Hot Home & Garden How-Tos
How To: Painting kitchen cabinets
Tim Carter discusses tools and techniques into painting kitchen cabinets. Watch video for best results.
How To: Learn about different types of wood
Tim Carter discusses the different types of wood and how they are recognized and how their attributes are utilized. Informative video will help to make sure you use the proper wood for your build.
How To: Install an exterior door
Tim Carter shows how to install an exterior door in this video. Exterior door installation is not too hard if you follow the written instructions from the exterior door manufacturer, and you have the right tools. The exterior door needs to operate smoothly, so it is a must to constantly check the door for fit as you install shims and nails.Great explanation and demonstration video.
How To: Apply wood putty properly
Tim Carter shows you how to get a perfect finish when using wood putty and carpenters wood filler on stained wood. Tim specifically explains how wood putty comes in different colors and you can mix them to get the correct color match. Short video, but well-instructed.
How To: Install crown molding easily
Installing crown molding is easy with a few tips. AsktheBuilder host Tim Carter shares some tips to make installing crown molding easy. It really can be simple to get perfect cuts each time.
How To: Install exterior shutters
Tim Carter shares some pointers about exterior shutters and which type of window shutters you should buy. Wood shutters are nice, but they don’t always hold up over time if not properly maintained. Vinyl window shutters are a great alternative. They are maintenance free and come in a variety of styles and colors for any style of house. Vinyl shutters come with a special fastener for quick and easy installation. Drill a 1/4" hole into the shutter and in the house, then drive the fastener into ...
How To: Install roof flashing for a bathroom fan
Tim Carter explains how to easily install a roof flashing for a bathroom fan. Great video with great tips.
How To: Read a tape measure
This video explains how to read a tape measure. Discover how tape measures are divided into different fractions. Color coding is also used to help with spacing things 16 inches on center.
How To: Install a book shelf
Tim Carter demonstrates one technique to secure any book shelf or book case. Great video to learn how to safely secure a bookshelf.
How To: Finish drywall
Tim Carter demonstrates how to finish drywall. If you follow his tips, you'll have no trouble with your drywall installation. Great video for the beginner drywall finisher.
How To: Use wallpaper tools
The wallpaper tools you use can make the difference between a first class job and a disaster. Tim Carter shows the basic wallpaper tools he uses to hang wallpaper--a tape measure, razor knife, several metal knife blades, levels, a smoothing brush or plastic smoothing tool and a large sponge. With the right wallpaper tools, you'll have no problem getting the results you want.
How To: Repair basement floor cracks
Tim Carter demonstrates the right way to cure basement floor cracks and cracks in other concrete floors. This is an informative, step-by-step video.
How To: Install a 3 way switch
Installing a 3 way switch can be simple with advice from Tim Carter. He'll walk you through wiring 3 way switches, showing you which wires go where so you'll have no trouble with your 3 way switch wiring.
How To: Build a trellis
Tim Carter shares one simple method to build a trellis for your garden. In just a few minutes you'll have a hand-made trellis to use as you please.
How To: Clean a brick patio
Tim Carter shows you how to use oxygenated bleach to make quick work of brick cleaning projects and other patio cleaning jobs, such as cleaning flagstone, concrete or brick pavers. This provides excellent video instructions.
How To: Check for square
Tim Carter of AsktheBuilder.com demonstrates several ways to check for square to make sure your jobs turn out right. What is square? Are they talking about a framing square? No, they are indicating the all the corners in a project are 90 degrees. There is a way to check your object for square without doing a lot of fancy math. An essential video for properly remodleing a room.
How To: Install a utility sink
Tim Carter demonstrates how to install utility sinks or a laundry sink without needing legs. Tim explains how not using legs can help with storage underneath the laundry utility sink and for cleaning under it.
How To: Use foam insulation
Tim Carter explains how to insulate with this do it yourself spray foam insulation. Watch video for best results.
How To: Unclog vent pipes
Tim Carter explains why vent pipes are important and how a vent pipe works. These are excellent videos to watch if you need to learn how to prevent clogging in vent piping. If you notice a gurgle when flushing the toilet, it might be an indication that the vent pipe is clogged. Get up on the roof and put a garden hose down the pipe and turn on the water. Be sure to have someone inside checking for any leaks. The water from the hose hopefully will flush out the blockage and your gurgle will di...
How To: Repair rusted metals
Tim Carter shares some tips and rust repair tools to help you keep your metal rust free. Very informative and educational video.
How To: Using wood conditioner and sealant
Tim Carter demonstrates why it's a must to use wood sealant before staining soft wood.
How To: Fit crown molding into a corner
Cutting crown molding is simple with these tips from Tim Carter. Your crown molding will easily fit any inside or outside corner if you follow Tim's tips. Simple crown molding will be even easier and complex crown molding will be doable.
How To: Use paint stripper to remove paint
Paint stripper works wonders for removing paint. Tim Carter shares some paint removal pointers to help you get rid of your paint quickly and safely.
How To: Use sanded grout
Tim Carter demonstrates how to work with sanded grout for filling the large gaps between slate, stone and glass block. Excellent display of the step-by-step grouting process.
How To: Prevent roof moss and algae
Check out this very cool way to prevent a build up of roof moss and algae. Use copper.
How To: Remove a broken light bulb
In this video, learn how to remove a broken light bulb with a potato. Really! Grab a little potato.
How To: Use a circular saw to cut plywood
Watch this video to learn how to use a circular saw to cut ply wood. Do it the right way, without wasting material. The more teeth your saw has, the finer cut you will have.
How To: Unsqueak a squeaky door
Watch how to unsqueak that squeaky door,the fast and easy way. Use a hammer and a screwdriver and a rag and--watch more to find out!
How To: Unclog the screw on an aerator
Ever notice that water just doesn't come out of the faucet like it used to? Chances are that the screw on the aerator is clogged.
How To: Install laminate flooring
In this video, you will learn how to install laminate flooring. Make sure the floor is clean!
How To: Frame a basic deck
Check out this video to learn how to frame a basic deck. Get ready to put the footings on. Start with the beam, which holds the deck up.
How To: Fix a clogged shower drain
Check out this video to learn how to fix a clogged shower or tub drain. This is an alternative to going to the store and buying chemicals.
How To: Change the oil filter on your boiler or furnace
Watch this video to learn how to change the oil filter on your boiler or furnace.
How To: Secure a bookcase
Secure a bookcase without drilling holes in the furniture. Use velcro! Mark the top of the cupboard or bookcase first.
How To: Remove your exterior door
Removing exterior doors aren't as hard as you might think. Tim Carter takes you step-by-step through the process of taking out an exterior door. His tips will help you get the job done quicker and easier, while minimizing possible mistakes so you can install a new exterior door with minimal difficulty.
How To: Wire up a light fixture
Wiring up a light fixture saves time, prevents head injuries, and provides extra light while working. Tim Carter shows you how to wire up a light fixture to protect your light and yourself. In just a few simple steps you'll have no problems working around your light fixtures during a job.
How To: Wire a light switch
Light switch wiring can be a do-it-yourself project with this instruction from Tim Carter. You'll have no trouble wiring a light switch with his simple tips and doing light switch wiring yourself will save you lots of money.
How To: Install a sprinkler system properly
Tim Carter of AsktheBuilder discusses all new fire sprinkler design and how to install them. Automatic fire sprinklers can be installed in a new home or your existing home. Smoke detectors are good, but fire sprinklers along with the smoke detectors are better. These sprinklers can protect you and your family from fires, which can be extremely destructive. A great video with tips to make your home safer.
How To: Use a sawzall
Tim Carter demonstrates the usefulness and versatility of a sawzall. The easy tips in this video will help you better utilize your sawzall on the job.
How To: Mix concrete properly
Tim Carter explains how a new tool can help to mix concrete properly. Great video will have you ready to work with the concrete, mortar or sand mix.