REPAIR
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Plumbing issues, such as leaky pipes or a malfunctioning hot water heater, can be more than just a nuisance. A leaky ...
Highlights The average cost range to repair a TV screen is between $200 and $1,000. There are several factors that ...
They say the most challenging part of any project is starting, but the real test is taking a task to the finish line....
Q: Is water in crawl space after heavy rain normal? I recently noticed water buildup in my crawl space following a st...
Welding is an increasingly popular hobby, and for good reason. It can be used to fix a gate or repair a car, saving a...
Highlights Drywall repair costs around $294 to $876, with homeowners paying an average of $573 nationally. The exac...
Maryland residents may be interested in the financial protection provided by a home warranty, especially if they’re c...
A lived-in home, especially one with kids and pets, gets plenty of wear and tear. Some damaged items require costly r...
HVAC systems, refrigerators, and laundry machines can fail at any moment, and through no fault of the homeowner. Norm...
Q: My furnace is making loud rumbling noises, and I don’t know what to do. Why is my furnace so loud all of a sudden?...
Highlights The average price range for concrete cleaning and sealing services is $1,250 to $1,750, with customers pa...
Homeowners who have looked into their home warranty options have probably come across American Home Shield and Choice...
It’s never an ideal situation: A quick trip to the bathroom followed by a single flush and, boom, you’re dealing with...
Bob Vila readers were busy in 2022, tackling DIY projects and finding ways to make their life simpler and their home ...
Hardwood floor refinishing is a big job and takes a lot of time. Knowledge of the machines and their uses, the progre...
Q: Recently my living room floor has started squeaking in several places. I’m not sure how long this has been going o...
Q: Help—my garbage disposal stopped working unexpectedly today, and I still have a sink full of dirty dishes to wash!...
Q: I’ve been noticing that after I use the microwave, the fan stays on for minutes after the cook time is over. Why w...
The short-term rental space has become saturated in the past few years. Landlords looking to boost their rental incom...
Gravel and dirt driveways are highly susceptible to freezing and erosion. When the weather is warmer, heavy rain can ...
Every year product experts at Bob Vila do thousands of hours of hands-on testing and online research. We carry out in...
Typical Range: $1,051 to $3,414 National Average: $2,227A sliding glass door is a perfect way to access a backyard...
The Arizona desert can be harsh on home systems and appliances, causing them to wear down quicker than they might in ...
Homeowners face a variety of common conundrums, and they know just where to go for the best advice. From appliances o...
Budgeting for unexpected expenses isn’t always easy, and as is the case around the country, many West Virginia reside...
Home appliances make our lives easier by washing our clothes, helping us cook meals, heating and cooling our homes, a...
Q: I recently bought a newly built home, but I’ve noticed hairline cracks in the foundation over the last couple of m...
Q: I tried turning on my gas fireplace for the first time this season, and for some reason, it won’t light. I think i...
Q: I just bought a new couch, and it’s going to be delivered next week. My old couch has certainly seen better days, ...
Typical Range: $150 to $800Glass stove tops look sleek and modern and provide excellent heat control, but these ass...
Typical Range: $300 to $6,500Should homeowners be concerned when their floors feel more like ramps than level and s...
Typical Range: $193 to $620 National Average: $383Gutters are intended to direct rainwater away from a home to hel...
Typical Range: $630 to $4,400 National Average: $2,290When plumbing leaks happen beneath a home’s concrete slab fo...
Typical Range: $419 to $1,359 National Average: $884Ceiling damage can be linked to multiple issues. Hidden water ...
Typical Range: $50 to $250 per foot National Average: $150 per footA sewer line is a single pipe that transports w...
Typical Range: $221 to $964 National Average: $591A water heater does exactly what its name suggests: It heats wat...
Your home is likely one of the biggest investments you have, and it’s important to maintain your home’s value by taki...
Typical Range: $428 to $2,978 National Average: $572Subfloors are boards installed a layer or two below floors to ...
A home warranty can be a good investment for homeowners who want some financial protection in case their appliances o...
Building codes are an important safeguard to have in place to protect people from dangerous construction practices an...
Owning a house or condo can be expensive, and that’s before taking into account the cost to maintain appliances and h...
Roof leaks can require some of the most expensive repairs that a homeowner ever undertakes. Water damage is a serious...
At some point, every homeowner will likely need to hire a plumber, whether it’s to stop a leaking pipe or fix a washi...
Heat stains are an enduring concern for both seasoned homeowners and those who have just made their first furniture p...
Typical Range: $160 to $750 National Average: $455A chimney is a vertical channel, often made of stainless steel, ...
Having trouble finding the motivation you need to start a home reno? Sounds like it’s time to add some inspiring DIYe...
Q: Help! Our washing machine stopped working yesterday, and the dirty laundry is already beginning to pile up. I know...
Q: We absolutely love our fireplace and use it all fall and winter long. But recently I have been noticing water in a...
Owning rental property can be a great way to generate passive income and establish a successful long-term financial s...
Flipping houses can be a good way to make a lot of money in the right circumstances, but the barriers to entry are of...
Part of the appeal of owning a condo is knowing that the condo association often collectively shares the responsibili...
Typical Range: $17,920 to $78,082 National Average: $47,903Optimistic real estate investors often enter a house fl...
Typical Range: $1,253 to $4,701 National Average: $2,914Repairing or replacing a sewer line isn’t usually at the t...
Typical Range: $420 to $1,190 National Average: $786Wallpaper goes in and out of style, and does so with great gus...
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe is a common material in drains, vents, water mains, and irrigation systems because it’s...
From fixing leaky pipes to unclogging a toilet, some DIY repairs can make you sweat bullets when they go wrong. And, ...
Skylights not only make a space brighter by letting in natural sunlight but also help lower energy bills by reducing ...
Slowly draining bathtubs and sinks, gurgling noises coming from the drain, toilets that regularly back up—though thes...
Typical Range: $1,240 to $5,343 National Average: $3,291Water damage can be a devastating experience for any homeo...
When you move into an older home, it's not uncommon to find at least one window painted shut. Wood windows add plenty...
Q: I think I hear water running in my home, and I’m afraid there’s a leak somewhere. How do you know if you have wate...
Q: I’ve been trying all day to do my laundry, but my washing machine is not filling with water. Is this something I c...
Typical Range: $3,109 to $7,082 National Average: $4,854Homeowners have several options when it comes to driveway ...
While it’s great for setting the mood in a horror movie, the sound of a squeaking hinge can be downright irritating. ...
Q: I’ve been noticing a constant noise coming from my basement, and I finally realized that it’s the sump pump. But i...
Keeping a home well tended is a big job, and for busy homeowners—even those who are comfortable taking on repair proj...
One of the most overlooked parts of a bathroom sink is the sink plug; this is because many people don’t understand th...
Whether you need to create a watertight seal between a bathtub and tile, seal a leak around a window, or give a finis...
Q: I have a basement in my home that is in need of a new sump pump. Who installs sump pumps? Should I call a plumber ...
Typical Range: $250 to $800There are many different types of foundations, but they all have one thing in common: th...
Typical Range: $100 to $610 National Average: $369Air conditioning circulates, filters, and cools a home’s air. If...
Q: Lately, my sump pump has been making weird noises, and today it’s been cycling on and off. Why is my sump pump not...
The skyrocketing price of lumber has dominated headlines in the residential construction world over the past couple o...
After you purchase a car, grill, phone, generator, or pretty much any other product, the general assumption is that y...
Cracking, crumbling, and tumbling foundations are nothing short of terrifying. When homeowners first see the signs of...
Q: My ice maker stopped working and now I can’t get any ice cubes from it. Why is the ice maker not working and how d...
Q: We’ve had the same garbage disposal since we moved into our house about 10 years ago. It’s been struggling lately ...
Typical Range: $106 to $243 National Average: $174The average two-person household has just under 14 appliances. W...
Q: I recently noticed a crack in my basement wall, and I’m concerned it’s a foundation issue. Is there a difference b...
Vinyl plank flooring is becoming increasingly popular for its ability to recreate the look of solid wood while being ...
Typical Range: $1,000 to $5,000 National Average: $2,327Pool liners are an important part of above-ground and ingr...
Q: I spend a lot of time on my deck, and lately I’ve noticed a few creaky boards and some rotting on the railing. We’...
While certain home repairs require a professional, many maintenance tasks can be handled on your own. Learning these basic skills will help you become a more self...
Curb appeal matters when you’re selling your house, but it can also be a point of pride. The same is true of the cond...
Leaky sinks. Overflowing toilets. Rotted deck boards. Anyone who owns a home or lives in a space they own and need to...
A 50-gallon water heater is usually the recommended size for houses with one to three bathrooms and families of three...
Even for DIYers with excellent eyesight, there are certain barriers through which they’ll never see. Whether it’s an ...
A thorough home inspection is essential to ensure a property’s health. From inspecting for issues like mold in the ba...
Q: I recently moved into a new fixer-upper home. There are several spots on the walls and ceilings that need repair, ...
The first day of summer is almost here, and memories of the long, cruel winter have all but left our collective consc...
DIY projects can keep home maintenance costs low, but it’s important to only tackle jobs you have the knowledge, expe...
Sawing through metal by hand is hard work! A hacksaw can tackle occasional small jobs, but for larger pieces or if yo...
When it comes to gluing rubber to rubber or a variety of diverse substrates, the project’s success depends on selecti...
Felt is a thick and warm material made from matted or compressed fibers. These may be natural wool, synthetic fibers,...
Creative art-and-craft projects as well as utilitarian home repairs sometimes call for gluing cardboard to cardboard ...
Fires can be terrifying and destructive, leaving behind serious damage to a home the belongings inside it. However, s...
Old caulk has a way of stealing the show—and not in a good way. That dingy, cracked sealant can deter from the clean ...
Q: I’m buying an older home, and my real estate agent has suggested that a home warranty might be a good choice to he...
You don’t have to spend a fortune to make updates to your home, and even an arrival of a small amount of cash from a ...
Steel Wool, Still Going StrongA tool that’s now commonplace in the modern home, steel wool came about somewhat by acc...
Q: My water heater has recently started making weird noises. It’s a few years old, but I don’t think it’s ready to be...
Q: I am renovating most of my bathroom, but I’m not changing the shower tiles or bathtub. However, the caulk lines be...
Those who own a home know that they require various repairs, upgrades, and maintenance. While there’s occasionally a ...
Q: Our real estate agent has recommended that we ask for or purchase a home warranty for our home. We thought warrant...
Q: We are a military family, and we are buying a new home. Our real estate agent has advised that a home warranty wou...
Investing in high-quality home services is an important way for customers to take care of their properties. There are...
Typical Range: $250 to $768 National Average: $486Driveway sealcoating can prolong the life of a driveway and prot...
Walmart has officially partnered with Angi, which has a network of 250,000 professionals in nearly every ZIP code in ...
Q: We thought we would have more time before our HVAC system needed to be replaced. On a recent annual service call, ...
Typical Range: $100 to $550 National Average: $325Radiators have been a source of reliable heat in many homes sinc...
Typical Range: $40 to $1,000 National Average: $350A refrigerator typically lasts for 10 to 15 years—and some can ...
DIY automotive maintenance and repair is easier than you might think—and it will save you a bundle, to boot. Often th...
Dropping a heavy object that shatters a couple of ceramic floor tiles or discovering rot in a hardwood floor necessit...
Cracks in walls and ceilings are eyesores that draw attention in an otherwise attractive setting. Though they’re ofte...
Real estate listings often mention home warranty plans as a perk to entice buyers. But those buyers might wonder exac...
Few people look forward to sanding drywall, but fortunately there are a wide variety of tools that make the job quick...
Gluing metals can be challenging for a number of reasons. Metals are not porous, so glues can’t penetrate the surface...
Q: We have decided to renovate our home to make it into our dream house rather than move, but it will be a pricey ren...
All homes require regular home maintenance services, and sometimes, they need more—they need the services of home rep...
Drilling holes in tile—to install towel rods in a bathroom renovation, say—can be tricky. There's always a risk the t...
Don’t let concrete’s durability and strength fool you; it’s easier to work with than you think! With the right products, you can handle your own concrete repairs ...
A flooded basement is one of the most dreaded home maintenance problems. Seeing standing water in the basement, wheth...
Many DIYers are familiar with running caulk around their bathroom fixtures, and a number of products are designed spe...
Q: Several of the home listings I’ve seen recently have included a home warranty, but the one I’d like to buy does no...
A chimney inspection is a vital part of owning a fireplace with a chimney. They’re usually performed with regular chi...
Typical Range: $292 to $480 National Average: $380As handy as your garbage can is for handling a week’s worth of t...
Your flooring problems might not be as unique as you think. Floors come in many shapes, sizes, styles, and materials,...
Q: Recently, I noticed my hot water heater making noise. It isn’t an old heater, but it’s been making a weird sizzlin...
Having a working fireplace is a luxury that many homeowners relish. It can help cut down on energy bills, serve as a ...
There probably aren’t too many folks who would choose to spend a beautiful autumn afternoon cleaning gutters. The nas...
Q: When I bought my home, it came with a 1-year home warranty. I haven’t really needed to use it, but some of the app...
Q: A pipe burst in the basement while we were out for the day. We arrived home to 2 feet of water in the basement—and...
The main purpose of guttering is to channel rainwater away from the home and prevent it from damaging the foundation ...
Perform your own home repairs and maintenance using these affordable, problem-solving products.
When replacement parts are this costly, you're often better off replacing a failing appliance altogether.
An air compressor is a valuable asset in any workshop. For jobs as varied as fixing a deflated tire to building a she...
Want top dollar when selling your home? It's a good idea to make these changes before the photographer—and home inspector—show up.
While the days are still long and the temps are soaring, preparing a home for the coming winter is the last thing on ...
You’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to our homes, curb appeal matters. Whether you’re...
Q: I live in an older home with an older furnace. It’s gone through a lot of repairs since I’ve lived here. How long ...
Q: I keep turning my heat up, but my house can’t seem to get warm. Why is my house so cold? Is something wrong with m...
Many people know paracord as an invaluable part of camping or wilderness gear, but it’s also great for a variety of uses around the home and yard.
Typical Range: $3,600 to $7,200 National Average: $5,400When you need to rely on a stable foundation, you can almo...
Q: I’m looking to hire a professional for my home renovation project. Someone has just recommended a contractor to me...
Q: I recently moved to a home with a tankless water heater, and I want to make sure I’m correctly maintaining it. How...
Whether it’s inflating a flat tire, bumping up the pressure on a mountain bike, or inflating a pool float, having a p...
Q: I’m house-hunting for the first time, and I’ve noticed that some listings note that they include a home warranty. ...
Q: Help! My flashlight won’t light up. I’ve only had it for a few months, so age isn’t the issue. Why is my flashligh...
Q: We’ve been in a heatwave, so we’ve had the AC on. When I went outside earlier, I noticed that the outside AC unit ...
Typical Range: $177 to $483 National Average: $330Plumbing is a much-appreciated but often forgotten part of a hom...
Q: I have a pair of heron garden ornaments made of copper that are showing greenish blue patches. I had thought they ...
Typical Range: $364 to $1,556 National Average: $949Roofs are one of those features on a house that homeowners tak...
Highlights Foundation repair typically costs between $2,156 and $7,752, with the national average foundation repair ...
Owning a home comes with some inevitable responsibilities, including maintaining and repairing problems before they w...
Q: For a few days now, I’ve noticed my toilet tank is sweating, and it’s starting to drip and discolor the wall behin...
Whether your pool is brand new or several years old, the thought of having a leaky pool can fill almost any homeowner...
A roof is one of the essential components that protects a home from harsh elements such as strong winds, ice, and hea...
A leaning or sagging fence not only diminishes a home’s curb appeal, but if it’s left unrepaired, it can also lead to...
You might think of yourself as pretty handy around the house. You can build your own shed foundation, you’ve mastered...
Q: Help! We’ve just had our first heatwave, so we want to cool the house, but our central AC is not blowing cold air....
Highlights The cost to install vinyl siding ranges from $6,370 to $17,615, with customers paying a national average ...
Concrete surfaces crack by nature. To underscore their brittle nature, specially designed joints placed in concrete h...
A well-installed rain gutter protects a home and its foundation from water that could seep into the walls or pool on ...
Typical Range: $5,619 to $22,000 National Average: $11,536Roof repair isn’t a project that any homeowner looks for...
The strongest walls in a home will inevitably take a beating over the years, leaving pinholes, gashes, and rough scuf...
Typical Range: $1,771 to $4,347 National Average: $3,029Painting the exterior of your home will improve the appear...
If you’re debating painting your home’s exterior yourself or hiring a professional, there are a number of things to c...
Q: We have a bathroom door that sometimes won’t latch, so the door can still be opened with a simple push. This has l...
There comes an unfortunate time in the life of a deck owner when it becomes apparent that a beloved backyard party sp...
Oftentimes, DIY home improvement projects have an allure to them. They seem easy to tackle with the right tools and t...
Typical Range: $18,161 to $76,367 National Average: $46,748The housing market can be a dog-eat-dog world, and find...
Metal epoxy is an essential item for repairing aluminum and other types of metal. Epoxy consists of an adhesive and a...
At highway speeds, even a tiny stone can damage a windshield, big time. As that rock strikes the surface, it creates ...
Q: Help! It’s hot in my house, and the AC unit is running, but it isn’t blowing cool air. Why is my AC unit fan not s...
While traditional water heaters remain the best choice for some, tankless models save space and can help reduce month...
When it comes to beautiful hardscape projects like patios and walkways, it’s hard to beat the high-end look of pavers...
Although concrete surfaces are largely utilitarian features of a home, they can be an eyesore when they become cracke...
Insulating expanding foam sealant makes quick work of reducing sound transfer, stabilizing a wobbly showerhead, or ev...
Complete these simple aesthetic updates to ensure you don’t miss out on getting the top value for your home.
Typical Range: $955 to $2,890 National Average: $1,892Painting is typically one of the easiest ways to freshen up ...
Typical Range: $2,932 to $6,568 National Average: $4,737Paving an asphalt driveway costs $4,737 on average, with a...
Q: Help! I haven’t cooked fish for several days, but my house smells like I invited the neighborhood over for a huge ...
Car shoppers are often willing to pay extra for leather interiors: they’re comfortable, great-looking, long-lasting, ...
An engine will seize up within minutes of running with no motor oil, so it’s not difficult to understand how vital a ...
If you appreciate top-quality leather goods, you may have noticed that a lot of attention goes into the stitching alo...
Enjoying the ambiance of a backyard deck on a warm evening is a summer highlight for many families. With proper maint...
Q: I re-painted my kitchen walls a month ago with great results, but woke up today to see the paint bubbling. What co...
Q: My bathtub sealant needs a refresh, and I’ve decided to re-caulk the tub myself. How long does caulk take to dry b...
Q: This past week, one of our home’s smoke detectors has chirped a few times. We weren’t cooking at the time, and can...
Though it typically sits in the crawl space under a home, out of sight and out of mind, a shallow well pump is one of...
Prepping your home for potential buyers can be faster and more effective if you spring for a few helpful purchases.
Over time, tile grout stains, cracks, and becomes loose. If you’re noticing that your tile grout has seen better days...
Q: Recently I noticed my dryer squeaking every time I run it. Not only is the squeaking annoying, but I’m concerned t...
Threads are a remarkably efficient mechanical device, ideal for connecting pipework. Depending on the material, they ...
Q: Help! I started my dishwasher and discovered that it’s not filling with water. I thought the door wasn’t completel...
Whether working on a plumbing pipe fixture under a sink or performing automotive maintenance, connecting a hose to a ...
Q: I’ve tried warming my leftovers and heating my tea in the microwave without success. Is my microwave not heating b...
Keep your home in top shape by tackling these tasks every month.
Many different types of fencing are available, and various methods are used for installation and maintenance. Post an...
Expanding foam is a flexible product with a wide range of applications including waterproofing, fireproofing, and ins...
Tile offers an extensive range of style and design possibilities for your walls and floors. While it may seem that ti...
Water leaks< can be expensive. Not only will they elevate your water bill, but the damage that results can also ca...
Appliances don't last forever, but some tend to break down more often than others. A recent survey by Sears Home Serv...
Shoes, like many common clothing items, can range widely in price, durability, and purpose, but when you find a pair ...
The cordless drill may be one of the most versatile tools in any home or shop. Recent advances in battery technology ...
Magnetic screwdrivers create a connection between the tip of the screwdriver and the screw. This magnetic pull settle...
Though many people associate lock picks with nefarious intent, there are actually plenty of legitimate reasons for ha...
Hiring the Best Handyman Near MeMany household repairs and upgrades aren’t huge jobs, but in the business of everyday...
When tackling a major home improvement or renovation project, people often enlist the help of a professional contract...
Everything degrades over time; metal objects are usually the victims of rust. Fortunately, there are several ways to ...
Q: We recently moved into our home and now that it’s getting cold, we’ve noticed that the furnace isn’t turning on. W...
Laminate must be correctly installed on top of a quality underlayment, which is key to providing adequate support for...
Perhaps the least fun part of home ownership is facing unexpected repairs and expenses. Make sure you have the funds set aside to cover these common home fixes.
A bike repair stand makes it easy to maintain and repair a bike at home. By design, the bike stand keeps the bike ste...
Window well covers prevent rain and snow from collecting in window wells, which can cause water to pool against your ...
Retiling is one of those home projects that can make a significant impact relatively quickly. Whether laying a new ce...
Just because a windshield, a favorite figurine, or a smartphone screen is damaged, you don’t have to replace it. Inst...
Whether you’re trying your hand at stained glass crafts or a pro glazier, you need the right tools for the job. And o...
A lot goes into tackling a concrete repair or project. Unlike a carpentry project, you can’t just grab a stack of lum...
Every amateur renovator knows straight lines are grueling to draw. Thankfully, with the simple addition of a chalk li...
A cracked driveway may be unsightly, but it can also lead to more extensive damage if left untreated. They allow mois...
Over time, every home’s furniture, walls, and baseboards get nicks and cracks. But, wood fillers help hide the appear...
There are a few classic tools that everyone needs, whether you are a DIYer or a professional repair technician. One o...
Construction adhesives provide an efficient and effective way to glue up projects ranging from DIY crafts to homebuil...
Exterior caulk is a thick, viscous solution that comes in a long tube and is applied with a caulking gun. It is desig...
Move over, duct tape, there’s another tape that has nearly as many uses. Double-sided tape can be used to adhere any ...
Thermal cameras can help detect potential issues in your home, such as a termite nest in the wall or a leak from a pi...
Nowadays, the idea of converting the garage into a second living space or personal sanctuary (i. e. , guest bedroom, ...
Nothing beats a fresh coat of paint in an attractive, new color to revive those dingy, faded, plastic objects around ...
Sewing is a skill that takes time, patience, and dedication to master. When you're in a pinch and a thread and needle...
Silicone spray is typically seen as a lubricant for noisy door hinges. But, you can also use silicone spray on car ha...
Breaking a ceramic household item is frustrating, but most can be repaired—so long as you have all the pieces and a h...
Roofs are designed to withstand an impressive onslaught of extreme weather. While they are designed for rough conditi...
The best serger sewing machines offer a few key advantages over conventional sewing machines. They create stronger, m...
Make sure you take care of these house tune-ups before the arrival of winter to ensure your home stays in tip-top shape. <br> <br> <i>This content is paid adve...
The best paver sealers help lock stones in place, limit erosion inside joints, repel stains, and keep the pavers look...
If your house could talk, it would tell you that spending a little money now on small repairs could save you big bucks down the road. We’ve put together 20 of the...
That hissing noise coming from your toilet every few minutes may be the telltale sound of a bad toilet flapper. It’s ...
Most drivers have looked down at their dashboard and noticed a warning light indicating a tire with low pressure. If ...
Concrete provides a sound structural foundation for homes and is ideal for slabs like patios, walkways and, driveways...
Achieving a smooth, flat finish on interior walls that lasts can be tricky. The joints between drywall panels must be...
A toilet flush valve—one of the two major components in the toilet tank—consists of an overflow tube, a toilet flappe...
It used to be that there weren’t many options when it came to purchasing a hot water heater. The only two choices wer...
If your less-than-perfect patio is an eyesore—take heart—a simple resurfacing project can restore it to its original good looks in a single weekend. <br> <i>Thi...
That inconspicuous toilet shut-off valve doesn’t see much action. In fact, that valve may sit for years without ever ...
Ignore these maintenance issues that need immediate attention and you may have a bigger, and more expensive, problem on your hands.
When your leather furniture gets damaged, instead of replacing it, you would probably prefer to repair it. You could ...
One formula definitely does not fit all when it comes to glues for your DIY projects. Adhesives are chemically design...
The last thing any homeowner (or renter) wants is to come home to a kitchen floor flooded by a leaking dishwasher, or a house that's sweltering because the AC sto...
Toilet fill valves last about 5 years and sometimes longer depending on the quality of the valve, how often the toile...
Avoid safety hazards and subpar results by improving your approach to home improvement with these tips.
Taking on a home improvement project is exciting, but removing grout—the dense material that fills gaps and seals joi...
Homeowners rarely step foot on their own roofs. When roofing issues come up, most homeowners just hire out the job to...
A garage door spring is one of those household items you probably never think about. Until it’s broken, that is, and ...
Keep yourself and your home safe and looking great by moving these projects outside.
A working sprinkler head can be key to maintaining a healthy and well-watered landscape. Your lush lawn demands regul...
“Don’t go looking for trouble” is an adage most homeowners can relate to, particularly when it comes to plumbing. Aft...
It’s difficult to know everything that goes on below your flooring. Underneath the hardwood, laminate, tile, or carpe...
If you have a natural gas line running into your home, you need to know where your gas shut-off valves are. A gas lea...
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe is a type of plastic tubing commonly used for drains. These are the white pipes with pu...
Basic as they are, screwdrivers are not a one-size-fits-all tool, nor does one type of screwdriver fit all situations...
If you live in an older home or plan to stay in your house for longer than five years, it’s likely that you will end ...
Around the home, you won’t frequently run into situations that require you to cut metal, but there are a few DIY proj...
In theory, metal bolts—headed fasteners with external threads that fit into suitable non-tapered nuts—can be removed ...
Beware the common but not always obvious costs of buying a house in less-than-mint condition.
Cracks, divots, holes, or rot can crop up on wooden surfaces due to ordinary wear and tear, accidents, and during DIY...
Renovating and remodeling projects are exciting but they can also be frustrating if work drags on and the contractor runs past the projected deadline. While some ...
If you’ve heard the expression “like water off a duck’s back,” you may be surprised to learn that it was the original...
A handy tube of super glue can quickly turn complicated home repairs into quick fixes—if you have the right product....
Don't procrastinate any longer. The annoying house problems you live with are easier to fix than you realize. After you cross these repairs off your to-do list yo...
Q: I have always had good water pressure throughout my home, but recently I noticed that the water pressure has dropp...
Homeowners hoping to spruce up their interiors, make exterior repairs, or embark upon a long-desired home addition may find themselves daunted and dismayed by the...
Seeking inspiration for your next reno project? Spark your creativity with this collection of dramatic photos and useful tips from experienced homeowners and DIY ...
Q: Lately, whenever it rains, water drips out of my house’s gutters and onto the patio, instead of out the downspout....
Uh oh! You turn on the tap, flick the switch, and after a groan your garbage disposal goes silent, leaving you with a...
Q: For the past several months, I've found frost in the freezer compartment of my six-year-old refrigerator. Even aft...
Make these improvements before you put your home on the market to wow buyers and maximize your sales price.
Whether it’s highway traffic, loud neighbors, or birds chirping, if you don’t have sound proof windows, some noise fr...
If you dream of owning a home that looks like it was taken straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting, you’re not alone. Older homes appeal to a wide range of buy...
It's hard to imagine entertaining a houseful of guests or even just dealing with a family’s worth of dirty dishes eve...
It may be easier to take on home maintenance projects when the weather is sunny and warm, but you can still get plenty of things done during the winter when you’r...
Make it your New Year's resolution to put an end to these poor homeownership practices.
Our homes rely on water—as long as its safely contained in a pipe, sink, tub, or appropriate appliance, like a dishwa...
When you own a home, it never seems to be quite finished. In the quest to make it as comfortable, functional, and up to date as possible, there's always something...
Q: Lately, whenever I unload my dishwasher, everything is still wet, and I end up with water on the floor and on my c...
Q: When the water reaches the fill level in my washing machine and the agitation cycle starts, I always hear a loud s...
Don't let winter weather derail your remodeling plans. Being holed up inside is actually the perfect excuse for taking on certain home improvement projects.
You’ve seen it—and heard it—in so many scary movies: a stair creaks in the night, startling the homeowner into nervou...
Do you live in an older house with inefficient—but charming—wood windows? With this new kit, you can have your windows modernized without having to lose an ounce ...
Q: I was alarmed to see smoke enter the living room when I last used my fireplace. Why was my fireplace smoking, and ...
Q: Until last week, I could look out my kitchen window to watch the songbirds at my backyard feeder. But something mu...
The hardest part of fixing a roof leak? A lot of times, it's simply locating the problem. Sure, it's easy enough to s...
Q: We’ve bought our dream fixer-upper and are slowly DIY-ing our way through each room. One of the bedrooms has some ...
Wood furniture is beautiful, but it’s not impervious to the wear and tear of everyday life. To retain their looks, ne...
Q: Help! My hot water heater is leaking. After mopping up, I see more water starting to puddle but I can’t tell wher...
When you own a home, it seems as if there's always something that needs to be repaired or replaced. While you may hav...
As most homeowners are well aware, problems can strike a house suddenly and without warning: a leaky roof or a fallen tree, a burst pipe in the basement or a boil...
Badly scratched hardwood flooring, rotted window frames, and chipped furniture are common problems that can be time-c...
If you take these steps to safeguard your plumbing system now, you could reduce the risk of future plumbing problems and even increase the useful life of some of ...
A well-built deck increases your living and entertaining space and boosts your home's value, with a nice 70 percent c...
Q: The white oil-based paint coat on my office cabinet has yellowed in recent months. Is it possible to reverse the y...
Your home’s foundation—the concrete walls surrounding a basement or crawl space—supports the entire weight of the hou...
Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material for homes today, accounting for nearly 70 percent of domestic ...
There are a lot of decisions to make when you put your home on the market, and one of the biggest is your asking price. While you can’t change the number one fact...
They are cheap and easy to install, and they camouflage a host of flaws, but popcorn ceilings are also dated and tend...
When intact, your garden hose is a trusty tool for hydrating your lawn, rinsing debris from your deck, and just about...
Household appliances help keep your life running smoothly. When they break down unexpectedly, routines—and budgets—get thrown off. That's why it's so important to...
Are you stumped by the fact that your dryer seems to take forever these days? If your clothes dryer needs more time t...
Your driveway is the first thing passersby and visitors see, and it’s a vital element in your home’s curb appeal. If ...
Q: The last time I used my dryer I detected a distinct burning odor. I didn’t see any smoke but definitely smelled so...
Q: Last night my kitchen sink clogged up while I was in the middle of a load of dirty dishes. By morning, the sink ha...
Half of the battle with common home repairs is picking the correct product to use. And when two products have some ov...
Nothing derails dinner prep quite like when you find yourself faced with a broken oven or stove that won't heat to th...
Even if it's your first concrete project, you can ensure a long-lasting, professional finish by steering clear of a few pitfalls and, if necessary, using the righ...
Q: My refrigerator has been making strange noises lately. Should I have a pro check it out?A: It’s understandable to ...
Ward off water woes in your front, back, or side yard with a few improvements to your landscaping.</p> The following article is paid advertising created in p...
Q: How’s this for a peculiar plumbing problem: After every flush, our toilet hisses, just like a loud snake. It start...
A garage door opener is a complicated creature. In fact, despite its name, your garage door opener is actually a ser...
Q: Something is wrong with my oven. The last time I used it, the food didn’t cook properly—the center of my casserole...
Q: My dishwasher is only two years old, and until recently, it’s done a great job. For the past month or so, it’s bee...
Q: I just bought a house and am planning to paint over its existing green interior walls with a fresh coat of country...
Get to know the solutions smart homeowners employ to prepare for snow, ice, and freezing cold temperatures—and their disastrous side effects. This article ha...
Caulking windows—to give them a finished look (inside and out) and seal out leaks and drafts—is a fairly common DIY t...
Texturing walls is a time-honored method of adding character to a wall or covering such imperfections as drywall tapi...
When it comes to basic home improvement projects, the key concerns for many homeowners are time and budget. Well, here are 10 simple repairs that keep both effort...
In nature, wood rot is a vital decomposition process, turning fallen logs into nutritious soil. But few things send h...
Make short work of the pesky projects you’ve been putting off with the help of some of the coolest, pro-approved tools on the market. This content has been ...
Wood floors bring beauty and value to a home—as long as they are well-maintained. Natural wood is at constant risk of...
Q: When I returned from work today, I pushed the button on my remote garage door opener but the door didn’t budge. Ev...
You woke up shivering in a cold house. Your morning shower, instead of a warm and pleasant wakeup call, was spent fut...
Q: Every few hours—sometimes minutes!—my living room and one side of my kitchen lose electrical power. Lamps won’t co...
Because they’re built below grade, basements tend to take on water. You may notice moist basement walls from time to ...
What do you do when you find yourself staring at a hole in a wall caused by a furniture ding, a too-eagerly opened do...
Chances are, there will come a time when you’ll have to turn off the water supply to your home: You may need to do so...
Successfully installing new finished flooring typically requires knowing how to level a floor. Common in older houses...
A pebble from the lawnmower tossed against a window. A drink set down too heavily on your glass-topped coffee table. ...
Q: A door in my home tends to slam shut—even occasionally when no one is using it! What causes this and how can I pre...
Q: We just bought a new house and we love it, but the driveway has a few cracks and I’d really like to fix them. Is r...
Even in the age of central air, ceiling fans still have their lofty place. The welcome breeze they provide evaporates...
While the pleasures of homeownership are great, there will invariably be repairs along the way, especially when it co...
Q: My bathroom sink isn’t draining very well, and it’s driving me crazy. While the water does eventually drain out, i...
With today's busy schedules, it can be tough to find the time to take on lengthy home improvement projects. But you don’t have to dedicate your entire summer vaca...
From the pressure of people sitting to the constant opening and closing of the lid and/or seat, your toilets probably...
Let’s face it: Some projects can be downright messy. In fact, you've probably scrubbed up after a few particularly dirty ones yourself! But if you’re spending as ...
Q: I recently noticed a few cracks in our living room wall. I’m not sure if they've been there for a while and I just...
A hardworking washing machine may stop draining mid-cycle for a number of reasons, such as a kink in the drain hose, ...
Q: There’s a small puddle on my kitchen floor that seems to be coming from my refrigerator. Why is my refrigerator le...
Q: When I plugged my cell phone charger into a kitchen outlet, my phone didn’t start charging as it normally does—rat...
Any plastic—windows, headlights, patio furniture, and more—is susceptible to scratches as a result of normal wear and...
Hollow core doors—consisting of a lightweight wood frame covered with composite veneer—are affordable (around $50 per...
Today, with the help of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipe, plumbing work has become more efficient for professiona...
Q: We moved into a new house and I just noticed some cracks in the basement floor. They don’t look new, but I can’t b...
Though invaluable for slumber parties, camping trips, and out-of-town visitors, an air mattress can be rendered usele...
Stopped-up drain? Overflowing toilet? For these and many more plumbing repairs, homeowners reach for the plunger—a tr...
Epoxy is a heavy-duty bonding adhesive that comes in handy in many different repair projects, from fixing wobbly furn...
Q: Sometimes, my toilet makes a gurgling noise for no apparent reason—not when I flush it, but rather at random inter...
If there's one household fixture we really rely on and hate to have to fix, it's the toilet. But while these fixtures...
Need to fix a ding in your drywall? Here are a few quick pointers. CM_BVNOTES-1727-3Listen to BOB VILA ON PATCHING DR...
Q: After our first snow of the season, I got the snow blower out of the shed but the darn thing wouldn’t start. It ra...
Prepping to paint your walls a new shade? While you may understand how essential priming is when it comes to hiding t...
Q: Over the last few days, my oven has been giving off smoke while in use but is working normally otherwise. Why is i...
Q: Lately, the cabinet under my kitchen sink has been getting mysteriously soggy. Could this be a symptom of a leakin...
Q: I just opened the dishwasher door to find the bottom of the unit filled with dingy water. My first thought was tha...
When severe winter weather threatens your home, one of the most important preventative measures you need to familiari...
We all know the feeling. You spend time, money, and energy choosing just the right sofa. And then—what’s that spot?! Here are seven surprising ways you may be dam...
Bricks provide durable cladding for interior and exterior walls, chimneys, and fireplaces. But the mortar used to fil...
If you’re repairing old things, you’re bound to run into rusted screws. As long as you keep the right tools and suppl...
Q: We just experienced a strong thunderstorm, during which a tree blew over on our house! We have no experience with ...
Q: I’m replacing the heating element in my electric water heater. The wires running to the element are black and whit...
Have you ever reached for a favorite sweater or pair of jeans only to find that its last spin in the hot dryer caused...
Q: A can of soda that I just pulled out of my fridge is barely cool. I’ve also recently noticed that my lunchmeat isn...
Q: Woodpeckers recently swooped in on my property and did a number on my cedar tree, siding, and roof. How do I plug ...
Sagging gutters: Sort of a good-news-bad-news situation. The bad news is that they're a common headache for homeowner...
Q: I just noticed a crack in my ceiling, but I’m not sure how long it’s been there. Is it a normal symptom of an agin...
Drywall taping has always been a notoriously messy, imprecise undertaking. In the past, no matter the size of the job...
The zipper is a staple in daily life, keeping everything from jeans and jackets to duffel bags and lunch boxes closed...
If the only obstacle standing in your way of replacing an old and corroded shower head is knowing how to replace a sh...
Q: Recently, my mower started billowing smoke when I powered it up, so I shut it off immediately. Why is my lawn mowe...
Clothes sopping wet at the end of a wash? That's not a good sign. The likeliest culprit? The spin cycle. Here are a f...
Q: I’ve just turned on the air conditioner for the summer, but I just can't get get comfortable. The appliance circul...
Concrete is one of the most durable construction materials around, but faulty installation, everyday wear and tear, e...
Do you have a flaking eyesore of a fence that plagues the perimeter of your property? While there are no shortcuts to...
These quick upgrades don't require expert-level skills (or a big bankroll) to complete, but they can make a big impact on your home's potential—and your quality o...
The bathroom may well be the wet spot in any home, but water pooling around the base of the commode doesn't fall in t...
In the above photo, you're seeing what used to be a playroom for my two daughters. For years, the space contained the...
Some people hate their floors and long for a new look. Others love theirs but can't abide their minor imperfections: a scratch, dent, or loose tile. Whatever your...
The handiest people advocate keeping a pocket knife within reach (if not actually in a pocket) at all times. Its fold...
If you’re reluctant to rearrange the pictures on your walls because you dread dealing with the nail holes left behind...
Q: Help! Just as I was leaving the bathroom, I heard the unmistakable, undesirable sound of water hitting the floor. ...
Carpet is a costly investment that should last at least 10 years, but discoloration—thanks to spills, pet mishaps, an...
Flexible and versatile, this inexpensive material can prevent more expensive home issues down the road.
Clogs, squeaks, leaks, and other minor disasters strike even the most well-maintained homes. But you don’t necessarily need a professional handyman to cure what a...
Q: I went to transfer a load of laundry from the washer to the dryer, and the clothes were sopping wet! Why won't my ...
No matter how quietly you traipse through your home late at night, a squeaky floor will always trip you up and announ...
Key rings can get crowded (and heavy!) fast, when you consider all that you load up on them: keys for your car, front...
Q: Lately, when I take a shower, more water drips and runs out from behind the shower head faceplate than comes out t...
It’s a law of nature and of home-owning: whatever can go wrong, eventually will. With a bit of preparedness and forethought, though, damage from household mishaps...
Q. After dinner, I rinsed off the dishes in the sink like I always do, and then I flipped on the garbage disposal swi...
Drywall anchors certainly come in handy when you want to safely hang something heavy on a hollow wall or a spot witho...
Q: Even though my shower was perfectly toasty when I hopped in, it quickly chilled until there was no hot water left ...
From sinks to appliances, counters to cabinet hardware, stainless steel remains a popular kitchen trend, favored for ...
Q. Help! I went to the basement to do some laundry but found water on the floor instead! How do I rescue my flooded b...
Your home’s roof is its first line of defense against storms and extreme weather, be it a foot or more of snow droppi...
Concrete is tough stuff but over time, environmental exposure and wear-and-tear almost inevitably lead to cracks and ...
It’s been one of those days. You caught every red light on your way home from work, your laundry wasn’t ready at the ...
From a casual analysis of popular search terms, we can draw a few conclusions about people's feelings toward their bathrooms: They’re too small, there’s too much ...
The next time you're making a grocery list, be sure to add cleaners to your must-buys. Only on this trip to the store, you'll never have to set foot in the commer...
As one of the strongest, most durable, and longest-lasting construction materials, it's no wonder why concrete is the...
Nothing interferes with a refreshing shower like a slow-draining bathtub. And that inch or two of water that sneaks u...
If your around-the-house to-do list includes an ambitious DIY electrical project, be it installing a light fixture, r...
Over the course of millennia, builders have used everything from animal horns to whiskey in the making of stucco—an a...
Q: Help! I woke up after last night’s storm to find a discoloration on the kitchen ceiling and a puddle underneath. W...
The do-it-yourself ethos is one we heartily applaud. Most services provided by home maintenance pros aren't cheap, so taking care of small fixes on your own can s...
An essential at job sites, in workshops, and on garage shelves for more than 60 years, WD-40® Multi-Use Product has e...
Q: Help! My toilet won’t flush. The handle moves freely, but nothing happens when I press down. Can I fix it without ...
Plenty of DIYers find themselves eager to start a project only to come to a full stop when confronting rivets. The fa...
For construction professionals and homeowners alike, concrete offers many appealing qualities, but there may be none ...
When furniture fixes fall apart, it's usually because the tools and supplies weren't right for the job. Always rememb...
The lazy days of summer come with a catch. You want nothing more than to lounge around the yard. But having been drawn outdoors by sunny skies, you notice all the...
Even the nicest wall-to-wall carpeting can start to buckle, ripple, or wrinkle over time when it loosens and lifts fr...
Q: My central air conditioning system is leaking water. Any way I can DIY the repair and avoid an expensive repair bi...
Maybe there was a mishap while moving a major appliance. Or perhaps someone hung some pictures the old-fashioned way ...
Here’s an unpleasant thought: Our household drains see all sorts of horrors on a daily basis—hair, dirt, grime, and f...
Q: Parts of my concrete driveway are flaky, cracked, and pitted. How do I halt the deterioration and return the surfa...
We think of a doorknob as ubiquitous and mundane, yet a closer inspection can sometimes prove puzzling, leaving you t...
Walls take a beating. Overzealous furniture movers, rowdy kids, and constant doorknob bangs can leave dents, cracks, and holes that mar your walls' once-smooth su...
It’s easy to take doors for granted. Until they start sticking or binding, that is—or you install a new floor and sud...
Q: I’ve noticed that my freezer isn’t working as well as it used to. Is there any possibility of a quick fix instead ...
Drywall is tough, but it’s not indestructible. Over time, gypsum-board walls can sustain ugly cracks or holes. Fortun...
Whether you’re rewiring an old lamp, installing a new doorbell, or adding another outlet to a wall, the first step to...
Common knowledge, neighborly advice, old wives’ tales, and “the way my parents did it” all share one important characteristic: Sometimes they're just plain wrong....
Q: Help! My toilet is leaking all over the bathroom floor, and I haven’t yet located the source. How can I find and f...
Garage doors sometimes seem to have a mind of their own, often deciding when—and how far—they want to open or close. ...
We don’t give tub drains much thought until they give us trouble. Over time, tub drains clog and sometimes even corro...
Despite its reputation as one of the most rugged building materials ever conceived, even concrete has a sensitive sid...
Q: I jumped in my shower this morning and, holy cow, was it cold! After a quick inspection, I discovered my water hea...
It’s not surprising that the couch is the focal point of most living rooms. It’s often one of the largest pieces of furniture, and family and friends alike make a...
Homeowners are accustomed to dealing with all types of uncertainties, but there are at least two things you can consi...
From clearing clogged drains to filling nail holes, maintaining your home can seem like a MacGyver-esque challenge—but it doesn't have to be this way. Make light ...
Whether in the form of a windowpane, shower wall, or tabletop, glass serves as a durable and glamorous surface almost...
Q: Help! We have multiple lights flickering in our house. As far as I know my house isn’t haunted, but I can’t help w...
Here’s a cold-weather tidbit: Did you know that in many old homes, as much as a quarter of the heat generated by the ...
Drywall—commonly known as sheet rock—is one of the most popular construction materials used in finishing interior wal...
Duct tape is an extremely durable and versatile product that can be used to mend, patch, hem, and more. Here are 12 ways that you can put a roll of this ubiquitou...
The beginning of the new year is the perfect opportunity to start fresh. Here are 10 projects to keep your home in top condition, and kick off your year.
If your toilet’s clogged or your sink is stopped up, it’s time to take the plunge! Nine times out of 10, a clog can b...
Ding, dong! Your guests have arrived for dinner and drinks. But if your doorbell stops working, you could leave your ...
Wind, rain, snow, hail and falling tree branches can wreak havoc on your rain gutters. After an especially severe sto...
You know that little knob on top of the bathtub spout? It's tiny but not insignificant, as it performs the vital role...
Does your bed squeak every time you toss or turn? Learn how to bring peace back to your bedroom and improve the quality of your sleep.
Don't do what these homeowners did! Learn how to avoid costly mistakes and design disasters before you begin your next DIY renovation.
Everyone has reached for the Krazy Glue at least once when fixing a broken object. Its sheer versatility makes this accidental invention one of the most ubiquitou...
Maybe you’re a new homeowner, still unsure about what tools and supplies you need to own. Perhaps you've just downsized to a tiny house or apartment, and you’re l...
It's a cruel fact: Those factors that make home exterior siding so crucial are the same ones that undermine its performance over the long term. In other words, in...
Stucco is a wonderfully versatile wall treatment—durable, weather-resistant, and attractive. It's been used in countl...
While drywall is highly durable, it’s not indestructible. Over the years, interior walls take a beating, speckled wi...
All good things must come to an end, and that goes for summer too. On a blistering August afternoon, cold weather may seem like an almost inconceivably remote pro...
A house full of creaks, squeaks, buzzing, and bumps can keep you up at night and make you crazy all day. Check this list of quick fixes that will restore peace an...
If your vinyl flooring (or linoleum) has developed a tear, don't despair! There's an easy—and yes, rather unexpected ...
Look at any flat roof and, along the edges, you're likely to see a special type of flashing—the drip edge. Though not...
Does the water coming out of your faucet look a bit like the Mississippi River after a rainstorm? There are at least ...
There's no disagreement here: Concrete ranks among the most durable, longest-lasting of all building materials. That ...
Other than wood, concrete may be the most favored residential building material in the country, because builders and ...
A special type of cement, similar to mortar and easy to use, hydraulic cement is handy for preventing water from seep...
This post has been brought to you by Hyde Tools. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila. com. Perhaps you swung ...
Does your concrete walkway or driveway need patching? That’s an easy fix! Here’s how to do it. mp3 fileListen to BOB ...
The joys of homeownership are many—as are the little everyday challenges. The occasional leak or break is bound to happen, but there's no reason why these minor ...
Need to patch a hole in drywall? While you can resolve smaller problems with spackling paste, larger jobs call for a ...
If a few of the pavers in your patio or driveway have begun to sag, don't fret—there’s an easy, DIY-friendly fix. Her...
Replacing a screen on a wooden window frame? It's a straightforward job. To get it done right, and with a minimum of ...
Though caulk often lasts for years, it doesn't stick around forever. If yours has become discolored, has developed cr...
Vintage rattan furniture is getting harder to come by, so if you happen to run across a nice piece at a garage sale, ...
Is a slamming door driving you nuts? Have you had noise complaints from neighbors? Here are a few simple and inexpens...
Carpeting inevitably undergoes wear and tear, whether from foot traffic or the accidents of everyday life. If those f...
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...
Ceiling fans are great—until they get wobbly. What causes that to happen, and how can you go about fixing a wobbly ce...
Do you need a quick and easy way to fasten a patch onto sheet metal? Pop rivets make it pretty easy to do so. They co...
Chances are that, somewhere along the line, you've had to deal with a clog in your kitchen drain. Even if you make a ...
Has a pint-sized baseball player in your neighborhood recently hit a home run through your bedroom window? Here are s...
The toughest part of fixing a roof leak is often to figure out where the water is getting in. It's not uncommon for w...
If you've got a broken shingle or two on your roof, it's easy to repair the problem yourself. Most home centers sell ...
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 ...
There's a simple reason why builders relied on steam radiators for decades and decades—they work! But every technolog...
Steam-heat radiators may be good at keeping you warm, but their banging and clanking can also sometimes keep you up a...
Let's be clear: It's no fun to remove vinyl flooring. Peeling up the material itself is no picnic, but the real trial...
Installations of concrete can last hundreds of years, but sooner or later, most end up developing small cracks, gaps,...
Please help. My yard stays wet when it rains. I live in a subdivision with flat terrain. Is there a solution that doe...
Sure, you love your old wooden double-hung windows. But sometimes—after raising and lowering them—do you feel like yo...
In my house, several of our wood doors keep sticking. I've tried candle wax and have made sure all the screws in the ...
If your refrigerator door doesn't open and close as it should—or if it doesn’t seal as tightly as it's supposed to—th...
People go weeks, months, and even years without giving the toilet a second thought. The instant it clogs, however, th...
Ever hear a banging noise when you shut off faucets in the house? The problem could be what plumbers call "water hamm...
Sooner or later, most of us need to patch drywall, whether for purely cosmetic reasons—filling nail holes, for exampl...
Q: I’ve removed some carpet and want to refinish the hardwood floors below. What should I use to fill the holes left ...
Ever notice how pesky bugs manage to find their way through even the tiniest holes in your screens?Listen to BOB VILA...
It’s only a matter of time: Sooner or later, your chairs with upholstered seats become worn, dirty, or dated. When yo...
Q: My wife and I recently moved into a rental house, and we cannot seem to open the double-hung windows in the bedroo...
For a significant chunk of the 20th century, from the 1950s through the '80s, the ceilings in many new homes—particul...
Let’s be honest. Drywall repair is not something most people look forward to. Although it’s relatively straightforwar...
Q: My house is 55 years old and still has the original stucco. On one exterior wall, there's a fine crack with paint ...
There’s something so crisp and clean about a kitchen with a traditional, white porcelain enamel stove. But sometimes ...
The source of your home’s power is the breaker box, also known as the electrical panel or circuit breaker box. Whatev...
There are some maintenance and repair issues that homeowners just hate to deal with—either because they take time, or...
Q: Many of the drywall seams on my 40-year-old house are bulging. It doesn't appear as if the joint tape is pulling a...
Q: I have various scratches on my wood floors. Some add character, but some are just too big and need to go away. Wha...
If avoiding frustration and preserving your holiday spirit are at the top of the wish list this holiday season, learn...
If you have an old house with holes in the plaster, here's a quick way to patch them. Apply your base coat (or brow...
When you're renovating, save and recycle old hardwood floorboards for patching and repairing. Using a pry bar at eac...
Aluminum siding first became popular in the wake of World War II, when this metal, which had been so crucial to the w...
Here's how to re-glaze those old, broken window panes. First, remove the old glazing compound with a propane torch a...
I've got to remove some drywall in a room so I can nail studs behind the wall for anchoring purposes. What is the bes...
Here's how to stop squeaks in an old house with original floors you'd rather not replace. Preservationists use an ac...
If your garden hose has seen better days, don’t just send it to the landfill. There are some simple, inexpensive ways...
Here's a way to save time and energy when repairing floorboards. Instead of drilling and chiseling damaged floorboar...
Here's how to remove old plaster when starting a remodeling project. Have professionals remove any old electrical c...
It can be easy to patch cracks in an old wood floor or grout a new wood block floor. Here's how. First, make a mixtu...
Stop—don't panic! You, too, can unclog that drain with these easy steps for banishing the backed-up sink and toilet.
Don't throw out that rusty garden furniture. Restoring it can be a great weekend project. Use a wire brush or sandpa...
Here's a way to replace damaged ceramic tile. Remove the grout with a grout saw. Crack the tile with a hammer and c...
Here's how to restore the missing brass hardware from an antique door. The "ghost" image of original brass hardware...
Low water pressure in the house can be a real annoyance—the shower subsides to a trickle, the washing machine takes e...
Brick houses are hard to damage. Anyone familiar with The Three Little Pigs knows that. Inevitably, however, there co...
Making good decisions is the key to minimizing near- and long-term costs related to any home improvement. This is esp...
When choosing outdoor furniture for a garden room, outdoor kitchen, or multi-level deck, some consumers prefer qualit...
Can You Tackle Mold Removal on Your Own?Mold problems are present in about 4 out of 10 American homes. With the often...
Nowadays, we don’t give much thought to our toilets, but there was a time when answering nature's call involved such ...
A faucet—whether it’s in the kitchen, bathroom, or behind the bar—acts like a mini dam, holding back a pressurized st...
My wife and I recently reorganized our bedroom closet and added several new accessories, including a double rod hange...
Many older houses incorporate construction materials that contain asbestos. Usually its presence is uncovered during ...
You’re in the middle of a party, enteraining a houseful of guests, and the toilet acts up. Are you ready to spring in...
Your kitchen gets a lot of use. So it doesn't take long to begin seeing signs of wear and tear on wood cabinets. Soon...
Walls, normally thought of as interior design elements, are useful in landscaping, too. A landscaping wall can be fre...
Drywall has been the wall finishing material of choice for most of a century, because it’s so easy to install and fin...
A squeaky floor is easier to fix if it’s a floor that you can access from below. Listen to BOB VILA ON SQUEAKY FLOORS...
Water spots on ceilings and walls aren’t just unsightly--they can be a symptom of a much bigger problem that needs at...
Despite what the three little pigs might say, even the hardiest of brick buildings will require repair and restoratio...
We all know that life would be very different without that wonder of modern science: the toilet. But when it acts up,...
What Causes the Clanging?Water hammer is a common cause of banging pipes. In plumbing where water pressure is high, s...
Of all the siding materials you could use on your home, cedar shingles are one of the most attractive and long lastin...
Grace tweets, “The bathroom sink in my 1890s Victorian is draining really slowly. What’s the best way to get things f...
Be Gentle on Old Drains A partial clog can be cleared by cleaning out the drainpipe. Older plumbing can be damaged by...
A basement water problem can be as obvious as there being several inches of floodwater standing at the base of the st...
The cost of re-roofing is something no one wants to think about, but every roof—at some point—will need to be repaire...
It's a complete mystery to me how this could have happened to my roof in Florida. There are no palm trees around to d...
Some friends of mine moved into a new house and had a couple of issues with their bathroom. The sink drain was a litt...
Put the phone down! There's no need to call the plumber. In only six simple steps, you can unclog a drain that no longer flows as freely as it once did.
Finishing a new wall or room with plaster or joint compound takes practice. If you have no experience with plaster or...
The Virtues of Drywall Drywall has been the wall finishing material of choice for most of a century because it’s so e...
The door closer on my front porch—that mechanical cylindrical device that keeps the door from flying open too far and...
Architect Mary Kennedy and Bob tour her Georgian Colonial family home in Westchester County, NY. After a flood ruined the house, the challenge was to salvage and ...
Bob works with contractor Bob Ryley and carpenter Chris Clark installing new wood-shingle siding.
Bob meets with Ed and Lisa Zywusko, a husband-and-wife masonry team, and sees how they are going to refurbish the old brick chimney.
Carpenters Bob Ryley and Danny Ruffini and copper-work specialist Fred Mitchell install custom fabricated copper-lined wood gutters on Bob's home.
Tile is installed in the master bathroom’s shower area. A flashback reviews the waterproofing work that was done to prevent leaks.
Carpenters replace a rotted deck, and a rotted porch column is reconstructed with concrete.
Bob meets with the installer of the new HVAC system to discuss how it filters air and reduces energy costs.
Bob reviews the work done on the existing plumbing in the basement and the replacement of obsolete brass water pipes.
Basement drainage systems are installed to control moisture and humidity and to eliminate rot and mildew.
Bob meets with a local real estate broker and with homeowner Sarah Monzon, whose basement will be finished to create additional family space.
Bob discusses the installation of a plastic subfloor to prevent water damage and the selection of a basement dehumidifier.
Damaged sill is replaced, the house is protected against insects and rot, and sliding doors with custom trim molding are installed.
Bob meets with FLASH—Federal Alliance for Safe Housing and FEMA—Federal Emergency Management Agency, to learn how homeowners can protect their homes from damaging...
Bob visits the Bethesda Terrace in Central Park with Doug Blonsky of the Central Park Conservancy.
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...
Chris Borovka (from US Gypsum) joins Bob to explain about patching with plaster.
Bob meets with Beth Judge (of Clemson University) to review hazard-resistant building techniques at a demonstration house used to teach builders and architects in...
Bob meets with preservationist Fred Ecker to go over the process of making repairs to the floors.
Bob tours the finished house, the fifth in the Elmwood neighborhood project. Better grading and gutters have been added to prevent future water damage.
As part of a Miami kitchen renovation, Bob frames a partition wall made to resemble a banana leaf. He also pours concrete to patch a floor.
Bob examines the exterior of the home, where several layers of paint are removed, and contractor Cortney Lofton explains the techniques and tools used to restore ...
Bob and homeowner Gavin repair and refinish a 75-year-old oak floor. Because the new patch floor panels have a different thickness from the original, a belt sande...
Bob surveys the plaster cornice in the project home. Water damage has ruined a large section and much of the remaining plaster needs repair. Bob and restoration c...
Bob observers the expert plasterer add detail to the cornice, which is under reconstruction due to water damage.
Bob joins the plumber as he installs a shower stall in the kids' bathroom. After drilling the drain hole, the plumber demonstrates how to properly attach a metal ...
Bob and the architect survey the problem areas of the home and eventually focus on the decaying deck.
Bob has finished wiring the Colonial-style light fixture in the entryway and, back in the kitchen, the refrigerator ice maker is hooked up.
Bob helps general contractor Ron Gan demonstrate how to repair a broken window pane the old-fashioned way.
The tour of the project house continues up into the attic and down into the basement. Bob and general contractor Ron Gan discuss the necessary repairs and desired...
The roofing crew strips several ancient layers of old roofing off the project house, leaving a section open for the installation of the new dormer.
Ryan Pirro (from RestorationWindows.com) discusses refurbishing old windows with solid-bronze sash chains, new parting beads, and spring-bronze weather stripping ...
