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 …

Turn the TV on and splash, a new group of castaways is being dropped off in the tropical waters lapping the sandy shores of the newest “Survivor” destination. A quick hit on the remote and your favorite world class chef is putting the final touches on a feast fit for a king, or at least your Saturday evening dinner guests. One more tap on the channel selector and the good old boys from the sunny south are dropping in a big block and putting the final touches on a prefect …

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.