There are some basic tools that every homeowner should have. They include a tape measure, hammer, screwdriver, pliers, torpedo level, and a handsaw. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Granite is very popular these days, and the price has come down substantially in the past few years thanks to faster and easier ways to cut it. Granite is user friendly and while it won’t scorch from a hot pan, it can scratch. Granite should be sealed once a year to prevent staining. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Before digging in your yard, call 811 to have utility companies come out and mark any underground utility lines, and do not dig within 2’ of marked lines. Lines are marked with the following color coded paint. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Kim Osburn of West Bloomfield, Michigan, was selected from over 10,000 entries as the winner of the Today’s Dream Kitchen Sweepstakes sponsored by Merillat. Read more to find out about the complete kitchen makeover that included everything from new cabinets and countertops to flooring and appliances. Read in full.

Back priming consists of applying a coat of primer to the reverse side and edges of boards before installing. Back priming helps prevent paint from peeling by reducing the amount of water vapor that passes through the wood. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Thinking about adding a deck or revamping the kitchen so you can up the price of your home before you sell? You might want to crunch the 2009-10 cost vs. value report, complied by Remodeling magazine, before you do. The data is searchable by region and provides average prices, resale value, and the percent recouped [...]

Sod is great for an instant lawn, but it can cost 10 times as much as grass seed and require more labor to install. Watch this video for some helpful tips on how to go about planting grass seed or laying sod in your yard. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Rasheem asks, “How low–or high–should I cut the grass in my lawn?”

The proper height to mow your lawn depends on the type of grass, the season, and the growing conditions. Read on for our handy chart to help you choose the correct mowing height for your lawn. Read in full.

Hanging shoe bags work great for storing tubes of caulking, cans of spray paint, and other items in your garage or workshop. Clear plastic bags allow you to easily see the items that are stored. Since full bags can be heavy, be sure to provide plenty of support when hanging them on the wall. Watch this video to find out how. Watch this video.

We just finished taping an episode of Today’s Homeowner on remodeling a bathroom in my home, which gives me a chance to get Scott Gardner, our director and executive producer in front of the camera for a change. Watch this video.

Louise asks, “The ceiling in my living room has a crack where two of the pieces of drywall meet. How should I go about repairing it?”

Cracks in drywall joints in a ceiling are caused by wood movement in the framing due to shrinkage caused by changes in temperature and humidity. The common approach is to fill the crack with spackling then paint over it, but the crack will usually come back as the seasons change. A better solution is to apply drywall compound and tape over the crack to keep it from telegraphing through. Read on to find out how. Read in full.

Over by the fence, I’ve got a little compost pile, and this year I decided to challenge myself to compost everything I can. See, sometimes I get in a hurry, and before I realize it I’ve tossed the cutting board scraps into the trash. I try to remember, but I’m a person who likes systems, and this was a project in need of a system. Read on to find out my simple solution. Read in full.

From catching rainwater to raising the height of your mower two inches, there is a lot you can do to conserve water in your lawn and garden. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

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Thinking about updating your bathroom, but not sure what to budget – or if you’ll even recoup the costs in today’s market? The good news is that modifying a bathroom not only adds daily enjoyment and comfort, but will enhance your home’s value as well. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

If you buy quality paintbrushes and store them properly, they will last a long time. Watch this video to find out how to clean and store the paintbrushes in your home. Watch this video.