How To Tell The Age Of A KitchenAid Product
Have a KitchenAid product that you inherited or that you bought at a yard sale? Here's how to tell the age of it with this simple hack.
Read MoreGia Miller
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As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
Stories By Gia Miller
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What Kind Of Light Fixtures Do You Need For A Dimming Switch?
Control the brightness in a room and save on electricity costs by installing dimmer switches in your home. Most light fixtures, including LEDs and CFLs, can work with a dimmer switch, but options and compatibility vary depending on your fixture and bulb.
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How To Troubleshoot Automatic Faucets
Automatic faucets use a technology that is similar to a smartphone screen. Touching a sensor triggers something called a solenoid valve, which turns the water on and off. If you’re having trouble with your faucet, it could be a simple fix or there may be a problem with your solenoid valve.
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How To Make A Porch Light A Motion Sensor
Light motion sensors can reduce electricity costs, light pollution and even burglars. There are a variety of easy-to-install products that don't require rewiring or permits. A motion sensor light bulb, a sensor with a camera and smart phone app or a screw-in motion sensor are all simple solutions.
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How To Drain Water From A Portable AC Unit
If you buy a partially evaporative portable AC, you'll need to drain water from it. Drainage frequency depends on the humidity and how long you use the unit.
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What Is A Bleeding Tree?
The term "bleeding tree" is used to describe two different types of trees. Dragon’s blood and bloodwood trees contain a red sap which, when the tree is cut, makes it appear as though a tree is bleeding. Fruit trees may ooze an amber-colored sap from a wound that is due to a disease called gummosis.
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When Building A Fence, Do Posts Go On My Side Or The Neighbor's Side?
Being a good neighbor requires some fence etiquette before you begin your new project. This etiquette involves placing the fence on your property, including the posts, which should face your home. It also entails speaking with your neighbors and sharing your plans before construction begins.
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Why Do I Have So Many Pincher Bugs In My House?
Pincher bugs, also known as earwigs, are most commonly found in southern climates. While they may look creepy, they're neither poisonous nor do they spread disease. To prevent them from entering your home, protect your exterior and keep your foundation dry.
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Troubleshooting Recliner Issues
A recliner has many moving parts to make it work properly. Troubleshooting common problems, such as no power, incorrect movement, leaning or discomfort, will help you determine the problem and solution. Although some can be fixed by the owner, others will require the expertise of a repair tech.
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Standard Door Sizes
Although homes vary in style, size and age throughout the country, there are general sizing guidelines for common interior and exterior doors. Front doors, sliding glass doors, interior doors and closet/utility doors are all made in standard sizes.
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Proper Spacing For Deck Footings
When building a deck, you must properly determine and space the footings using one of two styles. Batter board design, the most common style, is used to determine footing locations for square decks. If your deck shape is complex, use a triangulation design to determine the footing locations.
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How To Care For A Creeping Fig
The creeping fig is a climbing evergreen plant that's a common ground and wall covering in warmer parts of the country and a houseplant in cooler areas. Often called a climbing fig vine, they're low maintenance, easy to propagate and deer and rabbit resistant but poisonous to indoor pets.
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Materials List For 12x16 Deck
Building an outdoor deck will require a variety of materials. Some materials, such as batterboards and mason's string, are only used to determine the framework of the deck. However, other materials, such as wood, concrete and hardware, are necessary components of the deck's structure.
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How To Whitewash A Fence
Update your fence with a rustic look by whitewashing. Modern methods involve minimal supplies. Dilute the paint in water, applying coats as needed. Rubbing wax on wood prior to painting gives a chipped, vintage look. For a truly rustic appearance, drag a small amount of paint across wooden boards.
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How To Repair Scratches In An Engineered Hardwood Floor
Engineered hardwood floors are more durable than a traditional wood floor, but they can still get scratched. The best way to fix scratches on engineered hardwood floors is to use a wax repair kit. Thoroughly clean the area and make sure you match the wax to your floor before you fill the scratch.
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How To Measure For Herringbone Kitchen Tile
A herringbone pattern can add a classy or bold element to your kitchen. This pattern is created by forming a zigzag pattern with rectangular tiles. To determine the amount of tile needed, multiply the length by the width to find the square footage, then add 10 percent.
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How To Design A Deck Roof
Adding a roof to your deck is best done as the deck is being built. If you choose to add a roof to an existing deck, you may need to add additional supports so it can hold the weight of the roof. The most common styles are gable, hip and shed. Consider including an ice and water barrier, too.
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How To Change A Round Fluorescent Light Bulb
Plan ahead when replacing a round fluorescent light bulb as they are not all the same. Determine the wattage, color temperature and diameter before purchase, then, with the power off, work slowly and gently to remove and replace your bulb.
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How To Install Architectural Shingles
Installing architectural shingles is not a difficult process, but it does require the correct tools and an understanding of the process. The architectural shingle layout pattern requires that tiles do not line up from row to row, so each beginning tile must be cut six inches more than the previous.
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Box Elder Tree Identification
Boxelder trees are maple trees that produce very little maple. These trees are found in river banks or near water, planted in gardens for decorative purposes or sprouting up in ditches. They can grow in zones two through nine and require six hours of direct light each day.
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How To Determine Roof Pitch
The safest way to determine the pitch of an existing roof is to measure from inside your attic using a level, tape measure and pencil. If you are building a new roof, however, consider the climate to determine the correct pitch and proper materials. This will extend the life of your roof.
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How High Should A Bar Counter Be?
Standard bar height is 42 inches; however, this can vary. Raised breakfast bars in some kitchens are 6 inches above the standard 36-inch kitchen counter height.
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How To Repair Porcelain-Coated Pans
Porcelain-coated pans are coated in enamel. Removing stains is possible, but hire a professional to repair chipped enamel since the process is dangerous.
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How To Find The Year Built By The Model Number For Whirlpool Stoves
The Whirlpool serial number decoder can help you determine the location, year and week your appliance was manufactured. The serial number also indicates the manufacture order for that week. Whirlpool serial numbers are located with the model number on the appliance.
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How To Measure Stove Tops
Standard cooktop sizes are 30, 36 and 45 to 48 inches wide. To measure for a new cooktop, determine the cutout width, cutout depth and countertop thickness.
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How To Calculate Freezer Size
Stand-alone freezers are available two styles, chest and upright, and come in a variety of sizes. you can easily calculate the size of freezer your household needs.
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How To Clean A Stainless Steel Microwave And Convection Oven
Cleaning a combination microwave and convection oven should be done regularly. Pay attention to the grain when cleaning, drying and conditioning the stainless steel.
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