Hot Construction & Repair How-Tos « Construction & Repair

How To: Remove a Shark Bite Fitting Without a Special Tool - Adjustable Wrench Trick

Here's a fast easy way to remove and disconnect your Shark Bite quick connect fitting, without a special tool to do it. We'll show you a awesome little trick using an adjustable wrench. This will work an all different size Shark Bite fittings.

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: Build and install a cheap dumbwaiter in your home

Home improvement expert Danny Lipford shows how to build and install a cheap dumbwaiter in your home in this video tutorial.

How To: Install a window in a metal frame

A good way to install a window in a metal frame construction is to use some light gauge angle and screw it onto the sides of the window leaving a 10mm space for plaster. A flat head, self tapping screw is used to fix the window to the frame. Watch this video tutorial for a demonstration on how to install a window in a metal frame.

How to Build a Shed, Part 11: Installing Fascia Boards & Soffit Materials

The fascia boards and soffit material installation is very important. This is the finishing part of the shed. Henry shows you how to do this in great detail and get perfect results. In this video he shows you how to use his exclusive jig to make it easy to install long trim without any help!

How to Build a Shed, Part 9: Building & Installing Gable Ladders (Rakes)

Using ladders (Rakes) to build your gable overhangs on the shed is one of the fastest and easiest ways to do this. Henry shows you how to layout, build and install the ladders on our shed.

How To: Change Replace Freezer Light Bulb and Cover Kenmore Refrigerator

This video will show you how to remove the freezer light bulb cover in your Kenmore refrigerator. It's pretty easy to do, but not breaking the plastic light cover can be tricky.

How To: Replace worn-out wood with composite decking

In this how to video Extreme How-To Editor-in-Chief, Matt Weber, replaces old wood with new composite materials. Composite decking is a great way to repair worn out and weathered parts of any deck. Learn to do it yourself and you can lot of money repairing your home.

How To: Rewire a fuse from an older style consumer unit

ultimatehandyman shows you how to Rewire a fuse from an older style consumer unit. What you need: fuse from an older style consumer unit, a tester/screwdriver, fuse wire of right thickness1. Use a tester to determine whether your fuse is in working condition or not. Once you are sure it is not working unscrew the screws partially which are found on both ends. 2. Unwind the old fuse wire from the screws and remove. Take the fuse wire that is of same rating as the one you just removed. 3. Inser...

How To: Attach Timber to Concrete Using Concrete Anchors

How to install concrete anchors.How to attach timber / wood to concrete or any other SOLID masonry surface using masonry anchors / DynaBolts. DynaBolts (that's the name for this particular anchor in Australia. They are know by other names in other countries) are the ideal anchor for attaching almost anything to solid masonry such as concrete. This video will look at attaching timber to a concrete floor.

How To: Remove a fiberglass shower pan

To remove a fiberglass shower pan you will want to start by removing excess water in the drainpipe. Take a turkey baster and put it down in the drainpipe to siphon out the water. Use a knife and cut along the edge of the fiberglass panel where it meets the linoleum. Put a rag in the drainpipe to keep any sewer gas from coming up. Next you want to drill the rubber flange material that is around the drainpipe out so that you loosen it up and allow the fiberglass pan to come loose from the drain...

How To: Install a rain diverter on your home's eave

Need to divert a little rain water fall from falling off of your roof? Let home improvement expert Danny Lipford show you how to install a rain diverter on your home's eave.

How To: Clean and Maintain Your Tape Measure

Recently I was working outside forming a driveway in the rain. Working in and around the wet sand was not friendly on my tools, especially my tape measure. About halfway through the day my tape measure would need "encouragement" in order to retract to the closed postion. Not too much later, with force applied, it would remain standing out at 1ft. and the problem progressively got worse.

How To: Hate Ugly-Looking Power Strips? Make This Sleek DIY Power Outlet Box for Your Desktop

One of the biggest downsides to having so many gadgets is that you never seem to have enough outlets to power them all. Most of us have a power strip or two to solve this problem, but Instructables user dlewisa wanted something a little nicer looking, so he built this DIY desktop power outlet. For the housing, dlewisa put together a small wooden box using a nail gun and wood glue. He used a sander to round off the corners, then filled in the gaps with wood filler and painted it. You could als...

How To: Consistently Locate Hidden Wall Studs in Your Home

Wall studs are both critical for maintaining the structure of your home and supporting items of weight and function on the interior walls (e.g. cabinets, shelves, plasma TVs, etc.). With wall studs playing such a critical role, consistently being able to find them is important. The problem with finding them is that drywall and wallboard isn't exactly see-through.

How To: Build Two Different Underwater Viewers with ABS and Lexan

I have just finished making this 20 minute detailed video that shows you exactly how to build two different sized underwater viewers. One is 12" x 3" and the other is 24" x 4", but you can make them any size you like. These are ideal for gold prospecting, fishing (seeing what the fish are up to) and just for fun—kids love them. IMPORTANT NOTE:

How To: Lay Masonry Blocks and Bricks

Build a concrete "footer".

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: Build a Native American wigwam

The wigwam was a shelter constructed by many Native American peoples in the eastern part of North America. With this video, you will learn how to construct a wigwam of your own using very basic materials.

How To: Salvage a clogged caulk tube

How do you salvage a clogged caulk tube? In this Quick Tips with Chuck Miller video, you will see there is an ingenious and simple way to salvage a clogged caulk tube. Take a utility knife and simply make a slice on the side of the caulk tube nozzle. Probably the entire length of the nozzle is clogged and you may not be able to clear it with a wire or nail. After slicing it, take a sharp tool and remove the clogged material from the nozzle and clean it up. Then wrap the nozzle with electrical...

How To: Cut floor joists to length quickly and accurately

Fine Homebuilding with Jim Anderson demonstrates how to cut floor joists to length. Inspect the rim line to know where to set the joists. Set the joists to the layout on the rim line using a two man team. Tap a nail into the joist to keep it from moving around. Instead of standing the joists up to square them, cut them on both ends. Line the chalk line up with the rim line and snap the line across the joists to mark them. This will simultaneously measure and square them. Finally, line the joi...

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: Completely remove an interior 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! Check out this home improvement video tutorial on how to completely remove an interior door in your home.

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: Install a post-form countertop

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.

How To: Seal a gap between windows and dry wall

Often when new windows are installed there are gaps between the window and dry wall. It is difficult to fill that gap neatly. In this how to video, home improvement expert Danny Lipford gives you a great tip on spackling that gap in a neat manner. All you need is a pastry bag to fill the gap between the window and the wall..

How To: Begin tiling an L-shaped kitchen counter top

Remodeling your kitchen or bathroom can be expensive, but you can save some money by doing it yourself. If you are re-doing your L-shaped kitchen counter top you can lay the tile yourself. In this Home & Garden how-to video you will learn how to begin tiling a counter top in a kitchen.

How To: Check out foundation cracks below your carpet

Danny Lipford shares some tips on foundation cracks. Watch this video tutorial to see how to check out foundation cracks below your carpet.

How To: Build a retaining wall with an outside 90 degree wall

This video tutorial shows you how to build a retaining wall system with an outside 90 degree wall. This how-to video is a must-watch for everyone in the building and construction business.

How To: Build a retaining wall with an inside 90 degree wall

This video tutorial shows you how to build a retaining wall system with another wall inside it at a 90 degree angle. This video is a must-watch for eveyone in the construction business.

How To: Cut a circle in ceramic tile

Tim Carter, of Ask the Builder, demonstrates a simple way to cut a circle out of the center of a piece of ceramic tile, for use with some plumbing pipe.

How To: Repair a skewed door with This Old House

Watch this video from This Old House to learn how fix a unbalanced door. Steps:

How To: Replace your garage door torsion spring

Did your garage door torsion spring break? After 12 years, one of mine did. This DIY Clinic video shows how to replace it yourself in just a few hours.

How To: Stop a Toilet from Running

This video will show you how to stop a toilet from constantly running and what to look for. There are many different reasons why a toilet may keep running, we'll take the toilet tank cover off and show you what to look for inside and what might break or go wrong.

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.

How To: Grout Wall and Floor Tiles

G'day Knuckleheads and welcome to Episode 35! With the wall and floor tiling completed it's time to grout the tiles. In this episode Justin takes us through the tips and tricks of applying the wall and floor grout. Grouting really finishes the job off and is a job that any DIY'er can do by themselves. Check it out and let me know what you think :-)

How To: Install a Timber Floor

G'day Knuckleheads. In this Owner Builder Episode we look at laying the timber floor. You'll see in this video the team showing you how to lay a timber / wooden floor. The timber or wood l used for the floor was a species of timber called Blackbutt. It's a solid 19mm x 130mm board which is very hardy and should stand up to a fair bit of abuse…which it will get at my place :-) Timber floors really give a warmth to your property and are well worth the effort.