Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 226)

Lawn & Garden

The Dos and Don’ts of Landscaping Around Your Septic Tank

Septic tank covers and vents are nothing pretty to look at, but if you want to hide them from view you'll have to do it carefully.

Building & Installing

Bostitch Air Compressor: Tested Review of the Popular Pancake Model

Portable pancake air compressors are popular with DIYers, but are they worth the investment? Find out what happened when I put a best-selling model to the test.

Lighting & Electrical

The Best Circuit Breakers for Homes, Businesses, RVs and Boats

These simple devices are the cornerstone of electrical safety. We explain how to choose the right type for almost any application.

Landscaping

18 Native Plants to Grow in Xeriscape Gardens (By Region)

Growing perennial flowers has never been this easy! These xeriscaping plants will grow and bloom even if you forget to water them.

Cleaning

Rejuvenate All Floors Cleaner Review: Does This Gentle Formula Work?

This floor cleaner is effective on most hard floor types and is safe around kids and pets. A simple spray bottle dispenser allows for quick and efficient floor cleaning.

Cabinets

11 “Zero Dollar” Ways to Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets

You don’t need unlimited funds to put a stopper on overflowing kitchen cabinets. These 11 DIYs can transform even the most cluttered cupboard into an organizational oasis—all with near zero cost, time, or effort.

Tools

9 Handy Uses for Your Cordless Drill/Driver

Some folks swear by their wet saws for cutting tile, while others couldn’t bear to part with their trim router. But there's at least one power tool that any DIYer worth his salt keeps within reach and uses at least weekly—the cordless drill and driver. It’s portable and can be used for everything from hanging pictures to framing a house. But to those in the know, a cordless drill can help out with plenty of other tasks as well. Its rotating motor and adjustable chuck mean you can insert all kinds of things and make them spin—and this flexibility, it turns out, can be quite handy. Here are 9 new ways to use a cordless drill/driver.

Lawn & Garden

How to Get Rid of Chickweed Naturally

Stop chickweed from taking over your lawn—and keep it away—using these natural methods.

Backup Generators

How Lowe’s Helps You Prepare for Natural Disasters

Lowe’s offers online resources, installation and repair support, and other services that can help you get ready before disaster strikes—and clean up after a major weather event.

Interior

What’s the Difference Between Amps, Volts, and Watts?

Learn how to differentiate between these common electrical terms, as well as how to calculate each one.

DIY

Demolition Auction Sales: Deals to Jump On—and Steer Clear Of

One of the best places to find affordable hidden gems for your home is an auction estate sale. However, make sure you come prepared.

Lawn & Garden

Incredible Types of Roses to Consider Planting in Your Home Landscape

Though “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” you’ll still want to know the correct category and class names of your rose types to give them the proper care.

Lawn Care

How to Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Plants (Hint: Experts Say Sparingly)

Can the “boil and bubble” of hydrogen peroxide on plants eliminate plant problems as if by magic, or is that just a bewitching fantasy?

Interior

How to Stay Safe in a Tornado—and What to Do in the Aftermath

What are the signs that a tornado might be headed your way, and where's the safest place to shelter? An American Red Cross expert offers tips for weathering the storm.

DIY

50 Products for Quick Fixes Around the House

With these clever products on hand, DIYers can fix plumbing, carpentry, and a host of other household problems.

Power Tools

Make Precision Cuts With Ease: A Bosch Track Saw Review

Whether you need to cut composite decking or red oak, this well-designed tool smoothly cuts through just about anything.

Home Safety

The Government Is Paying People to Upgrade Their Home Comfort, Here’s Why

You can save thousands when upgrading to a new HVAC system through the Home Energy Rebates Program by maximizing federal incentives while also saving on annual cooling and heating costs.

Pest Control

Does Peppermint Oil Repel Bugs? Here’s What Experts Say

Discover whether peppermint oil effectively repels insects and what to keep in mind if you plan to try this natural bug repellent.

Deals

12 Kit Homes You Can Actually Buy on Amazon

Build your own tiny home, backyard office, or stand-alone studio space with one of these kit homes from Amazon.

HVAC

The Best Heat Pump Dryers for Energy Efficiency