Garage Door Check The garage door works tirelessly and if you want it to continue serving you a periodic inspection might head off looming problems. Start by looking at all the hardware and check for loose nuts and bolts. Inspect the track and the rollers that ride in it, both should be free of debris. Rollers can be lubricated with a drop or two of oil followed by a few up and down cycles. Check over all cables looking for fraying, kinks or other sighs of wear. If you have a door opener be sure you know how to disconnect it if it fails.

Folding Rule The folding wood rule was the standard measuring tool before the steel tape moved in. Most folks remember it as something their grandfather used. The folding wood rule is alive and well and still the best tool for certain typed of measuring. If you aren't going to make a long measurement why carry around a long measuring tool? If you are interested in getting back to the old way look for a folding rule with an extension slide. The extension slide is a rule in a rule and makes inside measurements a snap.

- Stephen Corwin

Water Heater Insurance The cheapest water heater insurance is regular maintenance and one of the easiest maintenance tasks involves draining the sediment from the bottom of the tank. The major drawback besides actually doing it is the measly drain valve that comes on most water tanks. If you are up to it replace the valve with a full port ball valve when the tank goes in. This is relatively easy when the tank is new and accessible. If your are not up to the task request a new valve from the installer. The extra few dollars are worth it when it comes time to flush the tank.

New Faucets for Old Faucets and faucet parts get pretty grungy over time even though they get cleaned regularly. The culprit is mineral deposits that build and resist removal by cleaning. Aerators and showerheads suffer the same fate. The answer is vinegar. Remove handles or dissemble parts as necessary and soak then in vinegar for an hour or so then brush the deposits off with an old toothbrush. You might be surprised how new an old faucet can look.

Joist Patch Floor joists occasionally crack or split and there is usually little danger of the house falling in but making a repair is a good idea. Typically the joist is strengthened not replaced. If a full-length joist can be maneuvered in next to the old one go for it but this is rarely possible. A patch can be sistered to the damaged joist to do the job. Make the patch as long as is practical. Jack the damaged joist if possible then position the patch and fasten with nails and then drill and install through bolts about every sixteen inches along the length of the patch. Alternate the bolts high and low along the repair. Remove the jack and move to the next project.

Tile Replacement A damaged vinyl floor tile can be easily removed and replaced especially if more of the original tile is available. The best way to get the old tile up is to cover it with a towel and iron it up by applying a warm clothes iron to soften the tile and adhesive. Once things are softened up pry the old tile up with a putty knife and scrape any remaining glue from the floor. Apply new adhesive and install the new tile. If a matching tile is not available consider taking up a tile from an inconspicuous place like under the refrigerator and using it for the repair.

-- Anonymous, December 15, 2002