Home & Garden: Page 13

Drip, drip, drip. Other than maybe a fly buzzing around your head in concentric circles, a leaky pipe is possibly the most annoying thing you can hear in the middle of the night when you're trying to get some sleep. Thankfully, though, a leaky pipe is one of the easiest plumbing problems to fix all by your onesies.

If you'd like to have a rose tree, or rose 'standard' as opposed to a rose bush, this video will show you what to do. You'll need some pruning shears and of course, a rose bush. This video is really helpful in instructing what to look for when you're trimming, and what branches to take and leave in order to avoid your rose treasure getting a disease. A rose tree by any other name would smell the same, but it would be called a rose standard. FYI.

Normally the idea of messing with an electrical outlet makes me squirm, but Apartment Therapy's quick fix for a loose wall outlet means skipping out on a costly electrician bill. Not only is a wiggly wall outlet unsightly, but it can also be a fire hazard. The solution is simple:

Some locks are easier to drill through than to try and pick, especially if you need to get through them in a hurry! You will need one large power drill and an assortment of drill bits to be able to use this method. First, drill a 1/8 inch pilot hole just above the keyhole. Then follow through with a 1/4 inch or larger drill. After just a minute or so of drilling, you should be able to get through the lock!

A piano hinge is also called a continuous hinge, and is a popular hinge to use on side doors and other small doors. This tutorial shows you the proper method of installing a piano hinge on your current project. Besides the door and the hinge, you will also need some basic hardware: a drill and some screws, as well as a chisel to carve out an inset for the hinge to rest. Make sure you always measure carefully before cutting anything!

You can't go scrub-a-dub in the tub - at least not comfortably so - if your shower faucet is leaking, or if your current tub valve is stuck and not letting any shower water come through. If your shower is broken beyond repair then your best plan of action is to take the whole thing out and reinstall your shower stall. We know this big - and potentially disasterous - procedure has been parodied many a time on popular TV sitcoms, but it's actually realizable if you're careful and follow the steps...

For most bibliophiles, a bookshelf-lined house as beautiful as the Kazuya Morita Architecture Studio's Shelf Pod house is a dream come true. The interior of the space consists of an endless grid of interlocking laminated pine-boards, which slot together to form latticed shelving units:

ApartmentTherapy reminds us of a fine fix for scratches on glassy surfaces like mirrors and windows—toothpaste!

Ahhh! You're locked out of your bedroom, or your bathroom! Well, watch this video and you won't be locked out for long. Fortunately, interior privacy locks are very simple to pick. There are essentially two kinds: one that requires a blade, or knife and the other which requires a long sharp "pin" like object to insert into the handle. Check out this video and never be locked out again! You'll need something like a flat head screw driver for locks with a "slot" in them, and something long and...

Getting locked out of a bedroom or bathroom can be a real bummer. Fortunately, these locks are easy to "pick" and get yourself in. This how to shows you clearly what to do to get yourself back inside so you don't feel frustrated all day long. This excellent video takes you step by step through the process. This video talks about 2 different types of locks and the two different types of tools you'll need.Privacy locking lever door handles are made to unlock from the "back side". "Joe" will show...

This article details the step-by-step instructions on how you can make a strawberry tower that can be used for your hydroponics/aquaponics system.  The water dripping through the system contains the nutrients, so soil is not used.  The growing media is expanded shale, but you could also use expanded clay or gravel.

If it takes a village to raise a child, you can imagine what it takes to raise a village! In brief: a whole lot! Thanks to the folks behind the Open Source Ecology movement, however, starting your own self-sufficient community has never been easier! Taking free software as a model, the group is working on what they call the Global Village Construction Set—"a fully integrated [and freely reproducible] set of machines for creating a self-sufficient modern life from the resources of a small amount...

If you've got a brick house and are looking to install a door in the brick, this how to will get you there. Be prepared, it's a big job and you'll need to be comfortable wielding several power tools. Are you ready to take the challenge?

If you've got a brick wall and you're thinking of installing a door, you may have thought you were out of luck. Not so! This helpful how-to walks you through the steps so you can see how it's done. First off, know that this is not a simple task, so be prepared to wield a brick cutter, which is a serious tool in itself. After that you'll be framing out the door, shimming it up, and installing the door. Go for it!

For on-the-go lighting of birthday candles (those surprise birthday parties really get you), homemade explosives (because making stuff explode is fun), and cigarettes, a cheapo BIC lighter is a totally awesome fix. But most BIC lighters run out pretty quickly and get tossed without second thought.

Cleaning shower door comes to:

Matting a picture helps it look professional, and is a necessary step if you want to frame it yourself. If you have a frame that is too large for the picture, but you love it anyway, matting will help fill it all out.

I feel sorry for all of you homeowners stuck in snow right now.  The snowy, blizzard conditions effecting most of the country is causing some serious headaches across our nation.  And it's not just the cold weather I'm talking about.  I'm talking about ice dams— something that more suitably should have been called ice damns, because they pretty much damn your roof to hell.

One of the joys of having a large yard is the riding lawnmower! It's not that intimidating. This video shows you a few basic ways to use a riding lawnmower. Always make sure you wear close toed shoes and eye protection!

Make sure that you wear thick, close-toed shoes when you are mowing the lawn! This tutorial shows you how to use a gas-powered push lawn mower, and the most efficient way to mow your lawn. Make sure you understand how your model of mower works!

Fruit flies suck, but the fruit fly traps you can get from a hardware store can sometimes be environmentally damaging. Here is how you can make a safe fruit fly trap out of a votive glass, plastic wrap and apple cider vinegar.

For lazy children, winter snow means snowball fights, snowmen and snow days. For lazy homeowners, it can mean leaky roofs and costly repairs. Fortunately, where snowy roofs are concerned, a little bit of preventative maintenance can go a long way.

Eventually most homeowners and contractors alike will run into the problem of scratched glass. Although on some occasions the glass can be fixed using a DIY method; most times a professional is required to get the results desired. Hiring a new contractor to come into your project can be a daunting task, but with the right information you will be able to decide who to hire and feel confident behind your decision.

National Radon Action Month is January, 2011. "All homes should be tested," according to Jeff Finken of Accredited Radon Mitigation. Radon testing and mitigation discounts are being offered by calling 1-800-NO-RADON | http://RadonMonth.WordPress.com

Drip, drip, drip. Annoyed yet? YES! So, watch this video and find out how to repair that tub and shower valve that's been giving you such a headache. This clear how-to will walk you though the plumbing steps necessary to do it yourself.

If you need to move your shower or tub valve, this clear how-to will show you how it's done. Plumbing can be easy with the right info and this video is just what you need. Remember, turn off your water first!

Sputnik, Apollo and the Space Race.  If you watched the State of the Union address last night, you probably heard President Barack Obama mention those three things.

If you only see one power tool-related YouTube clip this year, make it WoodWorkingInAction's "Bandsaw Magic." We give this one two totally-not-severed thumbs way up!

This is a great DiY carpentry project! A comfortable place for people to sit outdoors, with three small cubbyholes for extra storage. A great project for the weekend DiY woodworker, this project is sure to impress visitors to your home.

Get the hardwood look in your home! Floating vinyl plank flooring is easy to install, easier than tile or carpet. It's also fairly inexpensive! This video shows you the best way to install this versatile flooring in any room in your house.

An accent table is a great addition to any room, especially if storage is at a premium in your living space. This project won't take longer than a weekend to complete, and you can finish it in any color to match your decor.

This style of table is often only seen at restaurants, but you can easily build a set for your own home - a square, high-set pub table with four matching stools. A stylish addition to any kitchen or dining room.

Furnishing an office can be a rewarding experience if you choose the right furniture for styling it. What are the factors that provide the ultimate look to your office?

When you are out shopping for the best office chair or a bunch of office chairs to better furnish your workers with, it is important that you just don’t pick out a cheap chair.  Nothing is more dangerous than investing in a chair that serves no particular function and only contributes to a person’s bad health.  Believe it or not, but hunting for the best chairs can actually be very difficult.  And since you will be buying them in bulk for the office, you will have to pick the very best one that...

Your home's siding will only last so long, so when it's time to replace it, what will you do? Well, calling a professional will cost you thousands, but this home video from Buildipedia will walk you through the steps to replace your home's siding yourself.

Wood decks can be a wonderful thing, however they do require cleaning and maintainence. This DIY video gives you the info you'll need to clean, repair and refinish your wood deck, ensuring it's looking great when it's time for that backyard blow out.

Installing a new faucet in your kitchen or bathoom can be an easy DIY task if you follow this clear how-to. This is a great skill to know as it's only a matter of time before you're going to want, or need, to replace a faucet.

A little trim can really add a nice look in your house or apartment. This DIY from Buildipedia gives you clear, easy instructions on this task that any home DIYer can do with a few tools. Give it a look and give it a try!

Installing an electrical outlet in your home or apartment may seem like a daunting task, but this simple DIY video from Buildipedia makes it a simple project. Whether your current outlet is broken, or you're just looking to add something new this video will show you how it's done.