Here's How from Creators Syndicate

Install a New Toilet for 11/05/2009

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: I think it is time for a new toilet. I want a stylish attractive one, but it must also flush well and be quiet. Once I pick one, is it a project I can do by myself, or do I need a plumber? — Kat L.

Dear Kat: You should be able to install a new toilet yourself with just a few wrenches. By doing the installation yourself, the money you save on labor can be spent on a more s ...

Updated: Thu Nov 05, 2009

Install Wood Wainscoting for 11/12/2009

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: Much of the drywall has been nicked by my kids over the years. I would like to add wainscoting in the dining room instead of replacing the drywall. How can I do this myself to save a few bucks? — Wendy M.

Dear Wendy: Wood wainscoting is truly a beautiful wall treatment. Unfortunately, probably due to its high cost, it is not as common as it once was years ago. If you do i ...

Updated: Thu Nov 12, 2009

Eliminate Musty Indoor Odors for 11/19/2009

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: I live in an old house, which seems to always have a moldy odor. Various sections are built over a dirt crawl space, slab and basement. Where is this odor coming from and how do I eliminate it? — Sheri J.

Dear Sheri: A moldy odor is generally caused by persistent dampness somewhere in your home. This is not only annoying, but it can be unhealthy for your children. Another ...

Updated: Thu Nov 19, 2009

Replace Cabinet Hinges for 11/26/2009

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: I am tired of squeaking room and cabinet doors that stick or come open. I plan to replace all the hinges that don't work right. There seem to be hundreds of hinge designs. What type holds up best? — Chris H.

Dear Chris: Hinges take more abuse and wear and tear than most people realize. The full weight of a door pulls out on the upper hinge and pushes in on the lower one. ...

Updated: Thu Nov 26, 2009

Add Bathroom for 12/03/2009

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: We are planning a do-it-yourself project to add another bathroom for the children. What are the basic design considerations and what is the proper construction sequence to save time? — Janine H.

Dear Janine: There are many items to consider when installing a new bathroom. A bathroom is a unique room from a design standpoint because it is somewhat like a mini-house. It wil ...

Updated: Thu Dec 03, 2009

Storm Door Handle for 12/10/2009

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: I rescued a puppy from the local animal shelter six months ago. She has jumped up on the aluminum screen door so many times trying to get out that she has damaged the lock handle. How can I repair it? — Patsy Z.

Dear Patsy: At most houses, the door getting the most abuse is the aluminum screen/storm door that leads to a porch or backyard. It is constantly getting a workou ...

Updated: Thu Dec 10, 2009

Repairing Countertops for 12/17/2009

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: I have a beautiful laminate kitchen countertop, which I like. Unfortunately, my ex-husband burned a spot on it. Can I repair this countertop because I cannot afford to replace it with a new one? — Jen W.

Dear Jen: You have identified the only problem with laminate countertops. Since the top surface is basically a sheet of plastic, it can be damaged by very hot pots, cigar ...

Updated: Thu Dec 17, 2009

Install a Staircase for 12/24/2009

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: I am totally remodeling an older house I just purchased. I want to add a second staircase from the kitchen to the bedrooms for the children to use. Can I purchase do-it-yourself kits for this? — Barb L.

Dear Barb: Installing a second staircase to the second floor is becoming more common in new construction and when remodeling older homes. It will consume quite a bit of fl ...

Updated: Thu Dec 24, 2009

Installation/Care of Hardwood Flooring for 12/31/2009

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: I installed some hardwood flooring several years ago in the foyer and now it has gaps between the pieces. I want to install it in the kitchen now. What should I do this time to avoid gaps? — Donna Q.

Dear Donna: Hardwood flooring can be very beautiful and totally transform the decor of a room, but it can also look bad if installed improperly. Gaps between the individual p ...

Updated: Thu Dec 31, 2009

Cut Crown Molding for 01/07/2010

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: I am trying to install some crown molding in my living room, but I cannot get the corners to meet properly. Do you have any tips for installing it before I ruin more of the crown molding material? — Ronda H.

Dear Ronda: Adding crown molding is the finishing touch to make any room look truly elegant. As you have found, though, it is not easy to fit the corners properly. I ...

Updated: Thu Jan 07, 2010

How To Select Remodeling Contractor for 01/14/2010

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: I am going to have a major remodeling job done at my home. This is my first major project so I need to find a competent remodeling contractor. How do I evaluate various contractors? — Jean W.

Dear Jean: Everyone who watches the evening news hears horror stories about how remodeling contractors start a job, collect a large down payment and then literally take off to the ne ...

Updated: Thu Jan 14, 2010

Reducing Indoor Moisture and Mold for 01/21/2010

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: I have a brick house, to which I have made many improvements. I have had a lot of mold problems over the winter, and summer will probably be worse. How can I improve this situation? — Jane P.

Dear Jane: Mold infestations can not only be an annoyance, but also a serious health problem, especially for children. There are some rather serious, harmful molds that cause respira ...

Updated: Thu Jan 21, 2010

Installing a Skylight for 01/28/2010

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: I live in a small one-story house with a pitched roof. I want to add a skylight in my living room, but there is a tall attic above it. Is it still effective to add a skylight, and how do I do it? — Ginny F.

Dear Ginny: The addition of a skylight, especially in a smaller house, is one of the most common home improvement projects. Its cost is relatively low and it is a simp ...

Updated: Thu Jan 28, 2010

Bathroom Odors for 02/04/2010

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: One of our bathrooms has a musty and sometimes a sewer gas odor. I wipe out and dry the bathtub and sink, but the odor is still there. What is the source of the odor and how do I fix it? — Lauren G.

Dear Lauren: There are so many sources of water, air ducts and sewage in bathrooms; it often is very difficult to precisely identify the source of the odor without an actual i ...

Updated: Thu Feb 04, 2010

Install a New Wood Door for 02/11/2010

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: My house has an old wooden door, which has taken quite a beating over the years from the weather and my sons. The aluminum siding on my house still looks fine. What are the steps to replace the door myself? — Margie H.

Dear Margie: You should be able to install a new door yourself in just several hours. Most doors are made to standard sizes so it will not be difficult to ...

Updated: Thu Feb 11, 2010

Apply Drywall Joint Tape for 02/18/2010

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: I did some remodeling work myself for the first time in my bedroom, but the drywall joints look bad. I want to do some work in my living room next. What are the proper steps for taping drywall joints? — Kim F.

Dear Kim: It can be difficult to produce smooth, almost imperceptible drywall joints your first time. Many professional remodelers never learn to do it properly. A ...

Updated: Thu Feb 18, 2010

Building a Simple Birdhouse for 02/25/2010

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: My children are studying ecology topics in school and they want me to build a birdhouse, a "nice-looking" one. Do you have any design and construction tips for building one my kids will approve of? — Ginny F.

Dear Ginny: It is great to hear that children are becoming more interested in the environment and they are involving their parents. Unlike people, birds ar ...

Updated: Thu Feb 25, 2010

Choose Proper Paintbrush for 03/04/2010

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Dear Pat: It is about time I paint the walls and trim around windows and doors. My local hardware store has many brushes in the paint section. How do I know which are the best ones to buy? — Leann T.

Dear Leann: It can get a bit overwhelming during your first visit to the paint aisle of a hardware or home center store. Not only are there many types and sizes for paintbrushes and ro ...

Updated: Thu Mar 04, 2010

HERE'S HOWBY PAT LOGANRELEASE: THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2010Repairing Concrete Dear Pat: I want to convert my kid's playroom into a study. I plan to put paneling over the damaged drywall. What is the best type of paneling that won't look "cheap," and how do I for 03/11/2010

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0800

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Updated: Thu Mar 11, 2010

Repair a Leaky Shower Stall for 03/18/2010

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Dear Pat: My house is several years old, and I have started to notice a damp stain on the ceiling underneath the second-floor shower stall. It has a ceramic tile floor. How do I find the leak, and how do I repair it? — Margie B.

Dear Margie: At only several years old, the leak is probably not from plumbing piping and fixtures that have failed. If there had been a problem with the i ...

Updated: Thu Mar 18, 2010