Hot Home & Garden How-Tos

How To: Install a locked sprocket plate on a chainsaw

If you own a chainsaw and need to perform some routine maintenance work, this video should help. In the tutorial, you'll be finding out how to install a locked sprocket plate on a chainsaw. When trying to replace certain parts, things can get a bit tricky and what may have been easy to take off, will be much more difficult to put back on. So check out the tutorial above, pay attention, be safe, and good luck!

How To: Perform gas-powered string trimmer (weed wacker) maintenance with Lowe's

A string trimmer is a handy tool, but you have to maintain it if you want it to work its best. Learn how to do maintenance on both a 2-cycle and 4-cycle gas-powered trimmer. Lowe's home improvement expert, Mike Kraft, gives helpful tips for string trimmer maintenance. Learn how to replace string, change the oil, clean the trimmer filter and more that will help keep your string trimmer working like new.

How To: Use a power edger for a well-manicured landscape with Lowe's

A gas-powered edger will give your lawn a finished professional look with a well-manicured appearance, without taking a lot of time or effort. An edger helps cut away weeds and grass that grows over sidewalks, patios, driveways and curbs. Plus it can get nice sharp looking edges for garden beds, pathways and roads to give your lawn a professional look. Lowe's home improvement expert, Mike Kraft, gives helpful tips on how to use a power edger.

How To: Use a string trimmer (weed wacker) for professional looking edges with Lowe's

There are many tools that homeowners can use to help with the curb appeal of their own and landscape. One of those tools is a weed wacker or string trimmer. This device enables the user to get rid of weeds instantly and makes lines and edges look clean and finished. So in this tutorial, you'll be finding out how to use one in your yard today. So good luck, be careful, and enjoy!

How To: Maintain your swimming pool by removing algae from the water with Lowe's

Swimming pools are a lot of fun, but occasionally you may have some problems with your water. If you're starting to see algae grow, you're going to need to get rid of it. Thankfully, Mike Kraft, Lowe's home improvement expert, has some tips for maintaining your pool and algae removal. Learn the differences between green, black and mustard pool algae and the different treatments for each.

How To: Effectively water your garden to beat the summer heat

If you're new to gardening, it's important you know some of the best tricks. Not being able to do something properly can result in flowers that may soon die. One thing that is important is watering your plants just right during the summer. So in this tutorial, you'll find out how to effectively water your garden in order to beat the summer heat. Pay attention and good luck!

How To: Replace your home's gutters

If you own a home with beat down and rusty gutters, it may be time to replace them with new ones. Gutters are important during the winter time by helping collect any water that can seep or leak into your home, causing water damage. They're not too difficult to replace and can help out the overall look of a home significantly.

How To: Install a shade cloth in your backyard

If you enjoy spending time outside, but can't stand being in the sun for too long, you have a bit of a problem. Buying patio furniture or an umbrella is a good idea, but it can be a pain lugging it around, especially if it's not weatherproof. Another great option is creating a shade cloth.

How To: Build your own bookcase for your study

If you have a ton of books and no place to store them, a bookcase may be needed. Buying one from the store is an easy way out, but building one on your own is another great idea. Not only will you have the power to determine how it looks and what size it will be, but you'll feel satisfied knowing you made something useful.

How To: Make a simple wood cutting board

If you are just starting out in woodworking, there are many basic projects that you can tackle. The birdhouse, storage shelf, and the cutting board. Making a cutting board isn't too difficult and once finished, can be used to give you a space that you can chop fruits, veggies, and meat on.

How To: Use and tune a block plane (woodworking hand plane)

If you are interested in taking up woodworking, this next video tutorial is very helpful. In it, you find out how to use and tune up a hand plane. This tool is a very common one in woodworking and is used for all sorts of different reasons. If you try using one that is dull, you have a good chance of messing up your wood project. USing incorrectly will also damage your project as well as yourself. So check out this video tutorial, pay attention, and good luck!

How To: Insulate an attic pull down

In this video, we learn how to insulate an attic pull down with Roy Honican. Doing this can help keep your home warmer and more energy efficient. First, measure around the top of the attic so you can build a box that will stand on top of it. To build the box, use foam board that is 1" thick. Cut the size to the sizes you just measured. After this, use foam tape to tape all the pieces together. Once you're done with this, you will have a large box and you will be ready to go back upstairs. Pla...

How To: Replace a programmable thermostat with Lowe's

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to replace and install a programmable thermostat. The materials required for this project are: a screwdriver, masking tape, marking pencil and batteries. Begin by turning off the power of the furnace. Then remove the face of the old thermostat and detach the labeled wires. Now remove the wall plate. Then mount the plate of the new unit and connect the wires to the corresponding codes. Finish by inserting batteries, placing the face plate on the wall p...

How To: Repair Nasty Carpet Burns for a New Carpet Look

In this tutorial, we learn how to repair carpet burns. First, take some tongues and ruff up the surface to break up the burnt pieces that are inside the carpet. Next, take some Resolve and spray it onto the spot, then brush it with a handheld brush. After this, blot the area with a towel until it's nice and dry. Next, cut out a small piece of spare carpeting and then open up the area that was burnt. Cut it out with scissors, then replace this with the new carpet.

How To: Build an outdoor dog house

In this tutorial, we learn how to build an outdoor dog house. Start off by making all the measurements for your dog house and cut out your wood. After this, use a metal frame piece to drill into the wood and this will be the base of the house. After this, connect all the metal pieces on the dog house to make the basic outline of the house. When you are finished with this, place wood on the frame of the house and drill it into place. When you are done with this, you can paint the house if you ...

How To: Fix a wobbly chair

In this video, we learn how to fix a wobbly chair. First, you will need to flip the chair upside down to see what the problem with it is. After this, you will need to apply wood glue to the inside of all the joints on the chair. Next, you will need to push the pegs to the inside of where they belong and then wipe off any excess glue from where it leaked out from. Allow this to dry for several hours then flip it back over and test it out. If this worked you are done, if not, you will need to p...

How To: Fix a slack chainsaw recoil starter

In this video, we learn how to fix a slack chainsaw recoil starter. All you need is to wind up the recoil string so the tension can be put back on. First, remove the bolts out (there will be around four of them). Next, lift the side casing off and find the nylon spool with the cable cord wrapped around it. There will be a clock spring around that. Now, wind it up with a screwdriver while holding the spool of the corn and winding up the spoon a couple of times. When you reach the correct tensi...

How To: Make your own charcoal

In this video, we learn how to make your own charcoal. First, you want to make a stack of wood you have laying around, anything you have from scraps. Now, push the wood into a small empty pant can until you cannot fit anymore. Then, place the top onto the can so no oxygen gets into the can. After this, load the cans into a large barrel that has large air holes in it, then wait for the wood to turn into charcoal! This is a process that does take a long time and when finished, the can is going ...

How To: Build a southern pine garden bench

If you enjoy spending your time outdoors, but hate that you don't have a decent place to sit, this video may be for you. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to build a southern pine garden bench from scratch. It's perfect for the front or backyard and will give you a nice place to sit. When tackling this project, make sure you're careful when working with power tools. So check out the tutorial, be careful, and enjoy!

How To: Smoke a turkey with Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker

In this tutorial, we learn how to smoke a turkey. First, you want to gather all the different types of wood for your smoker and then prepare the water pan with the tin foil to catch drippings. Place the smoker together, then season your turkey with a dry rub and olive oil. After this, place the turkey onto the rack inside of the smoker. Make sure you are wearing heavy duty gloves so you don't burn yourself while doing this. Place the top back onto the smoker and let the turkey cook with the v...

How To: Transplant raspberry bushes

In this video, we learn how to transplant raspberry bushes. First, you will want to add in soil to your raised bed or garden where you have your other plants. After you get the soil in and have mixed manure in, cut the bands off of your raspberry bushes and put them in a bucket. The bucket should have water and flower food inside of them. After you have placed the flowers into the bucket, you will then be able to place it inside of the soil. Then pour water over your soil and wait for your bu...

How To: Connect flexi-tails properly

In this video, we learn how to connect flexi-tails properly. First, take your flexi-tails and grab one with a female end that will screw onto the end of a male. After this, use an isolating valve to fit the compression onto the valves and then tighten it up. Screw the flexible tail onto the end of this. Be careful buying this off Ebay, because a lot of fittings will not screw onto a compression knot. It is very simple to make this, you just have to connect the two tails and make sure they are...

How To: Heat your home and save energy

In this video, we learn how to heat your home and save energy. Any gaps around the door can lower the temperature dramatically, so make sure you have weather stripping along the sides, bottom and top of the door. You should also make sure this stripping is on your windows as well. Just by having all these in your home, you will save a lot of money on your bills. Also, you need to make sure your control system is set onto one temperature all the time. If it stays at one constant temperature, y...

How To: Construct a wooden Adirondack chair

In this video, we learn how to construct a wooden Adirondack chair. First, you will build the subframe followed by the back of the hair. After this, you will build the arms of the chair and connect all the different parts together. This is an easy and fun project to do, where you can enjoy your chair after you make it for many years to come. If you go to the website Lowe's Creative Ideas, you can get the blueprint on how to make this chair and what tools you will need to make it. When finishe...

How To: Build a house out of trash for free

In this video, we learn how to build a house out of trash for free. First, find pallets from grocery stores and place nine of them together in 3x3 rows. Now, you will lay down a tarp that you can find over the plywood and start to add scrap pieces of plywood that you find around for the walls on the side. After the walls are up, cut down tree trunks that are long and then nail them together and place a tarp over the top. After this, tie the tarp down and tie it to the trees and your free hous...

How To: Properly build a firepit

In this tutorial, we learn how to properly build a firepit. First, prep your base by filling it with dirt and small rocks. After this, set your ring down onto the dirt and make sure it's level. You can also raise it up if you want a foot rest or beverage holder. Next, apply your stone around the ring and then mortar it. Make sure all the pieces of stone fit nice and tight together. After you've done this, lock in all the joints on the stone patio by using sand and brushing it into the middle....