How to Remove Sticker Adhesive

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An all natural way to remove the adhesive from stickers is using mayonnaise. The oil in mayonnaise does a great job of breaking down the adhesive.

Custom Color Toilet Seats

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If you have a toilet with a unique color, you can purchase a kit to special order a seat to match.
Most hardware stores carry a kit to match the color and size of your toilet seat for a replacement. If you can't find it at your local store, you can go online to pick up the kit.
This is an easy way to replace a toilet seat for a uniquely colored toilet.

Waterproof Wire Connectors

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For connecting wire outside, you should use wire nuts that are designed for outside use.
Exterior rated wire nuts are filled with a waterproof silicone to keep your wires from getting damp.
Outdoor wire connectors are great for landscaping wire, exterior outlets and lighting.

Contour Gauge to make professional cuts

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A contour gauge is a nice tool if you are doing a lot of trim or tile work around the house.
This easy to use tool will give you an exact outline of the shape you need to make professional cuts.
You can use it on trim to make coped corners or on tile to fit into odd shaped spaces.

Best Oil for a Lawn Mower or Snow Blower

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For 4 cycle engines in snow blowers or lawnmowers, you want to pick an oil that will work the best for the conditions. Most grades of oil are designed to protect at specific temperatures.

A 5W-30 oil will work best at 40 degrees F and lower. This is the best for winter conditions.

An SEA 30 will work best at 40 degrees F and higher. Below that will cause hard starting.

A 10W-30 is the most versatile oil and works well from 0 degrees F and 100 degrees F.

A synthetic 5W-30 will protect from -20 degrees F to 120 degrees F. Synthetic oil will improve starting and consume less oil. It costs more, but it provides the best protection.

How to Create a Pigtail Electrical Connection

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If you have an outlet that needs two or more wires going to one screw terminal, you should always create a pigtail to make the connection.

A pigtail connection is a safe way to make sure multiple wires stay connected to a screw terminal. You can also create a pigtail to extend a wire that is too short in an electrical box.

You will need to know the wire size of the circuit you are working on. You need to match the pigtail to the size of the circuit. In most homes, you will be working on a 15 amp circuit, using 14 gauge wire. In some situations, like a kitchen, you may have a 20 amp circuit, using 12 gauge wire.
Always turn off the electric to any circuit you are working on.

Prevent a Hot Water Tank Explosion - Relief Valve

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A routine every homeowner should have is checking the pressure relief valve on the hot water tank once a year. Once every 5 years the relief valve should be replaced.

If the relief valve is not working properly, heat and temperature can build and cause the hot water tank to explode. A hot water tank can cause extensive damage and the explosion can be potentially fatal for people in the house.

Before purchasing a new valve, check the temperature and pressure settings on the old valve to get an exact replacement. You can purchase a new valve at most hardware stores.
If your relief valve is dripping, you need to replace it immediately.

If you bleed the valve and it keeps dripping, you need to replace it immediately.
If the relief valve will not flush any water, you need to replace it immediately.

Prevent a Chimney Fire

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Chimney fires happen in over 25,000 homes a year .

As you burn in your fireplace, creosote builds up and has the potential to cause an explosive fire inside your fireplace. A creosote fire can burn at 2,000 degrees fahrenheit.

A chimney fire can melt mortar, crack tiles, cause liners to collapse and damage the outer materials of the chimney allowing flames to reach wood surfaces.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that you have a professional certified chimney sweep inspect and clean your fireplace once a year. They also suggest that using a chimney cleaning log once a month during the burning season will help prevent chimney fires between your annual cleanings.