Technology marches on. Resistance is futile. Whoever would have expected the evolution of all the apps for Apple’s iPhone? It makes sense though. If Apple can make this phone the must-have gadget of the day, there is no doubt that they will remain profitable. Have you seen their stock performance lately?

Surprisingly, there is a whole slew of apps that make remodeling easier. I’ve recently posted an article by a guest author on the 20 top iPhone home improvement apps. Some are fairly average but others are quite clever.

I, for one, have not moved up to something as sophisticated as the iPhone for uber-computing. Nope, can’t afford it when I have to fund the kid’s unlimited texting. That stuff will eat you up if you don’t buy the package.

When she first wanted it, I went over and thought I signed up for it. Next month, I got a texting bill from AT&T for about $1200! I called them and they said I had signed up for unlimited texting on the principal line (we’re on a family plan with 3 phones). I said no, I specified her number.

They countered with, “Sorry, it defaults to the principal number.”

I tactfully told them they could default to kissing me where the sun don’t shine because that was obviously trickery, and not only was I not going to pay the texting charges, they might as well hire a collection agency because I wasn’t going to pay the regular bill either.

All of a sudden I became a valued customer again. Go figure. As for kissing my backside? There’s an app for that!

Other articles you might enjoy:

• How to Build a Recessed Medicine Cabinet
• Circuit Testing With a Multimeter
• Surveillance Systems for Home Security

Spring is almost here and it’s about time! I guess those of you up north are ready to lose all that snow. No snow here; just cold rain. But it’s time to get ready for spring vegetable planting.

I used to do my gardening in the back yard in a plot of about 15′ X 15′. Problem was, it was just a lot of work and it was hard to keep the dogs out of it. So last year about this time, I decided to build a raised bed garden to grow tomatoes, basil, etc. Basically, just things I like to eat but cost a lot at the grocery store.

I had fairly good luck with it but discovered that I could have had a better yield by preparing the soil with better garden soil amendments. So that’s just what I did week before last. Of course this is an ongoing thing, done yearly.

For this purpose, I keep a compost pile going. This is a good way to go organic; use natural broken down matter rather than chemicals. What’s the point of putting all that stuff down the garbage disposal? If you don’t eat it, mulch it!

Related Posts:

• Landscaping Tools for Lawn Care
• Irrigation with Gutter Downspouts
• Plant Herbs to Control Vegetable Garden Pests

When low flow toilets were first foisted on the public, I really hated the idea. Ironically, they usually had to be flushed twice to get the business done so they used more water rather than saving it. Another typical government bonehead legislation.

But the plumbing industry has matured somewhat and the best low flush toilets now use high pressure flushing devices or vacuum assisted tank mechanisms to make the flow go, so to speak.

The top-of-the-line models don’t come cheap though. The top model, the Toto Neorest Cyclone Flush, will set you back a staggering $3000! For that kind of money, I don’t want a cyclone; I want a hurricane! Shite!

Another ironic thing is that it seems that in this case we can’t save one element of the environment without bumping another. Kohler’s Purist Hat Pump model for example; it incorporates an electric pump to work its magic. So on the one hand, we save water. On the other hand, we use more electricity. Electricity of course,  is generated by burning evil coal, which fouls the environment.

And as we all know, that brings on “proven” global warming. Maybe Al Gore will rescue us.

You might also want to read:

• How to Fix Common Toilet Problems
• How to Replace a Toilet Wax Ring
• Benefits of the Tankless Water Heater

So you’ve got that fat tax refund coming soon and you’re wondering what to do with it? Tired of the way your home looks but moving to new digs isn’t exactly on the horizon in these troubled economic times? Why not satisfy both of those things by remodeling your kitchen?

Independent studies show that upgrading a kitchen or bath bring the largest ROI of any area of the home. Two of the most important things to consider are kitchen lighting and wiring. There are two reasons for this. First and foremost, electricity is potentially dangerous and you must protect yourself and your family.

Secondly, the electrical building code is getting more and more strict, and with good reason. I know that as DIYers, we’ve been known to, ahem, do projects without pulling permits (wink, wink, nod, nod), but it’s still important not to cut corners and obey the code.

If you’re one of those unlucky souls with a bad case of aluminum wiring, it’s time to replace all that junk. Danger, danger, Will Robinson! If you’re not old enough to understand that reference, don’t worry about it; it just means you’ve missed some high cultural cinematic material…

Lighting options have never been brighter, so to speak. Fluorescents have always been popular, but they are now available in more shapes and sizes. Halogen bulbs are great but they put out a lot of heat. LED bulbs, on the other hand, are beginning to kick butt. They haven’t fully evolved yet but are getting better all the time. I converted my little MagLite to the 3-bulb LED and couldn’t be happier.

How do they keep those flashlights so cheap? They’re the best on the market, and the cheapest. Go figure.

Speaking of kitchen remodeling, I spent part of yesterday afternoon replacing our garbage disposal. The last one I installed was a Badger 5, but this time I went with a Badger 1. I don’t work it too hard anyhow, so why pony up the extra bucks?

You might also want to read:

• Typical Electrical Building Codes
• The Benefits of LED Lighting
• Using GFCI Receptacles in the Bath and Kitchen

Recently I’ve gotten some email questions about grouting tile. The topic is really not as intimidating as it seems at first glance. And actually, it only takes a small bit of practice to get the technique down pat. To begin, you will need these tools and materials:

• Grout. It comes either sanded or non-sanded, powder or pre-mixed, in a wide variety of colors. I like to use pre-mixed grout for small jobs and mixable powder for larger ones. I do not recommend the fast-drying grout for anything other than the smallest jobs.
• A grout sponge. Any sponge will do, but a specially designed one makes the job easier.
• A bucket with water.
• Cheesecloth.
• High quality grout sealer.

The first thing to do after the mortar, thinset, or mastic has set is to plan your course of action. In other words, don’t paint yourself into the corner. Next, plan to do an area that you can reach while sitting or kneeling on the floor. You’ll remove the tile spacers as you go.

Wet the sponge and wring it out in the bucket. Scoop some grout onto the moist sponge and begin to sweep it across the floor, working the grout into the joints. Now, flush the sponge out again and wipe across the tiles just grouted.

The point here is to remove the grout from the tile surface and achieve a slight concave in the joints. The tile surfaces should be as clean as possible to reduce clean-up later.

When finished, let the grout dry and cure for the recommended time. Use the cheesecloth to remove grout film and polish the tile surface. Finish up by applying the grout sealer. I like to let the first coat dry and then add a second one. Done!

Don’t want to tackle the job yourself? Angie’s List - Ratings, reviews, and sometimes revenge. See what local homeowners say about the service companies they hire. Join now.

Related articles:

• Finish a Garage Floor with Epoxy
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I’m in the planning stages of my first woodworking project of the new year. It’ll be a custom floor transition between two ceramic tile floors. There will actually be 3 separate ones, but I’m going to tackle the longest one first.

Here’s the situation: my kitchen, entryway, and hallway were originally tile, but the living room was carpeting. I’ve since tiled the living room in a completely different kind of tile. So, the need for transitions. I’m planning to start with a poplar 1″ X 6″ and cut rabbets to shoulder over the tile edge.

Why make my own rather than buy off the shelf? For one thing, DIY! For another, some of the original tile have chipped edges and the wide shoulder will cover that.

Why poplar? I thought about using oak, but poplar is just less expensive and has some great colors, ranging from yellow to a mellow green. I love the “pin” grain of red oak, but poplar has its charm.

Now let me explain why I go to Home Depot rather than Lowes. It’s only partially because I own stock there. Last week when I went shopping, I stopped at Lowes just because it was convenient.

So I ambled up and down the aisles, looking for the hardwood area (guys only ask for directions as a last resort). OK, after 3 passes I found myself firmly entrenched in last resort territory.

“Where’s the hardwood?” I asked an associate.

She stared at me. “Huh?” She looked like the deer in the headlights that my friend Jay hit with his pickup truck a few years ago. I nicknamed his truck Deerslayer after that. Jay was not amused. Whatever.

“Hardwood,” I said. “You know, oak?”

“Don’t know. Go ask the guy at contractor sales desk.”

I asked him and he said, “If we have any, it would be at the end of that aisle.”

There wasn’t any. So I went to Home Depot and found a nice selection of both red oak and poplar. So my question is just this: why is Lowes, capital of ineptness, still in business? Hmm? Methinks their training program may be a bit lacking. Not to mention, when you hang a huge sign outside that says “Indoor Lumber Yard”, you should have some lumber for sale. Not just  studs and fence pickets. Just sayin’.

You might also want to read:

• How to Build a Recessed Medicine Cabinet
• Joinery with a Dovetail Joint
• Metal and Hardware for Woodworking Jigs

It’s true that it’s still cold out there, but summer will be here before you know it. So what’s the rationale for a home inspection just now? For one thing, those income tax refunds are just around the corner. If you want to find out what you need to do to conserve energy next summer and have time to do it, a certified home inspector will give you a great deal of relevant info.

For example, you might get recommendations on adding insulation, caulking windows, or installing radiant barrier foil. But a home inspector will also load you down with other info - structural integrity of the structure, condition of plumbing, foundation damage; things like that.

Note that there’s a difference between home inspectors and energy auditors. An energy auditor is more tightly focused on energy conservation, so the only aspects of the structure he or she is interested in is how it relates to your energy bill.

For example, he’ll do a blower door test. This will tell how “tight” the envelope of your home is. In general, the tighter it is, the more AC or heater air is escaping.

You should also ask for that a thermal or thermographic imaging be done. You’ve probably seen one of these on a weather report on TV. It’s a colored picture where the redder an area is, the hottest it is and bluer, cooler. This will indicate both leaks and the absence of insulation.

So basically, what you pay one of these pros is like Karma; you’ll get paid back in the long run.

Related Articles:

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I’ve got electric central heat here in my house, but the winters aren’t too severe here in South Texas so it’s not too much of an issue. But I know that readers here and over at Suite101 where I write the home renovation and repair articles live all over the place, and some have severe winters.

For that reason and because of the available energy tax credits, I’ve researched other methods of heating. It turns out that biomass fuel technology is a green and sustainable way to heat your home. Pellet stoves do a dandy job in this area.
Wood Pellets from $279, Free Ship Offer - get details

The stoves don’t come cheap and they do require some maintenance, but they are very efficient and economical to operate. The fuel (pellets) are made from things like corn stalks, scrap from cabinet shops and furniture factories. Since this is material that was destined for the landfill anyway, and will just be regrown again, it qualifies for a renewable and sustainable resource.

And we all know how hip it is to be green, long before Frank Sinatra sang that song. Boy, just knowing that song dates me, doesn’t it?

So, if you are looking to upgrade your home heating system, you might want to look into a pellet stove. They come as inserts for your existing fireplace if that’s the route you want to go, but you’ll just irritate Santa Claus.

Basement framing and remodeling is always on of the top search terms on my home improvement site. It’s no wonder why; you might as well use the extra space as a family room, game room, or man cave. Also, it adds to the home equity. In these times of economic depression, homeowners are choosing to invest in their current residence rather than trade up.

The Advantages of Metal Stud Framing

So when it comes to framing a basement, you have the choice of wood or galvanized steel studs. I prefer metal framing. There are several reasons for this. Notably:

• Metal studs and track are lighter, so getting them downstairs is easier.
• The studs have keyways cut in them from the factory, making it easier to run Romex and PEX plumbing or PVC.
• Metal is straight, whereas wood tends to warp, making hanging the drywall easier. And my regular readers know that I’m all about easier.
• If you decide to get creative, it’s a piece of cake to frame arched doorways or case openings.

Let’s Look at Residential Wood Framing

Basements have been known to be moist which leads to things like rot in wood. Also, since basements are below grade, they stand a good chance of having a termite problem. The solution to this is to use Bluwood studs.

Bluwood is a bit more expensive than plain pine but it’s worth it. It really is blue in color. That is from being treated with boron. And the boron is what gives it the magical properties.

Many people use pressure treated wood. This also a good choice, but be aware that it’s important to use the right fasteners (drywall nails or screws) because the modern chemicals will degrade untreated metal. They may have taken toxic chemicals like arsenic out of pressure treated wood, but the new chemicals are caustic to metal.

Whichever way you go when you frame your basement, be sure to update your homeowners insurance policy to reflect the changes.

I know, a lot of folks are going to “quit smoking” or “lose weight” again. This time, why not give it a rest and plan some DIY New Year’s resolutions? I won’t have any problem making that list since I’ve always got home improvements on my plate. And then there’s the honey-do’s.

I’m willing to bet I’m not the only one. How about you? Hopefully, Santa will bring you some cool new Christmas present tools. I don’t think that’s on my horizon but who knows? Here’s a few DIY projects I’ve been brainstorming:

• Build a wood walkway to my front door. Something like a short boardwalk. See; there’s a concrete sidewalk next to my attached garage that leads to the front door, but it’s a bit low and catches standing water when it rains hard. It’s not so bad that I need to install a French drain, but it certainly is an irritation.
• Install a laminate floor in the entry way closet. That’s all that’s left of my whole home reflooring project and I’ve kind of put it on the back burner.
• Finish my walk-in pantry. There’s a door from the kitchen to the garage/woodworking shop and I stole a bit of space there last year and built a pantry for more storage space. It’s part of my perpetual remodeling syndrome. What’s left? Installing a prehung door and finishing the floor.

Plenty of time to do all that; I just have to expense it. That’s the joy and grief of being a freelance writer - I get to schedule my own time, but the cash flow is not as consistent to a 9 to 5 gig. Some days chicken; some days feathers.

So what’s on your list? Add your comment to this post and we’ll see what’s popular.