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Some plumbing materials shouldn't be mixed

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, June 19, 2008.

If you're doing any remodeling or repair work on the plumbing system of an older home, it's a pretty safe bet that you'll encounter the need to transition from an older type of pipe to a one of today's newer materials. It might be a transition from threaded galvanized water pipes to copper pipes, or from old cast-iron sewer lines to today's ABS.

Luckily for all of us, these transitions are common enough that there are a number of fittings on the market that make dissimilar pipe connections quick, easy and safe. The fittings are readily available in home centers, hardware stores and plumbing supply retailers. more...

Last-minute gifts for Father's Day

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, June 12, 2008.

In a quandary about what to get Dad for Father's Day this year? You know what he really wants are tools, and here are some great suggestions. They're listed in order of MSRP, and can be found at most home centers, hardware stores and other retailers, as well as online. Do a little shopping around to find the best deals! more...

Shopping for wallpaper made easy

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, June 5, 2008.

There are two things you can pretty much be assured of when it comes to wallpaper: The right paper can make a dramatic decorating difference in a room, and actually finding the right paper can be an overwhelmingly daunting task.

Go into any wallpaper store, paint store, home center or other retailer and you'll be confronted with dozens if not hundreds of wallpaper sample books. Considering that each book may contain upwards of a hundred or more different papers, you can see how quickly the number of choices you have can run well into the thousands. more...

Deck-staining that can't fail

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, May 29, 2008.

Q: I have a deck that was built in October 2006. Does it need to be stained this soon? This will be my first deck-staining experience, and I was also wondering what things to be aware of, and if there are any suggestions for easier application, especially on the posts and railings. --Margaret M.

A: Staining a deck offers lots of advantages, and I recommend doing a new deck as soon as the wood has dried and settled in. Yours could be done at any time the weather conditions are appropriate, and should be repeated every couple of years, depending on weather conditions. more...

Get kitchen pantry organized

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, May 22, 2008.

Designers and homeowners agree that ample, easily accessible storage is one of the most important aspects of a great kitchen, and one of the best ways to achieve that is through the use a pantry. Pantries take two basic forms -- the pantry cabinet, which is essentially a tall, wide cabinet that is part of the overall kitchen, and the walk-in or semi walk-in pantry, which is a separate space similar to a small closet. more...

Latest trends in kitchen cabinets

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, May 15, 2008.

If you're contemplating remodeling your kitchen, one of the most important aspects to take into consideration is the cabinets. Certain trends are popular right now while certain others have lost a little of their appeal, which can certainly add or subtract from your resale value as well. Keep in mind that your cabinets, in addition to being a visual focal point for the kitchen, are also a sizable monetary investment. more...

Straw houses gaining acceptance despite concerns

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, May 8, 2008.

When you're ready to go shopping for building materials for your next home, you may not need to go any further than the nearest hay field. Straw-bale houses are becoming increasing popular and accepted in many areas of the West and Southwest, and this method of construction can offer an interesting alternative to conventional building. more...

When replacing door, go with prehung unit

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, May 1, 2008.

When it's time to replace an ailing door or perhaps upgrade to something new, for most applications your best bet is going to be a prehung door unit. A prehung door simply means that the door is already mounted onto the frame, which saves you all the work of mortising the frame and the door to receive the hinges. The door and the frame are also predrilled and mortised to receive the knob and strike, and exterior prehung doors also have the weatherstripping and sill attached. more...

Building permits are nothing to fear

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, April 24, 2008.

"Do I really need a building permit?"

It's one of the most common questions that a homeowner will ask when contemplating a construction project, typically hoping that the answer they'll get back is "no." People seem to have an unreasonable fear of building permits and the entire inspection process, and since many of your projects actually will require a permit, it might be helpful to look at some common questions that often arise. more...

New home technology wows builders

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, April 17, 2008.

Each year, the National Association of Home Builders holds its International Builders Show, the granddaddy of all home shows. The IBS is traditionally the launch site for a variety of new or redesigned building and home-improvement-related products, and this year was certainly no different.

Here's a roundup of some interesting products that you might find useful, along with Internet links if you want to find out more. Please note that all the information is based on the manufacturer's own product research and claims. more...

How to pick the right furnace for your home

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, April 10, 2008.

Q: How do you make a good choice on the type and brand of new furnace with so many options available today? --Michael W.

A: It's similar in many ways to evaluating and deciding on any major purchase, which is a combination of a reputable manufacturer and reputable dealer. I would begin by asking around among friends, coworkers and even your utility company, and get a list of two (or three if desired, but no more than that) reputable heating contractors in your area. Ideally, these contractors will represent at least two different lines of furnaces. more...

Remodel dilemma: Paint or replace doorknobs?

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, April 3, 2008.

Q: To get the particular look I want in my home, I have used Rustoleum to paint the brass on the fireplace. I also used copper and black to give the bathroom light fixtures and towel racks a bronze look. Can you explain how to paint the door levers since they will be touched daily? Can the bathroom faucets be painted from "gold" look to "bronze" look? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. --Della W. more...

Painting tips from the pros

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, March 27, 2008.

If you're an avid do-it-yourselfer, you know the value of a simple can of paint for sprucing up walls and revamping tired rooms. But you've probably also experienced the love/hate relationship that seems to be a part of painting, so here are a handful of tips that should make your next paint project a little easier and more enjoyable. more...

What's causing drafty kitchen cabinet?

By Paul Bianchina, Monday, March 24, 2008.

Q: We're trying to deal with a couple of drafts in the home we're updating. We have a microwave over the stove with a metal exhaust pipe that runs through the upper cabinet. It's on an interior wall, but we get a terrible draft through that cabinet. How do I cut down on the cold air? Is it safe to wrap the metal vent with insulation? --Erin K. more...

Faulty dip tube linked to cold showers

By Paul Bianchina, Thursday, March 20, 2008.

The dip tube -- it has an odd sounding name, and many people aren't aware of its existence in their water heater. But if you've been getting less hot water than you'd like, this little guy could possibly be the culprit. more...

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