Few things are as satisfying as a job well done, and most of us are handier than we think. Many projects—such as fixing a misaligned cabinet door—may not seem DIY-friendly at first, but are actually quite simple. While it’s best to leave hanging cabinets to the pros or a pro-level do-it-yourselfer, fixing sagging doors, loose…
Install an Electric Water Heater
When an electric water heater begins to produce lukewarm water, replacing it is an obvious choice. The simplest solution is to replace it with a new electric unit that will be more efficient and consume less energy than the old one. While a home improvement like decorating is more enjoyable and visible, an electric water…
Install Drywall Properly to Avoid Shadowing
Dear James: We remodeled our bathroom and tried to do the drywalling ourselves. There is shadowing by the joints, and it seems worse at night. What was our mistake?—David G. Dear David: There is quite a learning curve when hanging and finishing drywall. Shadowing is not a condition that resulted from you not hanging the…
Install a Towel Warmer
If your bathroom just can’t be warm enough for you, especially in the winter months, consider treating yourself to an electric towel warmer. Not only is it heating your towels, it’s also making a cold space warmer. So, you’ll appreciate the luxury of stepping out of the shower or bathtub and wrapping yourself in a…
Install a Weather Vane
Make a striking impression of your home by adding a weather vane, an ornament atop your home, garage or outbuilding, to catch the wind. It can be a distinctive crowning touch on a rooftop to distinguish your home, and it’s a simple way to see which way the wind is blowing. You’ll find a wide…
Ask the Builder: Bitter Cold and Your Home
When I woke up just before writing this column, it was a balmy 15 below zero here at my house in central New Hampshire. A gale was blowing and the wind chill was -41F. You may be reading this column in sunny Florida or southern California, where it never gets bitter cold, but you may…
Proper Carpet Padding Is as Important as Carpet
Dear James: The carpeting in our living room needs to be replaced. I know how to evaluate and select the carpeting, but what is the best padding type and thickness?—Sheryl T. Dear Sheryl: Installing the proper type of carpet padding (called cushions professionally) is as important to the comfort and life of the carpet as…
Install a Pet Door
If your pet likes being outdoors some of the time, you know how much they appreciate having their own private door to go outside and come in at their whim. So, a pet door makes everyone happy. The only downside is a pet door may invite animals other than your own inside your home, which…
Add a Cultured Marble Liner in Shower Stall
Dear James: The grout in my tile shower stall is a mess and I am tired of cleaning the grout. Is adding a synthetic cultured marble liner a good idea and is the material very durable?—Miles M. Dear Miles: Tile is very durable, and most houses use it in showers, but most require regular cleaning…
Build a Magic Playhouse or Clubhouse
Many decades ago, I was a small lad, right in the middle of the baby boom created by soldiers and sailors returning from World War II. There were no fewer than 10 kids on my street that were within two years of me in age. Two were brothers that lived just 200 feet from my…
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