Blog – Page 2 – Home Repair Tutor

How to Tile a Shower Wall

Get expert tips on how to tile a shower wall and choose the right materials
Cutting Bathroom Tiles with Montolit’s CGX115 Angle Grinder Blade

Cutting bathroom tiles is a lot easier with an angle grinder…even more so when you have the right blade. Today we take a look at Montolit’s new CGX115 blade made with DNA technology. The DNA stands for Diamond Network Arrangement. Basically…
How to Paint a Bathroom

What’s the best way to paint a bathroom? Today you’ll learn how to paint a bathroom fast and get professional results. Chris ‘The Idaho Painter’ Berry is going to share his awesome painting tips. Chris and I have been wanting to…
Thin-set for Tile…Do’s and Don’ts

What’s the best way to apply thin-set for tile? Today you’ll learn perhaps some of the most important tips ever when it comes to setting tile. Sal DiBlasi, who’s been a tile setter for over 32 years, is going to give you…
Grout Removal Tool Selection (Quick Tips)

Grout removal tool selection is super important. The last thing you want to do on a Saturday is spend 8 hours removing grout…I know because I’ve done it. Today you’ll learn about which tools to use for small jobs and…
How to Install an American Standard Pedestal Sink

Pedestal sinks are terrific for small bathrooms. But typically they don’t have any storage. American Standard gave me their Retrospect sink and console. This pedestal sink has an integrated towel bar and storage, which makes it perfect for small bathrooms.…
KERDI BOARD: Waterproof Your Shower in 1 Day

KERDI-BOARD by Schluter is one of the best ways to waterproof a shower. Here’s why: anybody can install it!!! Plus, it’s backed by a great warranty. A lot of folks like using cement board, but it’s heavy and requires a waterproofing…
How to Replace a Toilet

American Standard toilets are super easy to install. Replacing a toilet is a good skill to learn because it’ll save you at least $200. Plus, you’ll see tips to prevent every homeowner’s worst fear: NASTY toilet water leaks!!!!!! I’ve seen this happen and…
Toilet Flange Repair from Start to Finish

Toilet flange repair is an important skill to learn. Unfortunately, a lot of homeowners (and even Pros) do it wrong. Or worse, they avoid repairing the closet flange altogether. And instead use a double wax ring, which is not a…
5 Essential Tools for Tile (QUICK TIPS)

Here’s the deal: tools make a huge difference when tiling a shower. Today you’ll get five tool recommendations that will make shower tile installation easier. Let’s dive in! Shower Tile Installation…Laser Levels Make it Easier Here’s the Bosch laser level…
How to Hang Drywall in a Bathroom Doorway

Learning how to hang drywall in a bathroom doorway is easy. But if you choose to ignore the advice in today’s tutorial you could be in for a bad surprise. Today you’ll get a secret tip that’ll prevent cracks above…
Soldering Tips (QUICK TIPS)

Soldering tips can make a BIG difference. That could be…the difference between getting frustrated and having an easier time. …the difference between burning your home down or NOT!!! If you’ve watched our other tutorials you know WE LOVE PEX. But…
How to Hang Drywall Ceilings by Yourself

Have you struggled hanging drywall ceilings by yourself? It can be a real chore and painful. But there are some tricks and tips that make it a WHOLE LOT EASIER. Today you’ll learn how hang drywall ceilings by yourself and…
How to Install PEX Pipe in 10 Minutes or Less

Are you afraid to solder copper pipes? If you’ve never soldered before it can be intimidating. Plus you can easily catch your house on fire – never a good thing. Today you’ll learn how to install PEX pipe. This is a…
How to Install a Bathtub

See how to install a bathtub and choose the right supplies
Roxul Insulation (lower utility BILLS)

Roxul insulation was my #1 choice for our master bathroom remodel. I’ll explain why. It’s made of Basalt rock and recycled slag. If you don’t know, slag is a by-product of steel production. I live in Pittsburgh, so it’s kinda second…
How to Remove a Bathtub (SAFELY!!)

Today you’ll learn how to remove a bathtub. And I highly recommend replacing old bathtubs for two reasons. First, the plumbing is typically shot. Even old cast iron tubs start to develop rust at the plumbing connections. The last thing…
How to Fix Drywall (Save $600…or MORE!)

True story: I paid my handyman $600 to fix a 4 x 4 foot section of ceiling. That was 9 years ago. Don’t get me wrong, my handyman is awesome. But sometimes money is tight, REAL tight. And paying $600 or…
How to Install a Water Shut Off Valve (9 Minutes!!)

Today you’ll learn how to install a water shut off valve…and do it in record time. If there’s ever a time to freak out it’s during a water leak. They lead to damaged drywall, mold, etc etc. Nasty stuff can…
How to Install a New Door Lock

Learning how to install a new door lock is important. Especially if you value your home. Here’s the deal though, keys get lost. Whether it’s your kid, husband or tenants…keys ALWAYS get lost. I recently fell in love with Kwikset’s…
Make Tiled Bathrooms Look Amazing

Tiled Bathrooms can be beautiful. Or ugly… It depends on how you use it. Our tiling tips will make your bathroom faster to renovate and easier to clean. We promise you’ll learn at least one idea you can use today. Let’s dive in! Each…
How to Fix a Copper Pipe…WITHOUT Soldering!!

Today you’ll learn how to fix a copper pipe. Here’s the Story: Last Sunday I got a frantic text from my wife… …water was leaking from the kitchen ceiling!!!!!!! What would you do in this situation? If you don’t have an…
Tips for Fixing a Leaking Toilet Bowl

Is there anything worse than a leaking toilet bowl? YUCK!!! Unfortunately this has happened to us. Let me say this… …never EVER double up the wax ring. Today’s tutorial shows you how to fix a leaking toilet bowl for less…
How to Remove Caulk

Today you’ll learn how to remove caulk from a shower. Here’s the deal: Moldy shower caulk is disgusting. We’ll share two tools that make this job way easy. Let’s do it!! Getting Started Why should you care about moldy shower caulk? Well, It…
How to Insulate Walls and Ceilings

Insulating walls is good. Insulating ceilings is good. But when you can do both? You should high five yourself… …because your home will be SUPER comfy. Today you’ll learn how to insulate walls and ceilings the right way. These tips instantly cut…
How to Use an Angle Grinder

Today you’ll learn how to use an angle grinder. The right tools make all the difference. In fact, they downright save you time! I often use my angle grinder to cut and polish tiles. But grinders can be dangerous. So…
Get Amazing Tile Floors & Walls with the Tuscan Tile Leveling System

We believe you can get an amazing tile floor or wall. Even if you’re doing this project for the first time. Today we share an easy way to get amazing tile result: the Tuscan tile leveling system. Professional tile setters…
How to Install an AFCI Outlet

Today you’ll learn how to install an AFCI outlet. Do you have old electrical outlets? If so, they’re a fire hazard. This little device is way safer than a traditional outlet. You’ll see why. Getting Started Explosions are exciting. Especially when…
DeWalt’s New Cordless Sliding Compound Miter Saw

Falling down steps hurts. REALLY BAD. I don’t recommend it. DeWalt’s new cordless sliding compound miter saw keeps your work space safe. No extension cords. No tripping hazards. Plenty of power. Should you add this saw to your Amazon wish list?…
How to Install Leviton’s Humidity Sensor

Today you’ll learn how to install the Levition humidity sensor. Does your bathroom get humid? Nobody likes feeling sticky first thing in the morning. Not even that kid from Willy Wonka. What was his name? Oh yah, Augustus Gloop. Today…
Fein’s MultiMaster

What’s the worst part of owning power tools? Them dying while you’re in the middle of a project. A few years back I had to remove the grout in our shower floor. After 10 minutes my oscillating multi-tool kicked the…
How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink

Here’s my promise. After 5 minutes you’ll likely never have to call a plumber for kitchen sink clogs. A few weeks ago my tenant’s kitchen sink stopped draining. My knee-jerk reaction was angst, but then I realized this was awesome! Because…
Watch How to Install a GFCI Electrical Outlet Like a Pro

I kidnapped my electrician. And we filmed 4 hours of video tutorials. Today is the first video and he’s going to show you how to install a GFCI electrical outlet. If you don’t watch Bill’s tips you’ll miss out (not…
Cutting Plywood and Breaking Down Sheet Goods

Cutting plywood and breaking down sheet goods is easy… When you have the right tools. Sure, you could politely ask the nice people at the home store to do it. But c’mon, this is an excuse to whip out your…
How to Fix a Pinhole Leak in a Copper Pipe

Pipe leaks can cost thousands of dollars. NO FUN. We’ve owned our home for 18 years and have had 12 different copper pipe leaks. The first time I called our plumber, he soldered in a new section of pipe for $97.…
Black and Decker’s New Jigsaw with Curve Control

I’m a tool junky. Anytime I can test something new and share it with you I’m all in. A few years back I installed bamboo laminate in a living room for a rental home. The only saw I used was a…
How to Find a Stud in the Wall

When I find cool tools I instantly share them. So last weekend I was doing some work in our bathroom. Installing a pedestal sink to be precise. I thought I found the stud locations but apparently my stud finder was…
Staining Pressure Treated Wood

Staining wood can be a PAIN! The only thing that’s worse is stripping it in 2-3 years!!! MORE PAIN. I have a 10 year old retaining wall that’s made from pressure treated wood. It’s in great shape and I’d like…
How to Solder Copper Pipe (Important Tips!!)

Burning your house to the ground… Is this the first thing that comes to mind when you think of soldering copper pipe? Maybe I’m the only one thinking this, lol. The first time I had to solder a pipe was…
How to Cut Copper Pipe

Have you ever found a tool you love? A few years back I was in Home Depot searching for a new pipe cutter. And Snap! There it was, the AutoCut tool. It’s been in my tool box ever since. Today…
The Ridgid Faucet and Sink Installer Tool

Working under a sink is a pain in the BUTT. It’s cramped, dark, and sometimes stinky. Last week I got a request from one of our community members. Adam wanted to know the easiest way to replace faucet supply lines. Today’s…
Get Rid of Spiders for 12 Months

My wife is deathly afraid of spiders. Unfortunately we get little visitors every spring. Last April I was sitting in the living room and suddenly heard my wife scream. After running upstairs I found her pointing to a huge black spider on the ceiling.…
How to Fix a Large Hole in the Wall

Having large holes in your wall isn’t good. Water leaks, kids playing, clumsy husbands… They create drywall disasters. This past weekend I needed to install a pedestal sink. To do that I had to add wood blocking to the stud bay…
How to Wire an Electrical Outlet

The genesis of this tutorial began on Super Bowl Sunday. Two of my friends asked me to do a tutorial on wiring an outlet. So you should thank them, lol. This project isn’t hard but can be scary if you’ve…
How to Remove Hard Water Deposits

Hard water deposits are a pain in the butt. You typically see them on faucets or shower doors. I’ve used a cleaning process for years that removes this residue in less than 15 minutes. And for some reason I didn’t…
How to Wire a Light Switch

It can be downright frustrating to do electrical work. But I found a light switch that’s easy to install and looks awesome. I almost had my daughter wire this light switch but then imagined what my wife would say!! If your…
How to Replace a Bathroom Faucet

Do you wanna learn how to replace a bathroom faucet? Maybe the prior homeowner had bad taste? Or the current faucet just isn’t your style? You can easily do this project BUT you’ll need the right tools and tips. Hey,…
How to Caulk a Bathtub

Learning how to caulk a bathtub should be easy, right? And it is. But wouldn’t it be nice to get time saving tips. One of my tenants kept complaining about her tub’s caulk looking bad. I decided to just remove…
DIY Spray Foam Insulation

When do you get your highest heating bill? Sometime in the near future, right. Cold air drafts are one reason you write checks for $300 or $400. PAINFUL. Don’t worry, I’m in the same boat. Our front door leaks cold air all…
Garage Door Opener Installation

There’s one reason you’re seeing this tutorial today. My wife. Her garage door opener died about 4 weeks ago. She told me that if I didn’t fix it I’d, ahem.., be sleeping in garage. So, with that subtle hint I…
How to Clean an Oven

Do you know how to clean an oven? This is probably one of the scariest kitchen cleaning tasks. A lot of us might have self-cleaning oven but are afraid to press the button. I don’t blame you because ovens get…
How to Clean a Garbage Disposal

Do you have a stinky kitchen sink? If you do, there are several ways to stop nasty odors. Just last week my good buddy complained about his garbage disposal stinking to high heaven. Since the holidays are approaching I decided to put together…
How to Stop Your Mirror From Fogging Up

It’s time to whip out the long johns!!! Yesterday it was sunny and 68F in Pittsburgh. Today it’s hovering around 30F and snowing. Well, that’s Pittsburgh for you, haha. I have to laugh a little because I’ve lived here since I…
Installing Outdoor Landscape Lighting

Halloween is today!! It’s my favorite time of year. Orange leaves. Charlie Brown specials. We get a lot of visitors from October thru December. And our home has a lot of steps leading to the front door and I’d hate…
How to Weatherize Windows with Plastic Film Insulation

Most homes need a little TLC before the temperature drops. And this tutorial is going to help you keep heating bills low by adding window insulation. Plastic film insulation kits cost 10-$20 and you’ll be able to insulate multiple windows. One…
DIY Gel Fire Pits

Need a conversation starter? This tutorial will give you one. I’m always up for building cool stuff to make our patio more inviting. Since I’m also a penny pincher I like to figure out how to DIY these things and get…
How to Clean a Bathtub

How much time do you really have to clean? Not much. That’s why I try to come up with great ideas to make cleaning easy. I get inspiration from all over the place. One spot I love visiting is the automotive…
Wire a Dimmer Light Switch

Instant home improvements are awesome!!! So this week I wanted to share how you can wire a dimmer light switch in 15 minutes or less. Plus save at least $79 by DIYing it. Cathy, one of our sensational fans, asked me…
Garden Hose Repair

Garden hoses don’t last forever. Mine sprung a leak while I was trying to power wash our house. Instead of throwing away the hose I decided to fix it. The repair parts cost less than $9. Maybe you’re in the same…
Build a BIG Outdoor Storage Bench

I hate soggy seat cushions. Lately we’ve been getting biblical rainfalls in Pittsburgh. Yes, we’re fortunate but we’ve also had flooding. So I decided to do something about it, not the flooding (I’m not Al Roker). This past weekend I…
How to Insulate Walls

Are you afraid your house might burn to the ground? It scares the bejesus out of me, especially since we have kids. Of course we take all the precautions: smoke detectors, GFCIs, fire extinguisher, trained guinea pigs…. Yah, did you know…
How to Clean a Greasy Kitchen Hood

Have you ever tried to clean grease off your range hood and asked yourself, “Is there a better way to do this?”. Well this week I discovered an amazing product you need to check out. Especially if you start to…
How to Replace an Old Thermostat

It’s remarkable how many ways you can lower utility bills. Add more insulation, install better windows, get a more efficient HVAC system, etc. Last week ran over to help my tenant because his thermostat was on the fritz. After 15…
Ceiling Fan Light Repair

Do you like saving money? Of course you do, right!!! A few weeks back my awesome tenant called to say her ceiling fan light wasn’t working. At the time I was way too busy to fix it and tried calling…
Repair Nail Pops and Holes in Sheetrock

Drywall repair can be a headache. For me it’s the pain of waiting for the darn joint compound to dry. I’ve got two active kids who play sports and attend more birthday parties than Ronald McDonald! So I can’t be messing around…
Metal Patio Chairs

Do you have rusted, faded, and drab looking patio chairs? Don’t let a little paint get in the way of having fun with friends. I’ve made the mistake of thinking that repainting a metal chair will take forever and isn’t…
How to Install a Pedestal Sink & Faucet

Is your bathroom small? You make it look a lot bigger with a pedestal sink. Sounds easy enough, right. It’s pretty simple but you can encounter big problems. Like plumbing leaks. FRUSTRATING!! Today’s tutorial shows you how to install the faucet, pedestal sink,…
How to Clean a Kitchen Sink

Are you frustrated by a dirty kitchen sink? For me the tough part was trying to clean the drains. Brown staining always persisted. This changed once I built my own cleaning brush for about $5. The brush combined with a…
How to Build a Rustic Cooler

If you want to learn how to build a rustic cooler from pallets then I’ve got a great project. And the coolest part is that I did it using only one type of saw. There are great tutorials on the web…
How to Clean Efflorescence Off Stone Walls

Do your stone walls have efflorescence? Mine do and it’s really REALLY bad. Efflorescence leaves a white residue on stone and it’s just salt deposits from the soil or stone itself. Let me tell you, it can be a big headache to…
How to Edge a Flower Bed

Are you tired of your flower beds looking like a disaster? I feel the same way. For some reason it just bothers the heck out of me to not have a well edged flower or mulch bed. So I did…
How to Clean a Stinky Sink Drain

No matter how much you clean your bathroom sometimes the sink drain just flat out STINKS!!! A few weeks back our friend asked me how to get rid of the sewer smell coming from a bathroom sink. I have a…
Solution for a Toilet That Keeps Running

In my case it more than quadrupled in ONE MONTH!!!! I blinked a few times, called the water company and then took my lumps. Turns out the toilet was running due to a bad flapper valve. Let’s just say I…
Cement Step Repair

This week’s tutorial is all about showing you a quick way to fix cement steps in less than one day. Here’s the deal, you don’t need any cement experience to do this. If you mess up it won’t be the…
Modern Ceiling Lights

You want your house to look awesome, right? A good place to begin is with your lighting because it sets the tone for your room. Think about it, nobody will say your kitchen looks great if the lights are from…
How to Paint a Straight Ceiling Line

My Mom cringed when she saw our orange dining room. She just isn’t used to strong colors but after a few years, she decided it was a great choice. Painting walls any color other than white can be a real…
Best Way to Remove Wallpaper

The best way to remove wallpaper without chemicals is steam. We bought a Wagner steamer about 7 years ago to remove butt ugly wallpaper. After a few days of work, my wife declared the steamer was her favorite tool ever!!…
Fix a Small Hole in the Wall

How do you fix small holes in the wall? Stuffing aluminum foil or toilet paper into the void isn’t exactly a good solution. And it probably won’t go over so well with your spouse or landlord. Although the look on…
How to Replace a Cracked Tile

How much do you think it costs to have a handyman replace a tile? I’m willing to bet it’s close to what you’ll pay for a nice dinner out. So maybe $50 to $100. There’s nothing wrong with paying a…
Easily Remove Silicone Caulk without Chemicals

How can you remove silicone caulk without the use of a chemical caulk remover? This was the question on my mind since the caulk between our kitchen countertops and tile backsplash had more separations than Liz Taylor. The last thing…
The BEST Door Sweep for Exterior Doors

Raise your hand if you want low utility bills? If your arm shot up then read on. You’ve probably seen traditional door sweeps or even installed one. They consist of a rubber gasket attached to a metal strip. These sweeps…
Small Bathroom Renovation Ideas

Are you tired of your outdated bathtub? Me too. The gold 1980s shower doors, moldy caulk, stained grout lines… If your bathroom makes you feel like you’re roommates with Tom Hanks & Shelley Long in Money Pit then read on.…
Garage Wall Storage Made Easy

Can garage wall storage be easy? Unfortunately, my garage kinda looks like the garbage pit from Star Wars Episode IV (you know – the scene where Luke, Han, and Leia almost get crushed to death but then C3PO finally answers…
Install GFCI Outlets in Bathrooms

I got shocked. It was over 10 years ago but I still remember the jolting feeling. If you’ve seen Back to the Future you probably know how Doc Brown got his white hair. Well, I felt how he looked. Why…
Thawing and Preventing Frozen Pipes

This post shows you how to thaw and prevent frozen pipes because when it happens you need to act quickly. Here’s the deal: It’s not the freezing part that’s painful. It’s the thawing. But don’t worry, I have a lot…
How to Replace Garage Door Extension Springs

So, you think your garage door is safe. I did too until an extension spring almost took my head off. Our garage door opens and closes over 1000 times per year. That’s probably a lowball estimate since the kids just learned…
Install Weather Stripping Around Outside Doors

Sometimes older homes feel like they’re made of swiss cheese. One way to stop ants, drafts, and high utility bills is to add weather stripping to outside doors. I’ve done this to several of our rentals and it’s way easy.…
How to Fix a Running Toilet

How do you fix a running toilet? If you’re like me then this problem drives you bonkers. But fortunately, the solutions are super simple. And you need only 3 tools (Phillips head screwdriver, flathead screwdriver, & wire snips) and 15 minutes…
Fix Your Fluorescent Light Ballast

Two days before Thanksgiving I walked into our laundry to wash my underwear and noticed the light wasn’t working. After a short three-word phrase (use your imagination) I started to have flashbacks about what led to this moment in time.…
One of the Greatest Garage Storage Ideas

Garage storage ideas that help organize clutter, that’s what I need. How about you? But many of these solutions cost a lot of money and take a long time to build. I don’t necessarily want to spend a whole day…
Wet and Forget Indoor: Stop Mold & Mildew

I’ve got a secret, our garage has mildew. And unfortunately, the solution will cost us thousands to fix. For now, we have to deal with the moisture that seeps through the cinderblock. Since my wife has bad asthma and allergies…
How to Paint a Wall

Learning how to paint a wall is easy. But it can be frustrating when the results are less than stellar. Great paint jobs are especially noticeable when there are two opposing colors next to each other — like a Halloween…
How to Remove Oil Stains from Concrete

Do you feel like stains are complex mysteries? Painfully obvious nuisances that draw our attention over and over again. Well, that’s how I’ve felt for the last 7 years. You see, we had a huge oil stain on our concrete…
Bathroom Light Fixtures by Lowe’s

Have you ever felt like your bathroom light fixtures need to be thrown in the trash, but you’re too afraid to do something about them? If you’re normal, that answer is yes. Here’s the good news Anyone and I mean…
The Best Way to Clean Grout — EVER!!

Today I’ve got a special treat for you. One of our community members, Ashley, sent me an email explaining how she built what she affectionally calls the Grout GrimeBuster 3000 (thanks Ashley, you ROCK). The cool part is that Ashley…
How to Unclog a Sink

Have you ever wondered why your bathroom sink is draining slower than the morning commute? Often this kind of problem is super easy to fix yet a lot of us just assume we couldn’t do it ourselves. But you might…
Garage Organization Ideas

Today I’m writing about a topic that gets as sticky as a kid’s fingers after visiting the ice cream shop! Answer this question: Have you ever gotten into an argument with your significant other about the mess that is your…
How to Remove Old Carpet

How do you remove old carpet? This question is for all of us who bought a new house that has that crazy red shag carpet circa 1976. Which pretty much means anyone who’s ever bought a house in Pittsburgh’s city…
Window Sash Replacement

Window sash replacement: how do you do it? This question came up recently because the glass in the lower sash of our double-hung window broke. What I discovered is that home window replacement should begin by finding the manufacture’s sticker.…
The Nest Learning Thermostat Review and Installation

What is a Nest learning thermostat? This is a question I’ve had for some time and thought you’d be interested in what I found out. The Nest is a next-generation programmable thermostat that is also a wireless device. Programmable thermostats…