Q: How often should I water my lawn after planting grass seed? A: During the germination period, you should water the area enough to keep
Q: Is it necessary to add sand between the pavers of a flexible-base patio? A: According to the experts at Pine Hall Brick, joint sand
Q: How would I go about buying a foreclosed house for a remodel? A: First make sure that you have the resources in place to
Q: A broken drain pipe spilled sewage into the house’s crawlspace. Plumbers replaced the piping and put down a lot of lime to fight the
Q: How does straw-bale gardening work? A: Next spring you would purchase enough straw bales (not hay) to line up as garden rows. Condition the
Q: How is a composite marble shower pan made? A: Composite shower pans fall into several material groups; cultured marble, fiberglass, acrylic and solid surface.
Q: What is the best way to cut fiber-cement siding? A: Because fiber-cement contains silica, which is considered a carcinogen, you should avoid breathing the
Q: When installing a tiled shower, should I use grout or caulk at the joint where the tile walls meet the tub? A: For tiled
Q: I’d like to cover my deck shade with clear polycarbonate panels. Do they handle snow loads in the winter? A: Your local building codes
Q: I’m considering investing in a rental property, and the home inspector pointed out an attic ventilation problem, saying the attic may get hot in
Q: What is the easiest way to check a home for termites? A:Termite infestation originates from the soil, so inspect all exposed wood framing near
Q: I used a hot iron with a damp rag to repair a few dents in a piece of furniture by swelling the wood grain.
Q: How often should I drain my hot water heater? A: Proper maintenance on a hot water heater typically is to flush the bottom drain
Q: I’d like to strip the veneer off a piece of furniture to refinish it. What’s the best method for removal? A: Soak a towel
Q: I seem to have low water pressure in an upstairs faucet. How can I fix this? A: If the water performance is a problem
Q: I like the look of floating shelves for my kitchen. How do they mount to the wall without shelf brackets? A: Floating shelves are
Q: I’ve noticed some cracks in the block retaining wall adjacent to my driveway. Is this a sign that the wall is failing? A: The
Q: I need to move some electrical lines to make room for built-in bookshelves. Can I get away with tucking the lines beneath one of
Wood rot is caused by a type of fungus that destroys wood. It is as damaging as termite or other insect infestation, and can wreak
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Renew the look of your home’s exterior to boost its curb appeal. By Matt Weber
How to make Floating Shelves with a Table Saw By Matt Weber
In this two-phase project old windows are upgraded with energy-efficient vinyl replacements, plus the surrounding wood trim is protected with aluminum wrap. By Matt Weber
Joint Health By Tim Walton Photos by Larry Walton
This synthetic shake roofing from DaVinci Roofscapes looks like real wood but lasts for decades without maintenance. — M. Weber
Our friends at GAF, North America’s largest Roofing Manufacturer based in New Jersey, offers these tips for how to get your roof ready for
StormPave Pavers StormPave permeable pavers are designed to be installed just a bit farther apart than conventional pavers. Instead of being installed atop gravel and
Storage and Organization make the garage a project-friendly workplace. By Matt Weber Is your garage a disorganized black hole where tools and supplies mysteriously disappear
By Rob Robillard This story starts off simple enough: Last winter an elderly client of mine decided to go the
The Right Tools, the Right Techniques By Matt Weber
Each year the Extreme How-To staff spends a few days at the Remodeling Show/Deck Expo. The 2013 show is to
Celebrated for his groundbreaking woodworking jigs and more, Burt Weinstein has sadly passed away. You’re reading about it here because Mr. Weinstein was a friend
The following is a guest blog post courtesy of Dave Francis, National Safety Director for Little Giant Ladders. As the National Safety Director for an
I spent last Friday pulling tongue-and-groove pine off an old house that was built sometime in the 1940s. The house had been used by
Lightweight, powerful and eco-friendly, CORE’s Power Lok 40-volt cordless lawn equipment offers a split boom for various attachments including a string trimmer, hedge trimmer and blower.
The Wolverine Hacksaw For Fall 2013, Wolverine introduces the new Hacksaw work boot, designed to last in extreme work environments and offer all-day comfort with
Keeping water where you want it. By Rob Robillard
SPF is quickly gaining ground as a high-demand insulating material. Here’s Why. By Matt Weber
Using Rock from a Creek Bed to Enhance a Flagstone Home In an effort to shape up the curb appeal of one of our project houses,
In the South we have the expression: “Don’t put the cart before the horse.” It reminds us to keep things in the right order, to
It’s Not the Fall, It’s the Sudden Stop By Matt Weber
Sanding is the foundation of any finishing project—or refinishing project. Whether you’re removing an old finish or preparing a piece of fine furniture, just about
We’re finally in the season for fun in the sun, when homeowners can make the most of their outdoor environment. Chilling out with a cold
Summer humidity can bring an unwanted visitor to your home or cabin: mold. If mold has taken hold where you live or play, think twice
July 1, 2013 – BESSEY announces an extension of the Auto- Adjust Toggle Clamp line from three to eight
Introducing a Revolution in the Evolution of the Traditional Folding Sawhorse Traditional sawhorses have been around for hundreds of years. In fact, they’ve been around
I recently spruced up a pressure-treated deck with the new Transformation Deck & Fence Stain from Sashco. This particular deck has very little shade during
Chisel Wolverine Mid-Cut Boot Get the comfort of a hiker plus the protection of a steel toe with the Wolverine
By Rob Robillard A great summer or fall project to prep for the winter. Keeping firewood dry is critical to a successful fire. You don’t
Wolverine Griffin Work Boot The Wolverine Griffin work boot combines time-tested comfort technology with the best new components and materials.
Extreme How-To has friends “across the pond” at Walls and Floors UK who have written an article on “Tiling Tips” especially for our blog.
New Supplies for the Great Outdoors Before friends and neighbors ever make it to your home they’re greeted by your lawn. The home’s curb appeal
By Mark & Theresa Clement If the value of a project is measured in how often you use it, our compost bin is well near
Craftsman is on the road this summer to inspire Americans to open their tool boxes and start working with their hands, all while making
By Matt Weber When it’s time to give your lawn its first summer haircut, be sure to keep the edges neat. Grass and weeds
Our house has a rear door that leads to a backyard deck. Both my two-year-old son and our cocker spaniel go in and out of
Q: I seem to have a lower water pressure in an upstairs faucet. How can I fix this? A: If the water performance is a
Q:I like the look of floating shelves for my kitchen. How do they mount to the wall without shelf brackets? A: Floating shelves are basically
Q: I’ve noticed some cracks in the block retaining wall adjacent to my driveway. Is this a sign that the wall is failing? A: The
Q: I need to move some electrical lines to make room for built-in bookshelves. Can I get away with tucking the lines beneath one of
By Rob Robillard A client recently asked if I would replace her badly worn-out roof deck. This wooden deck was built over her screen porch
The Extreme How-To staff recently spent a week in Las Vegas for the 2013 National Hardware Show. We exhibited our magazine at the show as
Garage door backup-battery dead? Here’s how to bring it back to life By Bruce W. Smith
Oneida Super Dust Deputy Oneida Air Systems’ new Super Dust Deputy can turn your inefficient single-stage dust collector into a super cyclonic collector. This molded,
When it’s time to hit the hard stuff—tile—keep these tips in mind for a successful installation. By Matt Weber
A handy hit list for procuring a contractor… Even the handiest of homeowners usually have a threshold where they decide it’s smart to forgo doing
May 1, 2013- Sure Drive USA, a division of Pan American Screw and a member of The Marmon / Berkshire-Hathaway Corporation, is very excited to
Here’s a look at the Ins and Outs of Up and Down Gardening
The National Hardware Show is a fun show for tool hounds and DIY’ers. Held this May in Las Vegas, Nevada, it’s the prime place for
Using Urethane Column Wraps to Wrap it up. By Kathy Ziprik
Next to the trusty electric drill, a good handheld circular saw is the must-have tool for the pro handyman and DIY homeowner alike. No other
One of EHT‘s most recent projects was a complete roof tear-off and replacement job, using synthetic shake roofing from DaVinci Roofscapes. You’ll be finding the
The EHT staff recently participated in a window replacement project where old, rotted wooden windows were removed and replaced with energy-efficient vinyl units from Simonton
You may be an expert on air-conditioning technology. I am definitely not, but I’ve been diligently studying HVAC systems in order to qualify in
Cracks in caulk joints occur because the house moves, and the caulk doesn’t move with it. This movement can occur when the house settles,
Now that we’re entering the warmer months, it’s tempting to crank up the ol’ air conditioner, but the high cost of electricity will have many
FAST. EASY. ACCURATE. Timberline Sharpener is the portable precise tool that works on any chainsaw. The key to the tool is a solid platform that
Last summer I customized these plans from Woodsmith.com to build a sectional entertainment center that would match the ridiculously large TV that might wife
Behold the latest Extreme How-To video — a great weekend project for the DIY’er with a table saw. Just click below to play…
Q: I have a large, intrusive air duct along the ceiling of my basement and it’s posing a problem for me to finish the room
Q: Should I be concerned about expansion and contraction when installing PEX tubing? A: PEX expands and contracts at a greater rate than copper,
Q: Is the equipment required to add spray foam insulation available for rent? A: The specialized equipment necessary to apply spray foam insulation is
Q: A local construction company offers a “helical pier system” when building a deck. How does this type of system work? A: Helical piers
Lansky Control-Angle Sharpening System Expert craftsmen know the secret to proper knife care is maintaining a good bevel and a
A thorough cleaning along with an application of a penetrating wood stain will do wonders for the looks and long life of your wood fence.
The Wolverine Griffin work boot combines time-tested comfort technology with the best new components and materials. Featuring Wolverine DuraShocks, individual compression pads in the heel
Installing Shaker-style Crown Molding with Rope Lighting By Rob Robillard
Surgical Repair of a Rotten Sill, Trim and Siding. By Matt Weber
By Clint C. Thomas, Esq. Photography by Zoe Thomas Window glass breaks. It breaks for a variety of reasons. Broken windows
New windows offer some big advantages for homeowners. Replacement units offer smooth operation, tasteful decorative options, more energy efficiency and less routine maintenance. The problem
By Matt Weber A cutting tool is only as good as its blade, which is why professionals and savvy DIY’ers recognize the importance of regular
Working in the home-improvement industry has its perks. For example, I get a lot of saw blades sent to me as product samples. Sometimes I’m
AHRI Offers Homeowners Simple Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Maintenance Tips The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) reminds homeowners that the spring season is
I’ve been using Sashco’s Lexel Adhesive Caulk lately on projects both inside and outside the home. When you need a top-notch seal, this is
By Angela Freeman Are your neighbors a bit odd? Chances are, they’re not nearly as strange as these guys. From artsy to nifty to, “What
Talk about “extreme” landscaping… Outdoor Advantage is an Atlanta-based landscaping company that I follow over at HomeTalk.com. They recently posted a photo set of a
A friend of mine posted the following video to Facebook. I don’t know anything about the product shown aside from what you see in the
The best footing tube base & pier footing tubes available today are made by Bigfoot Systems®. The Bigfoot team has been in the construction business for many years and has developed a variety of Bigfoot products for all your construction needs. Rigid plastic footing forms are alternatives to conventional forming methods for concrete pier […]
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