Browsing Category

Architecture : Home & Garden

How do I Vacuum with a Hayward Pro Series Pool Pump?

The Hayward Pools Pro Series of pool filters and pumps use sand to filter debris out of the pool water before returning the water to the pool. It pumps water into and back out of the filter canister, but the suction valve on the pump can also be connected to your pool vacuum if you want to filter a

How to Choose the Best Wood Flooring for You

Wood flooring is often referred to as hardwood floors, and many homeowners enjoy having it as part of their homes. Wood flooring can add a bit of elegance and traditional charm to almost any room. While it can be easier to clean than carpeting, it can also be more fragile and easily damaged and requ

How to Expand a Concrete Slab

The concrete slab on your property might no longer be serving its purpose very well. If the surface of the concrete slab has seen better days and the surface area that it covers is no longer adequate for your needs, then both of these problems can be corrected by adding a concrete overlay. The concr

Romantic Bathroom Ideas

There is no reason to have an unadorned or plain bathroom when there are so many romantic bathroom ideas available. In the past, bathrooms were often overlooked in the decorating plans. Now, no matter how large or small your bathroom or the size of your budget, you can have a romantic, inviting bath

How to Choose TV Consoles

With the growing popularity of large HD and flatscreen television sets, the furniture used to support TVs must be large sturdy. Since large TVs take up a considerable amount of space in the home, you may wish to use a TV console rather than a simple stand or mount. TV consoles contain a space to set

How do I Choose Area Carpets?

An area carpet or area rug is a common addition to rooms with hardwood flooring. The area rug not only provides aesthetically pleasing floor décor but it's also soft under foot and is a non-slip surface for furniture to sit upon. Choosing an area rug can be an intimidating task with so many o

Fun Small Dining Room Designs

There was as time when large dining rooms were the desire of many homeowners because they offered the ability to formally entertain large groups of family and friends. While a small space may limit your options for a formal dining experience, it equally opens up creative opportunities to make the ea

How to Blow Fiberglass Insulation in an Attic

Blowing insulation in an attic improves the energy efficiency of your home because most of the heat lost in a home is through the attic. Even if your attic is insulated, the insulation may not be installed at the proper depth to achieve maximum results. Even though it may seem easy, do not rush thro

How to Insulate a Cabin

When building a cabin, it's important to consider what you will be using it for and when. If you plan to make frequent visits during the winter months, insulate the cabin thoroughly. Even if you plan to restrict your visits to the warmer times of the year, insulation will protect the cabin and its c

How to Inspect Hydraulic Hoses

Hydraulic hoses have a variety of industrial and household uses, almost all of which are generally related to lifting heavy objects. Things such as trucks or lawn tractors may have hydraulic fittings to lift plows, buckets, lawn mowing decks and a variety of other lawn and garden devices. All of the

How to Do Drywall Stucco Yourself

Stucco, plaster and drywall joint compound are similar materials that all contain cement and some type of lime or calcium carbonate. Stucco for exterior application usually also contains fine sand, while indoor plaster may or may not contain sand. Joint compound fills seams in drywall panels and has

How to Smooth a Concrete Wall Finish

If concrete is applied to a wall incorrectly the first time, it can feel rough or uneven. Sanding the wall can often take care of the problem, but it is difficult to sand a very large surface smooth, and you might end up with places that are recessed while others are higher, making the wall look wor

How to Market Home Remodeling Products

Before you try to actually sell or market your product to consumers you should do some research. Many marketing professionals start by performing a SWOT analysis. SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. These are the internal and external market factors that could spell suc

How to Install a Solar Energy System

Installing a solar energy system is a great way to save money on your energy requirements and invest in a renewable energy source. For this reason, an increasing number of people are installing solar panels in their homes. Solar panels are constructed using photovoltaic cells, which store the renewa

Tile Installation Guidelines

Ceramic tile adds beauty and function to a room. Whether you install it at the beginning of your project or you're planning an update, some guidelines are worth mentioning. Spare yourself frustration from the beginning by first planning the layout of the tiles on paper. Make accurate measurements an

How to Soundproof a Room on a Budget

Sound travels in waves, and the key to any soundproofing is to absorb or deflect those sound waves. You could spend a lot of money and completely remodel your room, but soundproofing can be inexpensive. Many people with at-home recording studios for music, podcasting and so forth, need a soundproof

How to Design Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Any home's kitchen can add real market value to the house. Selecting appropriate kitchen cabinet doors is important, since door design and placement make an initial first impression of the kitchen. To design doors properly, homeowners should review many pre-made doors in stores, home design books an

Home Insulation Methods to Stop Heat Loss From Windows

Windows are an integral part of any home. By allowing light into a room, they serve both a practical and a decorative purpose. They are an essential part of any living space because a room without windows is, essentially, a dungeon. However, often windows are the culprit for the bad insulation in ho

How to Pour Concrete When it Rains

Scheduling an outdoor project is always a gamble since you cannot always predict the weather. Keep an eye on the news and schedule on a stretch of predicted sunny days, It's a good bet, but it doesn't always work out as predicted. Often the day arrives and the rain is coming down and you still must

How to Update and Refinish Pickled Cabinets

Pickling is a painting or staining process that adds color to wood without heavy use of paint. Once pickled, your cabinets will have a light sheen of color, but the wood grain will still be visible. Depending on the color and method of the pickling job, it may look classic and timeless--or dated. If