Expert Handyman | DIY Solutions

How to Clean and Maintain a Cork Floor

By: HANDY Staff

Nov 05

Q: I have installed cork flooring and love it, except that it stays dirty. Apparently the dirt goes into the cork. Any suggestions on how I can clean it? Lee Komich, Alexandria, VA A: Cork flooring with several coats of an appropriate finish should not be difficult to clean. My panels came with ...

HANDY Staff 0 comments Expert Answers

Old Tool Batteries: Repair or Replace

By: HANDY Staff

Aug 21

Q: The battery for my drill/driver isn't accepting a charge anymore. What are my options? Should I just buy a whole new tool? Tommy Nelson, Phoenix, Arizona A: Assuming you're not angling for justification to buy a new tool, you have several options. First, if the tool is still under ...

HANDY Staff 3 comments

Removing A Stuck Bulb

By: HANDY Staff

Aug 13

Q: How do I remove an appliance light bulb that was not screwed in correctly? It is stuck in the socket and won’t turn in either direction, and I am afraid of breaking the glass. Kathy Wilhite, Via Facebook A: This question was recently posted on HANDY’s Facebook page. Becau...

HANDY Staff 5 comments

Cleaning Old Chairs

By: HANDY Staff

Jul 24

Q: I recently bought a set of old oak dining-roomchairs at a flea market. They’re well-constructed and sturdy but kind of dingy. What’s the best way to clean them up? Janet Anderson, Portland, OR A: Whether you’re working on chairs, a table, kitchen cabinets or wood moldings...

HANDY Staff 9 comments Expert Answers

Sinking Garage Apron

By: HANDY Staff

Jul 09

Q: The top few feet of my asphalt driveway slope down 3 in. below the outside edge of my garage floor. Will the rest of my driveway start sinking too? What can I do to fix this? Rob Haase, Norwood, OH A: The strip of driveway that is sinking directly in front of your garage is called the gara...

HANDY Staff 12 comments Expert Answers

Silencing Squeaks

By: HANDY Staff

Jul 03

Q: I’m hoping you can help me silence the squeaks in my hardwood ﬂoors. I don’t have access to the underside of the ﬂoors, so how do I ﬁx the many squeaks that have developed over the years? Brian Merwitz, Skokie, Illinois A: Although it’s probably impossible to silence ever...

HANDY Staff 8 comments Expert Answers

How do I remove old wallpaper?

By: HANDY Staff

Jun 26

Q: I am getting ready to remodel our kitchen, and all three walls are covered with wallpaper. Is there an easy way to remove wallpaper and the remaining glue? Eric Keyse Wesley Chapel, Florida A: Senior Editor Connie Bastyr responds: When it comes to wallpaper removal, a lot depends on luck a...

HANDY Staff 17 comments Expert Answers

Replacing a Toilet

By: HANDY Staff

Jun 11

Q: I’m replacing a 20-year-old toilet. I‘ve heard that some new toilets don’t work as well as the old ones.What are my options? Greg Vogel, Moline, IL A: Water consumption is the biggest change in toilets younger than yours, which probably uses about 3.5 gallons per flush (g...

HANDY Staff 22 comments Expert Answers

Peeling Popcorn Ceiling

By: HANDY Staff

Jun 07

Q: I started painting the textured ceiling in my living room, and as soon as I made the first roller pass, the texture began peeling off. What’s going on, and how do I fix the damage? Can I even finish my paint job? Todd Riball, Victoria, Minnesota A: Ceiling texture — commonl...

HANDY Staff 16 comments Expert Answers

Dread-free Window Washing?

By: HANDY Staff

May 22

Q: I dread the thought of another spring window cleaning.The pros make it look easy. What’s their secret? Jay Weiser, Fountain Hills, AZ A: In a word: squeegee. Most window washing haters are doing it all wrong. Leave the spray cleaners and newspapers for cleaning your mirrors. It&rsquo...

HANDY Staff 5 comments Expert Answers

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