Handyman

  Kitchen can be a challenge in terms of a makeover as it has more equipment and furniture than tapestry. So here are some ideas. It all depends on the kitchen size and style but even a vase of flowers sometimes can add a little special appeal to the kitchen.   Change Curtains Changing curtains is the easiest way to slightly change things but they may not give the kitchen a drastic makeover. Still if the kitchen is small and curtains are one of its main focal points the new curtains can do the trick and make a subtle change in the room. Add Color White kitchen are great as you get to experiment with different other color in tableware, curtains and even furniture pieces. You can also add color by putting fruit bowl on display. A mentioned vase of flowers...

  While building a wine cellar in your basement is a formidable task, the rewards are considerable and include creating greater value to your home. For every dollar invested building a wine cellar, you will easily see a 3-dollar return in increased property value. Plus, as a wine enthusiast, creating a cellar allows you to store your wine investment under proper conditions over a period of many years. Follow these instructions to complete the project successfully. What you will need?! 2 x 6 studs 6 millimeter plastic sheeting R19 and R30 insulation Moisture resistant sheetrock Moisture resistant paint Wine cellar air conditioning unit Cellar door Wine racks Hardwood or stone tile flooring material Construction tools Step 1: Planning This is a major...

Gutters and downspouts should be cleaned and checked for signs of necessary repairs at least twice a year. Typically, the best times to do this are late spring and late fall. If you suspect a problem or live in an extremely rainy climate, then perhaps, you should check them more frequently. Gathering Gutter Cleaning Supplies If you don’t have the proper supplies and you are thinking about letting it go or simply rinsing the gutters with a hose, you might want to reconsider. Avoiding the task completely might result in unnecessary damage to your home. Using a garden hose in an attempt to rinse away the accumulated debris might lead to a bigger mess than you started with in the first place. Therefore, if you are going to clean the gutters and downspouts, plan...

  Before you start to hang your framed mirror, you need to do some research into the best methods of installing this type of mirror. You can do a lot with a framed mirror, but you need to work out how to hang it so that it looks good, and is a useful item in your house. Improper hanging of mirrors can leave you disappointed.   Positioning the Mirror You need to place your framed mirror in the right location. You don’t want to place it in the line of direct sunlight, as this can make it very hot, and it could even pose a fire risk in the summer. If the mirror is heavy, secure it in one or more studs, as the sheetrock may not provide adequate support. Special picture-hanging hardware is readily available at home improvement and hardware stores as...

  Changing your heating and cooling system filters should be done once a month to make sure you and your family are breathing the cleanest air and protecting your heating and air conditioning system from unnecessary wear. A dirty filter does not let as much air through and that taxes your system so you use more fuel, whether it’s gas or electricity. It contributes to dirt inside the unit as well, which will wear it out more quickly.   Instructions   Things You’ll Need   Measuring tape or ruler New filter or clean reusable filter Manual for furnace     Changing the Filter Inside the Furnace Itself   1 Refer to the manual that came with your heating and cooling system to see what kind of a filter you need. Some of...

  The simplest kind of bed, platform beds are usually built close to the ground, and most often without headboards or footboards. Japanese futon beds are most famously used with platform beds, but many European and Scandinavian countries have been sleeping on platform beds for hundreds of years as well. Buying a king sized platform bed will likely cost you quite a sum of money, so it’s good news that making your own is not only much cheaper than buying one, but it’s not that hard either.   Instructions   Things You’ll Need 2 wood planks, 76 by 10 by 2 inches Rabbet plane 3 wood planks, 78 by 10 by 2 inches Wood glue Clamps Drill Flat head bolts 7 wood planks, 84 by 10 by 1 inch Sander Stain/varnish   1   Plane a...

For gardeners, the beginning of fall is a reminder that it’s time to prepare for the cold winter months. Your swimming pool must also be prepped. The main reasons to winterize your pool are to protect it from damage caused by freezing water and to keep it clean for next year. Learn how to successfully close down your swimming pool using the following steps, and save time and money next spring. 1. Remove all deck equipment, including ladders. 2. Clean out and store poolside pots that were planted with annuals. 3. Brush the sides of your pool and then vacuum. (Leftover debris can cause staining.) For gunite pools, use a product like the Poolmaster Premier Swivel Flexible Vacuum. For vinyl pools, try the Poolmaster Classic Full View Triangle Vinyl...

1. Tidy up! The very wet summer, combined with a warm September, means that plant mildew will be a problem this autumn. Remember that garden hygiene is more important than ever this year because of the soggy summer. Everything looks very lush and green at the moment, but you could be storing up problems for the future unless you tackle things now. 2. Dig out the debris Remove plant debris and diseased leaves from flowers and vegetable patches. Dig up the annuals – plants that last only a season – and put them on the compost heap. Flowering perennials – plants that spring up year after year from their roots – should be cut back. Remove yellowing or dead leaves or flowers before rot develops and remove any weeds hidden under the plant...