Read the latest articles from Bob Vila (Page 304)

How to Cut Ceramic Tile - Prep for Cuts
Skills & Techniques

How to Cut Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile affords a durable, attractive surface for floors and walls alike. If there's a ceramic tile job in your future, ensure quality results by first learning what tools you'll need and how best to use them to make a variety of cuts in tile.

How to Get Rid of Centipedes - House Centipede
Pests

How to Get Rid of Centipedes

Centipedes may not be the most harmful household pest, but they can certainly be an unappealing nuisance. Here's how to quickly and easily evict these leggy lodgers from your home.

How to Install Shiplap
Building & Installing

How to Install Shiplap

Ahoy, DIY enthusiasts! With some quality plywood, a few power tools, and this tutorial you can bring a cool, rustic new look to your walls.

13 Maintenance Mistakes That Will Cost You the Most Money
Repair & Maintenance

13 Maintenance Mistakes That Will Cost You the Most Money

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.

10 Pests That Might Be Living in Your Garage
Pests

10 Pests That Might Be Living in Your Garage

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.

repair of computer hard drives. on the table . concept of computer technology and repair
Skills & Techniques

How to Destroy a Hard Drive

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

Molinia caerulea 'Variegata' on the flower bed, sprinkler with red dyed mulch. Ornamental plants for landscaping.
Lawn & Garden

How Much Mulch Do I Need?

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.

how to get rid of earwigs
Pest Control

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
Garden Pests

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
Toilets

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
Wildlife

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.

fingerprint resistant stainless steel
Appliances

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.

DIY Cornhole
Easy DIY Projects

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 Care

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
Outdoor Living

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.
Basements

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
Energy & Power

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
Tools

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
Tools

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
Tools

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.