Hot Home & Garden How-Tos


How To: Repair Stripped Screw Holes
How to repair a stripped screw hole. Look, we've all bought a crappy chipboard piece of furniture in our time that has fallen to pieces because the screw holes are so worn they no longer hold the screw, or have had an old door that is about to fall off because the screws holding up the door have been stripped out of their hole.

How To: Install an inside corner paper ceiling patch
Video Joe Knows demonstrates how to install an inside corner ceiling patch when installing drywall. First, give the paper tape a definitive crease. Then, wipe quick set on the ceiling and the wall. Make sure you get enough material behind the paper tape. Have more quick set on than you need because you can wipe off the excess. Build it up on the edges using a three or four inch knife. Next, apply the tape by pushing it into the corners of the desired area. Finally, wipe off the excess quick s...

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: Hang Curtains Without Making Holes in the Wall
For anyone who lives in a space that may frown upon making holes in the walls, or for anyone who may not want to take on such a task, there's a simple alternative to hanging curtains or drapes. And the answer is brilliantly simple.

How To: Save Your Tomatoes From Rats And Rot
Every summer my husband and I plant a tomato plant. We do this to enjoy the plump red tomatoes right off of the vine.

How To: Properly prune roses in the summer
In order to properly prune a rose bush in the summer, you will need the following: shears, water, fertilizer, and mulch.

How To: Replace the washer in your shower faucet to stop a leak
Before you pull out your phone book (okay, pull up your laptop and start up Google) to find a number for a handyman, why not attempt to fix your broken shower faucet yourself? Yeah, we know it's kind of annoying to find your tool box and remove your entire shower faucet unit, but it's actually quite easy to fix a basic leak in your shower.

How To: Apply a drip irrigation system to your garden
Drip irrigation systems in your garden are centered around a long length of pressure compensating drip tubing. The tubing will also need a pressure regulator and a "Y filter" to keep it clear of impurities. When laying the tubing down in your garden, be sure to keep the kinks out of the line. When choosing an emitter for your irrigation system, keep in mind the needs of your particular garden, and choose either a single emitter or one of various multi-emitters. Depending on the size of your g...

How To: Clean a 2 cycle engine carburetor from a Ryobi trimmer
If you own a Ryobi trimmer and wish to perform some regular maintenance work on it, you may want to check out this next video. In the tutorial, you find out how to clean a 2 cycle engine carburetor from the Ryobi trimmer using some simple pieces. It's not too difficult to do and can be really handy when you want to make sure your machine is working at optimal capability. So check out the video above, pay attention, be careful, and enjoy!

How To: Apply TEFLON TAPE. The EASY WAY!
How to use Teflon tape for plumbing applications. I know it sounds simple but there are a few tricks to applying the Teflon tape. Teflon tape is also known as PTFE Tape.

How To: Easily replace the belt on a Dyson DC07
If your brushroll isn't picking up any kind of big debris on the ground, you might have a problem with your vacuum cleaner's belt.

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: Install engineered wood siding on your home
Your home's siding will only last so long, so when it's time to replace it, what will you do? Well, calling a professional will cost you thousands, but this home video from Buildipedia will walk you through the steps to replace your home's siding yourself.

How To: Use Diatomaceous Earth to stop bed bugs
In this video, we learn how to use Diatomaceous Earth the stop bed bugs. First, place this in a tray and then use a brush to brush the powder around the base of the bed. This will last for 6 months and will need to be reapplied whenever you vacuum the floor. When the bug touches it, it will kill the bug within twenty four hours. This is a great way to create an oasis in your bed, just make sure you don't have any sheets touching the ground, or the bugs will be able to crawl up them and go in ...

How To: Install an undermount sink in a bathroom
If you plan on remodeling your bathroom area, th videos in this tutorial, should be able to help. Replacing an old sink that has developed stains or other marks is a great way to help spruce up your bathroom area. This tutorial will help show you how to install an undermount sink in your bathroom easily. Now, this may not apply to all sink so make sure you have the right tools and equipment needed. Good luck and enjoy!

How To: Repot a juniper bonsai tree fall
When re-potting a juniper bonsai tree you're going to have to go through the following procedures. First get it out of the existing pot and then rake out the soil at it's base. After doing so for a while, blast the soil with a water jet. If by chance you encounter stubs of ground level branches, try to remove it with a cutter, otherwise use a pruning saw. Now go back to cleaning and reducing the root mass, having done so as much as possible move the tree into another container. Start backfill...

How To: Drill a hole in ceramic, porcelain, clay, or tile
This video will show you how to drill a clean hole in ceramic, porcelain, clay, glass or tile. Materials needed for this project are: carbide tile bit, normal variable speed drill (not a hammer drill), air tool oil, plumbers putty, MDF board or a scrap piece of wood.

How To: Wire a motorized router lift for use in woodworking
Eagle Lake Woodworking, hosted by John Nixon, offers great do-it-yourself guides for building your own furniture, especially in the American Arts and Crafts style, and turning your garage into an amateur woodshop. Search Eagle Lake on WonderHowTo for more carpentry tutorial videos. From Eagle Lake Woodworking on this specific lesson:

How To: Refill a Zippo lighter
Zippo not lighting up anymore? Unlike other lighters, you don't need to throw it away; just refill it. Add some butane fuel, and it will start working again. Watch this how-to video and learn how to refill a Zippo lighter.

How To: Make a light box for growing seedlings indoors
The big problem with sowing seeds indoors is that the light comes from one side and your seedlings will get 'drawn' (stretching towards the light). You can help to get healthy, sturdy seedlings and increase your chances of success if you make a simple box to reflect the light back to your plants. Use this with a propagator or just stand plants in pots in the box. You'll be amazed at how effective it is and it costs virtually nothing. All you need is a cardboard box, which is cut away on one s...

How To: Repot Canna lilies
Learn how and why you should repot Canna lilies before the winter with this gardening tutorial. This is a quick and easy process of digging up the lily, potting it and bringing inside the home or greenhouse, and it has many benefits. Find out how to keep your Canna lilies healthy over the winter with this how to video.

How To: 10 Ways to Whiten Clothes Without Using Any Bleach
Whites are the hardest color to keep looking bright and new after just a few months' time. Your sweat and oils quickly become stains, and colors from other clothes will eventually bleed into the fabric, discoloring your bright whites into something merely whitish. But before you reach for the bleach, the ultimate chemical cleaner, try some a few of these safer, less-toxic DIY solutions out instead.

How To: Make a Homemade Cat Repellent - Home Remedies for Repelling Cats
Are you searching for a homemade cat repellent solution? This article will cover natural indoor and outdoor deterrents for every scenario where cats are causing trouble. The first part will cover home remedies for training cats to stay away from furniture and other restricted areas inside your house. The second part will cover outdoor repellents for keeping cats away from your garden, plants and yard. Step 1: Indoor Repellents for Training Cats

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: 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: Deal with brown patches on Leylandii hedges
Over the past few years brown patches on leylandii hedges has been a real problem in some areas. These patches are caused by conifer aphids that feed by sucking the sap from the new shoots. In this gardening tutorial, Martin Fish from Garden News shows you how to deal with brown patches on your Leylandii hedges.

How To: Use Dryer Sheets to Clean Soap Scum Off Shower Doors
How often do you fight with your shower doors? Maybe not literally (although my elbow has smacked the hard glass many times), but when it's time to clean the bathroom, getting a few weeks' worth of soap scum and grime off the shiny, clear surface becomes an insurmountable task. Whether you use a special cleaner and squeegee or a carefully selected wipe, chances are you still battle the streaks and grit left behind. Although it might not make sense to steal cleaning supplies from the laundry r...

How To: Tape drywall seams
This video shows the viewer how to use paper tape to cover the joint between panels on a dry wall. The creator of the video does this using a 6-inch dry wall knife and a curved trowel. He first applies standard compound to the joint using the trowel. The compound should be applied evenly and the thickness shown is said to be around 1/8 inch. After applying the compound he then gently presses the tape over the joint. He then smoothes the tape on the wall, using a dry wall knife. While doing th...

How To: Check an air-conditioner capacitor
As the efficiency and capacitance of a capacitor can decrease over time, it's important to check them from time to time. Make sure your air-conditioner is running optimally, and prevent larger malfunctions or repairs. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to bench check a single capacitor and a dual capacitor.

How To: Remove Almost Any Stain Using Alcohol
There are countless methods and cleaners aimed at eliminating stubborn stains from everything to clothing, carpet, and furniture. But completely removing every last trace of a stain doesn't require an arsenal of chemical cleaners and repeated cycles in the washing machine. Most stains can disappear in a matter of minutes with a dose of alcohol.

How To: Repair a defective ceiling fan light switch
In this video, we learn how to repair a defective ceiling fan light switch with Richard Wright. There are two types of switches: two wire and three wire, grab the one you need and tools to help you replace your light switch. Now, disconnect the power at the breaker panel and get started by removing the weighted poles on the chain. Next, remove the globes and bulbs, then set aside. Get inside the light by inserting your screwdriver into it and pulling the light kit apart. The inner workings wi...

How To: Get rid of Japanese beetles
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to get rid of Japanese beetles. This task is very easy, fast and simple to do. Begin by filling a bucket with some water and liquid soap. Then simply shake the leaves and catch the beetles in the bucket. Another way to is attach a funnel on top of the bucket's lid. Place a 4 wall trap on top of the funnel. This will allow the beetles to instantly fall through the funnel when they hit the wall. This video will benefit those viewers who have a backyard ...

How To: 10 Reasons Why Your Freezer Is Perfect for Doing Laundry
Your freezer is no one-trick pony. While it does excel at keeping your food fresh for as long as possible, it has a few secret talents it doesn't want you to know about. Like making soda slushies and pyro-friendly smoke mix, as well as reviving dead hard drives. Even better—it can help you do laundry.

How To: Change a circuit breaker
In this video, we learn how to change a circuit breaker. First, turn the main breaker off so there is no running electricity. Then, go to the meter area around your circuit breaker system. With these, there will be wires running all around the entire system. With most breakers, you can pull them right out from where they clip in. There will be a wire connected to this which you can remove. Do this, and then connect the wire to the new breaker. Snap this back into place and make sure it's secu...

How To: Fix a slow-filling (or no-filling) toilet tank with tips from Lowe's
Lowe's talks about a common toilet problem in this video tutorial about a slow-filling toilet. Most toilet tanks should refill within a three-minute timespan, depending upon the water pressure in your area. If it's taking longer than that, or if it isn't refilling at all, remedy the problem with these simple steps.

How To: Adjust Rain Bird Sprinklers to spray where they should
Adjust your Rain Bird Sprinklers with help from Sprinkler Daddy. Sprinklers should water your grass, not your driveway, house, car, or street. Use the tips in this video tutorial to make sure your Rain Bird Sprinklers spray water where they are supposed to, to keep your your grass looking beautiful and your landscaping easier in the future.

How To: Replace a toilet ballcock with a fill valve
Most older toilets have older-style fish and ballcock for toilets. But they are prone to fault, like running and constant water. Replacing them with a newer-style fill valve will save water and frustration now and later on. Watch this plumbing video tutorial to learn how to replace a toilet ballcock with a fill valve. It's a little more efficient and it's pretty straightforward, so see how to replace your valve!

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: 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: Build a laminar flow nozzle for fifteen dollars
This video tutorial shows how fifteen dollars and a half an hour of assembly can produce a working bare-bones laminar flow nozzle that attaches to a garden hose for a makeshift fountain.