---

Insulation

Dana Energy Savers

Commercial & Residential specialist doing all forms of insulation and roof ventilation. Our highly trained crews and years of experience make us the insulation problem solvers.

►Website for more info

---

Carpeting

Fairway Tile & Carpet

Best known for Enviro-Cushion, the waterproof, insulated carpet padding for basements, concrete slabs and over crawl spaces and garages. Fairway Tile & Carpet has one of Michigan's largest flooring collections including exotic hardwood, tile, fine carpeting, vinyl tile & sheetgoods. Expert installation.

►Website for more info

---

Basement Problems

Foundation Systems of Michigan

Your home's value is only as firm as its foundation. Call FSM for fast, effective solutions to settling, structural cracks or bowing of foundation & crawl space walls.

►Website for more info

---

Hardwood Floor Care book

Nothing matches the warmth and style of a real wood floor.  You can keep it looking great with Glenn Haege's Complete Hardwood Floor Care Guide.  this book covers it all , from caring for new floors to cleaning, maintaining, and solving problems with your existing wood floors. It’s free!

 

►Download the guide here

Publication date: 10/20/2007  Click here for a printer-friendly version Upgrade an outlet for added electrical safety If you have a newer home, you already have GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) in the kitchen and bath. However, a three-prong plug receptacle can be upgraded to a GFCI. Doing this adds a little bit of extra safety because the GFCI will stop the flow of electricity, preventing you from getting an electrical shock. To reset the circuit all you have to do is push the reset button. Upgrading an electrical outlet Materials: GFCI receptacle, GFCI cover plate Tools: Voltage sensor, screwdriver, GFCI tester 1. Turn off the electricity to that receptacle at the circuit box. 2. Remove the cover plate. 3. Double-check to see that you pushed the correct breaker by turning on the voltage sensor and testing. Hold the voltage sensor about 1/2 inch from the wires on both sides of the receptacle. 4. Unscrew the old receptacle from the electrical box and pull it out of the box. Loosen the screws holding the wires and remove the receptacle completely. 5. Connect the live wire to the copper-colored "hot" terminal screw at the lower right of the GFCI receptacle. 6. Connect the neutral wire (white) to the silver-colored screw. Then, connect the bare wire to the green grounding screw at the bottom of the GFCI. Tighten all the screws. 7. Carefully push the GFCI into the electrical box and secure it to the box with the screws. Attach the GFCI cover plate to the box. 8. Turn on the electricity at the breaker panel. Test the GFCI with the GFCI tester. 9. Plug something into the GFCI receptacle, then push the GFCI test button. You should hear a clicking sound; the RESET button should pop out and whatever you had plugged into the GFCI receptacle should stop working. Great! Now push the RESET button and you're back in business. Be proud.

Most recent You Can Do It Columns Save money instantly with new thermostat Fluorescent lights are a snap to replace Repair that wobbly ceiling fan Thaw pipes carefully Emergency Stain Removal Kit Get rid of squeaks in the floor Protect your garage floor by giving it a seal Prepare garage door for cold New shower head is simple to install New carpet is within your reach These steps will help you finish drywall Replacing cracked ceramic tile is a snap Drywall holes can be patched Vinyl flooring can be repaired Refinish hardwood floors and add some luster to your house Low-flow toilet is the only way to go Masonry veneer repair isn't difficult Some foundation concrete cracks can be resealed Repair gutters now to prevent troubles later If asphalt's looking worn, you can fix it For more articles: Browse-by-date Index