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Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. It may seem like a bit of a stretch to think of housework as a money-saving endeavor but, believe it or not, dirt can cost you money. For instance, did you know that if enough dust builds up on your refrigerator coils it can burn out the cooling fan and overheat and destroy the motor? That s a very expensive repair or replacement you can avoid. Run a vent brush under the fridge to clean the coils and vacuum them thoroughly with the brush attachment each season. Be sure you unplug the fridge first, though! Vacuum baseboard heating units often to help them radiate more efficiently. Clean out your dryer vent every couple of months to help it dry your clothes faster. Dirt can hide where you least expect it. Unscrew the aerator from the end of your kitchen faucet and check for sediment that could be reducing your water flow. Make sure you get the benefit of the light you re paying for: dirty glass on porch and overhead light fixtures, sconces and even windows can actually block a lot of light. Dirty furnace filters make your heating system work harder and cost you more. Next time you re at the hardware store, buy a few extra filters and date them so you ll remember to change them regularly. If you have an electronic air filter, don t wait until the cleaning light is blinking red; frequent cleaning lowers costs. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. Get a jump on the hot weather by making sure your room air conditioner s up to the challenge. Before you pull it out of storage, consider the age of your air conditioner. Efficiencies have improved so much that replacing an old clunker from the 70s with a new 10-seer unit could cut your cooling costs in half. Regardless of age, all units need maintenance every season and about once a month during the season. First, unplug the unit and see your manual for instructions on discharging the capacitors to avoid a shock. Dirt is your air conditioner s worst enemy. Clean out the drain ports with a length of wire. Vacuum the evaporator and condenser coils and gently straighten any bent fins with a fin comb, which you can get at most hardware or plumbing supply stores. Remove the filter and wash and dry it thoroughly or replace it with a new one if it s the disposable kind. Run the unit for a few minutes to see how it performs. If the fan s making noise, try tightening the blade s set screw as well as the bolts that hold the fan unit to its housing. If the power cord, switch or thermostat is worn or faulty, you can replace it without having to buy a new unit. The coils, compressor and motor are all sealed and should be repaired by a professional. On the bright side, if you do this check early, you won t be put on someone s waiting list in 90-degree heat! Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Don t let a drain clog slow you down; it s usually an easy fix. A partial clog can be cleared by cleaning out the drainpipe. Older plumbing can be damaged by using harsh drain chemicals, so opt for a naturally biodegrading drain cleaner or use this homemade solution: pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain, then slowly add a cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain for five minutes, then flush with a gallon of boiling water. Some clogs call for a plunger. The key here is to create a vacuum. If you re working on the kitchen sink, you need to clamp off the dishwasher hose and seal the drain openings in the other sink basins. If it s the bathroom sink or tub, plug the overflow opening with a wet rag. With at least a couple inches of water in the basin, plunge rapidly several times, pulling up sharply at the end to move the clog. You may need to do this several times. If plunging doesn t clear the clog, use an auger. If your drain opening is obstructed, sometimes a coat hanger wire with a small hooked end will bring up the clog. You can also detach the trap under the sink with a plumber s wrench in order to get at the clog or to rescue anything you ve lost down the drain. If you don t see an improvement in drainage after all of that and especially if more than one drain is slow in your house you should consult a plumber since the problem could be caused by blocked or improper venting of the wastewater system. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. Mold problems are present in about four out of 10 American homes. With the often prohibitive costs and dubious results of professional mold remediation, more and more homeowners are looking for ways to take care of mold problems themselves. If mold is affecting an area less than 10 square feet and your household doesn t include anyone who is very young, very old or immune-compromised, you can tackle the problem yourself if you re careful. First, consult the EPA s web site and read about the different levels of mold infestation and the levels of protection they require, both for you and for the rest of your house. Mold spreads by sending out millions of airborne spores. Disturbing a mold infestation can send the spores flying and make your problem worse and more widespread unless you seal off the area and protect yourself. Seal off any heat or air vents to the affected area, and install a window fan to pull air to the outside. Seal off the area with plastic sheeting taped over the doorway. Never touch mold with your bare hands, get it in your eyes or breathe it. Wear a disposable work suit or clothing you can throw away after the job is done. Wear a respirator, gloves and goggles, and shower well after you ve finished. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot kill mold with bleach. It might remove the appearance, but it won t get the roots, which will re-bloom in a matter of days, sometimes hours, if the area remains wet. In general, the best way to get rid of mold is to remove the affected materials altogether and rebuild. Removal is your only option if the moisture came from grey water or sewage. If the moisture source was clean, use a wet vac or steamer to remove wet or loose debris first and double-bag it in heavy trash bags. Then damp-wipe or scrub with detergent and water, but don t soak the surface. When it s thoroughly dry, vacuum again with a HEPA vacuum. Double-bag the vacuum contents and thoroughly clean or replace the vacuum s filter. You can dispose of the bags of debris with the rest of your trash. If the moisture problem that invited the mold in the first place has been fixed and the area remains completely dry, the mold may not re-grow. Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com

A new door is being installed on the Melrose house. Bob explains that the old door was adequate but had a crack in one of the panels which let in a draft. Lou Sandonato from Moynihan Lumber tells Bob about the features and benefits of the new American Classic Therma-Tru door. The door is made of fiberglass skin, a polyresin interior, and LVL siding, all in a wood jam. It is an engineered door, ready to install and does not require as much maintenance as a normal wood door. Bob talks to Bill Jarzynka from Bill Jarzynka Carpentry about the installation. Jarzynka is preparing the area, clearing away debris with a vacuum, to install a solid base of pressure-treated wood create a new frame for the door. Jarzynka installs the wood slats and a layer of insulation to create the base. Jarzynka will frame the sides with pressure-treated boards to fill the empty space. A board is also nailed in place at the top of the frame to fit the door. Sandonato reviews the three-point locking system in the installed door. Jarzynka then installs the trim surrounding the door.

Regular cleaning of the dryer vents will increase dryer efficiency and reduce fire risk.