Hot Construction & Repair Posts
How To: Fix a squeaky door in seconds
Is a squeaky door in your house bringing you down, and making the house seem haunted? Well, it's a simple solution to fix. As Phillips Woodworking shows us, it's merely a matter of greasing the hinges. Once you get some WD-40 and apply it correctly, your door will make no more noises.
How To: Mix and use sanded floor grout
Before you grout a floor, take the time to be sure that you really know what you're doing. Mistakes you make now can come back to haunt you later. A lot of people try to use wall grout, for instance, which doesn't work well and eventually cracks. What you really want top use is sanded grout. In this 4-part tutorial series, Tim Carter, of Ask the Builder, demonstrates how to mix up and use sanded grout when you're putting down a tile floor.
How To: Install ceramic tile on concrete using thinset mortar
In this video, Tim Carter, of Ask the Builder, shows you how to install tile on a concrete floor. As Carter explains, you want to use thinnest to apply the tile. But before you do, be sure to clean the concrete first with a wet sponge. A lot of floor installers don't do this, and the floor is still dusty when they put the thinnest down. This can create problems later.
How To: Use thinset for ceramic tile floors
Many people use mastic when applying ceramic floor tiles, not realizing that mastic will never completely set and is thus vulnerable to cracks if you put a lot of weight on it. Thinset is actually a much better product for a job like this. In this video, Tim Carter, of Ask the Builder, will show you how to use thinnest to apply floor tiles.
How To: Remove drywall without damaging connecting walls
In this video, Tim Carter, of Ask the Builder, will show you a quick tip for how to remove drywall so you can demo a wall without damaging the walls around it. All you need is a razor knife. If you just take a minute to trim the seam along the wall, you can save yourself from having to repair a whole of expensive damage later.
How To: Determine if a wall is load-bearing before removal
Before you remove any wall in a home remodeling project, it's essential to determine if it's a load-bearing wall or not. If you rush ahead without making sure first, you just might bring the roof down on your head! In this video, Tim Carter, of Ask the Builder, will show you how to determine of a wall is load-bearing or not before you remove it.
How To: Repair blacktop driveway cracks
A cracked driveway blacktop isn't just an eyesore. If you leave little cracks in your blacktop driveway alone, they can become bigger problems later. In this video, Tim Carter, of Ask the Builder, will teach you will teach you about blacktop repair.
How To: Repair stucco cracks
Stucco cracks aren't just unsightly. They can also create structural problems for your home. In this tutorial, you'll learn a few of the different ways to repair exterior stucco cracks. Doing a small repair now can save you a whole lot of trouble later.
How To: Do a knockdown repair
No, despite how it sounds, a knockdown repair doesn't involve repairing things that have been knocked down. A knockdown in this case refers to a knockdown wall texture. In this simple video tutorial, you'll learn how to repair a knockdown texture that's been damaged.
How To: Apply stucco
Using stucco, you can completely transform the look of your indoor or outdoor space. The process can look intimidating at first, but it' really pretty simple once you know what you're doing. In this short video from the DIY Network, Rock Solid hosts Dean Marsico and Derek Stearns explain how to apply stucco.
News: World's Most Magical Treehouses
What is it about the fantasy of the treehouse? Escapism. Other worldly, bird-like elevation. Beauty and peacefulness. Backwoods simplicity (although in some cases, truly elaborate works of fine architecture). Whatever the draw is, I'm dying to have my own treehouse in the woods, and I'd gladly take any of the examples below.
How To: Build a deck step by step with Lowe's
If you're not an everyday woodworker, then building a deck may be a challenge for you. But it's not as hard as it might seem. If you follow all of the required steps for deck building, you'll have one of the best ones on the block, and be pretty darn proud of it, too!
How To: Lay bricks with joint spacers
Using joints spacers to lay bricks makes things a lot easier and perfect. You'll get that perfect 3/8" mortar joint every time. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to lay bricks with joint spacers.
How To: Unclog a garbage disposal
Holidays such as Thanksgiving are doomsday for most garbage disposals due to clogs. If you're garbage disposal is clogged, check out this video to see some helpful tips on how to fix it.
News: Roly-Poly Bridge
Heatherwick Studio's London based rolling bridge is an engineering marvel. Lots of fun, and immensely satisfying to watch (via YouTube, assuming you can't see it in person).
News: Why Not Swing Indoors
Who wouldn't love an indoor swing? The upcoming cold winter season is one good reason to build one, but truly, an indoor swing is just plain fun all year round. Luckily Apartment Therapy has posted a How-To on building a simple wooden plank swing.
News: Insanely GINORMOUS Treehouse
Whoa, presenting the world's hugest, tallest, largest Treehouse built by Horace Burgess of Crossville, Tennessee.
News: Architecture With a 720º Panaramic View
Evolver is a fun little piece of architecture with an incredible 720º panoramic view of Zermatt, Switzerland. The structure was built by second year students of the ALICE Studio at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).
How To: Patch a small hole in drywall
While drywall is an inexpensive building material, it's not the sturdiest. Luckily, repairing the inevitable holes is a quick and easy process.
How To: Repair a chimney cap on your home
YouTube's hardwarehelper teaches you how to repair a chimney cap on your home. At worst, you'll have to caulk the edges, but this is a nice, fairly permanent solution to capping a chimney.
How To: Install an interior pre-hung door in your home
Have a new door that needs installed? Well, first thing you're going to have to do is remove the old one, then you're ready to go! Check out this home improvement video tutorial on how to install an interior pre-hung door in your home.
How To: Repair nail pops
This video demonstrates how to repair nail pops. From the people who brought you the Dummies instructional book series, brings you the same non-intimidating guides in video form. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to repair nail pops, For Dummies.
How To: Hang things on hollow walls
This video demonstrates how to hang things on hollow walls. From the people who brought you the Dummies instructional book series, brings you the same non-intimidating guides in video form. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to hang things on hollow walls, For Dummies.
How To: Caulk windows
This video demonstrates how to caulk windows. From the people who brought you the Dummies instructional book series, brings you the same non-intimidating guides in video form. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to caulk windows, For Dummies.
How To: Spot a dishonest contractor for home repair
Learn how to spot a dishonest contractor for home repair. It’s no accident contractors have such a bad reputation – they get more fraud complaints than any other workers! Here’s how to find a reputable one – and skip the scammers.
How To: Hang a door properly
Hanging a door evenly isn't easy, and if you screw it up, you'll probably have to start over with a brand new door. Master this skill, however, and save a bundle in installation fees.
How To: Fix a door that sticks
Instead of pushing, pulling, and cursing, why not fix that door that sticks? You Will Need
How To: Easily tighten screw hooks and eye hooks
Get some simple home repair and improvement advice from the H.O.W. TV team. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to tighten screw hooks and eye hooks.
How To: Mix concrete by hand
Whether you want to pave your patio or give someone cement shoes, here's how to mix concrete like an expert. Learn how to mix concrete by hand with this instructional video.
How To: Board up a window
Board up a window for protection against strong storms and hurricanes. Learn how to board up a window.
How To: Build a light post for your landscape
Learn how to build walls with Allan Block in this video tutorial. See how to build a light post for your landscape, which is great for your front lawn, made with Allan Blocks.
How To: Build a patterned retaining wall with Allan Blocks
Learn how to build walls with Allan Block in this video tutorial. See how to build two-sided patio walls for your landscape, which is a patterned retaining wall, made with Allan Blocks.
How To: Make a wind-powered generator with MAKE magazine
MAKE magazine never fails to amaze. And this time, John Park tackles a DIY wind-powered generator—and he shows you how to do it! Before you start watching the video tutorial, make sure to download the PDF of this project for reference.
How To: Set support beams and rim joists for a wooden deck
This video tutorial from Hometime TV shows how to set supporting beams on top of posts when building a deck. It also shows how to install the rim joists, which define the perimeter of the deck, and demonstrates several types of metal connectors for these framing elements.
How To: Fix air leaks in your home & save on your heating bill
Having a 1/16-inch unsealed crack around a window is like leaving that window open 3 inches. Decrease your heating bill and your energy use by sealing up air leaks. You will need caulk cartridges, a caulking gun, a putty knife, weather stripping and optional: expanding foam sealant. Tip: Caulking guns with an automatic release create much less mess than simple caulk guns and are well worth the extra few dollars.
How To: Install post and dowel fencing
My how-to on Post and Dowel Fencing. My buddy Sven and I, with the help of landowner Rex, installing a massive post & dowel Fence. You need a level, post hill driller, rock bar, and stakes. There are terminator, corner and line posts that have holes specifically for its position in the fence. It's like Lincoln logs that snap together. Lengths of the post vary, but you want 1/3 of the post underground. This is great for lining your property or farm.
How To: Support seats and hanging swings with knot tying
Learn how to tie the the knots necessary for hanging a child's swing. This animated knot tying tutorial is the best you'll find. With this knot tying how to, you can learn how to securely tie a swing fast or slow, or pause it at every step along the way. Support seats and hanging swings with knot tying.
How To: Loosen stuck nuts and bolts
Wear and tear can cause nuts and bolts to get stuck over time. A little bit of grease or lubricant will help de-freeze them from their place. Make sure to check for rust, or the problem will just keep re-occurring. Watch this video home improvement tutorial and learn how to loosen stuck nuts and bolts.
How To: Hang a bathroom mirror
Need to upgrade your bathroom's mirror? Well, first you need to take down the old one! And Eric shows you how it's all done in this video guide from GardenFork. Removing a mirror that's been glued to the wall is tricky, but it's nowhere near impossible to take down. Eric covers the mirror surface with contact paper to prevent broken shards dropping everywhere, then start banging on to break it, so you can take it down in sections safely. Once you get it down, see how to hang the new mirror up...
How To: Fix a stripped screwhole
Picture this: You're putting together your new desk or bedframe from Ikea, you go to drill in your final screw with your power drill, and the screw just keeps turning. The hole is stripped, and your brand-new piece of furniture is far from sturdy. What to do? This wuick how-to video clip by professional do-it-yourself Ron Hazelton has the answer. Three different options, actually. Watch this video home improvement tutorial and learn how to fix a stripped screwhole.