Water Entering a Daylight Basement
I hear so many people call in about problems with water getting in their crawl space or lower level of their house. Tom …
Best Type of Window Blinds6
I’m asking the designer in Leslie for help. My first floor windows have roll shutters on them for security. I do not have …
How to Repair Carpenter Bee Damage
We live in a log home, tucked into the middle of 34 acres of hardwood forest. Carpenter bees are literally eating us out of …
Carpenter Bees
How do I keep carpenter bees from attacking stained, varnished, mahogany doors?
Foundation Walls Are Bowing. What Are My Options?
I have a hundred year old house in the midwest. I take really good care of the house and I have spent some money on improvements …
How to Paint Pressure-Treated Wood
Hello, I have a 2 year old porch constructed from pressure treated lumber. Tom recently talked about using oil-based solid …
Where Can I Find a Combination Motion-Activated Light and Dimmers?
Our teenagers often snack and grab drinks at night, then fail to turn lights off when they retire from the kitchen to their …
Doors Won’t Shut in Winter
In the winter, several doors in different locations in my house will not catch and stay shut. When the weather warms up and …
Duration Paint Failure
The exterior of my cedar sided house in Alaska was professionally painted in August 2011. Sherwin Williams Duration paint was …
Choosing the Best Grout
We want to put dark grout on our floor between dark brown ceramic tile, except everyone's warning us that dark grout fades …
Shopping For An AC Install – What Do I Buy?
I'm about to purchase a mini-split ductless air conditioner. The site where I'm going to buy it lists the accessories …
How to Clean Florida Glass Windows on Lanai67
My Florida Glass windows constantly have streaks. I have tried plain glass cleaner, vinegar & water, detergent & …
What’s the Solution to a Smelly Basement?
We just moved into the home my grandfather built in 1932. It sat empty for a few before we moved in. But even after ridding the …
How Do Oven Pilot Lights Work?
I have an older Caloric (Amana) gas oven. I curious about the pilot light for the four burners under the hood. I was told that …
Adding Humidistat to AC
Recently we purchased a new seasonal home in Sarasota, FL. We will not be there throught the summer. We are snowbirds. I called …
Retaining Wall with Fence Above
I want to build a retaining wall the length of my backyard and place a fence above. The wall height will range from a foot and a …
Can I Match New, Old, and Pre-Finished Hardwood Floors?
My wife wants to extend our hardwood floors up the stairs and throughout the upstairs hall. We want to refinish the …
DIY Solar Power: Too Good to Be True?
I've seen several ads for DIY solar power for homes. They claim to be able to show you how to build your own power supply …
Can I Rewire My Old House With Minimal Disruption?
I have an old home. I was wondering if there is a way to rewire without gutting it?
Composite Decking: Is It Worth Using?
Is composite decking really worth the expense? The materials are five to six times the cost of wood. How well does it hold up …
Mistakes to Avoid When Refinishing Furniture
I finished my wood kitchen table years ago and had no problems with it. Then I scratched it, so I sanded it and put on about …
Termites?
I think I remember reading somewhere that spring is termite swarm season. What should I be looking for to find out if they …
Bathroom Leakage
I have a leak in my bathroom ceiling. The only way I can fix it myself is by going to the roof and that is impossible. I …
How to Stucco a Shed838
I live in a neighborhood of Mediterranean-style homes. According to our homeowners association, all buildings on lots must be of …