Construction & Repair How-Tos
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: Install a towel bar on a bathroom wall or hollow door
This two part how to video series demonstrates how to install a towel rod or towel rack (remember click on chapter two for the hollow door video instructions). In the first video, your instructor takes you through all the necessary steps of installing a towel bar: measuring, screwing, and assembling. The second video demonstrates how to hang a towel rod on a hollow door. Hollow doors require an extra step when hanging a towel bar. You need a few more tools, but the end result is a towel bar t...
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.
How To: Fix a stuck drawer
Every house has a drawer somewhere in it that gets stuck, requiring you to struggle, yank, or shove to get it open and closed. In this quick how-to video clip, professional do-it-yourself-er Ron Hazelton shows you the best ways to overcome sticky drawer syndrome. There are three ways to help keep those drawers running smoothly. Watch this video home improvement tutorial and learn how to fix a stuck drawer.
How To: Cut ceramic tile with a tile cutter
Cutting floor and wall tile with a tile cutter should not be a difficult job. For any successful tile cutting job, the steps are roughly as follows:
How To: Cut tile with a diamond wheel cutter
Want to cut marble, porcelain, slate, granite or any natural stone tile with a diamond wheel cutter? This video guide will show you how. For detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started cutting your own title with a wheel cutter, take a look.
How To: Drill porcelain tile
Wondering how to go about drilling porcelain tile without damaging it? In this video tutorial, you will learn how to drill through tough porcelain tiles using diamond coated hole saws, which also work work on natural stone and marble. Get started drilling porcelain tile quickly and efficiently with this how-to.
How To: Cut ceramic floor and wall tile with a tile cutter
Cutting floor and wall tile with a tile cutter should not be a difficult job.
How To: Cut masonry with a bolster chisel and club hammer
Interested in cutting masonry like concrete flags and bricks? This construction lesson will show you how, using a bolster chisel and club hammer. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on cutting your own masonry quickly and effectively using simple hand tools, watch this how-to.
How To: Remove washing machine motor from the top of machine
Broken motor on your washing machine? Never fear: this video tutorial will show you what, precisely, it takes to fix it. For step-by-step instructions on the motor replacement process, take a look. Get your wachine machine working again with this how-to.
How To: Cut Perspex or acrylic sheet with a circular or jigsaw
Wondering how to cut Perspex (or acrylic glass) easily? When cutting Perspex at home, you're more or less limited to using circular saws and jigsaws. For cutting straight lines, the circular law works best; for curvy lines, you'll want to use your jigsaw. For more information, including step-by-step instructions on cutting your own acrylic sheet, watch this DIY home tutorial.
How To: Cut tile
Learn how to cut tile with this DIY video tutorial. If you need to make angular and circular cuts, use an angle grinder and fit a diamond disk. You'll need to fit a continuous diamond disk, not a segmented one, because a segmented disk will chip the tiles. And if you're using an angle grinder, don't forget your personal protection equipment, ear muffs, dust mask, and eye protection.
How To: Mix drywall joint compound
Watch this quick video showing how to mix joint compound. In a large bucket, mix a fresh bag of joint compound with water, using an electric mixer. You can mix your joint compound to be thicker, or thinner, depending on the spackling project.
How To: Coat drywall around boxes with joint compound
Watch this instructional video on how to coat detail work around boxes and pipes with joint compound. Spackling drywall is a delicate art, but anyone can create a perfectly smooth surface with a metal putty knife and a fresh bucket of spackle. Learn how to lay dow thin coats of putty around details and box shapes to avoid heavy sanding in the second stage of prepping a room for painting.
How To: Coat butt joints with joint compund
Watch this instructional video on how to coat butt joints with joint compound. Spackling is a delicate art, but anyone can create a perfectly smooth surface with a metal putty knife and a fresh bucket of spackle. Rock the putty knife back and forth to coat a butt joint with joint compound. Once you are ready, try out to bonus trick for spackling masters.
How To: Coat ceiling joints with joint compound
This instructional video demonstrates how to coat ceilings with joint compound, without dripping mud on your face. Spackling is a delicate art, but anyone can create a perfectly smooth surface with a metal putty knife and a fresh bucket of joint compound. Spackling ceilings is one of the more difficult tasks in prepping a room for painting, but this video provides tips on how to lay down thin layers of putty to avoid heavy sanding after the spackle dries.
How To: Coat a cornerbead with joint compound
This is a video demonstration on how to coat cornerbeads with join compound. Spackling is a delicate art, but anyone can create a perfectly smooth surface with a metal putty knife and a bucket of fresh joint compound. Learn how to spackle a corner in thin coats to avoid heavy sanding in the second stage of prepping a room for painting.
How To: Coat nails with joint compound
Here's how to spot nails and screws with joint compound. This instructional video will show you how to coat nails and screw holes in drywall with a thin layer of spackle. Use a metal putty knife and fresh joint compound to get a smooth surface of spackle and avoid heavy sanding.
How To: Putty coat drywall
Here's a way to make your drywall project perfect. Mix up some thin joint compound, using more water than normally required for spackling holes in the wall. You can roll the putty onto the wall with a think rolling brush. After the joint compound dries, it only requires a light sanding. Watch this instructional video to create perfectly smooth drywall surfaces with liquid spackle.
How To: Plan, and build, the deck of your dreams
While building a deck may not be the easiest DIY project, it can be done with proper planning and execution. In part one of this five part series, learn about decking material options, deck style options, building codes restrictions and much more.
How To: Plan and build the kitchen of your dreams
Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and is as individual as you are. No matter what your ultimate goal, there are several initial steps you will take to begin remodeling your current kitchen, regardless of its size or shape.
How To: Install an exterior entry door
Let the Home Depot show you what it takes to install an exterior entry door and the tools and supplies you'll need for this popular do-it-yourself project. Go step-by-step through the process and pick up a few tips along the way for extending the life of your new exterior door. For more, or to get staretd on your own exterior installation process, watch this video DIY guide.
How To: Install a flat jamb interior door
Announce your arrival home in style by stepping in via a brand new door. Whether you're tired of your old one or it "fell" off during a particularly heated argument, installing a new door helps to instantly update a room.
How To: Install a replacement window properly
Let The Home Depot show you what it takes to install a replacement window and the tools needed for this quick and easy job. Since replacement windows fit into existing window frames, it should take you less than an hour to complete this simple DIY project. For more, or to get started on your own window replacement project, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Install a Split Jamb Door
Let Home Depot show you what it takes to install a split jamb door and the tools needed for this relatively easy job. Go step-by-step in this straightforward project, from centering and leveling the new door to placing shims and where to drive the nails. For more, or to get started on your own split jamb door installation project, watch the video on Dailymotion.
How To: Install a storm door easily
Let the Home Depot show you exactly what it takes to hang a storm door and the tools needed for this relatively easy task. Go step-by-step for adding this door to a brick-molded opening. For more, or to get started on your own storm door installation project, watch this DIY video tutorial.
How To: Hang a slab door
Installing a slab door is a project that some people choose when they don't want to replace the door jam but just the door itself. In this DIY video tutorial, you'll learn what it takes to hang a new slab door or to replace a damaged one. See the process of removal, hinge mortise measurement and securing the new door in place and learn about the tools required for this moderately difficult job. For more information, or to get started installing your own slab door, watch this how-to!
How To: Build an arbor bench
Enjoy your lawn in comfort and style with a charming arbor bench that you can build yourself. This project is sure to be a hit with the woodworkers and gardeners alike. In this video tutorial, you'll find exhaustive, step-by-step arbor bench construction instructions, as well as plans. For more, or to get started building your own arbor bench, watch this DIY guide. Build an arbor bench.
How To: Patch and repair concrete
Concrete is one of mankind's greatest inventions. Very durable, it can also be aesthetically pleasing. Concrete is also often a major building material in and around homes. Over time, however, concrete can deteriorate. Patching and repairing concrete can be easy or difficult, depending on the project and the amount of deterioration. Most repair projects are fairly simple using some of the specially formulated patch and repair products available these days. Watch this DIY video tutorial for st...
How To: Install a garage door and opener
Installing a new garage door and opener may seem daunting at first, but if you take your time and do the job step-by-step, it's a good weekend project. It will take from nine to 12 hours for most doors, then another two to four hours for the opener. You will need help for some portions, such as lifting out the old door and lifting the new door up until the tension springs can be installed (some doors may weigh up to 400 pounds). You may need to remove an old door, or you may be installing in ...
How To: Install a pre-hung exterior door
Getting you, your family and your friends in and out of the house is not the only thing an exterior door is about. When you install a door you want it to swing smoothly, latch tight, seal out the weather and be secure. You can get a big head start on reaching these goals by choosing the right set-up to begin with, and this usually means buying a pre-hung door. In this DIY video tutorial, you'll find step-by-step instructions for installing a pre-hung door in your own home. For more, or to get...
How To: Tile a wall
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...
How To: Add a knockdown texture to drywall
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.
How To: Update drywall
When faced with old, damaged plaster walls, one technique to dress up the room is to install drywall over the existing plaster. A drywall overlay gives the walls a smooth, fresh surface that's ready for new paint, paper or trim. This is a common technique used among professional contractors hired to renovate houses bought under foreclosure. For example, real estate companies that invest in foreclosures often deal with houses that are more than 50 years old and exhibit serious signs of aging. ...
How To: Build an attached carport
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.