Hot Home & Garden How-Tos
How To: Install toilet seat hinges like a professional
Hub Kirkpatrick of HandymanTeacher teaches how to fix a loose toilet seat. He shows how to tighten the screws holding it down while holding on to the nut under it to make sure it tightens, and how to pop the covers back in place. Kirkpatrick also reminds us to be careful, as the screws are plastic and can easily break or strip out. Following these steps instead of calling a handyman will save you money for a few minutes of time.
How To: Install a kitchen garden window
Ron Hazelton shows a great way to bring the outdoors indoors with a garden window. First remove the existing window. Pry off the exterior trim and remove the old window framing. Build a new frame for the new window with 2x4's and shims. Trim away any exterior siding if necessary. Use waterproof flashing paper and caulk to make the new window watertight. Install the new window into the frame with rust-resistant screws. Add another run of caulk, then trim off the excess flashing paper. Use anot...
How To: Remove melted candle wax using heat or cold
This video explains two different ways to remove wax from candles left on furniture. Both heat and cold are used to accomplish the removal of wax. Heat generally from a hair dryer will provide enough heat to remelt the wax without damaging wood furniture. Ice or even a pack of frozen vegetables is suggested when using the cold method since it makes the wax brittle and easy to remove. These are two great ways to remove wax from wooden furniture without damaging the furniture itself.
How To: Paint window frames
The big question is do you tape or scrape those window frames? If you want to tape. Put two pieces of tape that are longer than the length of each pain. Put them on the top and bottom of the pain. Use your putty knife to hold the tape in place and tear it off a little bit short of the edge. Then put two strips length ways on the pain that is also longer than you need. Take your putty knife and put it in the top corner to hold the tape and tear it off flush to the window frame. Then you paint,...
How To: Install shutters to your home exterior
Handyman teacher Hub Kirkpatrick gives a demonstration of how to install shutters to the exterior of one's home. These vinyl plastic shutters are meant to enhance the beauty of the exterior of a house without costing too much. Hub recommends using six 3-inch, hex-headed bolts for each shutter so that it is secured firmly in place. He also adds a cautionary note that one should take care not to over-tighten the bolts because that could result in dimpling and cracking of the plastic shutter.
How To: Install a laminate floor (simulated wood)
If you like the look of wood floors but you are concerned about the durability of wood because of kids or pets then laminate might be the answer for you. Laminate is really durable and it is easy to install. The laminate is the same material that they laminate kitchen counter tops with and it doesn't have to be glued or nailed down. It floats on a foam pad. This allows laminate to be laid over almost any surface without a problem. The pieces now interlock and so you don't have to worry about ...
How To: Trim shrubs and prune hedges with Lowe's
This is another great video from Lowe's, which shows you how to trim shrubs and prune hedges. This video shows Lowe's Home Improvement expert Mike Kraft sharing some tips and tricks on how to make your garden even a better place. This Lowe's do-it-yourself video shows you step-by-step instructions on how you can trim the shrubs in your garden and prune the hedges in your garden. A good video for those who care how good their garden looks.
How To: Install track lighting
This video shows how to install track lighting where you want to add or direct light. The first thing to do is to turn off the power to the circuit. If you don't have an electrical box where you want the lighting, you can purchase one at any home improvement store. If you have one, you will also need a track lighting adapter. Use masking tape for the pattern that you want, start around 18 to 24 inches from the wall. Remove the tape and replace it with chalk lines. Cut the tracks to size and a...
How To: Mist houseplants
This video demonstrates how to mist your plants and to keep insects away. Plants that like high humidity will benefit the most from misting. Use an empty spray bottle that already has a mister. Clean the bottle well and spray a few times to get residual material from the tube. The best time to mist is in the morning, but you should mist at least once a day. Using a humidifier along with the misting process in the winter will make your plants happy.
How To: Prepare a concrete subfloor for flooring with Lowe's
Lowe's home improvement expert, Mike Kraft, demonstrates how to prepare your concrete sub-floor for the installation of hardwood or laminate flooring. Brought to you by Lowe's, a leader in the home do-it-yourself retail industry, Mike details the steps, tools, and techniques you will need to complete this step of your project so that you may enjoy your new floor for a long time to come. After you have properly prepared your sub-floor to receive your new flooring, the video provides you with i...
How To: Unblock a toilet with dish soap, hot water and no plunger
This is a great video about how to unclog your toilet without a plunger. The author of this video explains which ways she tried to unclog her toilet initially, and how they failed without any results. She then tells you how you can unclog your toilet with dish soap and some hot water, which actually works. If you are facing the same problem with your toilet, just try the method explained in this video and see if it actually works or not. Also, use this method to unblock a sink without a plung...
How To: Wallpaper a switch plate
This video shows you how to wallpaper a switch plate. You should take a piece of paper and match it. You will need wallpaper, scissors, a razor knife and spray glue. Shake the glue and spray the backside of the paper and the front of the switch plate. Match the pattern to the wallpaper on the wall. Turn the switch plate over and trim off the excess on the corners. Fold the ends in. The switch plate is covered. Next you need to cut it out. Take the razor knife and run it along the edge of the ...
How To: Create a home water fountain with Lowe's
Host Brenda Lo, from Lowe's Creative Ideas demonstrates, in this informational video, how to create an outdoor water fountain. Brenda details the entire process, listing the tools and supplies you will need to complete this great do-it-yourself project in just one afternoon with easily obtainable materials. This video is great for the DIY beginner or experienced professional looking for a new project idea for your outdoor garden. do-it-yourself, and save time and money with these great tips.
How To: Remove ceramic wall tiles from a shower
In this video, Mark Donovan of Home Addition Plus shows you to remove ceramic tiles from a shower. Before you begin, remove the shower head and shower handle, leaving the walls bare. A lot of dust and debris will be produced so you should wear safety glasses and to protect the shower pan from damage, you should cover it up. Card board should suffice. Starting from the bottom, place the chisel on the edge of the tiles and tap it with a hammer. For the tiles in the middle, you can use a flat ba...
How To: Tile a custom ceramic tile shower
Start by putting tile backer board tape on all the joints on the wall board and then put mortar over the backer board tape. Let the mortar dry and then you can begin the tile job. Install a ledger board at the base of the shower stall about one tile high. Draw some vertical and horizontal lines on the wall to help keep the tile going straight. Also use tile spacers to help keep the tile going straight. Mix up some thin set mortar. Put the thin set mortar on the wall. Apply it with the flat si...
How To: Replace a medicine cabinet & light fixture with Lowe's
This video is presented by Lowe's. In this video the instructor shows us how to replace a medicine cabinet and a bathroom light. In every step of this video the importance of safety is stressed. In this video the viewer is taken on a step by step tutorial on how to do the installation. The viewer will receive a clear understanding on all the tools and parts needed to do this job. According to the video, most if not all of the tools for this project can be found at Lowe's. It is easy to see th...
How To: Sink nails, fill in holes & sand with Lowe's
This video describes how to improve one's skill when performing home based projects with wood which is a useful skill if one wants to build a table, chair or even a box. In this video one will learn how to sink a nail, cover the hole and leave a sanded finish. For example it is important to drive all nails 1/8 an inch into the surface of the wood so the filler can cover the hole properly and avoid leaving sharp edges or uneven surfaces. Overall this video is simple, easy to follow and useful ...
How To: Change oil in a lawnmower with Lowe's
Lowe's home improvement expert, Mike Kraft provides a step-by-step method for changing the oil on a walk-behind lawn mower. From assembling the proper tools and supplies you will need to complete the task, through disconnecting the motor for safety, through the proper drainage technique and finally refilling the crank case this video gives complete instructions for any mower maintenance. Changing the oil on your mower will extend its life. Following the steps in this guide will provide you wi...
How To: Make homemade cleaning wipes
Learn how to make your own homemade cleaning wipes and save money with this video tutorial. You will need a roll of paper, 2-3 cups of you favorite cleaner, and a storage container with a lid, a cutting board, and a knife. Cut the paper towel role in half using only one half now. Put the half paper towel roll in the container and soak with the cleaner. Remove the cardboard from the center of the roll and the cleaning wipes will be pulled out from the center of the roll.
How To: Scent your home
This video chronicles various ways to scent your home. First of all, you can use scented candles. However, if you do not wish to constantly burn your candles and would like to avoid the risk of fire, you can use a candle warmer to just warm your candle, which also is effective in spreading the scent. Oil warmers may also be used to heat up scented oils that will fill up and scent your room. Using the many different techniques outlined in this video, you should be sure to create a nice, pleasa...
How To: Install a tubular skylight
A tubular skylight is a fast and inexpensive way to bring natural light into your house. The tubular skylight has three parts a dome, reflective tubing, and a diffuser. First locate the ceiling joists in the area that you would like to install the skylight and mark them with tape. Make sure you stay in between the joints. Once you have the spot marked off with tape drill an exploratory hole through the ceiling into the attic. Shine a flash light through the hole up into the attic and onto the...
How To: Care for a lawn in drought conditions
Regardless of where you are, there will probably be a period when your lawn will turn brown and possibly go dormant when there is a drought. Contrary to popular belief, it is okay to use fertilizer on your lawn when there is a drought. Using a higher setting on your lawnmower will allow the grass blades to be longer, allowing them to retain more moisture. When you are finally able to water your lawn again, make sure to water it twice a day, hopefully in the early morning to avoid the heat of ...
How To: Construct your own headboard
Grace Bonney shows us an easy way to create an upholstered headboard for your bed. Using a low-end easy budget, you will be able to create a elegant looking headboard using wood, foam, batting, fabric, scissors, a utility knife, a staple gun, and flush mounts. After cutting out the shape of your headboard or starting with an existing headboard, cut out a piece of foam that is the same size. Pull batting over the foam to even out the surface, and then put the fabric onto the headboard. With th...
How To: Remove and replace a kitchen faucet
You can replace the kitchen faucet by yourself. If you decide to do it start by turning off both the hot and cold water using the valves under the sink. You'll need a basin wrench to get at and remove the pieces up under the sink. First you will loosen and remove the water lines and then the retainer nuts that hold the faucet in the sink. Pull the old faucet out. Put some plumbers putty on the sink and press the nylon gasket firmly in place. Thread the spray hose through the hole for the spra...
How To: Remove wallpaper quickly & easily
Getting that wallpaper down is not near as bad as people think it is. Here is a four step process for getting that old wallpaper off quickly and easily. Use a wallpaper perforating tool to make hundreds of holes in the wallpaper. Just roll the tool over the wall and it will make little holes in the wallpaper. Next put a gallon and a half of hot water in a garden sprayer and add to it an enzyme based wallpaper stripper. Spray on the wallpaper stripper starting at the top of the wall. Make sure...
How To: Create a UnaBox
This video shows the viewer how to make a UNA box from pieces of hardwood, and 2 pieces of dowel. The box is made by building the normal box from the wood. The lid is then secured using a large piece of dowel so that it can pivot. Additionally to the first large dowel another smaller piece of dowel is secretly added to stop the box opening this has to be removed for it to open so makes it harder for intruders to open. The box can then be sanded, painted and used to hide small objects!
How To: Tape drywall seams
This video shows the viewer how to use paper tape to cover the joint between panels on a dry wall. The creator of the video does this using a 6-inch dry wall knife and a curved trowel. He first applies standard compound to the joint using the trowel. The compound should be applied evenly and the thickness shown is said to be around 1/8 inch. After applying the compound he then gently presses the tape over the joint. He then smoothes the tape on the wall, using a dry wall knife. While doing th...
How To: Use a pressure washer on wood and other surfaces
The many uses of a pressure washer that can be fun and save time on the harder cleaning jobs around the house. Always use safety glasses when using power tools. The pressure washer easily attaches to a garden hose and multiplies the water pressure. It is good for removing dirt from wooden fences, sidewalks, decks and the side of your house. When you get used to the pressure washer and begin using its attachments, you will find more uses around the house and with your vehicles. It can be fun a...
How To: Drill a shank hole or clearance hole
Drywall screws were originally created specifically for drywall projects. But they have become increasing popular for woodworking projects because you can often screw them into a soft piece of wood without having to drill a pilot hole. But because they have threads all the way up to the head of the screw they will not pull two pieces of wood tightly together. So to get the drywall screw to hold two pieces of wood tightly together you have to drill a shank hole through the first piece of wood ...
How To: Install a simple garden retaining wall
Patti the Garden Girl shows her viewers how to install a retaining wall in her urban garden. Garden Soxx is a product that will allow you to make a retaining wall in your garden that will prevent and fix any erosion problem you may have in your yard. After making a small shelf on the eroding section of dirt, place the round Garden Soxx inside the hole, forming a wall against erosion. Create a second layer of the Garden Soxx that overlaps with the first for maximum protection again any soil er...
How To: Stain a concrete floor
Using acid stains on concrete floors can be cheaper and easier to maintain than laying down tile on your floor. Here, Gaye Goodman shows you how to make acid stains on your concrete floor, a nice, economical way to make beautiful floors. First, you should test on samples of your floor in order to decide which color to use and to determine how the acid stain will look. After covering the bottom of your walls with painter's tape to avoid splashing, mix about 1 cup of TSP to 4 gallons of water. ...
How To: Replace a wall switch with a dimmer
You can very easily replace your normal light switch on the wall with a dimmer switch. The first step is to turn the power off at the circuit breaker. To prevent anyone from accidentally turning the circuit on put a piece of tape over the fuse switch so that it is clear that it is to stay turned off. Remove the screws that hold the switch plate and use a tester to make sure that none of the wires are still live with electricity. Remove the two screws that are holding the switch itself in plac...
How To: Wash windows the easy way
Ron Hazelton shows you an easy an effective way to wash windows. In a warm bucket of water you add one tablespoon of dishwashing solution, a scrubber with sleeve is used to apply the solution to the window, and dried with a professional quality squeegee. Each step is shown and explained in full detail to ensure the best possible completed outcome. After watching this video and walking yourself through the steps a few times you can wash a good sized window in about a minute.
How To: Install under cabinet fluorescent lighting
It can be very difficult to see underneath wall cabinets. The cabinets and your body can cause a lot of shadows and make it very hard to see. Getting light under the cabinets is very easy. The answer is to install thin profile fluorescent lights that are made to go under the cabinets. Remove the diffuser and bulb from the lamp and you will expose the screw holes. Put the lamp up under the cabinet in the location that you want them to hang. You want to install them as far forward as possible. ...
How To: Sharpen a jack knife or wood carving knife
This video shows you how to sharpen a jack knife or wood-carving knife using coarse, medium, and fine stones and cooking oil. Use the coarse stone, applying oil to the stone first then pushing the knife down on the stone in each direction, matching the bevel to the stone. Next is the medium stone. Add oil before continuing the sharpening process. Apply cooking oil to the fine stone and finish the sharpening process. Using a leather strop will remove any burrs and polish the knife.
How To: Make a glue bottle holder
Use whole saws or drill bits larger than the necks of the glue bottle and about a ten inch 2x4 piece of wood. Drill holes for the amount of bottles you want to have. You can add feet to your rack if the necks on the bottles are too long for the rack by gluing a couple of small wood blocks underneath on both ends.
How To: Create a plate wall
To build your plate display you will need a plate collection, some plate hangers, and a hammer. A good part of hanging plates on the wall is you can use cracked and chipped plates in your display. To get the plates ready to hang all you have to do is make sure they are clean and measured correctly so that you can get the right hangers for the plates. When purchasing plate hangers go with the smaller size. If the plate is 10 inches buy the 7-10 inch hanger rather than the 10-14 inch hanger. Yo...
How To: Plant a 30 minute vegetable garden
You can have a garden in less than 30 minutes. The key is a product called garden socks. They are two cubic feet long and they have one cubic foot of compost inside of them. One thing that makes this product useful is that they are very light and easy to carry around and they provide a weed free garden. All you have to do is build your raised box and then fill it with these lightweight two-foot socks of compost. Next take the plants that you are going to plant and arrange them in the box in t...
How To: Paint screw heads without making a mess
If you need to paint the screw heads you can do it without making a mess. If you try to hold them in your fingers and paint them you will get paint all over your fingers. Now you don't have to do that. Take a plastic shopping bag and cut the bottom off of it. Take that bottom piece of bag and stretch it over a can like a drum. Tape the bag tightly to the can so that the bag is stretched tight. Take the screws and screw them into the plastic on top of the can so that they are standing up. Now ...
How To: Inspect a fireplace and chimney
To continue getting the enjoyment out of your fireplace you should inspect it regularly. Check the condition of the mortar in the firebox. If it is loose, missing, or crumbling it needs to be professionally repaired. Look for black deposits inside of the chimney or flue using a flashlight; presence of black deposits inside of the chimney or flue indicates the need for a licensed Chimney Sweep to clean the chimney in order to prevent a chimney fire. The chimney should be free of obstructions t...