Last Updated 11/21/09 1:25 PM
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Home Journal How-To Central
Home Journal
Workshop
Home Improvement
Gardening
Woodworking
How Your House Works
Home Journal How-To Central
Home Journal
Home Improvement
How to Fix Stuck or Broken Garage Doors
Your garage is supposed to keep your car safe from the elements (and possible thieves), but sometimes garages have problems of their own. Garage doors won't open, refuse to lock or age and warp. Here's how to solve most common garage door dilemmas. Click For More.
Deck Repair: Tackle Mildew, Ants, Stains and Broken Patio Pavers
Open to the elements and constant invasions from the natural world, decks require their fair share of upkeep. Here, PM shows how to tackle mildew, stop an ant invasion in its tracks, remove stains with lemons, replace crumbling patio pavers and more. Click For More.
Backyard Quick Tips: PM's Guide to Fence and Garden Dilemmas
Whether fence posts are loose, pathways are deteriorating or weeds are taking over, we have the quick fix for your backyard dilemmas. Here, we give tips on how to fix dilapidated fencing, overgrown yards or just start a new garden in no time at all. Click For More.
8 Easy Fixes for Gardening Dilemmas
Plant care isn't easy—dogs can dig up your beds, while soil can attract vermin. Planters present their own problems and watering can be tricky. Here are some quick fixes that can help give a novice gardener a green thumb. Click For More.
DIY Pool Maintenance for the Dog Days of Summer
With summer winding down, you’ll want to fit in as much swim time as possible—but a pool problem could throw a wrench in your plans. Here, we offer DIY pool maintenance tips and outline several scenarios for which you’ll need to call a qualified pool expert. Click For More.
Easy Storage Solutions and Choosing the Best Adhesive for the Job
If pack-rat tendencies have left you with the need for good storage, here’s how to make the most of your space. And because many home improvement projects require some glue, here are six adhesive options and the best ways to use them. Click For More.
8 Quick Fixes For Your Worn Out Table and Chairs
Home furniture experiences a great deal of everyday wear and tear. With all the use, tabletop stains, wobbly chairs and scratched floors are almost inevitable. Here are cheap, quick fixes for some common furniture problems. Click For More.
How to Choose the Right Abrasive For Any Job
Abrasives can be used to strip paint, smooth a weld, remove rust, abrade wood, and polish away imperfections from a finish. Here’s how to choose the best abrasive for any job. Click For More.
7 Easy Repairs for Broken Wood Furniture
The furnishings in our homes are subject to a great deal of stress and strain. Legs get wobbly, and surfaces get dinged, dented, and scratched. Thankfully, most damage is reversible with very little expertise. Click For More.
How to Refurbish Upholstered Furniture and Bedding
Are your couches and beds starting to look worn and dingy? Here are some quick fixes that can keep them going until you're ready to, well, spring for replacements. Click For More.
Quick DIY Fixes for Air Conditioners and Ceiling Fans
It's finally summer—the perfect time for being outdoors. But your house can feel less than comfortable if your air conditioner has stopped working, or your fan's constantly buzzing. Here are some quick fixes that will help you keep cool this summer. Click For More.
Fix it or Ditch it? A PM Guide to Home Appliances
It's frequently less expensive to replace small household appliances than it is to fix them. But some problems, like blenders with stuck blades or a broken vacuum belt can be repaired easily. Here's a quick fix it or ditch it guide to home appliances. Click For More.
How to Fix Washing Machine and Dryer Problems
From washing machines that dance around the basements to dryers whose fuses have blown, PM has tips for fixing your laundry machines without calling a mechanic. Plus, our easy fix it or ditch it guide to broken washers and dryers. Click For More.
How to Troubleshoot Common Refrigerator Problems
Your refrigerator is the most used appliance in your home--it's always on. But fridges can leak or cycle too much, and freezers can stop making ice or, even worse, fill themselves with layers of icy buildup. Here's how to solve common refrigerator woes. Click For More.
Quick Fixes for Unreliable Ovens and Stoves
Are you a bad cook, or is your oven's temperature just way off while your range heats unevenly? Appliances make life easier, until they start leaking, heating imperfectly and generally malfunctioning. Here are some quick fixes for ovens and stoves. Click For More.
Quick, Easy Fixes for Dishwasher and Garbage Disposal Woes
Appliances are meant to make our lives easier. That is, until they start leaking, heating imperfectly, burning toast they were supposed to brown, and generally malfunctioning. Here are some quick solutions for dishwashers and garbage disposals. Click For More.
How to Fix Common Heating and Cooling Problems
When your air conditioner is on the fritz or your oil burner is have a breakdown, there are a number of steps to take before you replace the whole thing. Here is what to look for—and how to fix—a broken central air unit. Click For More.
How to Choose the Right Tape: Know Your Stuff
The tapes inside range from ho-hum films with an adhesive layer to specialized products that leave glue (or even putty) behind after a backing is peeled away. There's an ideal tape for every job — but when in doubt, go for the heavier stuff. Click For More.
When WD-40 Won't Do: Choose the Right Lube or Oil for Any Job
Like the Tin man, appliances sometimes get squeaky (and then stuck). But what kind of lube or oil will you need to fix them? Here's PM's complete guide to 13 different types of lubrication, including graphite and penetrating oil. Click For More.
10 Quick Fixes for Problem Faucets
A leaky faucet, you can handle. But bathroom and kitchen faucets present so many more challenges. Here's how to fix cranky faucets without a plumber. Plus, how hot is too hot when it comes to your home's water heater? Click For More.
How to Choose the Right Caulk for Any Surface
Your shower can be an oasis, or it can leave you feeling dirtier when you leave than before you got in. Here are PM's quick tips for shower repair, plus a primer on how to choose and use the right caulk for your tub--and for any other surface. Click For More.
How to Banish Basement Pipe Problems
The way water comes in and goes out of our homes is one of those processes we take for granted. When a pipe explodes, it's time to call a plumber, but these easy maintenance tips can keep the professionals at bay. Click For More.
Troubleshoot Your Toilet Without a Plumber
Overflowing, constantly running and sweating toilets can test a home owner's sanity. Sometimes you'll have to go with a pro, but here are seven common problems you can fix yourself. Click For More.
How to Fix Broken Electrical Outlets
Electrical problems come with more than their fair share of stress—But that doesn’t mean that every electrical crisis needs to be left to the pros. Many small electrical problems can be easily handled by the homeowner equipped with tools and sense.. Click For More.
6 Low-Voltage Electrical Repairs You can Do Yourself
While some home electrical projects are dangerous and require an electrician, these low-voltage projects (like repairing your doorbell) are easy to do yourself. Plus some basic wiring do's and don'ts. Click For More.
5 Tricks to Fix Chattering, Buzzing and Flickering Lights
Loud lamps, flickering fluorescents and buzzing dimmer switches can make you want to replace your home's lighting system with flashlights. But there are plenty of small electrical problems that you can fix easily without having to hire an electrician. Click For More.
Roof Repair: How to Fix Leaks and Broken Shingles
Some roof problems are clearly for experts, but you should be able to fix minor leaks and broken shingles yourself. Here are some DIY roof tips, plus useful safety advice for when you get that ladder out. Click For More.
6 Household Tips To Keep Handrails, Counters and Baseboards Together
Over time, many household details begin to sag and fall apart, but you don't have to let your home suffer from to gradual decay. PM has easy fixes for wobbly handrails, sagging closet rods, baseboard gaps, and peeling countertop edging. Click For More.
7 Fast Fixes for Scratched, Burnt and Squeaky Floors
Don't let squeaky or scratched floors drive you to distraction. PM has tips for fixing them, along sides resilient floor blisters and scuffs, burnt carpet and broken ceramic floor tiles. Click For More.
Quick Fixes for Crumbling Walls
Walls keep your house together, so don't let them fall apart! From wallpaper with bubbles to split wood siding, PM has easy solutions to make your walls look better, fast. Click For More.
Quick Fixes for Front (and Sliding) Door Locks
It's important to keep your home under lock and key, and incredibly frustrating when those two elements don't work together. PM has advice for fixing locks to keep your home secure without calling a locksmith. Click For More.
7 Quick Fixes for Broken and Stuck Windows
Whether it's a BB or a baseball that's gone through your window, you don't always have time to replace it the same day. Here are PM's best tips for dealing with broken or stuck windows and screens. Click For More.
Door Repair 101: How to Fix a Squeaky Door Hinge, Gaps, and More
Whether your door squeaks, sticks or opens on its own, there is no need to call in an expert to solve door problems. Here are 5 common problems—and solutions—to help you get your door back swinging. Click For More.
Drains 101: How to Clear Drains, Prevent Smells and Use a Makeshift Sump Pump
Whether your bathroom sink is clogged, your garbage disposal smells, turkey grease is backing up the kitchen sink or your sump pump dies, there is a DIY solution. Click For More.
Cheap Homemade Remedies to Clean Home Appliances
Your house is full of cleaning products that you may not even know about. PM tells you how to use fabric softening sheets to clean your shower, lemonade to clean dishwasher and vinegar to get lime out of the sink. Click For More.
How to Get Stains out of Any Floor
You can buy fancy stain removers, but chances are that you have the materials to remove some of the toughest stains in your house already. Here's how to get rid of those blood, wine and pee stains, plus tips for floor scuffs and carpet damage. Click For More.
Easy Tips for Stain Removal at Home
You can buy fancy stain removers, but chances are that you have the materials to remove some of the toughest stains in your house already. Here are tips for removing stains from marble, silverware, aluminum siding and sofas. Click For More.
How to Battle Mold and Mildew at Home
Some mold and mildew you can get rid of yourself with a little elbow grease. But toxic mold is best left to the professionals. PM knows how to diagnose the problem--and how to fix it. Click For More.
Home Heating and Cooling Maintenance Keep Repairs At Bay
Instead of ignoring your appliances until they are in a state of disrepair, homeowners should worry about upkeep. Simple maintenance will save you time and money. Here are four easy-to-do maintenance tasks you don't want to ignore. Click For More.
10 Quick Home Maintenance Tips
Home maintenance isn’t restricted to repairs. In fact, certain tasks may actually prevent things from breaking in the first place. From the gutters to the carpet, there’s a reliable method for keeping every part of your home clean, safe, and well maintained. Click For More.
5 Outdoor Tips for Garden and Yard Tools
Improvisation can be important for indoor tools, but it's important outdoors as well. PM shows you some quick fixes for garden tools--from your lawnmower to your bucket. Click For More.
Quick Painting Tips From the Experts
Painting is a great weekend DIY project and PM has all the tips and tricks to make sure it goes smoothly. Excerpted from the Popular Mechanics book When Duct Tape Just Isn't Enough, published by Hearst Books/Sterling Publishing. Click For More.
5 Quick Fixes for Hang-ups with Nuts, Bolts, Screws and Nails
You've got all the right tools, but sometimes nails and screws just don't want to do their jobs. PM shows you how to improvise and get the job done. Click For More.
10 Quick Fixes: Improvise with Time-Saving Tool Tips
“Use the right tool for the job.” That’s good advice, but there are times when you just have to improvise. Excerpted from the Popular Mechanics book When Duct Tape Just Isn't Enough. Click For More.
Got a DIY project or need some inspiration to get started on one? Upload your project with photos and even video, then show off against other PM readers to win prizes!
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Out Now: Crash Course
In December, PM tackles plane crashes. What happened to Air France Flight 447, and what new technologies can help prevent similar disasters? Also look for 20 Macgyver repair tips, and our annual holiday gift guide. 