Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 109)

Everything You Need to Open Your Pool for the Season
Reviews

Everything You Need to Open Your Pool for the Season

Get ready to swim with our handy guide for prepping your pool.

Pouring a bag of salt into a blue, saltwater pool.
Exterior

The Pros and Cons of Saltwater Pools

Thinking about installing a saltwater pool? Think about cost, health, and maintenance factors, says our pool expert, before you dive into the project head first.

An orange tabby cat named Morris sits on a rack in a home improvement garden center.
Design

Home Improvement Store Cats and the DIYers Who Love Them

Some call them mousers. Some call them managers. One thing is for sure: home improvement store cats are a-meowzing!

A close up of permeable pavers with a car in the background.
Lawn & Garden

Permeable Paver Installation Costs: A Budget Guide

An eco-friendly choice, permeable pavers are another way to pave driveways, patios, and walkways. Permeable pavers cost will likely fall between $5,000 and $12,000, with a national average of $7,500.

A weed-free vegetable garden in a suburban backyard.
Curb Appeal

Weed-Free Gardening: 7 Tips to Get Weeds Under Control for Good

Learn how to stop weeds from growing with these organic gardening tips. No herbicides required!

A person lifts a white garage door.
Exterior

Garage Door Panel Replacement: Costs and Key Considerations

Unsightly damage to a garage door can lower curb appeal and also the home’s value. Garage door panel replacement cost ranges from $350 to $900 with a national average cost of $550.

A view of a second story of a house under construction.
Exterior

How Much Does It Cost to Add a Second Story?

The cost to add a second story ranges from $100,000 to $250,000, though many homeowners spend about $175,000 to gain some much-needed extra living space.

The Best Places to Buy a Refrigerator Options
Interior

The Best Places to Buy a Refrigerator

A refrigerator is a key kitchen appliance, but where are the best places to buy a refrigerator when you’re ready to shop for your new one?

plumbing tools
Interior

14 Emergency Plumbing Tools All Homeowners Should Have on Hand

Whether you’re dealing with a clogged sink or a loose faucet, these must-have plumbing tools can solve simple problems without the help of a plumber. 

How to Build a Pool
Exterior

How To: Build a Pool

Looking to add an in-ground pool to your backyard? This step-by-step guide will walk you through the excavation and construction process so you know what to expect.

Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost
Interior

How Much Does Popcorn Ceiling Removal Cost?

Popcorn ceilings are dated—and some may contain harmful asbestos. Popcorn ceiling removal cost ranges from around $923 to $3,006, with the average homeowner paying $1,961 for professional removal.

A ripening cantaloupe in a home garden with a graphic overlay that says Plant Care 101.
Gardening

How to Grow Cantaloupe—or Muskmelon—at Home

If the price of melons makes you melancholy, try growing your own so you can save money and savor fresher flavor.

Bauer vs. Hercules
Reviews

Bauer vs. Hercules: Finding the Right Power Tool for Every DIYer and Pro

We put Harbor Freight’s two power tool brands head-to-head to find out which one meets your needs.

A close-up view of a wet hammerhead worm.
Lawn & Garden

How to Get Rid of Invasive Hammerhead Worms

Your garden (and the earthworms inhabiting it) will thank you for destroying hammerhead worms, but you’ll need to take special measures to eradicate them safely. Pro tip: Don't cut them up!

A close up of a the beautiful landscaping work of a residence.
Landscaping

Here’s How Much Landscape Curbing Typically Costs

Adding landscape curbing around flower beds and yards is an attractive way to enhance a property. The average nationwide landscape curbing cost is $1,401, though a typical range is $779 to $2,097.

A-blurred-warehouse-aisle-is-the-background-for-a-Product-Recall-stamp-in-red.
Exterior

Product Recalls You Need to Know About as of July 1, 2024

Stay updated on the latest product recalls to help keep your home and family safe.

tv above fireplace woman watching tv with elderly parents in living room with tv mounted above fireplace
Interior

Solved! Why It’s a Mistake to Mount a TV Above a Fireplace

You’re better off hanging a TV in a spot that’s optimal for viewing, and won’t damage delicate electronic parts.

Colorful corners of the best shade sails on a lawn before testing.
Reviews

The Best Shade Sails for Your Patio, Deck, or Yard, Tested

Simple, elegant, and effective, shade sails offer an easy and affordable way to shade a deck or patio. We tested some of the best options on the market.

The Bosch 18V Compact Brushless ½-Inch Drill/Driver Kit on a workbench.
DIY

Bosch’s Cordless Drill Is Compact, Powerful, and Home-Workshop Worthy

Bosch lives up to its reputation with a brushless cordless drill/driver that’s affordable, easy to wield, and capable of handling most DIYers’ demands.

A worker installs panels beige siding on the facade of the house.
Exterior

Siding Repair Cost: What to Know and How Much You’ll Pay

Damaged, cracked, or warped siding looks unsightly and can reduce a home’s energy efficiency. The national average siding repair cost is $884, but a typical range is $354 to $1,442.