Dear James: The old hardwood floors in my parents’ house are a mess. I would like to repair them and use as much of the original wood as possible. Do you have any advice? —Nichole S. Dear Nichole: As beautiful as a well-maintained vintage hardwood floor looks, it can look really bad from buckling, cupping,…
Split a Large Room in 2 With a Room Divider
Dear James: With the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to split a big room with a wall to make a home office. How do I build a wall that will be reasonably quiet so I can concentrate? —Gerry H. Dear Gerry: Your situation is a common one today, and who knows for how long and how…
Make a Curved Glass Block Wall for a Shower
Dear James: I want to build a curved glass block wall for a shower stall and a straight one in my kitchen. How do lay a glass block wall so that it will not leak when showering? —Darlene G. Dear Andrea: Glass block walls can give a house a very open look and make smaller…
Selecting the Right Brush Makes Painting Easier
Dear James: I have a box of old paintbrushes here, but should get new ones for my remodeling projects? With so many options in the paintbrush aisle, what type is best to buy? —Jose M. Dear Jose: As you have funds, there are typically at least several dozen different sizes, bristle types, and shapes in…
Make Drilling Easier With the Correct Drill Bit
Dear James: I have a box of old, dull drills that could not go through warm butter. When I buy new ones, what type is best for different types of drilling tasks? —Anne Y. Dear Anne: There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to work with old, dull tools, and drilling holes is about the worst….
Make Invisible Joints When Applying Drywall Tape
Dear James: I just moved into an older house, and a lot of the drywall tape is coming loose and needs retaping. Why did it come loose, and how should I replace it? —Randall N. Dear Randall: It is not uncommon for drywall tape to come loose after many years. A change in humidity and…
Build a Lightwell Under an Attic for a Skylight
Dear James: My living room is too dark, so I want to add a skylight. My house has a pitched roof. How can I add a skylight when there is an attic above the living room?—Colleen G. Dear Colleen: Installing a large skylight will definitely bring more natural light into your living room. The basic…
Chain-Link Fencing Is Effective and Easy to Install
Dear James: We decided to raise chickens and need to fence our backyard. Is a chain-link fence a good choice, and what are the various parts we will need to install it? —Rhonda F. Dear Rhonda: Chain-link fencing is a versatile choice for your backyard. It makes an effective enclosure for any type of pet,…
How to Store Extension Cords and Hoses for Easy Use
Dear James: I am a do-it-yourself type of guy. It always is frustrating trying to untangle extension cords and air hoses. What is the best method to store them after each use? —Clark H. Dear Clark: Many people now use lithium cordless tools, so cord storage is not a problem. If you do a lot…
Plan and Build a Birdhouse for Various Birds
Dear James: Many trees were recently bulldozed for new homes, so I want to build some birdhouses to help out the birds. What are some good birdhouse design tips? —Donald F. Dear Donald: As more land gets developed for human use, there is less habitat available for wildlife. People don’t often think this is a…
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