ArcaMax

Dear James: My living room needs a decor update. I'm on a limited budget and plan to do it myself. Would adding some woodwork help? I will need some installation tips. -- JoAnn T.

Dear JoAnn: Attractive woodwork trim can make a dramatic improvement in your living room decor. It can be difficult to find unique-looking baseboard, crown molding ...Read more

Professional Window Cleaning Tips

Dear James: My new house has many windows and I have a problem cleaning them without leaving streaks, especially on the south-facing ones. How do professionals clean them? -- Alex J.

Dear Alex: You probably had streak-free windows when you moved in. This is because the builder likely hired a professional ...Read more

Dear James: We could certainly use some additional storage space in our bedrooms. As kids, we used to have window seats for storage. What are some simple design options? -- Angela B.

Dear Angela: Window seats are not as popular in modern homes as they used to be, but they are an excellent option for additional bedroom storage space. The space ...Read more

Dear James: I have some rustic land located by a pond. I would like to have a small weekend cabin built for my two children and me. What is the best construction method? -- Stefan H.

Dear Stefan: You shouldn't have any problem finding a reasonably priced builder for this type of project. Most would consider this to be a fun project and a ...Read more

Dear James: We have problems with insect damage in our area. When doing a major remodeling project, should we treat all the lumber with spray-on borate chemicals for protection? -- Brittany K.

Dear Brittany: It is surprising how fast termites or carpenter ants can hollow out a piece of lumber. You may not notice it for quite a while until you ...Read more

Dear James: My elderly mother is moving in, so I need to add another bathroom. What are the major design considerations, and what is the proper sequence of project tasks? -- Javier T.

Dear Javier: Planning the sequence of the work is always a smart step. There are many more considerations when adding a bathroom than when adding other rooms. It ...Read more

Dear James: I live in a house on a sloping lot and want to add a privacy fence around the backyard. How should I construct it so it looks good down the sloping side? -- Diane K.

Dear Diane: You have several options for privacy fence designs and construction methods depending upon the level of privacy you want and your budget. For a do-it-...Read more

Dear James: Our old garbage disposal is noisy after years of our kids dropping forks in it. If I buy one at a home center store, should I attempt to install it myself? -- Keith S.

Dear Keith: You should be able to install a new garbage disposal using just basic hand tools even if you are not an experienced DIY'er. It can be a job getting the ...Read more

Dear James: My house has two and a half bathrooms and each of the toilets has problems such as inadequate flushing, noisy flushing and self-flushing. Does it require a plumber to fix them? -- Stephanie L.

Dear Stephanie: Some repair projects require a plumber, but most common toilet problems can easily be repaired by the homeowner. There are ...Read more

Dear James: The beautiful dark stain that I put on my wood deck a few years ago is starting to peel off. How can I repair those spots and keep more spots from peeling? -- Ken N.

Dear Ken: That type of dark stain does look great when first applied. The unfortunate news is that it is probably going to continue to peel, and each year there will be...Read more

Use Membrane To Repair Low Roof

Dear James: We had the roof partially raised to convert the attic into living space. The relatively low old asphalt rolled roof is leaking. What is the best option to repair it? -- Olivia H.

Dear Olivia: It would have been much better if the contractor had used durable tin or copper for that low roof initially, ...Read more

Dear James: I like pocket doors because they save floor space, but they often don't glide smoothly into the wall slot. What is the best method to install one? -- Kevin D.

Dear Kevin: As houses are becoming smaller to lower construction costs and utility bills, interest in pocket doors is making a comeback. They were very popular in the ...Read more

Dear James: I am tired of having to paint soffit on my ranch house. I think installing aluminum soffit with vents is better. Is this a project for the average do-it-yourselfer? -- Juanita F.

Dear Juanita: I would not recommend trying this yourself with a two-story house, but with your one-story ranch, it is a doable project. Aluminum soffit is ...Read more