
For 15 years, Dave Donovan worked as an electrician for The University of Pennsylvania, where he specialized in electrical installations, troubleshooting, maintenance and repair in both residential and industrial settings. In 2005, Dave made the transition from working on electrical systems and home improvement projects to writing about them.
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Lawn Repair - Fill in Bare Patches
If your lawn is looking spotty and brown, take some of these easy steps to make it lush and ful...
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Stay Warm and Safe This Winter with Space Heaters
They're convenient, but they can be dangerous if used wrong....
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Install a Garbage Disposer, Step by Step
The household garbage disposer is easily one of the Twentieth Century's greatest marvels....
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How to Buy an Electric Fireplace
When gloomy weather threatens outside, settle in for the night in front of a fireplace....
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Garbage Disposal Troubleshooting The Jammed Turntable
Is there any appliance in the home more type-cast than the garbage disposal?...
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How to Repair a Home Thermostat
Is your home's heating or cooling system giving you headaches?...
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Garbage Disposal Troubleshooting No Power
Garbage disposals, those lean, mean shredding machines....
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The Amazing Microwave and How It Works
Step Right This Way! See the Amazing Microwave! Ah yes, the modern machine of molecular modific...
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Home Repairs for the XBOX 360
It never fails! You purchase one of the hottest gifts for your child and the thing breaks....
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Common Repairs for an Ailing Dishwasher
Learn about common dishwasher problems and their simple solutions....
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Clean Up Common Washing Machine Problems
Washing machines are taken for granted in most households....
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The Frigid Fridge: Tips to Keep it Cool
The refrigerator is one of the most important appliances in your home, if not the most importan...
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How to Replace a Dishwasher
Installing a new dishwasher is easy with our how-to guide....
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Understanding Window R-Values
So, you're in the market for new windows and you suddenly realize – What are all of these...
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Designing a High Traffic Kitchen
Every home features a living room or family room, but, it's the kitchen where foot traffic is h...
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Crown Molding Q & A
Get the scoop on working with ceiling trim....
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A Simple Audit of Your Home's Energy Efficiency
Worried about spending a fortune on an energy audit? Don't....
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Planning A Front Porch Addition
A front porch addition is a great way to increase the value of your home....
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Door Knob Choices
It's an important decor choice....
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How to Minimize Automotive Electrical Problems
The electrical system in your automobile is a complex series of wires, relays and computer chip...
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How to Test for Ground
Outlets not grounded or improperly wired can cause a serious safety hazard. It can be verified...
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Installing Copper Ceilings
Here's a primer on how much they cost and how to use them....
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How to Read the Energy Guide Sticker
You've seen them before, but what does it mean?...
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Building a Kitchen Island in 4 Easy Steps
You can add to your kitchen counter space with an island....
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Add a Sink to a Kitchen Island
Kitchen islands add some extra countertop space....
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Garage Organization Series - Flooring Solutions
Avoid the dumping ground and make it usable instead....
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Not the Ivy League
Ivy is common in backyards....
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Faux Finishing - Look of Leather
Leather makes everything better....
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Install a Photoelectric Switch
Save money and never worry about turning the lights on....
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Installing a Ceiling Fan With a Swag Kit
Read this for help installing a ceiling fan....
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Reupholstering Furniture: Finding the Perfect Piece
Finding the perfect piece is half the fun....
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Faux Finishing - Granite
Granite can lend an exquisite look to any room....
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Install a Motion Sensor
Install a motion sensor never worry about coming home to a dark house again....
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Install Hard-Wired Under Cabinet Lights
Hardwired under-cabinet lighting offers improved kitchen lighting for little time and effort wh...
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Microwave Oven Repair 101
Many microwave issues can be repaired right at home....
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3 and 4-Way Switches Made Easy
Of all the electrical components in a home, none are more hated, and none cause more headaches,...
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Gas Dryer Repair Help for No Heat
A broken down dryer can be downright frustrating, especially when you’ve got a heap full of d...
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Tips for Jumping Your Car
Wrrrr….wrrrr…wrrrr…click…click…click. If you’...
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Designing Home Office Spaces
by Dave Donovan Remember the Tom Hanks movie, Joe and the Volcano? One of the scenes that stan...
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5 Ways to Improve Kitchen Storage Space
Have you ever heard anyone say, “I have way too much storage space in my kitchen.”?...
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Install a New Phone Jack
Add a new line in just 5 steps....
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Chemicals to Watch For in Drinking Water
The debate has gone on for ages. Which is better - city water or well water? While there are su...
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Wiring and Fuses in Older Homes
A friend asked me the other day to take a look at the wiring in the farmhouse he purchased. He...
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DIY Cleaning Methods: Cleaning Your Kitchen
From bottom to top, here are some tips and tricks for a squeaky clean kitchen....
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Outdoor Christmas Lighting Safety Tips
Show off your holiday spirit without catching the house on fire....
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Reupholstering a Wingback Chair Applying the Fabric
So far, we've covered how to reupholster the back, the seat and the arms of a traditional wingb...
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Faux Finishing - Bricking
Bricks have a rustic quality to them. They look rugged, strong and capable of withstanding a lo...
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Building a Home Office Series: Home Office Wiring Considerations
Today, more and more Americans are working from home, whether as their own bosses or as an empl...
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DIY Pool Re-Tiling & Re-Lining Part Two
Rescue your pool and your yard in 10 steps....
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Creative and Cost-Effective Kitchen Backsplash
Installing your own kitchen backsplash is a do-it-yourself job that is perfect for those uninit...