Repair It or Replace It?
Related To:
Hardwood Floor
Appliances
Faucet
Asphalt Shingle Roof
Tile Grout
Is discolored grout a sure sign that it's time to replace rather than repair? To find out, take a closer look. If grout is structurally intact yet discolored, buy an inexpensive tube of grout reviver to bring back the clean look. However, if grout is missing sections or deteriorating, opt to replace by removing it with a grout raker or multipurpose tool. Then, spread fresh grout throughout.
Windows
Deck
Kitchen Cabinets
Drywall
Furnace
Gutters
Garbage Disposal
Toilet
Exterior Concrete
Shifting soils will cause concrete patios, steps and driveways to crack. Luckily, most surface defects and hairline cracks can be repaired with a thin overlay of cement stucco or mall-aggregate concrete, says Tim Carter of AskTheBuilder.com. For concrete that's severely cracked, missing chunks or at different heights, he recommends replacing with steel-reinforced concrete that's a minimum of 4,000 PSI strength.
Air Conditioner

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