Philip Schmidt

Philip Schmidt

Philip lives in Colorado with his wife, two daughters, and too many leftover building materials. He has been teaching readers how to do things for almost two decades. A former carpenter, project designer specializing in houses and everything we do with them and longtime writer and editor, he is the author of 24 books, including PlyDesign: 73 Distinctive DIY Projects in Plywood (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007T1PJ36/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1), Little Free Libraries and Tiny Sheds: 12 Miniature Structures You Can Build to Enhance Your Yard or Neighborhood (https://www.amazon.com/Little-Free-Libraries-Tiny-Sheds-ebook/dp/B07QFG3ZBP), Black and Decker the complete guide to treehouses: Design and Build Your Kids a Treehouse (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008D1PIT6/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1), The Complete Guide to Greenhouses & Garden Projects: Greenhouses, Cold Frames, Compost Bins, Trellises, Planting Beds, Potting Benches & More (https://www.amazon.com/Decker-Complete-Greenhouses-Garden-Projects-ebook/dp/B005CDCX50), The Complete Guide to DIY Greenhouses, Install Your Own Solar Panels: Designing and Installing a Photovoltaic System to Power Your Home, DIY Solar Projects - Updated Edition: Small Projects to Whole-home Systems: Tap Into the Sun, The Complete Guide to a Clutter-Free Home, The Complete Guide to Contemporary Sheds: Complete plans for 12 Sheds, Including Garden Outbuilding, Storage Lean-to, Playhouse, Woodland Cottage, Hobby Studio, Lawn Tractor Barn, Schaum's Outline of Elementary Algebra, Decorating with Architectural Details, Install Your Own Solar Panels: Designing and Installing a Photovoltaic System to Power Your Home, Ultimate Guide: Trimwork, Upgrade Your House: 100 DIY Repairs Improvements For Under $100, The Complete Guide to Attics & Basements, The Complete Guide to a Green Home: The Good Citizen's Guide to Earth-Friendly Remodeling & Home Maintenance, Craftsman Router Techniques; A Comprehensive Guide to Using Routers, Molding & Medallions: Four Easy Weekend Projects (eHow Easy DIY Kindle Book Series), McGraw-Hill's 500 College Algebra and Trigonometry Questions: Ace Your College Exams: 3 Reading Tests + 3 Writing Tests + 3 Mathematics Tests, Black Decker The Complete Photo Guide to Treehouses: Design and Build Treehouses for All Ages, Don't Sweat It... Hire It!, The Complete Guide to the Green Home, Decorating with Architectural Details, and The Complete Guide to Treehouses.

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Spring Cleaning for Lazy Folks

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Apr 12, 2011

Are you sickened by commercials of proud homemakers and their immeasurable satisfaction at the sight of a clean window? Do you resent suggestions to, “Get ready for spring cleaning!”...

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Eek! There's a snake in my toilet!

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Apr 05, 2011

If you awoke in the middle of the night to go the bathroom and were met by a large snake peering at you from the toilet, the first word out of your mouth would likely be much stronger...

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So Your Basement is Flooded...

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Apr 04, 2011

Time is of the essence, so we’ll get right down to business. The first thing you have to do is get the bulk of the water out of the basement, using a sump pump and/or a vacuum. The...

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10 Painting Don'ts

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Mar 23, 2011

Painting is deceptively easy, meaning it’s not really as easy as it looks. Sure, any chimpanzee can be taught how to load a brush and slap some paint on the wall, but a quality...

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Diagnosing Your Dryer

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Mar 03, 2011

As major appliances go, clothes dryers are pretty straightforward. They have a few basic mechanical parts, a heating element, and a set of electrical devices that control the various...

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10 Fun House Cleaning Activities for Kids

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Mar 02, 2011

Kids love to clean -- just like they love sharing, eating stringy vegetables and asking only once for something they want. Every parent knows that getting kids to help with household...

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How to Safely Clear Snow Off a Roof

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Feb 23, 2011

The easiest way to clear snow off a roof is to wait for spring. The second-easiest method is to call a snow removal contractor — just make sure they're licensed and insured. After...

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How to Make Your Garbage Disposer Love You Back

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Feb 23, 2011

Like George Washington (the president) and Old Faithful (the geyser), a garbage disposer (the appliance) is an exemplary workhorse. It does what's expected of it day in and day out...

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6 Electrical Repairs You Should Never Do Yourself

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Feb 06, 2011

Electrical shock is very serious. It can make your entire skeleton glow in a brilliant flash of light, after which you slump to the floor with your hair smoking. Or maybe that's just...

Photo: Muffet/Flickr.

12 Ways to Keep the Cold Outside

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jan 24, 2011

Let's be honest, cold weather is great for skiing and pond hockey, but at home it's really just a nuisance. You have all the extra clothing, the snow shoveling, the filthy car, the...