Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 142)

A-terrier-dog-runs-with-a-plastic-water-bottle-in-his-mouth.
Holidays & Celebrations

Celebrate Earth Day every day by taking care of the little piece of land you call home.

Person holding in their hand a variety of sandpapers in various grits and colors.
Skills & Techniques

If you're renovating your deck or trying your hand at woodworking, chances are that you'll have some sanding in your future. But what grit of sandpaper should you use? Here's what to know about grit numbers, and how to choose the right sandpaper.

A group of LED grow lights together before testing.
Lawn, Garden & Pool

Help your indoor plants and vegetables thrive with high-quality LED grow lights.

Pink mold in white tile grout.
Cleaning & Organizing

Have you noticed pink gunk in your shower or tub? Learn what it is, and how to send the nasty slime packing.

A close up of a worker on a ladder cleaning a home's gutter.
Gutters

Budgeting for a regular maintenance fee to keep gutters flowing freely is cheaper than risking long-term water damage from clogged gutters. Most homeowners pay between $119 and $228, or an average of $163 in gutter cleaning costs.

A close up of a person using a tool to repair a deck.
Deck, Patio & Porch

For the homeowner wanting to get back to entertaining outdoors, the average deck repair cost is just $2,019, though the typical range is between $859 and $3,321.

A close up of driveway sealing.
Exterior

Applying sealant will extend the life of a driveway. Driveway sealing costs range from $275 to $820, with many homeowners spending around $545.

Woman stands in front of a table with a bucket, vinegar, dish soap and other supplies, cleaning a paint brush.
Cleaning & Organizing

Whether you’ve used acrylic, latex, or oil-based paint, learn the best way to clean paint brushes so they’re ready to go for your next DIY project.

A man installs a brown door in a house.
Doors

If a homeowner is thinking about a new door but is unsure of the price, they’ll want to know that door installation costs range from $496 to $1,872, with the national average at $1,160.

A TV hangs on a wood panel wall.
Interior

Mounting a TV on the wall frees up space and can be a safer option than placing it on a stand. TV mount installation costs between $158 and $360, with a national average cost of $259.

Open floor plan of modern home with large ceilings.
Architecture

While defined living spaces offer privacy, homebuyers are still searching for the perks of an open layout. Find out how to strike a balance between the two.

The Best Bathtubs Options
Bath Fixtures & Fittings

Take your renovation from simple to spa-like with a stylish bathtub upgrade.

A group of the best oven cleaners together before testing.
Appliances & Cookware

Bubbled-over, spilled-on oven messes can be difficult to clean without a product that dissolves the gunk. Oven cleaners can make the job easier.

Assorted meats and vegetables cooking on the best kamado grill.
Grills

Smoke meats, sear steak, bake pizzas, and do more on these blazing-hot ceramic grills. This guide makes it easy to choose the best kamado grill for your entertaining style and budget.

A person replacing a filter on the best reverse osmosis system option
Appliances & Cookware

Make delicious purified drinking water under your sink with a reverse osmosis water filtration system.

Everything You Need to Start a Raised Bed Garden
Lawn & Garden

Discover raised-bed gardening tools that can improve soil quality, simplify maintenance, and increase yields.

A close up of someone running a faucet to full a glass with water.
Appliances

Water softeners work wonders for a home’s plumbing system—not to mention residents’ dry skin and hair. The average water softener system cost is $1,500, but it could range from $200 to $6,000.

A close up of a person hydroseeding.
Lawn Care

A new, lush lawn is every homeowner’s dream. Hydroseeding has numerous benefits over other lawn-seeding methods, and hydroseeding cost is reasonable at $500 to $4,000, or a national average of $1,000.

A close up of a person in yellow cleaning gloves holding cleaning supplies with their hands on their hips.
Cleaning

Deep cleaning is hard work, and many homeowners simply don’t have time. Hiring a professional to perform a deep clean can be surprisingly affordable, with the average cost of a house deep clean coming in at $200 to $400.

A worker adjusts a dial on a water heater.
Water Heaters

A water heater is an essential home appliance. When the time comes to install a new one, the average water heater replacement cost ranges from $874 to $1,765, with the national average at $1,293.