http://www.diylife.com DIY Life http://www.diylife.com/media/feed_logo.gif http://www.diylife.com en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/RNYNno_2KV4/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-tankless-water-heaters/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-tankless-water-heaters/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/plumbing/" rel="tag">plumbing</a></p><div class="classy"> <div class="captioncenter"><img align="middle" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/tankless-water-heater-240ks020810-copy.jpg" alt="tankless water heaters" /> <p>Depending on the model, tankless water heaters can be installed inside or outside the home. Photos (left to right): <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/omiksemaj/2190763497/">omiksemaj, Flickr</a>; <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tomarthur/2102280267/">tom.arthur, Flickr</a></p> </div> </div> All those steamy hot showers you enjoy so much? They're costing you big-time. <a href="http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/water_heating.html" target="_blank">Hot water is the US consumer's third largest energy expense</a>, accounting for around 12% of the average utility bill. A hot water heater upgrade is one way to cut costs. But it also leads to the question of whether to replace it with another traditional <a href="http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=12980">storage tank heater</a>, or to opt for a <a href="http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=12820">tankless water heater</a>. Should you or shouldn't you?<br /> <br /> <strong>HOW DO TANKLESS WATER HEATERS WORK?</strong><br /> Let's take a closer look at water heaters. <br /> <br /> <div class="classy"> <div class="photocaption"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/waikikiweekly/4315555004/"><img hspace="4" border="0" vspace="4" alt="Storage tank water heater" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/4315555004e6b619dc39-1265598344.jpg" /></a> <p>A conventional storage tank water heater. Photo: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/waikikiweekly/4315555004/">Vagabond Shutterbug, Flickr</a></p> </div> </div> <strong>A conventional water heater</strong> draws hot water from a thermostatically-controlled storage tank that refills automatically. The entire tank of hot water is held on standby 24/7. A lot of energy is gobbled up keeping the temperature constant, replacing hot water you've used and compensating for heat lost to the surrounding environment.<br /> <br /> <strong>A tankless heater, </strong>on the other hand, conserves energy because it doesn't keep hot water in reserve. Instead, water is heated on an as-needed basis, routed through a powerful heating unit whenever a hot water faucet is turned on. Typically gas-fired (although you can buy electric versions, too), tankless heaters depend on electronic sensors to detect and regulate water temperature and flow.<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-tankless-water-heaters/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Should You or Shouldn't You? Tankless Water Heaters</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-tankless-water-heaters/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19348324/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-tankless-water-heaters/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/1-tC2yD02o4BANvcMhk0GUMsNHU/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/1-tC2yD02o4BANvcMhk0GUMsNHU/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/1-tC2yD02o4BANvcMhk0GUMsNHU/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/1-tC2yD02o4BANvcMhk0GUMsNHU/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/RNYNno_2KV4" height="1" width="1"/>hot waterHotWatertankless water heaterTanklessWaterHeaterDiane RixonTue, 09 Feb 2010 14:30:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/should-you-or-shouldnt-you-tankless-water-heaters/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/okYlEuSqV-U/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/the-daily-fix-how-to-repair-rotted-wood/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/the-daily-fix-how-to-repair-rotted-wood/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/wood-working/" rel="tag">wood working</a>, <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/know-how/" rel="tag">Know-How</a></p><div class="classy"> <div class="captioncenter"><img align="middle" alt="rotted wood" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/rotted-wood-425ks020810-1265649348.jpg" /><br /> <p>Photo: <a target="blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nathansnostalgia/1167357770/">nathansnostalgia</a>, Flickr</p> </div> </div> Got a wood fence that's flaking or peeling apart? You might have a case of wood rot.<br /> <br /> Wood, particularly if it's untreated, can easily succumb to rot once it comes in contact with moisture. Rotted wood in and around the house is commonly thought to be beyond repair, but this couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, it's a pretty painless DIY job. With a bit of <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epoxy">epoxy</a> , wood hardener and know-how, rotted areas of wood on decks, fences, doorways, and windows can be healthy again!<br /> <br /> Need help diagnosing wood rot? Test the wood by tapping it with a dull knife. If it feels very soft or crumbles, it's rotted. As long as the area of rot is less than fifty percent of the total area of the wood, follow these steps to restore your wood to its former glory:<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/the-daily-fix-how-to-repair-rotted-wood/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Daily Fix: How to Repair Rotted Wood</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/the-daily-fix-how-to-repair-rotted-wood/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19348304/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/the-daily-fix-how-to-repair-rotted-wood/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/F-1Y_BSCkVdfGeus-du7vFv1Jak/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/F-1Y_BSCkVdfGeus-du7vFv1Jak/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/F-1Y_BSCkVdfGeus-du7vFv1Jak/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/F-1Y_BSCkVdfGeus-du7vFv1Jak/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/okYlEuSqV-U" height="1" width="1"/>daily-fixepoxyrotted woodRottedWoodwoodErin LoechnerTue, 09 Feb 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/the-daily-fix-how-to-repair-rotted-wood/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/ZGF4msG9uHo/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/carpenters-pick-block-planes/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/carpenters-pick-block-planes/#comments<br /> Got a door that won't quite close? How about a drawer that fits a bit too snugly? You can rummage around for a chisel, a scraper, a jigsaw, or even a power planer to trim the edges of uneven and too-tight drawers and doors. Or you can turn to the one tool that will do the job the <em>right </em>way: a block plane. <div class="classy"> <div class="captioncenter"><img align="middle" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/dsc9373-1-1265169633.jpg" alt="block planes" /> <p>A cheaper home center plane in background and an older, well tuned Stanley #220 in foreground. Photo: Michael Dinsmore</p> </div> </div> A <a target="_blank" href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/tools/1273881.html">block plane</a> is a small hand plane whose blade is set at a lower angle than other woodworking planes. The lower angle makes the block plane useful for cutting the wood's end grain -- in other words, trimming at a right angle to the wood's grain. Larger planes with higher blade angles are designed to work in the direction of the grain and would tear the wood if used across it or against it.<br /> <br /> And that trusty jigsaw or chisel? Even worse. Some other tools may seem like good substitutes in a pinch, but it's very easy to accidentally remove a little too much -- and once you do that, there's no going back. The block plane is nice and small so it can squeeze into tight corners where a larger tool can't reach. It also removes only a tiny fraction of an inch of material, so it's hard to overdo it on just a pass or two. Because of the low blade angle, the block plane allows you to work with the grain of the wood as well as the end grain. This versatility is unmatched by other planing tools for at-home jobs.<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/carpenters-pick-block-planes/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Carpenter's Pick: Block Planes</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/carpenters-pick-block-planes/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19342590/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/carpenters-pick-block-planes/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/yLZlBc9AwZFwM5d0wDbEjaHe9iY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/yLZlBc9AwZFwM5d0wDbEjaHe9iY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/yLZlBc9AwZFwM5d0wDbEjaHe9iY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/yLZlBc9AwZFwM5d0wDbEjaHe9iY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/ZGF4msG9uHo" height="1" width="1"/>Michael DinsmoreTue, 09 Feb 2010 09:00:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/09/carpenters-pick-block-planes/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/ZZ7c8jz3C9k/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/construction-calculators-the-diyers-handy-helper/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/construction-calculators-the-diyers-handy-helper/#comments<div class="classy"> <div class="captioncenter"><img align="middle" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/construction-calculator-425ks020510.jpg" alt="InchCalc, construction calaculator iPhone app" /> <p>Photo: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.inchcalc.com/">InchCalc</a></p> </div> </div> Anyone who has built a home or taken on a hefty home improvement project can tell you that there are lots of measurements, calculations, and costs to keep track of. Even for seasoned DIYers, it can be overwhelming. <br /> <br /> Enter the <strong>construction calculator</strong>. This handy device -- available in handheld units, iPhone apps, and web-based apps -- makes short work of the dizzying array of computations common to the construction industry. Figuring board/feet, fractions,slopes, and converting feet to inches or metric can be challenging on common or scientific calculators, but a construction calculator handles all of this with ease. It's built for the job.<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/construction-calculators-the-diyers-handy-helper/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Construction Calculators: The DIYer's Handy Helper</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/construction-calculators-the-diyers-handy-helper/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19341633/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/construction-calculators-the-diyers-handy-helper/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/Oi0bhnAT53mprSXRgnOtL2fRNco/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/Oi0bhnAT53mprSXRgnOtL2fRNco/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/Oi0bhnAT53mprSXRgnOtL2fRNco/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/Oi0bhnAT53mprSXRgnOtL2fRNco/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/ZZ7c8jz3C9k" height="1" width="1"/>budgetbuildingcalculatorconstructionestimatingtake-offsLee W ReedMon, 08 Feb 2010 14:30:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/construction-calculators-the-diyers-handy-helper/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/dAUdUT7kro0/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/diy-time-make-a-personalized-clock/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/diy-time-make-a-personalized-clock/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/crafts/" rel="tag">Crafts</a>, <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/holidays/" rel="tag">Holidays</a></p><div class="classy"> <div class="photocaption"><img align="right" alt="diy clock, book cover" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/p1000403.jpg" /> <p>Craft a clock out of your sweetie's favorite novel. Photo: Erin Loechner</p> </div> </div> <br /> So, you want to give your Valentine a gift that's original, adorable, and straight from the heart? Well, you have less than a week to do it (yes, V-Day is <em>this</em> Sunday). No worries, though: I have <em>just </em>the project to keep you in the good graces of your spouse, kids...well, just about anyone this February 14th. <br /> <br /> Inspired by <a href="http://www.davidstarksketchbook.com/my_weblog/2009/06/omg-i-made-my-own-clock-everyone.html" target="_blank">David Stark's blog</a>, I'm excited to present this super-easy and totally doable craft that you can personalize to your heart's content: custom clocks! <br /> <br /> Yep, you can make a clock out of virtually anything. All you really need is a simple clock kit -- which includes the hands and the movement (the case that houses the clock's mechanism). Check out the easy (and affordable!) project after the jump, complete with a tutorial and a few ideas to get you started.<br /> <br /> <strong>YOU'LL NEED:</strong><br /> <div class="classy"> <div class="captioncenter"><img align="middle" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/433100457518560022fc.jpg" alt="DIY clock kit, hardcover book" /> <p>Photo: Erin Loechner</p> </div> </div> (1) Clock kit (I used <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/Clock-Movement-Quartz-Square-Straight/dp/B001BBWR30/ref=pd_sbs_k_1">this model from Amazon</a>, which came with handy instructions and a few spare parts)<br /> (1) Power drill<br /> (1) 9/64" drill bit<br /> (1) Item to drill the clock onto. Feel free to get creative here! Think of an object that represents something your Valentine is particularly fond of.<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/diy-time-make-a-personalized-clock/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>DIY Time! Make a Personalized Clock</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/diy-time-make-a-personalized-clock/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19345908/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/diy-time-make-a-personalized-clock/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/cqVZd3JlhprcvCtnCPNfuq8vO-I/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/cqVZd3JlhprcvCtnCPNfuq8vO-I/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/cqVZd3JlhprcvCtnCPNfuq8vO-I/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/cqVZd3JlhprcvCtnCPNfuq8vO-I/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/dAUdUT7kro0" height="1" width="1"/>clockclock kitClockKitclocksdiyvalentines dayValentinesDayErin LoechnerMon, 08 Feb 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/diy-time-make-a-personalized-clock/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/mDI6XtbCO-E/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/the-daily-fix-stainless-steel-smudges-be-gone/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/the-daily-fix-stainless-steel-smudges-be-gone/#comments<div class="classy"> <div class="photocaption"><img align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/01/stainlessfridge-240jd012610.jpg" alt="smudge-free your stainless steel" /> <p>Keep that shiny new look on your stainless with a few inexpensive products. Photo: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dsleeter_2000/3902684520/">dsleeter_2000, Flickr</a></p> </div> </div> <br /> It's no mystery why stainless steel is one of the most popular finishes for the kitchen: it's chic and goes with everything. But if you own stainless appliances, you know the cold, hard truth: they're a chore to keep clean. Every time you wipe off a fingerprint, a new one seems to appear.<br /> <br /> Here are a few tried-and-true techniques for eradicating smudges on your stainless -- and preventing those smears from showing up in the first place.<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/the-daily-fix-stainless-steel-smudges-be-gone/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Daily Fix: Stainless Steel Smudges Be Gone!</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/the-daily-fix-stainless-steel-smudges-be-gone/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19328387/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/the-daily-fix-stainless-steel-smudges-be-gone/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/rb2b1IZvYSdNvDv7aAoIuoLWxIY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/rb2b1IZvYSdNvDv7aAoIuoLWxIY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/rb2b1IZvYSdNvDv7aAoIuoLWxIY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/rb2b1IZvYSdNvDv7aAoIuoLWxIY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/mDI6XtbCO-E" height="1" width="1"/>Jaime DerringerMon, 08 Feb 2010 09:00:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/08/the-daily-fix-stainless-steel-smudges-be-gone/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/HOR_mhp9GTU/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/the-daily-fix-how-to-separate-stuck-glassware/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/the-daily-fix-how-to-separate-stuck-glassware/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/in-the-kitchen/" rel="tag">in the kitchen</a></p><div class="classy"> <div class="captioncenter"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sallypics/60603169/in/set-1309717/"><br /> </a></div> <div class="classy"> <div class="captioncenter"><img align="middle" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/stacked-glasses-425ks020410.jpg" alt="stacked glasses, stuck glasses, drinking glasses" /> <p>Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/modomatic/2820424828/" target="_blank">modomatic, Flickr</a></p> </div> </div> </div> Guests arriving at 6pm. Quick! Get the main course in the oven and start on dessert. Grab all your baking equipment and -- oh darn it, those glass mixing bowls are stuck together again! Always when you're in a hurry, right?<br /> <br /> Don't fret: there's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tipking.co.uk/tip/3827.html">an easy way to separate nesting bowls or stacked glasses</a> that have become wedged together: drip a few drops of vegetable oil between the items in question and wiggle very gently. If they still won't budge, add a bit of warm water to mix things up. They should pop apart without a problem.<br /> <br /> No luck? Here are some other suggestions worth trying:<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/the-daily-fix-how-to-separate-stuck-glassware/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Daily Fix: How to Separate Stuck Glassware</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/the-daily-fix-how-to-separate-stuck-glassware/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19342524/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/the-daily-fix-how-to-separate-stuck-glassware/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/mwJO4X3aqHeOj80U9BK-m-VxKts/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/mwJO4X3aqHeOj80U9BK-m-VxKts/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/mwJO4X3aqHeOj80U9BK-m-VxKts/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/mwJO4X3aqHeOj80U9BK-m-VxKts/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/HOR_mhp9GTU" height="1" width="1"/>Diane RixonFri, 05 Feb 2010 14:00:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/the-daily-fix-how-to-separate-stuck-glassware/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/r0ILxwdbGCU/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/links-we-love-8-super-sweet-diy-gifts-for-valentines-day/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/links-we-love-8-super-sweet-diy-gifts-for-valentines-day/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/crafts/" rel="tag">Crafts</a>, <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/holidays/" rel="tag">Holidays</a>, <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/crafts-and-celebrations/" rel="tag">Crafts &amp; Celebrations</a></p><br /> Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and I know you clever DIYers just refuse to settle for run-of-the-mill chocolates or flowers for your loved ones. So this week's Links We Love is devoted solely to DIY Valentine's Day gifts. Make your gift as unique as your love!<br /> <br /> <div class="classy"> <div class="captioncenter"><img align="middle" alt="Love basket" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/love-basket-425ks020410.jpg" /> <p>Photo: <a href="http://www.mintdesignblog.com/?p=4282" target="_blank">Mint</a></p> </div> </div> Check out the <a href="http://www.mintdesignblog.com/?p=4282" target="_blank">"DIY Sweet Love Garden,"</a> a guest post for <a href="http://www.mintdesignblog.com">Mint</a> by <a href="http://succulentlovedesigns.com/succulentlove/hello.there.html" target="_blank">SucculentLOVE's</a> Kelly. This adorable and slightly retro-style Valentine's gift is refreshingly free of candy and the color pink, don't you think? You'll need to choose some pretty rope, yarn or piping. Other required items: a hot glue gun, a cute container, some baby <a target="_blank" href="http://alex.edfac.usyd.edu.au/BLP/websites/Lowe%20Site/Cacti%20&amp;%20Succulent%20Web%20Pages/succulents.htm">succulents</a> and cactus soil. - Mint <br /> <br /> <div class="classy"> <div class="captioncenter"><img align="middle" alt="pin cushions" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/pin-cushions-425ks020410.jpg" /> <p>Photo: <a href="http://ohsohappytogether.blogspot.com/2010/01/sweetheart-pin-cushion-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Happy Together</a></p> </div> </div> This <a target="_blank" href="http://ohsohappytogether.blogspot.com/2010/01/sweetheart-pin-cushion-tutorial.html">love heart pincushion</a> is sure to delight fellow craftsters. It's handmade. It's adorable. It's practical. Do we really need any additional reasons to love this how-to? Downloadable pattern templates are included in the tutorial. You provide sewing skills, time, and cute fabric pieces. - Happy Together [via <a target="_blank" href="http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/02/how-to_scrappy_heart_pin_cushi.html">Craftzine</a><br /> <br /> <div class="classy"> <div class="captioncenter"><img align="middle" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/heart-soap-425ks020410-1265306658.jpg" alt="heart soap" /> <p>Photo: <a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/workshop/4303199.html" target="_blank">Popular Mechanics</a></p> </div> </div> Now, guys: Before you feel left out by the domestic crafts in this post, take your cue from Eric Wilhem, president of Instructables. He proudly presents (on Popular Mechanics) his site's top 10 manmade (and I do mean <em>man</em>-made) Valentine's gifts. Make your love swoon with a duct tape rose, or break out your woodworking tools and craft a heart-shaped block of ice with a romantic message inside (pictured). This stellar selection dates from last year, but it's so funny it totally deserves a second look. - Popular Mechanics<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/links-we-love-8-super-sweet-diy-gifts-for-valentines-day/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Links We Love: 8 Super-Sweet DIY Gifts for Valentine's Day</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/links-we-love-8-super-sweet-diy-gifts-for-valentines-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19344821/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/links-we-love-8-super-sweet-diy-gifts-for-valentines-day/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/FVOo69TFS0PnwVHpoG6Oh3-fyNY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/FVOo69TFS0PnwVHpoG6Oh3-fyNY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/FVOo69TFS0PnwVHpoG6Oh3-fyNY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/FVOo69TFS0PnwVHpoG6Oh3-fyNY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/r0ILxwdbGCU" height="1" width="1"/>valentines dayValentinesDayDiane RixonFri, 05 Feb 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/links-we-love-8-super-sweet-diy-gifts-for-valentines-day/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/JViEt8NIivs/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/making-news-people-who-live-without-heat-by-choice/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/making-news-people-who-live-without-heat-by-choice/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/living-rooms/" rel="tag">Living Rooms</a>, <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/bedrooms/" rel="tag">Bedrooms</a>, <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/dining-rooms/" rel="tag">Dining Rooms</a>, <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/home-offices/" rel="tag">Home Offices</a>, <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/small-spaces/" rel="tag">Small Spaces</a>, <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/living-spaces/" rel="tag">Living Spaces</a></p><div class="classy"> <div class="captioncenter"><img align="middle" alt="frozen house, no heat by choice" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/frozen-window-425ks020410.jpg" /> <p>Photo: Getty Images</p> </div> </div> If you start shivering when your indoor temperature hits 65 degrees, brace yourself; this news will be a shock to your system. According to the New York Times, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/garden/21cold.html">some Americans are living without any heat at all -- and they're doing it by choice</a>. <br /> <br /> One of these people, Maine resident Daniel F., lives in a house with no thermostat, no heating system, no radiator, and no furnace. The house's average indoor temperature lingers around 52 degrees. <br /> <br /> Daniel explains, "It all started in October '08 as just a few pals goading each other to see who could wait the longest to turn on their furnace." After the friends made it past Thanksgiving without heat, Daniel grew accustomed to the colder temperatures and decided to launch <a href="http://coldhousejournal.com/" target="_blank">Cold House Journal</a>, a blog in which he chronicles his controversial lifestyle. He notes, "It [the blog] was a way to focus my thoughts and maybe inspire a few others. Also, as long as I was posting things, my parents knew that I wasn't in a hypothermic coma."<br /> <br /> Of course, you're probably wondering why anyone would choose to live in such conditions. Although Daniel would like to think that conserving energy, minimizing CO2 emissions, and saving money are enough to make his heat-free life worth considering, he personally sees his lifestyle choice as an experiment in answering the more basic questions of human happiness and adaptability.<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/making-news-people-who-live-without-heat-by-choice/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Making News: People Who Live Without Heat By Choice</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/making-news-people-who-live-without-heat-by-choice/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19344216/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/making-news-people-who-live-without-heat-by-choice/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/76t8ji5wT7qDWBm_6-sxb3kJkK0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/76t8ji5wT7qDWBm_6-sxb3kJkK0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/76t8ji5wT7qDWBm_6-sxb3kJkK0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/76t8ji5wT7qDWBm_6-sxb3kJkK0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/JViEt8NIivs" height="1" width="1"/>cold weatherColdWeatherheatheatingwinterErin LoechnerFri, 05 Feb 2010 09:00:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/05/making-news-people-who-live-without-heat-by-choice/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/4DxP1eKa8NY/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/diy-product-pick-the-drain-that-never-clogs/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/diy-product-pick-the-drain-that-never-clogs/#comments<div class="classy"> <div class="photocaption"><img align="right" alt="pf waterworks, permaflow no clog drain" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/permaflow-drain-240ks020410.jpg" /> <p>Photo: <a href="http://www.pfwaterworks.net/">PF WaterWorks</a></p> </div> </div> <br /> The last time my sink clogged up, I tried muscle power and the force of a plunger to unclog the drain. When that failed, I switched to liquid drain cleaner, then graduated to crystal drain cleaner and finally moved up to a thick gel. Nothing helped. At all. Finally, I called the plumber to come over and snake it.<br /> <br /> We all know, clogged drains are the pits. Why can't they just <em>not</em> clog, right? Well, a company called PF WaterWorks claims to have a drain that does just that: it NEVER clogs! The see-through self-cleaning drain is called PermaFlow. It costs only about $40 (less than I spent on the drain cleaner alone), and it's apparently it's a cinch to install yourself.<br /> <br /> Here's how it works:<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/diy-product-pick-the-drain-that-never-clogs/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>DIY Product Pick: The Drain That Never Clogs</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/diy-product-pick-the-drain-that-never-clogs/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19343817/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/diy-product-pick-the-drain-that-never-clogs/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/rrv-56TkyTtPmaKzFzLOZxai1zA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/rrv-56TkyTtPmaKzFzLOZxai1zA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/rrv-56TkyTtPmaKzFzLOZxai1zA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/rrv-56TkyTtPmaKzFzLOZxai1zA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/4DxP1eKa8NY" height="1" width="1"/>Kathy Price-RobinsonThu, 04 Feb 2010 14:45:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/diy-product-pick-the-drain-that-never-clogs/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/OaFzDi7ehls/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/the-daily-fix-quiet-your-squeaky-stairs/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/the-daily-fix-quiet-your-squeaky-stairs/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/fix-it/" rel="tag">fix-it</a>, <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/flooring/" rel="tag">flooring</a>, <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/essential-skills/" rel="tag">Essential Skills</a>, <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/know-how/" rel="tag">Know-How</a></p><div class="classy"> <div class="photocaption"><img align="right" alt="stairs, staircase" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/stairs-240ks020310.jpg" /> <p>Photo: Getty Images</p> </div> </div> <br /> Have a staircase that would make for a great horror movie? If your steps are creaking, squeaking and screeching, it may be time to silence those suckers for good. Although quieting your stairs is more than just your average quick fix, it's much easier than it sounds -- and anything sounds better than those squeaks, right?!<br /> <br /> Creaky steps are generally a problem for older homes, but newer staircases can also suffer a squeak or two if wood has dried and shrunk over time. The problem is usually caused by a loose <a href="http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Stairbuilding_Basics-Stairs-A1981.html" target="_blank">tread rubbing against a riser</a> (the tread is the horizontal part of the stair where your feet land; the riser is the vertical member of the stair). Squeaky stairs aren't as problematic as they sound. For the most part, they're just a major annoyance -- especially if you love to raid the fridge at midnight!<br /> <br /> Here's how to silence those squeaky stairs and sleep soundly:<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/the-daily-fix-quiet-your-squeaky-stairs/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Daily Fix: Silence Your Squeaky Stairs</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/the-daily-fix-quiet-your-squeaky-stairs/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19342481/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/the-daily-fix-quiet-your-squeaky-stairs/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/qlmVR-PrmwHIANowEadWtsDt_jI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/qlmVR-PrmwHIANowEadWtsDt_jI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/qlmVR-PrmwHIANowEadWtsDt_jI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/qlmVR-PrmwHIANowEadWtsDt_jI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/OaFzDi7ehls" height="1" width="1"/>staircasestairswoodwoodenErin LoechnerThu, 04 Feb 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/the-daily-fix-quiet-your-squeaky-stairs/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/B9OqOBaUdCo/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/the-dangers-of-laundry-detergent-overload/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/the-dangers-of-laundry-detergent-overload/#comments<div class="classy"> <div class="photocaption"><img align="right" alt="laundry detergent overload, high efficiency washer" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/laundry-detergent-overload-240ks020310.jpg" /> <p>Photo: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/melvinlewis/332855735/">iammeltron, Flickr</a></p> </div> </div> <br /> After we bought our new <a href="http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/01/05/consumer-reports-washers-cost-less-and-save-more/" target="_blank">high-efficiency washing machine</a>, I was warned by a few different people not to use too much detergent. High-efficiency washers use less water and require less detergent to do their job (hence, the efficiency.) I didn't give it too much thought, though. What's the worst that could happen? <br /> <br /> Then one day I was caught in a torrential rainstorm. When I got home my jeans were drenched, and I noticed something curious: a row of white suds had formed above each knee. I realized that my walking action had agitated the denim and brought trapped, excess detergent to the surface. I had to wash my clothes with no detergent just to get rid of the embedded soap. <br /> <a target="_blank" href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703808904575025021214910714.html"><br /> A recent report in the Wall Street Journal</a> confirms I'm not alone in my detergent overkill tendencies. Loads of Americans are overdosing their high-efficiency machines, either because the measuring lines in detergent caps are too hard to read or because they're simply used to traditional washers. And the consequences go beyond sudsy jeans. According to <a target="_blank" href="http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2009/06/laundry-detergent-overdosing-caps-procter-and-gamble-method-sun-era-tide-cheer-all-consumer-reports-.html">Consumer Reports</a>, detergent build-up can lead to mold, odors, and bacteria in the machine, which is exactly what you <em>don't</em> want. Too much soap can clog filters and ports, causing the machine to break down eventually. Plus, some detergents cost 65 cents per load; using too much adds up.<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/the-dangers-of-laundry-detergent-overload/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Dangers of Laundry Detergent Overload</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/the-dangers-of-laundry-detergent-overload/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19342245/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/the-dangers-of-laundry-detergent-overload/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/MyPWcKP5eVAFD-ah0VajL_5T_Tk/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/MyPWcKP5eVAFD-ah0VajL_5T_Tk/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/MyPWcKP5eVAFD-ah0VajL_5T_Tk/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/MyPWcKP5eVAFD-ah0VajL_5T_Tk/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/B9OqOBaUdCo" height="1" width="1"/>Kathy Price-RobinsonThu, 04 Feb 2010 09:00:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/04/the-dangers-of-laundry-detergent-overload/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/4pHC53Gq5Sg/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/a-diy-centerpiece-for-your-valentine/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/a-diy-centerpiece-for-your-valentine/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/crafts/" rel="tag">Crafts</a></p><div class="classy"> <div class="photocaption"><img align="right" alt="centerpiece, DIY Valentine's Day gift" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/dsc05200-copy.jpg" /> <p>Craft a beautiful centerpiece for that romantic dinner you've been planning! Photo: Erin Loechner</p> </div> </div> <br /> This year, I'm planning a nice, relaxing dinner at home with my husband to celebrate Valentine's Day. After all, V-Day reservations are a pain, and what man doesn't love a home-cooked meal? Because spring is right around the corner, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to craft a DIY Valentine's Day gift. <br /> <br /> Inspired by a sweet <a href="http://blog.1800flowers.com/julie/?p=20" target="_blank">grassy centerpiece from 1-800-Flowers</a>, I knew exactly what I wanted to make -- a winter-white centerpiece for our Valentine's dinner, complete with our handcarved initials, teenage lovebird-style!<br /> <br /> Wanna make a centerpiece for your sweetheart too? I documented the process every step of the way. Here goes:<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/a-diy-centerpiece-for-your-valentine/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Homemade: A DIY Centerpiece for Your Valentine</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/a-diy-centerpiece-for-your-valentine/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19342163/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/a-diy-centerpiece-for-your-valentine/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/6TMqeMeVaTrkVqSIUmSWZWWokvI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/6TMqeMeVaTrkVqSIUmSWZWWokvI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/6TMqeMeVaTrkVqSIUmSWZWWokvI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/6TMqeMeVaTrkVqSIUmSWZWWokvI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/4pHC53Gq5Sg" height="1" width="1"/>centerpiececenterpiecesvalentines dayValentinesDayErin LoechnerWed, 03 Feb 2010 14:30:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/a-diy-centerpiece-for-your-valentine/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/j5zwBB19fag/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/the-daily-fix-remove-a-stuck-screw/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/the-daily-fix-remove-a-stuck-screw/#comments<div class="classy"> <div class="captioncenter"><img align="middle" alt="metal screws, Phillips screws" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/01/4180948294503f118d7.jpg" /> <p>Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/leecullivan/418094829/" target="_blank">shoothead, Flickr</a></p> </div> </div> Isn't it infuriating when a screw just won't budge? Whatever you do, don't lose your cool and resort to brute force. Yes, I know it's tempting, but you could easily make matters worse by stripping the head of your screw. That little mishap will leave your screwdriver bit spinning uselessly in the now-hollow end of the (still stuck) screw. Now <em>that's</em> infuriating! <br /> <br /> So how did your screw get stuck in the first place? Odds are, it got wedged firmly in position over time, or it was overly tightened. Whatever the cause, here's a clever trick worth trying: <a href="http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/tipsstarting.htm" target="_blank">heat the screw up</a>. The sudden expansion of the hot metal screw can loosen things up enough to get that stubborn metal moving. Here's how to do it safely:<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/the-daily-fix-remove-a-stuck-screw/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Daily Fix: Remove a Stuck Screw</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/the-daily-fix-remove-a-stuck-screw/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19339363/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/the-daily-fix-remove-a-stuck-screw/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/x_ZYBCNoIp1-1f3hCbWSshM-iII/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/x_ZYBCNoIp1-1f3hCbWSshM-iII/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/x_ZYBCNoIp1-1f3hCbWSshM-iII/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/x_ZYBCNoIp1-1f3hCbWSshM-iII/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/j5zwBB19fag" height="1" width="1"/>glue gunGlueGunscrewsoldering-ironDiane RixonWed, 03 Feb 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/the-daily-fix-remove-a-stuck-screw/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/Q3u7cs7HMXg/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/diy-product-pick-2p-10-the-super-duper-glue/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/diy-product-pick-2p-10-the-super-duper-glue/#comments<div class="classy"> <div class="photocaption"><img align="right" alt="2p10 super glue" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/2p10super-glue-240ks020210.jpg" /> <p>Photo: <a target="blank" href="https://www.fastcap.com/estore/pc/2P-10-Adhesive-c48.htm">FastCap</a></p> </div> </div> <br /> When the corner of my favorite wooden picture frame broke apart during a move, I pondered the ways I could fix it elegantly, preferably with a thin and quick-setting adhesive.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2008/02/13/choose-the-right-glue-for-the-job/" target="_blank">Wood glue</a> would be sloppy on the finely crafted joint and slow to set. In typical carpentry, a joint can be held together to dry with a bracket or brace. Obviously I didn't want to drill holes into my frame. I imagined using clamps to hold it together, but worried the glue would squeeze out and mar the finish, and I didn't have clamps that big.<br /> <br /> Garden variety super glue would work, but still it takes time to set and cure. <br /> <br /> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.gorillaglue.com/">Gorilla Glue</a> is a product I've used before. It's very strong and effective, but it foams up and is also slow to cure -- not a good fit for this project.<br /> <br /> Finally I asked some carpenter friends of mine for suggestions and they all recommended <a href="http://www.fastcap.com/estore/pc/2P-10-Adhesive-c48.htm">2P-10 from FastCap</a>. Bingo! For my treasured frame, which was a gift from an old friend, I needed an adhesive <em>just </em>like this.<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/diy-product-pick-2p-10-the-super-duper-glue/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>DIY Product Pick: 2P-10, the Super Duper Glue</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/diy-product-pick-2p-10-the-super-duper-glue/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19340983/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/diy-product-pick-2p-10-the-super-duper-glue/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/370Wujb3tNEaIFRjRnZOekoxbmU/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/370Wujb3tNEaIFRjRnZOekoxbmU/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/370Wujb3tNEaIFRjRnZOekoxbmU/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/370Wujb3tNEaIFRjRnZOekoxbmU/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/Q3u7cs7HMXg" height="1" width="1"/>Kathy Price-RobinsonWed, 03 Feb 2010 09:00:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/03/diy-product-pick-2p-10-the-super-duper-glue/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/5CweRZAstd0/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/extend-the-life-of-your-dryer/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/extend-the-life-of-your-dryer/#comments<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.diylife.com/category/know-how/" rel="tag">Know-How</a></p><div class="classy"> <div class="photocaption"><img align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/miele-dryer-240ks020110.jpg" alt="Miele dryer" /> <p>Photo: <a href="http://www.appliancist.com/washers_dryers/?start=45" target="_blank">Appliancist</a></p> </div> </div> <br /> Have you been neglecting your laundry appliances? It's time to clean up your act. Regular maintenance of your clothes dryer can extend its life considerably, saving energy, time, hassle -- and plenty of dough in the long haul (repairs can be pricey). <br /> <br /> You're probably familiar with the usual dryer tips and tricks when it comes to your actual laundry (like <a target="_blank" href="http://www.diylife.com/2007/07/09/diy-tennis-balls-little-yellow-useful/">tossing in a tennis ball for wrinkle-free clothing</a>), but when was the last time you brushed up on your dryer maintenance knowledge? <br /> <br /> If it's been a while since you read your dryer's manual -- or if you're not even sure where you put that darn thing -- here's some need-to-know tips for ensuring your dryer's best performance::<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/extend-the-life-of-your-dryer/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Home Ec: Extend the Life of Your Clothes Dryer</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/extend-the-life-of-your-dryer/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19340801/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/extend-the-life-of-your-dryer/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/3MZbeDsJ_RbOrRKzR7Omx0mUNNI/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/3MZbeDsJ_RbOrRKzR7Omx0mUNNI/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/3MZbeDsJ_RbOrRKzR7Omx0mUNNI/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/3MZbeDsJ_RbOrRKzR7Omx0mUNNI/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/5CweRZAstd0" height="1" width="1"/>clothesclothingdryerlaundryErin LoechnerTue, 02 Feb 2010 14:45:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/extend-the-life-of-your-dryer/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/jF9fjXG7nJ0/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/the-daily-fix-wipe-out-water-rings-on-the-table/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/the-daily-fix-wipe-out-water-rings-on-the-table/#comments<div class="classy"> <div class="photocaption"><img align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/01/water-rings-table-240ks012910.jpg" alt="water rings, coffee rings, table" /> <p>Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30003321@N00/3447476842/">Ali A, Flickr</a></p> </div> </div> <br /> Growing up in my parents' house, I learned an important rule: your drinking glass and your table should never directly meet. Otherwise, you'll mark the table forever with a dreaded water ring. <br /> <br /> Thankfully, coasters have come a long way (so many design options now!), but that doesn't mean all the guests at your party -- or the members of your family -- will actually use them. So what do you do when your lovely wood table gets branded with a water ring? Don't worry - it's not <em>really </em>ruined forever. In fact, the fix is pretty painless. Read on...<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/the-daily-fix-wipe-out-water-rings-on-the-table/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Daily Fix: Wipe Out Water Rings on the Table</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/the-daily-fix-wipe-out-water-rings-on-the-table/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19336011/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/the-daily-fix-wipe-out-water-rings-on-the-table/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/JLPnTxDcum9WzIVUiw5zbEJM-UM/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/JLPnTxDcum9WzIVUiw5zbEJM-UM/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/JLPnTxDcum9WzIVUiw5zbEJM-UM/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/JLPnTxDcum9WzIVUiw5zbEJM-UM/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/jF9fjXG7nJ0" height="1" width="1"/>furniturefurniture fixwater ringWaterRingwood stainJen Jafarzadeh L'ItalienTue, 02 Feb 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/the-daily-fix-wipe-out-water-rings-on-the-table/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/KNKQ3PHC7bw/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/how-much-will-that-remodel-add-to-your-homes-value/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/how-much-will-that-remodel-add-to-your-homes-value/#comments<div class="classy"> <div class="photocaption"><img align="right" alt="bathroom remodel, modern bathroom" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/44455459.jpg" /> <p>A brand new bathroom will add about $23,000 to the resale value of your home. Photo: <a href="http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/news/la-hm-remodel10-2009jan10-pg,0,1906427.photogallery" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times</a></p> </div> </div> <br /> As someone who's practically obsessed with my home, here's my wish: that every dollar I spend fixing it up will be returned to me when I sell it.<br /> <br /> Wouldn't that be a great argument to have when my husband and I engage in remodeling wars? He would say: "That's too much to spend." And I would say: "So what? We'll get it all back when we sell the house."<br /> <br /> Of course, that scenario is far from reality. Rarely will you get back 100% of a project's initial cost when you resell your house.<br /> <br /> Case in point: If I spend $39,000 to add a new bathroom, I can expect it to increase the appraised value of my home by $23,000, which means I will recoup only 60% the cost when I sell my home. <br /> <br /> How do I know this? I read <a href="http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2009/costvsvalue/national.aspx" target="_blank">Remodeling Magazine's 22nd annual Cost vs. Value Report</a>. Relying on input from real estate agents and other building professionals, the report rates the 33 most popular major home improvement projects based on cost vs. resale value -- basically, how much they'll each add to the dollar value of your house. <br /> <br /> So why invest in these major improvements? In our current buyer's market, says the <a href="http://www.realtor.com/Basics/Sell/PrepHome/GetReady.asp" target="_blank">National Association of Realtors</a>, houses with well-done improvements tend to sell quicker than their shabbier neighbors.<br /> <br /> <div class="classy"> <div class="captioncenter"><img align="middle" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/02/attic-bedroom-425ks020110.jpg" alt="attic bedroom" /> <p>Looking to remodel? A new attic bedroom will yield the highest return on investment. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shelbob/138340193/" target="_blank">Janesdead, Flickr</a></p> </div> </div><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/how-much-will-that-remodel-add-to-your-homes-value/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>How Much Will That Remodel Add to Your Home's Resale Value?</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/how-much-will-that-remodel-add-to-your-homes-value/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19338055/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/how-much-will-that-remodel-add-to-your-homes-value/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/oDk8FZjbvtrD0SGSIfF0Pwnf9IU/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/oDk8FZjbvtrD0SGSIfF0Pwnf9IU/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/oDk8FZjbvtrD0SGSIfF0Pwnf9IU/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/oDk8FZjbvtrD0SGSIfF0Pwnf9IU/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/KNKQ3PHC7bw" height="1" width="1"/>Kathy Price-RobinsonTue, 02 Feb 2010 09:00:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/02/how-much-will-that-remodel-add-to-your-homes-value/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/WBvz9CLGEO4/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/01/making-news-does-your-home-contain-tainted-drywall/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/01/making-news-does-your-home-contain-tainted-drywall/#comments<div class="classy"> <div class="captioncenter"><img align="middle" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/01/chinese-drywall-425ks012910.jpg" alt="Chinese drywall" /> <p>Photo: <a href="http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2009/12/saints_coach_sean_payton_to_be.html" target="_blank">Times-Picayune</a></p> </div> </div> Lately, when Louisiana residents like myself see New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton on TV, it's usually not in reference to the <a href="http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/44">Saints' first-ever trip to the Super Bowl February 7</a>.<br /> <br /> Rather, in numerous <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih8KydUjlpg" target="_blank">ad spots</a>, Payton can be seen discussing tainted drywall from China that was used in his home in Mandeville, just north of New Orleans. In the ads, he urges homeowners to take notice and perhaps seek legal help. <br /> <br /> Payton is the lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit filed last month in U.S. District Court against Knauf Plasterboard Tainjin Co. Ltd, a Chinese drywall manufacturer. According to <a href="http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2009/12/saints_coach_sean_payton_to_be.html" target="_blank">Payton and and his attorneys</a>, ingredients in the drywall smell like rotten eggs, and corroded certain metal components in the house -- such as plumbing and electrical equipment -- and caused his family to become sick. Payton now considers his house uninhabitable and moved his family out.<br /> <br /> Payton's plight may be public, but he's certainly not alone. The <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/info/drywall/index.html" target="_blank">U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission</a> says it's received more than 2,800 reports from residents in 36 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico who suspect "their health symptoms or the corrosion of certain metal components in their homes" are related to Chinese drywall. <br /> <strong><br /> Could your home contain tainted Chinese drywall too? Find out after the jump.</strong><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/01/making-news-does-your-home-contain-tainted-drywall/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Making News: Does Your Home Contain Tainted Drywall?</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/01/making-news-does-your-home-contain-tainted-drywall/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19336625/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/01/making-news-does-your-home-contain-tainted-drywall/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/MXmg9caoeaNzEQylpWy20ArPgkY/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/MXmg9caoeaNzEQylpWy20ArPgkY/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/MXmg9caoeaNzEQylpWy20ArPgkY/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/MXmg9caoeaNzEQylpWy20ArPgkY/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/WBvz9CLGEO4" height="1" width="1"/>Kathy Price-RobinsonMon, 01 Feb 2010 14:45:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/01/making-news-does-your-home-contain-tainted-drywall/http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~3/atFT9ty2MPY/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/01/the-daily-fix-is-your-toilet-running/http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/01/the-daily-fix-is-your-toilet-running/#comments<div class="classy"> <div class="photocaption"><img align="right" alt="toilet, toilet tank, running toilet" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/01/toilet-bowl-handle-240ks012510.jpg" /> <p>Photo: Getty</p> </div> </div> <br /> No, it's not the beginning of an old prank-call routine. It's a common homeowner dilemma that's annoying, but easily remedied. <br /> <br /> I found this out the hard way, when I neglected that loud noise coming from the basement toilet, and was shocked to see that my water bill was about 15 times the usual price -- almost $700! Oops. <br /> <br /> Turns out it was a very simple and common problem: the flush valve wasn't closing completely due to a misaligned <a target="_blank" href="http://www.homedepot.com/Bath-Toilets-Toilet-Parts-Repair-Flapper/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xngZbl73/h_d2/Navigation?langId=-1&amp;storeId=10051&amp;catalogId=10053">flapper</a> (that black or red rubber stopper thingy, attached to the arm chain, that opens to let water from the tank into the bowl). I fixed it in a few seconds by realigning the flapper with my hand. <br /> <div class="classy"> <div class="photocaption"><img align="right" alt="toilet flapper, toilet tank, flapper" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.diylife.com/media/2010/01/toilet-tank-flapper-240ks012510.jpg" /> <p>Photo: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eszter/1392241659/">eszter, Flickr</a></p> </div> </div> <br /> Running toilets can waste 2 to 6 gallons of water per minute (an average new toilet uses just 1.6 gallons per flush). That can add up to thousands of gallons of natural, and financial, resources down the drain. <br /> <br /> So if you suspect your toilet is running -- and if you hear a persistent sound of running water coming from the tank, it probably is -- here's what to do:<p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/01/the-daily-fix-is-your-toilet-running/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>The Daily Fix: Is Your Toilet Running?</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/01/the-daily-fix-is-your-toilet-running/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/forward/19330753/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.diylife.com/2010/02/01/the-daily-fix-is-your-toilet-running/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/DHXPq36cOhWK5m4dPP5e9UkVtqg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/DHXPq36cOhWK5m4dPP5e9UkVtqg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/DHXPq36cOhWK5m4dPP5e9UkVtqg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/DHXPq36cOhWK5m4dPP5e9UkVtqg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/weblogsinc/diylife/~4/atFT9ty2MPY" height="1" width="1"/>Carolyn WeberMon, 01 Feb 2010 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.diylife.com/2010/02/01/the-daily-fix-is-your-toilet-running/