Mark’s blog

Shut Off Outdoor Hose Valves

Well, it’s that time of year where an ounce of home-maintenance prevention can save you a ton of money and headaches. Yup, it’s the time…

Heating a Trailer in Winter

Question From the Twitter-Sphere: MyFixitUpLife, what is the best way to maintain heat in a trailer during the winter? Take into consideration that I live…

Retaining Wall: Cool Trick

I love seeing things in my daily life that make MyFixitUpLife better. Such was the case when I spotted this cool real wood retaining wall…

Containing the Dust: Hyde 09175 Vacuum Sanding Tool

There is one constant when working with drywall and joint compound: dust. Like the work or hate it, good at it or just beginning, it…

Want to Drive a Bulldozer?

When I drive by a jobsite with heavy equipment, well, I feel probably a lot like you do—both awestruck by the power and a wanting desire to…

Quick Tip: Cleaning a Paintbrush

Clean paintbrushes are happy paintbrushes. Sure, you can use the “wrap-in-foil-and-stick-in-the-fridge” trick if you get in a jam, but the real key to getting a…

QuickTip: The So-Called Moly Bolt

I don’t know why some people call hollow wall anchors “moly bolts”—maybe its some reference to them being made of plastic—but they do. I know…

Proper Painting Technique

One of the most important pieces of a successful painting job is using the right brush. We always recommend getting a good one like a…