Tag: DIY

Man Spends Over a Decade Building 74-foot Steel Boat in Yard, Sails Down Mississippi to Gulf of Mexico

He was dying to live out an adventure. Stuck in a cubicle for 17 years—a database administrator in oil and gas—Doug Jackson, 62, risked everything to try something that “terrified” him by building his own submarine in 2000. But it so happened, this was just the beginning of his ocean adventures. Today, Jackson has stepped up…


Plastic Laminate Countertop Is Easy to Install

Dear James: My budget is very limited, but I need a new kitchen countertop. Is there any type of attractive low-cost countertop I can make myself? — Michael D. Dear Michael: Even if you are not experienced with DIY projects, you should have no problem making your own new countertop. It’s easiest to use your…


Replace a Bifold Closet Door

It’s easy to take a closet door for granted; it quietly does its job and serves its purpose of opening and concealing all the stuff you have stored behind it. Closet doors that fold and slide easily can be a pleasure to operate, but downright annoying when they are difficult to open and close. Their…


Proper Deck Cleaning for Nice Appearance

Dear James: We have an old wood deck and are expanding its size. The old deck looks bad compared to the new one. How can we make it look newer to match?—Valerie M. Dear Valerie: If the old decking was not cleaned and treated regularly, it can look almost black. The mildew can get slippery…


Install Wallboard

We learned a long time ago that, no matter how much you save installing wallboard yourself, the job is not worth it. But when you’re remodeling, and walls need to be replaced, it’s a job that can’t be avoided. Wallboard, drywall or Sheetrock, whatever you call it, are basically the same material: 4-by-8-foot panels made…


Add Another Doorbell Chime in Large House

Dear James: When I am on the back deck or even sometimes in my kitchen in our big house, I have trouble hearing the doorbell ring. Can I add another ringer to the doorbell?—Keith S. Dear Keith: Even in a smaller house, it can be difficult to hear the doorbell chime (technical term for ringer)…


Install a Pull-Down Closet Rod

If you’re thinking of upgrading your clothes closet to be more efficient and useful, consider adding a closet pull-down rod to take advantage of unused, often unreachable space overhead. It may be difficult to reach, but the space offers plenty of storage potential with an adjustable telescoping pull rod. The pull-down rod opens out and…


What Are the Most Common Plumbing Problems?

By Paul F. P. Pogue From Ask Angi Like electricity and HVAC, plumbing is one of the most critical parts of your home whose infrastructure you rarely see. Behind your walls, hundreds of feet of pipes serve as the blood vessels of your home, delivering hot and cold water at the turn of a tap….


Builder Contract for New House

Dear James: We have the rough plans done for our new house and need to hire a contractor. What should we pay attention to in the contract to insure all goes well?—Meg H. Dear Meg: We have all heard stories on the news of a contractor getting paid and not completing the job or doing…


Install a Solid Surface Tub Surround

The three walls surrounding a bathtub take a lot of abuse, especially if the bathroom serves a house of family members who bathe daily. Those conditions call for a hard-working, durable wall surface with the ability to withstand the moisture and continued use. Solid Surface is a manufactured material, made of acrylic resin, polyester resin…