Every spring, birdwatchers across the country welcome the return of hummingbirds as they migrate north. These tiny, beautiful birds are a delight to watch as they hover and dart throughout the garden, and the males put on quite a show as they protect their territory and attract mates. And while hummingbird feeders do provide nourishment to the energetic birds, let’s face it – an active feeder is a source of pure pleasure for gardeners and bird-lovers alike.

Documenting the construction process when building a new house can be a valuable resource for future renovations. Photograph every wall and ceiling after the plumbing and wiring have been roughed in but before the insulation and drywall are installed. Include a yardstick in the photo to allow you to gauge distances and label each picture […]

Building steps used to require complicated measurements and difficult angled cuts, but the precut pressure treated stringers available at home centers today have made the job much easier. Allow for a stringer at each end of the steps and at 16” intervals in between. Use corrosion resistant screws and nails to assemble the steps.

To the initiated, an aerator resembles a lawn mower only a little wider, squatter, and heavier. The undercarriage looks like a medieval torture device, with a spinning cylinder of rotating coring spikes, much like a round hair brush on steroids. The idea behind aerating your yard is to break up the compacted soil which in turn has several benefits for your grass.

According to a survey conducted for Johns Manville, one-fourth of homeowners are considering using their federal economic stimulus check on home improvement projects. Landscaping was the most popular item, followed by upgrading a bathroom or kitchen, painting a room, and adding insulation. Planning to get Uncle Sam to help out around your home? Leave a […]

Having the right tool for your next DIY project can make all the difference. Since expensive specialty tools aren’t needed often, consider renting them from a tool rental center like The Home Depot, rather then buying.

To clean the gunk off the racks on your grill, wrap them in newspaper or paper towels and place them in a plastic garbage bag. Saturate the paper with household ammonia, tie the bag closed, and let it sit overnight. The next day take the racks out—being careful to avoid breathing the ammonia fumes—remove […]

Since a wood deck can carry a lot of weight, it’s important to start with a solid foundation. Begin by laying out the location of the deck, making sure it’s square with the house. After the holes have been dug for the concrete footings, rebar is cut and wired together into a grid and supported by wire a few inches above the bottom of the hole.

The birds are singing and the grass is growing, so what better way to celebrate the arrival of spring and mark the launch of our new “Around the Yard” lawn and garden section at dannylipford.com than by giving away a Cub Cadet Zero-Turn Lawn Tractor valued at $2,699! To enter, simply fill out the Cub Cadet Riding Mower Giveaway entry form. Entries will be accepted from May 1st through June 15th 2008, with the winner selected on June 16th.

Since wood decks receive constant abuse from the elements, they require periodic cleaning and refinishing to protect them and keep them looking their best.

Since the tape will tend to wear out after a few holes, a more permanent solution is to drill a hole lengthwise through a piece of 1” x 1” stock and slide it over the drill bit to act as a stop. Stop drilling when the tape brushes away the shaving, indicating that the desired depth has been reached.

The 2008 International Builders’ Show featured some amazing new tools and innovative products for your home. Here’s a look at some of the best new products we found. The latest caulking from PolySeamSeal, called Ever Bright, is formulated to resist the growth of mold and mildew for up to five years.

Thomas asks, “I put polyurethane on cabinets after I stained them. Now a week later, I find oil on the surface of the cabinets, and when I try to clean it, it leaves dull spots. I don’t know what to do, or what is the problem. H-E-E-E-E-L-P!!!”

The popularity of Home Theater Systems (HTS) has taken off in recent years as prices have fallen. These days you don’t have to take out a second mortgage to enjoy remarkable sound and video quality in the comfort of your own home.