Hot Construction & Repair How-Tos

How To: Lay ceramic tile with drywall spackle

Tree Climbing Man demonstrates how to lay ceramic tile with drywall spackle. You don't need to rip up your existing floor and put down plywood or a sub floor to lay down a new floor. You can put ceramic tile right over existing linoleum with less work, less heartache and less problems. First, spackle the back of each tile and lay it down. You can also use a stapler and tape to fix problem areas. You don't need to go crazy with the adhesive. Spend your money on quality tile. You can use clay f...

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: 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: 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: Build an Awesome Grind Box!

How to build a really easy, but AWESOME Grind Box.! A grind box, or a skate box is a must for any skater. The grind box in this video is not only very easy to build but it can be made in under a day and with minimal tools. This grind box also has wheels that makes it incredibly easy for the kids to move around. The coping is galvanized steel with a slightly rounded formed edge. This makes for an ultra smooth grind! The skate surface is thick plywood, which makes for a very solid and tough gri...

How To: Install a T-Mold Transition Between Laminate & Ceramic Tile

Installing a T Mold Transition Between Laminate and Ceramic Tile There are several different types of laminate transitions that you may need when installing laminate flooring. Each one is used specifically for where the laminate flooring ends, such as where the laminate stops at ceramic tile. Other transitions are used where the laminate ends at carpet, vinyl flooring, a threshold or a step down such as a sunken living room or stairs.

How To: Split or cut concrete landscape blocks

This video describes the process of split and cutting concrete blocks. For splitting concrete blocks, a hammer as well as a chisel are required. For cutting concrete blocks, you can either use a skill saw with a masonry blade or a masonry saw. Next, proper safety guidelines and equipment are discussed. For splitting masonry blocks, two types of blocks that are manufactured with splitting notches are shown. To split these blocks, they must be scored with the chisel along the entire length of t...

How To: Remove a threaded stud from a threaded hole

Ultimate Handyman demonstrates how to remove a threaded stud from a threaded hole. You will often find threaded studs when you are doing car repair. First, remove the nut from the stud. Then, spray it with lubricant. Next, screw the nut back on the stud. Screw another nut on top of the first nut. Grip the bottom nut with a wrench while tightening the top nut. Grip the bottom nut and turn it in a counter clockwise direction. The stud should then pull out of the threaded hole. It may be difficu...

How To: Remove the air from your boiler or heater

If you hear a lot of banging coming from your boiler or heating system, you may need to perform a little repair. The banging could be the result of not enough water in your system, but it could also mean there is too much air in your expansion tank. And expansion tank is attached to your boiler and helps regulate the air to water ratio for optimum performance. If the air in your expansion tank expands too much, you may need to release some of the air in order to use your tanks properly and st...

How To: Lay Straight Tile with a Crooked Wall

Tiling always looks so easy when you see it done on a straight wall! But how do you do it with a crooked wall? Use a Measureright Pro to get the angle right. So if you've tiled from a straight right angle and you're just reaching the 'odd' shaped spaces between your last row of tiles and your crooked wall, you can use the tool to mark your final row of tiles so that when you cut them, they will fit right into the irregular shaped spaces between your final row of tiles and the slanting wall. T...

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: 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.

How To: Tape and finish textured drywall

Tim Gibson teaches us how to tape and finish textured drywall in this tutorial. To begin, use a scraper to scrape off any texture around the join. This will leave 4-5 inches to replace the joint. If it doesn't come off easy, use a sponge to wet the area on both sides before you scrape it. After this, use either fiberglass tape or paper tape with drywall joint compound. If you use the compound and paper tape, you have to put a thin layer of compound down before you place the tape over it. Let ...

How To: Easily cover screws and nails using drywall mud

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to cover screws and nails with drywall mud during drywall installation. Users will need a taping knife tool. Apply the drywall mud over the screw or nails and use the taping knife to flatten the mud over the screw or nail. Use the knife to take off any excess mud. Apply 2-3 layers of drywall mud over the screw, depending on how long the screw head is. This video will benefit those viewers who are in the construction trades or doing home renovation and...

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: 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: Learn the basics of a pressure washer

Pressure washers are a great way to clean a brick patio - if you do it right! The pressure washer can harm the surface you are cleaning or even yourself. The basic operation of the pressure washer is to take the low pressure from you garden hose and increase the pressure with a special pump. The pump uses either a gas powered engine or an electric motor to boost the pressure.

How To: Build an Awesome Hall Table!

How to build a Hall Table from recycled wood pallets. I love pallet furniture and this wooden pallet project is no exception. It's easy to build and costs very little money. The hall stand is made entirely from old pallets and hardwood fence palings. Hall tables are very practical and are suited for those narrow areas where a normal table would be to big. My hall table, or hall stand also includes drawers which makes it a handy spot to put your car keys or mail.

How To: Build a Rustic Timber Table

These three videos will show you how to build a rustic, distressed kitchen table. I'll be walking you through the process of selecting some recycled timber from a junk pile, and with a little care and some simple joinery techniques, transform that waste timber into a distressed timber kitchen or dining table. In fact, you could use the table for whatever you wanted really.

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