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How To: Paint Behind a Toilet
The cramped space behind the toilet is a difficult portion of the bathroom to maintain, posing a challenge when it comes time to dust and an even larger one when repainting. A toilet tank situated not quite flus...
Solved! When, Why, and How to Use Pilot Holes Correctly
Q: I know it’s a good idea to pre-drill before nailing or screwing two pieces of wood together, but I can’t seem to get the hang of the technique. Any tips for me?A: Yes, creating what are called "pilot hole...
Bob Vila Radio: This Is What You Need to Know About Painting Over Oil-Based Paint
If you’re painting over oil-based paint—say, on kitchen cabinets or trim—it’s best to use more oil-based paint. Switching to a water-based or acrylic paint might cause peeling or chipping because those formulas d...
The Must-Dos (and 4 Definite Don’ts) When Cleaning an Oven
Avid home cooks put their ovens into overdrive not simply during the holidays but year-round. What doesn’t land on the dinner table often winds up in the oven chamber—on the oven walls, roof, floor, racks, or win...
The Easiest Way to Make an Outdoor Bar for All Seasons
Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or entertaining Christmas carolers around the chiminea, an outdoor bar provides a welcome surface for drinks and food and sets the scene for an outdoor living area. But th...
How To: Check and Dispose of Old Antifreeze
Changing your antifreeze is an important part of preparing your car for cold weather. Antifreeze (also known as coolant and radiator fluid) is a liquid agent that prevents your engine from overheating in summer a...
The Recycling Symbols Every Responsible Homeowner Should Know
Want to recycle more, but don't know what—and what not—to toss in the green bin? Recycling symbols have been imprinted on the products or packages of popular consumer goods since the early ‘70s to give eco-consci...
Homeowners, Beware: This Hidden Problem Could Cause Your House to Crumble
In nature, wood rot is a vital decomposition process, turning fallen logs into nutritious soil. But few things send homeowners into a panic as quickly as discovering it their homes, because wood rot can lead to a...
7 Things to Consider Before Starting a Skylight Installation
Need a little extra light in your life? Consider installing a skylight above an interior room that’s low on natural light. These roof windows let in up to five times more light than a sidewall window and plenty o...
How To: Match Paint
Over time, walls throughout the home accumulate dings, nail holes, even random spots where some not-so-temporary tape pulled away a chunk of paint. That’s when you pull out the spackling compound, putty knife, an...
