The durable, black stainless-steel rectangle design fits in smaller spaces, so packing it to travel is so easy!
Plus, it has built-in handles, so transporting it from your car to your hangout spot is simple!
You can breathe easily around this fire pit because it’s designed specifically for a low-smoke experience.
This fire pit might be small but it has a large flame design for a four-foot heat radius, so your guests don’t have to pack around it to feel the warmth.
TIKI’s portable fire pit comes with a wood pack that creates instant light and burns for about 30 minutes. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Easy to Maintain
A removable ash pan makes cleaning this fire pit hassle-free.
You can use traditional firewood or a TIKI Wood Pack, which creates instant light and burns for approximately 30 minutes per pack.
TIKI’s portable fire pit includes a stand and comes with a fabric cover to help protect it from the elements when it’s not in use.
Watch the video to learn all about this Best New Product!
No matter how well you build a wooden fence gate, they all share a common problem over time — the tendency to sag over time.
A sagging gate doesn’t just make your fence look old and unattractive — it’s also a hazard for children and pets.
Wide gates are no exception, and possibly are more susceptible to sagging. For example, this fence gate is five and a half feet wide, and I’ve tried everything over the years. I replaced the hinges with larger hinges. I installed the steel braces in each corner. Still, it didn’t work.
Instead of fighting gravity, prop the sagging gate up when it’s closed or open with a caster.
The caster is made from a simple two-by-four pressure-treated block. Here’s how to build it:
A wood scraper smooths the edges of the two-by-four so it rests neatly against the horizontal fence gate support board. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Cut a notch in the back of the two-by-four pressure-treated board to create a shoulder so it rests under the horizontal rail of the gate.
Cut the notch wide enough for the caster wheel to roll without any blockage. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Then, cut another notch in the bottom to hold the caster. Drill a hole through the notch for a coverage bolt to go through to secure the caster to the block.
The notch on the back of the two-by-four keeps the caster wheel from sticking too far out from the gate. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Finally, secure the caster block to the horizontal support board with four two-inch long galvanized screws.
Now when the gate is open or closed, the caster, not the hinges, completely supports it.
A wall fountain gives you the relaxing feeling of sitting next to a babbling brook right outside your home.
By installing a ready-made one like this one, you don’t have to rework any plumbing in your home. All you need to do is decide on the location, drive in a mounting screw, and hang the fountain.
However, if you don’t have an electrical outlet nearby, you’ll need to have one installed for your wall fountain to work.
Electrical work is best done by professionals. Here’s what they’ll do to set up an exterior outlet.
Installing an Exterior Electrical Outlet
The fountain will be hung on the other side of this wall, so we can use the wires from this outlet to power an exterior outlet. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
The electrician will find an interior outlet near where you want the exterior outlet to be. He’ll use the wires from this outlet to power the exterior outlet.
To access the wires, the electrician must first remove the electrical box. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
With the power turned off, he’ll disconnect the outlet and remove the box.
To mark the location for the new exterior outlet, the electrician uses a pencil and the electrical box. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Next, the electrician will mark the location of the new box with a pencil. Make sure the electrician centers the box under the wall fountain.
The electrician runs the wire through the electrical box to connect it to the wall. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
After cutting a hole for the exterior electrical box, he’ll fish a new wire through that hole over to the inside box location.
A ground fault circuit interrupter outlet like this one constantly track electrical current flow; if they detect a change, they immediately cut power to the outlet. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Finally, the electrician will secure and wire the new box with a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet, which the local building code requires for outside locations.
Once the electrical work is complete, all that’s left to do is connect the wall fountain’s pump and fill it with water before plugging it into the new outlet.
Now, we can begin enjoying the relaxing sound of water falling gently.
This week, hear how to fill in scratches on a wood floor, relevel a brick walkway, and more. (Joanne Millum/Terri Dudley)
Hour 1
Listen to hear how to fill in scratches on a wood floor, relevel a brick walkway, and more.
Fixing Scratched Floors
Scratches on wood floors are an eyesore, but you can lessen the look of them. (Joanne Millum)
Joanne Millum has beautiful hardwood floors in her mid-century home. Unfortunately, when a repairman moved the fridge to check a filter, it left gouges and scratches across the wood grain.
She wants to know: “Is there any way to fix that? One side is worse than the other.”
The only way to completely get rid of scratches is to refinish the floor.
But first, go to The Home Depot and get some Rejuvenate Wood Floor Restorer. This product is like a cleaner/filler for wood floors.
Clean your wood floors first, and apply it to the damaged area. This will help blend in the scratches to the rest of the floor.
Here’s our suggestion for preventing future scratches near the fridge — Cut a thin piece of paneling to the width of the refrigerator, and store it in the garage. Whenever you need to take the fridge out, tip it and slide the paneling under it to prevent any scratches.
Releveling an Uneven Brick Walkway
These unlevel bricks on this walkway are a tripping hazard. (Terri Dudley)
Tree roots have shifted the bricks on Terri Dudley’s walkway, and it’s now become a tripping hazard. The tree has since been cut down, but the roots are still intact around the stump and under the walkway.
“I am a widow with a disabled daughter. Do you have any suggestions on how to make it safe?” she asks.
In a situation like this, it’s hard to tell what can fix the problem until you start removing the bricks. Depending on how the bricks are installed, it could damage the bricks bringing them out of there unless they’re loosely laid.
Don’t touch the bricks that are flat and smooth. Remove all of the ones that are displaced, and use a reciprocating saw to cut the root from the walkway. Pack in some soil or some crushed rocks, and replace the bricks. Fill in any voids with sand.
This may not get it 100 percent level, but it will eliminate the trip hazard.
Hour 2
Listen to learn how to fix peeling paint, drill into tile, correct gaps in bamboo floors and more.
Fix for Peeling Paint in a Bathroom
Warm, moist air can cause paint to peel from walls. (Taveesaksri, Getty Images)
The paint is peeling off the ceiling in Philip Costa’s bathroom. He says the ceiling was plastered with a swirled pattern, and only a few areas are peeling.
“Do you have any ideas on how to fix this,” he asks.
First, you need to make sure your exhaust fan is working to remove all the hot, moist air in the bathroom.
The problem with exhaust fans is they get dirty and become ineffective. Try this test: take one square piece of toilet paper, turn the fan on, then hold it about an inch away from the grill. It should attach itself immediately to the fan, indicating the fan is drawing air up.
Make sure the exhaust fan is vented all the way to the outside. Make sure the air is coming out outside.
First, scrap all the paint off and sand the ceiling. Next, paint the whole ceiling with a bonding primer. Then, repaint it with two coats of acrylic latex paint. This binds it well.
This, coupled with making sure the hot, moist air is vented out, should eliminate the peeling paint.
Tip for Drilling into Tile
When drilling through tile, apply masking tape to keep the drill bit in place. (Getty Images)
Louis Sanchez just remodeled her master bathroom, which included tiling around the three walls of the toilet alcove. The tile extends up about 36 inches and is trimmed along the top edge with a natural-stone chair rail.
Before installing the tile, the toilet paper holder was screwed to the drywall.
“How would you suggest I attach the holder to the tile? I’m pretty handy, but I’m concerned about cracking our brand-new tile job.”
Trying to drill through a ceramic tile surround can be a challenge. The slick, glazed surface makes the masonry drill bit walk all over the tile.
I’ve heard some suggestions about using a nail to tap a slight indentation in the tile for a starting point, but this may end up cracking your tile.
Instead, try this: Place an “X” made from masking tape on the spot you want to drill. Use a pencil to mark the location on the top of the tape. The paper surface of the tape will keep your drill bit in place, allowing you to drill the hole where you need it.
Once drilled, simply remove the tape, and you’re ready to install the toilet paper holder. I recommend using a toggle bolt that goes through the tile into the cavity in the wall.
Of course, if you’re worried about ruining the new tile, you can do away with the attached toilet paper holder and opt for a free-standing one instead.
Gaps in Bamboo Floors
Bamboo flooring can expand and contract like regular hardwood. (gyro, Getty Images)
Cathy Cooly had bamboo hardwood floors installed in her dining in 2013. She’s since noticed a gap that’s about 4 feet long and about 1/8-inch wide.
“What can I do to stop it from gapping or what can I do to remove the gap in the floor?” she asks.
A bamboo hardwood floor is typically glued down, so you can’t move the boards as you can with laminate floating floors.
You can try to fill in the gap with wood putty, but consider that the gap could be caused by thermal expansion.
In the wintertime, wood contracts, so that could be why the gap is noticeable. If you wait until summer, the wood might expand and fill the gap on its own.
Fill it with something flexible, like caulk to accommodate for the expansion.
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Simple Solutions
Carving jack-o-lanterns offers an opportunity to show your creative side. Give that pumpkin a personality — but light it without a flame! (DepositPhotos)
Jack-O’-Lantern Tips — After carving your Halloween pumpkin, dip it into an ice bath with one cup of bleach. Let it soak for several minutes, then dry it off and rub petroleum jelly onto the edges of all the cutouts.
This will help seal in moisture and make your jack-o’-lantern stay fresh throughout the holiday.
Many modern range hoods have LED lights that are flush with the surface, making them difficult to remove for replacement or cleaning. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Bulb Removal Tip — Many modern range hoods have LED lights that are flush with the surface, making them difficult to remove for replacement or cleaning.
Plus, the bulbs aren’t threaded into a socket, but instead must be pushed up into the housing and rotated slightly to disengage it from two protruding lugs.
So, here’s how to remove flush bulbs: Take a length of duct tape and pinch it in the middle to create a T-shape with a tab that will serve as a handle. Stick the tape to the bulb, push up and twist it counter-clockwise.
Other Products and Links Mentioned
Further Reading
Radio Show & Podcast: Send us your question!
If you have a comment, general question about home improvement, or something we’ve featured on Today’s Homeowner, please fill in this form:
This week, Today’s Homeowner Radio Show co-host Joe Truini offers his Top 5 Simple Solutions for the bathroom.
A glass cleaner that contains rain repellant will prevent water spots from appearing on shower doors. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Water Spot Remover for Shower Doors
Does your glass shower door have water spots? They’re a pain to remove, and general cleaners simply can’t do the job. Well, here’s a secret water spot remover that you may already have without realizing it!
Nobody wants to wipe their shower door every time after they use it to prevent water spots. And let’s be honest — who has the time for that?
That’s why it helps to have the right tool for regular maintenance.
I like to use a glass cleaner with a formula that contains rain repellant — like this one. (This is an affiliate link. If you purchase this product, we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.)
This type of product is usually advertised for cleaning bugs and removing water spots from car or truck windshields, but that doesn’t mean it only works on these surfaces! So look in the automotive aisle if you can’t find the product near general cleaners.
Now, why does this product work over general household cleaners?
It’s because the rain-repellant formula causes water to bead up and repel off the shower door. That means your glass shower enclosure will have no water spots!
Here’s how it works: Simply spray the cleaner on the glass and use a towel to wipe it off — I always use a cotton microfiber towel.
Now you have an easy water spot remover! Not only is the glass clean, but it also repels water with no spotting.
Baking soda and vinegar will deodorize and clean your sink without damaging the bath fixture. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
How to Clean and Deodorize Bath Sink
It’s not often you bring baking soda and vinegar into a bathroom, but you can use them to clean and deodorize a bathroom sink.
Sinks often become slow-draining, and they can get clogged up with soap scum and hair. They will also produce a pretty funky odor, so here’s how to get rid of that.
Start with one-third cup of baking soda. You don’t have to be too precise, but you will need to take about a third of a cup or so and dump it in the drain.
Next, take one full cup of vinegar. White vinegar is a really strong cleaning agent that you can use all over the house.
After it hits the baking soda, let it fizz down for a few minutes. Some people might use bleach here, but bleach can actually eat the finish right off of some bath fixtures, so you don’t want to use it.
After the baking soda and vinegar have calmed down a little bit, follow up with a full kettle of hot water. This will, in combination with the vinegar and the baking soda, cut through anything that might be clogging up the sink.
If you do this treatment once a month, you’ll have a really sweet-smelling sink and a free-flowing drain.
Flappers have two important jobs: They provide a seal for the toilet’s flush valve and control the volume of water released into the bowl. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
How to Replace a Toilet Flapper Valve
If you have a toilet that’s constantly running, the culprit is likely a leaky flapper valve. Over time, flapper valves may become cracked or warped, which can allow water to leak out.
Here’s how to replace it:
Turn the water off to your toilet.
Flush the water out so the tank is empty
Unhook the old flapper valve and snap on the new one.
Adjust the chain to make sure the length is correct.
Turn the water back on and flush the toilet a couple of times to make sure the flapper valve is working properly.
A homemade scrub brush drill attachment chucked into a drill is perfect for detailing tile floors. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
How to Power-Clean Bath Tiles
Scrub brushes work well for cleaning, but they require a lot of elbow grease. To convert a standard hand scrub brush into a power attachment for your drill:
Cut the handle off a round scrub brush.
Drill a hole in the middle of the brush.
Insert a 4-inch long machine bolt in the hole from the bristle side.
Put a washer and nut on the back side and tighten it up.
Chuck the bolt into a drill.
Run the drill at medium speed when using the scrub brush attachment.
Oversized Tic-tac-toe is a great way for the family to play games together and enjoy the outdoors.
Tic-tac-toe, also known as Naughts and Crosses, has entertained people for centuries. It’s been found everywhere from the temples of ancient Egypt to the medieval cathedrals of England, according to UC Berkeley GamesCrafters.
Read on to learn how to make concrete Tic-tac-toe pieces.
5 spray-paint can lids or another cylindrical object
Fast-drying caulk
Melamine shelf boards
Miter saw
Wood screws
Drill & Drill bits
Tape measure
Wood pencil
Trowel
Silicone cake pans allow for easy removal once the concrete pieces are cured. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Create Forms
To create forms for o’s, use 6-inch silicone cake pans and lids from spray-paint cans. Glue the lids to the centers of the cake pans with fast-drying caulk. Wipe off the excess caulk.
Melamine has a hydrophobic (water-resistant) coating that allows concrete to cure at the surface. This makes it easier to remove when the concrete is cured. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
To make the x’s, cut a melamine shelf board to build a 30-inch by 6-inch open tray.
A miter saw makes it easy to cut the triangles at a perfect angle. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
You need two triangle sizes to create the x’s:
Cut 10 triangles at a 38-degree angle from a 2-inch piece of melamine board.
Cut 10 triangles at a 59-degree angle from a 1-⅞-inch piece of melamine board.
Once the concrete is thoroughly mixed, scoop it into the forms and use the trowel to level the mix with the top of each form. Cover the molds with plastic to help curing.
Let the tic-tac-toe pieces cure for five days in warm weather (at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) or for seven days in colder weather (50-70 degrees Fahrenheit).
Once the pieces have cured, remove them from the forms. Rough edges can be easily removed by sanding.
Now, all you need is a little sidewalk chalk to draw your game grid — then the fun can begin!
