House & Garden 2024, November

How to Design a Terrace (with Pictures)

How to Design a Terrace (with Pictures)

Homeowners choose the terrace style for their homes because they love its appearance. But more and more owners are designing terraces that suit their personal style, the house itself or the garden. You can think of these functions or your family's daily use, whether it's for fun, dining, playing or relaxing.

How to Raise the pH of a Swimming Pool: 12 Steps

How to Raise the pH of a Swimming Pool: 12 Steps

The pH of the pool water can drop due to rain or other foreign particles falling into it. The signs that the level is too low are burning of the nose and eyes, itching of the skin and corrosion of metal accessories immersed in water. By regularly performing tests and chemically treating the water you can keep the pH in balance;

5 Ways to Build an Aquaponic System at Home

5 Ways to Build an Aquaponic System at Home

Aquaponics is a method by which plants are grown and at the same time aquatic animals are fed in a system that recirculates the nutrients produced, for the benefit of plants and animals. The aquaponic approach is gaining popularity as a sustainable gardening method, and if you're curious to try it for yourself, there are some great guides for building your own system.

3 Ways to Remove Butter from Clothing

3 Ways to Remove Butter from Clothing

While you are eating or cooking, if you are not careful, you may stain your clothing with butter. Butter contains milk fat and protein, a combination that leaves behind stains that are particularly difficult to remove. The best thing you can do to save your clothes is to intervene in a timely manner, treating the stain before it has a chance to set on the fabric.

How to use solar energy to heat a swimming pool

How to use solar energy to heat a swimming pool

Heating and maintaining a pool can be very expensive; however, you can significantly reduce your overall expenditure by exploiting solar energy. There are many systems of this type, the effectiveness of which depends on the climate of the area you live in, the size of the pool and the method you choose to heat the water.

How to grow grass between the pavement: 6 steps

How to grow grass between the pavement: 6 steps

Paving stone or concrete is an excellent type of landscaping that is durable and practical to manage. The different slates can be laid close together over a large area, or spaced further apart to create a discontinuous path; in this second case you may decide to cultivate grass (or other vegetation) in the various "

How to completely darken a room in the daytime

How to completely darken a room in the daytime

Do you need to darken your room? Maybe you work at night and sleep during the day, or maybe you just want to take afternoon naps… If curtains or blinds let in light, there are methods you can try to darken the room while you rest. Steps Part 1 of 2:

How to Repair a Halogen Lamp (with Pictures)

How to Repair a Halogen Lamp (with Pictures)

How many halogen bulbs have you kicked around the house? And how many times have you bought a new bulb only to find that replacing it with the old one didn't solve the problem? Steps Step 1. Read through all the steps, tips and warnings thoroughly before attempting the repair Step 2.

How to Tile a Floor: 9 Steps

How to Tile a Floor: 9 Steps

Tiles are used to cover a surface indoors or outdoors, creating a more comfortable environment. Steps Step 1. Prepare the surface Use an acid cleaner of your choice to clean, then let it dry completely. Examine the floor and check for cracks that need grouting before proceeding.

How to Remove the Carpet: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

How to Remove the Carpet: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

Removing the old carpet is the first step to no longer having an old and stained floor. While you can hire someone to lay the new floor, you can remove the old carpet yourself. You can save some money and be sure that the floor below is prepared (or preserved) according to your standards.

How to Choose and Install New Cabinet Handles or Knobs

How to Choose and Install New Cabinet Handles or Knobs

Changing the hardware on cabinets and furniture is one of the easiest and quickest ways to renovate a room. There is a wide range of knobs for every price range, some are even paintable. Steps Step 1. Count the exact number of knobs you need Remember to consider every wall unit, wardrobe, drawer and door, then recount to check;

How to Whitewash the Edges of the Ceiling: 10 Steps

How to Whitewash the Edges of the Ceiling: 10 Steps

The ceiling can get dirty easily, especially in rooms where you cook or where a lot of air circulates due to heating or fireplaces. Sometimes it is necessary to paint the ceiling even without repainting the other walls. This article explains how to finish the ceiling edge without dirtying the walls.

How to Clean the Bathroom Suction Fan

How to Clean the Bathroom Suction Fan

The bathroom exhaust fan is the most dusty area in the room. If you haven't cleaned it in a long time, the fan will just blow dirty air around the bathroom. The main purpose of this device is to promote air circulation, not to wind. If the fan is dirty, it is likely to be the main culprit of bad odors.

How to Fix a Volatile Toilet Seat

How to Fix a Volatile Toilet Seat

If the toilet seat has come loose, you need to tighten the screws. The seat is typically attached to the bowl with two long screws. Use a screwdriver to tighten the bolts, solving the problem in this way. If the part is badly damaged, you will need to consider purchasing a replacement.

How to Install a Plasterboard Ceiling: 14 Steps

How to Install a Plasterboard Ceiling: 14 Steps

Installing a plasterboard ceiling is a very simple process, but if you work alone, it can present some difficulties. Thanks to a few small adjustments, almost anyone is able to get the job done on their own. In this article you can read some tips for learning how to mount a plasterboard ceiling.

3 Ways to Finish Furniture

3 Ways to Finish Furniture

Furniture refinishing is a great way to revive items that would otherwise be too worn or out of style for your home. The same finishing process is used to recover an item found in an attic or to give a new look to second-hand items. Read on to learn how.

How to Replace the Faucet Hose in a Kitchen Sink

How to Replace the Faucet Hose in a Kitchen Sink

Over time, the pipes that bring water to the kitchen faucet wear out or may leak; if so, you need to replace them. Depending on how the system is mounted, there may be three pipes under the sink: one for hot water, one for cold water and one for the pull-out shower.

How to Read Wiring Diagrams: 5 Steps

How to Read Wiring Diagrams: 5 Steps

Wiring diagrams are "maps" that provide a guide for assembling an electronic circuit, performing maintenance work on it and understanding its operation. Without this representation, in the eyes of the user or a technician, the circuit is simply a mass of components and electrical wires.

How to unclog the sink with salt and vinegar

How to unclog the sink with salt and vinegar

If your sink is clogged and you don't have any drain cleaning products on hand, don't worry - you can remedy the problem by using vinegar and iodized salt. The combination of the abrasive action of the salt and the degreasing power of the vinegar will help you to unclog even the most clogged sink.

3 Ways to Remove an Orange Peel Ceiling

3 Ways to Remove an Orange Peel Ceiling

Orange peel decorated ceilings are easy and inexpensive to make and were all the rage between the 60s and 70s of the last century. Now, however, they have gone out of fashion and have gone the way of many other things of the past. Removing such a ceiling is quite easy, and such a job is also a good shoulder exercise.

How to color concrete (with pictures)

How to color concrete (with pictures)

Coloring or varnishing concrete is a great way to renew the appearance of a patio, porch or path. You can learn how to paint concrete on your own, using a similar process to staining floors and walls. Steps Part 1 of 4: Part One: Choosing the Colors Step 1.

How to distinguish ceramic tiles from porcelain tiles

How to distinguish ceramic tiles from porcelain tiles

Before buying tiles, it is important to be sure what material they are made of - now we will teach you to understand the difference between porcelain tiles and ceramic tiles. Steps Step 1. Be aware that both tiles are made of a mixture of clay and other materials, baked at around 1400 ° C In general, both porcelain and ceramic tiles are referred to as "

4 Ways to Repair a Leaking Dishwasher

4 Ways to Repair a Leaking Dishwasher

The dishwasher is a very useful appliance, but since it uses water and is made up of many moving parts, it is also prone to leaks. To repair them you must first find the cause; in general, the dishwasher is leaking due to some problems with the seals, the pump, the water inlet valve, the spray arms, the float or the pipes.

How to Remove a Dent from the Stainless Steel Refrigerator

How to Remove a Dent from the Stainless Steel Refrigerator

Stainless steel refrigerators are prone to dents, especially when found in crowded kitchens of homes or restaurants. Although this is a damage that does not alter the functionality of the appliance, it does however ruin its aesthetic appearance, especially since the imperfection is even more visible considering the reflective effect and brilliance of this metal.

3 Ways to Waterproof the Walls of a Concrete House

3 Ways to Waterproof the Walls of a Concrete House

If you are building a foundation for a concrete house, or have a house built largely of concrete, you may find yourself considering waterproofing the concrete itself to keep the rooms inside dry and cozy. It must be said that concrete itself is more impermeable than other materials used for building structures, and normally the only attention in this regard is required for cracks, joints, doors and windows.

How to Apply the Tape and Smooth the Plasterboard

How to Apply the Tape and Smooth the Plasterboard

There are several drywall joints that need to be covered with tape, putty and smoothed after laying. These elements are the beveled ends, edges and cut lines of the panels; in most cases they are rounded and not flat, such as the junctions of the corners, edges, holes left by the screws or nails that fix the panels.

How to Finish a Patio: 15 Steps (with Pictures)

How to Finish a Patio: 15 Steps (with Pictures)

The wooden patio makes a wonderful and rustic embellishment in any garden; this open space is generally very popular, especially during the warmer months. It is great for relaxing in the afternoon, for outdoor dining in the summer, and also for organizing parties with friends and family.

How to Install a Ceiling Fan

How to Install a Ceiling Fan

If you want to install a ceiling fan but don't know how, this article will show you the steps to take. Steps Step 1. Turn off the main power switch in the main panel Once done, you can remove the lighting box. The box can be checked by opening or closing the wall switches or using a tester on the system.

How to Replace an Interior Door Knob

How to Replace an Interior Door Knob

Anyone can easily replace interior door knobs, regardless of whether they are too stiff, too loose or just plain out of style. With a few basic tools and the instructions in this article, you can begin removing screws, replacing mounting plates, and modifying housings to fit the new handle.

How to Buy Sheets: 6 Steps (with Pictures)

How to Buy Sheets: 6 Steps (with Pictures)

Sheets are a normal household product, but if you are reading this article, it means that you feel tormented by the various alternatives on the market or that you are tired of making the wrong choice. A good night's sleep has an important effect on how you approach the day and on your mood, and from this point of view the feel of the sheets plays a fundamental role.

How to Read the Gas Meter: 7 Steps

How to Read the Gas Meter: 7 Steps

If you want to get an accurate gas meter reading, your best bet is to take care of it yourself. The dials and digits on the counter may seem complicated, but the procedure is actually quite simple. Steps Method 1 of 2: Analog Counter Step 1.

4 ways to unclog the toilet if you don't have a plunger

4 ways to unclog the toilet if you don't have a plunger

If the toilet is clogged and you don't have a plunger, don't panic! You can use different products and household items to gush it up and make it work again. Steps Method 1 of 4: Using the Mop Step 1. Cover the mop head with a plastic bag Put the bag on the end and tie it or secure it with a rubber band.

How to Remove a Garbage Disposal (with Pictures)

How to Remove a Garbage Disposal (with Pictures)

Disassembling a household garbage disposal can be quite expensive if you decide to call a plumber. You can do this yourself to save money, as it is also quite a simple process. Using a few tools and following a few steps, you are able to remove a garbage disposal with minimal expense.

How to Become a Queen of the Hearth: 15 Steps

How to Become a Queen of the Hearth: 15 Steps

Being a queen of the hearth has so many advantages, whether you live alone or have a large dependent family. If you don't know how to clean, cook, or sew, learning to master these skills can be challenging. The trick is to start small and avoid overworking yourself.

3 Ways to Find a Main Pole

3 Ways to Find a Main Pole

When you hang pictures, mount shelves or even wall mounts for flat TVs, you need to make sure that all of these are securely fixed in the right place. Unless you want to fill a wall with holes, screw marks and get very frustrated, you need to locate a bearing post before you begin.

How to Place and Finish a Concrete Floor

How to Place and Finish a Concrete Floor

Whether you are building a house or a hangar, the placement of the slab changes the course of your construction efforts. Before the slab is finished, the crew must install the underground systems, level the site and prepare the foundation, generally working in a horizontal plane.

How to Waterproof Granite Countertops: 6 Steps

How to Waterproof Granite Countertops: 6 Steps

Natural stone is porous and it is possible that its surface allows the absorption of liquids, with the consequent risk of staining. If you're planning on waterproofing your granite countertops, this step-by-step guide will show you how to do it quickly.

3 Ways to Repair a Washing Machine That Won't Drain Water Before Spinning

3 Ways to Repair a Washing Machine That Won't Drain Water Before Spinning

If the washing machine does not drain the water, the reason is often a blockage in the drain system or a problem with the door close sensor. It is generally not difficult to repair this damage, but you will need to be prepared to work a little and dirty the bathroom to access the parts that need to be fixed.

How to Clean Wooden Doors: 10 Steps

How to Clean Wooden Doors: 10 Steps

Wooden doors are very popular in most homes and require some maintenance to look beautiful and in perfect condition. To keep them clean, you need to dust them regularly and occasionally clean them with a mild dish soap. When they start to get too dirty or unsightly, you should consider painting them again.

How to Apply Polyurethane Paint: 14 Steps

How to Apply Polyurethane Paint: 14 Steps

Polyurethane varnish is a protective coating that is applied to wood to protect it from deterioration and other damage. Regardless of whether it is oil or water based, you can choose it with a glossy or matte finish. The application is very simple and consists of smoothing the surface, passing a layer of paint and repeating.