Construction & Repair: Page 4

Start your masonry project by building a concrete "footer" using standard construction techniques. Use 1" x 4" or 2" x 4" lumber as form boards. Nail or screw the wood boards to 1" x 2" stakes hammered into the ground using enough stakes to keep the forms from spreading out when the concrete mix is poured into them. Another bit of advice is to keep the stakes below the top part of the boards so you can "Skreet" the concrete out nice and flat. Also try and keep the forms as level as...

What do you do when you desperately need to put a parking garage into the bottom floor of your Victorian apartment building, but the city's Department of Planning says "No". The simple and expensive answer: Create an elaborate secret garage door.

I have been in the carpet business for over 20 years cleaning, repairs and dyeing carpets for customers who have permanent stains and a need to redye the carpet to a darker shade . Also have been called to eliminate pet and bleach stains in my local area. neutralizing the areas adding color to small and larger areas with great success. Many customers have called me back their maid service worker may have drip cleaning chemicals on their carpet drips and drops in various areas out of bath and...

Here's a rich man's problem for you: two NYC East Village penthouse condos and the need for one combined living space. What do you do? Simply add a helical slide! When the homeowners came up with this fun idea for combining their two condos, they contracted architecture firm TCA to design and construct two separate options to descend and ascend between the two living spaces— an Italian-made "Rintal" stair (an open spiral staircase), or the much speedier and much livelier option: a stainless...

This is the second video in the series on how to build a Geodesic Dome greenhouse.  The video will detail the key component that holds the entire structure together - the hub.  There are details about 3 various designs (2 which failed) along with the details of how the final hub is assembled.

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!

If you've got a brick house and are looking to install a door in the brick, this how to will get you there. Be prepared, it's a big job and you'll need to be comfortable wielding several power tools. Are you ready to take the challenge?

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!

There are 2 kinds of shower door seals and sweeps.

I feel sorry for all of you homeowners stuck in snow right now.  The snowy, blizzard conditions effecting most of the country is causing some serious headaches across our nation.  And it's not just the cold weather I'm talking about.  I'm talking about ice dams— something that more suitably should have been called ice damns, because they pretty much damn your roof to hell.

Laminate flooring can be installed on a flight of stairs, and this process can also be used when installing laminate on a floor and having to drop down a step to a sunken room.

Your home's siding will only last so long, so when it's time to replace it, what will you do? Well, calling a professional will cost you thousands, but this home video from Buildipedia will walk you through the steps to replace your home's siding yourself.

Wood decks can be a wonderful thing, however they do require cleaning and maintainence. This DIY video gives you the info you'll need to clean, repair and refinish your wood deck, ensuring it's looking great when it's time for that backyard blow out.

A little trim can really add a nice look in your house or apartment. This DIY from Buildipedia gives you clear, easy instructions on this task that any home DIYer can do with a few tools. Give it a look and give it a try!

Ever experience a devastatingly embarrassing fall on the ice? Perhaps as a child in front of, say, an entire school bus of your peers? (Let's just say I haven't tread lightly on icy sidewalks since the age of 12.) If you've been battling icy terrain this winter, you may want to avoid such embarrassment and consider building a pair of cheap ice cleats. All you need is a couple screws, two metal plates, and some mesh straps, and you'll be prepared for the slipperiest of situations.

Need a smooth, polished, and glossy surfaced piece of acrylic for your next project? Then check out this video for a handy guide on how to sand, cut, and polish Perspex, a type of acrylic, for a high-gloss finish. Perspex is thick and difficult to work with, but this video will give you tips for a professional look.

Rob Keith had just got back from a hard day at college. Doing majors in economics can really tend to take a toll on your social life. Rob’s favorite de-stressing session was to relax at his backyard poolside table with his family or friends. Unfortunately for him, his pool had become more like a desert. The winds in Arizona left no mercy as they scattered leaves and blew debris all over the water as well as spoiling the deck.The pool was a complete wreck. It was embarrassing for the Keiths as...

Live in the future (à la Star Trek, circa 1966) with uiproductions' pneumatic air-powered sliding door:

Georgia Falls, 2009Rob Keith had just got back from a hard day at college. Doing majors in economics can really tend to take a toll on your social life. Rob’s favorite de-stressing session was to relax at his backyard poolside table with his family or friends. Unfortunately for him, his pool had become more like a desert. The winds in Arizona left no mercy as they scattered leaves and blew debris all over the water as well as spoiling the deck.The pool was a complete wreck. It was embarrassing...

Most of the Fitting Instructions have been produced by myself, they are designed in a step by step easy to follow format which will help with the fitting of new cables, springs, roller spindles or general routine maintenance.*I am constantly updating and adding more Fitting Instructions, if the Instructions for your garage door part is not yet listed please ask for assistance.*

The UK's Favourite for Garage Door Spares! Garage Door Cones and Cables,Springs,Roller Spindles,Remotes,Locks and Handles

I was working as manager for a construction company that was performing an up fit on a century old building in downtown Concord, N.C. The owners wanted us to move a two thousand pound (that's a ton!) safe up to the second story so that it could be displayed in their new office. The safe was located between the first and second floors in a small office that was used for accounting purposes in the old days when said building had been a hardware store.

Times are tight, but no one deserves to stare at an old, fugly bathroom day after day. If you simply can't stand the hot pink paint the previous owners left on the walls anymore or your linoleum floor is falling apart, check out this video to learn how to plan bathroom renovations wisely and on a budget.

We understand why companies affix sticky labels to their products. We just don't understand why they manufacture these labels with unyielding, Godzilla strength glue. Who wants to open up a new microwave only to end up with partially peeled labels and glue stains?

While most of us have mailboxes from which we receive our deliveries, some of us still have small slits in our front doors known as letter box holes. This allows for the mailman to deliver mail straight into our homes, which is convenient for all intensive purposes.

Just because a person is cordial enough to knock at your door doesn't mean that he isn't a conman or burglar out to knock you out and steal all your belongings. So you can probably understand the usefulness of a spy hole, or a door viewer.

Timing your cooking is everything. And if you happen to be a mom who works full time and then flies back home to prepare dinner for your family, then making sure you hard boil your eggs for five minutes while you bake your pie for half an hour can easily turn into a burnt mess if you're not careful.

Removing lightbulbs that have gone out is easy enough: Unscrew the broken lightbulb and then pop in a new one. But what if your lightbulb happens to be broken with sharp edges?

In this video, we learn how to build a tipi. First, measure poles to make sure they are the same size, around 23 feet long. After this you will use a rope to tie the poles together so they are flat. To build the tipi, use the middle wooden pole to prop up in the very center. Make sure the rope is woven through the poles tightly and they are spaced apart. After these are secured together, you can bring them up into the air and set them against other poles to stand up. From here, decorate and use...

In this tutorial, we learn how to pitch a large tipi. First, work on the tripod and get it lifted up. Recruit people to help you get it lifted up and pull it up with a rope. Use poles to help keep it in place so it won't fall back down. Swing the tripod up until it's in the air. Place them to where they will go according to your measurements. Use a tape measure to see where everything should go, so you know you are putting it in the right spot. After this, your tipi will be pitches and set up!

The video begins with a finished fence being shown as an example of what your final product should look like. The first step is to lay out straight lines with string to create the outline of fence parameter. To set the first post you must dig a five inch hole in the ground which the post is placed in. The post will be set along the string line spaced out about four inches evenly along the parameter. the holes must be filled in with rock or cement to set them securely. You must then nail...

Two easy solutions for avoiding pesky drill dust. You will need: a Post-it and/or a disposable paper cup.

Tired of your old front entry doorknob? Get rid of it in lieu of something a little classier (and safer). A handleset is the perfect way to make your front door stand out, and this video will show you how to install one— specifically, Schlage Plymouth Handleset. You'll need a phillips head screwdriver, tape measure, battery drill, 3/8" drill bit and a Sharpie or other marking device. To see how to install the matching deadbolt, click here.

Measuring a staircase for a Summit Stair Lift is a simple process, but it's important that it's done right. This video will outline the quick measuring process so you can start your stair lift installation with no problems.

In this tutorial, we learn how to insulate your attic with Eric Johnston. To figure out if you have enough insulation, you need to measure the depth of the insulation that you have. Generally, you should have around 22" of insulation in attics. The highest percentage of energy loss is through the attic, even if it's a new home. You can use a blown in insulation system that is easy to install and will not cause a huge mess. With this, you will be able to have your home be much warmed and you...

In this tutorial, we learn how to lay down ceramic tile. Start off by laying down the mortar for the base. After this, scrape it around with the ridged laying tool. Then, lay the tile down flat and place a spacer in between the one that it is next to. Once you are finished with this one, continue the same process for the rest of them. Make sure you are laying the tile down totally flat and it is lined up with the other ones. There should be spacers in between all of the different tiles that are...

In this tutorial, we learn how to easily install a toilet. When you pull it out of place, there will be black residue on the toilet, scrape this off with a knife. From here, you will need a wax ring and plumber's putty to apply to the toilet. Once this is on the bottom of the toilet, it will help it stay in place and save you a lot of anguish. Now, take the plumber's putty and put it around the edge of the toilet. Now, when you install the toilet it will be sealed to the floor and stay in place...

In this tutorial, we learn how to install a new toilet seat in your bathroom. You will need to get on your knees to do this, but it's a simple process. First, find the two bolts on the toilet seat and unscrew them. After this, remove the toilet seat. From here, you can place the new toilet seat down. Go to the bottom of the toilet and find where the screws are placed at. Twist these until they are secure in place. Then, use a screwdriver to screw them in place on the top. This will finish your...

In this tutorial, we learn how to drill porcelain tile like a professional. You will first need to get a blade that is round and very sharp. Place this on the porcelain and then gently rock the blade back and forth until it cuts the tile all the way through. Make sure you place tap underneath this to catch any of the dust and debris that flies away from you while you're cutting. Remember not to use really strong force to the drill while you are using it, to prevent any wrong cuts on the...

In this video, we learn how to install a toilet seat. Start off by screwing the screws into the knots on the base of the toilet seat. After this, you will lay this down gently on top of the toilet and line up the screws. After this, you will go underneath the toilet. While you're down there, you will need to place on the screws to make sure that the toilet seat and the toilet are down securely. Once you are done, your toilet seat will be installed and it will be brand new and ready to use....