Expert Advice on Home Improvement TV Host of Today's Homeowner^® and home expert for The Weather Channel

Moving heavy boxes can be hard work, but there are some simple tricks that will save your back and make the job go much easier. When moving a box on carpet, put a piece of heavy (6 mil) plastic sheeting under it.

In a cramped bathroom, finding a place for a wastebasket can be a real challenge. One way to solve this problem is by mounting it on the inside of a cabinet door. This not only provides easy access, but hides the basket from view.

Since basements are partially or completely underground, they often have inadequate windows. Adding more or larger windows to a basement can make it feel less claustrophobic and provide a welcome source of natural light. Installing an egress window will also allow the opening to serve as an exit in the case of an emergency.

It’s often dark and hard to see when you’re drilling a hole or screwing in a screw under a cabinet or in a closet. A simple solution that works great is to use rubber bands to strap a small flashlight to the top of your drill. Slide a rubber band around each end of the barrel of the drill and slip the flashlight under it.

Patching a hole in drywall is a common home repair, but sanding the joint compound smooth before painting can create a lot of dust. Instead of sanding the patch, consider using a drywall sponge. While it takes a bit longer than sanding, a drywall sponge greatly reduces the amount of dust in the air.

When finishing a basement, be sure the stairs leading to it from the main floor meet building codes and do not pose a safety hazard. Possible areas of concern include the width of the stairs, the height to width ratio of the treads, and clearance at the bottom of the stairs.

Finishing a basement can pose unique design challenges, but if done right, a remodeled basement will enhance the value of a home and provide much needed additional space. One of the biggest potential problems that needs to be addressed early on when finishing a basement is the presence of moisture. This is often best handled by removing the soil around the basement.

Scrub brushes screwed to your steps are perfect for cleaning shoes and boots to keep from tracking dirt in the house. Scrub brushes with a plastic body won’t rot and last longer than wooden brushes. Start by drilling two 3/16” holes in each scrub brush.

It’s easy to make a mistake when measuring and marking the location of electrical outlets on drywall. To prevent this from happening, coat the edge of the outlet box with brightly colored lipstick. Position the sheet of wallboard in place, and push it firmly up against the outlet box.

Building steps used to require complicated measurements and difficult angled cuts, but the precut pressure treated stringers available at home centers today have made the job much easier. Allow for a stringer at each end of the steps and at 16” intervals in between. Use corrosion resistant screws and nails to assemble the steps.