Dear James: My old deck and patio have gotten worn and rough over the years. Instead of having expensive repairs done, are there comfortable, durable coverings I can put over them? —Cheryl T. Dear Cheryl: Deteriorated deck and patio surfaces can be very uncomfortable to walk on, and they look bad. A rough wood surface…
Minor Concrete Repairs Are an Easy Do-It-Yourself Project
Dear James: I need to do some projects around my house that require patching and adding some concrete. Is this a project the average do-it-yourselfer can do without expensive tools? —Sharon M. Dear Sharon: If you have a container or wheelbarrow for mixing the concrete, and you are strong enough to carry the heavy bag…
Turn Drywall Scraps Into Easy Wainscoting
Dear James: We think wainscoting would look good in our dining room. We have extra drywall here from a previous project. Can this be used instead of wood for wainscoting? —Julie R. Dear Julie: Wainscoting is becoming more popular again, even in newly built houses. The decorative walls are attractive, and doing just one wall…
7 Ways to Update a Basic Bathroom
Sure, the ever-functional bathroom is sometimes swept aside in favor of decorating more grandiose rooms. But your bathroom doesn’t have to be boring! It’s the little details that count, so we’ve rounded up seven easy DIY updates for every part of the room, from the walls down to the bottom of your vanity. They’re also…
Simple Tips for Replacing an Asphalt Shingle Roof
Dear James: There are leaks in our garage when it rains. The dark shingle roof is about 20 years old. Is it better to try to just fix the leaks or re-shingle the entire garage roof? —Jennifer T. Dear Jennifer: At 20 years, your roof is reaching the typical life of an asphalt shingle roof….
Add a Walk-In Closet to Your Master Bedroom
Dear James: We created a master bedroom from two smaller bedrooms. Now, we want to build a walk-in closet into a corner. How big should one be, and how should we build it? —Aaron M. Dear Aaron: A walk-in closet is found in almost every master bedroom these days. This is a pretty simple do-it-yourself…
Is It Better to Rent or Buy Drywall Hanging Tools/Equipment?
Dear James: Much of the drywall in my house is uneven and needs to be replaced. I plan to hang the drywall myself. Are there tools or fixtures that will make it easier for a beginner? —Noah L. Dear Noah: Hanging drywall is not as difficult as most people think it is. Apparently, the original…
Make Sure Concrete Is Properly Poured to Minimize Cracks
Dear James: I am having a new house built in an area where others have had many cracks in the concrete. What should our builder pay attention to in order to avoid this in our house? —Logan G. Dear Logan: It is not unusual to have some cracks form in concrete. It takes time for…
6 Tips to Make Your Shower Doors Sparkle
Like dishwashers and washing machines, shower doors help get other things clean—while accumulating an impossible-to-get-rid-of ring of soap scum themselves. Luckily, a little preventive care (and a few quick cleaning tricks) can help your shower door stay sparkling clean. Banish Buildup With Pantry Ingredients People swear by the incredible soap scum-slaying ability of distilled vinegar…
Winter Decluttering: Less Stuff, More Peace
Wintertime is an especially opportune time to take stock of your belongings, separate what you use or love from everything else, and allow the latter to move on from its place in your home. It’s this time of year you’re likely spending more time inside. Come spring, you might find yourself flinging open the windows…
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