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Architecture : Home & Garden
Problems With a Basement Floor
Basement floors can experience problems when finished and when unfinished.Parquet floor image by Einar Bog from Fotolia.comBasement floors can present a number of problems that are not issues with other floors. Because basement floors lay directly on the ground underneath the house, they...
How to Fix & Refinish Wood Floors
Hardwood floors take a lot of abuse over the years. Kids playing with toys, dog's nails scratching against the smooth finish -- it all takes its toll. After several years of abuse, it may be necessary to repair or tighten down loose floor boards, fix scratches and refinish the surface to make it loo
How to Fix a Drip With Putty
Pressurized CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) and copper water supply lines, as well as PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) sewer lines, will drip; if there is a small crack or pin hole in the pipe's wall. A good quality epoxy putty will alleviate the drip. Though
How to Restore Dry Window Sills With Linseed Oil
Sunlight, moisture and dry conditions can sap the moisture from wood window sills, leaving them dull, rough and damaged. Although a treatment of pure, unadulterated linseed oil dries too slowly and actually promotes mildew growth, a solution of boiled linseed oil and paint thinner applied to the sur
How to Use Stain Grade Trim
Stain grade trim is any type of trim made out of wood that is not primed to be painted. When purchased, stain grade trim still has its natural wood look. This type of trim can be installed anywhere in the house, including as door casing, baseboards or crown molding. No matter what application it is
How to Mount a Whirlpool Dishwasher
Installing and mounting a dishwasher can become a nightmare. During installation, the risk for shock, flooding and damaging to your kitchen floors and counters increases. Mounting the dishwasher improperly can cause the dishwasher to move or tip when opening, which could injure you or damage your fl
What Are Joists & Rafters?
Joists, roof joists and rafters are light wood frames of wooden beams designed to support the structural load of the building. While very similar in function, joists and rafters are different in that rafters are built at an angle and used in roof construction while joists are reserved for flooring a
Floor Molding Types
Baseboard floor moldingEmpty Room image by dwight9592 from Fotolia.comThere are several different types of floor molding, or baseboard, types on the market for you to choose for your home. Once you have become aware of and have a good, basic understanding of a few of these varying types,...
How to Take Tar Out of Carpet
Finding tar on your carpet can be disheartening. The dark, sticky nature of tar makes it seem impossible to remove. Don't start ripping up the carpeting, thinking you have to have it replaced. Tar doesn't have to be a permanent spot on your carpet. With the right products and methods, you can get ta
Standard Width of a Staircase
Stairway design plays an important part in the comfort and safety of people walking from one level of a structure to another. To ensure the well-being of users, building authorities have instituted minimum standards for various dimensions of stairways, such as width. One of the main concerns of most
Shelving Options for Tiled Showers
The scene is familiar for almost any homeowner: shampoo bottle pyramids, cluttered and crusty crammed corners and seemingly no place or space for shower bath products. If you are entertaining the thought of a do-it-yourself tile shower, you likely have these unpleasant cluttered scenarios in the bac
How to Build a Small Cabin House
A simple, easy-to-build one-room cabin can be utilized as a natural retreat, hunting shack, mini-vacation home, workshop, art studio or guest cottage. Inexpensive, easy to heat, cool and simple in design, a cabin provides shelter, warmth and the satisfaction of building it yourself. Consider using s
Framing Square Tricks
A framing square, also known as a steel square, is one of the staples of the carpenter's toolbox. Not only can it be used to determine right angles, it is also used to calculate the length and angle of rafter ends, as well as the angle and placement of stair risers and treads on the stringer. In the
Is Solar Energy a Good Source for My Home?
Environmentalists have been touting the benefits of solar energy for years, but is it really the best energy source for homeowners? The answer depends on where you live and what you value.
What is the Preferred Installation Method for Engineered 9/16 Bamboo Flooring?
Bamboo flooring, manufactured from a sustainable, renewable resource, is gaining in popularity. Bamboo is cut about every three years and re-grows from the roots. Engineered bamboo flooring is made by gluing layers together and subjecting them to heat and pressure, a similar method to that used to m
How to Lay Self-Stick Tiles in Rooms With Halls
Floor coverings provide protection for the structure of the house and cushion for your feet as you walk. Hardwood, ceramic and carpet can be expensive and hard to install for the beginner. Rolls of vinyl flooring offer a bargain and a bit less of a hassle for the first-timer. However, self-stick vin
Blanco Sink Styles
Blanco sinks are renowned for their style as well as their quality.water in a sink image by terex from Fotolia.comFor more than 80 years, German company Blanco has been leading the industry in designing innovative, high-quality professional and domestic food service equipment. Blanco...
How to Replace a Pool Skimmer
How to Replace a Pool Skimmer. A skimmer is a vital cog in a pool, used for removing debris and protecting your pool pump. Simple maintenance will extend the life of your skimmer and should be performed regularly, as replacing a skimmer is a large, difficult project for all but the most experienced
Bathroom Shower Options
Installing a shower is fairly simple process, especially in homes that are still under construction, where there is more room for maneuverability. If you want to replace an old shower in your current home's bathroom, the job becomes a bit trickier, but is by no means impossible for the determined do
How to Shingle a Steep Roof
Installing your own shingles is a big job, but you can save at least 50 percent on the project if you do it yourself. Shingling a steep roof does have an additional challenge: creating a safe way to work while maintaining efficiency.