Spring or fall is the best time to set new container plants into the ground. Starting from a fence corner or other reference point, measure off the planting distances indicated in your plan. Set each container in position, then adjust placement if it looks ungainly. Use tall stakes to represent plants you'll be adding later. Your [...]...

If your hot water looks red-brown, rust and minerals are probably building up in the tank. It's time to drain the water heater. Turn off the main gas burner or the electricity to the water heater. Close the inlet valve. Remove the aerator, if any, from the hot-water faucet closest to the heater and open [...]...

If you are sure that the leak is coming from the tank and not from a pipe or fitting, the tank body has corroded with age and the whole heater has to be replaced. Often the trickiest part of the job is getting the old heater out of the basement and the new one in. [...]...

If the water heater leaks from the drain valve, try more muscle to turn it off. If that fails, you can buy a brass hose cap with a hose washer inside. If you tighten the hose cap with pliers, it will stand up to typical water pressure. If the leak is from the T&P valve, check [...]...

It's usually easier and better to replace a few damaged shingles than to patch them. Each shingle is held by 2 sets of nails: one under the shingle above, the second 6 inches farther back. Raise the shingle tabs that overlap the first set of nails and pull them with a flat pry bar. If you [...]...