Find out why it might be a good idea to run a whole-home humidifier in the winter in a home with forced-air heat, which tends to be very dry. Learn how to fill gaps in a hardwood floor by staining jute and pushing it into the cracks with a painter's knife.

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Find out why a musty odor in a home on a concrete slab isn't unusual if the house has been unoccupied for a long time. The smell should clear up once you move in and start running the HVAC system. However, you should consider replacing your carpeting with a different type of flooring if you have a concrete slab home.

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Find out how to clean up after basement flooding. Get tips on removing wet carpeting, pulling out insulation and cutting out drywall sections. Also learn how to reduce future rainwater infiltration by making sure you have proper drainage conditions around your home's foundation.

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Find out why the 1960s were a relatively good decade for home construction compared to, say, the 1980s.

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Get tips on putting up faux-tin ceiling tiles in a three-season sun porch. Learn why you should use a mechanical fastener in addition to Liquid Nails.

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It's not necessary to seal a concrete driveway on a regular basis. Just make sure you don't use any products with rock salt when de-icing your concrete driveway in the winter.

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Find out why an 11-year-old tank water heater still has some life in it and doesn't need to be replaced immediately. If you're worried about leaks and water damage, it's a good practice to turn off your main water valve when you plan to leave home for a weekend or longer.

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Learn why what appears to be mold on your concrete basement wall is most likely actually efflorescence, also known as mineral salts. Get tips on cleaning it using white vinegar.

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Learn why, when it comes to drywall repair, paper tape is more of a material that an artisan would use, while fiberglass mesh tape is better suited to the average do-it-yourselfer.

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If there are gaping horizontal cracks in your basement and the walls are bending in, it's a serious problem and you need to hire a structural engineer. They will write up a report about the situation and specify repairs. Then, after a contractor completes the repairs, the structural engineer will certify that the repair was done correctly. This process is necessary to preserve the value of your home.

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