Hot Home & Garden Posts

How To: Read a ruler

Everyone has used a ruler at some point in their life, whether for art sizing, blueprint plans, or sizing up your widescreen television on your living room wall. But there's a lot of little ticks on the ruler that you may not be aware of. Your ruler shouldn’t be used only to draw a straight line. Make sense of all those little lines and take advantage of its intended use.

How To: Pack lamp shades for storage or moving

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to pack lampshades. Most lampshades are packed into 4 cu ft cartons. Begin by placing crushed paper into the bottom of the box. Then place clean sheets of packing paper over each side of the box, making sure that the flaps and inside wall of the box is covered. Now carefully place the lampshade top-down into the box. Then spread clean packing paper over the shade. Now gently place the smaller shade into the larger shade and pack in the remaining packi...

How To: Build a storage box for your deck

Building a storage box for your deck is a smart way to add extra storage to an area usually not known for having storage. The great thing about using wood than plastic, is that is adds to the feeling of being outside and can be stained to match the look of your deck. This three part tutorial, will take you through the steps of building a successful storage box and shows you step by step.

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: Repair the agitator on a washing machine

If you're having a problem with the agitator on your washing machine, this video should be able to help. Many people may not realize it, but the agitator on a washing machine, is supposed to go back and forth and not just one way. This can easily be fixed by removing the agitator and replacing a couple of pieces. Check out the tutorial above to see what you need to do in order to repair the agitator on a washing machine. Enjoy!

How To: Replace your washing machine lid

Over time, the lids to a washing machine can become damaged and almost hard to use. This can be a problem especially when most lids are needed to start and stop the machine. In this tutorial, you'll be finding out how to replace the lid to a washing machine. It's pretty easy to do, will only take you a good hour to complete, and will result in a better looking and working machine. Enjoy!

How To: Replace the starter to your trimmer easily

There's nothing worse than preparing to work on your yard and finding out that one of your most important tools is busted. A broken starter on your trimmer can lead to a bad day for anybody. But with this tutorial, replacing it can be easy to do and will have you out in the yard in no time. So check out this tutorial for how to replace the starter to a trimmer easily. Enjoy!

How To: Replace the starter to an Echo trimmer

Knowing how to pull something apart and how to put it back together is important when owning any kind of mechanical tools. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to replace the starter to an Echo trimmer. This video makes the job much easier for you and will ensure that you have a long lasting machine that will help make your yard perfect. So good luck and enjoy!

How To: Clean high voltage electrical cables with solvents

The best way to make sure you have the best connections on high voltage-lines is to clean them. Cleaning high-voltage wires with cleaning solvents is the best way to get the job done for a better flow of electricity. This video, produced by Polywater, trains electricians on the proper high-voltage cable cleaning procedures during splicing and termination. Methods are shown to remove different types of shields and compounds from insulation. The "Do's and Don'ts" of abrasion, solvent spraying, ...

How To: Easily prune roses

When it comes to taking care of plants, specifically flowers, pruning is an important task that must done be done. This will help ensure that the plant gets the right nutrients needed and prevents any kind of decay or disease from killing it. In this video tutorial, you'll find out how to prune roses in your garden to help ensure they last for a long time. Enjoy!

How To: Replace a trimmer line

Trimmers, or as some people call them weed-whackers, need one important piece for it to work properly: the trimming line, of course. This helps cut off pieces of unwanted grass or weeds with just one single swipe and is easy to replace. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to replace trimmer line in three different devices easily. So sit back, pay attention, and good luck!

How To: Make a lamb's tongue chamfer

If you are trying to create a lamb's tongue chamfer, then you must know that extra detail is important. Doing this can be hard and time consuming, but in the end it results in a beautiful looking piece. It's a detail that has been traditionally used throughout time and requires a steady hand. So check out this tutorial on how to make a lamb's tongue chamfer today. Enjoy! Make a lamb's tongue chamfer.

How To: Sharpen your chisel or plane blade using sandpaper

It's important for any woodworker, that their tools be in tip-top shape in order to complete any job. A couple of those tools that need constant attention is a chisel or a plane blade. Having these tools sharpened is very important for completing most wood projects, and there are many options that woodworkers can choose. One of the most overlooked methods involved using sandpaper. If you want to know more, check out the tutorial above. It's easy to do and will have your chisel or plane blade ...

How To: Mount a full-length mirror on a door

In this video, Mark Donovan shows us how to mount a mirror on a door. First, take the mirror and position it the height you want it located. Then, mark the top with a pencil and make sure the mirror lines up with lines on the door and it's in the center. Now, screw in the door attachments in the thickest part of the mirror. Attach the mirror and screw the screws so that the mirror is completely secure. Now, you can hammer in the screws to make sure they are completely attached to the door and...

How To: Use hollow wall anchors

If you need to fix your plasterboard or drywall, you will probably need to use hollow wall anchors. In this tutorial, learn how to identify, buy and use hollow wall anchors with the Ultimate Handyman. Once you master this skill, you will be able to repair almost any wall easily. Hollow wall anchors are also very useful for hanging anything heavy on an otherwise weak wall. They attach to the back of the plasterboard with little legs so they are more secure than normal nails or screws.

How To: Dial open a combination safe lock

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to dial open a combination safe lock. Begin by turning the lock 4 times to the left. Then turn the lock 3 times to the right. Now turn the lock 2 times to the left and finish by turning it one more time to the right. Users should hear and feel a click when they finish turning the lock. When locking the safe, turn the lock 4 or more times to the left. to ensure security. This video will benefit those viewers who have a safe lock and would like to learn...

How To: Inflate a tubeless tire

If one of the tubeless tires on your hand truck or wheelbarrow has gone flat, sure, you could take it to a gas station and pay someone to fix it — or you could repair it yourself. For complete instructions on how to patch and inflate a flat tubeless tire, watch this free DIY guide.

How To: Fertilize & deadhead roses

In this how-to video, you will learn how to fertilize and deadhead roses. Late summer fertilization is okay for these roses. Make sure to water them in well, as this is key. Deadheading in late summer will give you a fall bloom cycle with the roses. Deadheading will mean cutting off dead blooms. Hips are dead blooms that have fertilized. These make seeds and some are either sterile or will actually grow. To properly deadhead, go down to the second or third five-leaf. Cut at a 45 degree angle ...

How To: Install a bathtub and shower surround with tile

In this video, The Home Depot shows us how to tile the surrounding walls of a bath or shower. Since these walls stand up to a lot of wetness from daily showers, they need to be sound and waterproof. Ceramic tiles are a great way to go. In this demonstration, the tiles are attached to backer board. Protect your tub with a cardboard inlay before you begin. Then seal the edges of the tub with asphalt roofing cement. Then staple 15 pound felt to the studs, embedding the bottom layer to the asphal...

How To: Identify problems with euonymus, chinese holly & pines

In this Home & Garden video tutorial you will learn how to identify problems with euonymus, Chinese holly & pines. Japonica plant is very susceptible to powdery mildew which shows up as white spots on the leaves. It also affects some other plants like roses. This will discolor and deform the leaves. You need to spray with recommended fungicide. If the disease has gone too deep into the plant, you may have to remove some badly affected foliage and then spray. You may also think of replacing th...

How To: Grow potatoes in a 5 gallon bucket

In this video you will learn how to get your potato plant growing using a 5 gallon bucket. Start by taking your 5 gallon bucket and drilling a series of small holes at the bottom for draining. Next line the bottom of your bucket with about 2 inches of rocks to help with drainage and top with a layer of weed block and a couple inches of soil. Now your bucket is ready to add a budded potato. To make your potatoes bud out simply leave them in a bag and place them in the dark for about a month un...

How To: Install a pond skimmer

Install a pond skimmerThe most critical steps to installing a skimmer are the water level and attaching the liner to the face plate with a water tight seal. The pond should be rocked in. The skimmer needs to be level from front to back and side to side. That's critical. Optimum water level is approximately 3/4 inch down from the top of the steel face. Use the level (tool) to determine the water level on the face plate. It's important to have the weir door work effectively. Prepare the area fo...

How To: Remove permanent marker from Legos

Lego owners sometimes decide to personalize their Lego pieces by drawing on them with permanent marker. If you've ever needed to remove permanent marker from your Lego pieces, here's a surprisingly easy way: You'll need a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a small bowl of water (only about an inch of water will be needed), and of course your marker-covered Lego piece. First apply toothpaste to the toothbrush. Next dunk the Lego piece in the water. Then place the Lego piece in your hand and lightly s...

How To: Grow blackberries in southern New Mexico

Southwest Yard and Garden teaches viewers hot to grow blackberries in Southern New Mexico. Blackberries grow in high rain fall areas but they can work in the south west. They will need bee pollination so you need to make sure that you do not spray too much insecticide on them or you will kill of the bees. Make sure you pick the blueberries when they are dull and not when they are shiny. This will give them the maximum sugar content. Blackberries should grow in sandy soil or looser soil. You m...

How To: Start growing seeds in eggshells

When you start planting something, you will need to nurture and grow a seed. You can plant a seed in a small pot and transfer it later, or you can save yourself the mess and trouble and try the tips in this video. In this tutorial, learn how to plant seeds in an eggshell! Eggshells make great little planters and the best part is - they're biodegradable so instead of repotting your seedling you can just plant the whole egg in the ground!

How To: Use copper push-fit fittings to connect piping

Follow this video to learn how to use copper push-fit fittings to connect piping. 1. Sometimes we connect pipes by means of push-fit fittings which are not very appealing to look at since they are of a different color and material and so do not match with the pipe. However a good alternative is to choose copper push-fit fittings rather than plastic ones. Copper push-fit fittings would be similar to the pipe itself. 2. Open the pipe and ensure that it is clean before fixing the fitting by simp...