Nat Howard

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Stories By Nat Howard

  • How To Fix A Futon Bed Frame

    A futon, which is both a bed and a sofa, requires maintenance at times. A futon bed frame may be fixed in minutes just by shifting the mattress on the frame or by replacing a broken glider or hinge.

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  • How To Install A Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Control

    Install a Harbor Breeze ceiling fan remote control by wiring the receiver to the fan motor's electrical box. Identify and match the black, white and blue inside the fan canopy to the new remote receiver. Attach each corresponding wire. Secure receiver and canopy and test new remote.

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  • How To Tell How Old Your Mattress Is

    The quality and condition of your mattress play a major role in how you feel in the morning. It's a good idea to replace your mattress after about eight years. Here's how to find out how old your mattress is.

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  • How To Grow A Black Rose Plant

    A black rose plant can add a touch of drama to any garden. This deep, velvety reddish-purple flower isn't truly black but appears to be black when grown among pink- and blush-toned roses. Growing a black rose plant in your home garden takes nothing more than sun, soil and patience.

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  • How To Remove A Dishwasher's Upper Rack

    Remove a dishwasher's upper rack to clean large pots and pans. Locate the rack tracks. There is a snap cover on some models that allows for easy removal. Other models have track stops that unhook to glide the upper rack wheels out. Consult the user manuals for full instructions.

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  • Alternatives To Slats For Bed Frames

    Alternatives to slats for bed frames are platform beds, plywood bases, and rope frames. These do not require a box spring. Solid bases result in a harder sleeping surface. Rope beds are woven like a hammock to tightly hold a mattress.

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  • How To Repair A Hinged Shower Door

    A hinged shower door can become stuck over time due to moisture and soap buildup. Removing the hardware, cleaning the hinges and replacing old and worn-out screws can solve many problems. Deep cleaning the hinges and latch on frameless showers can help with door that won't stay shut.

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  • How To Remove A Tub Spout

    Remove a dated or damaged bath tub spout with a few tools and elbow grease. There are two kinds of spouts: Slip-on and screw-on. Removing screws and caulk build-up can loosen the spout. Slip-on spouts can be gently pulled from the wall. Screw-on spouts are twisted off counterclockwise.

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  • What Are The Standard Garage Door Sizes?

    Standard garage door sizes range from single doors to commercial doors. Single garage doors are a height of 7 feet with widths from 8 to 10 feet. Double garage doors have a width of 12 to 16 feet. RV garage doors are taller, with a height of 8 to 9 feet and width of 16. Custom doors range per home.

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  • The Parts Of A Bed

    Different types of beds have different parts, although most have legs. Other parts you might find include a headboard, footboard, rails and slats or a platform.

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  • The Best Sofa Cushion Filling

    The best sofa cushion filling depends on how soft or firm you want your couch stuffing to be. There are four main types of sofa cushion filling: foam, feathers or down, batting and polyester. A combination of these materials is often used, such as a fiber-down blend wrapped around foam-clad springs.

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  • Parts Of A Drill And How To Use It

    Knowing the parts of your drill can help troubleshoot problems and keep up with drill maintenance. The drill power source can be corded or cordless, and the drill chuck can be keyless. The trigger switch controls power, and the drill bits can be exchanged for each new project use.

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  • How To Grow And Care For A Venus Flytrap

    Venus flytrap looks like it could be from another world, but this carnivorous plant is right at home on your windowsill or porch. Though it has a reputation for being difficult to care for, Venus flytraps just need a little bit of extra attention and the right environment to thrive.

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  • How To Tie And Raise A Flag

    Let your flag fly, whatever it may be. From school colors to patriotic pride, a flag needs to be properly secured so that it can endure against high winds and still proudly wave.

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  • How To Straighten A Bent Chain-Link Fence

    A bent chain-link fence can be fixed by replacing the damaged top rail with a new part. Simply untie or loosen the chain-link fabric from the damaged railing. Then, unbolt the rail or gently cut the rail away. Insert a replacement rail into the brackets and secure.

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  • How To Make A Leather Couch Darker

    Make a leather couch darker with leather dye, restoring balm or natural oils. Leather dye can change the color completely, creating a new look or a darker shade. Restoring balm can go up a shade in color. Natural oils will subtly darken a leather couch while conditioning and restoring the surface.

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  • How To Open & Close A Futon The Right Way

    There are three different types of futons available, and the procedure for opening and closing each one is slightly different than the procedure for the others. Learn how to properly open and close each one so you don't damage your furniture.

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  • How To Fix A Mailbox Door

    Fix a mailbox door by tightening, loosening or replacing a part. For a metal mailbox, straighten or bend the hasp to adjust. Replace rusted hinge bolts. Brick mail door replacements are the best solution. Plastic door hinges can be replaced as well, but it is inexpensive to replace the whole box.

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  • How To Install Carpet Over Existing Carpet

    Installing carpet over carpet can be a cost-efficient, unique and fast way to change the look and feel of a room. Using a throw rug over carpet can brighten up a rental space, or installing carpet tiles over a low-pile carpet can freshen up your home while saving on time and labor.

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  • How To Fix A Bad Light Socket

    There are a few ways to fix a bad light socket. The first is to make sure the socket is providing enough contact with the bulb to produce light. Adjusting the tab and removing rust will help. Other parts of the lamp may be damaged and hindering the socket. Finally, replace the socket with a new one.

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  • Ideas For A Tile Backsplash In The Kitchen

    Creating the perfect tile backsplash for your kitchen? Try a design focal point, incorporate backsplash border ideas or place tiles in unique patterns. From classic tile to mermaid scales, following a few tips, hints and ideas for a tile backsplash in the kitchen can brighten up your space.

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