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The most common complaint when using eyebolts is that they are difficult to remove. This is because their unique shape does not accommodate a screwdriver in the same way as other hardware does. New users may hurt their hands or else bend or damage the eyebolt in their attempts to remove it, thereby compromising its quality and suitability for the next job. Fortunately, a couple of genius hacks exist for removing eyebolts safely and easily, so you can make the most of this heavy-duty rigging hardware....

Unsure where to start? Consider these 11 tips for checking, maintaining and improving your home’s most essential assets. 1. Replace HVAC filters​ Your HVAC air filter keeps dust and other impurities from floating in your home’s air and helps keep your system clean and running efficiently. The filter should be changed every 30-90 days. American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning notes that replacing the filter is especially important to keep dust from accumulating on the coil and blower blades....

Tesla has become a name synonymous with sustainability. The company makes and sells electric vehicles, solar panels and energy storage products. The company has made great strides to become more accessible, including its Model 3, Tesla’s cheapest car yet, costing around $35,000 in a first attempt at winning over mainstream car buyers. The company announced its expansion to Home Depot earlier this year, revealing its plans to set up kiosks in more than 600 Home Depot stores, with plans to expand further....

Well, of course there’s no such thing as the “greatest” goofs, because the best goofs (or worst, depending on your perspective) are always your own. But over the 17 years or so we’ve been publishing DIY goofs, a few common threads have emerged. Check before you trim a door. Ah, it is so easy, once a door is off its hinges and resting on sawhorses, to cut the wrong end. It could be you’re adding carpet or tile, or putting in a pet door—we’ve heard goofs about ’em all....

family handyman I work on different DIY projects all the time and it always seems like I could use an extra set of eyes to see things that aren’t always easy to see. Looking behind a wall, deep into the engine bay of your car, through your dryer’s vent, into a sewer line or down into a heat register … there are dozens of applications where I could use a little help....

Minuscule spider mites make extremely formidable garden pests, feeding on some 200 species of indoor ornamental plants and outdoor fruit and shade trees. And there’s no such thing as having just one spider mite. What Are Spider Mites? Spider mites are not spiders. They’re actually teeny tiny arachnids that feed on the juice of plant and tree leaves. They run in colonies and reproduce quickly, in one or two weeks. The eggs laid under silk webbing can hatch thousands of baby spider mites on a single leaf....

What Exactly Is Topsoil? Topsoil is the top portion of the soil consisting of minerals, organic matter and microorganisms. It can range from a few inches deep in some areas to a few feet deep in the Corn Belt. Topsoil has accumulated over millennia, but erosion is a serious problem. Erosion can deplete topsoil quickly, which is why it is important to cover bare soil with mulch or a ground cover plant....

photowind/Shutterstock You’ve heard the old saying April showers bring May flowers, right? Well, they also bring snow mold! As the snow melts every spring, your lovely lawn is vulnerable to an unsightly fungus. This is especially common if you live in an area with heavy snowfall and your lawn is a cool-season grass like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, or fine or tall fescue. Learning everything you need to know about snow mold will help you spot and address it this spring, or prevent it next year....

Shutterstock / Andrey_Popov Dirtiest Place in Your Car: Steering Wheel Your steering wheel carries with it the germs that your hands have brought from wherever your day may take you. Even if you are diligent about vacuuming your car interior and taking it for a spin in the car wash, your steering wheel might not get wiped down as often as it should be. Your steering wheel is the top place for germs....

Approximately 30,000 gas ranges are being recalled due to possible carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC). After an initial recall for 28,000 ZLINE 30- and 36-inch gas ranges in December, a recall for ZLINE 48-inch ranges was issued on January 26. Consumers are being asked to stop using the oven compartment until the recalled ranges are repaired. The range tops are unaffected and may be operated safely....

What is a Miter Joint Clamp? Clamping up four mitered corners is tricky. You can buy specialty clamps for this, but you can also make your own A miter joint clamp can help you to clamp together notoriously difficult mitered joints. Mitered joints can come from picture frames or any other instances where you’re trying to join together two pieces of wood cut at 45 degree angles. How to Build Your Own Miter Joint Clamp Start with a long 1×4, and cut it down to a shorter block section....

Question: Can an electrical panel be installed in a bathroom? Answer: No. All electrical conductors, equipment, light fixtures and so on must be identified for use in the operating environment in which they will be installed (indoor dry locations, indoor or outdoor wet locations, hazardous [explosive] location inside a vehicle paint spray booth, etc.). There is a basic rule in the code that says unless otherwise approved and marked accordingly, no electrical conductors or equipment are permitted to be installed in damp or wet locations, where exposed to gases, fumes, vapors, liquids, other deteriorating agents, or where exposed to excessive temperatures....

You might call it the crowning touch. Crown molding isn’t necessary, but it does an amazing job elevating the appearance of a room. It remains a popular choice today, especially for traditional or transitional-style homes. Depending on the style of crown molding you choose, it can be relatively inexpensive to purchase and install. Sean Chapman, a professional carpenter in Eugene, Oregon and founder of Tools ‘n’ Goods, says it also has a relatively high return on investment (ROI)....

The finale to a thorough bathroom cleanup is polishing your chrome to shining. Here’s how to keep bathroom chrome shiny, including tips for removing stubborn stains without chemicals. Here are some additional tips on how to clean your bathroom faster. What Is the Best Cleaner for Chrome? Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser Liquid gets excellent reviews for cleaning surfaces including bathroom chrome. It’s nontoxic, surprisingly gentle and safely removes soap scum, mineral deposits and water spots from dull bathroom hardware....

Pollinators are in the news a lot these days as people bemoan the loss of Monarch butterfly habitat and question what is contributing to the disappearance of honeybees. Fortunately, there is something the average homeowner can do to help the cause. And it’s nice to know that while you’re providing pollen for pollinators, you’re providing a beautiful pollinator garden for yourself to enjoy. Why Create a Pollinator Garden There are lots of reasons to plant a pollinator garden....

For home gardeners who like to grow fruit and vegetables, few things herald the arrival of summer quite like vine-fresh tomatoes. (OK, maybe strawberries. But you know what we mean.) Tomatoes are rich in vitamins and cancer-fighting antioxidants. Homegrown tomatoes are even healthier than those from the store because they can be grown without pesticides or chemical-loaded fertilizers. Plus, they taste a lot better! When allowed to ripen in the sun and picked just before eating, homegrown tomatoes have a completely different flavor than the mass-produced ones that ripen in warehouses....

Houseplant sales have surged in the past few years, according to the National Gardening Association. Some plant owners, new and seasoned, refer to themselves as plant parents and buy houseplant insurance, indicating just how dedicated they are to growing indoor greenery. Certainly, that dedication extends to carefully selecting new plants, and knowing how to quarantine sick plants to keep their “siblings” healthy. The process typically starts at introduction. Inspect the Houseplant Look for insects and diseases before you add any plant to your collection....

Cast iron tubs are valued for their strength and water heat retention. But removing them can be an intimidating task. If you want to tackle this chore DIY, you’ll need a good plan, some protective gear and a little determination. Here’s a rundown of how to remove a cast iron tub, in pieces or intact. What Is a Cast Iron Tub? Cast iron tubs consist of a solid iron body with a layer of porcelain enamel around it....

Most of us know LED bulbs have become the de facto replacement for the classic incandescent bulb. But less well-known is what’s within the LED bulb itself, and what it can do. LED fixtures can be used for everything from generating diagnostic reports to functioning as WiFi hot spots. The new Dusk to Dawn light bulb from General Electric highlights this trend with something unique and useful — a built-in photo sensor....

Planting Cold Weather Vegetables While you are enjoying the warm days of summer, it is hard to think of changing leaves and cooler temperatures. But fall isn’t far away, which means it is time to plant cool-season veggies and even edible flowers like saffron. Check out your plant hardiness zone before you get started. Those of you who live in cold climates need to start growing those winter plants right away....