Home-Improve

Imagine waking up before the rest of your family on a warm sum mer morning, and starting your day by sipping coffee on your brand-new deck. Building a deck can be beneficial whether  you are looking to enjoy peacefu l outdoor moments or planning to entertain family and friends. DIY Deck Building Basics An easy way to expand your outdoor living space is by building  a 120 x 93-inch square ground-level platform deck. Since it won’t be attached to your home, it can be built anywhere  in your backyard. This simpler DIY  route will still give you plenty of room for your grill, chairs and potted plants, without the added expense and planning of an attached deck. Supplies and Tools for Building a Deck: Circular saw Miter saw Cordless drill Clamps Level (new) Hammer Spade Framing Square Speed square Shovel Safety glasses Landscape fabric How to Replace a Sidewalk You walk your dog on it, your children use it to walk to the school bus in the mornings and your neighbor jogs o...

Tips for Designing and Maintaining Your Yard If you have ever flipped through a copy of Better Homes & Gardens, or perused a few DIY blogs, then you’ve probably noticed that every pictured home has something in common – a ridiculously beautiful backyard. You know the ones I mean, incredibly lush lawns, sunny patios and beautiful flower arrangements that look like they ’ve been plucked from a garden show. If you feel a little yard-envy , it’s okay: we’ve all been there. But in truth, there’s no reason to be jealous of those manicured magazine cover-worthy yards. Attaining that level of backyard beauty is entirely possible for an amateur homeo wner with a passion for DIY home improvement. All it takes is a little blood, sweat and a few helpfu l landscaping tips. Landscaping Tip 1: Practice the Art of Lawn Maintenance A beautiful backyard begins with the lawn. Specifically, learning how to maintain a lawn and avoiding some of the most common issues that can crop up, such as weed...

Hiring a Contractor List Hiring a contractor for a home improvement project can be overwhelming, esp ecially if it's the first big project you've ever done. If you're not sure where to start, we've got a handy checklist full of tips for finding a good contractor, including questions to ask and how to protect yourself during the process. Hiring a Contractor: Checklist Start with Refer rals The first step to finding a good contractor is to start with referrals from family, friends and neighbors. In addition to word of mouth recommendations, it is important to research directories, references and reviews from professional organizations from previous clients. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is a great resource for finding reputable remodelers near you. Additionally, most reputable businesses have review listings that you can find with a simple online search of the business name on Google, Yelp, or Angie's List. Ask the right questions Renov...

5 Steps If Your Basement Floods Every homeowner would be horrified to find a flooded basement.  Most people don't plan for this unwanted surprise, but when it happens, you need to act quickly to limit the damage. If you currently have water in your basement, use extreme caution and follow the first step before proceeding. Then follow these steps to find the source of the flood, get the water out of the basement and start cleaning. Dry and clean the basement under water 1. Make sure your basement is safe to enter The first thing you should do in the event of a basement flood is to assess the situation. If the water is high enough to contact the outlet or electrical wires, there is a risk of electric shock. Check for these signs to determine if it is safe to enter a flooded basement: 1. Water depth: If the water is more than 2 inches deep through the basement, do not enter the water - you may be shocked. Call a professional plumber or water damage expert to pump out the water as qui...

Stop basement leaks Replace window wells : Replacing old or rusted window wells will reduce water ingress and keep soil away from window openings.  Cracks in the wall are one of the most important causes of basement leaks and often become visible during rain. In unfinished basements they are quite noticeable, but in unfinished basements you should check for cracks through the wall from the outside of the foundation.  There are few things worse for a homeowner than finding water in their basement, especially if it's not entirely clear where it's coming from. Fortunately, water seeping through basement walls is not always a cause for concern. Basement leaks have several possible causes, some of which have simple and relatively inexpensive solutions. Wall-to-floor junctions , also known as bays, are one of the most common culprits for basement  leaks due to the gap  between the wall and the floor. As groundwater rises, such as during. Use the instructions below to loca...

Garage Ideas for Organizing Things Do you have more storage space in your garage than a parking space? Are tools, extension cords, party decorations and ladders checked? To restore the stable, you need to clean, organize and add a lot of storage. For inexpensive solutions to your clutter problem, use these DIY ideas to create garage organization on a budget. Choose a project that fits your needs, budget and bricklayer skills. 5 Affordable Garage Ideas 1. Build Your Own Garage Shelf Experience Level: Advanced Cost: $150-$350, Depending on the Number of Shelves You Choose The best way to keep your garage organized is to keep things off the floor. Custom garage build-ins can cost thousands of dollars, but building your own shelving is a quick way to improve garage organization on a budget. Open shelving in the garage allows items to be easily seen and accessed, keeping them away from people and cars. These plans from DIY blogger Ana White provide instructions for building a 20-foot garage...