Articles by Grit

How to Patch Large Drywall Holes Like a Pro

Big drywall holes look intimidating, but the fix is mostly a game of clean edges, solid support, thin coats, and patience . I learned that the hard way in my 1970s ranch when I tried to “just fill it” with a mountain of mud. It cracked, shrank, and took twice as long to sand as it would have taken...

How to Tile a Kitchen Backsplash

If you have ever stared at your kitchen wall and thought, “I could do that,” you are in the right place. A backsplash is one of the best beginner tile projects because the area is small, the impact is huge, and you can take your time without living in a construction zone for weeks. I learned the...

Troubleshooting Your Furnace: 7 Fixes to Try First

When the furnace quits on a cold night, it feels personal. I have been there, standing in the hallway with a flashlight, wondering if I just bought myself an expensive lesson. The good news is a lot of “dead furnace” problems are actually small, fixable issues: a clogged filter, a bumped thermostat...

Silicone vs. Acrylic Caulk for Bathrooms

Caulk is one of those “small” bathroom repairs that can quietly turn into a big one. Pick the wrong type, and it cracks or peels. Skip the prep, and mold moves in like it pays rent. I have re-caulked my own tub more times than I care to admit, mostly because early on I treated caulk like paintable...

15 Essential Power Tools for DIY Beginners

I still remember my first “real” tool purchase. I walked into the store convinced I needed the biggest, baddest saw on the shelf. Ten minutes later I was staring at price tags and realizing I did not even know what half the features meant. If you are building your first workshop, the goal is not to...

Install LVP Over Tile

I have a soft spot for “install over what you’ve got” projects because they can save a pile of money and a whole lot of mess. Tile demolition is loud, heavy, and dusty. If your existing tile is well bonded and reasonably flat, click-lock luxury vinyl plank (LVP) can be a great overlay floor. That...

Patch Large Drywall Holes Like a Pro

If you have ever stared at a fist-sized (or bigger) drywall hole and thought, “This is going to look like a lumpy bandaid forever,” you are not alone. I have patched more holes than I care to admit in our 1970s ranch, and the method that consistently gives me the cleanest results on a budget is the...

Chalk Paint vs. Latex Paint for Cabinets

If you have ever stood in the paint aisle staring at “chalk paint” on one side and “cabinet enamel” on the other, you are not alone. Cabinets are one of the highest touch surfaces in your home. They get grabbed with greasy hands, wiped down with cleaners, and bumped with plates and vacuum handles....

Fix a Leaky Bathroom Faucet in 30 Minutes

A dripping bathroom faucet is one of those tiny annoyances that somehow gets louder at night. The good news is leaks often come down to one worn part (or one worn part plus a little grit on the sealing surfaces), and you can usually fix it with basic tools and a small repair kit. I have replaced...

Budget Faux Shiplap Accent Wall

Real shiplap is great. Real shiplap is also pricey, heavy, and surprisingly unforgiving if your walls are even a little wavy. The workaround I keep coming back to in my own 1970s ranch is faux shiplap made from thin plywood strips . You get the same clean horizontal lines, you control the reveal,...

Grit & Home Small courier. Big home questions. Grit is Grit & Home’s little blue clay courier, delivering big questions about the place you call home. Expect practical ideas, a raised eyebrow, and a satchel full of curiosity. A curious patch on the wall? A project that needs a clearer first step?...