Young children often huddle under the covers in their bedrooms, certain that a monster prowls in the closet or under the bed. Most parents will open the closet door or peek under the bed to remind them that the coast is clear. But if your children accused your kitchen sink of harboring a shady presence, would you be able to deny it? Something foul may be lurking in your sink. Your garbage disposal may start to smell when food debris builds up. It may be a lingering …

You may be flushing your money down the toilet and not even know it. Twenty percent of all toilets leak, which secretly raises homeowners’ water and wastewater bills. But other problems – like a toilet that won’t flush completely or runs continuously – aren’t secret at all. Take a whirl at inspecting your toilet. It’s more convenient and less expensive to systematically check the plumbing yourself, before you have to call in the professionals to take care of a …

As a homeowner, you are not legally permitted to perform your own renovation work, with the exception of the electrical, but it is strongly recommended amateurs not do this as disastrous results can occur.