Everything Else — Page 14 of 31 « Construction & Repair

How To: Prep your wood home exterior for painting with Lowe's

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a wood-sided house. But its what's underneath the paint that can really count. Doing the right prep work will make your painting efforts last longer and look better. The prep work will help make your paint job a success and much easier to accomplish. And taking the time to do it will pay off in the end. The five steps to the painting prep process include: scraping, cleaning, patching, masking and priming.

How To: Install solar window screens

Hub Kirkpatrick teaches the viewers how to save handyman bills by installing solar window screens by yourself. This video describes the step-by-step process of installing solar screens on windows. According to Hub, these screens are not only very easy to install using tools found in everyone's garage, they are also only about one-third of the price of the conventional roll-down screens. In addition, these screens, if properly installed, can drastically reduce air-conditioning bills by prevent...

How To: Replace washing machine hoses & why

This video explains to the viewer the advantages of replacing washing machine hoses. As well as, rather more importantly, explaining how to complete the process. According to the creator the rubber hoses that are standard to most washing machines are subjected to high pressure water for many years. As they are only made of rubber they are apt to break and start leaking. This can cause many thousands of dollars worth of water damage. The creator recommends replacing the rubber pipes with reinf...

How To: Replace and install an exterior door with Lowe's

To replace a door, refer to Lowe's do-it-yourself for a step by step guide. Replacement is not very difficult. To replace just the door, tools and material required are: a new door, hammer, screw driver, tape measure, pencil, combination square, saw horses, clamps, chisel, a door lock installation kit, a drill with bits, circular saw, level, work gloves, dust mask, safety glasses, plane, shims, cardboard, and a utility knife. Before removing the old door, take a few measurements like the widt...

How To: Repair a clogged garbage disposal

Is your garbage disposal clogged? Do you want to clean your garbage disposer without calling the handyman and your plumber? You can fix your garbage disposal yourself without the hefty repair costs easily just by following the instructions in this tutorial! This video will tell you everything you need to know about fixing your jammed or clogged garbage disposal. The greatest challenge in completing this simple repair is the patience required to clear out your garbage disposal and the definite...

How To: Properly unclog a toilet

Every has faced it at one time or another, a clogged toilet. The family handyman takes you through the process of unclogging a toilet in a step by step manner. Learn how to properly use a plunger, the importance of water to the flushing process and how to keep you bathroom dry and safe while plunging. For more difficult clogs an auger is needed to unclog the toilet. Once again the proper augering techniques are displayed. The working of the auger are also shown and the viewer learns how it wo...

How To: Install bifold doors with Lowe's

Let a Lowe's expert show you how to install bi-fold doors. Learn how to install bi-fold doors that you can add to you closets. Get your drill, doors, tape measure and other tools together so you can be ready to complete your project. Measure your closets so you know what kind of door you need to fit your projects. If you need to paint, paint before you add to the door. Mark all your spots and measure before you add your pieces.

How To: Build & stain concrete countertops

Paul Ryan of the DIY Network shows how to make concrete countertops for the kitchen. Concrete is now available in a wide range of colors and textures. First build forms out of 3/4-inch melamine (a waterproof smooth material for easy casting), according to the blueprints. Use caulk to fill the seams and create a rounded corner to the concrete. Clean the form with rubbing alcohol. Mix the concrete according to the instructions, then fill the form with the concrete. Rub a power sander on the edg...

How To: Install a deadbolt lock with Lowe's

This video from Lowe's will show you how to install a deadbolt lock in just a few easy steps. You can install a deadbolt lock on almost any exterior door, including those made from wood or steel. Deadbolt locks come in several types including the conventional ones requiring a key or the newer ones that have keypads. Whichever type you choose, the principles of installation are the same. This video will show how to a drill in your door and chisel out material in your door jam. Once this is don...

How To: Install shutters to your home exterior

Handyman teacher Hub Kirkpatrick gives a demonstration of how to install shutters to the exterior of one's home. These vinyl plastic shutters are meant to enhance the beauty of the exterior of a house without costing too much. Hub recommends using six 3-inch, hex-headed bolts for each shutter so that it is secured firmly in place. He also adds a cautionary note that one should take care not to over-tighten the bolts because that could result in dimpling and cracking of the plastic shutter.

How To: Unblock a toilet with dish soap, hot water and no plunger

This is a great video about how to unclog your toilet without a plunger. The author of this video explains which ways she tried to unclog her toilet initially, and how they failed without any results. She then tells you how you can unclog your toilet with dish soap and some hot water, which actually works. If you are facing the same problem with your toilet, just try the method explained in this video and see if it actually works or not. Also, use this method to unblock a sink without a plung...

How To: Remove ceramic wall tiles from a shower

In this video, Mark Donovan of Home Addition Plus shows you to remove ceramic tiles from a shower. Before you begin, remove the shower head and shower handle, leaving the walls bare. A lot of dust and debris will be produced so you should wear safety glasses and to protect the shower pan from damage, you should cover it up. Card board should suffice. Starting from the bottom, place the chisel on the edge of the tiles and tap it with a hammer. For the tiles in the middle, you can use a flat ba...

How To: Replace a medicine cabinet & light fixture with Lowe's

This video is presented by Lowe's. In this video the instructor shows us how to replace a medicine cabinet and a bathroom light. In every step of this video the importance of safety is stressed. In this video the viewer is taken on a step by step tutorial on how to do the installation. The viewer will receive a clear understanding on all the tools and parts needed to do this job. According to the video, most if not all of the tools for this project can be found at Lowe's. It is easy to see th...

How To: Remove wallpaper quickly & easily

Getting that wallpaper down is not near as bad as people think it is. Here is a four step process for getting that old wallpaper off quickly and easily. Use a wallpaper perforating tool to make hundreds of holes in the wallpaper. Just roll the tool over the wall and it will make little holes in the wallpaper. Next put a gallon and a half of hot water in a garden sprayer and add to it an enzyme based wallpaper stripper. Spray on the wallpaper stripper starting at the top of the wall. Make sure...

How To: Tape drywall seams

This video shows the viewer how to use paper tape to cover the joint between panels on a dry wall. The creator of the video does this using a 6-inch dry wall knife and a curved trowel. He first applies standard compound to the joint using the trowel. The compound should be applied evenly and the thickness shown is said to be around 1/8 inch. After applying the compound he then gently presses the tape over the joint. He then smoothes the tape on the wall, using a dry wall knife. While doing th...

How To: Drill a shank hole or clearance hole

Drywall screws were originally created specifically for drywall projects. But they have become increasing popular for woodworking projects because you can often screw them into a soft piece of wood without having to drill a pilot hole. But because they have threads all the way up to the head of the screw they will not pull two pieces of wood tightly together. So to get the drywall screw to hold two pieces of wood tightly together you have to drill a shank hole through the first piece of wood ...

How To: Replace a wall switch with a dimmer

You can very easily replace your normal light switch on the wall with a dimmer switch. The first step is to turn the power off at the circuit breaker. To prevent anyone from accidentally turning the circuit on put a piece of tape over the fuse switch so that it is clear that it is to stay turned off. Remove the screws that hold the switch plate and use a tester to make sure that none of the wires are still live with electricity. Remove the two screws that are holding the switch itself in plac...

How To: Paint screw heads without making a mess

If you need to paint the screw heads you can do it without making a mess. If you try to hold them in your fingers and paint them you will get paint all over your fingers. Now you don't have to do that. Take a plastic shopping bag and cut the bottom off of it. Take that bottom piece of bag and stretch it over a can like a drum. Tape the bag tightly to the can so that the bag is stretched tight. Take the screws and screw them into the plastic on top of the can so that they are standing up. Now ...

How To: Inspect a fireplace and chimney

To continue getting the enjoyment out of your fireplace you should inspect it regularly. Check the condition of the mortar in the firebox. If it is loose, missing, or crumbling it needs to be professionally repaired. Look for black deposits inside of the chimney or flue using a flashlight; presence of black deposits inside of the chimney or flue indicates the need for a licensed Chimney Sweep to clean the chimney in order to prevent a chimney fire. The chimney should be free of obstructions t...

How To: Install a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

Ron Hazelton shows how to install a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). First turn off the power to the electrical outlet at the circuit breaker or fuse box (check to make sure there's no power in the outlet!). Then remove the electric cover plate. Then gently remove the old outlet receptacle. Detach the wires from the old receptacle. Trim and re-strip the wires if necessary. Attach the wires to the GFCI receptacle per the instructions. Gently reassemble the receptacle and plate. Restore...

How To: Cut cement backer board

This video shows you how easy it is to cut and make holes in cement backer board. The first thing you want to have is safety glasses to protect your eyes. To make a punch out hole you have to draw an outline of the hole with a pencil or pen. Use a drill to make several holes inside your outline. A jigsaw will cut out your punch hole. Push the punch hole out. Make a straight cut by marking the front of the board with a pen and a straight edge and use the scoring knife along the straight edge t...

How To: Paint interior trim and molding

Before you paint the walls it is important to paint the trim first. A painting pad is a very useful tool for painting along the edge where the ceiling meets the wall. It has guide wheels on it and will roll right along as you paint the trim. Next you will want to paint your woodwork including your baseboards and trim. When you go to roll the wall first take some painters tape and run it along the top of the baseboard to keep the specks that fly off the roller from getting on the baseboards. U...

How To: Solder copper pipes

This informational video from YouTube user curlmarx takes us through the step by step process of how to take on the intimidating process of soldering, or "sweating" copper pipes for the do it yourselfer at home. He illustrates the materials and tools you will need to successfully complete this type of plumbing project. Those of you who have never taken on a task like this will much appreciate the effort of this author to illustrate the complete process in a detailed and easy to follow informa...

How To: Test electrical receptacles

This how to video shows you how to test electrical receptacles. The video covers 5 simple test rules. The first test is to simply attach an electrical device to the socket. The video also suggests the use of market product testers and even voltage testers. This video is perfect for people who are having electrical problems or are just beginning to learn how to take care and maintain their own home. The video is about a minuet and a half long.

How To: Make indoor garden basket & container arrangements

Take a common indoor hanging basket plant and use it to make a great water plant. You take a stem of tradescantia with the roots attached. Wash off all the soil. Put the stem into a vase with rocks and water in it. Anchor the plant stem down in the rocks. Add some charcoal pebbles to inhibit bacteria growth in the vase. The tradescantia will grow roots in the water. To keep it healthy also add some hydroculture fertilizer to the plant about once a month. Also you may want to change the water ...

How To: Multiply succulent Kalanchoe cuttings

Succulent Kalanchoe plants are very easy to multiply. The first thing that you need is a healthy mother plant. Take a small leaf section from the base of the plant. Clean the dirt up on the leaf. Set the leaf out to dry in a nice warm area where you don't get direct sunlight because you don't want the leaf to dry out. The area around the stem of the leaf will get calloused over. Once it is calloused over you are ready to plant the leaf. You need some well draining soil such as seed starting m...

How To: Clean a faucet aerator

Ron Hazelton describes how to clean a faucet aerator to get a sputtering faucet flowing freely again. First unscrew the aerator housing, then remove the black rubber gasket and the aerator underneath. Next remove the screen from the housing. Rinse out the screen from both sides to remove debris. Use a needle to clean particles from the aerator holes, then rinse the aerator. Reassemble the housing (screen, then aerator, then gasket). Lastly, screw the housing back onto the faucet for a smooth ...

How To: Remove backer board from a shower stall

Mark Donovan is remodeling a ceramic tile shower, and shows how to remove the old backer board. First remove the old screws, starting at the bottom of each board and working your way up (leave a few screws so the board doesn't fall). Sometimes screws may be hiding under old mortar. Score the joint between the top board and the ceiling with a utility knife to prevent ceiling damage. Use a pry bar to gently remove the old backer board, being watchful for pipes. Remove the last screws, then the ...

How To: Hang drywall

This video shows the viewer how to hang dry wall easily and efficiently. In the video the creator uses a utility knife to score the sheets he will be using to construct the wall. He then snaps the sheets and finishes the cut with his utility knife. He uses a dry wall lift to hold the sheet in place before he screws it to the wooden frame. He specifically fastens the screws working across the sheet - not fastening the corners first. This stops the sheet from buckling due to errors and allows i...

How To: Build stairs for decks and porches

In this five-part video, learn the art of stair-making. If your deck or porch needs a new set of steps, why not do it yourself?

How To: Renew your deck with composite materials with Lowe's

As your home ages, so does your deck in the backyard, but there are ways to resolve this issue. If that wooden deck is looking weathered or worn, you can simply replace the components with composite materials without a complete rebuild. Composite doesn't splinter or have knots, and it's low maintenance. This two-part video, brought to you by Lowe's, will show you exactly how to renew your deck with composite decking.

How To: Refresh your deck with Lowe's

Maybe you just bought a new home. Maybe you've lived in your house for years. But if your deck looks like it's seen better day and needs an update to whip it back in shape, that doesn't necessarily mean you have to tear down and replace it.

How To: Drywall partition with Fermacell

Think a project is too difficult? Think again! With Fermacell, you can tackle any fix-it job, and this handy how-to gives a great description.

How To: Tile large & natural stone tiles

To tile with large format and natural stone tiles onto walls you must first make sure the walls are flat, clean, dry, and free of any dust, dirt, oil, grease, and any other loose material. Ensure that surfaces are suitable and prepared as advised. Then use the Dunlop Universal Bonding Agent where you will be applying the tile. For gypsum plaster and gypsum plasterboard, apply two coats of Dunlop Universal Bonding Agent, diluted with one part bonding agent, two parts water. Then allow primer t...

How To: Drill a hole in ceramic, porcelain, clay, or tile

This video will show you how to drill a clean hole in ceramic, porcelain, clay, glass or tile. Materials needed for this project are: carbide tile bit, normal variable speed drill (not a hammer drill), air tool oil, plumbers putty, MDF board or a scrap piece of wood.