Expert Advice on Home Improvement

We’re taking a look at some innovative green ideas from the Los Angeles homes of actor and environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr. and science guru Bill Nye. From conserving water to solar landscape lighting to green lawn equipment, find out how you can make your home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Read in full.

Herb asks, “Is it a good idea to install a TV over a fireplace?”

Mounting a flat screen TV over the fireplace has become quite popular, but there are a number of potential problems to consider first. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

SimpleMat is a double sided, adhesive sheet that is perfect for attaching tile to a countertop or backsplash. It can be used on drywall, plywood, plastic laminate, or painted surfaces. Simply cut the mat to fit, press in place, peel off backing, and attach tile. SimpleMat is available at The Home Depot. Watch the video to find out more. Watch this video.

Inexpensive towel racks mounted on the inside of cabinet doors is a great way to store cookie sheets and cutting boards for easy access. Simply cut the racks to length, attach them to the door, and mount a plywood shelf near the bottom to hold the items in place. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Owning a home often involves tackling common maintenance and repair chores around your home. Access Hollywood entertainment correspondent, Laura Saltman, received a helping hand from Danny and Allen to solve some nagging repair problems on her home in Los Angeles. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Fall leaves and footballs are in the air… Sort of sad to say goodbye to the summer fun and warm weather, but it’s time to get energized for those seasonal “honey-do’s”! I’ve created the perfect list you can print to keep things organized…pick the ones you find most helpful or add ones you’d like to get done. Read in full.

When repairing small, irregular objects, it can be hard to clamp them while gluing. To solve this problem, apply glue to the parts, then mold modeling clay around the pieces, and use it to hold the pieces securely in place until the glue sets.Watch this video to learn more. Watch this video.

More than ever, do-it-yourself homeowners are choosing to make their own repairs and improvements to increase the value of their homes. In her new book, Fix It in a Flash: 25 Essential Home Repairs and Improvements, Jodi Marks offers step-by-step instructions that will make your home repairs a success every time. Read in full.

The plastic coating on dishwasher racks can wear off over time. To extend the life of your rack, snip off the end of the rusted tines with wire cutting pliers, then lightly sand the metal and apply dishwasher rack coatingto the bare ends. To speed the process, turn the rack upside down, and dip each tine in the bottle of coating. Watch this video.

It’s easier to attach a shim to the short leg of a wobbly chair than cutting off one of the legs. Start by setting the chair on a flat surface, then slide a shim under the short leg. Trace the outline of the leg on the shim, and cut the shim to size using a hole saw. Attach the shim to the leg with a furniture glide. Install glides on the other legs as well. Watch this video.