Do-it-yourself projects let you customize your space, provide a savvy way to save money on home upgrades, and elicit a swell of pride when the final product turns out just the way you envisioned. But even with the most meticulous step-by-step instructions, DIYs don’t always go to plan. According to a recent survey conducted by…
Install a Security Light
A small upgrade that made a big difference in our backyard security was adding a motion-sensing exterior light at the rear of the house where we parked the car. When we returned home in the dark it wasn’t easy to see the path that led to our back door, but the addition of a security…
Replace a Towel Bar
Is there anything more annoying in a bathroom than a towel bar unable to do its only job? As it dangles by one end, off the wall, it is good for nothing and certainly not for hanging a towel. The problem is the hardware fastener no longer works and is pulled out of the wallboard…
Ask the Builder: The Power of Books and Shelves
I’ve had enough trips around the sun that I often find myself thinking of what might be inside future homes. For example, do you think that architects and builders from 100 years ago would have thought laundry chutes would go out of style? They might have thought placing washing machines on top of wood floors…
A Stacked Masonry Barbecue Can Be Strong
Dear James: Our gas barbecue grill just rusted out and I want to build a masonry one that uses charcoal or wood. What is the simplest construction method that still looks nice? — Kevin W. Dear Kevin: Propane or natural gas barbecues are convenient to use, but they do not provide the same flavor as…
Add Gutter Drainage
Ask any home inspector or realtor about what’s a turn off to home buyers when scouting a house to buy, and they’ll probably tell you any signs of neglect by the current owner. Water damage is a big one. The problem is often caused by water pooling around the foundation due to poor gutter drainage…
Install an Exhaust Fan
The room in a home that’s the best target for mold and mildew to grow and thrive is a bathroom without good ventilation. You can prevent that by installing an exhaust fan that removes all the moisture through the wall and outside while preventing damage to nearby wood surfaces. Since you’re cutting a hole in…
4 Recipes for Homemade DIY Lawn and Garden Fertilizer
I love a beautiful yard, but I hate spending a lot of money to get it that way, which explains why I am always looking for do-it-yourself, cheap ways to kill weeds, grow flowers and feed lawns. I have come across some very clever tips and tricks, not the least of which is to reclassify…
Build a Cedar Deck
The Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard says growth in improvement and repair expenditures is expected to remain solid throughout the year and into 2022. And building a deck is one of the popular improvements homeowners are making to expand their living space outdoors. At the…
Install an Outdoor Shower
An outdoor shower is ideal for a nice, quick wash down with fresh water after a day at the beach, dip in the pool or swim in the lake. While you’ve probably seen custom-built outdoor showers that look like they’re an indoor bathroom with hot and cold running water, we’re talking about a more modest…
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