Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 292)

how to get rid of earwigs
DIY

How to Get Rid of Earwigs

Are earwigs eating your veggies or devouring your flowers? Here are 7 proven, pesticide-free ways to eliminate these bugs.

How to Get Rid of Gophers - Backyard Rodents
Lawn & Garden

How to Get Rid of Gophers

Don’t let a gopher get the best of you or your backyard! Learn how to get rid of gophers and keep them away with several simple solutions.

How to Plunge a Toilet - Plunger
Interior

How to Plunge a Toilet

Believe it or not—though it may seem like the most straightforward, uncomplicated of tasks—plunging a toilet requires proper technique. Here's what to do the next time you're dealing with a clog.

pigeon on chimney and in flight
Lawn & Garden

Is There a Bird Trapped in Your Chimney? Here’s What to Do.

Follow these easy tips to help the wayward bird that's trapped in your chimney back into the wild.

Tumble of Strawberries
Lawn & Garden

How to Grow Strawberries

Do you think of strawberries as “berried” treasure, but get frustrated trying to grow them? If you want to pick more fruits, pick the right type of berry to start with.

5 Fixes for Mold in Hiding in Your Washing Machine
Interior

5 Fixes for Mold in Hiding in Your Washing Machine

Breathe a breath of fresh air into your laundry by following these 5 tips for getting rid of mold.

New building luxury suburban houses in sunny summer afternoon. House hunting
Exterior

Driveway Cleaning: How to Remove Just About Any Kind of Stain

Say goodbye to driveway stains and hello to curb appeal! Here's how to fix the unsightly stains and spills that mar your property's front entrance.

fingerprint resistant stainless steel
Interior

What’s the Deal with Fingerprint-Resistant Stainless Steel Appliances?

Fingerprints have always detracted from the sleek beauty of stainless steel. We take a look at whether fingerprint-resistant finishes are the answer.

A dripping faucet
Interior

How To Fix a Leaky Faucet

Repairing a leaky faucet is a straightforward process that can prolong the life of the fixture—and save you big money on your water bill.

DIY Cornhole
DIY

DIY Cornhole: How to Build Your Own Regulation Set

Looking for an outdoor game that's a real crowd-pleaser? Build a regulation set of cornhole boards, and let the backyard tournaments begin.

Laying Sod: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Lush Lawn 
Lawn & Garden

Laying Sod: A Step-by-Step Guide to a Lush Lawn 

Want a beautiful green lawn, but don't want to wait months for grass seed to grow? Sod may be your best option. Here's all you need to know about how to lay sod, and how to care for your plush new lawn.

8 Top Tips for Building a Fire Pit
Lawn & Garden

Dos and Don’ts of Building a Fire Pit

Follow these best practices to enjoy the benefits and avoid the pitfalls of a backyard fire pit.

Cleaning up a blooded basement. Narrow depth of field.
Interior

Basement Waterproofing: Here’s How to Dry Out a Wet Basement—And How Much It Costs

Basement waterproofing can be a confusing and expensive process. Here's what you need to know about why water is leaking into your basement, and the best ways to fix the problem.

14 Sneaky Ways to Save Money on Your Water Bill
Exterior

14 Sneaky Ways to Save Money on Your Water Bill

Owning a home is expensive: There are property taxes and mortgages, tiny repairs and big maintenance projects, energy costs and water bills. After all's said and done, your house racks up a big bill each year. But when it comes to your water bill, there's quite a lot you can do to cut costs. Take a look at these surprisingly easy and surreptitiously sneaky ways that you can start saving water today—and take a load off your checkbook.

Ryobi Tire Inflator
DIY

I Tried a Cordless Tire Inflator―Did It Work?

The Ryobi tire inflator makes a pretty good case for itself, especially considering its budget-friendly price tag. But is it really that good? Find out in this hands-on review.

Franklin ProSensor
DIY

This Stud Finder Requires No Calibration―Is it Right For You?

Electronic stud finders help pinpoint the location of studs behind plaster and wallboard. See how a popular model―the Franklin ProSensor stud finder―fared in our hands-on testing.

Walabot Stud Finder How We Reviewed
DIY

I Tried The New Cutting-Edge Stud Finder―Did It Work?

Electronic stud finders have come a long way, and some allow the user to connect the device to a smartphone to detect wood, metal, and wiring behind drywall. See how one of the more popular smartphone wall scanners―the Walabot stud finder―fared in this hands-on testing.

9 Creative Ways to Heat Your Pool This Summer
Exterior

9 Creative Ways to Heat Your Pool This Summer

With a little ingenuity, you can warm a cold swimming pool without having to spend thousands of dollars on an expensive pool heater.

african violet plant care 101 - how to grow african violet indoors
Lawn & Garden

African Violet Care: Meet the Low-Maintenance Houseplant That Blooms Year-Round

How can you get your African violet to bloom again? Follow these easy steps.

How To Remove Hot Glue
DIY

How To: Remove Hot Glue

Don't fret when left with a mess after using a hot glue gun. A little patience and some common household items will help you tackle the job.