KnowRemodeling

The archive

Every guide, one shelf.

Interior refinishes, exterior maintenance, and the tips we wish someone had told us first. Browse by where the work happens.

Gloved hands sealing metal flashing at the base of a brick chimney with a caulk gun, wire brush on the shingles
ExteriorChimneys & Flashing9 min read

Reseal Chimney Flashing Before It Stains Your Ceiling

A step-by-step guide to resealing chimney flashing: reading the two-layer system, cleaning the reglet joint, choosing the right sealant, and when to call a pro.
A second layer of drywall being installed over damping compound on a bedroom wall
InteriorSoundproofing & Insulation11 min read

Soundproof a Bedroom Wall So It Actually Works

A step-by-step guide to soundproofing a bedroom wall with mass, damping, decoupling, and airtight sealing — and why foam panels alone fail.
A black EPDM rubber liner draped into a freshly dug pond with tiered shelves, stones stacked for a small waterfall
ExteriorPonds & Fountains12 min read

Dig and Line a Backyard Pond With a Small Waterfall

A step-by-step guide to building a lined garden pond: digging plant shelves, underlayment and EPDM liner, sizing the pump, and stacking a spillway.
A garage wall lined with wooden french cleats holding tool racks above a clean concrete floor
InteriorGarage & Utility Storage10 min read

Build a Garage Storage Wall With French Cleats

A weekend guide to building a french cleat garage storage wall: 45-degree rips, stud mounting, custom holders, and zoning gear so the floor stays clear.
Heavy white polyethylene vapor barrier being unrolled across crawl space dirt and taped around a block pier
ExteriorCrawl Spaces & Moisture Control10 min read

Install a Crawl Space Vapor Barrier That Actually Seals

A step-by-step guide to lining a crawl space with a sealed vapor barrier: 6-mil versus 12-mil poly, seam overlap and taping, and wrapping piers and walls.
A thick wooden mantel beam being set onto a mounting cleat above a brick fireplace
InteriorFireplaces & Mantels8 min read

Hang a Fireplace Mantel That Holds Real Weight

A step-by-step guide to installing a wood fireplace mantel: firebox clearance rules, cleat mounting into studs or masonry, and leveling.
A brushed nickel lever door handle being installed on an interior door with a screwdriver
InteriorUniversal Design Basics8 min read

Ten One-Hour Universal Design Swaps Anyone Can Make

A practical guide to ten fast universal design upgrades: lever handles, rocker switches, brighter stair lighting, low thresholds, and faucets everyone can use.
Gloved hands filling a wiring hole through attic framing with expanding foam, caulk gun and headlamp lying nearby
ExteriorEnergy Audits & Air Sealing11 min read

The DIY Energy Audit and Air-Sealing Weekend That Pays Rent

A step-by-step guide to a DIY energy audit and air-sealing weekend: smoke-pencil leak hunting, attic top plates, foam and caulk targets, and weatherstripping.
A dehumidifier running on a concrete basement floor beside a masonry wall with patched cracks
InteriorBasement Waterproofing9 min read

Dry Out a Damp Basement in the Right Order

A step-by-step guide to drying a damp basement: gutters and grading first, then crack sealing, masonry sealer, and a properly sized dehumidifier.
A partially built wooden mudroom bench with shoe cubbies and a beadboard panel with coat hooks
InteriorMudrooms & Laundries10 min read

Build a Mudroom Bench With Hooks and Cubbies

A weekend build for a mudroom drop zone: a sturdy plywood bench with shoe cubbies, a beadboard hook wall, and a shelf — anchored to studs and sized to real coats.

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