Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Danny demonstrates a simple method of determining how far to pull your car into the garage so the door will close by suspending a plastic golf ball from the ceiling with a string. Watch this video.

The last step in laying a tile floor is applying and sealing the grout. After the tile adhesive has set, apply grout to the joints using a rubber float. Grout comes in a variety of colors, but darker grout tends to show less stains. Stainproof grout is also available, though it isn’t as easy to work with as regular grout. Watch this video to find out how. Watch this video.

Ceramic floor tile can be cut to size using either a hand operated, score and snap cutter or a motorized wet saw. Rather than buying an expensive tool, consider renting a tile cutter from a tool rental center. Watch this video.

When installing tile on a plywood subfloor, cement backer board is usually put down first to provide a firm, stable surface. A new type of waterproof underlayment membrane, such as Ditra from Schluter Systems, can be substituted for backer board. Made of lightweight polyethylene, the membrane is only 1/8” thick and can be cut easily with a utility knife. Watch this video to learn how. Watch this video.

There are a number of specialty tools that can make the job go a lot faster and easier when installing carpet or removing vinyl flooring. Since most homeowners won’t use them often, consider renting from a tool rental center rather than buying. Watch this video to learn more. Watch this video.

Thompson’s Exterior Multi-Surface Cleaner with oxy-foaming action is formulated to remove dirt, mildew, and other stains from a variety of outside surfaces including wood and composite decks, concrete, masonry, and even some fabrics. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

It’s important to keep your gutters and downspouts clean to prevent them from clogging. Elbows in downspouts are the worst culprits, and the flexible metal cable of a plumber’s snake is the best way to clean them out. Once the clog is clear, insert a garden hose in the downspout and turn on the water to flush out any debris. Watch this video to learn more. Watch this video.

When removing glued down flooring, such as vinyl or linoleum, it’s important to get as much of the old adhesive off the subfloor as possible to provide a smooth surface for the new flooring. There are several tools, from hand scrapers to powerful rental machines, that can be used to remove flooring adhesive. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Due to their soft nature, sheet vinyl flooring can be easy to damage. Watch this video to find out how to make a seamless repair to a damaged area in a vinyl floor. Watch this video.

Wood flooring is available as solid wood or engineered wood, along with DIY friendly simulated wood grain laminate flooring. Watch this video to find out what you need to know about the different types and what it takes to install them. Watch this video.