Expert Advice on Home Improvement

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.

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.

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.

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.