BUILD
PAINT
CLEAN
MAINTAIN
USE
DESIGN
INSTALL
CHOOSE
GROW
How To: Light a Pilot Light
You woke up shivering in a cold house. Your morning shower, instead of a warm and pleasant wakeup call, was spent futilely turning the knob towards “Hot” as your skin erupted in goosebumps. When you tried to scra...
The Dos and Don’ts of Bathroom Ventilation
Your bathroom is the wettest room in your home. Steamy showers, flushing toilets, running sinks, and occasional drips add up to high humidity. And with major moisture comes potential problems: mold and mildew, a ...
Solved! Why It's a Mistake to Mount a TV Above a Fireplace
Q: We just bought a new 55-inch flat screen TV, and I’d like to hang it over the fireplace in our family room. But my husband’s afraid that heat from the fireplace will mess with it. Is it really a bad idea to mo...
6 Things to Know Before Installing Recessed Lighting
Unobtrusive illumination installed flush with the ceiling, recessed lighting can be found in virtually all types of homes, and for good reason. It beams light downwards, illuminating a whole room without invading...
How To: Get Rid of Chipmunks
Surely one of the cuter rodents you’ll ever counter, chipmunks are also among the most destructive. These small, striped natives of North America and Asia are omnivores that devour everything from beneficial inse...
Solved! What to Do When Your Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping
Q: Every few hours—sometimes minutes!—my living room and one side of my kitchen lose electrical power. Lamps won’t come on; I can’t make toast or watch television. I’ll check the breaker panel and, sure enough, a...
6 Things to Know Before Replacing a Kitchen Faucet
Has your old kitchen faucet seen better days? Whether yours is leaking water or is simply outdated, replacing a kitchen faucet is among the most popular do-it-yourself projects in the grand scheme of a full kitch...
How To: Etch Glass
If you're someone who keeps jars and canisters because "you never know, it could come in handy," this project is for you! Etching glass can unify all of those spare mismatched glass containers with a si...
Solved! The Best Paint for Ceilings
Q: I’d like to repaint the gray drywall ceiling in my study a fresh white to brighten up the room. Are the pricier products labeled “ceiling paint” really the best paint for ceilings, or is there is a cheaper opt...
The Dos and Don’ts of Waterproofing Basement Walls
Because they’re built below grade, basements tend to take on water. You may notice moist basement walls from time to time, water puddles here and there, or—worst case scenario—flooding during the rainy season. Hu...
