Home & Garden: Page 51

Ron Hazelton shows a great way to bring the outdoors indoors with a garden window. First remove the existing window. Pry off the exterior trim and remove the old window framing. Build a new frame for the new window with 2x4's and shims. Trim away any exterior siding if necessary. Use waterproof flashing paper and caulk to make the new window watertight. Install the new window into the frame with rust-resistant screws. Add another run of caulk, then trim off the excess flashing paper. Use...

This video explains two different ways to remove wax from candles left on furniture. Both heat and cold are used to accomplish the removal of wax. Heat generally from a hair dryer will provide enough heat to remelt the wax without damaging wood furniture. Ice or even a pack of frozen vegetables is suggested when using the cold method since it makes the wax brittle and easy to remove. These are two great ways to remove wax from wooden furniture without damaging the furniture itself.

Handyman teacher Hub Kirkpatrick gives a demonstration of how to install shutters to the exterior of one's home. These vinyl plastic shutters are meant to enhance the beauty of the exterior of a house without costing too much. Hub recommends using six 3-inch, hex-headed bolts for each shutter so that it is secured firmly in place. He also adds a cautionary note that one should take care not to over-tighten the bolts because that could result in dimpling and cracking of the plastic shutter.

If you like the look of wood floors but you are concerned about the durability of wood because of kids or pets then laminate might be the answer for you. Laminate is really durable and it is easy to install. The laminate is the same material that they laminate kitchen counter tops with and it doesn't have to be glued or nailed down. It floats on a foam pad. This allows laminate to be laid over almost any surface without a problem. The pieces now interlock and so you don't have to worry about...

A Japanese company called Oriental [JP] has invented an eco-friendly machine that turns office paper into toilet paper. Called the "White Goat", the machine's process is simple: feed it approximately 40 sheets of paper and thirty minutes later it deliver one perfectly constructed roll of toilet paper.

This video shows how to install track lighting where you want to add or direct light. The first thing to do is to turn off the power to the circuit. If you don't have an electrical box where you want the lighting, you can purchase one at any home improvement store. If you have one, you will also need a track lighting adapter. Use masking tape for the pattern that you want, start around 18 to 24 inches from the wall. Remove the tape and replace it with chalk lines. Cut the tracks to size and...

Lowe's home improvement expert, Mike Kraft, demonstrates how to prepare your concrete sub-floor for the installation of hardwood or laminate flooring. Brought to you by Lowe's, a leader in the home do-it-yourself retail industry, Mike details the steps, tools, and techniques you will need to complete this step of your project so that you may enjoy your new floor for a long time to come. After you have properly prepared your sub-floor to receive your new flooring, the video provides you with...

This is a great video about how to unclog your toilet without a plunger. The author of this video explains which ways she tried to unclog her toilet initially, and how they failed without any results. She then tells you how you can unclog your toilet with dish soap and some hot water, which actually works. If you are facing the same problem with your toilet, just try the method explained in this video and see if it actually works or not. Also, use this method to unblock a sink without a plunger...

Host Brenda Lo, from Lowe's Creative Ideas demonstrates, in this informational video, how to create an outdoor water fountain. Brenda details the entire process, listing the tools and supplies you will need to complete this great do-it-yourself project in just one afternoon with easily obtainable materials. This video is great for the DIY beginner or experienced professional looking for a new project idea for your outdoor garden. do-it-yourself, and save time and money with these great tips.

In this video, Mark Donovan of Home Addition Plus shows you to remove ceramic tiles from a shower. Before you begin, remove the shower head and shower handle, leaving the walls bare. A lot of dust and debris will be produced so you should wear safety glasses and to protect the shower pan from damage, you should cover it up. Card board should suffice. Starting from the bottom, place the chisel on the edge of the tiles and tap it with a hammer. For the tiles in the middle, you can use a flat bar...

This video is presented by Lowe's. In this video the instructor shows us how to replace a medicine cabinet and a bathroom light. In every step of this video the importance of safety is stressed. In this video the viewer is taken on a step by step tutorial on how to do the installation. The viewer will receive a clear understanding on all the tools and parts needed to do this job. According to the video, most if not all of the tools for this project can be found at Lowe's. It is easy to see...

This video describes how to improve one's skill when performing home based projects with wood which is a useful skill if one wants to build a table, chair or even a box. In this video one will learn how to sink a nail, cover the hole and leave a sanded finish. For example it is important to drive all nails 1/8 an inch into the surface of the wood so the filler can cover the hole properly and avoid leaving sharp edges or uneven surfaces. Overall this video is simple, easy to follow and useful...

Learn how to make your own homemade cleaning wipes and save money with this video tutorial. You will need a roll of paper, 2-3 cups of you favorite cleaner, and a storage container with a lid, a cutting board, and a knife. Cut the paper towel role in half using only one half now. Put the half paper towel roll in the container and soak with the cleaner. Remove the cardboard from the center of the roll and the cleaning wipes will be pulled out from the center of the roll.

This video chronicles various ways to scent your home. First of all, you can use scented candles. However, if you do not wish to constantly burn your candles and would like to avoid the risk of fire, you can use a candle warmer to just warm your candle, which also is effective in spreading the scent. Oil warmers may also be used to heat up scented oils that will fill up and scent your room. Using the many different techniques outlined in this video, you should be sure to create a nice,...

Regardless of where you are, there will probably be a period when your lawn will turn brown and possibly go dormant when there is a drought. Contrary to popular belief, it is okay to use fertilizer on your lawn when there is a drought. Using a higher setting on your lawnmower will allow the grass blades to be longer, allowing them to retain more moisture. When you are finally able to water your lawn again, make sure to water it twice a day, hopefully in the early morning to avoid the heat of...

Grace Bonney shows us an easy way to create an upholstered headboard for your bed. Using a low-end easy budget, you will be able to create a elegant looking headboard using wood, foam, batting, fabric, scissors, a utility knife, a staple gun, and flush mounts. After cutting out the shape of your headboard or starting with an existing headboard, cut out a piece of foam that is the same size. Pull batting over the foam to even out the surface, and then put the fabric onto the headboard. With the...

Getting that wallpaper down is not near as bad as people think it is. Here is a four step process for getting that old wallpaper off quickly and easily. Use a wallpaper perforating tool to make hundreds of holes in the wallpaper. Just roll the tool over the wall and it will make little holes in the wallpaper. Next put a gallon and a half of hot water in a garden sprayer and add to it an enzyme based wallpaper stripper. Spray on the wallpaper stripper starting at the top of the wall. Make sure...

This video shows the viewer how to make a UNA box from pieces of hardwood, and 2 pieces of dowel. The box is made by building the normal box from the wood. The lid is then secured using a large piece of dowel so that it can pivot. Additionally to the first large dowel another smaller piece of dowel is secretly added to stop the box opening this has to be removed for it to open so makes it harder for intruders to open. The box can then be sanded, painted and used to hide small objects!

The many uses of a pressure washer that can be fun and save time on the harder cleaning jobs around the house. Always use safety glasses when using power tools. The pressure washer easily attaches to a garden hose and multiplies the water pressure. It is good for removing dirt from wooden fences, sidewalks, decks and the side of your house. When you get used to the pressure washer and begin using its attachments, you will find more uses around the house and with your vehicles. It can be fun...

Drywall screws were originally created specifically for drywall projects. But they have become increasing popular for woodworking projects because you can often screw them into a soft piece of wood without having to drill a pilot hole. But because they have threads all the way up to the head of the screw they will not pull two pieces of wood tightly together. So to get the drywall screw to hold two pieces of wood tightly together you have to drill a shank hole through the first piece of wood so...

Using acid stains on concrete floors can be cheaper and easier to maintain than laying down tile on your floor. Here, Gaye Goodman shows you how to make acid stains on your concrete floor, a nice, economical way to make beautiful floors. First, you should test on samples of your floor in order to decide which color to use and to determine how the acid stain will look. After covering the bottom of your walls with painter's tape to avoid splashing, mix about 1 cup of TSP to 4 gallons of water....

You can very easily replace your normal light switch on the wall with a dimmer switch. The first step is to turn the power off at the circuit breaker. To prevent anyone from accidentally turning the circuit on put a piece of tape over the fuse switch so that it is clear that it is to stay turned off. Remove the screws that hold the switch plate and use a tester to make sure that none of the wires are still live with electricity. Remove the two screws that are holding the switch itself in place...

If you lay tile it is rare to do a job and not have to cut a curved piece of tile. If you do have to cut a curved piece there are two ways to do it. First, you have to draw outline of the cut that you need to make on the tile itself and mark the part you are going to remove with an X. The low tech method involves using a pair of tile nippers. You nip away pieces of the tile until you have nipped away the whole area until you have a circular cut out. For a more polished cut you can use a spiral...

It can be very difficult to see underneath wall cabinets. The cabinets and your body can cause a lot of shadows and make it very hard to see. Getting light under the cabinets is very easy. The answer is to install thin profile fluorescent lights that are made to go under the cabinets. Remove the diffuser and bulb from the lamp and you will expose the screw holes. Put the lamp up under the cabinet in the location that you want them to hang. You want to install them as far forward as possible....

Use whole saws or drill bits larger than the necks of the glue bottle and about a ten inch 2x4 piece of wood. Drill holes for the amount of bottles you want to have. You can add feet to your rack if the necks on the bottles are too long for the rack by gluing a couple of small wood blocks underneath on both ends.

To build your plate display you will need a plate collection, some plate hangers, and a hammer. A good part of hanging plates on the wall is you can use cracked and chipped plates in your display. To get the plates ready to hang all you have to do is make sure they are clean and measured correctly so that you can get the right hangers for the plates. When purchasing plate hangers go with the smaller size. If the plate is 10 inches buy the 7-10 inch hanger rather than the 10-14 inch hanger. You...

If you need to paint the screw heads you can do it without making a mess. If you try to hold them in your fingers and paint them you will get paint all over your fingers. Now you don't have to do that. Take a plastic shopping bag and cut the bottom off of it. Take that bottom piece of bag and stretch it over a can like a drum. Tape the bag tightly to the can so that the bag is stretched tight. Take the screws and screw them into the plastic on top of the can so that they are standing up. Now...

To continue getting the enjoyment out of your fireplace you should inspect it regularly. Check the condition of the mortar in the firebox. If it is loose, missing, or crumbling it needs to be professionally repaired. Look for black deposits inside of the chimney or flue using a flashlight; presence of black deposits inside of the chimney or flue indicates the need for a licensed Chimney Sweep to clean the chimney in order to prevent a chimney fire. The chimney should be free of obstructions to...

This video shows you how easy it is to cut and make holes in cement backer board. The first thing you want to have is safety glasses to protect your eyes. To make a punch out hole you have to draw an outline of the hole with a pencil or pen. Use a drill to make several holes inside your outline. A jigsaw will cut out your punch hole. Push the punch hole out. Make a straight cut by marking the front of the board with a pen and a straight edge and use the scoring knife along the straight edge to...

In this quick yet informational video, Ron Hazelton shows us how to replace an old or malfunctioning door latch in your home. After removing the doorknob itself, use a screwdriver to remove the ring around the base of the knob and then unscrew the backing that is holding the other side of the doorknob in place. Remove the old door latch and then replace it with the new one, putting in first the latch itself and one side of the doorknob. Use the screwdriver to hold this in place and then add the...

There are a number of ways to deal with screw holes that are visible. You can buy some wood buttons and put them in the holes. You put a little wood glue in the hole and then tap the wood buttons into the holes using a hammer. This is a decorative solution to cover up screw holes. If you want to completely cover up the holes completely put a plug cutter on your drill and cut a plug out of a piece of wood that matches the wood that the hole is in. Take the plug put a little glue on it and tap it...

This video shows the viewer how to correctly water Phalaenopsis orchids. According to the video these are the type of orchids that most people have in their homes. The instructions are to water your orchid with Luke-warm water once every 7-10 days, or as often as is needed. The creator, Dave Epstein, also suggests adding 1/4 strength plant food to the water. He also recommends checking the medium that the orchid is planted in to judge whether watering is necessary. For more information on how...

A disorganized closet can slow down your mornings. Clean out your dirty storage space with the help of this instructional video. Follow along with such tips as tossing out unused clothing, and establishing a systematic wardrobe catalog.

Ron Hazelton brings you this video on wainscoting. Wainscoting is paneling that runs about a third of the way up a wall. Ron shows you how to use a chair to figure exactly where to place the chair rail. When installing around electrical outlets be sure to turn off the electricity. Next cut all the panel sections to length. When you attach them to the wall be sure to attach at top and bottom. Next attach the paneling, you can use a scarf joint to hide the seams. When installing the chair rail,...

Patti Moreno the Garden Girl shows how to grow an environmentally friendly, low maintenance, drought and insect resistant Eco-Lawn, a blend of 7 Fescue grasses for shady, rocky, and sandy soils. Prepare the bare ground by raking debris. Spread the seed, and then water the seed once a day for the first month. The grass sprouts in 7-14 days. Fill in patches with more seed. Remove leaves, but don't disturb soil and seeds. To convert to an Eco-Lawn, mow the old grass very low, and then spread new...

To save time and get a more uniform result when painting with a roller pour your paint in a five gallon bucket rather than a roller pan. Put a painters screen down into the bucket and hook it over the edges of the bucket. Dip the roller into the bucket and roll the excess off of the roller by rolling it on the screen in the bucket. This allows you to have far less stops refilling the pan and if you keep the bucket near the wall you save time loading the roller with paint. When you are ready to...

This informational video from YouTube user curlmarx takes us through the step by step process of how to take on the intimidating process of soldering, or "sweating" copper pipes for the do it yourselfer at home. He illustrates the materials and tools you will need to successfully complete this type of plumbing project. Those of you who have never taken on a task like this will much appreciate the effort of this author to illustrate the complete process in a detailed and easy to follow...

This step by step instructional video will show you how you are able to make your own tortilla press at home using simple everyday materials. Shows the best sizes of wood to make the tortilla press and what tools you will need to complete this project. Including tips and tricks to make sure that the tortilla press makes the tortillas well. After watching this quick and easy to follow how to video you can easily make your own tortillas at home.

In this video you are taught how to build a raised garden bed and hoop house. You first begin with a layer of gravel and then place the layers on top of it. You can use leaves you can find to fertilize the soil. The video also teaches you how to build a hoop house using PVC pipes. This video is for urban gardeners or anyone who wants total control during the planting process of beautiful plants and flowers.

When you are using garlic or cooking with it, getting the smell of garlic off your hands can be really tricky. Washing your hands will not to the job by itself. The next time you are using garlic and want to get rid of that smell, wash your hands thoroughly with both soap and water, and then rub them against the stainless steel faucet because the metal with neutralize the odor from your hands and get rid of the smell.