Construction & Repair: Page 13

Installing wall tile is basically the same procedure as installing floor tile. And it offers the same advantages: flexibility of design; a wide range of colors, materials and patterns; and if installed correctly, years of durability. Ceramic or porcelain tile makes an attractive backsplash behind sinks and stoves, or encasing a bathroom or shower. It's a strong and easy-to-clean material that offers great decorative advantages for areas exposed to water, while resisting moisture intrusion and...

A new coat of paint can do wonders for a dull, drab room. But sometimes you want to go a step further. Applying a knockdown texture to the wallboard before painting can help deaden sound, hide any imperfections in the drywall and, more important, provide a warm and rustic feel to the room, similar to Spanish-style stucco. For more, or to get started on your own wall texturing project, watch this DIY video tutorial.

A carport, or lean-to shed, attached to an existing building such as a garage, barn, shed or the side of your house can provide economical shelter for vehicles, garden tractors, boats or other equipment. An attached carport is also fairly easy to construct against the side of another building, if you have enough height under the existing building eave. For a step-by-step look at the carport construction process, take a look at this DIY video tutorial.

In this video tutorial, you'll find instructions for building a standard joist design playground slide, supported by 3-by-4 posts and secured with galvanized fasteners. All fasteners exposed to the outdoors must be weather-resistant, galvanized, zinc-coated brass or stainless steel. Standard homeowner tools are all you'll need to complete your slide—a tape measure, post-hole digger, circular saw, sawhorses and a level. A good drill/driver is a great tool if using decking screws as fasteners....

It's fun to be out in warm weather cutting big timbers and doing a project that sees quick, upward progress. In this video, you'll find instructions for building a post and plank-style retaining wall. This post-and-plank retaining system is based on the way seawalls (or bulkheads) work. You set posts into the ground, vertically, then plank behind them. This creates a wall with texture and shadow lines with nice hollows between the posts for plantings or grass. And, because there's so much post...

So many bench-top style tools are available today it's easy to accumulate several, including table saws, jointers, sanders, scroll saws, planers and others. With either purchased or shop-made individual stands, the tools can take up a lot of room. In this video tutorial, you'll learn to build a roll-around tool cabinet that can easily be rolled out for access to a variety of tools placed on top. It features a large bench top with locking rollers, and a huge storage cabinet beneath, which...

To install a sliding patio or deck door, first decide a practical, aesthetically logical and structurally sound location for the entranceway. Do not locate a patio door closer than 4 feet from any corner, otherwise the solid-wood sheathing or metal bracing at the corners could be compromised. Also, plan ahead. We chose the door's location in part because it allowed the option of later adding a bathroom at the corner of the adjacent wall. For a step-by-step at the installation process, take a...

Decks and patios are a major source of America's entertainment and relaxing enjoyment, but they can be hot in the summer sun. They can actually be dangerous if they reflect the sun's ultraviolet rays. And running your grill during a rainstorm that arrives the same time as your guests can be a real frustration. One answer is a sunroof over your patio or deck. If designed properly, a sunroof can cut the summer sun, but still allow winter sun rays to warm the house. The sunroof shown is a typical...

Why pay a contractor to do projects that, with a little effort and perseverance, you can do yourself? In this video tutorial, you'll learn how install crown molding in a rectangular room by coping your inside corners. For a step-by-step look at the crown molding installation process for a rectangular room, take a look at this DIY how-to.

In this DIY gardening video tutorial, you'll find instructions on constructing your own compost bin. More precisely, this video will show you how to build a compost bin from recycled skids and coat hangers that'll have your friends green with envy. Take a look!

In this sixth part in the series on building your deck, you will be installing the structure that will support the joists and flooring of your deck. It is critical that these parts are sturdy and solid. Before you begin framing your deck, you should have the ledger installed along the house and the concrete pads poured and dried thoroughly. These create the various supporting elements for your deck. Next to the house, the deck joists will be attached directly to the ledger. Meanwhile, the...

Installing the decking joists the will provide the framing platform for the deck boards is the seventh step in our series on building your deck. Before you can install the joists, the ledger should be in place along the house and the girders should be secured to the posts. The joists will be anchored to the house via the ledger and then supported by the girders. Take careful measurements, cut carefully, and be sure that your joists are very sturdy before moving on to the next steps. For...

Deck railings are important to both the safety and the aesthetic appearance of your deck. In other words, a railing is the perfect blend of "strength and beauty."

Drywall is a great way to easily cover the studs, electrical, and piping that hide inside your ceiling. You can even use drywall to replace cracked plastered ceilings without the technical expertise needed to smoothly cover a ceiling with plaster.

Installing a deadbolt is a relatively quick and simple do-it-yourself project. You can make your home much safer – and less attractive to thieves --- with a little effort and a few simple tools.

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 the roof is the best route.

Roof ventilation principles are very straightforward -- a cool attic is a happy attic! You need to create a flow of air that enters the overhang of your roof through soffit vents, then flows straight up through the rafters and out through a ridge vent. To help facilitate airflow, it may be necessary to install a thermostat-controlled exhaust fan.

Distorted and curled up shingles are often a sign of insufficient or complete lack of attic ventilation. Attic ventilation is crucial in keeping your home's roof sound and your interior comfortable. Installing soffit vents will increase the airflow under your roof. This will extend the life of your roof and help alleviate ice dams and attic condensation in the winter. In addition, this will reduce your heat build-up in the summer and thus save you money on your air-conditioning bill.

Paneling is so common among many American basements that we often forget that it can be installed in any part of a home. However, it is frequently used to finish the concrete walls of a basement because of its affordability, durability, and ability to make the downstairs livable.

Have you ever felt cold in your older home, even with the heat cranked? Ever feel drafts that seem to come from nowhere? And conversely, in the summer, is your home an oven? Many older houses are improperly insulated, if there is any insulation at all. This can have a large impact on your heating and cooling bills. Loose-fill insulation can be blown into your walls and attic to help increase the efficiency of your house, significantly decreasing your heating and cooling expenses.

Who needs more storage space? We all do! You may have an untapped gold mine of storage space just over your head, but it is probably too impractical to access. Of course we are referring to your attic, which unfortunately has only a small access door through one of your closets. Every time you need to get into your attic you have to clear out the clothes in the closet and find a stepladder. Maybe it is time to consider a disappearing stairway and put the attic space to good use. (If your attic...

Installing new cabinets in your kitchen can greatly enhance the look and functionality of your kitchen - plus, updated kitchens are a major selling point for homebuyers. All you need to do is select the prefabricated cabinet style that you like and spend a weekend installing your new cabinets.

There are many different types of countertops, but of all those available, post-form countertops are probably the quickest and easiest to install. Post-form countertops consist of a laminate surface that is glued to a particleboard base. Typically, the base is shaped so that there is a curved front edge and an integrated backsplash with either squared off or 45-degree angle ends available.

Your home's roof is the first line of defense in keeping the elements out. A common problem among both new and old roofs alike is damaged shingles. Wind, falling tree limbs, or just normal wear and tear can damage shingles. It is critical to replace damaged shingles to prevent more expensive damage from occurring.

Taping drywall is almost an art form. It takes practice and a lot of patience. A good taper can hide any mistakes that were made in hanging the drywall. To finish drywall, you must tack into place corner bead to all corners. Then, apply joint compound to all seams, nail and screw holes and corners. When joint compound dries – it shrinks. Therefore, 3 coats of compound will be needed with sanding in between coats. For complete, step-by-step instructions for this DIY project, watch this friendly...

Valances add a great touch to windows that you do not want to cover completely, but that you also do not want to leave bare. Bare windows can seem cold and uninviting, and adding window dressing such as a window valance will make your room much more homey and warm. There are several styles of valances from which to choose. This valance is a single rod valance requiring a 2 1//2" flat curtain rod. Although this valance is intended to be poufed, it can be left as a flat valance for a more...

Is your house heated by big clunky radiators? Are they eyesores that are taking up valuable space in each room? If so, you can build custom radiator covers that will attractively hide the metal monsters and provide you with a convenient shelf for storage or decorative pieces.

Feel that chilly draft coming through your doors and windows? It might not be as difficult or costly to solve as you might think!

The durability and aesthetic characteristics of brick patios and walkways make for the foundation of great spaces around your home. While installing brick walks and patios is not a difficult task, it may be rather time consuming depending on the size of the patio or walkway. When laying brick that will be walked on it is necessary to use paving quality bricks. These bricks are generally fired longer and at a higher temperature making them more suitable for a variety of weather conditions and...

Do you want to level a steep slope on your property or enclose an area for a decorative garden? Building a concrete block retaining wall is easier than you may think.

A garage door opener has become an almost indispensable part of modern life. It offers an overwhelming number of convenience and safety features that will make you wonder how you lived without one for so long. On a rainy night, the last thing you want to do is climb out of your car and heave the garage door open manually. Some garage door openers include an outdoor keypad that enable you to punch in a code to open the door – just in case you don't have the remote control or your house keys....

Each year, if you have an asphalt driveway, it is important that you sealcoat your driveway against the elements. Doing so regularly will prevent the cycles of melting and freezing water from destroying your driveway. After you have patched the large cracks (over ¼") and holes in your blacktop by folllowing our tutorial on Repairing Asphalt Cracks, you are ready to start sealcoating the entire driveway. Be sure that you are wearing old clothing (this is not a "clean" project), that the...

Mark Donovan of shows how to Fix a leaky frost free sillcock or outdoor faucet. Oftentimes, the washer is loose, but other repairs are just as simple. Watch this video home repair tutorial and learn how to fix a leaky outdoor faucet.

This instructional video demonstrates how to build level and squared walls. It's important that when you frame your walls that they be perfectly square; otherwise, you may have serious problems when it comes time to finish the room. Learn how to square up a room with this tutorial.

This how to video is a quick excerpt from a DIY show. Find out how to select and install cabinets for a bathroom makeover. Watch and get tips for installing your own bathroom sinks and cabinets. Doing things yourself will save money in the long run.

Remodeling your bathroom can be expensive unless you know know how to do things yourself. This how to video is a quick excerpt from a DIY show. Watch and learn how to build a support system for a whirlpool bathtub.

In this how to video Amy Wynn Pastor helps a homeowner build a set of exterior stairs. Watch and get tips on remodeling your home. A new staircase not only add a new look to your home but it also adds value to it.

Everyone loves a room with a view, even your pet. This custom designed shelf for a pet can easily attach to a window frame. Watch this how to video to learn how to create a pet window seat for your cat.

Take a look at how to successfully repair a hole in a drywall. This video how to video demonstrates how to use a utility knife and a drywall compound to seal it all up. You wont have to call a repair guy to patch any holes in your walls.

Watch this how to video to get tips and tricks on how to insert screws into hardwood. This simple soap method makes driving screws into hardwood far easier. Start my marking spot where the screw is to be inserted, draw pilot holes, run the screw across a bar of soap and finally drill it into the wood.