In this episode of “Ask Danny,” drywall expert Mark Rutherford shares his tips and techniques. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
In Episode 4 of “Ask Danny,” I’m talking with my longtime friend and drywall expert Mark Rutherford — “The Drywall Guru.”
Mark Rutherford installs drywall in a classic episode of Today’s Homeowner TV. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
About Mark Rutherford
Mark Rutherford has worked with drywall on new construction and remodeling projects for 40 years.
I first met Mark in 2007 while working on a game room addition for an episode of Today’s Homeowner TV.
He currently lives in southwest Pennsylvania.
To prevent a drywall nail pop from reappearing, replace the nail with a screw. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Drywall Nail Pops
Why does a nail pop happen, and what’s the best way to correct it?
Mark: Nail pops happen when a nail or screw comes loose under drywall and creates a bulge or “pop” in the wall.
They usually happen with new construction within the first year. That’s because everything is drying out and settling — the house is really “finding itself.” I always say it’s kind of like a living person.
Nail pops are common around stairways because the frequent stepping movement loosens up the nails.
To repair a nail pop, first tap it with a hammer. If it feels spongy, that means the installer missed the stud. Pull it out, and drive a drywall screw into the stud or joist near the hole, with the head of the screw just below the surface.
If you can’t extract the loose nail, tap in another drywall nail right beside it so the head of that nail catches the existing nail. This keeps the nail from popping back out again.
If a screw is causing the pop, use a screwdriver to drive it in deep so it’s flush with the wall’s surface.
Once the nail or screw is below the drywall surface, use the back of a drywall knife to flush the drywall paper with the surface, and then cover it with a coat of drywall mud.
Let the mud dry for 24 hours, then apply another coat. After the second coat dries, sand it and use a shop vac as you work to suck up any dust.
Tip: Keep your nail pop repair area as small as possible — the less mud you use, the less sanding you’ll need to do.
Water damage is the most common cause of drywall puckering. (spyarm, Getty Images)
Drywall Puckering
How do you fix drywall puckering?
Mark: Water damage is the most common cause of drywall pucker, but improper installation can also cause it. In some cases, the installer didn’t leave enough mud left behind or didn’t use any in that spot.
For major drywall puckering, remove the tape to patch and repair. Lay down mesh tape and apply a fresh coat of drywall mud.
For slight puckering, use the corner of a drywall knife to lift the loose tape and apply a thin layer of all-purpose mud under the tape. Smooth the tape out and put a light coat of drywall mud over the edge of the tape.
For popcorn ceilings, use the same technique, but be extra careful to not damage the texture.
If it’s a significant crack or older ceiling, the popcorn ceiling texture will come off. In that case, you’ll need to apply a coat of sprayed acoustic texture.
You can buy this material in a can, but it can be tricky to apply. Follow the directions and practice on a piece of cardboard first.
If you can’t match the texture, call a professional.
Make less of a mess when sanding drywall by using a dustless sander. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Controlling Dust
What are some tips to minimize dust when sanding drywall?
Mark: To minimize the mess while sanding drywall, I basically create an oxygen tent.
Using 2-inch wide masking tape, I encase the area with plastic. I start taping at the ceiling, then bring it down the wall and to the floor. Everything is connected.
Then, I create a door underneath to crawl into. Once I’m finished sanding, I let the dust settle, dust myself off and crawl out the door.
Always turn off your HVAC system when sanding drywall. When the vents come on, the plastic and dust will blow around, and the dust will work its way into your system.
Last but not least, always wear a good mask while you’re sanding.
Recycling is great when you want to go green, but using found drywall is never a good idea. (tanyss, Getty Images)
A Drywall Disaster
Some jobs you don’t have to think twice about turning down.
One time, a builder approached Mark at a job site and asked him to look at another house in the subdivision.
No big deal, right? Well, wrong. The whole house was hung with pieces of scrap drywall. Turns out, the homeowners had been collecting the drywall from the dumpsters in the subdivision to build the home. It didn’t matter if the drywall was a corner piece or angled, or even wet and damaged.
“When I walked into that house, it looked like a 2,000-piece jigsaw puzzle,” Mark said.
The biggest piece of drywall in the house was probably about 2×4 feet, and in some spots, there were gaps as big as an inch wide in places.
“That was a big no from me,” Mark said.
With a little patience, you can install drywall just as well as a pro. (Spinkle, Getty Images Signature)
Mark’s Drywall Tips
If you’re working near cabinets or baseboards, put tape/plastic down to protect those areas.
Make sure you’re using the correct drywall mud. Go with a green lid or black lid bucket. Use an all-purpose mud and read the bucket. One type of mud may be good for coating but not for taping.
Be patient and work in stages. Let the mud dry then add additional coats.
Ask a question and we could answer it on the “Today’s Homeowner Podcast!” We also may use it on our nationally syndicated radio broadcast or on todayshomeowner.com.
This week, we’re in Charlotte, North Carolina, to create a beautiful outdoor area for our Backyard Paradise contest winners.
Courtney Claugus was selected as the lucky winner of our Backyard Paradise contest, so we’re giving her and her husband Adam’s backyard a makeover with help from our friends at Quikrete and Pavestone.
Read on to learn about some of the projects we tackled.
These large, gray linear pavers complement the Claugus’ contemporary home. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Build Two Paver Patios
Two is better than one! And in this, case, two paver patios offer more space for outdoor living!
We designate one patio for seating and another for dining — like an open floor plan for the great outdoors.
Crews from Quikrete, Pavestone and a local construction company build the dual patio setup. The first patio extends from the existing concrete patio, and the second is on the other side of the house.
Paver base provides a solid foundation and also raises the pavers to be even with the concrete patio. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
They first lay out the footprint for the patios, then add four inches of paver base to establish the foundation.
After compacting the paver base, they add one inch of paver sand, then use a level to make the surface even.
Workers use a string to ensure the lines stay even throughout the length of the patio. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
The patios are built with Pavestone’s Avant XL pavers. These large, 16-by-16-inch patio stones have the look of large format plank pavers. The false joints on the gray pavers create clean lines, so they go well with Adam and Courtney’s contemporary-style home. To add some line variety, the crew rotated each paver to create crisscrossed lines.
Once the large pavers are laid, the crew marks a line where the border will begin and cut it with a concrete saw. Then, they lay the smaller border pavers in a soldier course pattern.
Just like grout color matters when laying tile, paver sand color makes a difference on a patio. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
The last step is filling the joints. We use a granite screening to complement the pavers as well as the house’s color. for fine.
These matching pavers create stepping stones to unite the two patios. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
After the patios are complete, we place a few pavers between them to create stepping stones, so the two are united.
The outdoor fireplace becomes the perfect focal point for this seating area. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Build Outdoor Fireplace
Every seating area needs a focal point, so we build an outdoor fireplace.
Pavestone representative Chris Claire found this wood mantel at his mother’s home. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Once the fireplace is built, we add a mantel using a recycled piece of wood. It softens up the hard edges of the stone and warms up the space.
We install the shade sail hooks on the house slightly higher than the ones on the post so we can match the slope of the home’s roof. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Install Shade Sail
The paver patio for dining offers little shade, so we install a shade sail to make the area more comfortable.
First, we dig holes for our two 6-by-6 posts that will support the shade sail. We set wood posts in the ground using Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete, then surround them with pavers to match the patio.
To match the posts to the house columns, we stain pieces of rough-sawn cedar and wrap them over the wood columns. Before we nail the wood over the posts, we add some spacers to keep the cedar planks from bowing. Wrapping these 6-by-6 posts not only makes them look larger, but it also hides the cracks that are inevitable with solid posts.
To join the two columns, we build a horizontal box beam with longer pieces of 1-by-8-inch cedar on the ground before we lift it into place.
Next, we attach two hooks to the top of the posts for half of our shade sail, then attach another two to the side of the house for the other two corners of the shade sail.
Then, we install those hooks slightly higher to give the shade sail a slope and match the angle of the roof.
Danny Lipford and Chelsea Lipford Wolf with Backyard Paradise winners Adam and Courtney Claugus and their dog Kendrick. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Post-Production Thoughts
Courtney and Adam had a nice backyard, but they didn’t have much outdoor living space to enjoy it. With just a small covered concrete pad and a couple of chairs, their outdoor entertaining well was pretty limited.
Adam and Courtney had a big backyard but little room for entertaining. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Now they have not one but two great Pavestone patios that offer plenty of space for entertainment. One is just the right size for outdoor dining under the cover of the shade sail we added, and the other offers a massive space to relax with friends.
By adding two paver patios, we’ve more than doubled the outdoor entertaining space in this backyard. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
The Rumblestone fireplace adds a focal point with loads of character and is bound to be very popular on those chilly nights. Plus, the large format pavers complement the contemporary home’s color and character.
Bar clamps can act as a helping hand when you’re working solo on a wood project.
It’s not always possible to have a helper for every project. And for woodworkers and do-it-yourselfers, only having two hands to join two pieces of wood together can be frustrating.
If there’s nobody around to help you join two pieces of wood, there are a few alternative solutions to try. You could try holding both pieces with one hand and screwing them together with your free hand. However, this isn’t ideal.
Not only can you slip and injure your hand, but the awkward positioning can lead to a mistake, which in turn results in wasted materials, increased job time and even more frustration.
You also could use a shelf bracket, but not everyone has one of those to spare, especially if you aren’t building shelves.
This can be easily avoided with tools that you might already have lying around. To free up your hands and keep your project secure, use bar clamps!
Bar clamps, also known as F-clamps, are common tools in the woodworking field. They’re mainly used to hold pieces of wood in place as wood glue dries. They also have practical uses in welding.
Bar clamps are composed of a long metal or plastic rod and two parallel bars attached to it, forming the shape of the letter “F”.
Using a bar clamp is simple. All you have to do is unfasten the screw or whatever device is used to move the parallel bars. Then, adjust the bars to the width you need to fit the piece of wood you’re working with, and fasten the clamp back down.
This part is easy! Or, should I say, simple — like all my other Simple Solutions. All you need is two short bar clamps to use as outriggers to keep your piece of wood in place. Here’s how:
1. Fasten each clamp to the bottom of the piece of wood that you want to stand still, making sure that each bar is facing the opposite way.
2. Now, the piece of wood should be standing straight up on its own, balancing between the two clamps.
3. Line up the piece of wood you want to attach to your now free-standing board.
4. Use a drill and screw to attach the two pieces of wood together.
If you upgrade to a smart grill, you can become a barbecue boss.
Read on to learn how new technology can take your grilling game up a level.
Charcoal grills require constant monitoring to keep the temperature even. (Martin Bohac, Pexels)
The Downside of Traditional Grills
With charcoal grills, it’s difficult to maintain a steady temperature. You frequently have to add more charcoal to keep the heat at the temperature you need.
Even with heat-efficient propane grills, you’re constantly monitoring your food so you don’t overcook it or burn it to bits.
And with both, there’s no room for multi-tasking — the food requires your undivided attention.
This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product from these links, we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
The state-of-the-art LED touch-screen control panel operates on a finely tuned algorithm that can maintain even cooking temperatures for hours. That means no more fiddling with knobs to maintain your grill’s internal temperature.
Because it’s wifi-connected, you can remotely monitor and control your food temperature through the Nexgrill app equipped with NEX-fi.
All you need to do is insert the digital thermometer probes into your food and choose your temperature. Set the grill on a timer or have it will shut off when the food reaches the exact temperature that you desire.
Now, you’re free to do whatever else you need! Prepare side dishes inside without having to walk out to check on the grill every few minutes. Or break free from behind the grill to mingle with guests.
The Nexgrill app also offers recipes, grilling tips and a community to share your experiences with other grillers.
Wi-fi not working? No worries! The Neevo 720 Smart Grill can also fire up the old-fashioned way — with no app or automation required.
The Neevo 720 Smart Grill has just over 455 square inches of total cooking space, 44,000 BTUs of total cooking power, and a removable grease tray for easy cleaning.
Preset modes include auto-warm and self-cleaning — just like your kitchen oven!
Two side shelves offer added prep space, and moving the grill around is easy with its two-caster and two-wheel configuration.
Watch the video to learn all about this Best New Product!
In this week’s radio show, learn how to unclog a sink and install a window on a door. (Split image credit Igal Vaisman, TriggerPhoto from Getty Images and Getty Images Signature)
Hour 1
In Hour 1 of the Today’s Homeowner Radio Podcast, should you put new shingles over old ones? Plus, how to unclog a stubborn sink once and for all.
Listen to Hour 2 to learn how to remove tile from drywall and insert a window into a door.
Should You Put New Shingles Over Old Ones?
Placing new shingles over existing ones might seem like an easy fix, but in the long run, it’s better to replace your roof. (Adobe Stock)
Sometimes, we here at Today’s Homeowner can act as a mediator for married couples when home problems arise. Couples often disagree about the solution to fixing a home problem and come to us for a definitive answer.
Such is the case with Kimberly Bell. She and her husband have differing opinions on how to fix their leaky roof. Her husband put new shingles over the old shingles, but Kimberly thinks that’s a bad idea. She wants him to take off the old shingles to see if the plywood is damaged and if so, replace it.
She also asks, “Doesn’t it put more weight on the roof?”
Our verdict: Kimberly is right. Putting new shingles over existing ones adds a lot more weight, and it might be too much for the roof to handle.
Also, adding new shingles over existing ones voids the manufacturer’s warranty.
Like Kimberly suspects, there could be some damaged decking that you can’t see unless you remove the shingles. Many people do this and have no issue, but in the long run, you’re better off pulling of the shingles to see if there’s any damage.
When replacing a roof, have it built to FORTIFIED Roof standards — beyond-code construction that’s designed to strengthen roofs to withstand hurricanes, high winds, hail, and severe thunderstorms.
Also, a FORTIFIED designation may qualify you for financial incentives, like insurance discounts, tax credits or lower deductibles.
Unclogging a Sink For Good
Chemicals won’t unclog this sink — you need to clear the pipe with a snake. (Igal Vaisman, Getty Images)
June Thomas is at her wit’s end over her kitchen sink.
Her two-bowl kitchen sink drains very slowly. On the side with the garbage disposal, a half-full sink of water takes over a minute to drain! Worse yet, she says the other side of the sink takes nearly as long.
She’s tried everything — pumping out the septic tank, using a septic tank cleaner every month, and treating the sink drain with salt, baking soda, vinegar, and hot water. None of these remedies have made a difference!
Now, June’s asking what else can she can do before calling a plumber?
We can feel her frustration! The solution to this involves spending some time under your sink.
Whenever you have a slow draining sink, it’s typically a clog somewhere down the line — not enough to stop the flow of water entirely just enough to slow it down.
The problem isn’t in the septic tank. If the septic tank is full, you’ll have water coming up from all water sources in the house, not just one sink.
Get under the sink, remove the U-shaped trap, and run a snake into the straight drain pipe going into the wall.
Whatever you do, don’t pour a lot of caustic chemicals down the drain. Even some that require a licensed plumber to buy don’t work, and the smell is awful.
These harsh chemicals can eat through plastic pipes. And, if you plunge after pouring these chemicals, they could splash up and harm your eyes and skin.
As a preventive measure, makes sure everyone in your household knows how to use a garbage disposal. Feed any food particles into your disposal a little at a time, only use cold water. The cold water helps fast and oils solidify, so they’re easier for the garbage disposal to grind and will move through the drain faster.
Hour 2
In Hour 2 of the Today’s Homeowner Radio Podcast, learn how to remove tile from drywall and insert a window into a door.
Removing Tile From Drywall
There’s no easy way to remove tile from drywall. (cloudyaz, Getty Images)
A caller needs some advice on removing tile around a fireplace. When he applies enough pressure on the tile to remove it, the drywall comes off with it.
“Can I remove the drywall and put the fiberboard on top of the studs?” he asks. “I just don’t want to ruin anything.”
There’s no way to remove tile from drywall without removing the drywall.
Taking all of the drywall off was easier than trying to chisel away at the tile.
Use a reciprocating saw to cut the tile from the wall. Cut the blade so that when it’s fully extended, it’s only about an inch long. This prevents the saw from puncturing the other side of the wall.
Cut along the grout and remove manageable sections one at a time. Then install a new cement backer board.
Now you have a blank slate to install ceramic, porcelain tile, marble, just about anything that will make a statement on what’s usually the focal point of a room.
Inserting a Window on a Door
A glass door insert makes it easy to add a window to a door. (TriggerPhoto, Getty Images Signature)
Marie Juneau in California wants a door with a window in it. She wants to know if she can put a window in her door herself, or should she just buy a door that already has one.
You can buy a glass door insert and install it yourself. The double-paned glass window is already assembled and the frame is insulated.
Pease Doors has many shapes and sizes to choose from. Their frames fit most door brands and they’re sold in kits with everything you need to install it yourself.
These glass inserts don’t open up for ventilation, so if you’re wanting to let the fresh air in, install a screen door outside. If you don’t want to add an extra door, consider a retractable screen. These screens roll up and tuck away into a housing unit on the side of the frame.
Set up your backyard for summer entertaining with outdoor lighting options from EcoSmart. Whether your summer plans include hosting backyard barbecues or refreshing your outdoor oasis, here are fun and easy ways to light up your space:
Play your favorite tunes for you and your guests with a Bluetooth Speaker LED Light Bulb that combines color-selectable lighting with Bluetooth technology. Simply connect to your favorite Bluetooth device without the need for extra wiring or a hub.
Illuminate the night and decorate with the warm glow of the EcoSmart Flame LED Light Bulb. This LED light bulb creates an alluring ambiance that simulates a warm and realistic flickering flame effect without emitting any heat and eliminating the risk of a real flame.
The Outdoor Bug LED Light Bulb is a summertime essential. Yellow LED light bulbs repel insects and can be used as an alternative to bug sprays, keeping bugs out of your outdoor spaces.
Upgrade your entertainment space with a Color Changing Party LED Light Bulb to set a fun and festive mood. It makes any occasion more decorative with red, green, blue, and yellow light and gives five light effect options to choose from. Easily switch between colors using the toggle on each bulb or conveniently cycle between colors with a simple flip of a standard wall switch.
Enhanced EcoSmart LED light bulbs use up to 90 percent less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs and operate with a longer lifespan – saving homeowners on household energy costs over the course of the bulb’s 25,000-hour lifetime.
Available exclusively online and in-store at The Home Depot, the new EcoSmart light bulb product line features the latest in lighting innovation and technology.
This portion of the article is sponsored by The Home Depot and contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product from these links, we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Best New Products
EcoSmart’s LED Tape Light makes it easy to get under-cabinet lighting right where you need it. Learn more >>
Half-Lid Painting Tip — Over the years, I’ve shared more than 500 Simple Solutions and many of them have to do with painting specifically painting neatly. Here’s a tip that came in from John a listener from Clancy, Montana, on how to paint neatly from a can when using a paintbrush.
Start by taking a lid from an old discarded can of paint and cutting the lid in half using a pair of aviation snips.
Then, tap the half lid onto the paint can.
Now, when you dip your brush into the paint, you can very easily and neatly strike off the excess paint by running the bristles against the edge of the half lid.
Easily remove scuff marks from hardwood floors with a tennis ball. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
How to Remove Scuffs with a Tennis Ball — All you need to remove scuff marks from floors is a fuzzy new tennis ball.
Simply take the tennis ball and rub the scuff mark. The fuzzy exterior of the ball will easily erase any black marks made by the heels of shoes and boots.
And for extra convenience, use a utility knife to cut an X into the ball, then stick the ball onto the end of your broom handle. Then, it’ll be there whenever you need it.
By the way, this trick can be used on all hard-surface floors, including wood, tile, laminate, and even vinyl.
In this week’s radio show, learn how to unclog a sink and install a window on a door. (Split image credit Igal Vaisman, TriggerPhoto from Getty Images and Getty Images Signature)
Hour 1
In Hour 1 of the Today’s Homeowner Radio Podcast, should you put new shingles over old ones? Plus, how to unclog a stubborn sink once and for all.
Listen to Hour 2 to learn how to remove tile from drywall and insert a window into a door.
Should You Put New Shingles Over Old Ones?
Placing new shingles over existing ones might seem like an easy fix, but in the long run, it’s better to replace your roof. (Adobe Stock)
Sometimes, we here at Today’s Homeowner can act as a mediator for married couples when home problems arise.
Couples who disagree about the solution to fixing a long-standing issue come to us for a definitive answer.
Such is the case with Kimberly Bell. She and her husband have differing opinions on how to fix their leaky roof.
Her husband already has installed new asphalt shingles over the old shingles, but Kimberly thinks that’s a bad idea. She wants him to take off the old shingles to see if the plywood is damaged and, if so, replace it.
She also asks about the load of the new shingles laying on top of the old ones. “Doesn’t it put more weight on the roof?” she says.
Here’s our verdict: Kimberly is right. Putting new asphalt shingles over existing ones adds a lot more weight — and it might be too much for the roof’s structure to handle.
Also, adding new shingles over existing ones usually voids the roofing manufacturer’s warranty.
Like Kimberly suspects, there could be some damaged decking that you can’t see unless you remove the shingles.
Now, let’s be clear. Many people install new shingles over old ones and have no issue, but in the long run, you’re better off removing the shingles to see if there’s any damage.
And here’s a pro tip: When replacing a roof, have it built to FORTIFIED Roof standards — beyond-code construction designed to strengthen roofs to withstand hurricanes, high winds, hail and severe thunderstorms.
Also, a FORTIFIED designation may qualify you for financial incentives, like insurance discounts, tax credits or lower deductibles.
Unclogging a Sink For Good
Chemicals won’t unclog this sink — you need to clear the pipe with a snake. (Igal Vaisman, Getty Images)
June Thomas is at her wit’s end over her kitchen sink.
Her two-bowl kitchen sink drains very slowly. On the side with the garbage disposal, a half-full sink of water takes over a minute to drain! Worse yet, she says the other side of the sink takes nearly as long.
She’s tried everything — pumping out the septic tank, using a septic tank cleaner every month, and treating the sink drain with salt, baking soda, vinegar, and hot water.
But none of these remedies has made a difference!
Now, June’s asking what else can she can do before calling a plumber.
We can feel her frustration! The solution to this involves spending some time under your sink.
Whenever you have a slow-draining sink, it’s typically due to a clog somewhere down the line — not enough to stop the flow of water entirely; just enough to slow it down.
The problem isn’t in the septic tank. If the septic tank is full, you’ll have water coming up from all water sources in the house, not just one sink.
So, get under the sink, remove the U-shaped trap, and run a drain snake into the straight drain pipe going into the wall.
Whatever you do, don’t pour a lot of caustic chemicals down the drain! Even some that require a licensed plumber to buy don’t work, and the smell is awful.
Worst of all, these harsh chemicals can eat through plastic pipes. And, if you plunge after pouring these chemicals, they could splash up and harm your eyes and skin.
As a preventive measure, make sure everyone in your household knows how to use a garbage disposal.
Feed any food particles into your disposal a little at a time, and only use cold water. The cold water helps fats and oils solidify, so they’re easier for the garbage disposal to grind and will move through the drain faster.
Hour 2
In Hour 2 of the Today’s Homeowner Radio Podcast, learn how to remove tile from drywall and insert a window into a door.
Removing Tile From Drywall
There’s no easy way to remove tiles from drywall — but that’s a good thing. (cloudyaz, Getty Images)
Need help removing tiles around a fireplace? So does a homeowner who called into the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show!
The homeowner says when he applies enough pressure on the tile to remove it, the drywall comes off with it — which, of course, is not the goal for this project.
“Can I remove the drywall and put the fiberboard on top of the studs?” he asks. “I just don’t want to ruin anything.”
Unfortunately, there’s no way to remove tile from drywall without removing the drywall.
But here’s the good news: taking all of the drywall off is actually much easier than trying to chisel away at the tile.
Use a reciprocating saw to cut the tile from the wall. Cut the blade so that when it’s fully extended, it’s only about an inch long. This prevents the saw from puncturing the other side of the wall.
Cut along the grout and remove manageable sections one at a time. Then install a new cement backer board.
Now you have a blank slate to install ceramic, porcelain tile, marble, and really, just about anything that will make a statement on what’s usually the room’s focal point!
Inserting a Window on a Door
A door glass insert makes it easy to add a window to a door. (TriggerPhoto, Getty Images Signature)
Marie Juneau in California wants to add more form and function to her existing entry door — specifically, by adding some glass.
She wants to know if she can install a window in the door herself, or should she just buy a door that already has one.
You can buy a door glass insert and install it yourself. The double-paned glass window is already assembled and the frame is insulated.
Pease Doors has many shapes and sizes to choose from. Their frames fit most door brands and they’re sold in kits with everything you need to install it yourself.
There’s just one problem, however.
These glass inserts don’t open up for ventilation, so if you’re wanting to let the fresh air in, install a screen door outside.
If you don’t want to add an extra door, consider a retractable screen. These screens roll up and tuck away into a housing unit on the side of the frame.
Set up your backyard for summer entertaining with outdoor lighting options from EcoSmart. Whether your summer plans include hosting backyard barbecues or refreshing your outdoor oasis, here are fun and easy ways to light up your space:
Play your favorite tunes for you and your guests with a Bluetooth Speaker LED Light Bulb that combines color-selectable lighting with Bluetooth technology. Simply connect to your favorite Bluetooth device without the need for extra wiring or a hub.
Illuminate the night and decorate with the warm glow of the EcoSmart Flame LED Light Bulb. This LED light bulb creates an alluring ambiance that simulates a warm and realistic flickering flame effect without emitting any heat and eliminating the risk of a real flame.
The Outdoor Bug LED Light Bulb is a summertime essential. Yellow LED light bulbs repel insects and can be used as an alternative to bug sprays, keeping bugs out of your outdoor spaces.
Upgrade your entertainment space with a Color Changing Party LED Light Bulb to set a fun and festive mood. It makes any occasion more decorative with red, green, blue, and yellow light and gives five light effect options to choose from. Easily switch between colors using the toggle on each bulb or conveniently cycle between colors with a simple flip of a standard wall switch.
Enhanced EcoSmart LED light bulbs use up to 90 percent less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs and operate with a longer lifespan – saving homeowners on household energy costs over the course of the bulb’s 25,000-hour lifetime.
Available exclusively online and in-store at The Home Depot, the new EcoSmart light bulb product line features the latest in lighting innovation and technology.
This section is sponsored by The Home Depot and contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product from these links, we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Best New Products
EcoSmart’s LED Tape Light makes it easy to get under-cabinet lighting right where you need it. Learn more >>
Half-Lid Painting Tip — Over the years, I’ve shared more than 500 Simple Solutions and many of them have to do with painting specifically painting neatly. Here’s a tip that came in from John a listener from Clancy, Montana, on how to paint neatly from a can when using a paintbrush.
Start by taking a lid from an old discarded can of paint and cutting the lid in half using a pair of aviation snips.
Then, tap the half lid onto the paint can.
Now, when you dip your brush into the paint, you can very easily and neatly strike off the excess paint by running the bristles against the edge of the half lid.
Easily remove scuff marks from hardwood floors with a tennis ball. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
How to Remove Scuffs with a Tennis Ball — All you need to remove scuff marks from floors is a fuzzy new tennis ball.
Simply take the tennis ball and rub the scuff mark. The fuzzy exterior of the ball will easily erase any black marks made by the heels of shoes and boots.
And for extra convenience, use a utility knife to cut an X into the ball, then stick the ball onto the end of your broom handle. Then, it’ll be there whenever you need it.
By the way, this trick can be used on all hard-surface floors, including wood, tile, laminate, and even vinyl.
