Dishwashers are a great convenience for most households, saving you hours every week of washing dishes by hand. Despite their convenience, they can be expensive to install. If you want to save on the labor costs, you can install one yourself. Before you can do that, though, you'll need to make sure that the existing plumbing is designed to support the added water-consuming appliance. If you don't already have a dishwasher in the house, you're going to need to add a three-way plumbing valve to the pipe so that you can connect the new dishwasher to the plumbing system.

There is an ongoing debate of whether or not to install shingles (or carry out roof repairs, in general) during the winter. The truth is that winter roof repairs are possible, but not as easy as shingle installation in warm weather. The freezing temperatures affect different aspects of the work. Tools Some roofing tools are affected by the low winter temperatures. Most of the affected instruments are those that use compressed air in their operations such as nail guns and compressors, or tools that use coolants or oil.

If you're looking to have a home custom-built from the ground up, then one of the first things you'll need to do is figure out how you're going to finance it. Essentially, there are two options when it comes to financing new home builders and construction project: Your Options There's the option of taking out one loan that encompasses both construction and a mortgage on the home. There's also the option of having the builder finance the construction and finding a separate lender to finance the mortgage.

Have you recently purchased or inherited an older home? Is the roof is in good condition, or does it need to be replaced? Having a roof inspection performed will give you a comprehensive analysis of the roof's condition. Here are some of the steps a roofing company will take while performing a professional inspection: Check your attic or crawlspace:  Your roofing inspector will ask to see the attic or crawlspace above the home.

Wood serves as a low-cost fuel for heating the home, and homeowners with easy access to firewood should be able to heat their homes all winter for around $1,000, according to the National Association of Realtors. While many people picture a crackling fireplace when they think of wood heat, fireplaces represent just one way to heat things up with wood. If you're considering switching to wood heat, consider these five technologies to see if one could work for your home.

One of the most used and important areas of your home is the backyard. You come to relax in this area, and you can enhance it for these purposes by incorporating some accessories. Interlocking Stone Pavers There may be a lot of mud and dirt in your backyard, preventing you from wanting to walk around in it. Mud and dirt don't have to be a problem again if you get interlocking stone pavers installed in your backyard.

Rust is one of the worst enemies of the water tank; not only does it weaken the tank walls, but it also leads to accumulation of sediment at the tank's bottom. The sediments reduce the efficiency of the water heater and waste energy. Although you cannot eliminate rusting in water heaters, you can reduce the rate of rusting if you understand what causes it. Causes of rust include: Intrinsic Rusting

As a homeowner, one of the grossest tasks that you will likely have to perform is cleaning-up after your septic system has backed-up into your home's bathtub. This job doesn't just smell bad, but raw sewage is a very real health threat to you and your family. The next time you hear the pipes gurgling, and find a special plumbing gift in your bathtub, keep these safety tips in mind:

Being a homeowner comes with a certain amount of responsibilities. While there is a lot of freedom that owning your own home brings, you also have to be aware of all the little what-ifs that might come your way. No one is going to be there to pay your repair bill for you, so you have to make sure you have a rainy day fund to accommodate any repairs needed. If you aren't sure what you have to look forward to as a homeowner, check out some of the common repairs needed.

It's not always easy to stay warm on a budget, especially when your house is working against you. If you want to beat the cold this winter without breaking the bank, it helps to do a few little, inexpensive tasks that can shore up your house's defenses from the outside chill. Grab Your Caulk Gun Small gaps and cracks between window seals and door frames can allow cold air to infiltrate your home and drive up your heating bill.