Dear James: We plan to add a half-bathroom, but our house is built on a slab. Is it possible to still add a bathroom there, because there is no drain to the sewer in that spot? —Charlotte G. Dear Charlotte: It definitely is an easier project to add a bathroom in a room over a…
Various Types of Rope for Various Tasks and Projects
Dear James: It seems like I always need rope of some sort for various indoor and outdoor projects. I don’t like that cheap, thick yellow stuff. Are there better types of rope? —Ethan L. Dear Ethan: Rope comes in handy for many home projects, ranging from holding a cabinet in place during installation to putting…
Spruce up Your Bathroom With Decorative Tiles
Dear James: The painted walls in my bathroom look too plain. I want to install some tile with a decorative pattern. Is it difficult to design and install patterns myself? —Mia H. Dear Mia: Adding decorative tile or changing the existing tile pattern can dramatically enhance the entire bathroom. Although it is not difficult to…
Reuse Lumber and Plywood by Pulling Out Old Nails
Dear James: When doing home improvement projects, I like to reuse the old lumber. It’s more stable and looks good. What is the easiest method to pull out the old nails? —Mario R. Dear Mario: If you are somewhat careful when removing the old lumber from walls and decks, much of it can usually be…
How to Add Attractive New Stair Molding
Dear James: I think replacing the baseboards and moldings would look better. It is difficult to cut the stair molding to fit without gaps. What is the best way to cut and fit it? —Debra S. Dear Debra: Adding new baseboards and molding, especially ones with contrasting colors to the walls, can jazz up a…
Changing Old Door and Cabinet Hinges
Dear James: Many cabinet and interior door hinges squeak and don’t move smoothly. I need new ones, but the design selection is endless. What are the best and most durable hinge designs? —Russ F. Dear Russ: Most people change hinges for decorative reasons, but hinges do wear out. When a door is fully open, there…
How to Replace a Broken Window Glass Pane
Dear James: We have older wood windows, and some of the glass panes have cracks but are intact. What is the easiest and best method to replace the glass panes myself? —Denise K. Dear Denise: Replacing a glass pane in a wood window sash is not rocket science, but it is often done wrong. The…
Make and Add Your Own Wet Bar to Your Home
Dear James: My combo living room/dining room would be better for entertaining if it had a wet bar. How can I build a very strong one myself, and what is the best size for it? —Ted T. Dear Ted: You cannot go wrong for entertaining, convenience, and resale value by adding a wet bar to…
Tips to Avoid Typical Bathroom Design Errors
Dear James: We are in the planning stages to add a half-bathroom on our first floor for my elderly mother. What are some basic design tips to consider and errors to avoid? —Cathy D. Dear Cathy: As our population ages, adding a first-floor full or half-bathroom is becoming a typical home improvement project. Although this…
Find Musty and Mildew Odors in Your Home
Dear James: There always seems to be a musty/mildew odor in my house, which is quite old. Could the odor come from the part over the crawl space? What can I do to improve the air quality? —Mike Y. Dear Mike: Constant moisture and dampness are typically the most common causes of musty odors and…
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