Hot Home & Garden How-Tos

How To: Handle spiny cactus

Cacti have spines that prick the handler's skin. So how do people in the cactus business handle spiny cactus all day long? They use nitro gloves! Watch this instructional video for a demonstration on how these special gloves prevent gardeners and cactus growers from getting pricked.

How To: Transplant tomatoes

You want to have a tomato garden and you bought the seedlings already... now what? Watch this video tutorial to learn how to properly transplant your potted tomato seedling into your garden plot.

How To: Build wooden cabinet boxes

Do you want to learn how to build cabinets? Watch this five-part video tutorial for the basics of cabinet making using wood. Part one demonstrates the basics of making cabinet boxes from sheet goods while part two goes over how to cut the deck and stretchers for European-style frame less cabinets. Part three shows all the tools and some of the techniques you can use to apply edge banding. Finally, parts four and five demonstrates how to assemble to the cabinet carcass.

How To: Nail wall plates into concrete

After the wall frames are standing in position, the bottom wall plate needs to be nailed down into position. Hand concrete nails can be used if the concrete slab is fairly new (less than two weeks old). An explosive nail gun is another option. Watch this video tutorial for a demonstration on how to nail wall plates into concrete.

How To: Use a secret nail gun

The secret nail gun is used to nail timber floor boards to floor joists or on top of a sub floor construction. It shoots nails on a 45 degree angle through the tongue of the floor which is covered by the next board. No nail holes are required to be filled by the floor polisher. Watch this video tutorial for a demonstration on how to use a secret nail gun.

How To: Drain and clean a hot tub spa

This eleven-part video tutorial discusses how to drain and clean a hot tub spa. It goes over the process step-by-step from turning off the circuit breaker to restarting the spa. It also gives helpful tips on cleaning the tub, working with spa chemicals and avoiding air locks that will make the process a lot more smooth sailing even for a novice spa cleaner.

How To: Paint and acid wash a swimming pool

This three-part video tutorial demonstrates how to acid wash and paint a swimming pool. In part 1, host Tim Casey shows you how to properly and safely acid wash your swimming pool to prepare for painting. Part 2 discusses the steps involved in repairing cracks in a pool wall, step and deck while Part 3 covers the actual pool painting process.

How To: Clean a green swimming pool

Spring is here and you are excited to use your in-ground swimming pool again. Problem is, you find your pool filled with green water after opening it. What do you do? Watch this two-part video tutorial to learn how to backwash your pool filter and clear up that swampy green pool in your backyard.

How To: Close an inground pool

This four-part video tutorial gives a step-by-step procedure on how to close an in-ground pool over the winter. This video explains all the necessary chemicals needed to keep the pool clean over the winter as well as all the tools and covers needed to close the pool.

How To: Hang a door

Changing your doors can instantly improve the look of your home, and yes, it is a job you can do yourself. It just takes a couple of hours, a lot of patience and this step by step video tutorial. Stop hanging around, watch this video on how to hang a door and get to it.