Tag Archives: Creative

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  Nature’s Little Surprises

  Posted on April 10, 2023 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  In the course of my inspections there are little things I come across that cause me to smile and take notice. As an inspector there are plenty of the not-so-pleasant nature surprises but I want to share a few of the more wonder-full ones. I often expect to find nesting wasps and yellow jackets under […]

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  Further (mis)uses of tape

  Posted on January 20, 2023 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  The interesting application of our favorite adhesive has shown up in more ways! In elementary school I joined the sticker-collecting obsession and covered my binder. I didn’t have the cool trapper-keeper that the cool kids had, but the stickers made up for it. Flue-ky Repair – (mis)Use #9 It sure looks like ducting where it […]

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  Stuff That Once Crushed It!

  Posted on January 10, 2023 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  As you will see, I crushed the pun-point in this one. A Toilet That Crushes It! This is not the type of toilet you see everyday but this house built in 1946 had one of the most forceful flush systems I’ve seen in a long time. Imagine dropping four gallons of water from seven feet […]

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  You almost had it, my DIY friend!

  Posted on December 20, 2022 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  Sink Drain Pipe Whoops After posting an article about sink drains and p-traps I found a creative new way to install these drain pipes. This was a first for me and looked like an optical illusion when I took the picture… I’m trying to think of something witty to write but can’t come up with […]

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  Re-Stocking and Stocking-Stuffing

  Posted on November 29, 2022 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  ‘Tis the season to get the handy “candy” for home owners and maintainers. Winter months can raise the urgency of delayed repairs, the coming new year stirs inspiration of project progress, and Christmas seems to promote the purchasing of stuff. These suggestions come from one who is always looking for a few handy items to […]

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  More (mis)uses of tape

  Posted on December 1, 2021 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  As time goes on the author of this article continues to find creative albeit inadequate uses for the favorite strip adhesive and fix-all solution popularly called TAPE. Please use the following ideas for entertainment purposes only. The author strongly encourages readers to not try this at home. (mis) Use No. 5 Just as children love […]

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  Quality Quarantine Project or Crazy COVID Idea

  Posted on December 3, 2020 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  After having spent way too much time in our houses due to the current pandemic and frigid winter weather, I have some ideas but I’m not sure if these qualify as quality or crazy possibilities. You will have to be the judge. These are all features I have come across in recent months during home […]

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  More of Mike’s Favorite DIY Repairs

  Posted on March 30, 2020 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  Nerf Sewer Cap In this inspection an RV sewer line had been installed to the septic tank and they decided that the best way to seal it is with a $10 solution – a nerf football. It looks like a nerf cannon – and if sewer gases built up there is a good chance of […]

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  Many (mis)uses of tape

  Posted on December 10, 2019 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  These uses have not been approved by the author of this article and have in almost every situation failed to live up to the hopes and expectations of their installer. The manufacturer might cringe at the sight. Not even a trained professional is capable of pulling off the following repairs with tape. The following is […]

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  So many uses for the common nail

  Posted on October 10, 2019 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  #1 – Gate Catch Use it as a catch for your gate bolt. With a simple bend of the nails you can adapt to any size latching mechanism. #2 – Tool Hangar Do like your great grandpa used to do and skip the peg board – the whole wall is a canvas upon which to […]

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