Hot Home & Garden Posts
How To: Repair a leaking pipe caused by a loose washer
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.
How To: Polish shoes
Learn how to polish shoes. You don't have to know how to get them Army-regulation shiny, but you should have some basic training.
How To: Copy a key with a Coke can
This is a how-to video explaining how to copy a key with a can of cola. All you need is an aluminum soda or beer can. To make it come out better, add a additional side to the one piece. This technique works well when you don't have time to get a new key cut. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to duplicate a key with a Coke can.
How To: Make a monument saddle arrangement
Jane from Afloral.com shows you how to make a floral arrangement using a monument flower saddle with this tutorial. A flower saddle is a device that seats flower foam with a flower arrangement. Watch this how to video and you will learn how to use a monument flower saddle for an arrangement.
How To: Get wax stains out of clothes
Wax is one of those material that you use all of the time that is also nearly impossible to get out of clothes without the right chemicals. Watch this video to learn the steps your need to get wax stains out of clothes.
How To: Coat ceiling joints with joint compound
This instructional video demonstrates how to coat ceilings with joint compound, without dripping mud on your face. Spackling is a delicate art, but anyone can create a perfectly smooth surface with a metal putty knife and a fresh bucket of joint compound. Spackling ceilings is one of the more difficult tasks in prepping a room for painting, but this video provides tips on how to lay down thin layers of putty to avoid heavy sanding after the spackle dries.
How To: Pick a padlock and understand how it works
When picking a padlock, the only part you need to worry about is the part where the key goes into the lock. The locking mechanism has pins attached to springs. The key pins are on the bottom and the driver pins are on the top. The key turns when the pins of different heights are separated, flush and aligned. Stick a tension wrench into the keyway and put pressure on it. Take a pick to push the rest of the pins up until they are flush with the shear line. Stick the tension wrench into the bott...
How To: Wire a combo switch outlet with constant power
Doing electrical work is one of the most intimidating tasks for a novice home repairman. But if you know what you're doing, the risk is pretty minimal. In this clip, Mark Donovan of HomeAdditionPlus.com shows us how wire a combo outlet with power.
How To: Build a walkout basement
Our expert, Ben Ingham, actually shows you a step-by-step process of how to build your own walkout basement all on your own. Why hire an expensive contractor that knows exactly what he’s doing when you can easily figure it out yourself through trial and error? Ben shows you all the materials you will need and the tools you will need for them.
How To: Turn an old window into illuminated wall art
Check out this DIY video tutorial from Curbly, the best place to share pictures of your home, find design ideas, and get expert home-improvement advice.
How To: Reduce your refrigerator energy usage
This video shows several tips that will help you cut down the electricity usage of your refrigerator. Think about what you want from the fridge before opening the door, instead of standing there with the door open while deciding what you want. Set the temperature of your fridge only as cold as necessary, and allow 24 hours for any temperature changes to take effect. Keep exterior condensation switches off unless you need them. Make sure the door gasket is clean and in good condition. Clean it...
How To: Make a clay pot look like an antique
One way for a middle-aged person to look better than ever is to sit on a patio surrounded by well-aged pots. Flaking, lichen-covered clay pots give the impression that they’ve been around a lot longer than you have. And because antiqued pots look expensive, everyone will think that your investments are doing well and your children have moved out. There are three methods of giving your pots the beauty of antiquity. Two of these techniques take minutes, and the other one takes months.
How To: Make a snow lantern
Make your garden into a winter wonderland with some snow lanterns! Let it snow!
How To: Use a framing square
Tim Carter of Ask the Builder demonstrates the basics of a framing square. Tim shows how to make the marks for a simple roof rafter.
How To: Prune a rose tree (standard)
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.
How To: Install laminate floor boards
Learn how to save money by not hiring a professional and install your new laminate floor on your own. In this video, Matt from Build Direct shows how to install a laminate floor, making sure you don't break the tongue on the laminate flooring boards.
How To: Hang wallpaper with activating glue
Tim Carter explains how to hang wallpaper correctly, making your job easier and mistake-free. Using prepasted paper with a wallpaper relaxer will make sure your job goes well. This video shows you techniques to prepare your wallpaper to be hung.
How To: Hang pictures properly
Hanging pictures on your walls adds style and elegance to your rooms. Meghan Carter shows you the right way to hang pictures so you don't damage your pictures or your walls. With her simple tips, you'll be hanging pictures in no time, and you'll avoid common mistakes that can not only look bad, but also damage your home and pictures.
How To: Replace the filters on a Dyson DC04 vacuum cleaner
Filters are an important item to vacuum cleaners nowadays. Unlike the older models, these filters help catch any damaging dust or particles from re-entering the air or floor. They also help protect the inside of the vacuum cleaner and ensure that it will work for years.
How To: Replace the brushes in a cordless DeWalt power drill
Cordless drills may seem complicated, but only if you've never take one apart before. They have a really simple design, compared to other power tools, and this means easy fixing! When it comes to brush replacements for your DeWalt cordless drill, it's super easy and super fast to replace yourself. This step-by-step guide will show you just how to remove and install drill brushes.
How To: Remove permanent marker from plastic surfaces
This video is a demonstration set to music about how to remove permanent marker from a plastic surface. It is not narrated. To follow along with this video, all you need is a can of Axe body spray, some clean, dry tissues, and a plastic surface that has permanent marker on it. The video shows a clean video game case, then the person draws and writes all over it with a black sharpie. The person proceeds to spray some Axe body spray all over the permanent marker writing. He or she grabs a clean...
How To: Deal with cockroaches
These hearty bugs are here simply to elicit screams and revulsion – or so it seems. Apparently they can survive nuclear waste, but that doesn't mean they impossible to get rid of. Deal with them pronto with this video on how to get rid of those pesky bugs.
How To: Adjust a Rain Bird 5000 Series Sprinkler spray radius
Check out this video tutorial to see how to adjust a Rain Bird 5000 Series sprinkler spray radius with help from Sean Stefan of Sprinkler Daddy.
How To: Hang a frameless wall mirror
Though tricky to hang, mirrors can add a spacious and elegant feeling to any room. Learn how to properly measure and hang your frameless wall mirror safely and effectively.
How To: Remove limescale from sink
Sandra Redmond shares methods for removing limescale stains. Video subtitles all products used and breaks down each step including wiping down the sink, rinsing and drying it off. A quick project made simple by this video. Remove limescale from sink.
How To: Identify the switched live wire in a lighting circuit
Before undertaking any electrical project, it is imperative that you know precisely what it is you're doing and to keep in mind that electricity can kill. With that said, this electrical tutorial presents a guide to identifying the switched live wire on a lighting circuit and also explains how to rewire a ceiling rose. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on completing this home project, take a look.
How To: Remove a Shark Bite Fitting Without a Special Tool - Adjustable Wrench Trick
Here's a fast easy way to remove and disconnect your Shark Bite quick connect fitting, without a special tool to do it. We'll show you a awesome little trick using an adjustable wrench. This will work an all different size Shark Bite fittings.
How To: 5 Simple Ways to Keep Your Bathroom Mirror from Fogging Up
Getting hot and steamy can be awesome, as illustrated in the 1997 smash hit Titanic. But having the bathroom mirrors fog up during a nice hot shower can be very annoying. Getting ready in the morning can already be rush, and having to wipe down your mirrors after your shower is time wasted. Since most people like to shave or clean up after a shower, the need for a clear mirror is prime.
How To: Remove A Very Tight Lid
How to... Remove A Very Tight Lid? Use Items You Have Around The House! Step 1Want to remove a very tight lid? Do you have a weak grip or arthritic pain in your hands? Have you already tried tapping the lid with a spoon? Thumping the bottom of the jar with the palm of your hand, and it still won‘t come off? An easy, quick way to remove a very tight lid is to put on rubber gloves! Yes. Ordinary household rubber gloves. Hold the jar in one hand, then use the other hand to twist the lid off. Thi...
How To: Fix a GE oven that is not going over 100 degrees
If you're experiencing some problems with your GE oven, don't call a service person just yet. Sometimes the fix is so simple that when the homeowners realize it, it may already be too late and they'll need to fork over a ton of money.
How To: Unlock A Privacy Door Handle
When owning a home one type of lever set you may have in your home is a privacy lever. In a privacy lever set, the main feature is that the door can only be locked from the inside. Sometimes a kid might get locked in or someone may accidentally lock the door behind them. It's really easy to unlock it in an emergency.
How To: Open a locked bedroom or bathroom door
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.
How To: Fix a faucet leaking from around the handle
This video is a do it yourself project which will show viewers how to fix a leaking kitchen faucet which is leaking water from around the base of the handle. This problem is most likely caused by a broken cartridge, a Moen 1225B cartridge is used to replaced it. The first step which should be taken is to shut off the flow of water from the sink using the shutoff valves under the sink. Then, remove the handle and its adapter depending on the style of the handle which is leaking and remove the ...
How To: Build a fire with a Duraflame firestarter
Build a fire with a Duraflame firestarter. This video is going to show you how to do this. Crystal Whole from Duraflame is demonstrating the process in this video. First get your chimney cleaned and inspected. Keep all inflammable material at least 3 feet away from the hearth. Use dry wood that has been seasoned for at least six months. Or you can use stax logs in lieu of wood. Three stax logs are sufficient to keep the fire burning all evening. Open the flue of the chimney, put two stax logs...
How To: Clean wretched vomit smells from carpet with baking soda, water and a vacuum
No sane person likes the smell of vomit. Vomit is especially annoying when the smell lingers and wont leave your carpet. Fortunately, there is a way to get rid of disgusting carpet aromas. It involves the use of baking soda, a vacuum, and a flat tool.
How To: Apply a tung oil topcoat over an oil-based wood stain
Prefer a clear, hand-rubbed, "antique" finish to the shiny or satin sheen of varnishes? Then you will want to use a tung oil-based topcoat applied over an oil-based stain when you are staining or refinishing your special piece of furniture.
How To: Swap an old ceiling rose with a modern light fixture
Modernize your home with a new ceiling light fixture. That old, traditional ceiling rose with the decorative chandelier or light fitting might just not look right anymore, with all of your modern furniture and appliances. The best thing… replace it.
How To: Avoid detergent residue on your high efficiency washer
If you are finding white or colored marks on your clothes, it's more than likely going to be detergent residue. These unsightly stains can ruin your clothes and be a sign that something is wrong with your washer or with what you are using.
How To: De-Ice Your Gutters (The Secrets of Ice Dam Removal)
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.
How To: Make a light bulb oil lamp
This video illustrate us how to make a light bulb oil lamp. Here are the following steps; Step 1: Take all the things required that is bulb, socks,adhesive tape,scissors,kerosene, rim with a hole in the center.