Light advice: “Critical light” is a term pros use in connection with common wall problems. It refers to the way light hits a flat wall surface. A table lamp sitting next to a wall shines critical light on the nearby surface and it will show even the smallest imperfections — lumps, bumps, paint runs and nail heads.

        Pros avoid this problem by sanding and continually checking with a critical light from various angles. They use a high-power flashlight or a high-intensity lamp (that projects hard-edged shadows), sanding and tweaking until it's super smooth. Then they paint. Sanding and checking with a light is critical.

        Hard water marks: Hard water leaves its mark on shower walls and glass shower enclosures in the form of crusty little white lime deposits that sometimes seem as though they're going to be impossible to remove.

        Here are a couple formulas that should help:

        • Sodium carbonate is the chemical you'll want to use. It's the base for many cleaners and is the primary ingredient in washing soda.

        • If a strong solution of sodium carbonate doesn't do the trick, try a squirt of liquid toilet-bowl cleaner. Bowl cleaners are strong, dangerous chemicals, so use them with eye-and-skin protection and plenty of ventilation.

        Once the water stains are gone, apply a coat of car wax to all the surfaces in the shower.


       Hose check: Washing machine hose failures cause millions of dollars in damages to homes. Make sure there are at least 4 inches between the water connection and back of your washing machine. Check hoses regularly for bulges and cracks. Make sure hose connections are secure, including the drain hose. Consider having a professional plumber install a single-handled valve to easily turn off the water supply to your machine; shut off the valves if you will be away from home for several days.

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