What set of power tools can I assemble that will allow me to build things out of wood and will store in a closet? [more inside]
posted on Jan 22, 2008 - 23 answers

I need help installing my 5LNB dish for DirecTV service. [more inside]
posted on Oct 3, 2007 - 9 answers

What color should I paint a yoga/exercise studio? [more inside]
posted on Feb 8, 2007 - 16 answers

My significant other and I are having an ongoing arguement about leveling our 80 year-old house. [more inside]
posted on Nov 26, 2006 - 17 answers

How to remove paint from parquet floors? [more inside]
posted on Nov 8, 2006 - 9 answers

I know, I know, light bulbs seem to fail in clusters, but I don't think this is to do with putting a bunch of lights in at the same time. This week for instance, I got up and turned on my kitchen lights (8 x 50w small spots) and one blew and tripped my Ground Floor Light fuse. A day later and I get home and turn on the same lights, another goes and trips the lights circuit again. Later in the week, another goes in my study. I replaced all the bulbs today. I turn them on, everything is fine, I go outside and turn on the porch/side lights (3 x 60w) and two of them blow. I nearly always have an inop light or two. My question is this : Is there an electrical fault which might explain this pattern of failure ? Thanks
posted on Oct 7, 2006 - 11 answers

Questions about 2nd coats. 1) DECK: Just stained deck two days ago with a semi-transparent latex deck stain ("Weatherbeater" brand). Unfortunately it dried a little unevenly, showing brush marks, so there are lighter and darker patches. Can I apply a second coat, or will that peal once the rain comes? 2) TUB: re-caulked around tub yesterday. Aesthetically it might look better if I could apply another layer of caulk to smooth out edges and make a little thicker (used white silicone bathroom stuff), but will the fresh caulk adhere properly to the 24-hour cured caulk? I had to scrape the bejesus out of the gap to get the old caulk out, and I don't want to risk the new caulk job failing.
posted on Oct 2, 2006 - 3 answers

Are there any easy and inexpensive solar kits for your home? Someone preferably DIY installable. (in the 500-1k range?) [more inside]
posted on Aug 28, 2006 - 4 answers

Home Improvement Filter: I'm trying to decide on a new floorcovering and I need creative ideas for wall paint as well. [more inside]
posted on Aug 10, 2006 - 4 answers

Building a home office, and need help with lighting. [more inside]
posted on Mar 20, 2006 - 7 answers

How do I remove my window sash lock? [more inside]
posted on Feb 17, 2006 - 9 answers

How thick would a carbon steel plate have to be to roughly approximate the bending & deflection characteristics of 5/8" to 3/4" plywood? [more inside]
posted on Jan 19, 2006 - 6 answers

What are some usual (or unusual) home maintenance things/tips/hints that you do/use/follow periodically? Anybody have a link to a good list of these? [more inside]
posted on Nov 11, 2005 - 11 answers

I was at Lowe's looking at a storm door for the front of my house. Pella has this thing called Express Install. It shows a woman installing a storm door all by herself. Anyone have any experience with these Pella storm doors? [more inside]
posted on Nov 7, 2005 - 6 answers

least visible/ugly power extension cords? [more inside]
posted on Oct 11, 2005 - 10 answers

I'm working on a patio project at home, and I'm trying to calculate the square footage of an area that's in the shape of an irregular pentagram. It's about 19ft 6 inches long at it's base, and then has measurements of 70", 93", 43", and 16ft (192in). Is there a utility online I can use to calculate this area, or possibly a feature in Visio that I can use to do this with? Many thanks in advance for any time you take to post.
posted on Sep 1, 2005 - 4 answers

HomeImprovementFilter: I'm planning on having a basement room finished, and before I put the contractors to the time and expense of coming out for estimates, I want to know if the project will be something I can afford to do right now. [more inside]
posted on Aug 18, 2005 - 2 answers

How can I reduce highway noise from a window? [more inside]
posted on Aug 17, 2005 - 11 answers

HomeImprovementFilter. Also, RiskOfBrainDamageFromPaintFumesFilter. I am purchasing two unfinished wood bookcases, and plan to paint them a glossy red. However, they are so heavy that once I get them delivered (4th floor walkup) I'll need to paint them in my apartment. I'm afraid that painting them in the apartment might be dangerous, fume-wise. [more inside]
posted on Aug 13, 2005 - 13 answers

This weekend my husband and I are planning on re-doing the guest bathroom. The house is run-of-the-mill American wood-construction, built in 1985. The shower fixtures seem to be "original equiptment," as it were, and look bad enough that I'd like to replace them. The shower is fiberglass and there is no "acecss panel" to get to the inner workings of the shower. How do we replace the knobs, spigot, drain, and shower head/neck with the least hoopla?
posted on May 27, 2005 - 6 answers

Looking for input on finishing new interior replacement windows. [more inside]
posted on May 20, 2005 - 1 answers

Old house, new to me, lots of quirks we're trying to fix. The old owner put clear contact paper on the garage windows, then painted the contact paper. He's been dead for fifteen years so this is old, tough glue. [more inside]
posted on May 5, 2005 - 15 answers