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Carpeting inevitably undergoes wear and tear, whether from foot traffic or the accidents of everyday life. If those f...
Though it's not easy, removing tile is an early and necessary step in some of the most common, albeit ambitious, home...
Spring will be here soon enough. It's the perfect time to tidy up—both indoors and out—and take stock of your home. Whether you're planning your garden, growing a...
Do you Sugru? If you have not yet experimented with this endlessly versatile product, you may be missing out on one of the most useful and fun-to-use tools now av...
Home maintenance is a constant reality for homeowners and renters alike, but it doesn’t have to be painful. If you keep the right products on hand, you can fix ju...
Fleas are irritating—not only for pets but also for people. If you have fleas in the house, you can usually expect so...
Removing wallpaper is, in a word, laborious. The process takes a great deal of energy and time. And lo and behold, ev...
It's the shortest month of the year, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to be done. Tackle your home projects systematically by identifying your home's needs...
Homes make strange noises on a regular basis, from groaning and creaking to popping and scratching. As a homeowner, you should be able to tell whether that noise ...
If there were one rule in home exterior maintenance, it might be this: Don't skip the door. With their frequent daily...
The big freeze has many homeowners scrambling for insulation and space heaters. But some of the most important areas to examine in the home are the plumbing pipes...
Chances are that, somewhere along the line, you've had to deal with a clog in your kitchen drain. Even if you make a ...
Conventional wisdom holds that upgrades and improvements will enhance a home’s value. But some improvements are better—and more cost-effective—investments than ot...
Why do you do when there's a smoke alarm chirping in your home, seemingly without provocation? How can you keep that ...
Late last year, Buffalo, New York, recorded a record amount of snow—and winter hadn't even begun yet. More than a few...
It's a new year—and the perfect chance to start fresh! Here are 10 projects that will help you restart, reorganize, and reinvigorate your home this month.
Does home improvement leave you scratching your head? We compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions at BobVila.com—along with the answers. Click through...
Cast iron, properly cared for, can last a lifetime at least in the kitchen. Apart from cleaning your pan or skillet a...
Winter brings snowmen, sledding, and toasty evenings by the fire. It also brings a special set of maintenance issues that require a homeowner's attention. Proper ...
Though winter's worst storms are likely yet to come, many homeowners around the country have already had ample opport...
Gas fireplaces have been showing up in more and more homes the past few years. They're clean, easy to use, and add a ...
Motion sensor lights are a must for any home security system, but sometimes they get out of whack, turning on and off...
If you want to make sure you'll have hot water whenever you need it, it's a good idea to flush your water heater ever...
There are plenty of ways — short of moving to Miami — that you can keep ice and snow under control this winter. For a stress-free season, rely on some improved pr...
December is a busy month, packed with festivity preparation and the typical winter maintenance. Get it all done and still have time to lounge inside by the fire b...
Garbage disposals are handy household tools, but if you're not careful, they can get jammed or clogged. To keep this ...
With winter fast approaching, you'll want to make sure you've taken some critical steps to keep your house warm and safe through the colder months. Here are seven...
Nothing kills the mood of a refreshing bath after a long day (or for that matter, an energizing shower to start one) faster than the sight of mold. Or a delay in ...
This winter, before you shut your storm windows, make sure that at the bottom of each one, the weep hole is clear. A...
The Halloween decorations are packed up and Thanksgiving is on the way. November's cooler weather makes it a great month to spend indoors with friends and family....
Owning a home can be very expensive, which is why many savvy homeowners learn to do minor maintenance and repair work themselves, rather than hire a professional....
Tineola bisselliella, the common clothes moth, wreaks havoc on wardrobes, destroying shirts and socks, pants and swea...
The good news: Bats are not aggressive. The bad news: If there are bats in your house, it's only a matter of time bef...
There's a simple reason why builders relied on steam radiators for decades and decades—they work! But every technolog...
The crisp snap of autumn weather is a reminder that even colder days lie ahead. Get ready for them by performing a few simple chores now that will keep you toasty...
Wood furniture is no small investment. In covering the expense, we are comforted knowing that what we are buying can ...
Don’t wait until temperatures plummet: Now is the absolute best time to perform basic furnace cleaning and maintenanc...
Summer's gone and autumn's knocking at the door. The month of October brings colorful leaves, cool breezes, and Halloween trick-or-treaters. It's also the perfect...
Homeowners know too well that not all greenery contributes to the beauty of a garden. Weeds, for instance, are a chie...
Let's be clear: It's no fun to remove vinyl flooring. Peeling up the material itself is no picnic, but the real trial...
Show of hands: Which one of you has just poured bacon grease right out of the pan down into the sink? Or dumped a pot’s worth of used coffee grounds down the drai...
Please help. My yard stays wet when it rains. I live in a subdivision with flat terrain. Is there a solution that doe...
No matter where you live, be it city, suburb, or country, noise is just about everywhere. Even the quietest of neighborhoods regularly experience some level of no...
Say goodbye to Stuart Little! A mouse infestation can be enough to make anyone skittish. Those pesky critters can carry a plethora of dangerous diseases and cause...
September marks the official beginning of autumn, which means there are leaves to be raked and cold weather preparations to be made. But this month is more than j...
By the beginning of fall, once the warm weather comes to end, second-homeowners around the country begin the process of closing up their summer abodes. When leavi...
With all the turf you've been trimming this summer, now's a good time to give your mower some well-deserved TLC. That...
Your deck was no small investment: If you haven't been taking good care of it, now's the time to give your deck the c...
It can be a real chore to deal with all of your home's trouble spots and "quirks," especially after you've learned to live with them. Sometimes it's out of pure p...
Wood furniture is beautiful, but it's not impervious to the wear and tear of everyday life. To retain their looks, ne...
There's no mistaking when a mole or two have invaded your lawn and garden. Though you're not likely to see one above ...
People go weeks, months, and even years without giving the toilet a second thought. The instant it clogs, however, th...
Have you got a freezer full of frost? That'll happen. Fortunately, defrosting a freezer isn't as big a deal as people...
By the time August hits, the end of summer is on the horizon, regretfully, but don't despair—there's still plenty of time left before fall. Make the most of this ...
Gleaming silver exudes refined charm, yet over time that lustrous beauty gradually fades with the accumulation of tar...
In the war against wet, homeowners have a new weapon: It's called NeverWet. Designed to repel water and keep surfaces...
Brick is very low maintenance, but age and weather still take their toll. As a result, brick requires occasional repo...
Enter the yard of most homes in America and somewhere among the trees, shrubs, and grass, you're bound to find metal....
Stately and strong, brick has been a popular building material for centuries. Though it seems impervious, brick needs...
Like any other tool in your arsenal, a chain saw must be properly and consistently maintained in order to perform eff...
Springtime and summer are lovely times of year, but they do usher in a host of seasonal hazards, perhaps none more fe...
July ushers in the start of summer, which translates into outdoor living, grilling, and staying cool. But this month, like any other, there are things you can do ...
Few things can add as much warmth, character, and charm to a room as hardwood floors. From the amber glow of heart pi...
For some of us, summer doesn't mean sunbathing on the beach or hiking along a mountain trail—it means grilling burger...
You're not alone in wanting to get rid of cockroaches. These creepy-crawly insects are a major problem around the cou...
A terrific way to maintain good health is to stick to a diet chock-full of fruits and vegetables. But few things spoi...
May is a month worth celebrating. Those April showers have gone, leaving in their wake beautiful spring flowers, and the heat of summer has yet to arrive. As the ...
You know how to care for your lawn, but how about your mower? Mowers need some TLC after sitting in a cold shed or garage all winter long. Before grass-growing se...
A home is like a relationship—it requires a little bit of money and attention to keep it going strong. Neglect some e...
You know you should test your smoke alarm twice a year, but what about your fire extinguisher? If yours is at the bac...
Your home’s exterior should be beautiful and inviting, not constantly in need of repairs. As well, your time spent outdoors should be relaxing, not full of weeken...
When I returned home from Jack's karate lesson, Sweetie told me I needed to check the toilet in the guest bathroom. It...
Spring has officially arrived, and that means a whole host of outdoor chores for homeowners. One of the most importan...
Spring has sprung! While cool temperatures may not be completely behind us, it's certain that April will usher in warmer days, making it the perfect month to get ...
It can be mighty labor-intensive and time-consuming to remove paint, which is why many do-it-yourselfers dread the ta...
Nothing renews that feeling of pride of ownership more than attending to annual home maintenance tasks (especially on...
By design, our floors will see some of the most wear and tear of any of the fixtures in our home. Even if you’re normally careful with your floors, harsh cleanser...
So, you think your house is clean? Well… you might have to think again! If you’re like most people, there are areas that you never even think about cleaning, unli...
I am moving into a new home. The previous owners had a dog. I am wondering if cleaning the air ducts is worthwhile. ...
Tile has always been a popular choice for floors, walls, and other surfaces due to its durability and long life. In f...
Learning how to remove rust isn't rocket science, and in homeowners' ongoing fight to maintain outdoor tools and pati...
With February behind us, we know that spring will soon be here—despite recent freezing temperatures and the ongoing forecasts of snow. Whether it comes in like a ...
It's winter and I keep getting condensation on the inside of my windows. What's the solution?When moist, warm air mak...
I know it’s still winter here in the Northeast, but I start thinking about spring the minute Presidents’ Day weekend ...
Remember Rosie, the congenial (and often hysterical) robot that flitted around the Jetsons' apartment in the sky, keeping things neat and tidy? When the cartoon f...
What can I use to remove caulk from around the bathtub? Also, what is the correct product to use when I caulk the tub...
Sure, February's a short month, but it's jam-packed with chores and planning. It's time to turn attention indoors, spiffing up bathroom grout and kitchen cabinets...
Steel wool, now commonplace in the modern home, came about somewhat by accident. It is believed that 19th-century mechanics used to gather up the metal waste shav...
Several years after you complete a bathroom or kitchen renovation, it inevitably starts to show some wear. One culpri...
Not every home's a fixer-upper, but all houses need occasional repairs and maintenance. You'll be able to handle those jobs like a pro if you make sure you have t...
There are some maintenance and repair issues that homeowners just hate to deal with—either because they take time, or...
Termites and other pests can cause expensive damage. Here's what to look for. The sawdust-like accumulations of fras...
'Tis the season for resolutions—and have we got some good ones for you! Follow our lead, and come next December, your house will be more energy efficient, better ...
I just drained my water heater for the first time since it was installed back in '89. . . 24 years ago! The water cam...
This month is all about the holidays—from decorating the house inside and out to making sure you have everything you'...
Here's how you can tell if your house has termite damage. First, examine obvious areas of wood rot for termites. Some...
I know you’re all toasty with the warm thoughts of the approaching holidays, but as I was saying … well, ye...
Now that winter's nearly here, it's time for a pop quiz: You wake up in the morning and there's ice on the dog's wate...
Aluminum siding first became popular in the wake of World War II, when this metal, which had been so crucial to the w...
While many of us would be fearful of repairing a roof or installing an electrical outlet, there are plenty of things ...
The Halloween decorations have been cleared out and there's a bracing chill in the air—time to get ready for winter! ...
Of all the necessary evils that go into a diligent fall maintenance routine, cleaning the gutters may be the most dre...
Because today's new houses are built to allow less air infiltration than older homes, mold growth has become a concer...
The weather is quickly cooling, and the most horrible feeling is that dreaded draft you feel while snuggled up on the ...
This time of year, those of us who are lucky enough to have trees that provide summer shade have to pay for that priv...
Fall brings football, hot apple cider, pumpkin carving, and other seasonal delights. But for homeowners with deciduou...
A wet-dry vac is a great tool to have—and not just for cleaning up the workshop. They come in handy for those tedious...
Owning a home is a wonderful experience, but it is not without hard work. Taking a few steps to ensure that your home ...
October is a month filled with simple pleasures: cooler temperatures, yard sales, leaf-peeping, apple-picking, and ev...
Your kitchen contains more appliances than any other room in the house. When the units are in good condition, there's...
Don't throw out that rusty garden furniture. Restoring it can be a great weekend project. Use a wire brush or sandpap...
There are lots of ways to refinish a deck. If you want to showcase a fine wood species, such as mahogany, cedar, or r...
I am moving to a new house where the living room and dining area have wall-to-wall carpeting. I asked the previous ow...
Here's an option for reseeding your lawn. If you have a large lawn or yard area, consider renting or having your lan...
Low water pressure can be a real annoyance—the shower subsides to a trickle, the washing machine takes eons to fill, ...
As another summer slips away, the days seem to straddle the seasons, alternating between warm breezes and brisk winds...
Of all homeowner responsibilities, few so clearly indicate the end of summer as closing the swimming pool. Properly d...
Fighting pests at home? The best offense is a clean, dry, and air-tight defense. The importance of sanitation cannot ...
1. PAINTING UNFINISHED WOODI'm painting a bunk bed from IKEA that's solid pine and unfinished. Do I still need to san...
Last time, I mentioned I couldn't quite get to a water heater maintenance program without doing some repairs first. I fi...
We have two different countertop materials in our kitchen. The island is topped with walnut and the perimeter countertop...
1. RUSTY BOLT REMOVAL I have an old bench outside with rotting old seat boards. The nuts and bolts holding the wood t...
More things trouble homeowners than what goes “bump in the night.” Here are eight dangerous problems you'll want to avoid—or swiftly remedy.
Brick houses are hard to damage. Anyone familiar with The Three Little Pigs knows that. Inevitably, however, there co...
1. LIVING ROOM CEILING OPTIONSI recently purchased a 'fixer upper' in the DC area and am starting to decorate. In my ...
1. HANGING WALLPAPER IN THE BATHROOMPainting is easy and the result is resilient, but I can't help thinking that pain...
Perhaps never before have there been so many enticing countertop options to fit every budget, décor, and culinary nee...
Summertime! The living is easy and—more often than not—the food is grilled. From burgers, dogs, and steaks to chicken...
As the saying goes, sharp tools are safer tools. So here are a couple of hints for keeping your cutting tools sharp. ...
I've never seen the guy so angry: His wife used a favorite chisel to open a paint can and my friend Dominick took it ...
The bench grinder is to the workshop as the trainer is to the team. It doesn't run out on the field when a tool goes ...
A good handsaw, when properly treated, is a tool that can be passed with pride from one generation to the next. Essen...
Using woodworking planes whose cutters are out of adjustment is like driving a car in the wrong gear: You may be able...
I know you've heard it before, but it's true: sharp tools are safer tools. The chisel is a perfect case in point. A d...
Mold is more prevalent today because the focus on improving energy efficiency resulted in more airtight homes that do...
Preventing and treating termite infestations is a top priority for many homeowners. Termite control is not a do-it-yo...
When choosing outdoor furniture for a garden room, outdoor kitchen, or multi-level deck, some consumers prefer qualit...
While Ratatouille might have been a runaway blockbuster film, no one wants rats in the house — or mice or squirrels o...
The garage door is the single largest moving part in your home, and should be inspected and maintained every year. Wh...
On television, home improvement projects go from start to finish in 60 minutes or less. You’ve probably thought while...
1. FAULTY FAUCET REPLACEMENTWhen I turn on the water in the bathtub and pull the plunger so that water redirects to t...
Wicker furniture and accessories are very popular choices for living spaces both outdoors and in. Comfortable, sturd...
1. GROUNDWATER LEAKING INTO BASEMENTI have a water supply pipe to the house that enters through the basement wall. Th...
Among the true joys of summer is the opportunity to spend more time outside relaxing, entertaining, and playing. But ...
1. STAINED MARBLE COUNTERTOPSI have a beautiful marble countertop on my cooking island. It was never sealed properly ...
To safely and productively operate a chain saw, you must commit to maintaining it. Keep your chain saw in tip-top sha...
Image Credit: 100abandonedhouses.com Maintaining an old house can seem like a full-time job at times. Old homes were b...
Remember our medicine cabinet that wouldn't close? And it still wouldn't close even after we put those little magnets i...
As a new weekend dawns, so does the need for more destruction. Since the HOA told us to tear down our front overhang, we...
A wooden fence is a beautiful accent on any home, but it takes some maintenance to keep it looking neat and trim. Spr...
I know, I know....Hardwood floors. Boooorinnnngggg. Not a subject that we talk about frequently, but one that needs atte...
Living in the city has its perks. But it also has its pests. From mice to roaches to bed bugs, dreaded pests can and ...
The advent of spring is generally welcome, but warmer temperatures also bring out unwanted pests, namely termites. Of...
How strong is your relationship with your spouse? Do you want to test it? Spend a weekend stripping wallpaper togethe...
On the cusp of spring, March is the month to start readying your house for the warm weather ahead, as well as to addr...
Baby, its cold outside—and the last thing you want to do is return home to a frosty house. The smart time to examine ...
To celebrate Cupid's holiday this year, we count off ten ways to show your house that you care.
If your house has drafty windows, your heating and cooling systems may be working harder than they need to. Taking a ...
Dust bunnies are multiplying, dog hair is piling up, and bird feathers are flying—oh my, it must be the furnace filte...
Special problems need special solutions—and that's particularly true of wood flooring. When accidents happen, first ...
It's not so much that your under-sink workhorse needs strict maintenance, only sensible care. You probably already kn...
Reviving rusty metal tools or furniture is a great indoor winter project, and there are three ways to remove rust. Li...
I remember waking up as a kid on wintry mornings to find frost on my bedroom window obscuring the trees and yard. Tho...
There is a definite chill in the air, and the first snow flurries are flying… that means it’s time to get our snow bl...
Wrinkles in wall-to-wall carpet don't just look bad, they can be a tripping hazard. They'll also wear out first, so t...
When I lived in a New York City apartment building, I never thought about shoveling snow. We had a wonderful superint...
As days get shorter and weather gets colder, we retreat indoors to the warmth of our homes and hearths. If you have a...
Making sure your house is ready to take on the coming winter can save you loads of money on your energy bill by elimin...
If you haven’t done it already, this is the time to winterize your yard! Make a list of the things you need to do to...
As the weather gets colder, it’s a good idea to do some fall maintenance on your outdoor equipment and put it to bed ...
Keep the cold out, the heat in, and your energy bill down with these cost-effective tips.
As you ready your house for the colder months ahead, don’t forget about your water system. When water freezes, it exp...
Home improvement projects are messy business: Whether you’re painting, re-tiling, or just moving furniture, you want ...
Now that the summer scorchers are over, it’s time to bring in your window air conditioning units. Listen to BOB VILA ...
While you were having fun in the sun this summer, it was no vacation for your house. A fall checklist will tip you of...
If you hear banging or knocking when you turn the tap on and off in your home, you could be straining pipes and coppe...
Even tiny gaps between your tub and the wall tiles can let enough water in to damage your walls and host mold. Since ...
While they’ll grind and send most kitchen scraps down the drain in small batches with a good strong flow of cold wate...
Recycling is more than sorting out plastic bottles and composting leftovers. Proper disposal of household objects is ...
Here’s a job you can do in the cool basement to beat the summer heat, and you should add it to your twice a year to-d...
Your dishwasher does a lot to make your life easier; here are a couple things you can do to make its life longer!CM_B...
Late summer’s when you see ‘em, but now’s not actually the best time to mess with a bee or wasp nest. The queen esta...
Everyone agrees that you should change your HVAC filter on a regular basis, but not everyone agrees on the type of fi...
Maintaining your countertops may require more than a simple cleaning. Here are top tips for maintaining every material.
This summer, to ensure you’re spending more time enjoying your weekend and not struggling to get your mower to start,...
A quality garden starts with quality care—and that doesn’t just mean keeping up with your weeding. Maintaining your g...
Don't miss 11 Ways to Winterize Your Home on a Budget!Eliminate Winter SurprisesWhile you were having fun in the sun ...
Don't miss Clean Gutters Now to Avoid Big Problems LaterDon’t Ignore Your GuttersWhile it’s a job many of us would lo...
What Are Ice Dams?Many homeowners in the northern United States are all too familiar with ice dams. These are thick a...
An imperative “rite of spring” in our house is checking our two central air conditioning systems to make sure they ar...
Weather Stripping: Not Just for Winter Before you add to your electric bill trying to keep cool this summer, add some...
Let's face it, the easiest way to transform an old piece of furniture is to paint it. But if the piece is well-constr...
Sealing your driveway may seem like a bothersome chore, but its benefits are significant. First, a regular coat of se...
A wood deck is certainly a thing of beauty, but only if it is well maintained from year to year. If your deck is show...
Before you pull your window air conditioner out of storage, consider its age. Efficiencies have improved so much that...
Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 60 stations around the country (and growing)...
It’s the time of year when Christmas tree lots start appearing around your community, bringing with them a difficult ...
Bob Vila recently contacted me because he had a bee infestation in his attic. I've made several visits to his house s...
To determine whether a carpenter's square is true, all you need is a straight line. Sound too simple? First you lay t...
Few do-it-yourself projects deliver the "wow" factor as potently as refinishing hardwood floors.
Carpenter ants damage wood by hollowing it out for nesting. Unlike termites, wood damaged by carpenter ants does not ...
Floor sanding and refinishing is unforgiving work. Make a mistake and it will show. However, a refinished floor can b...
From stately colonials to simple ranches, brick has remained as a popular building material for centuries. Its energy...
At one time or another most of us have considered remodeling the kitchen. It’s the one room in the house that sees th...
To do a thorough job of spring home maintenance and cleaning, follow these easy and smart routines.
This year, many parts of the country have enjoyed such a mild winter that even in the Northeast, spring weather seems...
Our laminate countertop looked fine, but the protective coating was pretty much gone. Coffee, tea, wine, juice, sauce...
Living in the northeast and being a "pool-free" homeowner, I rarely think about the luxury enjoyed by countless homeo...
Give your home a once-over and tend to winter preparation tasks and repairs before the year’s first frost. “Gett...
Tool Maintenance. Whatever your storage arrangements, keep your tools clean. After use, remove any sap or resins from...
Spade bits, it seems, are always encountering nails, at least in the kinds of rough drilling chores that renovation w...
Fall is just around the corner: time to get your house in shape for the cooler months ahead. Although autumn can be o...
No amount of candy corn can make up for the moment you realize that your carefully carved pumpkin’s smile has turned ...
It’s not mold. It’s probably not soot. The black spots discoloring your asphalt roof are more than likely the pervasi...
Use these ten easy fall maintenance projects to keep your house in peak condition through the winter.
Securing your home against winter is always a prime consideration for homeowners, no matter where you live. Regardles...
1. Roof: Check the roof and around vents, skylights, and chimneys for leaks. Repair as necessary. 2. Attic: If there ...
Summer folks on the New England shore have a long-standing tradition of flying the flag from Memorial Day to Labor Da...
This year the deck on our summer place turns 11. The deck isn’t vast, maybe 10' x 30'—just the right size for evening...
Interior beams, walls, and ceilings have been sandblasted, exposing raw surfaces that will become an integral part of the interior design. Reggie Ray of Georgia-P...
Bob reviews some of the new steel framing that's gone up and has a look at the newly sandblasted beams. Bob also summarizes the brickwork that needs to be done on...
Bob and Professor Tom Visser (UVM) visit the Burtch-Udall house in Quechee, VT, and the nearby Sumner Mansion-- suitable locales for a running discussion on prope...
Bob and roofer Paul Morris demonstrate gutter installation techniques, including the on-site assembly of special features, such as corners and trim.
Painter Kip Wanamaker power-washes the exterior of the Naples project house.
Brick worker Dan Webb explains how the brick façade is power-washed to remove several layers of ugly paint.
