Hot Construction & Repair How-Tos
How To: Install a toilet with ease
First, apply wax to the toilet hole so it doesn't leak. Next install the supply line. Set the bolts on the flange and attach a wax ring onto the bottom of the toilet. Set the toilet over the bolts. Next, stick the gasket to the bottom of the tank and put the tank on the toilet. Tighten the bolts on either side of the tank. Then, hook the supply line up to the toilet. Attach the toilet seat to the toilet by screwing it into place. Finally, turn on the water supply. Your low flow toilet is now ...
How To: Cut crown molding using a ladder and sawhorse set up
This is a how to video that explains how to do the difficult task of cutting crown molding and how to do it with tools you have laying around, a ladder and a saw horse as a support, and a miter saw. The author of this video explains that if the molding sags then it will not cut straight and your seams will not line up properly. The author is using an extension ladder and explains that you can cut very long pieces using this process. He also explains that you will need more than one brace to s...
How To: Clean your clothes dryer & make it hot again
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a dryer machine produce heat to dry clothes. Sometimes the dryer machine doesn't produce enough heat to dry clothes. To begin, users should clean the filter if it's full of dust. Check the discharge tube and make sure it is clean and doesn't have anything inside. Users should also open the back of the dryer machine and clean up all the excess dust located in the machine. The build up of dust clocks up the passage way and prevents the machine f...
How To: Remove & replace warped vinyl siding on your home
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to remove and replace vinyl siding. Users will need a siding removal tool (zip tool). Insert this tool beneath the bottom edge of the overlap and pull down while sliding the tool horizontally. Remove the nails underneath and simply pull down the siding. Now measure the length of the siding. With the new siding, connect it on the exterior wall and reinforce it with some nails. This video will help those viewers who need to learn how to replace a vinyl ...
How To: Tile a diagonal cut tile
Tile RIGHT demonstrates how to tile a diagonally cut tile. First set the Measure Right Pro to the appropriate setting, extending it from corner to corner along your tile. Account for your grout line and the space up against the wall. Then, lock the tool. Next, place the tiles you're going to use on top of your set tiles. Slide the Measure Right Pro along the wall and mark the tiles. Place the sections in the appropriate place. Then, cut your tiles. Lay the tiles where you've previously marked...
How To: Remove Furniture Scratches with a Walnut
You’re munching away on walnuts and, oh no, you notice you have a scratch on your wood floor. You already have the solution in your hand. The oil in nuts will fill in and make scratches on a wood floor disappear.
How To: Cut tiles with a standard tile cutter
A standard tile cutter will cut ceramic and porcelain tiles but not natural stone tiles. To use the standard tile cutter adjust and lock the guide. Then, slide your tile into position in the tile cutter. Next, position your cutter on the edge of the tile. Push down on the cutter while sliding the cutter across the tile. When the cutter gets to the end of the tile, press down. The tile should then break into two smooth, clean pieces. Run a tile file over the edge of the tile to reduce the shar...
How To: Finish a basement layout and planning
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to finish a basement by laying out and planning. Planning the lay-out and design of the basement is an important part of finishing or remodeling a basement. Learn how to get new ideas as you design and lay-out your basement floor plan. Viewers will learn how to finish the basement space with expert tips and advice on home improvement. Make sure the basement is empty. Make measurements and mark them on the wall or floor. For a bathroom, there should be...
How To: Clean and seal a concrete patio
This is a video clip about "How to Seal a Concrete Patio " by Danny Lipford. This video depicts how to seal concrete by using mortar and cement. It will be sealed for more than 30 days. Use red bricks to seal it and wash it with concrete and masonry waterproof. Always make sure that we seal the concrete properly. Finally, clean and seal for more than 30 days. This seal is not breakable and works for more than 5 to 6 years. Be careful in choosing the waterproof.
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: Tile a bathroom floor with Home Depot
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to tile a bathroom floor with Home Depot. Home Depot is an American retailer of home improvement and construction products and services. Tiling a bathroom floor can be difficult and can look awful if installation is done incorrectly. In this video, users will learn how to tile a bathroom floor. Mosaic tiles can be installed individually or pre-mounted on mesh-backed sheets. In this video you will learn how to install 12 x 12 inch sheets mosaics on a b...
How To: Install tile like a pro
This video will describe the process of installing ceramic tile. The pro tilers suggest that you start with a very small area to put down the tile adhesive. Do not cover the entire area with adhesive and then start laying tile. Starting out one or two rows at a time will suffice. They stress there is no reason to rush a tiling job. You can certainly lay tile too fast, but if you only put down limited adhesive there is no way you can lay tile too slow. The lesson in this video is to take it sl...
How To: Build cornhole boards
If you want to play some beanbag games try making your own cornhole board. With wood and a few tools you and your friends can enjoy endless fun with your very own homemade cornhole board. Now all you need are some beanbags.
How To: Remove caulk
If you’re doing some spring cleaning and decide to throw in a little home improvement in as well you may want to remove old caulk. As we all know, old caulk is unattractive and will make areas look dirty or unfinished.
How To: Frame a wall for your house
Walls don’t last forever, be prepared. Building a house from scratch, a room add on or if it’s just time to turn one room into two you will need to make a sturdy wall frame to ensure the proper construction of your new wall.
How To: Make drawer dividers
Messy drawers getting you down? You no longer have to spend another day rummaging through unruly junk drawers. With some cardboard and character expressing contact paper you can turn any drawer into a neat and well organized one.
How To: Paint your house
This video describes how to prepare for and execute painting your home. To begin, you should power wash your house to remove any dirt, dust, cobwebs, etc. These would prevent the paint from setting properly, unless it was new wood. If it is new wood, you should put on a beige coat first. However you begin, you should let either method dry before moving to the next step. After it dries, you should apply a weatherproof and paint-over caulk to the cracks to keep out moisture and insects. After t...
How To: Install laminate flooring in your home
Laminate flooring is easy to clean and is a great way to spruce up a room. With yourlist of items in hand and a little bit of elbow grease you can have new floors in no time. Don't forget: measure twice, cut one.
How To: Coat a drywall cornerbead
"Owens Drywall" wall describes how to coat a drywall corner bead. 1. Fill pan with drywall. 2. Take a eight inch knife and use to spread the drywall on wall, starting from the bottom and working your way up. If you drop any on the ground, go ahead and pick it up with knife. 3. Go over the same spot multiple times from the bottom up to ensure the drywall is on evenly and clean!
How To: Install a Mortar Shower Pan
Mark Donovan is remodeling a ceramic tile shower, and shows how to install a mortar shower pan. First consider the framing of the shower. Plywood, 2x4's and 2x6's provide a good foundation for the weight of the tile. Then remove the cover from the drain. Use duct tape to cover the drain hole. Staple 15-pound felt paper onto the floor of the shower, and up about an inch on the sides, trimming around the drain, to protect the wood from moisture. Then staple down metal lath to reinforce the floo...
How To: Drywall an archway
Watch this video learn how to drywall an archway in five quick and easy steps. Measure and cut drywall to fit your arched opening. Score the back of your drywall to help it bend to your archway. Place drywall into opening. Tack or nail to hold the drywall in place. Screw drywall into arch. Mark and cut the drywall for the face of the archway. Place drywall over archway and use as a template to cut the drywall. Nail/Screw drywall to the face of the archway. It is now ready for corner bead, tap...
How To: Stop squeaky hinges at home with oil and wire wool
Learn how to stop squeaky hinges at home with oil and wire wool in simple steps. Spray some WD-40 lubricant to the hinge and open and close the door a few times. Use a spray tube to avoid the oil being wasted or even you can use cooking oil. If the hinges are still squeaky remove it completely and rub it wire wool, fix it back and spray the lubricant or oil. You can also rub it with soap instead of wire wool. If you still have the squeaky problem replace the hinge with a new one.
How To: Fix and repair a dripping faucet
James from J&C Home Repair explains how to fix a bathroom faucet. He shows how to turn off the water supply to the faucets and tells you exactly what tools you will need. He demonstrates how to remove the faucet handle and the valve using common household tools, and recommends taking the parts to the hardware store to make sure you get the correct replacement parts. This video shows that repairing a faucet is a simple job that anyone can do. You don't need to call a plumber for this!
How To: Install door weatherstripping
This video shows you exactly how to weather-strip a door to keep down heating costs. Step by step instructions on how to check your doors to see if they need weather-stripping and how to install the weather-stripping. This also teaches you how to check to make sure that your weather-stripping has been installed correctly on your door to keep out any drafts. All that you need is some weather-stripping, a tape measure, a utility knife, a power drill, and some screws. This video teaches you how ...
How To: Patch a hole in the wall
A hole in your wall may in fact be easier to fix than is seems. After cutting a rectangular piece of drywall to patch up the hole, cut out another thin piece of drywall to use as a backing. By inflating a balloon and placing it in the back of your hole, the pressure caused by the balloon will allow you to put your backing and piece of drywall in place effectively, allowing you to cover up and sand over any holes in your wall. Using this innovative method, anyone will be able to fix holes in t...
How To: Remove and replace exterior caulk
In this how to video you learn how to remove and replace exterior caulk that has failed. The video suggests a putty knife and/or a utility knife. Once the caulk is removed the video suggests you use a dry clean paint brush to clear any left over. You then simply apply new caulk where needed and the job is complete. This video is about a minute and a half and is great for people learning how to maintain their homes.
How To: Repair sections of 4x8 wood home siding
Weather can really do some damage to the wood siding on your home. When your siding becomes worn and rotten due to the elements, it's time to break out the tools and install new wood. This instructional video walks you through the basic steps of repairing the wood siding on your home. Follow along with the tutorial and keep your home fortified.
How To: Install kitchen cabinets in your home
No kitchen is complete without hanging wall cabinets. Whether your kitchen started off bare, or you've decided to throw up some new cabinets, installation isn't that hard. Like any home project, it just takes time and dedication. This instructional video demonstrates how to find the studs and mark the cabinets. You'll need some standard tools too, but if you've decided to hang your own cabinets, this probably doesn't come as much of a surprise.
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: 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: Fill and touch-up a gouge on a table edge
To fill a gouge on a table edge you start by using auto body filler. Auto body filler is a two part substance. The catalyst is red and the resin is grey. When they are properly mixed it will be a uniform pink color. To keep the substance from spilling out of the damaged area put a piece of tape on the side of the table. Take some filler and force it down into the cavity formed by the tape along the side of the table. Let it dry for 3-4 minutes. Take the tape off and use a knife to trim off th...
How To: Clean an oil stained garage floor using kitty litter
This video shows you how to clean oil stains from a garage floor using cat litter. Use the cheapest kind you can find and pour it on the stain. Next crush the cat litter into the floor using your feet. For a bigger stain, use more oil and you should let it absorb first. Next use a broom to sweep up the cat litter and the stain should be gone. If it isn't completely removed, just repeat the steps and it should be removed.
How To: Install beaded plank paneling and molding with Lowe's
In this how-to video by Lowe's department store you are showed an intermediate do-it-yourself installation of beaded plank paneling and molding. He shows where you can get information on how to do this but then goes on to show the different paneling and molding you can make. He goes on to show how to measure and cut the paneling to your desired length. After describing how to measure and cut the panel he goes on to show how to prepare the paneling with the paint. He goes on to show the differ...
How To: Repair damaged molding
This video shows the viewer how to repair a section of damaged molding surrounding a door or window. The method shown uses WD40 and polyester resin. Firstly an undamaged section of the molding is sprayed with WD40 and then covered in resin. Once the resin has hardened the WD40 allows it to be removed and used as a mould. The mould is then sprayed with more WD40 and is filled with new resin. This is allowed to harden and then removed. The resin replica of the molding is then sanded and cut to ...
How To: Apply acid stain quick & easy
This video shows the viewer how to correctly use acid stain to stain a floor. In the video the acid stain is applied to a floor using in a spray. This is done using a device similar to one used to apply weed killer to plants; another suggestion would be with a watering can that has an adjustable nozzle. Basically the acid stain can be applied with any device that can be used to apply the acid in a thin and even layer. This stops the acid from staining the floor in an uneven manner and helps t...
How To: Remove and replace tile grout
Ron Hazelton from "Ron Hazelton's House Calls" brings us this quick and easy tutorial on how to take on the household project of removing and replacing our old mildewy tile grout. In under two minutes Ron shows us the tools we will need and techniques to make this do it yourself project at home a snap. If you are thinking about taking on a home project like this, this video will help you achieve the perfect results you are looking for.
How To: Replace your storm door screen with Lowe's
This how-to video from Lowe's demonstrates how to replace a damaged screen. The tools required are fiberglass screen, spline, tape measure, spline roller, screwdriver, and utility knife. He shows the different options in screen material, and suggests taking pieces of your old screen and spline along to match it. He removes the old spline and screen, lays the replacement screen over the frame and trims it. He uses a spline roller to roll the new spline into the groove and attach the screen. Th...
How To: Repair a dryer by replacing the support rollers
The drum support rollers are usually in the same spot on every dryer, no matter the brand. They will be below the drum. In order to remove the rollers, you need to open the dryer's cabinet and remove the drum. Perhaps you will notice that the left roller is more worn out than the right one. This is a common occurrence, but you need to replace both at the same time. Be sure to remove the nut before you remove the roller. Don't use more than one drop of oil on the hub as too much oil will aid t...
How To: Repair a leaky faucet
This how-to video is about how to repair a leaky faucet. One of the most common problems with the faucet is the replacement of the rubber washer, which is located on the bottom of the valve unit. First, stop the water supply by turning off the stop valve at the bottom of the sink. Then, turn on the faucet until the water stops flowing. Next, remove the handle. To do this, we first need to remove the decorative cap using a screw driver or sharp pointed knife to expose the screw. Then, remove t...
How To: Install a solid hardwood floor with Lowe's
A solid hardwood floor offers a clean and simple alternative to carpeting. This video tutorial demonstrates how to install solid hardwood flooring in your home. Once you’ve prepped the subfloor, let the wood planks acclimate to the room temperature for at least 72 hours. Check the boarding for unusual warping or defects before drilling nail holes in even increments down the wood siding. After countersinking each nail, fill in the holes with wood nail putty. Continue the process for each inter...