Whether you're finishing a basement, repairing a damaged wall, or hanging drywall in a new house, these taping tips will help you make smooth, invisible seams, even at inside corners. Eliminate as many hard-to-hide butt joints as you can To hide “butt joints” (where two non-tapered ends of drywall meet), you have to build up a hump of joint compound that's very thin and wide. This is time consuming and difficult to do well. So if you're a novice drywall finisher, avoiding but

I do a fair share of painting. Here are some tips for painting both smooth and textured ceilings, with equipment recommendations and tricks of the trade. Use a Stain-Blocking Primer to Cover Flaws Roof leaks, overflowing sinks, tobacco smoke and big spills can all leave ugly ceiling stains or dinginess that is impossible to conceal with plain old paint. But cover the stain with a coat of stain-blocking primer and your troubles are over. The traditional favorite is white pigme

Here are some secrets and tips for producing a great-looking interior paint job. Roll Paint Along the Edges for Consistent Texture Corners and areas next to trim that are painted only with a brush have a noticeably different texture than the surrounding paint. To ensure the finished texture will be consistent in these areas, brush on the paint, then immediately roll it out before the paint dries. Use a 3-in. roller with a nap that's the same thickness that was used for the re

Keep up on your home maintenance to ensure a safe, healthy home this December and season. December is here along with the cold weather. If your home is cold, you’ll want to make sure your winter maintenance tasks are being completed this month. This can include insulating the plumbing so that your pipes don’t freeze, sealing out drafts, and making sure your home is protected from the elements. You will also want to clean out your dryer ducts, be smart about fireplace safety a