8 Simple Ways to Soundproof Your Home

Add Rugs or Carpets

Footsteps echo extra loud on uncovered floors, so consider carpeting your floors to stop foot traffic from becoming a nuisance, 6sqft.com suggests. If you're not ready to fully commit to carpet though, a few well-placed rugs will also do the trick.

Replace Your Doors

In terms of sound blocking, the doors in your home probably aren't cutting it. That's because most interior doors are hollow, according to a spokesperson for the National Wood Window & Door Association. "Any one of the particleboard-core, composite-core, or solid-wood doors would work much better at providing a sound barrier than a hollow-core door.”

Upgrade Your Windows

To ensure noise isn't slipping through the cracks in your windows, Zillow suggests weatherstripping each window in your home by filling in any cracks or gaps with an acoustical caulk sealant. Replacing your existing windows with triple pane glass will also do wonders to block out sounds.

Try Sound Absorbing Paint

Yes, sound-absorbing paint does exist, and the specially formulated wall coating can reduce noise by up to 30 percent, according to SFGate. Companies like Serenity Coating specifically create these paints to reflect and absorb excess sounds.

Replace Squeaky Flooring

Squeaky floors can be incredibly annoying. You can, of course, completely replace loose boards from the problematic floor, just make sure you completely remove the old flooring first. If that's out of the question, tightening your existing floor should help as well, according to Zillow.

Use Bookcases and Books

Bibliophiles, you're in luck. Bookcases and the books you fill them with actually help to create a barrier against unwanted noise, according to 6sqft.com. Just make sure there aren't a ton of empty spaces on the shelves.

Don't Forget Curtains

You already know curtains are pros at keeping the sun out of your rooms, but they're also great at keeping noise from entering your home, especially if they're made from tightly-woven fabric such as embroidered brocade, velvet, or wool. To really maximize the sound reduction, make sure they cover the wall above and below your window too.

Insulate, Insulate, Insulate

This one seems like a no-brainer, but it's often overlooked: Add insulation to your ceilings and walls. According to Zillow, insulation is one of the most effective ways to keep unwanted noise out. After all, no one wants thin walls, right?

High School Shop Class Builds A House Every Year Since 1974

Every fall since 1974 at Forest Grove High School in Forest Grove, Oregon, the students in the Viking House project have begun the school year with nothing more than a plot of land. By June they have a completed house. The program was started by Birt Hansen and is now run by a local contractor turned teacher, Chris Higginbotham. In four decades, it's remained completely self-sustaining: The profits from one house pay for the materials for the next. The labor, of course, is free. And grateful. One student shares his experience. 

I don't come from a particularly handy family—my parents have no trade skills whatsoever—but I have always been curious about building things. When my two older brothers went through the Viking House program, I saw how much they enjoyed it and how much they learned, and I decided I wanted to do it, too. After enrolling in 2014, I fell in love with working with my hands. So much that I am one of only two returning students in this year's program.

Viking House is probably the most real and applicable class you can take in high school. You have to complete some prerequisites, including woodworking and basic construction classes, before you can join, but after that you get to start working on a house. I've learned a lot and gotten much more familiar with tools in general. Before I started the class my nail-driving skills were not good; now they're second only to the instructors'. Some tools, like the circular saw, were a little scary to be around at first. Those things are dangerous. Once I learned how to control one and to respect its power it got a lot more comfortable. Viking House has also taught me how to interact with other people better. As a returning student, I've had the opportunity to teach my classmates a few skills. Sometimes the way I'm explaining something just won't get through, and instead of getting frustrated I try a different approach. I've become a better teacher. I understand other people better and work better with them. I even got a job out of it. Last summer I worked on a real construction crew run by two Viking House alumni.

  

The woodshop is my favorite place to be in school. Whenever I have free time, that's where I am. We precut a lot of things, so there's always something to work on. We precut outlookers (the wooden joists that form the eaves of the house), plywood, and window frames. It saves us a ton of time out on the job. All of these things are premade and ready to go.

Every week during the school year we spend between six and ten hours per week on the site, depending on our class schedules. We also have "work parties" on holidays and some weekends when we work on the house. I don't consider it work, though. It's fun. Last year I put in 58 extra hours outside of school. 

At the beginning of each class we all check in at the woodshop, pick up our class-issued tool bags—filled with a framing hammer, speed square, 25-foot tape, chalk line, utility knife, carpenter's pencil, hard hat, safety glasses, and gloves—and take a bus to the job site. We hire a team to dig out the foundation and get professional help for the plumbing, electrical work, and drywall, but everything else we do ourselves. We'll frame and raise walls, add windows, and even put up the roof supports, or trusses.

The day we put trusses on the house is the best day of the year. We take a field trip out to the house in the morning, where our teacher, Mr. Higginbotham, provides coffee and breakfast. The trusses arrive premade on a truck. Two professionals and a few expert volunteers help us put them up. By the end of the day, you feel like a professional yourself. You've put in a full day of work on a construction site—and it's work you can see. With the trusses up, the site really looks like a house.

In 40 years, Viking House has never missed a deadline. The house always goes on the market, and it always sells. We use that money to pay for the next house. But that's not what's really important. Once you've helped build a house you develop a kind of ownership of it. It is a little sense of pride, especially when people go through the house and they don't know it's built by high schoolers. They're so amazed that you usually have to tell them a few times.

Spring Maintenance Tips For Your Home

After a long, dark winter, spring's bright sun and warm winds are, well, a breath of fresh air. The only downside? All that sunshine spotlights your leaf-filled gutters, cracked sidewalks and the dead plants in last year's flower beds. Dwight Barnett, a certified master inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors, shared this checklist to help you target the areas that need maintenance so you can get your chores done quickly, leaving you time to go outside and play in the sunshine.

Check for loose or leaky gutters. Improper drainage can lead to water in the basement or crawl space. Make sure downspouts drain away from the foundation and are clear and free of debris.

Low areas in the yard or next to the foundation should be filled with compacted soil. Spring rains can cause yard flooding, which can lead to foundation flooding and damage. Also, when water pools in these low areas in summer, it creates a breeding ground for insects.

Use a screwdriver to probe the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks. Make repairs now before the spring rains do more damage to the exposed wood.

From the ground, examine roof shingles to see if any were lost or damaged during winter. If your home has an older roof covering, you may want to start a budget for replacement. The summer sun can really damage roof shingles. Shingles that are cracked, buckled or loose or are missing granules need to be replaced. Flashing around plumbing vents, skylights and chimneys need to be checked and repaired by a qualified roofer.

Examine the exterior of the chimney for signs of damage. Have the flue cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep.

Inspect concrete slabs for signs of cracks or movement. All exterior slabs except pool decks should drain away from the home's foundation. Fill cracks with a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk. When weather permits, power-wash and then seal the concrete.

Remove firewood stored near the home. Firewood should be stored at least 18 inches off the ground at least 2 feet from the structure.

Check outside hose faucets for freeze damage. Turn the water on and place your thumb or finger over the opening. If you can stop the flow of water, it is likely the pipe inside the home is damaged and will need to be replaced. While you're at it, check the garden hose for dry rot.

Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor clean and service the outside unit of the air conditioning system. Clean coils operate more efficiently, and an annual service call will keep the system working at peak performance levels. Change interior filters on a regular basis.

Check your gas- and battery-powered lawn equipment to make sure it is ready for summer use. Clean equipment and sharp cutting blades will make yardwork easier.

Build A Bench Out Of Just 2X4's

Outdoor benches can be expensive to buy and complicated to build, but not this one. With a few simple materials, tools, and basic lumber—nothing but a few 2 x 4s—you can build this bench on a Saturday afternoon and be reading the Sunday paper on it the next morning.

Supplies needed include:

• 8 - 8 foot 2 x 4s

• 24 - 2 1/2 inch deck screws

• 24 - 2 1/2 inch pocket hole screws

• Outdoor wood glue

You'll need a saw of some type to make your cuts and the ability to measure and cut angles. This can be accomplished with a miter saw, or any other saw plus a speed square. A drill/driver is also necessary as well as a pocket hole jig. (You can build this bench without pocket holes, but you'll need to countersink the screws and the surface won't look as finished.)

This bench reclines at a comfortable 15-degree angle and the feet are cut at 15 degrees to make it very sturdy. Check out the video above 

DIY Skills Everyone Can Learn

Before you get that shiny new tool for Christmas or commit to building your new puppy an insulated dog house, go through our list of DIY skills that you'll surely put to use in the new year and beyond.

Master a Cordless Drill/Driver

The cordless drill/driver is the most reached for power tool among home DIYers. The 12-volt size are compact enough to store in kitchen drawers. Gain a better feel for the clutch, speed, and power of your cordless drill/driver and you'll finish projects in less time and with more confidence.Project: To build confidence, drill pilot holes and drive screws into scrap 2x4s. Then step up to hanging photos or even building a work bench.

The cordless drill/driver is the most reached for power tool among home DIYers. The 12-volt size are compact enough to store in kitchen drawers. Gain a better feel for the clutch, speed, and power of your cordless drill/driver and you'll finish projects in less time and with more confidence.

Project: To build confidence, drill pilot holes and drive screws into scrap 2x4s. Then step up to hanging photos or even building a work bench.

Maintain Your Heating and Cooling System

There's no need to call in an expert to give your furnace or air-conditioner a seasonal checkup. You can maintain your heating and cooling system yourself by following the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule, which will help prevent problems before they begin. Project: Depending on what type of furnace you have, you'll want to grab a flashlight and inspect the flue pipe for leaks, change the oil and air filters, and clean the floor and wall vents. Air-conditioner maintenance consists of cleaning or replacing air filters to keep the unit running at peak performance and clearing away any dirt and debris that may have accumulated around the air-conditioner coils which rely on clear airflow around the condenser.Here's a list of common heating and cooling problems to look out for, and how to fix them.

There's no need to call in an expert to give your furnace or air-conditioner a seasonal checkup. You can maintain your heating and cooling system yourself by following the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule, which will help prevent problems before they begin.

Caution: HVAC systems, especially oil and gas heaters, can be dangerous to work on. Carbon monoxide, fuel, and oil, are all toxic and should be treated with the utmost caution. It's best to hire a pro for a yearly checkup, who can point out areas of concern for you to look out for during the year.

Project: Depending on what type of furnace you have, you'll want to grab a flashlight and inspect the flue pipe for leaks, change air filters, and clean the floor and wall vents.

Air-conditioner maintenance consists of cleaning or replacing air filters to keep the unit running at peak performance and clearing away any dirt and debris that may have accumulated around the air-conditioner coils which rely on clear airflow around the condenser.

Patch Holes in Drywall

Your walls can show damage from door knobs and nail holes, but the repairs are easy with do-it-yourself drywall repair kits that are available at any home center. These kits include: spackle, mesh, sandpaper, and a putty knife.Project: Depending on the size of damage to your wall, there are a few different techniques for fixing them. Here are 5 fixes for damaged drywall that cover the most common sized holes.

Your walls can show damage from door knobs and nail holes, but the repairs are easy with do-it-yourself drywall repair kits that are available at any home center. These kits include: spackle, mesh, sandpaper, and a putty knife.

Build a Wood Toy with Your Kids

Young children are fascinated with how things work, and by building a toy from scratch their curiosity will hit an all-time high. The satisfaction of building something with your child is priceless and now more than ever there are ways to do this no matter what your DIY skill level is.Project: Home Depot and Lowe's have basic woodworking kits for building cars and boats. A small hammer is all that's needed to assemble them. Encourage children to paint them or decorate with stickers when they are complete. If your kids are older and you're ready to up your DIY game, our list of 9 backyard builds will keep your family busy having fun all year long. 

Young children are fascinated with how things work, and by building a toy from scratch their curiosity will hit an all-time high. The satisfaction of building something with your child is priceless and now more than ever there are ways to do this no matter what your DIY skill level is.

Project: Home Depot and Lowe's have basic woodworking kits for building cars and boats. A small hammer is all that's needed to assemble them. Encourage children to paint them or decorate with stickers when they are complete.

Paint a Room the Right Way

Painting might seem like the simplest of DIY tasks, but to do it right takes time and attention to detail. Don't skimp on cheap brushes for interior walls and take your time to prepare the area by clearing it of furniture and taping off windows and moldings.

Project: Prepping your wall surface is the key indicator of a successful paint job. Use soap and water to clean your walls before painting and patch and smooth out any drywall holes. Also remove any outlet or switch plates for best results and to spend less time taping. 

Simple Ways to Save Energy This Winter

Replace Worn Weather Stripping

Worn and torn weatherstripping around doors and windows creates drafts and lets in cold air. Seven to 12 percent of a home's heat loss occurs around windows and doors, according to Black Hills Energy, and these leaks often prompt homeowners to turn up their furnace to keep comfy. Even if they don't turn it up, they're losing warm air, causing the furnace to work harder. "Weatherstripping around doors, and caulking around doors and windows, can cut down on drafts," says Jeff Rogers, president of the Energy Audit Institute, an energy audit training and certification company in Springfield, N.J. Some weatherstripping needs to be replaced every few years because of wear. Replacing it is typically as simple as pulling off the old and tacking on the new. 

Adjust Door Thresholds

If you can see daylight under your front door, then you're losing the indoor air you've paid to heat. "If the door is not in contact with the threshold, the air is going right under the door," Rogers said. Some thresholds have four or five screws that let you adjust the height to eliminate a gap. Turn the screws counterclockwise to lift the threshold until daylight is mostly gone. A little light in the corners is okay, but don't raise the threshold so high that it interferes with opening and closing the door. And the door shouldn't drag on the threshold or it'll wear out the weatherstripping. 

Plug Holes In Exterior Walls

Pipes, gas lines, and electrical cables that enter your house often have gaps around them that have been haphazardly filled with some kind of caulk. But that caulk eventually cracks, peels, and falls off. These gaps let in outside air, plus they are ideal entry points for mice and insects. Seal the gaps with expanding foam. For water pipes under the sink, unscrew and pull back the escutcheon ring, then caulk around the pipe. "The ring is just decorative," Rogers says. "It's not going to block airflow." 

Keep Heating Registers Clear

The warm air blowing out of your registers needs a clear path into the room to provide even heating. So, if you place your favorite recliner or a sofa over the register, you're limiting the flow of heat. It's like leaving the vent partially or completely closed. To cut heating costs, arrange your room so that the register is as unobstructed as possible. 

Lock Doors and Windows

Notice how when you lock your windows, you can often feel them pushing together more tightly? It make a difference for your heating bill. Even when doors and windows are closed, they might not be pressed tight against the weatherstripping if they're not locked, which allows cold outside air to infiltrate the home. Lock your windows early, especially if you live up north. If they freeze in their current positions, then they won't move and you won't be able to lock them without a lot of work.

Keep Your Christmas Tree Fresh This Holiday Season

Bad news, folks: While you may want your fresh tree to last well into the New Year, it actually doesn't take more than a few days of heat and neglect to dry out a fresh one. With proper care, most trees can last five weeks or more. Here's how:

1. Choose a healthy, green tree with few brown needles.

If you buy your tree from a garden store or roadside lot, it has likely come from out-of-state and has been exposed to drying winds in transit. Run a few branches through your hands; the needles should feel pliable and not fall off. Then, raise the tree a few inches off the ground and drop it onto the trunk. Very few green needles should drop off, though it's fine for the tree to lose a few brown ones. And select a tree that has been displayed in a shady, not a sunny, location.

2. Trim the trunk (and then trim it again).

When you get home, make a fresh one-inch cut off the end of the trunk and place the tree in a bucket of warm water,if you're not putting it up right away. This cut rids any dried-over resin that might be blocking the tree from absorbing water.

Store it in an unheated garage or area that's protected from wind and freezing temperatures. When you do bring it inside, make another one-inch cut off the trunk and place it in a sturdy stand that holds at least one gallon of water. Fill the stand with one quart of water for every inch of the trunk's diameter.

3. Place it away from heat sources, like fireplaces, radiators, and air ducts.

There's nothing more Christmas-y than a beautifully decorated tree beside a fireplace, but if you use your fireplace regularly, it could contribute to drying out your tree quicker. If your home is prone to dryness in general, try running a humidifier.

4. Keep the water level above the base of the trunk.

Too little water causes resin to form over the cut end of the trunk. Once that happens, the tree stops absorbing water and dries out quickly. The jury is still out on whether or not additives in the water, like bleach, aspirin, and sugar, are really necessary to keep a tree fresh. They likely won't hurt, but most experts agree that plenty of plain water is really all you need to keep a tree fresh.

5. Take your tree down before it dries out.

If you wait too long, you'll have lots more dead pine needles covering your floor. The easiest way to clean up fallen needles is with your vacuum's hose. Skip the attachments and use just the end of the hose to draw needles directly into the bag or canister.