If you’re preparing to undergo a DIY tile job, one of the items on your shopping list is likely mortar. However, should you get modified or unmodified thinset? The type you choose will depend on your project and how much strength and flexibility you will need.

Concrete is the most commonly used material on earth for building and other projects. It is made of three things: cement, water, and aggregates. Whether you are building a structure, a driveway, or filling in a hole, concrete works for all these things. But did you know there are different methods of using concrete depending on when the water is introduced to the mix?

Doors don’t get enough attention for the impact they can have on your home. They protect against the elements, security against individuals with bad intentions, and they also offer some much-needed privacy. Beyond those more obvious benefits of doors, you also cannot overlook the fact that they can help bring your home’s design together.

Toilet paper has been manufactured specifically so that it will break up and dissolve when in water. That is why, for the most part, it simply flushes away without a second thought each time that you use the bathroom.

Grout is an important part of taking care of your shower. It fills the gaps in your tiles, which prevents dirt, food, and other substances from falling between them.

Vinyl siding is one of the most popular ways to protect the outside of your home, and rightfully so. It prevents damage from the elements, adds a modern veneer, and also can raise the price of your home. Switching from one home exterior (like stucco) to vinyl seems like a good idea. The question at hand, of course, is if it’s even feasible to put vinyl over stucco in the first place.

The electrical components of your home or business can require professional intervention much of the time for good reason. Not only is it a complicated setup, especially to DIYers, but it is dangerous as well. Plus there is the potential of installation going wrong on top of all that.

For eco-conscious buyers, bamboo toilet paper is a fantastic alternative to normal toilet paper. It’s made from a renewable material that is still soft and strong, making it virtually the same as regular toilet paper but with even more benefits! This begs the question: can bamboo toilet paper block drains?

Many people are often nervous to drill into stucco because it looks and feels like concrete. However, it’s relatively simple to do and there are many projects where drilling into stucco is necessary. But, exactly how do you drill into stucco without causing any cracking or damage?

Nails and screws are a mainstay in many construction projects. You would be hard-pressed to tackle any home improvement task that doesn’t call for one or the other. But how do you know when to use nails or screws for your project?

Laminate is a commonly used synthetic flooring option for homeowners. It’s popular among professionals as well as avid DIYers. But, how long does it take to install laminate flooring?

Outlets allow us to power the modern necessities in life, running electricity to our lighting, appliances, or phone chargers. Having outlets in convenient locations around the house is ideal and can help make life easier. In most modern homes, there is usually at least one outlet on every wall. To keep homes safe, code dictates how many outlets can go onto a 15 amp circuit, standard for most homes.

A skylight can be a beautiful addition to a home. In addition to providing a beautiful look at the sky, they can help give an infusion of natural light and can help keep homes warmer during the colder months of the year.

Tile flooring has become a popular option for kitchens and bathrooms across the country. Even a basic renovation of these rooms that includes tile flooring or walls can result in a homeowner  recouping 50 percent or more of their renovation cost when their home goes up for sale. With the rise of do-it-yourself tutorials in the past several years, many homeowners choose to complete tile installations on their own rather than pay a higher price to have a professional do the job.

Sump pumps are not exactly the type of thing most people like to talk about. They’re just…there. Sump pumps are meant to divert moisture and water from basements away from a house. That’s great, especially the part where they pump all the moisture away. However, figuring out how to divert the sump pump discharge can be a difficult issue. How do you do this?

You spend a lot of time modeling your kitchen. You have decided on natural hickory cabinets, but now you are wondering what color floor would go well with them. 

How many people does it take to change a light bulb? This old joke comes with a variety of tongue-in-cheek answers. However, when we start talking about changing a light switch, the jokes die down a bit. Changing out your old almond light switch for a more modern look is not as hard as it may seem. However, if you are new to the game, it is better to call an electrician or try it out under the eye of someone experienced in the field.

If you recently purchased a home and have fallen in love with the DIY world, you probably have tools on your mind. There is a tool for pretty much everything you can think of, and even for things you don’t even know exist. 

When it comes to kitchen flooring, you have tens of options, including hardwood, natural stone, ceramic tile, laminate, vinyl, linoleum, and cork. Most homeowners end up narrowing down to tile and hardwood, but then, deciding between the two is often difficult. This decision will only be easy if you understand the  benefits and drawbacks of the two flooring materials.

After a long, stressful day a good soak in the tub can be a relaxing way to unwind. However, this experience is highly dependent on a working stopper keeping the water from escaping down the drain. If your bathtub doesn’t have a functioning stopper or plug, there are ways to block the drain without them.

The chimney serves a vital role in your home as it provides an exit for the harmful gases produced during combustion. Instead of those gases lingering inside your home and potentially causing problems, they are just carried out by the chimney. Your chimney has an important job to do and you need to keep it protected.

PVC pipe has become an extremely popular material in the home improvement space. It has expanded far beyond its original use in underground wiring, plumbing, and sewer systems. Today, you can create all sorts of unique and functional elements using PVC pipe, from cord collectors to wine racks and even furniture!

Vinyl plank flooring is an excellent way to get the look of hardwood floors at an affordable price. They’re also durable, many types of vinyl floors are waterproof, and they’re easy to maintain. But if you don’t take care of them, they can get dull over time. Luckily, it’s easy to make vinyl plank floors shine like new.

If there’s one thing that most people don’t want to do, it’s making a massive mistake by using the wrong underlayment while they’re trying to put together a shower. A bad underlayment can ruin the shower pan you bought. Those things are not cheap, and they can easily cost an arm and a leg. If you want to use Quikrete on a shower pan, you’re probably a little hesitant to do so.

We don’t talk enough about how important the dryer is to the typical household. Can you imagine working your way through your laundry pile without the help of a dryer? A job that typically takes less than an hour to finish may suddenly take up a big chunk of your day.

We all know what a skunk smells like, and it can be unnerving to notice the foul odor in your basement. The distinct smell of a skunk is off-putting and is enough to confuse any homeowner when it’s in your house. So, why does your basement smell like skunk?

With the stress and pressures that come with daily life, many Americans are transforming their bathrooms into spa-like retreat as a way to relax and de-stress in the comfort of their own home. In recent years, modern technologies such as radiant heat flooring, steam showers, towel warmers, and hydro-massage showerheads have emerged to help turn a simple bathroom into relaxing sanctuary.

Radon is a radioactive gas found across America. It is formed by the breaking down of uranium in soil. The gas escapes and enters the air you breathe. Not only is radon the second-highest reason for lung cancer, but it’s also the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers.

Having glass shower doors is great, but it can be a pain too. Sometimes, that glass is accidentally broken, not only causing a huge mess but also a problem. You are going to have to replace that glass. But, is this even possible?

Your dream kitchen would not be complete without the right set of countertops. Countertops are functional and decorative additions that can round out your kitchen. All kinds of materials can be used to create kitchen countertops, thus opening up numerous design possibilities for you to try.

Finding the right material for your shower walls can be tricky. Remodeling a shower can cost thousands of dollars, and it’s hard to commit to a material when you aren’t even sure what you want. Because of that, many homeowners will look for any alternative that gets the job done without breaking the bank. So, can you use peel-and-stick tile in a shower?

So you own a home, and you’ve noticed a few differences around the house. Maybe it’s a lasting scent of musk. Or, perhaps you’ve seen the floor gives away in certain areas. These are the telltale signs of subfloor damage. Furthermore, the damage to your subfloor can extend to under your wall. What do you do then?

The difference between cubic centimeters (cc) and horsepower (hp) is a complicated relationship with many factors. One main difference is that cc refers to the size, or volume, of an engine while hp is the measure of how much power the engine puts out.

There has always been a considerable debate on how to keep your home warm through the colder months of the year. Two of the most popular options tend to be a gas fireplace or a central heating system. While each has its unique uses and every individual has their preferences, it’s essential to consider a few factors.

Natural light goes a long way in modern homes, and homeowners build additions for that purpose. It is more and more common to see listings for homes with daylight basements, but what does that mean?

Texas is growing faster than almost any other state in the Union. In Texas, Houston is experiencing an economic and population boom as businesses relocate and their employees follow. The lower cost of living and the relatively modest cost of homes than other states make Houston particularly attractive. Many people are surprised at how much it costs to build a house in Houston.

One of the worst nightmares in home repairs is when the toilet is leaking. It is not the most fun project in the world, but repairing it is a must. This article will cover all the leaks coming from the tank area and how to fix them.

For many years faucets handles were easy to remove.  Turn the screw in the middle of the handle and off it came.  New designs and new technology have made the screw in the faucet handle almost a thing of the past.  How then do you remove a faucet handle with no screw?

Grout lasts for an average of 12 years, but it can go bad long before then. Regrouting tiles is never a fun process, but does it mean that you have to remove all of the old grout?

It isn’t always easy to pair the perfect mirror with a vanity, and it can be a frustrating process. Unfortunately, mirrors are expensive, difficult to install, and only look good if you choose the right size and shape. So, what size mirror for a 60-inch vanity is ideal?

If you’re planning to use concrete slabs in an upcoming project, it’s important to do your research when it comes to the cost. No matter what you’re building—whether it’s a back patio designed for cool hangouts or a smooth, new driveway—you’ll need to be aware of the potential price of materials and labor.

Drainage refers to the method of removing surface or sub-surface water from a particular area. Drainage systems are intended to dispose of wastewater as quickly as possible, while also preventing the gases from sewers and septic tanks from entering residential locations. Their main objective is to systemically collect and remove waste matter to preserve the healthy conditions in a residential or commercial setting.

When building a home from the ground up or adding an addition to your existing home, you have to jump through a lot of hoops. Each town or county has its own set of zoning laws put in place by the local government. Oftentimes, the contractors will take measures to ensure they’re adhering to the proper laws. Whether you’re employing a contractor or building a structure yourself, it is important to understand the zoning laws in your area.

What could be more luxurious than soaking in a copper bathtub? It seems like the height of sophistication. And because of the amazing properties of copper, the material makes for a tub that’s both unique in style and durability.

Sump pumps are a fixture in houses with basements. They help to get rid of, or pump out, excess water, and protect your basement and the rest of your home from flooding. Your sump pump is only supposed to run when water causes the float switch to trip. If your sump pump is running every 30 seconds, that could indicate that something is wrong.

Living spaces in the United States vary greatly based on your budget and where you live. For many singles and couples who rent, a one-bedroom apartment often offers sufficient space. However, a one-bedroom can get tricky for families or multiple roommates.

Container homes, once a curious oddity in the realm of home building, have grown significantly in popularity over the years. They are common for everything from vacation rentals to guest suites, and are even used in building large geometric dream homes in desirable areas.

Having a power generator is a wise investment to keep your house powered in the event of a power outage. Many homeowners believe that simply powering their portable generator with a standard home outlet is sufficient, but this can create a dangerous situation for you, your neighbors, and your electrical utility crew.

Most modern homeowners would do anything to reduce their bills. Low-flow showerheads are increasingly common, and many people switch to them to save money. So, how do low-flow showerheads work, and do they save money?

As pop star Maren Morris says, “The house don’t fall when the bones are good.” That sentiment has been the title of a hit HGTV show, too. So what exactly does it mean for a house to have “good bones?”

New appliances or new tools in your garage workshop may have you wondering about getting enough electrical service to those outlets.  You know you need more amps but aren’t sure how to accomplish the upgrade.  This situation leads to the question, how to increase circuit breaker amps?

That ambient buzzing that bees produce can be frightening for folks who’ve experienced the pain of being stung. Even if you haven’t been stung before, you probably want no part of experiencing that firsthand. Unfortunately, there are times when bees may be the ones who decide to take up residence on your property.

Bathrooms need to be vented properly, and it’s this fact which led to the bathroom exhaust fan being created. A bathroom exhaust fan is attached to a building’s exterior, and it’s connected to the bathroom by ductwork.

There’s nothing quite like relaxing at the end of a long day with a soak in a tub. Or, maybe you prefer to wake up in the morning with a nice shower in a combo shower/bathtub. Either way, the time you spend in a tub is a great way to refresh and prepare yourself for what’s ahead.

For many homes, vinyl flooring is a fantastic alternative. It is elegant, enduring, and simple to clean. However, any adhesive that was used during installation might still be visible. It is simple to remove the adhesive from vinyl flooring without harming the surface, but you must know how to do it right.

For the perfect shower, you need the right shower valve. The valve helps control the water flow and temperature of your shower. They are a convenient tool that lets you upgrade your shower experience without messing with your plumbing.

If you have ever run a generator, that frustrating feeling when it runs a few seconds and stops is not good. Whether it results in a ruined camping trip or reading by candlelight, it isn’t a fun experience. So what do you do when your generator does this?

Your subfloor provides an excellent, level foundation for the flooring of your home. However, many subfloors might not be the ideal surface on which to lay your finished floors. Therefore, adding an extra layer of flooring on top of your subfloor can help create the floor of your dreams!

Painting your home yourself is a great DIY project to help you save some money. But even when you take all the precautions, it is still possible to get paint on places where you don’t want it. In many cases, paint is easy to wipe up without leaving a trace. But when you notice paint on your laminate floor that won’t come out, you will want to find an easy way to make the paint disappear.

If there is one thing that homeowners dread, it’s water damage. Water damage can warp wood, destroy particle board, and also cause mold to grow throughout your home. That’s what makes flooding such a nightmare to deal with. If you have particle board cabinets that have been affected by water damage, it’s easy to panic and worry that you will have to replace them. Good news: you might not have to.