How a House Works

Ice dams are a fact of life in snowy areas of the country, but they can be reduced and even eliminated with proper insulation and venting. Here's how to tackle the problem.

This article will show you how to critter-proof your house. Follow this advice to get rid of pests once they find a way into your home. You'll also find tips to make sure they never get inside your house again.

You can safely drill joists for electrical and plumbing runs without weakening the joists, if you follow the rules.

Learn to identify the most common causes of floor sagging—and what to do about it. Learn the best tools and methods for lifting and shoring a load-bearing beam and the steps to safely replace a rotted post.

Stop dealing with water problems in your home and yard by installing this in-ground drainage system. This is a permanent, long-term solution to your wet yard. These step-by-step instructions and how-to photos walk you through...Read more»

What makes a concrete driveway or slab strong? Here's a sampling of tips and opinions from professional concrete masons. Avoid cracking and spalling problems and learn how to make a concrete slab that will last as long as you do.

Building codes specify allowable sizes and locations for holes and cuts in studs. Here's a handy guide to those requirements that will keep your building standing tall.

Almost every home gets mold. We'll show you how to identify mold and eliminate the small infestations, as well as the big ones that have gotten out of hand.

You can use these add-on switch controls to turn on and off the lights and appliances in your house. This article gives you the run down on what's available, how the controls are installed and how the...Read more»

OSB and plywood can both be used for walls, floors and roofs, but there are some differences between them. Here’s a rundown of the advantages and disadvantages of each.