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.

DIY Zip Line

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Oct 19, 2010

As any responsible parent knows, SWAT skills are essential for a child's development—and safety. Imagine your youngster trapped in a tall building and not knowing how to escape...

Seal Your Ducts to Save Energy

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Sep 28, 2010

By now, you’ve probably heard that sealing the ductwork for your forced-air heating (and central air conditioning) system can save energy and money. Well, it’s true, no...

Top 10 Stupid Things People Do that Ruin Plumbing

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Sep 28, 2010

If you’re looking for a career change and want something with rock-solid security, consider becoming a plumber who makes house calls. This advice is based on two truths: 1) people...

What Makes a Fridge Stop Working?

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Sep 21, 2010

While homeowners rarely give it much thought, the fridge is probably the most reliable machine we own. What else runs continuously for years, sometimes decades, without a breakdown?...

How to Fix Condensation on Inside of Windows

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Sep 20, 2010

Window condensation could become a bigger problem than it shows on the surface. The excess moisture could lead to further damage to your home, so it is essential to find the root...

How to Fix a Jammed Garbage Disposal

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Sep 16, 2010

Garbage disposals (or more properly, food disposers) are wonderfully simple appliances that almost never break down. If yours stops spinning and either doesn’t work at all or...

5 Ingenious Ways to Unclog a Toilet

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Sep 12, 2010

Of all the misfortunes that can befall us in our everyday lives, few come with the same blend of horror and indignity as staring down into a toilet that refuses to flush. As the water...

How to Repair a Sink Pop-up Drain

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Sep 12, 2010

If you’re like most homeowners and have resigned yourself to a poorly working stopper in your bathroom sink, you’ll be amazed to see how easy it is to fix. Once you understand...

Get to Know Your Large Capacity Circuit Breakers

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Sep 05, 2010

Large capacity circuit breakers serve the 240-volt appliances in a house, such as the clothes dryer, electric range, central air conditioner, electric water heater, or hot tub. Typically,...

How to Stop Water Hammer

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Aug 29, 2010

Do you hear a banging sound from inside the wall or the depths of your basement whenever your washer stops filling? That’s water hammer. It’s caused by valves that close...