Home Improvement

Painting french doors is very time consuming using tape and a brush. Learn how to paint your french doors fast and easy without taping the glass.

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.

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

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

This article will explain the different types of lighting, including: general ambient, task, natural and accent. You will learn how to use particular light fixtures effectively to create the common types of interior lighting.

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.

Instructions on how to bend both 3 point saddles and 4 point saddles in EMT electrical conduit.

So, you hate your outdated brick fireplace surround but love the look of real brick?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.

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.

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.

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.

Roofing your own home can save you a lot of money. It is a physical job but, with the invent of newer materials and a little know how, the work can be accomplished by a "do it yourselfer". It does take physical ability and two or three people who...

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 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.

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 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.

A beginner's guide to caulking your bathtub, sharing an easy way to successfully complete your first caulking job and make it look nice too!

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.

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

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

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.

Thinking of having your entire house rewired? It is probably a more daunting undertaking than you expect. While it will be a painful hassle no matter what, here are some tips to help you survive the experience.

Replacing the pull cord rope on a Stihl KM 56 RC trimmer is easier than you think. Use these pictures and my step-by-step instructions for easy installation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Detailed instructing by choosing, installing, and wiring a GFCI outlet. Written by an electrician for the homeowner doing their own work.

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.

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

You can give your exterior door a quick but professional-looking makeover without taking your door down from its hinges. What's more, there's no need to sand or strip the wood, thanks to General Finishes Gel Stain. Here's how I got professional-looking and long-lasting results.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Many older homes have been painted so many times that the paint becomes a series of thick layers. Humidity, moisture and time cause these layers to separate and bubble, eventually leading to cracking and chipping. Here's how to fix those problems before putting on a new coat of paint.

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

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.

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

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.

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

DIY can save you money and gives you a great sense of achievement. This article outlines the essential hand and power tools a homeowner needs for basic and more advanced house maintenance.

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.

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

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.

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

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

Electricity 101. A complete beginner's guide covering watts, amps, volts, ohms and kWh. Cost of running appliances. AC, DC and three-phase. Resistivity of materials. A description of electric and magnetic effects of current flow in a conductor.

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.

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!

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.

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

Clogged drains are a very common plumbing issue. This article looks at what causes pipes to become blocked and offers advice on how to fix and prevent clogs from happening.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 to assess your security, know your enemy and secure the perimeter of your defenses.

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

This is a product review for the WaterBUG surface water pump.

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.

Check out these recommendations for the best masking tape for painting. We'll take a detailed look at FrogTape and ScotchBlue for all of your painting needs.

Painting oak cabinets is an inexpensive way to modernize an outdated kitchen. Check out these helpful cabinet-painting tips.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

"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....

How to replace a whole-house water-sediment cartridge filter on your Culligan HF-150, 160, and 360 model housing units. A step-by-step pictorial lesson for water-filter replacement projects.

Removing old seized screws from door hinges.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

Do you have a limited amount of loose fill insulation you need to install? You don't have to lug a heavy machine home. You can do it by hand, and this guide will show you how.

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.

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

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.

Cheap ideas to save money while repairing, updating, rehabbing, and beautifying your home to increase the market value and appeal to buyers.

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.

A homeowner's guide for choosing and installing angle stop water valves. Includes the different types and installation methods.

The Wixann 9W Smart LED Bulb is a Wi-Fi light that can change colors, is dimmable, and can be controlled via Smart Life app or voice with Alexa and Google Assistant. This review will cover my thoughts on trying out this product.

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.

See how we cleared a root clog from the main drainpipe using an old power auger. We saved hundreds of dollars by doing it ourselves and you can too!

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.