Expert Advice on Home Improvement

The return on your investment for any home improvement project, including remodeling your kitchen, will depend on the real estate market in your area as well as how large a renovation you have in mind. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

When deciding whether to buy a new tool for a DIY home improvement project, take into account whether you will need to use it on a regular basis in the future. If you find that you will use it rarely, consider renting the tool instead. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Nick asks, “My water bill has been high lately. How can I tell whether I have a plumbing leak, or if there’s a problem with the water meter?”

It’s possible the increase in your water usage could come from a faulty meter, but it’s more likely you have a leak in the water line running from the meter or the plumbing under your home. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Amy asks, “When remodeling a kitchen, should you install the cabinets or finished flooring first?”

I prefer to put the finished flooring down before installing the cabinets, though it can be done either way. While it uses more flooring material, the installation requires less cutting and fitting. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

There are some basic tools that every homeowner should have. They include a tape measure, hammer, screwdriver, pliers, torpedo level, and a handsaw. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Granite is very popular these days, and the price has come down substantially in the past few years thanks to faster and easier ways to cut it. Granite is user friendly and while it won’t scorch from a hot pan, it can scratch. Granite should be sealed once a year to prevent staining. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Louise asks, “The ceiling in my living room has a crack where two of the pieces of drywall meet. How should I go about repairing it?”

Cracks in drywall joints in a ceiling are caused by wood movement in the framing due to shrinkage caused by changes in temperature and humidity. The common approach is to fill the crack with spackling then paint over it, but the crack will usually come back as the seasons change. A better solution is to apply drywall compound and tape over the crack to keep it from telegraphing through. Read on to find out how. Read in full.

Installing a programmable thermostat controls the temperature in your home while you’re away so the heating and cooling system will use less energy. While this can save up to 15% a year on utility bills, the actual amount will vary depending on how it is set and the amount of time the house is vacant each day. Watch this video to find out more Watch this video.

Since up to 70% of the energy used in the home goes for heating and cooling, it’s important to be sure you have enough insulation. A simple test is to look in your attic. If you can see the top of the ceiling joists, then you need more insulation. Insulation comes in rolls you can install yourself, or it can be blown into the attic. Watch this video.

Some of the new plastic laminate countertops can mimic the look of natural stone at a much lower price. Made by various manufacturers and known as honed, etched, or textured, they not only look like stone but feel like it as well. At 50% to 65% less than stone, you can have the look you want while your budget remains intact. Watch this video.