Norway Hill Home Inspections

schedule nowDownload a Sample Report

Home Maintenance Tips

Stripped Screws? No Problem

A stripped screw can turn a 10-minute fix into a two-hour nightmare. One of the best investments a DIY’er can make is a screw extraction kit. It comes with three different size bits and costs about $20. One side of the extractor bit reams a...

read more

Reinforce a Drawer Front

Cut a couple of lengths of quarter-round the same height as the drawer sides. Hold them in place while you drill a couple of holes through the sides and front of the drawer box. Dab some polyurethane glue (wood glue doesn't stick well to...

read more

Problems With Your Doors?

Functional problems with doors include damage to the door material (rotted wood, buckled metal, et cetera). Door hinges which are damaged or poorly secured make doors difficult to open and close and, if not corrected, will lead to damage of the...

read more

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters or GFCIs are inexpensive electrical safety devices that are designed to reduce the risk of serious electrical shock and/or injury. They are typically installed in outlets on exterior walls and in damp...

read more

Cover Up a Ceiling Stain

Hide tough ceiling water stains with a spray-on product called Upshot by KILZ. It's blended to match an aged ceiling and even has a vertical spray tip, which makes installation a breeze. Lay a drop cloth on the floor and tape plastic on the...

read more

A Trick to Keep Cabinet Doors Closed

Here's a 10-minute fix for a cabinet door that won't stay closed. Just install a magnetic door catch. Roller-style ones also work, but it's easier to line up a magnetic catch with the strike.

read more

Lube a Sticking Vinyl Window or Door

When vinyl windows and doors don't operate smoothly, it's usually because gunk has built up in the channels. But sometimes even clean windows and doors can bind. Try spraying dry PTFE spray lubricant on the contact points and wiping it off with...

read more

Flush Without Hang-Ups

Here's a quick way to avoid a running toilet caused by a kinked toilet chain. Remove the chain from the arm attachment, and slide a plastic straw over the flapper chain, covering about two-thirds of the chain. Then reattach the chain to the...

read more

Silence a Squeaky Floor

To fix a squeaky floor under carpet, locate the floor joists with a stud finder, then drive in a trim head screw through the carpet, pad and subfloor, and right into the floor joist. Be sure the top inch of the screw doesn't have threads or the...

read more

Restore Free Flow to a Faucet

When a kitchen or bathroom faucet loses pressure or starts spraying to the side, it's usually due to a dirty aerator screen. Luckily, cleaning a screen is an easy job. Start by closing the drain plug (so you don't drop parts down the drain)....

read more

Straighten a Bent Blind

Unmangle mangled mini-blinds with a mini-blind slat straightener. Just slide it over the damaged slat and squeeze. The product, called the MiniBlindRx, works on 1-in. metal slats and is available for about $10.

read more

Norway Hill Home Inspections

Call the House Whisperer

603-525-7025

Serving New Hampshire and Eastern Vermont.