If you’re trimming heavy tree limbs, you have to be extra careful not to damage the bark or interfere with the tree’s natural healing response. Doing it right is actually no more difficult than doing it wrong, particularly if you think ahead to how much work it would take to remove a dead tree!

Here’s how to cut large tree limbs in your yard in three simple steps.

Poorly healed wound due to an improper pruning cut.

How Trees Heal

The truth is, trees don’t actually heal like we do. When you cut off a tree branch, the tree forms a special callous tissue (like a scar) that covers over the wound to keep out disease and decay. That scarred part of the tree will be there forever, sealed off so that the rest of the tree can keep growing. It’s very important to prune trees correctly so that we don’t interfere with this process – incorrect pruning will leave the tree weak and vulnerable to disease.

In the top photo, you can see the evidence of several large pruning cuts. The bumps show well healed pruning scars, most of them completely covered over. The “donut” shaped scar is normal, too. The callous tissue grows from the outside edges toward the center, so it’s still in the process of sealing over.

Take the time to do it right.

How to Cut a Tree Limb

Proper pruning of large tree limbs involves three cuts:

• Cut #1, Notch Cut: Cut a small notch in the bottom of the limb, 2-3 feet away from the trunk, and about a quarter of the way through. This notch will keep the bark from splitting when you make the next cut.
• Cut #2, Relief Cut: Just outside the notch, make a relief cut completely through the branch. This removes the weight of the branch, so that you can make your final cut without the branch splitting and falling.
• Cut #3, Final Cut: This is the one that matters! Your final cut should be right where the branch collar (that swollen bump) transitions to smooth branch bark. Follow the slant of the branch collar. If you can’t fit your saw into the crotch at the right angle, then cut it from the bottom up.

Common Tree Trimming Mistakes

• Cutting the Branch Too Short: We used to think that branches should be cut off flush with the trunk – boy, were we ever wrong! The branch collar is responsible for forming the scar tissue. If you cut into the branch collar, the tree will have a very hard time recovering. When you see rotten holes in tree trunks, or seeping wounds, you’re looking at the aftermath of cutting off the branch collar.



• Leaving the Branch Too Long: The branch collar on the truck can only do its job of allowing the wound to heal if all of the branch that it has to cover over has been removed while leaving the branch collar itself intact. In the photo on the right, you can see how the branch stubs that were left too long are interfering with and actually preventing the healing process from taking place.



• Failure to Make the Relief Cuts: If you fail to make the relief cuts and remove most of the weight of the limb before trimming the branch back to the trunk, you run the risk of having the branch split off. This can cause substantial damage to the trunk, as seen in the photo at right. This can make the wound on the trunk susceptible to disease and insect infestation and take much longer to heal.

Further Information

• Trimming Limbs (Video)
• Treating Cut Tree Limbs With Wound Paint
• When To Trim Trees and Shrubs
• Basic Shrub Pruning Techniques
• How To Prune Trees (USDA Forest Service)
• The Kindest Cuts: Where and How To Prune (Brooklyn Botanic Garden)

Related posts:

• Treating Cut Tree Limbs with Wound Paint
• When to Trim Trees and Shrubs
• Sidewalk Damaged by Tree Roots

Kitchen Cabinet Organization Tips

Adding drawer dividers is a great way to make existing drawers more functional. You can buy them ready made from home improvement stores, or make them yourself out of wood to fit a specific size or shape.

Another option is to replace drawer bottoms with 1/4” pegboard and use dowels as adjustable spacers to accommodate everything from pots and pans to kitchen utensils.

Installing a pullout rack in your cabinet is perfect for storing cookie sheets, baking pans, and trays.

Rollout racks (or drawer slides) can also be adapted for use with a kitchen trash can, or you can purchase a pullout specially designed for that purpose. The cabinet door in front of the trash can either be hinged or attached to the front of the rack so it pulls out with the can.

Kitchen Cabinet Facelift Tips

To improve the looks of your kitchen cabinets, replace the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Doors and drawer fronts can be custom ordered in various sizes from home centers in a wide range of colors and styles. They’re also available unfinished, so you can finish them yourself to match existing cabinets.

Another option for dressing up bland plywood cabinet doors is by attaching mitered strips of molding to the face. Stain and finish the molding to match the doors, then cut the miters and nail the molding in place.

Kitchen Cabinets Upgrade Tips

To increase the usable space in your kitchen cabinets, consider utilizing the open space above hanging cabinets for display or fill in the space with a custom cabinet for added storage.

You can add a touch of elegance to your cabinets by replacing some of the wood panels in the hanging cabinet doors with glass to display collectables, silver, or fine china.

A plate rack can provide an interesting design feature while making your kitchen more efficient at the same time.

Adding an island to your kitchen can make use of wasted space. Allow 42” between the island and other cabinets, and 36” for walkways.

If your kitchen doesn’t have space for an island, try a rolling cart instead. Park it against a wall when not in use, then pull it out into the room when needed for cooking or serving.

Kitchen Countertop and Backsplash Tips

A tile backsplash is a great way to dress up your kitchen while making it easier to keep clean. Mosaic tile kits, such as those from JEM Expressions, are available with unique custom images ranging from artwork to personal photographs.

Wood, both painted and natural, can be used for a backsplash as well. Vertical wooden beadboard can make a beautiful kitchen backsplash.

Granite is very popular kitchen countertop material, but it can be expensive. One way to have the look and functionality of granite without spending a fortune is by installing a granite insert on the counter next to the stove for pans hot from the oven.

To free up additional countertop space, replace your existing countertop microwave with a combination vent fan and microwave that fits over your stove.

Other Tips from This Episode

Related posts:

• (698) 10 Step Kitchen: How to Remodel Your Kitchen
• How to Adjust Concealed Kitchen Cabinet Hinges
• (710) Dream Kitchen

The Sawgrass Clubhouse with JELD-WEN windows and doors.

JELD-WEN Windows & Doors is giving one lucky golf fan the trip of a lifetime to THE PLAYERS Championship at Pointe Vedra Beach, Florida!

Golfers who have dreamed of being at THE PLAYERS Championship and taking their shot at the famous 17th island hole at TPC Sawgrass now have the chance to make their dream a reality. JELD-WEN Windows & Doors, a Proud Partner of THE PLAYERS, is hosting a nationwide sweepstakes to win a trip for two to THE PLAYERS tournament in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

THE PLAYERS JELD-WEN Golf Sweepstakes is open for entries from now through April 6, 2010. One winner will receive the ultimate golf tournament package, including roundtrip airfare for two, three nights lodging at the beautiful Sawgrass Marriott, meals, ground transportation to and from the hotel, and admission for two adults to THE PLAYERS on May 8-9, 2010. The package also includes exclusive hospitality tent passes for the tournament with prime viewing at holes 13, 17 and 9/18.

On Monday, May 10, following the tournament, the winner will be treated to a round of 18 holes at the legendary PLAYERS Stadium Course, where Henrik Stenson won last year’s PLAYERS and recent champions have included Phil Mickleson, Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia.

“This is the ultimate experience for golf fans, being able to enjoy the excitement of THE PLAYERS and then playing the same course, under the same conditions, the very next day,” said Jay Monahan, executive director of THE PLAYERS. “While so much focus is placed on the 17th hole, THE PLAYERS Stadium Course truly is one of the great championship courses in all of golf.”

For 50 years, JELD-WEN has built its reputation as the world’s most reliable manufacturer of windows and doors, offering a full breadth of products that have earned notoriety for dependability, innovation and excellence. The company’s long-standing commitment to golf includes serving as the official window, door and millwork provider of the PGA TOUR and THE PLAYERS Championship.

JELD-WEN’s beautiful custom wood windows and interior doors are right at home in the elegant TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse, home of THE PLAYERS. JELD-WEN also is a Proud Partner of THE PLAYERS and title sponsor of the JELD-WEN Tradition, which together raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for deserving charities every year.

For more information about JELD-WEN, or to find a dealer near you, visit www.jeld-wen.com or call 800-877-9482.

In addition, you can follow JELD-WEN golf news on Twitter and Facebook.

Related posts:

• JELD-WEN Custom Carved Interior Doors
• Windows and Doors that Qualify for the Energy Efficiency Tax Credit
• Advantages of Replacing Your Windows and Doors

Updating and improving the look of your home doesn’t have to put a strain on your budget. By using recycled or reused materials, along with a little imagination and creativity, you can make a big difference in your home for a very small investment. Here are seven simple DIY projects to get you started.

Where to Find Items to Reuse and Renew

There are a number of sources for used and discarded items, such as:

• Thrift stores
• Secondhand consignment shops
• Goodwill
• Salvage companies
• Habit for Humanity ReStores
• Online at The Freecycle Network
• Yard and garage sales
• Classified ads online and in newspapers
• Remodeling site dumpsters

How to Refinish a Ceiling Fan

Instead of throwing an outdated ceiling fan in the trash, consider refinishing it to make it look like new. Here’s how to go about it:

• Disassemble the fan components you plan to paint.
• Clean all the parts with denatured alcohol to remove any dust or grease.
• Rub metal surfaces with fine steel wool to remove the gloss.
• Lay all of the pieces out and spray with several light coats of spray paint for metal.
• Reassemble the fan components except the blades.
• Reattach the fan to the ceiling.
• Attach the blades and balance if needed.

How to Refurbish Old Furniture

Kendra Bennett is a homeowner who has a knack for taking old objects and transforming them into something new. She found an old credenza for $20 at a yard sale. After stripping off the black finish and refinishing it, the piece was converted into this unique conversation piece for her home.

The two cabinet doors in the center of the piece were removed and replaced by wine racks. As an accent, two wooden window frames were backed by mirrors then mounted on the wall above it. The whole project only cost $150 dollars and a little imagination.

How to Make a Fireplace Screen

To hide a fireplace from view during the summer, create a simple fireplace screen by hinging together discarded shutters found at a salvage store. Here’s how to go about it:

• Clean, sand, and make any repairs to the shutters.
• Apply two coats of interior paint and allow to dry.
• Link the shutters together with brass cabinet hinges.
• For screens of more than three shutters, install each pair of hinges on alternating sides so the screen can be folded up like an accordion when not in use.

The project was completed in less than a day for under $10.

How to Personalize a Child’s Chair

Lisa Brodie also enjoys giving new life to old pieces of furniture. Some of her favorite items are small chairs made for children. Here’s how to go about it:

• Clean the chair to make sure all of the dust and loose finish is removed.
• Apply a coat of primer and allow to dry.
• Apply two coats of paint.
• Decorate the chair as desired with contrasting colors and patterns.
• Personalize the piece with the child’s name.
• For a more durable finish, apply a final coat of clear finish (brushed or sprayed) to the painted surface.

How to Refinish a Wicker Chair

To make an old wicker chair new again:

• Use an air compressor to blow off dirt and dust out of cracks.
• Clean surface with a scrub brush and denatured alcohol.
• Use a hot glue gun to reattach broken or loose caning.
• Apply several light coats of spray paint, letting it dry for the recommended time between coats.
• Allow the paint to dry completely for several before using. A fan can help speed up the process.
• Store any leftover paint to use for touch up later.

How to Build a Headboard

To turn a discarded column and some leftover lumber into a headboard:

• Mark the cuts around the column with painter’s tape.
• Cut the column to length using a reciprocating saw.
• Construct a cubbyhole shadow box for the headboard from 1×6 lumber.
• Use 2×12 lumber for the feet and caps.
• Assemble the columns to the headboard.
• Paint the headboard and allow to dry.
• Use screws to attach the headboard to the wall studs.

Since all of the material used in the headboard was discarded or scrap, the project cost next to nothing.

How to Pour Concrete Stepping Stones

To make personalized concrete stepping stones for your yard:

• Cut down a 5-gallon bucket with a jigsaw to use as a mold.
• Spray lubricating oil around the inside of the mold to prevent the concrete from adhering.
• Mix up concrete and fill the mold with it.
• Smooth off the top of the concrete using a board as a screed.
• Customize the concrete while wet with handprints, decorations, or masonry dye.
• Allow concrete to dry before removing stepping stone from the mold.

Other Tips from This Episode

Related posts:

• Tips for Refinishing Children’s Furniture

How do I add square topper stones to a curved retaining wall? And how do I attach the topper stones so that they don’t get knocked off? -Paul

Those wedge-shaped stackable stones are great for building curved retaining walls, but once complete it leaves you with unsightly gaps. For a finished look, you can add topper stones, but it poses some challenges since:

• Topper stones are usually square, not wedge-shaped, so if you want a smooth top you’ll need to cut them to fit the curve. If your curve is very gradual, you might be able to get away with spreading out the small gaps so they aren’t noticeable.
• Topper stones are also a bit wider and lighter than the wall blocks, so it’s easy to kick them out of place or bump them with a lawn mower. I have topper stones on my wall, and I’m always knocking them loose and having to put them back.

Instead of my kick-and-replace method, there are better ways of finishing off your retaining wall! Try these tips.

Use a Masonry Saw

Retaining wall blocks can be cut using a masonry chisel and mallet, but for the topper stones you may want to spring for a diamond blade masonry saw such as the Edco Hardscape Saw. Similar to a wet tile saw, masonry saws make very clean, straight cuts that will give a nice finishing touch to your wall. Masonry saws can be rented at your local rental center – all you’ll need is an extension cord and a garden hose to provide lubricating water.

The bottom stones will be cut along the lines, and the top one will be left square.

How to Measure the Cut

If you enjoy geometry, you can cut each stone at an angle to curve along your wall. For a faster job that looks just as neat, try this approach:

• Step 1: At the beginning of your wall, place stones #1 and #3 in their places. You’re going to be cutting both of these.
• Step 2: Lay stone #2 on top of them, with the front corners lined up. You’re NOT going to be cutting this stone, you’re just using it as a cutting pattern.
• Step 3: Draw lines on stones #1 and #3 where the top stone overlaps them.
• Step 4: Cut stones #1 and #3 along your lines.
• Step 5: Replace the stones on the wall, and now stone #2 should fit neatly between them.
• Step 6: Now put stone #4 on top of stones #3 and #5, and repeat. The odd-numbered stones will be cut on both edges, and the even-numbered stones will be left uncut.

The back view shows the overlap of the stones and the cutting line being marked.

Adhere the Stones

Once your topper stones are cut and fit, you can keep them in place using masonry adhesive. Masonry adhesive usually comes in a tube for use with a caulk gun and should be available at your home improvement store. Examples include:

• Titebond Landscape Retaining Wall Adhesive
• Quikrete Polyurethane Construction Adhesive
• SRW Retaining Wall & Paver Adhesive

For a very solid wall, you can also use the adhesive to attach the stackable blocks themselves.

Further Information

• How to Build a Stackable Block Retaining Wall

Related posts:

• How to Build a Stackable Block Retaining Wall
• White Efflorescence Stains on Retaining Walls
• How to Install Wall Anchors in Drywall

Spring is on the way! This year, March 20 marks the Vernal or Spring Equinox, when day and night are the same length. Don’t be fooled by the calendar though. Depending on where you live, freezing weather can persist well past the official start of spring.

As you plan your early spring chores, take a look at your garden soil. When a shovelful of soil crumbles in your hands, the soil is considered “workable.” If it’s still frozen, or soggy enough that a handful mushes into a ball, you should wait before plowing or digging.

Also take note of your last frost date and hardiness zone. As soon as the last frost has passed, you can begin planting summer bulbs and annuals and working outdoors in earnest.

Bare-root roses and shrubs can be planted while dormant.

Trees and Shrubs

• Continue pruning nonflowering trees and shrubs. You can also prune summer and fall flowering trees and shrubs such as crape myrtle and butterfly bush.
• Prune spring-flowering shrubs such as azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons after they bloom.
• Hold off on pruning birch, maple, and other “bleeding” trees until after the leaves develop.
• Clean up and prune trees and shrubs that have been broken by winter storms, but hold off on pruning frost and cold damage until growth starts, so you can see what’s able to recover.
• Plant bare-root and container-grown trees and shrubs.
• Begin fertilizing trees and shrubs once growth starts.
• Transplant trees and shrubs when the soil is workable, but before they leaf out.
• Prune and fertilize roses.

Remove winter mulch gradually to protect tender new growth.

Perennials and Bulbs

• Cut back overgrown or leggy perennials.
• Cut or mow ornamental grasses, being careful not to cut the short new growth.
• Plant, divide, and transplant perennials and ornamental grasses as soon as the soil is workable.
• Weed bulb beds, being careful not to disturb the bulbs.
• Replant any plants that have been pushed out of the ground by frost heaving.
• Remove any extra winter mulch from perennials gradually after the worst of the freezing weather has passed. Note the hardiness zone of the plant, and remove the mulch once temperatures have warmed to the minimum for that zone.
• Fertilize bulbs after blooming, with a bulb-boosting fertilizer or compost.
• Plant tender bulbs (such as caladium, dahlia, and tuberous begonia) after all danger of frost has passed.
• Prune overgrown vines once they have bloomed.

Violas can survive the frosty temperatures of early spring.

Annuals and Containers

• Unless you have a warm place to store container plants, wait until after the last frost before filling them with summer annuals. In cool spring weather, you can enjoy pansies, snapdragons, dianthus, and violas.
• Be sure to deadhead your plants to promote more blooms.
• Sow seeds for summer blooming annuals indoors. If you started them last month, transplant seedlings into peat pots or other containers to prepare for moving outdoors.

Cool-season grasses will begin growing in early spring.

Lawns

• Cool-season grasses (such as fescue and bluegrass) begin growing in earnest as spring arrives. If needed, feed lightly with a balanced fertilizer. Aerate and dethatch cool-season lawns only if absolutely necessary; otherwise be gentle – since lawns are delicate in spring.
• Bermuda lawns may benefit from a “scalping” to remove the tall brown stubble of winter. Scalping is not necessary but can make the grass softer and easier to mow in summer. Gradually lower your mower blade to a final mowing of about 1”, and remove the clippings. Do not scalp other types of grass.
• Apply pre-emergent herbicide or corn gluten to prevent crabgrass and other annual weeds.
• Spring is a good time to add soil to low areas and to patch bare spots in cool-season lawns. Heavy seed planting is most successful in the fall.
• Avoid walking on spongy, wet soil.
• Test your soil pH and add lime (if acidic) or sulfur (if alkaline), following package instructions.
• Resume your warm weather watering schedule as soon as grass begins to grow.

Plan to add some herbs to your perennial garden this year.

Fruits, Vegetables, and Herbs

• Plant fruit trees.
• Plow and work your garden as soon as the soil is dry and crumbly. Work in a nice layer of compost or other organic matter.
• Plant and enjoy cool-season leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, and other greens.
• Plant bare-root perennial vegetables and fruits, such as asparagus, rhubarb, grapes, and berries.
• Begin planting cool-weather vegetables such as carrots, beets, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, mustard, peas, and potatoes.
• Start seeds indoors for summer vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and corn.
• Rejuvenate your herb garden – trim back leggy plants and add new perennial herbs such as rosemary, parsley, thyme, and mint.
• Plant annual herb seeds, such as basil and cilantro, indoors to transplant to the garden after the last frost.
• Plant tomatoes and other warm-weather vegetables in containers that can be brought indoors during cold temperatures.

Houseplants can be repotted in the spring.

Houseplants

• Pinch back spindly plants, and root the cuttings.
• Repot houseplants that are pot-bound.
• Inspect for insects and diseases, such as spider mites and scale. Address problems as soon as you spot them.
• As soon as your houseplants begin to grow, you can begin a schedule of fertilizing and resume a regular watering schedule.
• Gently wipe or spray houseplants to remove winter dust. For fuzzy-leaved plants like African violets, gently brush clean with a soft, dry cloth.
• Increase watering of cacti in preparation for blooming.

Get ready for nesting birds!

Cleanup and Maintenance

• Start or add to your compost pile using the debris from spring clean-up.
• Scrub garden fountains with water or a mild vinegar solution, and refill with fresh water.
• Clean out, inspect, and repair birdhouses for the spring nesting season.
• Continue feeding the birds and watch for the arrival of hummingbirds.
• Repair and paint fences, trellises, arbors, and garden furniture.
• Install drip irrigation and sprinklers, to prepare for summer watering.
• Observe your lawn and garden during the spring thaw and rains and address any drainage problems.
• Start a garden journal to keep track of weather patterns, bloom times, sunlight, and plant growth.

Further Information

• Early Spring Gardening Checklist
• Spring Planting Time
• Spring Lawn Care Guide
• Spring Fix-Up

Related posts:

• May Lawn & Garden To-Do List
• April Lawn & Garden To-Do List
• November Lawn & Garden To-Do List

The annual International Builders’ Show, put on by the National Association of Home Builders, is always full of innovative new tools and building products, and this year was no exception. While closed to the general public, we’ve got a behind the scenes peek at some of the cool new products that were on display.

Stiletto Titanium Flatbar

Tools & Hardware

The Stiletto Titanium Flatbar is much more durable than a steel pry bar while weighing half as much. The unique design with three different nail pullers and a staple puller make this tool hard to resist.

The unique probing tip and lightweight design of the Paslode Positive Placement Nailer allows you to drive nails in metal strap with the pull of a trigger.

Bosch Tile Layout Laser

Bosch’s innovative Tile Layout Laser projects both 45° and 90° layout lines on walls or floors for up to 65’. The raised base even allows layout lines to be projected over bumps and other obstructions.

To keep opened tubes of caulking fresh, check out Seal-A-Tube from Prazi USA. The EcoPrazi is sealable paint can lid that allows you to leave your brush in the can for days without cleaning.

Door Saver II from Perfect Products is a bumperless door stop that installs in seconds and gives complete control over how far a door can open.

To keep from tracking dirt and dust all over the house, check out the Step & Wrap (ShoeBee) automatic shoe cover dispenser.

Alternative Energy

Portable generators from Generac range from the lightweight iX Series, which is perfect for camping or tailgating, to the powerful XG Series.

Generac iX Series (left) and XG Series (right) generators

To provide a consistent source of power for your home during outages, consider Generac’s CorePower System, an affordable automatic standby generator that runs off natural gas or propane.

Another source of alternative energy for your home is the Honeywell wind turbine from WindTronics. The six-foot diameter wind generator collects energy from the outer edge of the blade, rather than the hub. This reduces resistance and drag, allowing it to operate in winds as low as 2 mph.

Building Materials

To reduce the amount of construction waste, Quikrete has introduced Asphalt Cold Patch, made from 90% recycled materials, and Green Concrete Mix, composed of 50% recycled aggregates.

While mineral wool insulation has been around for years, ComfortBatt from Roxul is now available from The Home Depot for your home.

To protect and beautify the outside of your home, Nichiha Fiber Cement Siding comes in a wide range of styles that are hard to distinguish from real wood, brick, or stone.

Another siding option is Wood Siding 2.0 from TechWood. This composite material consists of a mixture of wood fibers and polypropylene that’s both durable and easy to install.

Nichiha fiber cement siding mimics natural stone or wood

Natural Lighting

Skylights are a great way to let natural light into a room, and the No Leak Skylight from Velux comes with a 10-year warranty plus a 20-year guarantee on the glass. It includes three layers of water protection and LoE3 glass for the upmost in energy efficiency.

ODL Tubular Skylight Dimmer

An easy way to bring natural light into a dark room is by installing a Tubular Skylight from ODL. Their new Solar Power Dimmer allows you to adjust the amount of light in the skylight by remote control. A photovoltaic panel and rechargeable battery power the device which can be retrofit to an existing ODL Tubular Skylight or installed on a new one.

To keep sun off a patio or deck, consider a motorized Louvered Roof from Equinox or a retractable canopy from Walpole Woodworkers.

To let the sun in your basement and provide an exit during an emergency, check out the StakWEL Window Well from Bilco. The semicircular, stackable polyethylene modules include a built-in ladder and handholds.

Kitchen and Bath

The Stages Kitchen Sink from Kohler has a number of accessories—including sliding trays, cutting boards, and utensil holders—that fit over the sink to simplify kitchen chores.

Kohler Stages kitchen sink

The CoreGuard Sink Base from Merillat is made of a durable engineered polymer that makes cleaning up spills and leaks easy.

Broan Ultra Silent Bath Fans are virtually silent while moving more air than other models.

Home Products

While central vacuum systems are great, dragging a long hose around isn’t. The EasyReach from Beam solves this problem with a hose that can stretch to 30’ then retract back to 13’ at the touch of a button.

For easy clean up in your kitchen, bath, or garage, check out the Vroom compact vacuums with a retractable hose.

Most programmable timers are use a simple clock, but the VPT24-1PZ model from Leviton can be set to the longitude and latitude of your location to match the rising and setting of the sun, making it perfect for controlling outdoor lighting.

Residential sprinkler systems are the best way to protect your home and save lives in the event of a fire. More information is available from the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition.

Other Tips from This Episode

Related posts:

• 15 Favorites from the 2010 International Builders’ Show
• Kitchen/Bath Industry Show

Danny has remodeled a lot of bathroom over the years, but this job is personal, since it’s in his own home. What started as a simple upgrade, expanded into a complete bathroom renovation that included replacing the tub surround and tile floor, upgrading the plumbing and faucets, and installing a new vanity and accessories.

Danny’s bathroom before remodeling.

Demolition

Work began by tearing out a built-in closet and removing the existing pedestal sink. Next, the 20-year-old cultured marble tub surround was removed, along with the tile floor. In addition, part of the engineered wood floor in the powder room had to be replaced to cover the area occupied by the closet.

Wiring

Replacing the two wall scones over the sink with a single light fixture required cutting a new hole in the drywall, rerouting the wires, and repairing the holes in the existing drywall.

Plumbing and Fixtures

The faucets for the tub and sink have an oil rubbed bronze finish and are from the Vestige collection by Moen. The tub faucet includes a pressure balance valve that automatically adjusts to changes in water pressure to maintain constant water temperature and prevent scalding.

Flexible PEX pipe was used to connect the existing polybutylene water lines to the copper pipes on the new faucets.

Tile Floor and Shower Surround

Once the plumbing had been roughed in, cement backer board was attached to the studs around the tub. A plastic pan was screwed to a cutout in the backer board to form a recess to accommodate shampoo and soap.

Seams in the backer board were covered with mesh tape and coated with thin-set. Before the tile were laid, the shower walls were coated with a waterproofing compound—such as Durex Blue Shield from Durabond Products or RedGard by Custom Building Products—to prevent moisture from penetrating through the tile or grout. The concrete floor was primed as well, and a floor leveling compound was poured on the slab to make sure it was flat and smooth.

Rather starting the first row of tile on the tub, guide boards were attached to the shower walls to provide a level support for the tile. To minimize the size of the grout lines, toothpicks were used as spacers between the tile.

The walls of the tub surround were tiled with 12”x 12” Crema Cappuccino tiles from The Home Depot. Moroccan Desert mosaic blend glass tile from the Tessera collection by Oceanside Glasstile were used for the bathroom floor and accent band around the tub surround.

After the tile adhesive had set, the paper backing on the mosaic tile was peeled off, and grout was applied to the joints with a float. Darker colored grout was used on the mosaic tile floor and accent band, with a lighter grout for the tub surround.

Bathroom Vanity

Once the drywall in the powder room had been repaired, the walls were painted. When all the work was finished, a Socotra vanity with a black Galaxy Granite top and white oval sink was set in place and the plumbing attached.

After a little clean up and decorating, Danny’s bath renovation was complete.

Other Tips from This Episode

Related posts:

• How to Install Mosaic Tile in a Bathroom
• (699) Budget Bath: How to Remodel Your Bathroom
• Bath Tile Wainscoting

A garden hose that leaks is both an annoyance and a waste of water. So whether you left your hose out in freezing weather, ran over it with the lawn mower, or your dog used it as a chew toy; the good news is that repairing it can be done in about five minutes for less than $5.

Make sure you buy the correct replacement parts.

Materials Needed

To repair your garden hose, you’ll need:

• Screwdriver: Most hose repair kits have Phillips head screws, but check your kit first to be sure.


Hose repair kit

• Hose Repair Kit: Available at hardware stores or garden centers, hose repair kits come as male or female threaded hose ends as well as a connector for fixing a leak in the middle of a hose. Kits are available for various diameter hoses in both metal and plastic. I’ve used both kinds with great results. The hose is secured to the end using a two-piece clamp or a hose clamp. If you’re not sure which thread or hose diameter you need, cut off the broken end of the hose, and take it with you to the store.
• Utility Knife: With a new blade, or a really sharp pocket or other knife.

How to Repair a Garden Hose

Step 1: Cut Hose

Using the utility knife, cut cleanly through the hose. The safest way to do this is to lay the hose on the ground, so you can apply pressure without your fingers getting in the way. The cut needs to be smooth and square, not slanted or ragged. You can simply cut off the broken part or cut the hose to any length you want.

Step 2: Insert Replacement End

Push the threaded replacement end of the hose repair kit as far as it will go into the cut end of the garden hose. Since the sleeve in the replacement end will be a tight fit, it might take a bit of effort to work the hose over the sleeve, but it’s important to make sure the sleeve goes all the way into the hose.

Step 3: Attach Clamp

Using a screwdriver, attach the clamp that came with the hose repair kit securely around the end of the garden hose. Make sure the two screws (or one screw if your kit comes with a hose clamp) are very tight, to prevent your garden hose repair from leaking.

Your newly repaired garden hose is now ready to use, and you’re back in business!

Completed garden hose repair.

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