Tips & Techniques

On a recent remodeling project, I needed to remove a window and fill the resulting hole with cinder blocks. Ordinarily, this wouldn't be a big deal, but this wall was…

As I put up a layer of foam-board insulation on my ceiling, I ran into the problem of how to cut the holes for the ceiling-light electrical boxes. As luck…

I used to use braces to hold a backsplash in place while the construction adhesive set up, as explained in the tip Gluing a backsplash. But it's a pain to…

The next time you're remodeling an old house and have to tear out the knob-and-tube wiring, save the porcelain insulators. They make great knife sharpeners. Steve A. Morris, Lynchburg, VA

A clean edge without a master's hand.

Electrician Mel Minor installs a lot of recessed light fixtures in ceilings. In some cases he has to cut the hole in the drywall as well as mount the fixture…

I use my pneumatic impact hammer for chipping back stucco and concrete, but I've been reluctant to use it on wood for lack of a proper cutting tip. Then I…

During the winter months, I usually renovate basements. When I'm drywalling and painting, I can't wash my tools and brushes with the garden hose because it's so cold outside. If…

When running crown molding, I often have to pull a piece down to do a little fussing with the cope cuts or to tweak a piece up or down. Even…

In Pennsylvania, we have to deal with some very muddy conditions in the springtime. The best way to cope with mud on a construction project is with straw. Spread it…