Active Home & Garden Posts
How To: Use compression fittings on copper pipe
Copper pipe is perhaps the most versatile of all piping types in that you can use virtually any fitting with it. Copper pipe, however, is not particularly flexible, which can make it a little unwieldy to work with. Simplify your copper piping projects by using compression fittings. This home plumbing video tutorial shows you how. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on using compression joints in your copper plumbing projects, take a look.
How To: Clean a swimming pool cartridge filter easily
Summer is just around the corner, so there's no better time than now to get everything ready to try and beat the heat. This is especially true for swimming pools. If you own a swimming pool, it's important to clean the filter every year to make sure there's no junk going in. So in this helpful tutorial, you'll find out how to clean a swimming pool cartridge filter easily. It's easy to do and will ensure you have a clean pool to swim in. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Control pest that come into your home
Eliminate pests like ants, termites and mice without using dangerous chemicals. Watch this how to video to learn easy and effective ways of getting rid of small pests that come inside the house.
How To: Operate and maintain a chainsaw
This two-part chainsaw safety maintenance and operation instuctional video was developed to give chainsaw operators the basic information needed to properly and safely use a chainsaw. Although this program covers a wide variety of subjects, you should always read and fully understand your own chainsaw's operation manual. For more information on using and maintaing chainsaws, take a look.
How To: Remove an Electric Chainsaw Chain Quick
This video will show you how to replace the chain on an electric chainsaw. This isn't hard, it's quick and easy to do.
How To: Stop a Toilet from Running
This video will show you how to stop a toilet from constantly running and what to look for. There are many different reasons why a toilet may keep running, we'll take the toilet tank cover off and show you what to look for inside and what might break or go wrong.
How To: Install a Timber Floor
G'day Knuckleheads. In this Owner Builder Episode we look at laying the timber floor. You'll see in this video the team showing you how to lay a timber / wooden floor. The timber or wood l used for the floor was a species of timber called Blackbutt. It's a solid 19mm x 130mm board which is very hardy and should stand up to a fair bit of abuse…which it will get at my place :-) Timber floors really give a warmth to your property and are well worth the effort.
How To: Grout Wall and Floor Tiles
G'day Knuckleheads and welcome to Episode 35! With the wall and floor tiling completed it's time to grout the tiles. In this episode Justin takes us through the tips and tricks of applying the wall and floor grout. Grouting really finishes the job off and is a job that any DIY'er can do by themselves. Check it out and let me know what you think :-)
How To: Lay Wall Tiles
G'day Knuckleheads. In this Owner Builder Series Episode we're up to doing the wall tiling in the bathrooms. Justin gives out some very handy tips on how to lay wall tiles in the bathroom. Check it out and let me know what you think.
How To: Cut masonry with a bolster chisel and club hammer
Interested in cutting masonry like concrete flags and bricks? This construction lesson will show you how, using a bolster chisel and club hammer. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on cutting your own masonry quickly and effectively using simple hand tools, watch this how-to.
How To: Make gardening tomato stakes out of cedar or redwood fence boards
Keeping your garden tomatoes free from pests and insects is no easy task. Luckily you don't have to spend a lot of money to help your tomatoes grow to be their best. Staking your tomatoes will lift them off the ground, away from pesky insects, and protecting them from pests. In this video you'll learn how to make your own garden tomato stakes with cedar or redwood fence boards, which will save you a lot of money in the long run!
How To: Replace a bathroom faucet with Lowe's
In this tutorial, we learn how to replace a bathroom faucet. Tools you will need are: faucet, adjustable wrenches, bucket, towel, safety sponges, pliers, and plumber's putty. First, turn off the water supply and turn off the faucet to remove any excess water. Next, use a wrench to remove the nuts that are holding the faucet in place. Next, apply putty onto the pre-cut sink holes and insert your new sink. On the other side, secure the new faucet and nuts with a wrench. Now you can turn on your...
How To: Install a window in a metal frame
A good way to install a window in a metal frame construction is to use some light gauge angle and screw it onto the sides of the window leaving a 10mm space for plaster. A flat head, self tapping screw is used to fix the window to the frame. Watch this video tutorial for a demonstration on how to install a window in a metal frame.
How To: Replace a Whirlpool refrigerator filter
Find the indication light, located at the top of the Whirlpool refrigerator just inside the door. This tells you when to change your water filter. A green light indicates the filter is good and a red light indicates you need to change the filter.
How To: Install shelves in your closet
Installing shelves in a closet turns dead space into useful storage. You Will Need:
How To: Bench check a central air-conditioner blower motor
If you're air-conditioner is acting a little funny, it's probably not just strain from excessive summertime usage. To prevent further damage or greater repairs, or even the purchase of a new A/C, regularly inspect an air-conditioner for any possible malfunctions. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to bench check a central air-conditioner blower motor.
How To: Replace knobs and buttons on a Neff oven
Watch to learn how to replace knobs and buttons on a Neff oven. You'll remove and replace the knobs and buttons on a Neff oven. Lost oven knobs or worn oven buttons detract from the ovens appearance.
How To: Replace the carbon brushes inside a KitchenAid stand mixer at home
Has your KitchenAid stand mixer completely given out and won't even turn anymore? We know this can be extremely frustrating, especially when you're in the middle of mixing a pie filling, but don't just give up and get a new one.
How To: Remove an Oven/Cooker Door
When cleaning your oven, you'll want to take your oven door off its hinges first to give you more room to maneuver. Plus, take the door off makes it easier to clean the door itself, especially the glass areas. The following video from Nathan Cox talks about how easy it is to remove an oven door off, and it's very similar from brand to brand.
How To: Kill bed bugs with heat instead of poison
Whole Structure Heating Jeff White from Bedbug-central.com explains the different methods of effectively killing bed bugs in your home with heat instead of poison.
How To: Organize Your Home with Kids
One of the most difficult things about owning a home is being consistent with how you organize things around the house. Some have perfected and see it as a science, others have a hard time putting things in the right place and that can lead to confusion. When you have kids, organizing your home is especially important since nobody wants a cluttered home with unsafe items laying about. This tutorial shows you how to organize your home with kids. Enjoy!
How To: Sand and Repair Drywall
In order to sand and repair drywall, you will need the following: 100 grit sanding sponge. After you have applied mud to the walls evenly, you will need to sand the walls until they are smooth. Hopefully, you minimized or mitigated most of the need for sanding in the application of the mud, by using feathering and thin layering. When the mud is completely dry, you will need to choose a good sander. It is recommended that you use a 100 grit sanding sponge. Place the sponge against the wall, an...
How To: Make a Milk Jug Green House
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a mini greenhouse milk jug. Begin by cutting the milk jug in half. Make sure to leave one side uncut, leaving the top of the jug on. Then pour some potting soil into the milk jug and plant some seeds into the soil. Make sure to plant the seeds deep into the soil and then pour some water onto the soil. Now tape down the top of the milk jug. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy planting and gardening, and would like to learn how to ma...
How To: Keep Your Tool Box Organized with Foam Floor Mats
In this episode of Mechanical Mashups, Dave will show you how to keep your tools organized by cutting tool shaped spaces out of foam floor mats. Never let a wrench or hammer slip out of place again with this genius way of organizing your garage.
How To: Save the Bee Population from Colony Collapse Disorder
The bee population is in trouble. Colony Collapse Disorder is a mysterious malady that is decimating bee colonies all the country and could kill them completely, which would leave all of the plants and honey-loving people of the world in serious trouble. This video will give you some tips for encouraging the bee population, which is really one of the most green things you can do in this, the bees' time of need.
How To: Make a Window Garden to Grow Food in a Small Space
Growing whatever food that you can yourself is tremendously good for the environment because industrial food production has all sorts of ecological problems. If you live in an apartment, it might seem impossible to grow your own food. Think again! This video will show you how to make a window garden in your apartment and use it to grow herbs and other small crops, decreasing your carbon footprint and making your meals more green.
How To: Make Green Modifications to Your Toilet to Save Water
Toilets are one of the greatest boons to public health of all time, but they do use a ton of water when they flush. If the old adage "If it's yellow, stay mellow. If it's brown, flush it down," disgusts you, but you still want to find a more green way to flush, then watch this video. I will show you how to modify your toilet at home, making it use less water without sacrificing flushing efficiency. Don't waste money on a low-flow toilet or destroy the planet. Watch this video.
How To: Kill Cockroaches in a Green Way
Cockroaches are one of the most durable and and irritating forms of life on Earth. Many turn to toxic chemicals to get rid of them, but that's not very green is it? This video will give you some eco-friendly tips for preventing infestations, trapping insects, and disposing of them once you've caught them. Yes, cockroaches are part of nature. No, that doesn't mean we're not going to kill them.
How To: Take a Green Shower and Save Water
Bathing is one of the most enjoyable and least environmentally responsible part of many people's days. Fortunately, showers use less water than baths, so we're better off than we used to be. This video will show you how to green your shower even further, reducing your water usage as well as your water and heating bills, and increasing the longevity of our water supplies and planet.
How To: Bleed Trapped Air from Baseboard Heater
This video will show you how to bleed trapped air from a baseboard heater. If your baseboard heat is cold with the heat turned on, this might work for you.
How To: Replace the Sash Lock on a Window
Learn how to replace the sash lock on window. This repair will help fix a drafty window, or may even help to fix or prevent a window from rattling or shaking in the wind.
How To: Fix a Dishwasher That Will Not Run or Fill with Water
This video will show you what to look for if you dishwasher stops turning on or filling with water.
How To: Remove Oil Stains from Fabric
Remove oil stains from fabric. Oil and grease stains in fabric can cause ugly marks. Fortunately, they don't need to be very difficult to get out of your clothes. Oils respond well to most soaps and can often be easily lifted if you catch them in time. First, try dabbing at the stain with some liquid laundry or dish detergent.
How To: Remove Stains from Silk
Ok, let's pretend that you just got back from the store with a $200.00, maybe $300.00 silk blouse. You put it on, it looks perfect. You go out on the town, everyone else loves it, you're the center of attention. Then you come home, you go to hang it up, and there is a huge stain on the back. This how to video tells you how can save that $200.00 blouse for only $1.50.
How To: Make a Unique Cardboard Chair
There have been numerous chairs made out of recycled or reclaimed cardboard. This week on the GreenerBusiness Podcast, we attempt to build our own unique comfortable cardboard chair.
How To: Build a walk-in shower step by step
Most of us would love reclining into a steaming, soothing bath of warm water with a glass of champagne and a good romance novel, but let's face it: With all that we have to do these days, we're lucky if we have ten full minutes in the bathroom to ourselves.
How To: Build and install a shower
This video demonstrates how to build and install a shower. This is a free standing shower with no bathtub. Build and install a shower.
How To: Build an Outfeed Table for a Table Saw
An outfeed table is a device to catch the workpiece after it's been machined. This how to video shows you how you can build an outfeed table for your tablesaw.
How To: Remove Paint Odor
Prior to painting, pour some vanilla extract into the paint. The vanilla doesn't stain the paint, and the room won't smell like paint fumes.
How To: Apply Edge Banding to Plywood
Plywood is flat, stable, and comes in lots of varieties. You can even use your plywood as a base for exotic veneers. But there is a consistent problem with plywood: how to treat the edges. This how-to video teaches you how to apply edge banding so it will hold up to wear and tear. All you need is iron edge banding, roller, sandpaper and an utility knife.