Worx GT 10-Inch 18-Volt Cordless Electric String Trimmer/Edger

The WORX GT is the perfect tool to neatly manicure your yard after you mow. It even won the prestigious Editor’s Choice award from Popular Mechanics Magazine at the 2006 Lawn and Garden Show.

The lightweight WORX 18-volt battery-powered string trimmer weighs less than a gallon of milk and is the only trimmer on the market which converts from a standard grass trimmer to a true walk-behind edger – 2 tools in 1. The integrated Edger wheel allows you to quickly and easily roll the trimmer along your patio or driveway for adding that perfectly edged look to your yard or garden.

And forget the hassle of pull starters - the WORX GT starts with the single push of a button. Forget the aggravation of untangling extension cords – the 18-volt battery-powered WORX GT can trim up to a 1/2 acre yard on a single charge. It goes anywhere you need to. And unlike some competitive cordless models, the WORX GT comes with a 1-hour quick charger so you don’t have to wait for hours for the battery to re-charge…you’re back to work in minutes not hours.

The unique trimming head of WORX GT pivots up to 90-degrees to reach under decks, under play equipment, under trees and bushes or on slopes and hills.

No more bumping to feed line. The auto-feed line system of the WORX GT feeds out line with a simple squeeze and release of the trigger. The fold-away spacer guard also helps to protect flowers, tree trunks, outdoor lighting and other delicate objects from damage by the trimmer line.

The WORX GT adjusts in length and handle positions to ensure a more comfortable ergonomic fit and less strain on backs and arms. And unlike long, bulky trimmers, the WORX GT collapses for easy storage in a closet or garage.

Features Include:

• 10-inch electric line trimmer with a hardy 18-volt battery
• 100% automatic line feed for best cutting performance
• Telescopic shaft adjusts to user's height and posture; rotating handle
• Includes 18-volt battery pack and charger, 16-foot spool trimmer line
• 2-year manufacturer's warranty

Available at Amazon.com.

Ceramic Tile

AsktheDecorator.com host Meghan Carter visits Walker Zanger in West Hollywood, California to discover the basics about how to use ceramic tile in your home. From the newest ceramic tile styles to the different types of ceramic tiles, you'll know what you need to start decorating with ceramic tile.

Plumbing Vent Pipe Tip

AsktheBuilder.com host Tim Carter shares a quick lesson to help you out of a tough spot when working with plumbing vent pipe.

How to Pressure Wash Your Roof

AsktheBuilder.com host Tim Carter walks you through how to use a pressure washer to clean moss, lichen and algae off your roof without damaging the shingles.

Right Angle Drill Versus a Hole Saw

AsktheBuilder.com host Tim Carter demonstrates a why a right angle saw is a much better tool in particular situations.

Go Green in Your Lawn and Garden This Summer

Summer is the perfect time to combine a green thumb with a green lifestyle. By following these simple tips, homeowners can save time and money, and improve the health and appearance of their lawn and garden.

• Mow regularly and leave the clippings on the lawn - the clippings will recycle into "free fertilizer."
• Water deeply, but infrequently, to prevent lawn disease and save water.
• Mulch flower and vegetable beds with compost or grass clippings to conserve water and control weeds.
• Identify bugs before you spray, squash or stomp - most bugs are good bugs, not pests.
• Consider planting native trees and plants, especially ones with berries, fruits and flowers to invite birds, butterflies, and other wildlife into your yard.

For more information on greenscaping, check out EPA's GreenScapes Web site. It includes a seasonal tips calendar on landscape maintenance and a pamphlet that provides cost-efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for large-scale landscapers and homeowners.

EPA's GreenScapes partnership program is designed to help preserve natural resources and prevent waste and pollution by encouraging companies, government agencies, and other entities to make more holistic decisions regarding waste generation and disposal, and the use of the land, water, pesticides, and energy.

EPA's GreenScapes Seasonal Planning Calendar: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/green/homeown/calendar.htm

GreenScaping: The Easy Way To a Greener, Healthier Yard: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/green/owners.htm

More information on GreenScapes: http://www.epa.gov/greenscapes

Source: PRWeb

Drilling Holes for PVC Pipe Fittings

AsktheBuilder.com host Tim Carter demonstrates how to drill holes for pvc pipe fittings so that you don't waste valuable time enlarging a mis-drilled hole.

Mini-makeover Ideas for Your Kitchen

If you dream of an updated, upgraded kitchen, don’t feel guilty about it. Kitchens sell houses, as any real estate expert will tell you. They’re also the heart of the home, where we spend most of our time, studies show. So improving this important living space is a sound financial investment, and an investment in your family’s happiness.

You don’t need to spend a lot to create a dramatic difference in your kitchen. A mini-makeover may be all that you need to turn that blah kitchen into the showpiece of your home.

“When people think of kitchen renovation, they usually think of the expensive ventures, like replacing cabinets, countertops and appliances,” says Dan Auer of Faucet.com, a leading online retailer of decorative home products. “But starting small - with easy yet dramatic changes that can be done in a weekend - can make a big difference in the appearance and value of your kitchen.”

Auer offers a few tips for getting started on your kitchen’s mini-makeover:

* First, pick up some home magazines or visit some model homes in your area to get ideas. Pay close attention to the projects that will make the most impact but will be easy to accomplish, like wall color, sinks and faucets, lighting fixtures, cabinet knobs and accessories.

* Forego the frustration of home improvement stores, where what you want may not be in stock, or where you can spend hours looking for someone to answer questions or get the product you want. Take advantage of online resources, like www.Faucet.com, where you can see exactly what’s in inventory, and shop by style, finish brand or price range from a selection of more than 50,000 sinks, faucets and accessories all with just the click of a mouse.

* A new faucet can vastly improve the look and usability of your kitchen. Installing a new one is a basic improvement within the abilities of the average homeowner. When choosing your new faucet, keep in mind both the look you want to achieve and how you will be using the faucet.

For example, if you’re often trying to regulate water temperature with one hand (while the other handles 10 other tasks), a single-hand faucet offers easy control. If you’re creating a traditional or period-style look, consider a two-handle faucet. Serious cooks may consider adding a pot-filler faucet, which mounts on the wall near the range to allow you to fill a pot that’s already on the stove.

* “Sinks are an important factor in a kitchen’s overall appearance, yet many people overlook them completely,” Auer says. Stainless steel, cast iron, single bowl, double bowl or even triple bowl – kitchen sinks now come in styles, sizes, colors and features to fit virtually every décor and work space.

The number of bowls you’ll choose will depend on your personal preferences and how you use your sink. Heavy food prep use may call for two or even three bowls, while use as a rinsing station may require only one bowl. The material you choose should complement the overall look of your kitchen. If you need help deciding which sink is right for you, Faucet.com offers a Kitchen Sink Buying Guide.

* Next, look up – at your lighting. While kitchens in some high-end new homes may already be decked out with the latest in lighting, chances are if you’re in an older home you have some very basic overhead lighting. While this lighting might be functional, it’s not always visually attractive. Fortunately, it’s an easy job for a do-it-yourselfer to replace a basic overhead fluorescent fixture with something equally bright but more visually appealing. Under-the-counter task lighting is also a must for a well-lit modern kitchen. And a few artfully placed pendant lights over a breakfast bar or kitchen island can impart elegance and practicality.

When you’re ready to start shopping for your mini-kitchen makeover, log on to www.Faucet.com for more ideas, inspirations and easy shopping.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Garage Door iDrive

Don shows you a new type of garage door.

Landscape Lighting: A Great Way to Dress Up Your Home

The real estate market may be in a slump, but not all industries having to do with the home are in trouble. Companies that specialize in remodeling and renovation, particularly in the area of outdoor living, are doing extremely well right now.

“People don’t want to lose money on their biggest investment so instead of moving, they’re improving their homes,” says Joe Rey-Barreau, an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Interior Design and education consultant for the American Lighting Association (ALA). He says now that warmer weather has arrived, people are adding decks, patios, gazebos and outdoor kitchens to their homes, and they aren’t just planning to use them in the daytime.

“The trend towards expanding outdoor living space has been growing for some time now,” says Richard Lentz, president of Lentz Landscape Lighting in Dallas, Texas. “In past years, our goal was focused on lighting the space and showing off the garden. Now we’re concentrating a lot more effort on finding innovative ways to light outdoor spaces so they can be used at night, much like they’re used during the day.”

Backyard decks no longer just have a small light near the door. Lentz says lighting designers are now installing down lights in trees and attaching them to chimneys to shine light down on the space. “We’re also putting in a lot of step lights to make the transition from the upper to lower level easier,” says Lentz, who adds that people no longer have to feel like they’re under a spotlight when they sit outside under the stars. “If there’s a tree nearby, we can shine light down from it. Attaching fixtures to a chimney is also a nice way to get light from above that feels like moonlight.”

And when it comes to lighting outdoor kitchens, innovation is key. “We do a lot of task lighting in the outdoor kitchen,” says Lentz. “We’ll utilize the arbors to hang task lighting over the sink, the grill and the table, for example, and put them on dimmers so when the light isn’t needed, it can be turned down.”

Lentz credits the recent innovations offered by various lighting manufacturers for making those projects possible. “Technology sure has come a long way in a short amount of time,” he says.

Rey-Barreau agrees. “Manufacturers realize there’s a growing market for outdoor fixtures and they have responded by stepping up to the challenge to develop chandeliers, table lamps and sconces that are rated for wet conditions so they can be safely installed outdoors,” he says.

Safety isn’t the only factor being considered by manufacturers. So is operating cost. Not so long ago, the U.S. government mandated that the lighting industry find ways to cut energy consumption of their products. Kichler Lighting of Cleveland, Ohio, responded by coming out with a line of outdoor fixtures that use highly efficient L.E.D. bulbs that require one-third the energy of incandescents.

“When people realize they can get the same light output, a nice comfortable color and reduce energy use by 75 percent, they are more than willing to make the change,” says Jeff Dross at Kichler Lighting.

There have been innovations in the area of lighting for curb appeal purposes as well. “Landscape lighting is about safety, security and aesthetics. As far as the latter goes, the key to success is being subtle. Less is always more,” says Monty Gilbertson, manager of Lighting Design by Wettsteins in La Crosse, Wisc.

Doug Prexta, who works for the landscape division of Cleveland, Ohio-based Hinckley Lighting confirms lighting the outdoors is a trend that’s here to stay. “Our business is way up in the landscape division because people are investing in their homes more and more,” he says.

For more information about landscape lighting, or to find a lighting showroom near you, log on to the American Lighting Association’s Web site at www.AmericanLightingAssoc.com or call (800) BRIGHT-IDEAS (800-274-4484).

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Changing the Hinges on Refrigerator

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How to decorate a small space

With the help of designer Jeffrey Fisher, styleathome.com, transforms this small space into an organized and stylish setting.

Fountains Make a Big Splash in Your Garden

Ponce de Leon spent his life searching for the “fountain of youth.” Fortunately for us, we only have to search a local garden store to find that special fountain which will transform our own backyard into a private oasis.

Today when we relax in our gardens, the soothing sounds of flowing water from a fountain can calm our soul. We, too, are drawn to the spiritual qualities as the gentle sounds of flowing water wash stress from our busy days, restoring and relaxing us.

This universal appeal is making fountains more popular with homeowners, especially as the effort to create personal outdoor spaces continues. Retailers are fueling this demand by offering a wider range of fountain designs, which run the gamut from traditional to more modern Zen-inspired pieces.

“Our fountain category continues to grow,” says designer Peter C. Cilio, creative director of Campania International, one of the leading garden accessories purveyors in the country. “Customers want cast stone fountains, glazed, terra cotta and even light-weight – all types of fountains to bring the sight and sound of water into the garden in an easy low-maintenance way.”

“Water in the garden is an essential element,” agrees John Carloftis, a renowned garden designer. “Adding a fountain to your garden, even a small fountain is a great investment.” He recommends self-contained and easy-to-install fountains like the ones from Campania. They come complete with pump, tubing and all the necessary accessories.

Here are some simple guidelines from the experts that will help you choose the perfect fountain for your garden space.

What’s Your Style?

The most important consideration to keep in mind when choosing the right fountain is the overall style of your home and garden.

“People who love a beautiful garden are becoming more experienced and comfortable with their own styles and tastes outside,” says Cilio. “Whether you have an urban, contemporary or country garden, the fountain should be compatible with your personal style and the aesthetics of your house and garden.”

With fountains ranging from traditional European designs to more modern Zen-inspired pieces, today’s selection of fountains appeals to the broadest of palates.

Carloftis reminds us to keep proportion in mind. “It is everything in the garden. Choose a fountain that will fit and feel good,” he says. “And if you go big, be sure to keep it simple.”

For a burst of bold color in the garden, new contemporary glazed fountains are the perfect solution. These fountains are available in a wide range of colors from vibrant reds and blues to earthy browns and greens. Glazed jar and sphere fountains from Campania can be paired with a round or square lightweight basin for below- or above-ground use.

Consider Your Space

Whether on a patio or in the landscape, a free-standing fountain can be a mesmerizing focal point.

The size of the fountain that you choose will depend on the size of your garden space.

"You could have a 4-by-6-foot pocket garden and put a small beautiful fountain at the end, and you've really made an incredible statement,” says Carloftis.

Although fountains can take center stage in the landscape, you might also consider nestling your fountain in a secluded corner of your garden. Tucked away among the plantings, the fountain will not distract from the overall composition. Discovering such pieces, as one strolls in the garden, brings a delightful element of surprise and magic.

What’s Your Desired Outcome? Dramatic or Zen?

If creating a highly dramatic effect is your desire, the classic choice is a larger two- or three-tiered fountain as a focal point for your landscape. Carloftis suggests Campania’s elegant Newport Fountain, which is a beautiful tiered composition made of cast stone with a lightweight basin for better maneuverability.

If you want something Zen, look for a more soothing effect in water gently cascading over a cast stone ball. Discover the allure of dancing water from a fountain lit at night, while you entertain on the patio or deck. Look for freestanding wall fountains, which include lighting components for dramatic night-time illumination.

Low or High Maintenance

Keeping your fountain clean and free of debris to prevent algae growth and clogging is something to consider when purchasing a fountain. Smaller fountains don’t require as much maintenance as larger fountains. And remember to protect your fountain in winter with a water-resistant fountain cover to prolong the life of your fountain.

Whether simple or ornate, you can create your own private oasis by introducing your own fountain of youth into your landscape or garden.

To view Campania’s wide selection of cast stone, terra cotta, glazed and light-weight fountains, visit www.campaniainternational.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Buying the Right Garden Hose

Don shows you how to choose the right garden hose.

Woodworking Techniques

Offering 29 tried-and-true woodworking techniques from the professionals at Woodworker’s Journal, this detailed guide explores everything from the basics of squaring stock and sharpening tools to the intricacies of veneering a drawer face, making this a suitable collection for both beginning woodworkers looking to learn a new skill set and experienced workers who wish to improve their technique. In-depth instructions, step-by-step color photographs, and large-scale drawings effortlessly guide woodworkers through each project—including handcutting dovetails, making Tambour doors, steam bending, and casework joinery. Helpful sidebars and quick tips also present invaluable advice on avoiding costly mistakes and improving productivity.

Available at Amazon.com.

How to Wire a 4 Way Switch

AsktheBuilder.com host Tim Carter demonstrates how to wire a 4 way switch and where to place a 4 way switch in a circuit.

Black & Decker 19-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Electric Mulching Lawn Mower

The Black & Decker 24-volt cordless mulching mower gives you the power to mow or mulch your lawn without the mess, noise, smell and hassle of a gas-powered mower or the limitations of a cord. Using a 24-volt sealed lead acid battery, this mower has enough power to mow up to a 1/3-acre lawn on one charge (grass conditions will affect run-time). It can be operated as a mower by attaching a bag to catch the clippings, or it can be operated as an effective mulcher using a mulch plate; both the bag and the mulch plate are included. The rechargeable 24-volt battery conveniently regains up to 60-70 percent of its full power in only 4 hours, and up to 100 percent in 16 hours; the mower turns on quickly with just a switch. All four wheels can easily be adjusted with a one-touch lever to shift the blade height from 1-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches; the push handle folds down when not in use for more compact storage. This product comes fully assembled, is backed by a full 2-year warranty, and the 19-inch, tough polymer cutting deck has a lifetime warranty.

Available at Amazon.com.

Sewer Back-Up Protection

Bob Schmidt shows you how to protect a basement floor drain from potential sewer back-up during flood water conditions.