Home & Garden: Page 52

This video demonstrates the installation of laminate flooring. He shows which side of the board is the top, and shows how the tongue and groove enable the boards to snap together. The tools he uses are a tapping block, a metal pull bar, a hammer and a measuring tape. The flooring is installed by laying the boards down and tapping them into place. The video goes on to show two guys installing the floor in a living room in real time. This is a good do-it-yourself project that doesn't take...

A dimmer switch lighting system in your home can offer a relaxing midpoint to the standard on-off option and even cut down on energy costs. This video tutorial by Lowe's shows how to install a single pole dimmer switch in your home lighting system. Depending on the total wattage of the lights to be controlled you'll need to install a compatible dimmer switch. Before replacing the actual switch plate, check the power with a circuit tester to insure that the power is off.

Cut out the old caulk with a utility knife. Trim along the sink where the old caulk was located. Scrape out stubborn caulk with a putty knife or a paint scraper.

Changing a toilet is really not the dirty and difficult job that you would imagine. Start by turning the water off using the valve that is located on the wall. Empty the tank by flushing the toilet and holding up the drain valve. Soak up the excess water with a sponge. Disconnect the water line and loosen the bolts that hold the toilet down. Cut through the caulk seal at the bottom of the toilet. Remove the toilet and the wax ring that is around the opening of the drain. Remove the wax ring...

This video is about installing a bifold door. This door opening is 54" so we will use a 30" and 24" door to fit. To align the door: Scribe a line on the ceiling which is the distance on either side of the door opening. Run the line down the bottom so the hooks are in the same position and the doors are vertical. Start at the bottom. Use a square on both sides of the wall which is set as half way point. Put the larger door on the right. Have the doors open inward. Place the tract on top of the...

This video explains to the viewer the advantages of replacing washing machine hoses. As well as, rather more importantly, explaining how to complete the process. According to the creator the rubber hoses that are standard to most washing machines are subjected to high pressure water for many years. As they are only made of rubber they are apt to break and start leaking. This can cause many thousands of dollars worth of water damage. The creator recommends replacing the rubber pipes with...

To replace a door, refer to Lowe's do-it-yourself for a step by step guide. Replacement is not very difficult. To replace just the door, tools and material required are: a new door, hammer, screw driver, tape measure, pencil, combination square, saw horses, clamps, chisel, a door lock installation kit, a drill with bits, circular saw, level, work gloves, dust mask, safety glasses, plane, shims, cardboard, and a utility knife. Before removing the old door, take a few measurements like the width...

Is your garbage disposal clogged? Do you want to clean your garbage disposer without calling the handyman and your plumber? You can fix your garbage disposal yourself without the hefty repair costs easily just by following the instructions in this tutorial! This video will tell you everything you need to know about fixing your jammed or clogged garbage disposal. The greatest challenge in completing this simple repair is the patience required to clear out your garbage disposal and the definite...

Ron Hazelton [http://www.ronhazleton.com] shows how to rip cut a very long piece of wood using a circular saw instead of a table saw. First, place sawhorses approximately every 4 feet under the wood. Choose the correct blade for the wood. Affix the circular saw with an edge guide. Set the blade depth so that the blade barely goes past the wood. Put scrap pieces of lumber on the sawhorses under the wood. Then the long rip cut can be a zip.

Do you dread tackling those wallpaper remodeling tasks on your home maintenance list? Many homeowners choose to let professionals deal with the removal of their old wallpaper, but this can be an expensive choice. Learn how you can remove even the most stubborn wallpaper and wallpaper accent trim with a little white vinegar, a spray bottle and a paint scraper in just 7 minutes. Find out, too, how you can make this project a fun, family challenge by involving the little ones.

This informational and instructional video is brought to us by Lowe's, a leader in the `do-it-yourself' retail business. In this video, Bill shows you how to properly set and use a Skill miter saw. There are four basic cuts you can do with a miter saw: the cross cut, miter cut, bevel cut, and the compound cut. Experienced and beginner home project do-it-yourself enthusiasts will appreciate the techniques and teachings that Bill provides you within this easy to understand and follow how-to video.

This video shows you how to remove and replace a sink basket. It's real quick and very efficient if you have a new sink and an old basket. Here are the steps on doing this.

Let a Lowe's expert show you how to install bi-fold doors. Learn how to install bi-fold doors that you can add to you closets. Get your drill, doors, tape measure and other tools together so you can be ready to complete your project. Measure your closets so you know what kind of door you need to fit your projects. If you need to paint, paint before you add to the door. Mark all your spots and measure before you add your pieces.

Frosted glass windows are perfect for bathrooms, allowing light to pass through while giving you privacy. "Wallpaper for Windows" is a useful window film that you can use to create the frosted glass windows without having to replace or remove your windows. First, you should measure out the size of the window that you plan to cover and clean the glass thoroughly. Also wash your hands to avoid oil getting on the glass. After spraying the window with soapy water, peel the backing off the film and...

This how-to video demonstrates how to use a copper wire stripper.

There is a great cost effective and durable fence option that is available now. It is fence made from plastic PVC. Start by putting a stake in the ground to mark the location of the first fence post. Use a string tied to the first stake to mark the rest of the fence line. Drive stakes in the ground to mark the location of additional fence posts along the string line every eight feet. Dig your fence post holes with a post hole digger or rent a motorized digger. Once you've dug the hole put...

When watching this video, you will realize why Lamb's Ear, or stachys byzantin, may be a perfect choice of plant to set in front of your other plants. With a sea green color and low profile, it will set the rest of the garden off beautifully. Place it along borders of the garden or even along your driveway. Lamb's Ear is a hardy, drought resistant plant that is easy to care for and will do well in sunny areas. It does shoot up and grow a large flower later in the season. This would be your...

Lowe's shows you how to tune up your walk-behind mower. Make a difference in how your motor starts by changing the spark plugs and cleaning the filter and lubricating when necessary. To do this you will need a drop cloth, a cleaning brush and work gloves, oil, spray lubricant, air filter and spark plug. Before performing any maintenance, read your owners manual. Ventilate your work area, protect the ground and remove the grass catchers. Disconnect the spark plug so your mower won't start....

Lowe's a leader in the retail home improvement business, brings you this instructional video on how to measure and prepare for hanging wallpaper, for the do-it-yourselfer at home. In this video you will learn useful tips on calculating just how much wallpaper you will need to wallpaper your room, as well as a list of the tools and materials you will need to achieve a good finish, and get the job done right the first time, every time.

Paul Ryan of the DIY Network shows how to make concrete countertops for the kitchen. Concrete is now available in a wide range of colors and textures. First build forms out of 3/4-inch melamine (a waterproof smooth material for easy casting), according to the blueprints. Use caulk to fill the seams and create a rounded corner to the concrete. Clean the form with rubbing alcohol. Mix the concrete according to the instructions, then fill the form with the concrete. Rub a power sander on the edge...

Lowe's knows that riding lawnmowers are a big investment for your home and garden. This video shows the proper tools, and safety equipment needed to perform the maintenance needed. Lowe's explains how to replace the air filter on the mower, replacing and testing the spark plug, and how to lubricate the moving parts of the machine itself. The narrator also reminds viewers that when performing maintenance, to do so in a well-ventilated area. Following the steps in this video will make sure...

This video from Lowe's will show you how to install a deadbolt lock in just a few easy steps. You can install a deadbolt lock on almost any exterior door, including those made from wood or steel. Deadbolt locks come in several types including the conventional ones requiring a key or the newer ones that have keypads. Whichever type you choose, the principles of installation are the same. This video will show how to a drill in your door and chisel out material in your door jam. Once this is done,...

David Epstein shows a simple and yet creative way to add contrast to any garden with bare or no interest areas. To add a little extra winter color, David introduces three varieties of the "Small leaf Rhododendron" including; "Midnight Ruby", "Westons Mayflower" and "Dora Ainateis". Although these smaller leafed varieties require a little more sunlight, they do however produce flowers in Spring and hold their leaves all winter long. So, for a continuation of color throughout winter, be sure to...

Watering requirements for deciduous trees is dramatically different in autumn than at other seasons throughout the year. In the autumn there is less wind, less evaporation, the temperatures are lower and so there is less of a problem with dehydrating the plant. When you plant the tree. Dig a hole and put the tree in the hole. Fill the hole half way full of soil and flood the rest of the hole with water. Let is soak in and then fill it again. This will soak the roots and also the ground around...

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...