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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Home Repair Quotes
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Home Repair: Fast Fixes for Every Part of Your Home
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Judy Ostrow22 ratings, 3.77 average rating, 1 review
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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Home Repair Quotes
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“To clean gutters, you will need to climb a ladder. Please review the ladder safety rules in Chapter 2. They’re important.
If your gutters are higher than you can reach with a stepladder, you’ll need to use an extension ladder. If you are not afraid of heights, fine. Just follow these rules:
* Make sure that the base of the ladder is firm and level.
* The bottom of the ladder should be one foot away from the wall of your house for every four feet of its length. If the ladder is extended 12 feet up, for example, you’ll need to place the base of the ladder 3 feet from the wall of the house.
* Do not stand on the top three steps of the ladder.
* Keep your hips between the vertical rails of the ladder. Climb down and move the ladder; don’t extend your body beyond safety range.
* Have a friend hold the ladder at its base.”
― The Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Home Repair: Fast Fixes for Every Part of Your Home
If your gutters are higher than you can reach with a stepladder, you’ll need to use an extension ladder. If you are not afraid of heights, fine. Just follow these rules:
* Make sure that the base of the ladder is firm and level.
* The bottom of the ladder should be one foot away from the wall of your house for every four feet of its length. If the ladder is extended 12 feet up, for example, you’ll need to place the base of the ladder 3 feet from the wall of the house.
* Do not stand on the top three steps of the ladder.
* Keep your hips between the vertical rails of the ladder. Climb down and move the ladder; don’t extend your body beyond safety range.
* Have a friend hold the ladder at its base.”
― The Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Home Repair: Fast Fixes for Every Part of Your Home
“Clothes Washer Hoses and Filters
A couple of years ago, I came home from running an errand and heard the sound of rushing water (like a waterfall!) coming from my basement. I tore down the stairs and saw what looked like the Old Faithful geyser spewing water from behind my washing machine.
I immediately cut off the water at the supply stop behind the washer, but there was quite a pool on the floor. I cut the power to the washing machine (at the electrical panel), then unplugged it and moved the appliance back from the wall.
The washer was about 15 years old, and so were the hoses that ran from the supply valve to the machine. Made of rubber, they had grown brittle and corroded with minerals from our well water over the years. One of them finally split; that’s what caused the gusher. I’d never given them a thought before the split.
If you’ve had your washing machine for eight years or more, it might be wise to replace the supply hoses now, before they do to you what mine did to me! Insurance companies—who often wind up paying out for the damage done by burst hoses—advise homeowners to replace supply hoses every 3 to 5 years.”
― The Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Home Repair: Fast Fixes for Every Part of Your Home
A couple of years ago, I came home from running an errand and heard the sound of rushing water (like a waterfall!) coming from my basement. I tore down the stairs and saw what looked like the Old Faithful geyser spewing water from behind my washing machine.
I immediately cut off the water at the supply stop behind the washer, but there was quite a pool on the floor. I cut the power to the washing machine (at the electrical panel), then unplugged it and moved the appliance back from the wall.
The washer was about 15 years old, and so were the hoses that ran from the supply valve to the machine. Made of rubber, they had grown brittle and corroded with minerals from our well water over the years. One of them finally split; that’s what caused the gusher. I’d never given them a thought before the split.
If you’ve had your washing machine for eight years or more, it might be wise to replace the supply hoses now, before they do to you what mine did to me! Insurance companies—who often wind up paying out for the damage done by burst hoses—advise homeowners to replace supply hoses every 3 to 5 years.”
― The Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Home Repair: Fast Fixes for Every Part of Your Home
