BUILD
PAINT
CLEAN
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Solved! How Often to Change a Furnace Filter
Q: I turned on my furnace for the first time this year, and it made the whole house smell musty. I checked the filter and found it caked with dust, so I replaced it with a new filter, and the indoor air is much f...
How To: Remove Water Stains from Wood
Wood furniture is beautiful, but it's not impervious to the wear and tear of everyday life. To retain their looks, new and antique wood tables and chairs must be properly maintained. It's for good reason that you...
How To: Build a Temporary Wall
If you can't live with the layout of your space, a temporary wall may be just the solution you need. For decades, renters have relied on temporary walls to "make it work" under less-than-ideal circumsta...
3 Ways to Find a Wall Stud (Without Fancy Equipment)
We've all been there, right? "Oh, I just need to find a stud to hang this picture. " And fifteen holes later, you're convinced the wall is held up by pixie dust and a wish, because apparently there's no...
5 Fireplace Maintenance Tasks to Complete Every Fall
As days get shorter and the weather gets colder, we retreat indoors to the warmth of our homes and hearths. If you have a fireplace, fall is a great time to make sure the chimney and flue are in good working orde...
Solved! When—and How—to Repot a Plant
Q: When should I repot a plant? And how do I ensure success?A: Plants don’t stay little for long, especially if they like the living situation in your home. All that TLC you show them—the right light exposure, fe...
How To: Use Wood Filler
Badly scratched hardwood flooring, rotted window frames, chipped furniture—common problems like these can be time-consuming and expensive to repair. Or they can be dealt with quickly and affordably by homeowners ...
How To: Clean a Humidifier
A hardworking room humidifier is a lifesaver during the dry, cold months of winter. Its dedicated function—adding moisture back into the air in your home—can soothe dry skin, improve the symptoms of colds and oth...
What Would Bob Do? Hanging a Heavy Mirror
Q: What would be the best way to hang a 40-pound framed mirror? Should I find the studs in the wall or use a picture hook without finding the stud?A: Your mirror is too heavy for picture hooks alone, but a wall a...
How To: Whitewash Wood
In contrast to a regular paint job, whitewashing brightens the look of wood surfaces while allowing their natural grain to show through. The light color and pleasingly imperfect aesthetic of whitewashing makes ro...
