DIY Home Improvement
In our Home Improvement section, you can find just about anything that has to do with improving the inside or outside of your home. Maybe you want to install wood flooring and the installation cost is over the top. Learn how to put the floors down yourself. Its actually quite easy and only takes your hard work and determination. What a sense of pride you will have when you sit down in your den and look over those fresh, beautiful floors!
Maybe you want to learn how to do something such as remove your old wallpaper or install recessed lighting in your kitchen. Although very different tasks, you can easily do them yourself with the right tools and directions.
Check out our Home Improvement section and see if any of the projects peak your interest!
DIY Home Improvement
Home Repairs You Shouldn’t Put Off and Do Yourself
When you think of the word “home repair,” what do you think? Some people aren’t bothered by it, while some instantly think about calling up the professionals and having the job done. Yes, while some projects do require some professional assistance, there are so many jobs... more
Cleaning Your Rugs for the Holidays, DIY or Call In a Pro?
Whether you are ready or not, the holidays are right around the corner! Time to make sure your home is spotless for all of your impending guests. There are many winter home improvement projects that help get our home ready to receive guests, and while we look to the obvious things... more
8 Most Popular Home Projects During the Winter Months
When it gets cold outside and you have to put away your lawnmower, rakes and shovels, if you are a person that loves a project, how about you move the projects indoors?! There are many home improvement projects that are perfectly suited for cold weather and some items that just... more
7 Inexpensive Home Improvement Projects to Help your Home Sell Faster!
If you’re planning to try to sell your home any time soon, these 7 affordable home improvements will make it more appealing to buyers by increasing the curb appeal and giving you the opportunity to sell it more quickly. With interest rates at an all time low and a lot of... more
Chimney Repair Cost Guide | Flashing, Crown & Flue Repairs
So many homeowners forget about their chimneys when it comes to inspection, cleaning and repair. You buy your home and have the chimney inspection as part of your overall home inspection process, then it seems you forget about it. The only other time you think of the fireplace... more
2012 Price Guide for Corrugated Metal Roofing
Having a new roof put on your home is expensive in itself, so if you have to spend the money it only makes sense that you get one that is going to last a very long time. Metal roofing has quickly become one of the most popular types of roofing to have installed on homes, regardless... more
Prepping Your Concrete Floor for Ceramic Tile Installation
Installing ceramic tile in your home can not only add value, but it can help take the strain off of carpet you may have in high traffic areas. Tile flooring in your kitchen and bath can hold up very well and also add to the overall decor of these rooms. Much like adding curb... more
Installing a Programmable Thermostat | Steps to Help You Get the Job Done
Energy costs are sky rocketing, so finding easy and inexpensive ways to save energy should be at the top most homeowners to do list. Since heating and cooling your home accounts for over 40% of your total utility bills, it is important to get the most out of your equipment. One... more
Average Cost to Refinish Hardwood Floors
Sanding and refinishing hardwood floors in your home is one of the top home improvements you can do to increase the overall appearance, and first impression inside your home. Like other major home improvement projects, refinishing wood floors is a rather invasive process that... more
Paint Wood Paneling For a Fresh New Look
Wood paneling was routinely installed in homes during the 1960′s and 70′s and usually covering dens, basements and family rooms. These are the rooms that we spend the most time in and unless you really love the retro look, you probably want to get rid of them. Unfortunately,... more
14 Ways You Can Prevent Central AC Failure This Summer
Summer is almost here and if you’re anything like us, you want to get through the hot months of summer without having any breakdowns on your central air conditioner. The AC maintenance tips below are often told by heating and air technicians to help homeowners do a bit... more
Painting Kitchen Cabinets The Right Way
Without a doubt, you or someone else you know has tried to re-purpose their kitchen cabinets by painting them – with terrible results. You know how they look; paint lines, drips, uneven paint, and chipping within a few weeks. When the chipping begins, the cabinets will... more
Common Roof Repairs & The Estimate Cost to Fix Them!
Hearing you have a leaky roof is one of the last things any homeowner wants to hear! Between locating the leak, the fear of getting up on a ladder and the worry about hidden damages that may have already occurred, it’s one of the worst home repairs a DIY’r can be... more
Programmable Thermostats for The Home | Top 4 Programmable Thermostat Types
Installing a programmable thermostat for your heating and air conditioning can be one of the best ways to save energy and decrease your monthly energy costs. Programmable thermostats can help you maintain comfort in your home all day, maximize it when you are there and minimize... more
Top 5 Reasons Why Your Roof Leaks
Since your roof is essentially your shelter against rain, show and damaging storms, you want to make sure it is taken care of properly. By the time you have noticed a water spot in your attic or on your ceiling, there is most likely a quite larger problem up on the roof! In this... more
3 Things to Consider when Estimating Hardwood Floor Installation Cost
How many times have you gotten estimates for a project around your house and thought you could just as easily do the job yourself to save money? I know that we do it all the time and if there’s one thing I’ve learned the hard way, it’s that there is more to... more
Why Your Home Air Conditioner is Not Cooling Your Home
Nothing can ruin a nice day faster, than feeling warm air blowing out of your homes central air conditioner system, or discovering that the air conditioner just won’t cool your home no matter how much it runs! Aside from the discomfort that comes along with heat and humidity,... more
Tips to Extend The Life of Your Driveway
Regardless of which of the different types of driveways you have at your home, a good set of driveway maintenance tips to extend driveway life should always be included in your spring cleaning and fall home maintenance checklist. As we covered in the Asphalt Driveway Cost Guide... more
How To Spot and Fix Worn-Down Roofing Shingles
Roofs are essential to a home’s insulation and protection from outside elements. This much is obvious. Every living space needs a sturdy, reliable roof to keep the interior of the home and its occupants as safe and sound as possible. Buying a new roof or fixing patches... more
How to Prepare to Refinish Your Hardwood Floor
You’re finally ready to get started on installing hardwood flooring you’ve been putting off for a while. The floor looks dingy and dull and you’re determined to make it shine like it did when it was brand new. It can be tempting to wait until the weekend and just jump into... more
4 Tips On Easy Do-It-Yourself Termite Extermination
Many people think that having termites is a problem that can only be solved by calling in a professional service to come and exterminate the insects. While this used to be true, the fact is that, just like DIY pest control, now you can actually solve a termite problem by yourself... more
64 Do It Yourself Pest Control & Pest Prevention Tips
With springtime right around the corner, not only do we get the pleasure of the trees and flowers coming back to life, many homeowners find that their homes are a safe haven for pests. Whether it’s bugs, mice, critters or snakes, almost every home has some kind pest control... more
Three Simple Tips For Home Painters
With spring cleaning about to be one of the most popular buzzwords for homeowners all over, it’s safe to assume the brainstorm machine has kicked into high gear. As temperatures inch their way from cold to seasonably warm, home remodel ideas expand outward and beyond... more
10 Tips for Maintaining Your Bathtub
Having completed hundreds of bathroom renovations in London, Ontario, I have seen some pretty horrible bathtubs. The sad part is, a lot of these tubs wouldn’t have needed to be replaced if they had been maintained properly in the first place. Below is a set of tips for... more
Your HVAC System Maintenance Checklist
While it is highly recommended to have someone visit your home once a year and check your HVAC system, it is in your best interest to perform a regular maintenance checklist as well – every 1-2 months at the most. Here are some tasks you should include on that checklist to... more
Software To Design Your Kitchen
Photo Courtesy of countryliving.com Kitchen design software is available to facilitate all types of home improvement design. Kitchen and bathroom improvement are the two areas where home owners can improve the value of their homes. Now, homeowners do not have to hire an architect... more
Tips for Maintaining, Diagnosing, and Repairing a Dishwasher
DIY and the Dishwasher Common problems often plague appliances. It seems just when you’ve saved enough for that new counter-top or other renovation pieces, your existing home items break down and need attention. However, simple maintenance and a bit of DIY can help save... more
How to Cut Cast Iron Plumbing Pipes
When it comes to DIY Plumbing, cutting your pipes accurately and timely is often a problem that most homeowners don’t know how to solve. This article was designed to help give you a few options for cutting hefty cast iron pipes. Some options require a specialized tool,... more
How to Clean Granite Countertops
Most likely, you spent quite a bit of money to have those beautiful granite counter tops installed in your home. Hopefully, you had them sealed at the same time so that greasy stains and dirt wouldn’t settle into the porous stone. If you keep up with it, cleaning your granite... more
4 Tips for Upgrading a Home
After a while it is typical for home owners to change the appearance of their home. Sometimes they get bored of the present look. Other times people were unable to afford to fix up their home when they bought it and now that they can afford it they wish to alter the look... more
How to Install a New Shower Head
Like most small home repairs, as long as you have the correct tools, you can easily replace your shower head. Don’t let the fact that you are dealing with plumbing scare you; replacing a shower head is very simple. In addition, if you are new to home improvements, this... more
Bathroom Makeover Question: Replacement Vanity Doors, or Buy a New Vanity?
Bathroom makeovers take a lot of planning. First, there’s deciding on a budget. Next, it’s time to decide what work is necessary, and then figuring out if any of this necessary work can be “adjusted” in size and scope to save money. In a typical bathroom... more
Choosing the Right Bath for Your Home
With estate agents and home experts now claiming the bath is essential to adding value, and even the quick sale of a house, many renovators are re-planning their bathroom transformations. Rather than removing the bath, it’s being widely recommended to not only keep the traditional... more
Looking For A New Years Resolution? Why Not De-Clutter?
A new year is a time to reflect on those changes that we want or need to make in order to make our lives a little easier or happier. The most popular New Year’s Resolutions include everything from losing weight or quitting a bad habit to spending more time with family or learning... more
Choosing the Right Tools for the Right Job
They say that a bad workman blames his tools.There may be some truth to that, but do you know what the real secret of a good workman is? A good workman uses the right tools for the right job. If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to undo a screw with the wrong size of screwdriver,... more
Why Tinted Windows Can Help Keep Your Home Toasty
With winter less than two weeks away, many around the country are already feeling the temperature change. For those who love snowy days and temperatures in the teens, well, then this season’s for you. And the rest of us out there? Well, the good news is April is only... more
Be Prepared for Your Ceramic Tile Project by Planning Ahead
If you want to save some money on your next flooring project, then do-it-yourself is definitely an option! But if you don’t plan the project in advance, it can end up costing you more than hiring a contractor. Make your ceramic tile project a success by being completely... more
Choosing the Right Bathroom Flooring for Your Remodel
There isn’t a lot that can be more daunting than choosing flooring for your new home or room remodel. Unless you are a professional designer, the choices can be overwhelming. In addition, most of us have no idea if the flooring we like, will be the flooring we need... more
Top Ways To Polish Up Your Bathroom
Being hunkered down for the winter doesn’t mean home remodeling projects have to take a backseat. Quite the contrary. For me, the more cabin fever set in, the more I look around the house for something to do or little project ideas start dancing in my head. Sometimes that may... more
Top 6 Ways to Lower Your Heating Costs this Winter
Use the Sun Take advantage of the suns warmth. Let the radiant energy from sunlight to augment your homes heating system by opening your drapes or blinds on sunny days. Conversely, close curtains after sundown or on cloudy days to retain heat. If you are building or renovating... more
Effective Ways To Prepare For Winter
The changing of the guard from fall to winter can be drastic for different households. For instance, homes in the Northeast (Maine, Massachusetts) may have brutally cold months, while homes along the Northwestern tip (Oregon, Washington) could see above freezing temps with constant... more
How To Hire a Home Improvement Contractor
Finding a quality home improvement contractor is not easy and the last thing you want to do is pick one at random to entrust your home improvement projects with. You want to make sure you are hiring a quality contractor that will complete your project properly, but there are... more
How to Hire a Painting Company | Questions You Should Ask
House painting can be a complex task for which you need professionals such as Painting Contractors Kennesaw to give your house an entirely new look. There are five important questions which you must ask hired painters before they start house painting. Would it be advised to contact... more
How to Prevent False Home Security Alarms
Oops! Someone accidentally set off the home security alarm. Some cities and municipalities charge for these false alarms, so having one is not only a hassle but also costly. The best way to deal with a false alarm is to prevent them from happening at all. Here are three... more
Hiring A Professional House Painter vs Doing It Yourself. Which Is Best?
Full house painting can be a lengthy and a tiresome process if not planned properly. After a certain period of time, your house needs a company like House Painters Atlanta to give your home the look you desire. It is up to the owner as to whether they will hire a professional... more
Simple DIY Carpet Repairs
Whether you pay a professional to install new carpet or you did it yourself, you want your carpet to look great for years. Accidents do happen, but two of the most aggravating can be fixed with the same actions—staining and burning. First Aid First When you spill something... more
Should You DIY or Leave It To a Professional?
Many of you have outstanding do-it-yourself skills and feel confident tackling almost any home repair or home improvement project. Pouring a concrete driveway this weekend and finishing it yourself? Not a problem if you have done it before. Building a 24×16 pole building... more
Quick and Easy Eco-Friendly DIY Home Improvement Projects
The two most common DIY projects that home owners tackle are flooring and painting. They are the easiest types of projects, can usually be done quickly, without much disruption to daily schedules, and either one, or both can do wonders to rejuvenate a tired, old décor. Something... more
Utilizing Portable Solar Panels And Its Many Advantages
Making use of solar energy in order to produce clean electric power that you can use to run our houses and businesses needs special equipment that make use of special materials that enables the device to collect, save and propagate clean energy from the sun’s rays. And... more
What to Be Aware of When Choosing a New Water Heater
Thinking of preparing to get a new water heater? Well, if you are still searching for the proper water heater, such tips are a great aid when you buy one. Water heaters are quite essential and if yours is just too old and rusty, it’s time to get a new one. You will need... more
Top 3 Summer Maintenance Tips for Your Home
There is so much maintenance that needs to be done on your home year round that it can become a very daunting task. From lawn maintenance outdoors to hvac system maintenance indoors, the list goes on and on. Your best bet is to take a few at a time, knock those out, and then... more
How to Remove Stains from Your Carpet | Including Pet Stains!
There are many different products available on the market that will help you to remove almost all types of stains. The ideal solution in minimizing or totally removing stains is by simply cleaning the spills and dirt the moment they crop up. Cleaning them up won’t... more
Closet Organizers | Tips To Purchase the Right One for Your Needs
Do you want to get your closet in shape? Are you tired of not being able to find anything in there? If you are stumped on how to do it, consider purchasing a closet organizer kit. These kits come with everything you need to get the project underway and completed effortlessly.... more
Renovations You Can’t Afford to Avoid
Cutting costs has gone from a trend to a way of life. Homeowners are among the many dreading household renovation cost, but unfortunately some of them are a must.. In order to maintain the value of your home, money must be put into maintaining your home. Do it yourself home projects... more
Should I Install My Own Tankless Water Heater?
One of the most popular DIY projects around is now in my own sights! Our hot water heater seems to be on the way out, since it won’t make it through three showers anymore. Granted, it’s a small tank anyhow at only 40 gallons (there are 5 of us in the house) but up... more
Caulk the Cracks in Your Home | Seal in the Heat
With the cold weather marching in, you should really take steps to caulk those cracks on the outside of your home. Caulking is the easiest and most efficient way to seal the openings on your house and make it weather sealed. Not only will a good caulk job on the exterior of... more
Weatherstripping Windows
Weatherstripping Windows Chances are, you have a door or window in your home that is in need of weatherstripping! A lot of us think that once it is done, it doesn’t need to be completed again – WRONG. Weatherstripping is something that needs to be checked on every... more
Storm Windows | How To Measure and Install Storm Windows
How To Install Storm Windows Storm windows are one of the best ways to lower your heating bills in the winter! Yet so many of us either don’t have them, or don’t check them to make sure they are working properly. Storm windows are installed over your regular... more
Weatherstripping | The Different Types of Weatherstripping
There are several types of weatherstripping and most can be used for either doors or windows. Its very important that you understand the different types and uses before you start your project, so you don’t get yourself into a difficult position and unable to finish! Some... more
Dryer Vent Cleaning | How To Clean Your Dryer Vent
Not only will dryer vent cleaning increase the efficiency of your dryer, it will also drastically reduce the fire risk. How do you know its time to clean your vents? The outside of your dryer will feel much hotter than usual Clothes will take much longer to dry Heavy articles... more
Deck Cleaning | How to Prepare a Deck for Staining
Deck cleaning is the first and most important process you need to do, before you stain your deck! The process of cleaning all dirt and stains out of the wood is not hard, but it’s the deck cleaning where most DIY’ers fail to take the most care. Remember, if you don’t... more
Asbestos and Mesothelioma: The Hidden Dangers of Home Renovation
Renovating an older home can bring many challenges. Electrical wiring and structural integrity are among the issues that might need to be addressed before making these repairs. However, other serious concerns regarding safety also need consideration. Because older homes were... more
DIY Guide on How to Restore Hardwood Floors
One of the best ways to update the look of our homes is to restore the hardwood flooring. Everyone thinks this is such a daunting task, but with the right equipment, it is actually quite easy! Most of us don’t even know the best way to even get starting on restoring... more
49 DIY Tips to Big Energy Savings!
Small changes or projects don’t usually make much of a difference on their own, but when combined… the cumulative effort can add up to significant results! That statement really holds true when it comes to energy saving tips you can easily make inside your home, and... more
How to Inspect and Start Your Gas Furnace
The cool and refreshing breeze of Fall is in the air and many of us will be turning the thermostat to the heat setting and starting up the gas furnace for the first time in 5 months or longer! I haven’t run the gas furnaces that heat my home since March or April…... more
How to Easily Hang A Door
Many articles written on the web about door installation, talk about how simple it is to hang a door. Well as a contractor of almost 25 years, I’m here to tell you don’t believe all the hype. Installing doors AND getting professional results is tough to accomplish,... more
How To Get a Home Improvement Loan
In tough economic times, it is even more difficult to get a home improvement loan than in latter years. Home Improvement Loans are completely different from most other loan types due to all the variables involved. Almost all lending institutions have a basic set of instructions... more
DIY Inspection of Your Roof and Roofing
With the cold winter right around the corner, now is the perfect time of year to do your own roof and shingle inspection! While it only makes sense to take a look at your roof several times throughout the year, just ahead of winter is the most important time, since snow and ice... more
7 Ways To Save Money on a New HVAC System!
Surprisingly, this is one project that a DIY Homeowner needs to weigh the pros and cons of installing anything on their own. Aside from the legal aspect of permits and licensing, we are talking about combustibles like gas or oil when it comes to heat, and of course, freon gasses... more
DIY Cleaning of Your Home A/C Condensor Coils
With fall and winter just around the corner, many of us will start spending a bit more time in our yards preparing for the harsh weather ahead. This usually includes cleaning out gutters, cleaning debris off the roof of your home, and of course, making sure the home is weatherproof... more
Portable Heaters and You – Tips from Lou Manfredini
Despite what you might think, portable heaters are a very efficient way to heat your home. I’m Lou Manfredini, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man” and as we all know, every house has one room that is always colder than the rest. So instead of cranking up the heat in the entire... more
Gas Logs from Lou Manfredini, The Helpful Hardware Man!
There is nothing quite as romantic as an evening spent in front of a wood-burning fireplace, but boy do I hate the maintenance that goes with it. I’m Lou Manfredini, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man” and I’m here to talk to you about another way to use your fireplace,... more
Pilot Light Tips and Issues from Lou Manfredini
Hi folks, this is Lou Manfredini, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man” and I’ve got some tips for one of the most complained about household issues: pilot lights. Hopefully we are all moving to a world without pilot lights, but for those of us living in older homes, it’s... more
Lighting your own Pilot Light
Pilot Lights go out for several reasons, but with winter coming quickly many of you will find that over the cooling season, the Pilot Light on your Gas Furnace has either gone out naturally, or you shut it off after the last time your heater was used, and it has to be relit in... more
DIY Garage Refinishing with Garage Floor Epoxy
One of the things that need to be changed when planning to remodel your garage is the floor. Concrete floors serve the purpose of flooring but do not look good, even if you paint it, the floor will look bare. By refinishing the floor with a Garage Floor Epoxy Sealant, you will... more
What Size Gas Logs should I Choose?
Gas Logs can not only add a great aesthetic improvement to your old fireplace, they also help save energy and heat quite a large in your home! Since 1998, they are also the most popular Fireplace Accessory you will find on both the web and many local hardware stores! Having worked... more
How do you Winterize and Cover a Pool?
Its that time of year again… when we have to get our Pool Covers out, and winterize our swimming pool! Depending on where you live and the type of pool you have, this can be a 30 minute process, or a full day! Typically, it takes longer to cover an above ground pool, than... more
DIY House Insulation to Prepare for Winter
Its that time of year again! Winter cold is right around the corner and with the rising energy costs, we can take a few basic steps and less than 1 hour, to make sure we winterize our own homes. Did you know that there are 5 main areas where all your expensive heat is lost?... more
Build your Own Deck!
Are you not satisfied with the deck on your house? Maybe you have something in mind other than what the contractors of your house built. Building your own deck can be done by just about anybody with the right directions and materials. Hiring somebody to make a deck for... more
Ready to Remodel a Bathroom – Start Here
Are you tired of looking at the same ole plain bathroom everyday? It may be time for you to do a little remodeling. Whether it is your everyday bath room or a guest bathroom that is only used by your guests you want to impress all bathrooms must have a nice clean look in order... more
Installing a New Ceiling Fan
Lets Install a Ceiling Fan Today! Installing a ceiling fan is a relatively easy job. If there is nothing above the ceiling fan in the attic, it is very easy, but even if not it is an easy job to get done. The purpose of a ceiling fan is particularly to cool off a room during... more
Remodeling a Kitchen – A Big Project!
Kitchen Remodeling Is it time to remodel your kitchen? Whether it’s a new sink, paint, tiling or hardwood floors it might be time to do some renovations to improve the look of your kitchen. There are many things that you could do to your kitchen. Some believe that the only... more
How do I install Gas Logs in my Fireplace?
Installing your own Gas Logs Before installing your own gas logs, there are many things you must be aware of. It is not something you can just dive into with knowing and reading directions. Gas logs are a replica of real logs built into a fireplace to make a nice fire without... more
Fixing a Leaky Faucet
There are many steps you must follow in order to fix a leaky faucet. First you must locate where the leak is. Faucets are sold in many different types and models, but the most common fall into just two types: washer faucets and washer-less faucets. Washer type faucets work with... more
