Hot Construction & Repair Posts

How To: Install a piano hinge on a side door

A piano hinge is also called a continuous hinge, and is a popular hinge to use on side doors and other small doors. This tutorial shows you the proper method of installing a piano hinge on your current project. Besides the door and the hinge, you will also need some basic hardware: a drill and some screws, as well as a chisel to carve out an inset for the hinge to rest. Make sure you always measure carefully before cutting anything!

How To: Install patio doors in a brick wall

If you've got a brick wall and you're thinking of installing a door, you may have thought you were out of luck. Not so! This helpful how-to walks you through the steps so you can see how it's done. First off, know that this is not a simple task, so be prepared to wield a brick cutter, which is a serious tool in itself. After that you'll be framing out the door, shimming it up, and installing the door. Go for it!

How To: Install a T-Mold Transition Between Laminate & Ceramic Tile

Installing a T Mold Transition Between Laminate and Ceramic Tile There are several different types of laminate transitions that you may need when installing laminate flooring. Each one is used specifically for where the laminate flooring ends, such as where the laminate stops at ceramic tile. Other transitions are used where the laminate ends at carpet, vinyl flooring, a threshold or a step down such as a sunken living room or stairs.

How To: Fit door handles to a door properly

This is a video tutorial in the Home & Garden category where you are going to learn how to fit door handles to a door properly. The first thing to do is to insert the spindle in the door and check if it is of correct length. Quite often it might be longer. So, cut it to the correct size with a hacksaw. Next fit the handle over the spindle and make sure it is straight. Take measurements to ensure this. Holding the handle in place with one hand, drill holes with an electric drill and insert the...

How To: Remove door material to install a mortise lock

In this video we learn how to remove door material to install a mortise lock. If you live in an older home where you have to take out a chunk of the door to change the lock, there are ways to prevent doing this. First take a spade bit and slide it over the lock. After this, take the mortise lock and hold it so it's flush with the door. Go below the hole and above the closest obstruction and put a mark. On the back measure slightly beyond what it would take for this to bottom out. Once you hav...

How To: Install an interior door set on a pre-bored door

This video tutorial is in the Home & Garden category where you will learn how to install an interior door set on a pre-bored door. For this you will need a tube latch, straight plates, door plates, two knobs, two sets of ring guides and a spindle. You will also need a tape measure, ruler, screwdrivers, a drill and safety glasses. A pre-bored door has a face and an edge bore. First install the tube latch through the edge bore ensuring that the angle side of the tube face is towards the door ja...

How To: Fix a faucet leaking from around the handle

This video is a do it yourself project which will show viewers how to fix a leaking kitchen faucet which is leaking water from around the base of the handle. This problem is most likely caused by a broken cartridge, a Moen 1225B cartridge is used to replaced it. The first step which should be taken is to shut off the flow of water from the sink using the shutoff valves under the sink. Then, remove the handle and its adapter depending on the style of the handle which is leaking and remove the ...

How To: Install a ceramic soap dish in your bathroom shower

This video shows us how to install a ceramic soap dish in our bathroom shower. In this demonstration the instructor already had a slot in the shower tiles for the soap dish to go. Attach a long strip of masking tape on the edge of the soap dish. Mix some grout and place this on the part of the soap dish you are attaching. Be generous with the amount so you know it will stay. Place the soap dish in the slots and use the tape that you attached to be extra security that your dish will not fall. ...

How To: Install a door and sidelights

So you'd like to know how to install a door with sidelights, would you? Well, you're in luck. This handy handyman's guide will show you precisely what you'll need to know to get the job done (and well at that). For more information, including a step-by-step breakdown of the project, watch this free video home DIY tutorial.

How To: Easily cover screws and nails using drywall mud

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to cover screws and nails with drywall mud during drywall installation. Users will need a taping knife tool. Apply the drywall mud over the screw or nails and use the taping knife to flatten the mud over the screw or nail. Use the knife to take off any excess mud. Apply 2-3 layers of drywall mud over the screw, depending on how long the screw head is. This video will benefit those viewers who are in the construction trades or doing home renovation and...

How To: Cut a crown molding and coving scarf joint

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to cut a scarf joint in crown molding and coving. Scarf joint is simply two flat planes meeting on an angle relative to the axis of the stock being joined. Users will need a magic miter. The magic miter is a miter box for cutting miter joints at any angle in crown molding, baseboard, chair rails and more. Adjust the machine to a 45 degree angle and lock it. Put in the mold and cut it. Repeat the same step for the other side. This video will benefit th...

How To: Cut the perfect inside corner with a miter saw

This video, from Superior Building Supplies, demonstrates the proper technique for cutting the inside corners of crown molding. The presenter suggests downloading several diagrams from the Superior Building Supplies website. These diagrams show the correct position of the miter for several different cuts. When using a miter saw think of the fence as the ceiling and the table as the wall. Cuts for inside corners will always be made using 45 degree angles on your miter saw. Using these techniqu...

How To: Tighten radiator valves

In this video you will learn how to tighten radiator valves using a spanner and water pump pliers. If you find that your radiator valves are leaking, follow these simple steps to remedy the situation: If you take a look at your lock shield valve, you may see signs that it has been leaking. Grip the valve with a pair of water pump pliers. This will prevent you from breaking the copper pipe. Tighten in a clockwise direction. Feel with your fingers to make sure there are no more leaks.

How To: Remove & replace a hardwood floor board

Need to replace or repair a single hardwood floor board? Don't want to pay people hundreds of dollars to do it? Well, if you have a circular saw and a straightedge. Then you can do-it-yourself by following this video. First of all, remove the old board by cutting a section of it using the saw and prying it out with the straightedge. Then, get your new floor board, which should be retrofitted, then apply some adhesive and fit the board back into the spot where the old board was. Hammer the new...

How To: Install a shower wand and arm

This video will show you the advantages of a shower wand and how to install one easily. A shower wand can help you clean the shower and clean pets too. To remove the shower head you will need a strap wrench. You may want to change the shower arm if it has too many scratches; use the handle of a set of pliers. Use Teflon tape when reassembling the fixtures to ensure a watertight fit. The new bracket has a built in holder for the wand.

How To: Hold small nails when hammering

This video shows you how to hold small nails without hitting you fingers with a hammer. Get a piece of paper and push the nail through the paper. Position the nail where you want it and begin hammering it in. Before the nail is totally in, remove the paper and continuing the hammering. You can cut a little slit into a piece of cardboard putting the small nail into the slit before hammering. You can also put the small nail between the teeth in a comb before hammering.

How To: Drill a shank hole or clearance hole

Drywall screws were originally created specifically for drywall projects. But they have become increasing popular for woodworking projects because you can often screw them into a soft piece of wood without having to drill a pilot hole. But because they have threads all the way up to the head of the screw they will not pull two pieces of wood tightly together. So to get the drywall screw to hold two pieces of wood tightly together you have to drill a shank hole through the first piece of wood ...

How To: Paint screw heads without making a mess

If you need to paint the screw heads you can do it without making a mess. If you try to hold them in your fingers and paint them you will get paint all over your fingers. Now you don't have to do that. Take a plastic shopping bag and cut the bottom off of it. Take that bottom piece of bag and stretch it over a can like a drum. Tape the bag tightly to the can so that the bag is stretched tight. Take the screws and screw them into the plastic on top of the can so that they are standing up. Now ...

How To: Install a glass vessel sink or countertop

This video tutorial shows you how to install a glass vessel sink or countertop. First you need to make sure that the glass vessel sink or countertop has all of the pieces needed and that none of the pieces are scratched or broken. You then need to place the mouthing ring on the countertop where the sink is going to go. Make sure that the rubber side is facing down. Then carefully set the sink on the mouthing ring. You must then take off the tail piece of the pop up drain. Take off the ridge a...

How To: Restore rusty ceiling grid systems

Update your nasty, ugly ceiling grid in your home or office. With this video tutorial, see how to restore rusty ceiling grid systems. Ceiling Armor Grid Cover will update rusty and discolored ceiling grid systems for a fraction of the cost of replacement. This unique cover snaps on to a standard grid system without any special preparation. This washable solid vinyl cover is suitable for standard ceiling grids in kitchens, restaurants, bakeries, pools, rest rooms and outdoor ceiling locations.

How To: Install a towel bar on a bathroom wall or hollow door

This two part how to video series demonstrates how to install a towel rod or towel rack (remember click on chapter two for the hollow door video instructions). In the first video, your instructor takes you through all the necessary steps of installing a towel bar: measuring, screwing, and assembling. The second video demonstrates how to hang a towel rod on a hollow door. Hollow doors require an extra step when hanging a towel bar. You need a few more tools, but the end result is a towel bar t...

How To: Install a range hood wall vent

Range hoods are a necessity in any kitchen. A properly installed range hood will vent hot air and cooking odors outside as well as help keep kitchen surfaces free of grease. The trickiest part of installing a range hood is determining how to run the ventilation ducts. Depending on the location of your range, you will need to decide if it is easier to vent through an outside wall versus up through the roof. Use this tutorial if you determine that venting through an outside wall is the best route.

How To: Hang a door

Changing your doors can instantly improve the look of your home, and yes, it is a job you can do yourself. It just takes a couple of hours, a lot of patience and this step by step video tutorial. Stop hanging around, watch this video on how to hang a door and get to it.

How To: Build a gravel road

In this gravel road construction video series, learn how to make a gravel road from Ben Ingham. Ben will give you gravel road construction tips such as how to choose a location for a gravel road, how to smooth out the ground before laying the gravel, how to smooth out the gravel, and what equipment is best for making a gravel road.

How To: Lay Wall Tiles

G'day Knuckleheads. In this Owner Builder Series Episode we're up to doing the wall tiling in the bathrooms. Justin gives out some very handy tips on how to lay wall tiles in the bathroom. Check it out and let me know what you think.