Home Improvement

How to finish drywall by applying tape and joint compound. Designed for the homeowner, this article gives useful tips for finishing drywall.

Wainscoting is a great way to update your home, but hiring a professional to design and do the woodwork can add up. I've provided three DIY options as well as my experience with DIY wainscoting below!

Easy-to-use home remedies for dealing with just about any clog. The do-it-yourself guide to fixing a clogged drain with household products.

Step-by-step instructions for covering over popcorn ceiling using joint compound, with tips, FAQ, and photos.

One of the more common bends made in electrical conduit is the offset bend. This page incorporates a comprehesive conduit bending guide and describes how to bend an offset using multipliers.

Are Graco airless sprayers better than Titan? In this article, I explain the differences between the two, including some comparisons between the models I own from both companies.

DIY project for converting used kitchen cabinets into useful garage storage units.

Has your kitchen sink become clogged? Learn the different methods you can use to clear your drain and how you can prevent blockages like this from happening again in the future.

Tips and specific directions on how to install a new outlet on an existing wall.

Leaky outdoor spigots can be easy to fix for DIYers. If you don't like to spend money on something you can do yourself, check out these simple steps to replace your outside faucet.

This article explains how to replace an old, eroded well point, and possibly save you a little money.

This information is to help understand the basic components of an HVAC system and their functions.

This article covers common mistakes with cabinet painting and how to avoid them. My tips will help save you a lot of time and aggravation painting your kitchen cabinets.

Easy instructions with photos show how I make paper bricks. Don't shred and soak newspaper when making paper logs for burning in your fire. My paper logs dry so quickly I can even burn them next day!

Pairs of aluminum storefront doors present unique challenges when it's time to retrofit them with electric locking hardware for access control.

Tile design ideas for countertops, floors, and showers. Pictures and design tips too.

If you have traditional wooden fascia boards on your eaves, then they will need maintenance at some time or another. It's not so terribly hard. Here are some tricks and traps, described and photographed.

Professional instructions for wiring both GFCI (GFI) and regular outlets by the DIY homeowner. Learning how to wire electric outlets is a simple task that nearly everyone can do themselves.

A new homeowner needs a tool set, but what should go in it? A list of the 20 most common and needed tools for the best homeowner tool set.

A conduit-bending guide for bending a 90-degree bend in electrical conduit. Possibly the most basic and common of bends, but there are several ways to bend a 90.

A conduit-bending guide with instructions on how to bend EMT conduit. Learn how to bend conduit easily and effectively with a hand bender.

Modern technology has afforded us many choices when it comes to residential plumbing. Each pipe material has some inherent advantages and disadvantages associated with it. This article describes and compares the characteristics and properties of these common pipe materials.

A step-by-step guide showing how to repair a leaking ballcock valve in the header tank in your loft. This guide also explains the layout of hot and cold pipes and valves used in home plumbing systems.

A plate joiner, commonly called biscuit joiner, biscuit cutter, or biscuit jointer, is a power tool used to make very strong wood joints. Learn how to effectively use these amazing tools.

Owner review of advantages and disadvantages of installing Saltillo tiles.

How do you put up shelves, cupboards, brackets or coat hangers on a wall? This guide explains how to drill walls and outlines the tools, fixings and drill bits required.

When drilling any type of material, it's vital to use the correct bit to ease drilling and also to prevent bit damage. Drill bits are available for metal, masonry, tiles, plastics, glass and wood.

In this tool review, I review my twenty year old Shur-Line paint brush extender, going over the pros and cons and whether or not you should buy one.

Instructions on how to wire a 4-way switch, with wiring diagrams.

Owning a home is an investment which carries a the responsibility of maintaining it and performing repairs when necessary. Many people avoid performing regular maintenance however doing so could cost you in the long run. Here are several reasons why it's important to maintain your home & property.

Check out these wall painting tips and tools to make your interior painting project easier.

The theory and practice of door closer adjustment, with steps and detailed instructions to adjust the swing of your hydraulic door closer.

Give your living room a new look by painting your old fireplace mantel white. This article covers the entire process of prepping and painting a wood fireplace mantel, including oak.

The numbers and letters on the head of your key always mean something. Here is a brief guide to the most common meanings of the numbers and codes.

Learn about the benefits of humidifiers and tips on maintenance and humidity control settings. Also easy to follow step-by-step installation instructions with pictures and a list of required supplies.

Need more plugs? Here's how to add a new outlet by wiring into an existing outlet. Complete instructions here, including tips on running the wire and actually wiring the circuit.

One day, your sliding glass door will need repair as it gets harder and harder to open. In this article, you will find instructions on how to replace patio door rollers.

Sometimes you can save money by tracking down the source of a bad smell in your home and trying some DIY methods before you call a plumber. It's worth a try!

Glass and aluminum narrow stile doors offer unique challenges when retro-fitting electric locking hardware. In this installment, we look at some of the choices available for single doors equipped with a flip-up deadbolt, like the Adams Rite MS1850.

Stop your toilet from constantly running by following this easy how-to guide, tailored to beginning do-it-yourselfers!

DIY guide to changing your own locks, including an explanation of common lock types and the basics of how to replace cylinders and get new keys.

Cleaner duct work equals cleaner air and less dusting. Learn how you can improve the quality of the air in your home for free without specialized tools.

Learn how to get rid of that standing water in your sink by snaking your drain. Liquid drain cleaners and plungers don't always work and it requires a bit more effort but knowing how you can do this yourself can save you big money.

Easy instructions for hand plastering walls to cover over wallpaper, hide damaged walls, or create a unique look.

How do you keep warm in the winter without electricity? Can you keep cool without AC during a summer heat wave? What if your home loses power for more than a day? Here’s a strategy to help keep you warm in winter and cool in summer during emergencies.

Math formulas and multipliers to help you bend electrical conduit. Learn how to bend conduit to any configuration desired, not merely the common bends on a conduit bender.

Cross ventilation can clean your home's air, save you money and is easy to create without spending money. Start breathing cleaner air and saving money today.

I describe how I sanded and painted the metal railings and light poles in my yard and explain tools and techniques that worked and those that didn't.

Concrete is really easy to make and all you need is a shovel and some buckets. This is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide with pictures showing you how to make concrete by hand, with or without a mixer

Furnace filter comparisons, air quality tips, how often to replace your filter and more. Understanding your options will help you choose the best one for you.

If you have an animal companion in your home, it can do wonders for the satisfaction of all concerned to allow free access to the outdoors. It can be easier (and less expensive) than you might think. Read how—and how not—to do it here!

Air conditioning repairs are never cheap, but why do they seem higher now than ever? This may help you decide if it's better now to replace an old unit than to repair it.

Are you thinking of painting your moldy bathroom? Don't paint over your moldy mildewed walls without reading my professional tips to prevent future problems.

A comprehensive guide on how to bend conduit, with instructions on how to bend 90s, offsets, saddles, and even concentric bends. A must-read for any electrician, from apprentice to journeyman.

This is a guide on how to mix mortar using sand, cement, plasticiser, and water for the purpose of repointing brickwork and ridge tiles.

Are you looking for the perfect thermostat temperature so that you're not wasting electricity—and money? Cut your electric bill, help the planet, and find the right thermostat setting for winter, summer, and everything in-between.

Accurate square and mitered cuts in wood are essential for construction work. However, properly cut timber looks better even if you are just doing basic DIY and making stuff around the home.

Detailed instructions on how to shingle a roof, including shingling both ridges and valleys.

Help you find the perfect colors for your house next painting project. You need to discover the new color palettes.

A comprehensive guide showing how to use a multimeter or DMM. A multimeter is a useful instrument in a home toolkit for measuring voltage, current and resistance and also for tracing breaks in wires, testing diodes, capacitors and fuses.

How to wire 3-way light switches, with wiring diagrams for different methods of installing the wire between boxes. Step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting guides included.

Many old French houses have issues with damp. Some of these issues relate to humidity in the home and can be easily dealt with, but rising damp is a serious underlying problem which needs addressing.

Thinking of buying a power tool as a gift? Or maybe it's for yourself to make DIY easier. This guide for the absolute beginner outlines the various tools available, their capabilities and what to buy

How to choose, install and wire a thermostat for your home heating system. Digital programmable thermostats for heat pumps.

A spigot (also known as a hose bib, bibcock or garden tap) leaks when the rubber washer inside wears away over time. Anyone with basic DIY skills can replace this. Only 2 tools are required.

Damp can be a serious problem in homes leading to mildew on walls, ceilings, curtains, and clothing. It has several causes but can often be remedied or reduced in severity.

This is an easy to follow step-by-step guide to installing your new peel and stick vinyl tile flooring yourself, no matter what your skill level. I did it, and so can you!

A basic guide to pipe types, plumbing fittings, and thread sizes, and instructions for how to use fittings to connect copper, PVC, and PEX water pipes.

It is easier than you think to repair wood laminate veneer at home. An iron, some glue, and a little know-how can go a long way!

So, you hate your outdated brick fireplace surround but love the look of real brick? The answer is easier and cheaper than you think. I'll show you how to paint a natural-looking faux brick finish on brick.

Detailed instructions for wiring an outlet so that half of it can be turned on via a wall switch. All your questions will be answered by an expert electrician, with diagrams and a video to help you.

Building new water sources costs billions of dollars that most governments don't have, but reusing wastewater can help relieve that need. This article covers home greywater and blackwater systems.

Instructions for how to fix a leaky or running toilet. Repairing a toilet that runs constantly is a quick, easy job that anyone can handle.

Hundreds of homes burn each year from electrical fires. Learn the common causes of house fires and how to protect your home.

Hate the trouble of getting out an air compressor, then fighting with an air hose? The best cordless nail gun can save your arms and your ears while delivering all the power you need.

Instructions on how to change a ballast in a flourescent light fixture.

How to install a light fixture as well as how to wire that same light fixture. Written by an electrician that has installed thousands of fixtures.

Learn how to paint your crown molding yourself instead of hiring a painter. Painting crown molding is easy with a sprayer, but this article covers both brush and roller application.

Detailed instructions on retrofitting existing fluorescent tubes to LED lamps. Benefit from energy savings, cold weather operation and long life by changing out your 4 foot fluorescent tubes to LED's

In general plumbing terms, a plumbing fixture is a device that is connected to a plumbing system and interacts with liquid(or gas)

Tips on how to lay self-adhesive vinyl floor tiles for a new flooring look. A simple job easily accomplished by the homeowner needing a new floor.

Here are the basics of how your plumbing works and how to re-plumb with CPVC to move water lines indoors.

An angle grinder is a useful power tool for cutting and grinding metal and other materials. Like any power tool, it can be dangerous if used incorrectly. This guide shows you how to reduce your risk of injury while using an angle grinder.

Check out my review of Emerald Urethane paint. I recently spray painted kitchen cabinets using this product.

Common recommended tools required when becoming an electrician. An electrician's hand tools are his life blood—it is imperative that every electrician own a good set of tools.

Smells originating from our furnace and duct work are not only unpleasant but can present health concerns as well. Learn more about what causes them and how to get rid of these unwelcome odors.

EMT conduit bending instructions on how to make concentric bends in conduit. Not an easy task, but not impossible either, and one that should be understood by electricians everywhere.

A guide to different lighting types in the home and their pros and cons. Covering incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, CFL, sodium, metal halide and LED.

This guide shows you how to wire a UK-style, standard 3-pin plug and select the correct fuse. These basic principles can be applied to wiring plugs from other countries, only the colours are different

Tips to turn your bedroom into a peaceful, restful sanctuary.

Air tools compliment mains or battery powered tools and have several advantages over the latter. An air compressor and air tools are a useful addition to a home or commercial workshop

Plumbing problems come in all shapes and sizes, from dripping faucets to sewer system backup to burst pipes. This article lists the most common issues, what causes them and suggests some easy fixes when appropriate.

How much do led lights save per year? Today, LED light bulbs pay for themselves after only months. I compare LED vs. Incandescent, Halogen floodlights vs. LED floodlights, and CFL vs. LED.

"Hot" and "neutral" supply power to an appliance, so why the need for a "ground" wire? Basically, it's included for safety reasons. This article explains how it all works....

Most DIY home repair enthusiasts can apply ceramic tile grout. It isn't as hard as many may think. If you are just learning how to grout or need a few tips to help you along, this article will give you grouting tips, tell you what you need to carry out the task and how to maintain your grout works.

Hardwood flooring installation for both engineered and regular hardwood flooring. Instructions for the homeowner on how to install hardwood flooring.

With some simple tools, a little effort, and a few safety precautions, building a fieldstone fire pit is a weekend DIY project that your family and friends will enjoy for many years to come.

Heating and cooling a room with vaulted or high ceilings as well as how to better cool and heat the second floor of our homes are very commonly asked questions about HVAC systems. Here are your options and a few tips to help you accomplish a more comfortable environment efficiently.

When shopping for lighting, it is most important to understand the light source and the wattage that will be saved. As these are choices important to your wallet, the article explains the factors.

Have an old house that has problems with drains? Me too. I give strategies to unclog stopped drains as well as tips on how to prevent them.