How to Install a Nest Cam Outdoor Camera || Placement, Tips for Pros & More
The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor is easy to install, but it requires some forethought. Plan ahead, and see these tips for the smoothest possible installation. Includes bonus coverage on the Works with...
Hanging Wallpaper on a Feature Wall :: A Fix for a Cracked Plaster Wall
Creating a feature wall is a great way to add a little extra zing to a room. With wallpaper, you'll also find an easy way to hide minor imperfections in plaster walls....
Refinishing & Hanging Functional Exterior Wood Window Shutters
Exterior Wood Shutters have a long and storied history. Here is the story of Refinishing and Rehanging Functional Wood Shutters on a Victorian Farmhouse. From stripping and re-applying paint, to mortising for...
The Skinny on Screws :: Our Guide to Common Screws
Now that does not mean that every screw is the same. For example, you are not going to (or you shouldn't) take drywall screws and mount decking boards to a deck frame...
RePointing Brick || A Porch Foundation Repair
Much of the mortar, likely of an inferior grade, had popped out and consequently some of the bricks themselves had compressed. Repairing a small section of a porch foundation, led to repointing...
Installing a Post Lamp :: Patio Project Progress
Since I would be using pvc (it is glued together just as you’d glue plumbing pipe together), I selected solid THHN (stands for "Thermoplastic High Heat-resistant Nylon-coated"). THHN is very similar to...
Pressure Washing Basics :: Like Sweeping with Water
First, let me say that using a pressure washer (kinda like painting) is something everyone seems to think they can do. That is - until a job turns horribly wrong. Ha! Be...
Small Space Storage Solution :: Installing a Werner Compact Attic Ladder & Review
I can't even begin to explain how great it is to have been fortunate enough to have had the chance to try out Werner's new compact attic ladder. In all honesty, this...
How to Install a Wire Nut :: DIY Home Improvement Essential Skills
I learned from the beginning that when joining voltage-bearing wires, you use a wire nut. And there are five steps with installing a wire nut like a pro.
How to Grow a Healthy Lawn :: 5 Secrets to a Beautiful Lawn
How you seed can be broken into one of three areas, and which circumstance you encounter often dictates what type of product you need. We’ll call these areas: new seeding, re-seeding (or...
Tips for Designing a Backyard Pond :: Building a Luxury Landscape
When designing a backyard pond your goal should be to create a pond that looks like it has always existed in the landscape; incorporating natural, flowing lines with a variety of rock...
Helpful Hints for Choosing the Best Exterior Paint Colors
One difficult exterior renovation decision that many homeowners face is what color to paint the outside of the house. After all, it’s not something you do very often, and no one wants...
Selecting Roof Colors to Complement Brick or Stone Exteriors :: The Top Down Approach
Understanding the different color pigments of brick and stone features are paramount to selecting the right roofing colors. According to color expert Kate Smith, a “top down” approach is needed to select...
Grow Grass Without Weeds :: Soil Types, Aerating, Watering & More
Unfortunately, everybody's yard is different, there's no silver bullet and lawn care techniques are confusing. Will my yard benefit from aerating? How do I get rid of crabgrass? What is runoff? These...
Tips for Cleaning a Wood Deck :: Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Decking
I hate the words “spring cleaning.” I hate long checklists that remind me of all the things I don’t feel like doing. I hate the hours of dirty, sweaty work required to...
Smart Home Security with Nest Pro || Outdoor Cams, Nest Secure & More
Smart Home Security products just got a little, well, smarter and more connected with new offerings from Nest Labs. A look at the new Nest Secure alarm system, their outdoor security cameras...
OSHA’s Updated Silica Dust Standard and Tips for Managing Masonry Dust
What is Silica Dust? Why Does Your Contractor Care? OSHA's new Respiration Requirements based on Common Tools and Tasks. Plus Tips for managing dust in Masonry (Brick, Stone, Concrete, etc.) Projects. Read...
Building a Trash Can Pad :: Another Landscape Challenge Solved
Building a Trash Can Pad or Stand, is much like installing a paver patio - just on a smaller scale. Both why and how I built this stand using scrap 4 x...
What to Know About Exterior Functional Wood Window Shutters :: History, Styles & Curb Appeal
Exterior Wood Shutters as a basic element of Curb Appeal. From the story of Refinishing and Rehanging Functional Wood Shutters, a little on the History of Shutters and Various Styles. Plus info...
Restoring a Concrete Pond :: Repairing Cracks, Parging and Sealing with Epoxy
A look at paint-on pond liner - Pond Shield. Included are all steps required in repairing an old concrete pond that no longer held water. I discuss all options including possibly installing...
Tips and Lessons Learned with Repairing Dutch Lap Wood Siding
Wood siding is subject to the elements, and some damage over time is, well, almost expected. For any number of smaller repairs - a hole, a gouge, etc, an epoxy-based wood filler...
Installing a Manufactured Rain Barrel and Kit
As you know, your landscape constantly demands water. A rain barrel is a great way to collect water that would be otherwise wasted. It helps fulfill for those lawn and landscape watering...
The Best Way to Remove Plaster from a Wall or Ceiling
As your pile of crumbled plaster starts to grow to about shin height, you pull out a snow or other shovel. Which you begin transferring to contractor bag. ...We’ve all done it...
Strong Screws :: The Story with Simpson Strong-Tie Structural Screws
I will set instead to look solely at the Simpson Strong-Tie® fastener options. And I don’t know about you, but it was kinda news to me. I mean - beyond joist hanger...