Looking to Organize Your Entire Home? Try These 90 Different Ideas!

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Jeremy Leake

Having an organized home is something that most people want but aren’t sure how to get. In order to help you out we found this article with 90 different home organization ideas. We hope you find some ideas to help!

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From the article:

Being organized is crucial if you want your home to look clean and beautiful and not like what???s left over after a tornado. It???s important to maintain an organized look but, in order to do that, you have to come up with a system in the first place. We???re going to analyze each of the rooms and give you tips and advice on how to organize that space.

Entryway Organization Tips
Hidden storage is fun to have and very useful. You can be creative and store things under the sofa. Use a tray or a baking sheet to hide your magazines and sudokus out of sight. You???ll be able to pull them out easily whenever you want to.

Speaking of remote controls, here???s another interesting idea: try a caddy with compartments for the remotes from your TV, DVD player and everything else. Give them a nice home and you???ll always know where to find them.

Kitchen Organization Tips
In every kitchen there???s a drawer with all sorts of little things just thrown in there. Some call it the junk drawer. Organizing this space is not that difficult. All you need is a tray with all sorts of small compartments. Place it inside the drawer.

Vertical storage is extremely helpful in the kitchen. Store all your cleaning supplies under the sink in a pull-out shelf. It???s easy to install and it lets you save space.

Bathroom Organization Tips
Turn a wooden pallet into an organizer for the bathroom. Install some hooks and knobs for towels and bathrobes and use wooden crates for the toiletries.

The space under the sink is very useful, both in the kitchen and the bathroom. Use it to store things like cleaning products or toilet paper.

Laundry Room Organization Tips
n the case of the laundry room, being organized is not that difficult. The most difficult part is saving space. Use laundry baskets to sort the dirty clothes. Label them and this will make your job a lot easier.

Store your basic laundry supplies in a basket. Use small containers and label them. It???s fun and a lot easier than having to deal with huge boxes of detergent and fabric softener.

Kids??? Room Organization Tips
It???s important to teach the kids how to be organized but, to do that, you need to be organized yourself. Come up with a way to make things fun. For example, use baskets or colorful boxes and show the kids how to store their toys and other personal items.

Cubbies and crates are a perfect combination. The kids can store there all sorts of things and they would be neatly organized and easy to grab.

Office Organization Tips
There are lots of knickknacks in any home office and they need to be organized if you want any work to be done. A clever idea is to use empty toilet paper rolls to organize your pens and pencils. Use wrapping paper or pages from a book to decorate them.

You can also use toilet paper rolls to organize your cables. Decorate them with washi tape and, if you want, label them so it;s easier to find the cord you need.

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Looking for more home organization tips? Checkout this article about home organization tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.homedit.com/guide-for-organizing-your-home-room-by-room/1/

Looking to Be More Organized at Home? Follow These Tips!

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Jeremy Leake

Having an organized home can be a big challenge. Especially with kids and spouses coming behind you and messing up what you’ve just done. In order to help you out we found this article with 21 different organization tips. We hope it helps you better organize your home!

From the article:

While decluttering should always be the first priority when getting your home in order, there comes a time when you need solutions for what to do with the stuff that???s left. When your home is organized well, finding what you need is quick and easy, supplies and tools are stored where you use them, and each member of the household knows just where his or her stuff goes. In other words, life is easier. Here are 21 ideas for organizing all around the house.

Wire pantry baskets. Removing the outer packaging from favorite snacks saves space and makes it easier to grab and go. Stash your snacks in a wire basket, and you???ll be able to see what you want easily.

Countertop condiment basket. Keep your go-to cooking oils and condiments close at hand without letting them take over the counter. A wire basket keeps items corralled while still letting you see what???s inside; a tray with a lip would also work well.

Kitchen wall hooks. Keep market bags, aprons and tea towels handy with a few wall hooks in the kitchen. Putting some up is incredibly simple ??? and so convenient, you???ll wonder how you ever lived without them.

Back-of-the-door organizer. Using an adjustable organizer on the back of the door is a good way for kids to learn to put away their own things. Keep a hook for a backpack, a rack for shoes and a basket for library books.

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Looking for more ways to organize your home? Checkout this article about home organization tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/31750411/list/21-tips-for-organizing-your-stuff

Looking to Buy a New Washer and Dryer Set This Year? Start Here!

Posted on January 11, 2018 by Jeremy Leake

Buying a new washer and dryer is a big investment. Getting a good product for a good price can be difficult. In order to help you out we found this article with information on the best units on the market. We hope it helps!

From the article:

Shopping for a matching washing machine and dryer set makes sense, particularly if you want appliances with a uniform finish, similar profiles, and complementary technologies. But not all pairs are perfect couples, so it’s important to consider what you want out of your laundry experience and set-up.

If your home has a dedicated laundry room or big basement, you can probably accommodate side-by-side machines of any size. However, for city dwellers or those otherwise short on space, who may be looking to retrofit a closet or fit a washer and dryer in a tight corner, front-loading washers are the way to go since a dryer can be stacked on top of most models. The biggest drawback of a stacking unit is that you???ll have to purchase a separate stacking kit, which installs them securely and prevents them from toppling. And you will have to reach higher to load and unload your clothes from the dryer drum, so shorter folks or those with mobility issues might not want that inconvenience.

Whatever unit you choose, it’s important to carefully measure the area you have to work with before you buy. From a high capacity dynamic duo to a three-piece advanced laundry system, read on to find out which washer and dryer sets are the best on the market.

Best Overall: Samsung WF45M5500AP Washer and DVE45M5500P Dryer with Steam
For a washer and dryer pair that offers top value overall, look to this advanced set from Samsung.

This matching front-loading set will look great in your laundry room, but will also give you an advanced cleaning system to keep your clothes looking and smelling great. Both machines are equipped with steam technology, allowing you to sanitize and refresh clothing with the touch of a button. One important thing to know about Samsung???s Steam Wash technology is that it releases steam from the bottom of the drum ??? ensuring that it reaches every article of clothing as the drum rotates clothes.

There are 10 cycles available on both the 4.5 cubic foot washer and the 7.5 cubic foot dryer, making this pair capable of tackling any laundry challenge you have in mind. Almost everyone agrees that this washer and dryer set is very quiet and does a superior job of cleaning even tough stains. Buy this quality set from Samsung for the features and enjoy it for the quiet operation and efficient cleaning capabilities.

Best High-Capacity: Maytag 6.2 cu. ft. Top Load Washer and 9.2 cu. ft. Dryer
Are you looking for a large capacity washer and dryer that will conquer your laundry baskets once and for all and impress your friends with its mammoth size? The Maytag 6.2 cubic foot Top Load Washer and 9.2 cubic foot Front-Loading Dryer are among the largest pairs of washers and dryers on the market today.

The spacious 6.2 cubic foot drum of this top-loading washer beats out the capacity of just about every front-loading washer machine available. It features an impeller wash plate, with a stainless-steel wash basket for years of rust-free and chip-free use. The machine features 10 wash cycles and an internal heater that assists detergent in removing tough stains. A deep fill option gives especially large loads more water for complete saturation. Users comment on the ease with which it handles even California King-sized bedding. It delivers thorough cleaning power with all the bells and whistles on a modern washing machine.

Once you???ve washed a super large load, you???ll need a super-sized dryer to finish the job. The matching 9.2 cubic foot dryer is up for the task. Also equipped with 10 cycles, the dryer has the right settings for any type of load. The machine also has a Steam Refresh cycles to loosen wrinkles, and a Sanitize cycle to remove common bacteria. Many people comment on how quiet this dryer is compared to other models.

Together, this Maytag pair is tough to beat in terms of capacity and keeps up with the competition in terms of features and benefits. If large laundry loads are a frequent occurrence in your household, this is the set for you.

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Looking for more laundry room design ideas? Checkout this article about laundry room design ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.thespruce.com/best-washer-dryer-sets-4109183

Feel Like Life is Moving Too Fast? Adopt These Traits of Slow Living!

Posted on December 14, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Life seems to be going by faster and faster every year. There doesn’t seem to be anything that can be done about the outside world moving so fast but within our own homes the ability to slow down and enjoy life more is within our hands. In order to help you out we found this article all about slow living. We hope it helps you enjoy life more!

From the article:

What do urban gardens, the home canning craze, the resurgence of vinyl records and the renewed popularity of old-timey crafts have in common? They???re all ways of addressing the same issue: rushed modern life. Boiling farm-fresh berries on your stovetop for jam lets you experience the satisfaction of producing something for yourself that you would normally buy in a store. Knitting a scarf during your train commute helps you savor a sliver of time in your day that would otherwise be a chore. But crafts and cooking aren???t the only ways to access slow living ??? you can begin today with a practice as simple as looking up and noticing the clouds.

Why Go Slow?
A better question might be: Why on Earth are we trying to go so fast? There???s no need to move at a snail???s pace, but slowing down enough to move through your day with purpose helps calm frazzled nerves, make more personal connections and, paradoxically, allow you to feel you have more time than when you???re rushing around.

How to Begin
One of the first steps in learning to live slow is to recognize that slowing down is a choice open to us all. If this is a busy time in your life, it may be tempting to think that you don???t have time to slow down ??? but there are always ways to go a bit slower, no matter how much is on your plate. You can start small! As you read through the suggestions, make a mental note of one or two you???d like to try today.

The Roots of Slow Living
The slow-living phenomenon has its roots in the Slow Food movement, started by Carlo Petrini in the 1980s in Italy. Favoring mindful eating and conversation rather than what had become the norm ??? gulping down food and racing back to work ??? Slow Food aims to provide an antidote to fast food. Slow living is an expansion of this simple idea of slowing down enough to enjoy your life, from how you eat your meals to the way you get to work to how you spend your free time.

Ideas for Slowing Down Your Meals
– Sit down at a table and eat from a real plate, even if the food is takeout.
– Take a full, deep, centering breath before you begin.
– Put your phone/laptop/book away and simply focus on each bite.
– Invite coworkers to share a meal at lunch rather than eating alone at your desk.
– Make an effort to gather with your family at dinner.

Other Ways to Slow Down Your Life
Rethink your commute. The morning and evening commute can be quite stressful. One way to embrace slowness is to modify or even do away with a traditional commute. Could you ride a bike or scooter ??? or walk ??? to work instead of driving? Take public transportation instead of a car, or ask your boss about telecommuting one or more days each week?

If your current work situation requires a lengthy commute that really drains you, perhaps you could begin to explore other work opportunities closer to home. Even if you can???t do anything to ease your commute, see if there???s some minor tweak that would make it a more pleasant experience. For instance, you could leave earlier to avoid the worst traffic, or use the time to listen to a meditation recording or audiobook.

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Looking for fast cleaning tips? Checkout this article about fast cleaning tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/53565478/list/slow-living-101-tips-for-turning-off-the-chaos

Want Your Kids to Become More Interested in Science? Try These Experiments!

Posted on August 31, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Some kids love science. Others not so much. Regardless of which category your child or children fall into its important to understand and appreciate science. In order to help you out we found this article with over 30 different science experiments to do with your kids. We hope that you and your children enjoy them!

From the article:

Science is so fun, and there are so many COOL experiments kids can do outside in the Summer. Here are over 30 must try Summer Science activities that will surely wow the kids, and all while keeping them engaged in learning.

Make a Bottle Rocket
Is It Hot Enough To Fry An Egg
Flower Experiment for Kids
Grow Beans in a Bag Teach Preschool
Ice Volcano Experiment

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Kids begging for a playhouse? Checkout this article about playhouse ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/05/science-fun-for-kids.html

Looking to Have a Family Night at Home? Try One of These 40 Ideas!

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Having time together is so important. Knowing what to do though to involve everyone in this digital age can be a big challenge though. In order to help you out we found this article with 40 different family activities. We hope it helps you plan many fun nights with your family!

From the article:

Game night: This is a fun one! seriously??? we hope to even bust out the old candy land when our kids are older. just for goofiness of it!

Cooking night: cooking with kids can be as easy or complicated as you want. pizza, grilled cheese, MACARONI and cheese, salads.. these are all great kid friendly meals that everyone can help with. As they get older, more complicated meals would be fun, and they will also be gaining some kitchen knowledge!

Minute to win it game night: This is something that my youth group goes nuts over! you can find so many ideas of games on pinterest, or even just make up your own relays.

Inside camping: You can make a tent, or put one of your own up. and enjoy a camping night, in the warmth of your family room! Have a camp food meal, tell spooky stories, etc.. My kids love this!!

Baking cookies: are you a family who realizes 2 days before christmas that you forgot to bake the cookies? Well, if you have one or two family baking nights, then you could freeze some cookies and never have that problem again! genius!

Time capsule: wouldn???t it be neat to start this family night in tradition by creating a time CAPSULE, hide it in the ATTIC.. and in 5 years or so, open it up! I???m sure you???ll get some laughs and ???momma sighs??? with this one. SENTIMENTAL goes a long way!

Sundae party: set up a buffet of different toppings and ice cream flavors! If everyone has a small dish, then they can create all sorts of different combinations. This is a great option to do combined with another event, like movie night or game night!

Karaoke night: ???Let it go!??? anyone? I???m sure we can all think of some family friendly songs to sing karaoke with??? Disney songs are rockin??? for this! And the best part is, even if you don???t have a karaoke machine, you can just look up the songs on YouTube, and it will play the music instrumentals And show the lyrics! What a fun night!

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Looking for family fun ideas around the campfire? Checkout this article about family campfire fun that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.creativelyhomespun.com/2015/10/29/40-at-home-family-nights/

Wanting to Plan Some Summer Parties? Learn How to Make Them Easygoing Here!

Posted on July 13, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Summer is all about getting together with friends trying to beat the heat. Now we can’t help with the heat but we can help with the get togethers. If you love having parties or would love to host them in the future then you’ve come to the right place. We found this article with ideas on how to make them more easygoing. We hope they help make the most out of your parties with less stress!

From the article:

Summertime calls for a distinctly unfussy approach to entertaining, and thankfully so ??? because who wants to sweat over planning a summer soiree? Make things easier on yourself by hosting outdoors instead of in, getting guests to pitch in and embracing low-key, budget-friendly decor. From DIY flowers and quick extra tables to a beachy outdoor bar, these 20 ideas will make your party planning easier.

Whip up an extra table with sawhorses.

Short on outdoor dining space? Hunt down a few sawhorses and top them with a length of board as big as you want your table to be. You can paint the board, cover it with a cloth or butcher paper, or leave it as is.

Boost ambience with lanterns and signs.

Flank the entrance to your party area with a pair of big lanterns and lean a sign nearby ??? it can announce the menu or simply say, ???Welcome!???

Give guests a healthy option with fresh flavored waters.

Fill a big drink dispenser with ice water, flavored with fresh ingredients for a healthy thirst quencher on hot days. Try lemon, lime or orange slices; fresh mint leaves; cucumber rounds; or berries.

Create activity zones to keep large parties moving.

Setting up several distinct areas can help a large gathering feel more manageable, as your guests will naturally be drawn into smaller groups. For instance, you could set up a dining table, a fire pit circle, a porch lounge and an outdoor bar.

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Looking for grilling setup ideas? Checkout this article about grilling setup ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/27317567/list/20-ideas-for-easygoing-summer-parties

Plan on Doing a Lot of Grilling This Summer? Learn How to Improve Your Setup Here!

Posted on July 6, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Grilling is a staple in most people’s homes in the summer, sometimes all year long. In order to help you out we found this article on how to improve your grilling setup. We hope you get ideas that help you out!

From the article:

Grills by themselves aren???t much to look at. They???re basically large, hulking pieces of stainless steel that stick out like sore thumbs in our backyards. So we???re always trying to slip covers over them or wheel them around to the side of the house. It doesn???t have to be this way ??? designers are coming up with clever ways to make grills actually something that you want to put front and center. As you fire up your grill for the weekend, consider some of these smoking ideas for an update.

Let there be light. Did you know that improper lighting accounts for 52 tons of burned meat every year? OK, I made that up, but proper lighting is key for any grilling station, and not just so you can see what you???re cooking.

Give it shade. Just as lighting helps facilitate good grilling at night, shade can make a world of difference on hot days.

A gas fire pit can be instantly converted to a large grill with two grates. Imagine how a setup like this would change the vibe at your next barbecue.

Have a seat. A lot of the grilling process is just sitting around and waiting for things to cook. For that an inviting lounge area nearby is a must.

Cushioned furniture like the kind seen here would do the job nicely, but it???s the swing chairs that would really keep you on the edge of your seat.

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Looking for summer home maintenance tips? Checkout this article about summer home maintenance tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/31252587/list/8-ways-to-improve-your-grill-setup

Like the Idea of Having a Sprinkler System? Learn More Here!

Posted on April 20, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Depending upon how often it rains where you live and how green and lush you like your yard you may be considering having a sprinkler system installed. If you are considering it then you’ve come to the right place. We found this article with more information for you. We hope it helps!

From the article:

Installing an in-ground sprinkler system is a big job with a big payoff.

If you’re tired of dragging that old lawn sprinkler around every few days, you may want to consider installing your own underground sprinkler system. By doing the job yourself, you can save 30 to 40 percent of the cost of a professional installation, and today’s sprinkler components are easier than ever to assemble. Once your system is in place, you can program it to water your lawn on a regular schedule, and also set the startup time and watering duration.

STEP 1: Use a gauge to determine your water pressure.

To start this process, measure your water pressure at an outdoor faucet with a simple pressure gauge available at home centers (Step 1). Then, use a 5-gal. bucket to measure how much water the system delivers per minute. Send this information to the sprinkler manufacturer you have chosen, along with a scale drawing of your property.

In return, you’ll receive a system layout and a materials list, including items not sold by the manufacturer. Rain Bird, the company I used for the primary sprinkler components, has a variable fee scale for its layouts that ranges from free to $50, depending on how you want the plans delivered and how soon you need them (rainbird.com). A system layout divides your lawn into zones, each controlled by a zone valve. I installed a total of eight zones and 48 sprinkler heads.

While you can install the entire system yourself and dig everything by hand, I installed the piping with a pipe-pulling machine that rented for around $180 a day.

In addition to the valves, heads and control panel from Rain Bird, I used a clever, self-tapping saddle valve called the Blazing Saddle (blazingproducts.com). This bright yellow valve snaps onto polyethylene pipe without a wrench.

In warm climates, you can run the entire system in PVC pipe. I used polyethylene pipe, a more flexible alternative, because the system has to withstand the freeze-thaw cycles that are common where I live. In any case, you must consult local plumbing codes before beginning work and you may be required to secure a building permit.

Finally, every system needs a backflow preventer to keep the sprinkler system from contaminating the potable water supply. One type is a standard, surface-level backflow preventer (about $150), which must be installed 12 in. above the highest point of the yard. I installed a reduced-pressure backflow preventer (about $350) because it’s allowed below grade. I put it in the basement and will drain the system to this point each winter. The cost of an in-ground sprinkler system can vary widely. My eight-zone system ran about $1500.

Running Pipes

If you plan to dig the entire system by hand, dig the main runs first, then the branch lines. They should be at least 6 in. deep, but 8 to 10 in. will give you better fitting room.

If you’ve rented a pipe puller, begin by attaching the pipe to the machine’s blade (Step 2). When running a main feed line, it’s best to wrap the low-voltage cable around the pipe and pull it at the same time. With the piping connected, start the machine moving forward and lower the blade into the ground.

Bore through your home’s rim joist, and run copper pipe and cable through the hole and to the ground. Make the conversion from copper to PVC at ground level with a threaded connector. Run the main PVC line, along with the cable, to the first zone-valve location.

Assemble the zone-valve sets above-ground, then cement them to the underground piping (Step 3). Install a plastic, inline drain fitting on the downstream side of each valve and connect the cable wires. My cable had 10 wires and each zone valve had two lead wires. Connect one of each pair of valve lead wires to a common (white) cable wire that will service all of the valves. Join a different color-coded wire to the other lead of each zone valve. Continue making connections in this way until you’ve reached the last set (Step 4). With all the valves connected and wired, install valve boxes and backfill.

The feed line needs to have a drain fitting at its lowest point. Thread a brass drain fitting into the threaded end of a PVC tee and install the tee downward at 45 degrees (Step 5). Dig a small depression under the drain, and fill it with sand and gravel.

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Looking for garage organization ideas? Checkout this article about garage organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/how-to/a724/install-sprinkler-system-underground/

Have a Leaky Faucet? Learn How to Fix it Here!

Posted on April 13, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Have a leaky faucet is a pain. Sometimes they are easy to fix and sometimes they aren’t. Regardless it’s wasteful and causes your water bill to go up. In order to help you out we found this article on how to fix you faucet. We hope it helps!

From the article:

Don’t ignore that leaking faucet in your kitchen or bathroom. All those wasted drops of water add up, and the solution can be simple for even an occasional DIYer.

Whether it’s the cause of water pooling under your sink, or the annoying dripping sound that keeps you up at night, a leaky faucet is a nuisance that could turn into a full-blown problem if not addressed properly. Fortunately, putting a stop to a leaky faucet, such as the compression faucet in your kitchen, can be surprisingly inexpensive and simple.

Tools you’ll need:

??? Adjustable wrench; C wrench

??? Phillips and/or flat-head screwdriver

??? Penetrating oil, such as WD-40 or CRC

??? Replacement washers and O-rings

Step 1: Don’t make a mess worse by transforming your broken faucet into Old Faithful. Before applying any wrench or screwdriver to your fixture, make sure your water supply is turned off, from the handles over the sink to the knobs underneath that control the water coming in from the main line.

Step 2: Remove any decorative parts of the handle knobs. A simple prying with a flat-head screwdriver will take care of that. Underneath each knob, there will be a screw that mounts the handle to the stem. Unscrew, then gently remove the handle with your flat-head. Using penetrating oil can assist in loosening it, allowing you to take the faucet handle off the stem.

Step 3: Use your wrench to loosen the packing nut. From there you should notice the stem. Remove that as well. Depending on the faucet, some stems pop right off, while others twist off from the valve. Check the removed parts for any damage.

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Looking for more home repair information? Checkout this article about home repair information that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/interior-projects/how-to/a3095/5-steps-to-fix-a-leaky-faucet-15470175/