Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 302)

Many homeowners jump at the chance to do their own home maintenance and repairs—after all, who doesn’t want to save money? While plenty of projects are DIY-friendly, such as hanging wallpaper and painting walls, taking on more complex jobs could be a big mistake. In fact, if you attempt (and botch) any of the following 13 projects, you could end up spending more money to fix your mistakes than you would have if you’d just called a pro in the first place.

Are there creepy-crawlies living in your garage’s dark corners? Here's how to identify the pests that are invading your space, and how to get rid of them.

Find out the pros and cons of smokers and grills, so you can decide which is best for your next barbecue.

Before recycling an old computer, make sure identity thieves can’t access your passwords, credit card numbers, and other private data.

Figuring out how much mulch to buy, and how deep to lay it in your pots and beds, can be confusing. Here’s how to calculate how much you need to ensure good coverage and a healthy landscape.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.