Whether they were finished in paint or in stain, trim must be properly prepared. It can also require the removal of old paint or varnish to provide a fresh surface for the finish. Be sure to wear protective glasses when stripping and a dust mask when sanding. Chemical strippers can contain toxic fumes, so ventilate the room adequately before applying any solution. Rubber gloves are also a must to keep the chemicals from burning your hands....

Winter weather can damage vital pool maintenance equipmentor even the pool itself. Heres how to protect your pool from the elements until summer returns. Also, you shouldpurchase a suitable pool coverto protect the interior of the pool until warm weather returns. Credit: elenaleonova / Getty Images The best time to winterize the pool is when outdoor temperatures consistently dip between 60 and 65F. Before closing your pool, use awater chemistry test kitto ensure the water chemistry is properly balanced....

Learn how to press flowers and preserve them with materials you have around your house. Pressed flowers are a simple way to preserve a moment in time. You dont need any special tools to preserve them either. Credit: Adam Albright Dont wait until the day before youll have to throw the arrangement out. Remove a few flowers from the bouquet while all the blooms are still fresh. Collect blooms and foliage at different stages of development to giveframed pressed-flower arta natural look....

Missing plants and lawn tunnels surrounded by a crescent of dirt can be a sign of gophers. Heres what to do. If you suspect that youre dealing with a gopher problem, this guide is here to help. Credit:zhuclear / Getty Images Gophers vs. Groundhogs, Voles, and Moles: Whats the Difference? Gophers are often confused with groundhogs, but they are different animals. Signs of Gopher Activity If gophers have moved into your yard, you may never see them....

Avoid damage to your home by preventing ice dam formation. As the meltwater runs into the gutter system, it cools and begins to freeze. Gradually, ice builds up in the gutter, forming an ice dam. Credit:Getty Images / Andrej Trnkoczy When this occurs, the weight of the ice can damage the gutter system. Here’s how to prevent and remove ice dams from your roof. What Is an Ice Dam and How Do They Form?...

When this common plant disease shows up, you’re gonna wanna act fast. Use these tips to keep powdery mildew from ruining your squash harvest. It’s one of the most common diseases in thevegetable garden. Credit: Getty Images The fungi that cause the disease are somewhat specific to the plants they target. Symptoms range from mild, which may only slightly reduce yields, to severe, killing the entire plant. Here’s how to prevent powdery mildew on squash plants, plus tips for minimizing damage to infected plants....

Keep your floors clean while keeping walkways safe with these tips from a Midwestern cleaning expert. After a day of sledding and snowball fights,a warm cup of cocoasounds delightful. However, icy conditions can be downright dangerous, and often require preventive measures. Credit:Getty Images / Geir Pettersen While its necessary to avoid accidents, salt can damage flooring when tracked inside. He shares the best ways to prevent salt stains from appearing on floorsand the solution is surprisingly simple!...

These tips will help you stop early blight and late blight from ruining your tomato harvest. Tomato blight is a common problem that can quickly reduce your plants to sad, scraggly messes. This guide provides all the details for identifying early and late tomato blight. Credit:Tomasz Klejdysz / Getty Images Tomasz Klejdysz / Getty Images What Is Tomato Blight? There are two distinct types of tomato blight: early blight and late blight....

Keep the hardwood floors in your home looking pristine for years. Unfortunately, wood floors can fade over time, causing the wood surface to look aged and worn. What Causes Wood Floors to Fade? Credit:Adam Albright Direct Sunlight Sunlight is one of the most common reasons for wood floors to fade. Moisture Moisture is another cause of fading and discoloration. This can be due to small spills, leaks, flooding, or long-term exposure tohigh levels of humidity....

Cookie and bar recipes are generally more forgiving than cakes, but all baking is based on chemistry. Here’s how: 3. To make a foil liner: Blaine Moats 4. Credit:Robert Cardillo Give Your Cookies Enough Time to Cool Carefully follow the cooling directions in the recipe. Bars often cool in the pan on a wire rack. With enough cooling time, both cookies and bars will firm up nicely. Credit:Andy Lyons Then use a thin metal spatula to loosen bars around the edges of the pan....

No matter the material, all decks are susceptible to damage from the elements. Save yourself the future fix with these preventative steps. Story Decks area popular home extensionthat offers a comfortable space for outdoor activities and relaxation. Credit:Thomas J. Story Why Do Decks Fade? Wooden decks fade as the sun breaks down the natural oils and pigments in the wood. This is especially true for softwoods like cedar or pine....

This step-by-step guide explains how to propagate hoya plants by rooting cuttings in water or layering in soil. Use the following step-by-step guide to propagate hoya plants from cuttings rooted in water or layered in soil. Its easy, affordable, and fun to watch the plants roots develop. Credit:Matthew Benson Step 1: Prepare a Container Youll need a transparent container for the cutting. Before using the container, sanitize it with mild dish soap and water or rubbing alcohol....

Learn how to propagate a money tree with this step-by-step guide. Feng shui aside, a money tree adds lushness and beauty to any home. This plant has a tree form that grow as tall as 8 feet in the right conditions. Credit:tc397 / Getty Images Heres how to propagate your money tree from cuttings in water or potting soil. Choose a healthy stem thats a few inches long with several leaves....