Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 158)

A person closing a garage door attached to his house.
Exterior

4 Easy Ways to Lock Your Garage Door

Before you head out for vacation, make sure to secure your garage door properly.

Real estate agent welcomes couple to open house.
Buying

Open House Etiquette Do’s and Don’ts: Faux Pas to Avoid

Checking out open houses on the weekend can be a fun way to spend a day whether or not you’re in the market for a home. Read this list to learn the expected etiquette before you head to your next open house.

A dad and daughter doing laundry at home.
Cleaning & Organizing

Your Laundry Routine Is Probably Outdated—Here’s the Modern Way

Learn how to effectively manage your laundry and keep your clothes looking their best with our comprehensive step-by-step guide.

Pouring a bag of salt into a blue, saltwater pool.
Pools & Water Features

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.
People & Places

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 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
Appliances

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
Pools & Water Features

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.
Garden Pests

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.

tv above fireplace woman watching tv with elderly parents in living room with tv mounted above fireplace
Fireplaces & Chimneys

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.

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

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.
Siding

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.

Anker's Solix X1 outside a house with lights on, keeping it powered during a rain storm

Anker’s New Home Battery Tower Is a Sleek, Modular Step Toward Complete Energy Independence

The customizable design and extreme performance of the Anker SOLIX X1 makes it a great addition to any energy-smart home.