email this

Introductory information and a booklet that "provides information on recovering from a fire in your home." Includes emotional recovery, caring for pets, checking for structural damage and damage to utilities and appliances, repairs, getting rid of smoke odor, financial recovery, and rebuilding. From the American Red Cross.
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d8aaecf214c576bf971e4cfe43181aa0/?vgnextoid=107e1b655eb3b110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default
Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing
Last updated Jun 15, 2009


Recover After a Disaster: Floods view detail comment email this

Brief information and a more detailed pamphlet about getting help, safety measures, and cleaning up after a flood. Available in English and Spanish. From the American Red Cross.
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d8aaecf214c576bf971e4cfe43181aa0/?vgnextoid=268e1b655eb3b110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default
Topics: Home & Housing, Hurricane Katrina, Nonfiction by Genre, Water, Weather
Last updated Jun 15, 2009


Repairing Your Flooded Home view detail comment email this

"This book gives step-by-step advice you can use to clean up, rebuild, and get help after a flood." It provides detailed instructions for repairing a flood-damaged home and preparing for the next flood; also provides safety measures. From the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Availble in English and Spanish. Opens directly into a PDF document.
http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/file_cont333_lang0_150.pdf
Topics: Home & Housing, Home & Housing, Hurricane Katrina, Water, Weather
Last updated Jun 20, 2009


Selecting and Buying Lumber view detail comment email this

Illustrated guide to types of lumber (such as dimensional, finish, and tongue-and-groove) found at hardware stores and lumberyards, wood defects, and common grades of wood. Includes lists of typical lumber dimensions and instructions for measuring board feet of lumber. From Better Homes and Gardens.
http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/maintenance/construction-basics/selecting-and-buying-lumber/
Topics: Home & Housing, Housing
Last updated Oct 16, 2009


Winter Weather view detail comment email this

Cold weather safety tips and information about cold weather health conditions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Features checklists for preparing your home and car for winter weather, a FAQ on health conditions such as hypothermia and frostbite, indoor and outdoor safety pointers, a bibliography, and related links. Some material available in Spanish and Vietnamese.
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/
Topics: Automobiles, Consumer Research & Advocacy, Home & Housing, Outdoor Recreation
Last updated Dec 8, 2005




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