You finally have the time to fix your driveway. Concrete is the ideal material, but it’s also expensive. As you look for ways to stretch your budget, bagged concrete may come to mind. Will it work?

Electrical work is among the most complicated aspects of home improvement and construction to understand. There are so many variables between wires and conduits that affect installation and durability. So, how are THHN and THWN wires different and why does it matter?

The bathroom is arguably one of the most overlooked rooms in the entire house. More and more homeowners are remodeling their bathrooms, putting in the time and effort to make this space a focal point. Seeing as we all begin and end our days in the bathroom, it should feel luxurious, calm, and relaxing. One of the easiest and most affordable ways to elevate your space is to add a waterfall faucet.

The roof of a home is perhaps the most important thing. Doing all that we can to provide proper maintenance can mean the difference between a roof that works appropriately and requires costly repairs. This is why it’s essential to have a drip edge. Except, how exactly do you install a drip edge on a roof that already exists?

A water hammer occurs when there is a sudden increase in a pipe’s water pressure when the water is suddenly forced to stop. This occurrence often creates a loud banging sound. Water hammers do more than create an annoying level of noise. These abrupt changes can severely damage a piping system.

Sliding glass doors are preferred by homeowners who enjoy picturesque views. They’re great for many more reasons, but a downside is that they can sometimes have water intrusion problems.

There is nothing like a nice new coat of paint to get a room, piece of furniture or even your home’s exterior looking shiny and new. Painting your walls is a great way to reinvigorate them without having to start from scratch. But sometimes our best intentions end in disaster, like when a freshly painted wall starts peeling. But if you just completed this job recently, you are likely wondering why your fresh paint is peeling off the walls.

Family needs have changed, and many older homes place the washer and dryer where they no longer fit our lifestyles. Many homes have washer and dryer connections in out-of-the-way locations like basements. Many homeowners wonder what it costs to relocate washer and dryer hookups to more convenient locations.

Are you interested in transforming your yard by building some new walkways, a patio, and even a deck for your pool? If so, you will need to install some new stones in your yard. Among the material options that can be used for those aforementioned installations are flagstones.

Electrical wiring is not only for the main areas of the house anymore. Modern homes may see electrical wiring throughout the property, running into sheds, garages, and even patios or decks. It only makes sense with the prevalence of flat-screen televisions as they can be placed just about anywhere with a simple electrical connection.

If you need to have wood waterproofed, then chances are you’ve applied Thompson’s Water Seal to it. This waterproofing stain is known for being one of the best in the home improvement world when it comes to keeping your materials looking great. Of course, many of us want to make our projects look even better with a fresh coat of paint. But, is this actually doable?

What could be more luxurious than soaking in a copper bathtub? It seems like the height of sophistication. And because of the amazing properties of copper, the material makes for a tub that’s both unique in style and durability.

Hardwood floors can elevate a room, and they often increase the value of your home. When you have hardwood floors, you want to make sure you keep them looking sparkling clean and looking fresh. Wood floors, however, inevitably show wear and tear. As you look down at your less than perfect floors, you may find yourself wondering how often you should recoat your hardwood floors.

Having a basement offers more storage space and additional living space for you and your family, which makes it a popular project for many homeowners, especially if you don’t have a lot of overall square footage. Depending on where you live, you’re going to run into different guidelines and roadblocks when it comes to digging out a basement.

Electrical wiring is not a pursuit usually undertaken by homeowner do-it-yourselfers. However, some people undertake minor electrical repairs and additions to the electrical systems in the homes. One of the most perplexing portions of proper electrical wiring installation is understanding when wiring is required to be enclosed in conduit. Many people wonder if THHN wire must be in conduit to be installed properly.

Laying tile is a tedious task that yields rewarding results. Everything from the measurements and tile placement to the mortar and grout dry times affects how the project will turn out. So, how long does it take tile mortar to dry?

Just looking at your basement floor drain, you’d probably never guess it’s an essential part of your home’s plumbing system. The basement floor drain is an important component that serves as an outlet for undesired water in your home. But it’s nearly impossible to figure out where basement floor drains go just by looking at them.

A new screen for your porch can cost anywhere from $700 to over $5,000 depending on where you live, the size of your porch, and the type of project. Replacing the screens on your porch is not cheap, and therefore you will want to wait as long as possible to complete this project. In general, you should wait between eight and fifteen years before you need to replace your porch screens.

Drain lines carry dirty water and other liquids away from the fixtures you have installed throughout your home. They handle a very unpleasant job for us and we need them in good shape all the time. If your drain lines are clogged or damaged, you will be able to tell quickly.

You are not alone if you are shocked and angry about rising energy costs. It seems like everything is costing more, and prices are hard to keep up with. While some of these costs are out of your control, there are ways to cut down on your energy usage. In fact, it is a good idea to conduct a DIY home energy audit once a year to make sure you are not spending money in areas where you shouldn’t have to.

When dealing with electricity, it is often a question of where you live as to whether you need a permit or not. Just as with this question about installing a subpanel, it will depend on your particular state and city. It can also be dependent on the building codes in your specific community or subdivision.

Radiant barriers are classically located in attics and are excellent at reducing the amount of heat and reducing cooling costs. While it may not be as typical, you can also install radiant barriers in stud walls. With this short guide, you will be well on your way to understanding how to go through this installation.

Closed cell foam spray foam insulation consists of a dense material that does not expand much when applied. This density makes the insulation very weather-resistant, making it an especially good option for detached metal garages.

The exterior of your home’s cladding not only provides an aesthetic appeal but can also play a significant role in the insulation and overall protection of your home.

When a contractor comes into your home you trust them to construct, install, work on, or repair whatever you have hired them to come and do. Unfortunately, sometimes they are not as careful as you would like, and they can leave scratches on what they are working on. 

Outdoor lighting really adds glamor to your home’s facade if you design it right. But just as with lighting the inside of your home, exterior lighting is a bit complicated, and there are many ways you can go astray. When it comes to flood lights, for example, there are definite do’s and don’ts to consider when installing and positioning them.

A skylight can be a beautiful addition to a home. In addition to providing a beautiful look at the sky, they can help give an infusion of natural light and can help keep homes warmer during the colder months of the year.

Toilet flush systems often end up with issues that need immediate repairs. You do not want your nature’s call to be messy due to a broken toilet, now do you? One such problem that has been frequently witnessed by people is an inefficient toilet flapper that closes too soon. As a result, the necessary amount of water does not flush down the toilet bowl to clean it.

The difference between cubic centimeters (cc) and horsepower (hp) is a complicated relationship with many factors. One main difference is that cc refers to the size, or volume, of an engine while hp is the measure of how much power the engine puts out.

The rest of your house smells perfectly fine. Yet, you can’t get your bathroom to stop smelling like pee. You’ve washed and scrubbed every surface, so what’s the deal? Why does your bathroom still reek of urine?

Working on a ladder is a delicate process. Yes, the ladder will allow you to get to spots high up off the ground that you wouldn’t be able to otherwise. They are a useful tool that any roofer, builder, or amateur handyman should have at his or her disposal. To keep your ladder steady, it’s a good idea to have a roof ladder hook. The good news is that you can make these, and it’s simple.

Quarter round molding is utilized in a wide variety of trim projects and can be a lovely finishing touch to most rooms. Essentially quarter round includes two sides forming a 90-degree angle and the third side is a curve equal to one-quarter of an entire circle. It’s a long trim consisting of very flexible lengths typically made of oak, wood, hemlock, MDF, pine and sometimes polystyrene.

Shingling a roof can be far more complicated than you may have realized. Because of the various materials involved, there are certain specifications that must be met to ensure that the roof and shingles are properly installed.

With the stress and pressures that come with daily life, many Americans are transforming their bathrooms into spa-like retreat as a way to relax and de-stress in the comfort of their own home. In recent years, modern technologies such as radiant heat flooring, steam showers, towel warmers, and hydro-massage showerheads have emerged to help turn a simple bathroom into relaxing sanctuary.

Grout lasts for an average of 12 years, but it can go bad long before then. Regrouting tiles is never a fun process, but does it mean that you have to remove all of the old grout?

When painting anything on the interior of your home, you need to use primer as an undercoat. The number of coats of primer you need can vary, depending on your desired end result.

Knowing how to measure a home, is important in many situations. You may need those numbers, to estimate materials for renovations, tax purposes, and also for buying and selling a home.

Ductwork isn’t easy for every homeowner to navigate without vast HVAC knowledge, and that is understandable. The ducts in your home are every bit as important for heating and cooling your home as the AC and furnace. So, what size duct do I need for a 12×12 room?

Spending hours cleaning your bathroom only to have it still smell like urine? Even the most meticulous of cleaners can fall victim to this eternal battle with urine smell in the bathroom. So, where does it come from, and how do you get rid of it?

Cracked walls, peeling paint, and mold are all signs of water damage often seen in basements. If there’s water damage in your basement, then the clear solution is to waterproof it. But what is basement waterproofing, exactly, and what waterproofing methods can you choose between?

The first thing people see when they come to your house is the front porch. Whether a small humble stoop or a large wrap-around showpiece, your porch should feel welcoming and make people want to see more. Therefore, if the front of your house needs a facelift, it’s time to spruce up your front porch.

A septic tank needs ample space to drain. And without knowing precisely how big your field should be, it can lead to ground contamination at worst and a nasty cleanup effort at best. Taking the proper precautions beforehand will save you a lot of headaches in the long run.

Mahogany is one of those woods that oozes class, sophistication, and old-world British flair. Having cabinetry that’s done up in a rich mahogany stain doesn’t just add a beautiful touch of burgundy red to your home. It also is a subtle way of saying, “I’m totally loaded, dude.” But, what kind of flooring works with mahogany cabinets?

If you’re looking for your mobile home to count as real property, you may be required to have a permanent foundation. Having a permanent foundation will broaden your financing options and make selling your home a whole lot easier.

When you decide what type of flooring to put on top of concrete slab in your home you are essentially working with a blank slate. There are several types of material you can choose from. All of them have pros and cons, but some types are definitely more appealing to most homeowners than others.

The last thing you want to do is run up massive energy bills all winter. It’s tempting to turn up the furnace every time it gets cold, but that will quickly become quite expensive. So, what are the cheapest ways to heat your house in the winter?

Natural light goes a long way in modern homes, and homeowners build additions for that purpose. It is more and more common to see listings for homes with daylight basements, but what does that mean?

Doing a bathroom remodel project can be satisfying. However, some decisions can get confusing for homeowners, such as toilets. There are so many variations, brands, styles and sizes that it is easy to get confused. One of the most confusing is the difference between chair height and comfort height toilets.

The average size of a home has grown about 24% larger over the last ten years. However, the average lot size has decreased by 10%. If you want to build your dream without breaking the bank, use this as a guide to utilize a shallow lot.

Vinyl plank flooring has been all the rage in the home improvement industry for a while now. It’s gorgeous, cost-effective, durable, and comes in a huge variety of designs. But what many people want to know about vinyl plank flooring is whether or not it is waterproof.

There are many reasons why you might need to know your property lines. You probably have a general idea as to where your property line is, but sometimes you require something more exact. Whether a tree has fallen and caused some damage, or you want to build a fence along the border of your property, you need to know your precise property boundaries. But how do you find out your exact property lines?

Pilings are columns that hold up houses in areas where the soil cannot sustain a traditional concrete foundation. Using pilings allows builders to construct homes in areas that would otherwise remain undeveloped, such as beach areas, flood zones, floodplains, wetlands, and the sides of mountains. Having the right number of pilings keeps your home safe and minimizes the risk of damage from erosion and storms.

Floor plans are ultimately what define a house and give it its value. The way that one hall leads into another or that a room like a kitchen is separated makes all the difference in how appealing a house is. With all of the factors that play into what dictates a desirable floor plan, how many types are there?

Building a structure like a barn or shed doesn’t feel like as big of a deal as building a livable structure to many. However, Building Departments throughout the country value safety and expect you to comply when you build a barn. So, what happens if you build a barn without a permit?

Removing a Kohler shower handle can be difficult, especially considering that there are several different Kohler shower handle types. However, you will be able to remove your Kohler shower handle in no time using the images and three steps below.

Metal roofing is perfect for sheds because of its low cost and how easy it is to install. Still, many home improvement enthusiasts and building-owners have not installed metal roofing on a shed before and want to know how it can be done properly. So, how exactly do you do it?

We don’t talk enough about how important the dryer is to the typical household. Can you imagine working your way through your laundry pile without the help of a dryer? A job that typically takes less than an hour to finish may suddenly take up a big chunk of your day.

There’s no denying that energy costs are out of control, getting higher and higher year after year. Utility costs tend to rise right along with the rising outdoor temperatures. Therefore, it’s not surprising that people want to reduce the heat entering their homes so that they can lower their bills. A popular method is planting trees to save on air conditioning. But this only works if you know where to plant them.

Working with toilets and other plumbing fixtures can be intimidating, difficult, and messy. This is especially true when it comes time to remove the lid from your toilet tank remove any component. With that said, how do you remove the plastic nut from a toilet tank?

More and more, we are seeing 400 Amp service being run into residential properties across the US. Today’s modern appliances and electronics demand more and more power requiring higher amperage electric service. Many homeowners, builders, and contractors wonder if using a pair of 200 Amp service panels is a viable option.