Hot Home & Garden How-Tos
How To: Operate a chainsaw and limb a tree
This quick video shows you the method for holding and operating a chain saw and also shows you how to correctly limb a tree, as well as what sort of cuts to use and what you should watch out for in the process.
How To: Plant a crimson queen Japanese Maple tree
This video gives an insight not only into planting a beautiful Japanese Maple Tree, but also other tree's as well. Learn how to dig a proper hole, fertilizer suggestions, mulching and burying. Be sure to watch carefully! Featuring Arborist Gary Overton.
How To: Draw a professional rough layout for a wooden chest of drawers
With any sort of woodworking, you need to make sure that your rough layout looks perfect. Any slight mistake and you'll be crying all the way back to the lumber yard. This video will show you how to set up your rough layout and some tips on where to start your drawing and where not to draw.
How To: Cut and glue PVC pipes for sump pump system installations
This video from Basement Watchdog will help you with cutting and gluing the PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) pipes for their sump pump systems (backup or primary or combo), but this video also applies to all applications where PVC conduit is needed. Learn how to saw a pipe in a straight line, prime pipes, attach pipes to connectors and more.
How To: Install a Basement Watchdog battery backup sump pump system
Having a backup sump pump is integral in making sure your basement is always protected from water, and if you have the Basement Watchdog battery backup sump pump system, this video will show you the complete installation procedure. Find out how to build a pipe connection to the discharge pipe, install check valves, connect to the backup system and more.
How To: Install a Basement Watchdog AC-powered sump pump system
A sump pump is a necessity for most homeowners with basements, and if you've just gotten yourself a Basement Watchdog AC sump pump, this video will show you how to install it. This is a full sump pump, AC-powered, that you can install in your basement, either as a first time sump pump or a replacement sump pump. Find out how to remove the old sump pump, prevent air locks, insert the AC pump and connect it to the discharge pipe correctly.
How To: Install a Basement Watchdog combo (primary and backup power) sump pump system
If you want to make sure your sump pump is always working properly, a backup battery would be a good idea. But Basement Watchdog actually makes a combination sump pump power system that controls you primary (AC) power and has a backup battery (DC) for emergencies. This video shows you how to install the complete combo sump pump system to make sure the flooding never starts. Find out how to assess the sump pit, install the combo system, connect the sump pump to the standby battery and more. Ke...
How To: Fill a Basement Watchdog sump pump backup battery with initial fluid
For some homeowners, having a backup battery for their sump pump is important for making sure a loss of power doesn't cause a flood in the basement. And if you have yourself a standard new Basement Watchdog sump pump battery backup, before you can use it, you have to fill it up with the right amount of fluid. These batteries do not come with the fluid already inside, because it lessens the life of the battery. This video will show you the precautions and methods you should take in filling eac...
How To: Make your air conditioning as efficient as possible
Everyone is looking for a way to reduce their energy bill when it comes to heating and central air conditioning. The key to a low bill is to make sure your house's system is running efficiently. Check or replace your filters, regularly clean vents and maintain your thermostat at a reasonable temperature.
How To: Choose the plants best suited to your home garden
So you want to start a home garden in your backyard? Make sure you pick the best plants and flowers for your garden by considering climate, soil composition and growing seasons for what you want to cultivate. Know the difference between annuals and perennials, and master home gardening techniques so your garden can thrive beautifully!
How To: Pick the right drill bit for your project
The success of a woodworking or carpentry project is often dependent on being able to pick and use the right drill bit. Drill bits come all sorts of styles, sizes and materials. Pick the right bit for your project and budget.
How To: Help seeds grow faster by nicking them
Most seeds have a thick outer shell meant to protect the soft inner seed. 'Nicking' is a gardening technique to remove the outer shell so the seed will germinate faster in your garden after planting. You can use water, sandpaper, a nail file or even sulfuric acid to nick your seeds.
How To: Redecorate a room by painting stripes on your walls
Tired of boring solid or white walls? You don't have to pay for an expensive remodeling job! You can add some color and brighten up any room with this quick and helpful interior decoration tip. Use two or more colors to paint stripes on your walls and add a splash of color to any room.
How To: Use green techniques to get rid of ants
If you don't want to use toxic or environmentally unfriendly ant poisons and bug sprays to control your ant problem, you can make a greener bug repellent using household items and natural ingredients. Salt, chalk, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, white vinegar, oranges and petroleum jelly can all be used to keep ants out of your house, yard, garden or picnic.
How To: Build an awesome hummingbird feeder with items from around the house
Having Hummingbirds in your garden and yard is always a fantastic thing, but paying for those already made feeders are a hassle. With this video you'll learn how to create your very own feeder with items found all over the house and for much cheaper than buying one from the store!
How To: Clean the exhaust duct on a clothes dryer
You never would have guessed, but you actually should clean your exhaust duct on your clothes dryer. Bet you didn't even know it existed! This video will show you the various steps you'll need to take to thoroughly clean and maintain your clothes dryer and its exhaust duct.
How To: Clean hard water deposits in your kitchen or bathroom using home remedies
Hard water deposits suck, but have no fear, this video is here! This video is filled with some great home remedies, mostly involving white vinegar and lemons as a main ingredient. Clean off the sink, the dish washer, toilet and more!
How To: Accurately measure your windows for curtains and drapes
Before taking on any big interior design project, you always want to make sure you have the right information. Especially with purchasing new drapes and curtains. This video will show you an easy way to obtain the correct measurements for different styles of curtains and drapes.
How To: Grow climbing roses in your garden
If you want to add a fresh touch of elegance and beauty to your home garden, consider planting a few climbing roses along your yard walls or fences. Learn the proper techniques for training, pruning and supporting your climbing rosebush.
How To: Improve your door's deadbolt lock
Deadbolts are a security lock which are usually put on exterior doors. Many saftey experts recommend increasing the strength of your home deadbolt lock. This quick tutorial teaches you how to make your deadbolt extra secure and increase the safety of your house.
How To: Turn newspaper into starter pots for seedlings
Green gardening is using things you find around the house for your planting. Recycle your old newspaper to create small seed pots that will biodegrade in the surrounding soil after you transplant them. This is an easy technique for starting your plants from seeds.
How To: Make dried flowers
Drying a bouquet of flowers is an inexpensive way to give an elegant gift from nature or to make your home more beautiful. You can pick the flowers in spring and then press the blooms in a journal, or save the leaves and petals in a potpourri jar.
How To: Make your home's exterior more attractive
Trying to sell your house? Increasing its 'curb appeal' is critical to making a good first impression on potential buyers. Update your home's exterior, give your front yard, lawn or garden a facelift and clean the sidewalks.
How To: Preserve absorbency in cotton towels
Tired of your bathroom towels turning threadbare? Here's a helpful household hint: use diluted vinegar when you do laundry instead of fabric softener! This tip will keep your cotton towels absorbent and extend the life of the fabric.
How To: Add a drainage hole to your gardening pot
Is your favorite garden pot or planter just not draining water properly? This gardening tip shows you how to add an extra drainage hole to your container with a drill and nail. Now your plants and flowers will really thrive!
How To: Grow yucca and get them to bloom at any time
Yucca blossoms are quite beautiful, but it's tough figuring out which seasons you can get them to bloom, and also having to raise them in those right seasons. But if you want it to bloom all year round, watch this video to get the hidden trick to making your Yucca bloom!
How To: Use a voltage multimeter to check for faulty circuit breakers
Checking your circuit breaker is so easy, a cave man could do it! (I smell a lawsuit) With this easy to follow video, you'll learn how to check the voltage with a multimeter to determine if there is a problem regarding your circuit breaker.
How To: Use an adjustable hip square to frame a residential hip roof
If you're not a carpenter, you may be completely overwhelmed by the information in this video. They have a tough job. Just like electricians, there's a lot of math involved in carpentry, and one of the calculations laborers struggle with is constructing a hip roof. If you're not sure what a hip roof is, you should just stop right here… don't go any further…
How To: Prevent burglars from breaking into your house through the garage door
If your home has a garage with a fairly standard garage door opener, that garage door is probably the easiest way for a burglar to gain entrance to your house. If you want to secure your home against such breakins, watch this video. It offers tips for securing your garage door so that thieves cannot gain access to your property and your family.
How To: Make gardening tomato stakes out of cedar or redwood fence boards
Keeping your garden tomatoes free from pests and insects is no easy task. Luckily you don't have to spend a lot of money to help your tomatoes grow to be their best. Staking your tomatoes will lift them off the ground, away from pesky insects, and protecting them from pests. In this video you'll learn how to make your own garden tomato stakes with cedar or redwood fence boards, which will save you a lot of money in the long run!
How To: Mend Wall Holes Bigger Than Nails
Do you know how wonderful toothpaste is? Here's the scoop. If you've hung pictures or other thing on the wall that required a molly or anchor bolt, and you have to move them and you have holes exposed in your wall. Well "FEAR NOT", toothpaste to the rescue. You will need household items like - toilet paper, or paper towel, or paper napkin, or Kleenex tissue, a utility knife, hammer putty knife, sponge, primer/sealer, paint of your choice and of course the toothpaste.
How To: Change a shower head and install a hand shower system
If you've been thinking about replacing your old shower head with a new model, or maybe even adding a hand shower, you'll be glad to know it's a pretty simple process. To replace the shower head, you don't even have to shut off the water supply. You just twist off the old one, replace the thread tape and twist on the new one. The hand shower system is a little more complicated, but Lowe's and Delta show you how.
How To: Install a new Delta single handle bathroom faucet and pop-up
Once you've removed your old faucet, it's time to install the new one. Many single handle faucets allow you to install them as either a single-hole mount or as a three-hole mount using an escutcheon plate, which fits into the two outside holes. This video from Lowe's and Delta shows you how to install the faucet with the three-hole mount. You'll need a channel lock pliers, adjustable wrench, thread seal tape, silicone caulk and a wrench.
How To: Install a new single handle Delta kitchen faucet with Diamond Seal Technology
These days, faucets are incredibly easy to install (removing old faucets is the hard part). And if you have a Delta brand single handle kitchen faucet with DIAMOND seal technology, this video will show you the steps to installing it. This is also very similar to other brands of single-handle faucets. This video from Lowe's and Delta will help you with your installation. You'll need a screwdriver, adjustable wrench and allen wrench.
How To: Completely remove an old bathroom or kitchen faucet and pop-up
The hardest thing about putting in a new bathroom or kitchen faucet is getting the old one out. For the most part that's true, only because today's faucets are so easy to install! Before you remove that old faucet, make sure you clean out the bottom area to prevent any unnecessary water damage. You'll need a paint tray, adjustable wrench, channel lock pliers, penetrating oil, putty knife, damp cloth and some old towels. This video from Lowe's is by Delta.
How To: Clean and replace an aerator on a faucet or filer screen on a shower head
The aerator on your faucet serves a very important function: by adding air bubbles, it helps to fuse the water and give it a softer feel. It also helps reduce the amount of water you use. So if you're faucet's water stream is acting funny (like a drop in pressure), it might be time to either clean or replace your aerator. If you're having trouble with your shower head, too, a little vinegar might do the trick.
How To: Flush the lines on a Delta bathroom faucet to stop unwanted noises
If you're faucet is making noise, it might be time to repair it. Does it make the noise when you turn it on and off? The answer could be as simple as flushing the lines. Lowe's provides this video on flushing the lines of your Delta bathroom faucet to silence the noise. You'll need a cloth, towel, 1/8" allen wrench, adjustable wrench, bucket or mixing bowl, white vinegar and an extra set of hands.
How To: Repair a leaky Delta faucet by replacing the seats and springs
Lowe's brings you this video about how to fix your leaky faucet. More specifically, how to fix your Delta bathroom faucet. A leaking and dripping faucet could be a sign for bad seats and springs, so watch and learn how to replace them. You'll need an 1/8" allen wrench, needlenose pliers, channel locks, screwdriver, and replacement parts.
How To: Repurpose ordinary rubber bands in extraordinary ways
Rubber bands are an ordinary, everyday, common household item, right? Their hidden in your desk, wrapped around your bills, holding your pencils together at the office, but what else can you do with rubber bands? What are some extraordinary uses? Woman's Day Magazine tells you how you can repurpose those rubber bands!
How To: Prune rose bushes with bypass pruners
If you're looking for tips on how to prune roses bushes, there's no one better than rose expert Muriel Humenick to show you how it's done. First, she shows you the proper pruning tools you'll need for the rose garden, and the main tools are bypass pruners, but there are others, like loppers, goatskin gloves and an elbow and arm cover. Now that you know the pruning tools, watch and learn the rose pruning process