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20 DIY Mistakes We’ve Made (So You Don’t Have To)

Kelli — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:21:40 +0000

The editors here at Popular Mechanics would like you to know that we’re not perfect. Whether tackling home improvements or making automotive repairs, we’ve all made our fair share of mistakes. Here are some of the worst. If you’ve got some that you’d like to share, send them to pmwebmaster@hearst.com, along with any lessons that might have been gleaned from the experience.

Unclogging Bathtub Drains

Kelli — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:24:36 +0000

A blocked or clogged drain is a pain, but it doesn’t mean that you need to call a plumber. Most clogged drains can be easily cleared by using things that are around the house or just a few inexpensive tools.

All drains have a similar construction. At the bottom of the drainpipe is a curved section of pipe called a trap. Under sinks this trap is shaped like an “U”, while most bathtubs have a slightly different shaped trap called a “P” trap, since it’s shaped like the letter “P”. The curves in the trap are there to “trap” some water in the drain line, and prevent sewer gases from coming up the pipe and smelling up the house. Over time, however, the traps will sometimes get blocked with things like cooking grease or food particles (in kitchen drains) or hair and soap scum (in bathroom sinks). Slow running drains are partially blocked, and drains that don’t drain at all are obviously totally blocked.

How to Replace a Heat Pump Filter

Kelli — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 17:11:17 +0000

A heat pump filter is a vital component of your heat pump. It helps to keep dirt and debris from being discharged into your home. Heat pumps draw cool air into the device and distribute warm air within the house. Before the cool air is drawn into the pump, it is filtered to remove dust and debris. This helps to maintain cleaner air indoors. With time, the pump filter accumulates a lot of dirt and debris. This reduces efficiency of your heater. It is best to change the filters regularly for better performance of the heat pump. This is a simple job that doesn’t take much time or effort, as outlined below.

Install a Whole House or Under Sink Water Filter

Kelli — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:49:57 +0000

Clean, pure water is a vital part of our lives. Staying healthy involves quite a few things including a proper diet, an exercise routine, and proper hydration. Drinking water that does not contain impurities is part of a healthy way of life.

Fortunately, all it takes to provide a healthier supply of water is the simple installation of a whole house water filter. Whole house water filters are used to remove sediments from your water supply. Not only will this provide purer water for you to drink, but also, it may help to extend the life of your appliances and plumbing system.

Winterizing The Plumbing System So The Heat Can Be Turned Off

Kelli — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:02:43 +0000

If the temperature inside a house gets below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0° Celsius) it’s likely that the water supply pipes and the drain traps will freeze.

When water freezes it expands 9 percent, and if there is no room for expansion it’s possible that the pipe will burst. When the ice thaws the pipe will leak, and in the supply system this leak could occur anywhere. Fixing a burst pipe can be expensive, but the damage from uncontrolled water leakage can easily reach into the thousands of dollars. Believe me, you do not want to experience the hassle and expense of having a pipe burst and spraying water all over your basement, or anywhere in your home.

A properly-insulated house built to current building codes will probably never experience this problem under normal conditions. What do I mean by normal conditions? The heating system runs properly, the electricity supply stays on, and the furnace fuel supply never runs out.

Choosing an On-Demand Water Heater

Kelli — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 19:39:04 +0000

Tankless hot water heaters reduce energy use while making hot water available whenever you turn on the tap.

Most water heaters heat 30 to 70 gallons of water and keep it hot until it’s needed. When you open the tap, hot water flows through the pipes and cold water enters the tank to be heated. But when you’re not using hot water, it’s being maintained at 120 degrees Fahrenheit (or more) — all day and all night, increasing your energy bills but not contributing to your comfort. Wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to keep a tank of hot water available to use the next time you open the hot water tap? A tankless or on-demand water heater makes it possible.

Quick Fixes to Do Before Holiday Guests Arrive

Kelli — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:14:00 +0000

The holidays are right around the corner and now is the time to take care of the improvements you’ve been procrastinating about all year long. From dead doorbells and jammed doors, to caulking the bath and replacing broken tiles, here are our top quick fixes, and all the information you need to get the job done right.

How to Unclog Drains Without Chemicals

Kelli — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:09:37 +0000

Drains are hidden heroes in your home. If you’re lucky, you can go for years without thinking about them, but when dirty sink water suddenly won’t go away or a toilet won’t flush, they can be a major frustration. A plugged drain certainly demands attention, but fixing it is probably something you can do yourself. You’ll get faster results than calling a pro, and you’ll save money, too.

Successfully unclogging drains depends on a few simple tools and knowledge of the layout of pipes hidden in your home.

Flushing Out the Ultra Water-Efficient Stealth Toilet

Kelli — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 03:47:27 +0000

Niagara Conservation has introduced a new toilet that’s unlike anything on the market. It uses passive “vacuum-assist” technology to deliver a very quiet, effective flush that consumes just 0.8 gallons (3.0 liters)–making it, I believe, the most water-conserving of any flush toilet on the market.

Quieting Noisy Water Pipes

Kelli — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:06:55 +0000

Water flowing in pipes can cause all kinds of weird noises. We all know what water running through a pipe sounds like, but what about some of those other plumbing sounds – like creaks or cracking sounds, rattling, whistling and the most annoying or scary of them all, that loud banging noise? Let’s look at what causes those sounds and how you can fix them.

Creaks or a cracking sound
These are usually caused by the expansion and contraction of the water pipes themselves. As hot water runs through a pipe, it naturally heats the pipe, causing it to expand slightly. Once the water stops flowing, the pipe cools and the metal contracts, resulting in the creaking or cracking sound. The easiest way to fix this is to put some insulation around the pipe, or if the pipe is running through a tight fitting hole in the wood framing, cut a notch in the framing so the pipe can expand and then contract without that creaking sound.

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