As the cost of produce rises and more and more toxic chemicals find their way into our food supply, many homeowners are electing to raise their own fruits and vegetables organically. Part of the process of providing our own food supply involves storage. Autumn bounty Although we may can or freeze many items, a root cellar provides a place for long-term storage of bulky produce such as apples, onions, potatoes, carrots and squash.

Indoor waterfalls are focal points for your entryway, living area or as a divider between two spaces. Building an indoor waterfall is a simple project that you can complete in about a day using Plexiglas, cobblestones and river rock. Tile for an Indoor Waterfall Building an indoor waterfall with slate or glass mosaic tiles is more labor intensive, but the effects are stunning. Things You Will Need + Sheet of Plexiglas, cut to the size of the waterfall Mosaic glass tile sheets with mesh backing Glass tile adhesive Trowel Float River rock Pump Pond liner Waterproof adhesive Tip Light your indoor waterfall for added enjoyment.

The load-bearing capabilities of concrete mixtures are expressed in terms of how many pounds per square inch (PSI) it can support before it cracks and fails. Standard concrete mixes designed for home use are rated at 3,000 PSI, or more. Test the PSI of a particular mixture before using it in a building project. This will require access to industrial equipment and a few mathematical equations. Things You Will Need + Concrete mix Water Sand 12-inch cylinder mold with 6-inch diameter Neoprene or sulfur mortar caps Compression test equipment Mix the concrete according to the manufacturers instructions.

Bionaire humidifiers are used to control the moisture levels in your home. A lack of moisture leads to dry skin, dry eyes and scratchy throats. Too much moisture leads to mold. It is normal for water minerals and sediment to build up in your Bionaire humidifier filter, so it is important to change the filter when the system indicates. Step 1 Turn your Bionaire humidifier on. Check the filter monitor located next to the moisture outlet.

A thermostat controls the AC temperature in your home. A thermostat is preset in the factory to display the temperature in either degrees Fahrenheit or degrees Celsius. Air Conditioner While thermostats in the United States are usually preset to Fahrenheit, Canadian models are preset to Celsius (this is because Canada now uses the metric system). Therefore, if you are in the U.S., but your thermostat originated in Canada, you may find the thermostat doesn’t quite fit your needs.

Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home, but to keep them looking their best you must take good care of them. A small amount of bleach mixed with water can be used to remove mildew from floors or some stains, but for best results use water and bleach sparingly on your hardwood floors. Regular cleaning of hardwood floors should be performed with a broom or a dry mop.

Drop ceilings can provide an effective way to cover unfinished or unsightly ceilings, or to lower the height of a ceiling. If you already have a drop ceiling and want to raise it, you'll need to do some disassembly work first. But the principles and techniques you'll use to raise a drop ceiling are the same as you'd use to build one. Step 1 Remove the ceiling tiles from the existing grid by pushing up on one side then sliding the tiles out.

Because old windows offer less insulation and air tightness than their modern counterparts, many homeowners choose to remove them, close up the gap and reap the benefits of a more energy-efficient home. The void created by removing an old window may be filled with a variety of exterior and interior wall finishes. Drywall may be used to cover the interior of an old window frame. Become familiar with the options for closing up old window frames and choose a finish that matches your home or makes a bold, contrasting statement.

Finding the right table to use as a desk or workspace can be a challenge, particularly if space is tight. Building a table with countertop laminate is an inexpensive, easy way to get a table surface that is the right size and shape for your workspace. Laminate comes in hundreds of colors, so you won't have any trouble finding a style that fits your decor. You can build a custom table using countertop laminate following these steps.

Termites are soft-bodied, wood-devouring insects that can be highly destructive to your home. Termites enter your home from cracks in the foundation and underground nests and slowly consume the wood in your home. Over time the amount of damage done can leave you with structural damage and reduce the value of your home. Ortho provides solutions for defending your home from termite infestations. Things You Will Need + Ortho Home Defense Termite & Destructive Bug Killer Water Shovel Steel rod or pipe Sprinkle can You can use Ortho products made for killing termites before they enter your home and create a barrier to prevent them from entering in the future.