Q: Should I use sanded or unsanded grout for bathroom tile? A: The sand in sanded grout makes it stronger than the unsanded variety so
Q: Why are nails designated in “penny” sizes? A: “Penny” sizes originally referred to the price for a hundred nails in England in the 15th
Q: My son broke a wooden spindle on the stair’s handrail. Since the spindle is trapped in the holes at the top and bottom, how
Q: How can I keep mice out of my dryer vent? A: Replace the dryer vent on the outside of your house with a two-part
Q: What’s the best way to keep new tile grout clean? A: Cementitious grout is subject to staining because it is a porous material. Most
Q: Can I use 2×8 treated lumber as deck boards? A: No, that’s a not a good idea. Lumber wider than 6 inches should not
Q: What is meant by “wire-feed” welding? A: Wire-feed welding (MIG welding) has become popular over the last few decades because you can pick up
Q: I’m starting a compost bin to use as fertilizer for a vegetable garden. I know to use plant matter, etc., but is there anything
Q: Should block retaining walls be angled backwards or built vertically plumb? A: A very short retaining wall built of only a couple of courses
Q: What’s a good method for cutting aluminum gutter material? A: One basic method is to clamp the gutter material firmly to a couple of
Q: How do I fix a sagging refrigerator door? A: A sagging door isn’t just an eyesore. If the gasket doesn’t seal properly, the refrigerator
Q: Can PEX piping be used for outdoor applications, such as a water garden? A: The PEX material can be used outdoors if it is
Q: What’s the difference between enamels, latex-base and oil-base paints? A: According to the experts at Sherwin-Williams, enamel is a broad classification for finishing materials
Q: I replaced the flooring in a bathroom. I reinstalled the toilet afterward, but the inlet to the tank is now 1/4 to 1/2 inch
Q: How do I fix a hole in a rusty, leaky gutter? A: First, scrub off the rust around the hole with a wire brush.
Q: What’s the best way to stabilize a rocking toilet? A: Toilets rock due to uneven floors, usually on tiled surfaces. Movement in the toilet
Q: Our backyard slope is slowly washing away with every rainfall. What’s the best way to stop the erosion? A: One common method to prevent
Q: How do I remove melted candle wax from carpet? A: First, scrape away as much dry wax as possible with a dull knife and
Q: Are there any home remedies for cleaning mold out of a shower stall? A: You’ll find a variety of effective “anti-mold” sprays available at
Q: We dropped a piece of furniture on a sheet vinyl floor and caused a large tear. I have some leftover flooring that matches. What’s
Q: Why is the brick on my home turning white? A: If you’re seeing a white, powdery discoloration on the brick, then it’s called efflorescence.
Q: What’s an easy way to fix a door that won’t latch? A: If a door no longer latches, then either the frame or the
Q: I saw a “denim” wall at an open house that I’d like to recreate in my home. At first I thought it was wallpaper,
Q: I’d like to add a stainless steel backsplash behind a stove, between two wall cabinets. What’s the best way to attach it without visible
Q: There are some pits in our asphalt driveway in need of repair. Is this something I can fix myself, or do I have to
Q: I bought a prefab laminate countertop with backsplash, but the wall behind it is slightly uneven. How do I install it so there’s no
Q: How do I calculate the amount of roofing shingles needed for a roof? A: Roofing material is calculated by taking measurements of each
Q: What is the difference between three-tab roof shingles and “architectural” shingles? A: In roofing, the term “architectural” generally means the shingle has a
Q: If I install a pet door, will I get a lot of air intrusion into the house? A: Today’s pet doors have spring-loaded,
Q: When should I begin feeding my lawn for spring? A: Fertilizing a lawn is a great way to boost the health of the
Q: What’s an easy way to clean grease off a stove burner? A: Stove burners can get pretty disgusting with grease accumulation. One easy
Q: What’s the best way to avoid stripping screw heads when driving them? A: When fastening screws, poor “fitment” is when the driver bit
Q: I’d like to use 6×6 lumber for the posts of a bed, but the only 6×6 material I can find at the home-improvement store
Q: Should I turn off my attic power fan and close the vents during winter? A: Although the natural instinct to keep the house
Q: What is the best way for a DIY’er to install sod on a lawn for a residential property? A: Many pro builders use a
Q: My garden has a mole problem. How do I fight back? A: The most effective technique for getting rid of moles is to use
Q: What type of herbicide is best to kill the weeds that are sprouting up all over my lawn? A: Post-emergent herbicides—the type you’ll need
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
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
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
Q: I’d like to get an early jump on this year’s gardening. What edible plants are suited for sowing in March? A: Unless you live
Q: My kids have torn a towel rack off the bathroom wall twice. The mounts are not located over wall studs, so I’ve been using
Q: I built a coffee table and would like to finish the wood with a clear coat. My neighbor recommends that I first seal the
Q: What’s the best way to remove pencil marks from the pieces of a woodworking project? Sanding seems unnecessarily abrasive, while using an eraser tends
Q: Can I glue down a resilient vinyl floor directly to an Oriented Strand Board (OSB) subfloor? A: This is not recommended. Subfloors such
Q: Why are there faded areas on the carpeting around the windows on one side of my house? A: This is probably a sign of
Q: What is a ductless mini-split system for HVAC in home? A: A ductless mini-split system is a heating/cooling system comprised of an indoor evaporator
Q: I’m building a new home and trying to decide on a heating system. How do I compare heating fuel costs? A: Heating system fuels
Q: How do I level a concrete floor with low spots to prepare for tile installation? A: To install tile, laminate or hardwoods over
Q: I have a rental house with a bathroom that has problems with sewer odor. Do you have any advice on how to address this?
Q: I’ve noticed that some tool manufacturers are making laser layout tools that generate a green laser rather than a red laser. What’s the difference?
Q: We plan to soon repaint several rooms in our house. Do you recommend flat paint, satin or a semi-gloss sheen? A: The choice of
Q: I’d like to convert a spare bedroom into a music room. Do you have any advice on soundproofing an existing room? A: To reduce
Q: When building a cinderblock wall, should I fill the voids in the blocks with mortar? A: We recommend filling the empty spaces of the
Q: I’ve seen a faux finish painting technique that combined two different colors onto a wall. What is this technique called and how do I
Q: What’s the difference between normal carpet and “natural fiber” carpet? A: Natural-fiber floor covering is often selected for its environmental appeal, because the fabrics
Q: I plan to convert my unfinished basement into a finished living space. When installing drywall on the basement ceiling, do the panels attach directly
Q. What is expansive cement? A. Concrete is generally mixed with more water than is needed to hydrate the cement, and when it evaporates it
Q. What is the purpose of the recirculate setting in an automobile? A. The recirculate button can help your vehicle HVAC system run more efficiently.
Q. What type of grass do I need for a “no mow” lawn? A. Certain grasses that are native to western regions of the U.S.
Q. What makes “ground contact” PT lumber more durable than lumber specified for “above ground” use? A. Pressure-treated lumber has been immersed in a liquid
Q. Does thinning paint have any adverse effects on the paint? A. Most paint products are ready to go right out of the can with
Q. I have a rectangular hallway pass-through in my home that has no door. I’d like to change the top of the pass-through into an
Q. What type of underlayment is required to install laminate flooring? A. Laminate floors should always be installed over a moisture-proof membrane, such as polyethylene
Q. What type of herbicide is best to kill the weeds that are sprouting up all over my lawn? A. Post-emergent herbicides — the type you’ll need now
Q. I have a two-handle faucet with a dripping shower head. How can I stop the leak? A. If a compression faucet drips from the
Q. After building my deck, how long should I wait before I stain it? A. The pressure treatment of lumber with waterborne preservatives leaves moisture
Q. Last week a loud screech started coming from beneath the hood of my car. Any idea what causes this? A. It’s possible that a
Q. How far away from the house should water be diverted with a downspout? A. Today’s building codes generally recommend that water should be diverted
Q. How large should grout joints be in tile? A. There’s not a specific standard for the size of a grout joint, but there are
Q. How does manufactured stone compare with real stone veneer? A. Manufactured stone, sold under brand names such as Cultured Stone, Coronado Stone, etc., is
Q. I have an older deck and fence that has grayed out and is somewhat stained. How can I restore old wood to its original
Q. How do I remove old bathroom caulk? A. A good tool combination for this job is a putty knife, a dental pick and a
Q. How do I give a copper fire pit an artificial green patina? A. The tarnish that develops on copper over time is what makes
Q. How do I shorten an interior door to clear a floor register? A. Lay a sheet of cardboard or plywood on the floor that
Q. How do I install a peephole in a fiberglass door? A. Fiberglass doors are built with two fiberglass panels with wood blocking and insulation
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