Hot Home & Garden How-Tos

How To: Remove and replace tile grout

Ron Hazelton from "Ron Hazelton's House Calls" brings us this quick and easy tutorial on how to take on the household project of removing and replacing our old mildewy tile grout. In under two minutes Ron shows us the tools we will need and techniques to make this do it yourself project at home a snap. If you are thinking about taking on a home project like this, this video will help you achieve the perfect results you are looking for.

How To: Replace your storm door screen with Lowe's

This how-to video from Lowe's demonstrates how to replace a damaged screen. The tools required are fiberglass screen, spline, tape measure, spline roller, screwdriver, and utility knife. He shows the different options in screen material, and suggests taking pieces of your old screen and spline along to match it. He removes the old spline and screen, lays the replacement screen over the frame and trims it. He uses a spline roller to roll the new spline into the groove and attach the screen. Th...

How To: Repair a dryer by replacing the support rollers

The drum support rollers are usually in the same spot on every dryer, no matter the brand. They will be below the drum. In order to remove the rollers, you need to open the dryer's cabinet and remove the drum. Perhaps you will notice that the left roller is more worn out than the right one. This is a common occurrence, but you need to replace both at the same time. Be sure to remove the nut before you remove the roller. Don't use more than one drop of oil on the hub as too much oil will aid t...

How To: Install laminate floors in your home with Lowe's

Lowe's home improvement expert Mike Kraft is back again to show to help us install laminate wood flooring in our homes. It has been assumed that proper sub-floor preparation has been done. All the tools, equipment, and materials are gone over in detail for your safety. Proper tests for moisture are described which is very important when dealing with concrete. Laminate floors are called "floating floors" because they are not physically joined to the sub-floor and can be installed over many dif...

How To: Organize your closet with tips from Lowe's

This how-to video from Lowe's demonstrates how to install a closet organization system. He explains that the first step is to clean out the closet and take inventory of the items that go in the closet, then choose what type of racks, shelving and bins will work for your space. He explains the options and shows wire and laminate components, and encourages the viewers to take measurements to create a design based on their needs. Using this advice and the materials available at Lowe's, along wit...

How To: Clean and remove wallpaper glue and paste

Wallpaper On Walls shows you how to easily remove wallpaper glue and paste with a sponge. You should use a dulcet sponge because it easily removes wallpaper glue. The scrubby side is used to soften wallpaper glue and the cellulose side is used to clean the residue. Next mix wetting agent with water and wet sponge. Using the scrubby side move in a circular motion to loosen the paste. Flip the sponge over and wipe the paste from the wall. Always rinse the sponge and change the water frequently.

How To: Install a ceiling fan with Lowe's

Mike Kraft of Lowe's shows you how easy it is to install a ceiling fan. Not only will it keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, but also it can dramatically lower your utility bills. Using common household tools, even an inexperienced electrician can install a ceiling fan within minutes. Working with electricity can be scary, but this video will show you step-by-step how to mount your ceiling fan safely and securely.

How To: Repair a leaky faucet

This how-to video is about how to repair a leaky faucet. One of the most common problems with the faucet is the replacement of the rubber washer, which is located on the bottom of the valve unit. First, stop the water supply by turning off the stop valve at the bottom of the sink. Then, turn on the faucet until the water stops flowing. Next, remove the handle. To do this, we first need to remove the decorative cap using a screw driver or sharp pointed knife to expose the screw. Then, remove t...

How To: Make your own custom lampshades with Lowe's

In this video Lowe's shows you how to make custom lampshades out of a plain old lampshade so that it looks great for the kids room or classy for any other room in the house. Decorate an old or plain lampshade using stencils, paint, decals, or in any way you can imagine. Then attach a wire plug and the light holder and hang the lampshade using an appropriate chain, as shown in the video. All accessories required for this job are available from any hardware store.

How To: Wash & clean your hardwood floors

The best way to clean a hardwood floor is to make sure that you don't use excessive moisture. For the actual process, you should just get a dry mop. You should try to make sure that your hardwood floor never gets wet at all. In the event that someone steps on your floor with their muddy shoes, damp mopping is the way to go about dealing with that. Even if it looks messy, it is better not to douse the floor; the moisture seeps between the cracks in the boards and gets underneath it, doing dama...

How To: Install a solid hardwood floor with Lowe's

A solid hardwood floor offers a clean and simple alternative to carpeting. This video tutorial demonstrates how to install solid hardwood flooring in your home. Once you’ve prepped the subfloor, let the wood planks acclimate to the room temperature for at least 72 hours. Check the boarding for unusual warping or defects before drilling nail holes in even increments down the wood siding. After countersinking each nail, fill in the holes with wood nail putty. Continue the process for each inter...

How To: Sand mold

Sanding molding can be pretty challenging with all the curves and details. First for sanding curves try wrapping your sandpaper around a piece of dowel rod. Choose the proper sized dowel for the size of the curve that you have to sand. The larger the curve the larger the piece of dowel that you will need. To get into hard to reach crevices try folding the sandpaper several times and then use the edge of the sandpaper to sand down in the tight crevices.

How To: Replace a toilet seat like a professional

This video shows that you can quickly replace your toilet seat with an improved seat. The video also shows how the improved seat attaches and unlocks easily for cleaning. At the rear of the seat near the hinge is a slot for access to the screw to remove the old seat. Put a screwdriver into the slot and flip up the cover and turn the screw counter clockwise while holding the nut underneath. Do the same to the other screw and remove the toilet seat. Clean the area with a disinfecting wipe. Scre...

How To: Clean your hardwood floors

AskAuntPattie is providing you with some how-to tips when it comes to cleaning your hardwood floors. Use a microfiber pad to dry dust on your floor. There are all different sizes of pads for your needs. You should clean the floor as often as you like. You can test your floor with a mineral smear. Yellow residue is wax finish. Clean smears are polyurethane. If you have a wax floor you should use a base wax. For a polyurethane floor use a type of floor wax from a good company. Go to a place tha...

How To: Prevent fruit flies from entering a compost pail

Using simple materials in most any home, this video provides a novel solution to fruit flies in your compost pail. Composting is a great idea, but if you are not careful, the fruit flies will start to take over and you'll wish you had never started. But this simple idea will keep you composting without the bugs! Starting with a large container from something like a peanut butter jar, you can cut out a large hole and secure a scouring pad to the underside of the lid. Then, place the lid on the...

How To: Put laminate floors in your home

This video demonstrates how to laminate floors into your home. In this case, this is an episode from HGTV which is a home improvement show with the motto of "Start at Home." The laminated floors in this video are click and lock floors. First you would clean out the floor, install flooring and then cut the pieces to fit. If you follow the steps slowly in this video, you'll be able to laminate the floors. Some basic carpentry skills are needed for this task.

How To: Add molding to a door for character and detail

Looking for an inexpensive way to dress up those boring old doors in your home? Well, look no further as Ron Hazelton from Ron Hazelton's House Calls, and [ronhazelton.com], has got the cure for your ailing closet doors. In under two minutes Ron shows us the tools we will need, the materials, and techniques to use to take those doors from boring to beautiful in this amazing how to video that is sure to pique your interest and keep you coming back for more.

How To: Grow an olive tree in a container

Patti Moreno, the Garden Girl, describes how to grow an olive tree in a patio container garden. She will be able to bring the trees indoors for the fall and winter. If the sapling comes in a 4-inch pot, plant it in a 10-inch container. If your container does not already have drainage holes, use a hammer and nail to poke holes in the container bottom. Put a layer of crushed stone in the bottom of the container for drainage. Fill the container with organic soil and a trowel full of organic fert...

How To: Repair a wooden kitchen chair spindle

The handyman in this video teaches viewers how to repair a broken leg of a kitchen table chair. To make these repairs all that is needed, other than the chair, is a liquid nail, a small nail screw, turpentine and screw driver. The handy man in the video makes this repair look easy and in expensive, which is a great alternative to having to purchase a new kitchen chair. He not only explains how to make the repair but how the repair works and why it is effective.

How To: Replace a door or window screen

Ron Hazelton describes how to replace a screen in a door or window. The screen is held in the frame by a vinyl cord that can be removed with a knife. Lift the old screen out of the frame. With the new screen on a flat surface, using the frame as a template, cut the new screen a half-inch larger than the frame all around. Cut 45-degree notches in the screen at each corner. Place the screen evenly on the frame. Press the cord back into the groove on the sides first, then the top and bottom. Fin...

How To: Pressure or power wash home siding with Lowe's

Back again with another in their great informational series for do it yourselves at home, Lowe's presents this video hosted by Mike Kraft demonstrating how to pressure wash your home's exterior siding. Mike describes in detail the tools, supplies, and steps you will need to take to remove dirt, mildew and mold from your home's exterior. Experienced do it yourselves and beginners alike will appreciate the detail and tips provided in this video, as well as some useful safety tips on using your ...

How To: Install a shower wand and arm

This video will show you the advantages of a shower wand and how to install one easily. A shower wand can help you clean the shower and clean pets too. To remove the shower head you will need a strap wrench. You may want to change the shower arm if it has too many scratches; use the handle of a set of pliers. Use Teflon tape when reassembling the fixtures to ensure a watertight fit. The new bracket has a built in holder for the wand.

How To: Install window blinds with Lowe's

This video, brought to you by Lowe's, a leader in the retail "do-it-yourself" industry, hosted by Lowe's home improvement expert Mike Kraft explains, in detail, how to install horizontal window blinds in your home. Once you've measured and obtained your window blinds, you will also need a drill with bits, screwdrivers, tape measure, pencil, and a level. The video also suggests some other tools you may need to complete your project, as well as links to Lowe's website, for complete instructions...

How To: Hold small nails when hammering

This video shows you how to hold small nails without hitting you fingers with a hammer. Get a piece of paper and push the nail through the paper. Position the nail where you want it and begin hammering it in. Before the nail is totally in, remove the paper and continuing the hammering. You can cut a little slit into a piece of cardboard putting the small nail into the slit before hammering. You can also put the small nail between the teeth in a comb before hammering.

How To: Use a home composting bin with Lowe's

This is a tutorial on how to compost at home with a composting bin. First, you have to select an area for composting ensuring a location with plenty of sun and a water supply. You will need to divide your bin into two sections, one for the finished compost, the other for creating compost. Line the container with vegetables, tea grounds, or even newspapers. Do not compost meat, bones, fat, grease, dairy products, or pet waste. The most important ingredients for compost are moisture and oxygen....

How To: Install KronoSwiss laminate flooring

While remodeling or redoing a room, many owners will inevitably want to install laminate flooring. This video shows how to install laminate flooring beginning with what tools and supplies will be necessary and then showing panel-by-panel how to install each floor panel. It also goes over how to install a piece around existing pipes or other things that require a difficult shape that is not a rectangle. The video even goes over installation of perimeter molding as well as how to care and clean...

How To: Make a homemade smoker, cooker, griller, or BBQ

Interested in starting in on the journey of smoked meats? Smoking meat is a slow, but delectibly beneficial process for meats and in this video learn how to save money on expensive smokers & cookers by making your own. This smoker was made with a plasma cutter, arc welder and a couple of spare hours and has been used for everything from fish to turkies, to prosciutto.

How To: Replace or sharpen lawnmower blades with Lowe's

Do you want to know what's the secret to a great looking lawn ? Then you have to watch this video in which Lowe's home improvement expert Mike Kraft explains how to sharpen or replace a Lawn Mower blade. Mike will share with you all the tips and the secrets of this simple and yet crucial operation. From the tools required to the safety measures, everything will be explained to you in this video with all the steps actually executed and filmed right in front of you.

How To: Install glue-down hardwood flooring with Lowe's

This Lowe's video shows you how add warmth and beauty to your home by installing hardwood floors step by step. First you must prepare the sub-floor. You will need engineered hardwood planks, transitions, and moldings. You will also need flooring adhesive, trowel, hardwood floor cleaner, circular saw and table saw, hammer, nylon tapping block, pry bar and pull bar, wood glue, pencil and tape measure, nails, knee pads, dust mask and safety glasses. You should read the instructions. It should ta...

How To: Prep your wood home exterior for painting with Lowe's

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a wood-sided house. But its what's underneath the paint that can really count. Doing the right prep work will make your painting efforts last longer and look better. The prep work will help make your paint job a success and much easier to accomplish. And taking the time to do it will pay off in the end. The five steps to the painting prep process include: scraping, cleaning, patching, masking and priming.

How To: Wrap cable for easy unraveling

This video shows you how to wrap cables for later easy unraveling. Place one of the ends of the cables in one hand. With the other hand make a loop out of the cord and place it into the first hand. Make a second loop and turn it 180 degrees before placing it in the first hand. Make another loop and place it into the first hand. Make another loop and turn it 180 degrees and place it in the first hand. Keep repeating this process to the end of the cord. Eventually the cord will form itself to t...

How To: Plant flowering trees and tree shrubs with Lowe's

This video describes how to plant a tree which is useful for home owners looking to improve their lawn or backyard and for those interested in landscape. In this video one will learn how to plant trees properly, insure a healthy start and maintain the trees. For example when considering a tree to plant one must consider location and overall weather conditions in order to match a tree that can survive in the intended location. Overall this video is detailed and useful for anyone who would like...

How To: Install solar window screens

Hub Kirkpatrick teaches the viewers how to save handyman bills by installing solar window screens by yourself. This video describes the step-by-step process of installing solar screens on windows. According to Hub, these screens are not only very easy to install using tools found in everyone's garage, they are also only about one-third of the price of the conventional roll-down screens. In addition, these screens, if properly installed, can drastically reduce air-conditioning bills by prevent...

How To: Install hardwood floors in your home

In this follow up video from Lowe's home improvement series, Mike Kraft demonstrates how to install hardwood flooring in your home. If you haven't watched it yet, be sure to check out the video on how to prepare your subfloor for installation of hardwood or laminate flooring, to be sure that your flooring lasts. In this video Mike provides a detailed list of the tools you will need to get this job done right, as well as some great tips on how to prepare your materials to guarantee a job well ...

How To: Maintain a swimming pool with Lowe's

Lowe's home improvement expert Mike Craft gives the low down on how to maintain your swimming pool. Pool maintenance is essential for keeping your pool like new and in tip-top condition. You will need some basic materials such as water test strips, chlorine tablets, algae-cide, water shock, a skimmer brush, pool net and vacuum. This video will show you how to balance your water, shock the water, clean out the filters and sweep and vacuum out your pool.

How To: Begin chip carving mahogany wood

In this three-part carving tutorial, Valerie Jones demonstrates her chip-carving techniques on Mahogany wood. Using an X-acto knife, she carves the wood by hand & describes how to carve German-style, geometric patterns into the wood after stenciling the pattern on the outer wood surface. Later, Valerie talks about her methods when chip carving wood: how to hold the knife, how to guide the blade, finishing the final product, how to follow a stencil pattern & goes over more useful information.