
Alden Smith is an award winning author, and regular contributor to DoItYourself.com. With a wealth of knowledge to share from his 50 year writing career, he works on topics as diverse as home repair, healthy living, cars, personal finance, and cooking.
Alden and his wife Betsy live in Charlotte, MI, where they own a successful consignment shop, Bella Grande. He has recently taken up blues guitar after his wife bought him a Fender Strat with amplifier.
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Build A Stressed Copper Headboard
Copper is a striking look that reflects well in most decors....
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Anchoring To Concrete and Masonry
It's not as "hard" as you might think....
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Health Risks of Toxic Black Mold
Being aware of the effects of toxic black mold on your health is of primary concern to homeowne...
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Hot Tub and Spa Maintenance and Supplies
You've purchased your new hot tub, and are dying to try it....
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Hiring a Professional to Test for Black Mold
Many kinds of mildew and molds can be present in your environment....
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How to Celebrate Bodhi Day
Enlighten yourself to some of the traditions of Buddhism's Bodhi Day....
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How to Build with Papercrete
People who are truly earth conscious tend to live off the grid....
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Heat Walks and Driveways with a Radiant Heat System
Many new buildings are taking advantage of outdoor radiant heat for walkways....
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Hottest Trends In Bathrooms
A pink faux marble sink shaped like a sea shell is now passe. Modernize with new fixtures,...
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How to Build a Straw Bale House
Green Extreme: The Straw Bale House...
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Earth Sheltered Homes Advantages, Disadvantages, and Myths
Don't let the few myths about earth-sheltered homes deter you from enjoying the numerous advant...
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Guide to Care and Cleaning Kitchen Countertops
Ceramic tile is one of the best surfaces for ease of cleaning in the kitchen....
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Guide to Pool Filters, Supplies, and Chemicals
Read this for some clarity on pool filters, supplies, and chemicals....
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Dealing With Moisture And Mold Problems In A Bathroom Remodel
Water is the main focus of a bathroom, but water is the leading cause of mildew....
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Consider Carpooling and Ride Sharing
One of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases is transportation....
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Father's Day Buying Guide
We don't simply buy Dad socks and ties for Father's Day any longer....
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Building an Earth Bag Home
As consumers, and especially as Americans, we are brought up to believe that "bigger is better"...
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Adding Radiant Floor Heat to Your Home
Adding radiant floor heat to your existing home or to a new build, consider these things....
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Protecting Indoor Plants this Winter
The 5 factors you need to keep in mind....
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Swimming Pool Maintenance and Seasonal Care
Having a pool is great, but do you know what it takes to maintain a pool?...
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Prevent Black Mold from Growing or Recurring in Your Home
You should be aware that every home has instances of molds and mildews....
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Installing a Radiant Floor Heat System
Radiant floor heat works on the principle of thermal radiation....
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How to Remove Stains: Soot, Tar, Food Coloring
Soot removal from clothing can be accomplished easily if you use a few simple precautions....
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How to Remove Stains: Furniture Polish, Oil and Latex Paints
To remove furniture polish from clothing, use a dry cleaning solvent....
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Build a Picket Fence Headboard
When redecorating a little girl's room, consider a picket fence headboard....
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An Introduction to Herbs
Every since the beginning of civilization, man has used what was available to him....
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Everything You Wanted to Know About Bulbs
Bulbs will provide a profusion of color, require the minimum of care, and give quick flowering....
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Angelica, the "Angel of Herbs"
Angelica reportedly has healing powers, and is used in herbal medicine for a variety of ailment...
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Six Steps to Install an Underground Sprinkler System
Shower yourself with information to get it done right....
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Refinishing Cabinets
If you cook, your cabinets will eventually need work....
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Temporary Awnings
Look around you when you take your next road trip and see if you can spot all the different awn...
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9 Steps for Bulb Gardening
Planting bulbs is one of the easiest ways to grow a lush garden. Use these few tips to get star...
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Borage
Borage, long known for its medicinal uses and culinary capabilities, is an herb rich in history...
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Installing an Underground Sprinkler System
If you live in an area of uncertain rainfall, consider installing an underground sprinkler syst...
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Thyme, the Herb of Courage
Good for your eggs, your feet, and your garden....
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The Pipe Primer
If you are a do-it-yourself-er, you may be confused by the varieties of pipe available on the m...
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Bathroom Remodeling Options
Let's face it. The most expensive room in the house to renovate or remodel is the bathroom....
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Adding A Shower To Your Bathroom
Believe it or not, there are homes today that don't have showers....
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Installing Water Supply Lines
Rather than call a plumber, install your own water supply lines....
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Understanding and Installing Galvanized Pipes
Learn when and where to incorporate galvanized pipes into your plumbing....
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Computer Compatibility
You have almost surely run into computer compatibility issues....
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How to Install Black Iron Pipe
Know the tricks for cutting, threading, and installing black iron piping for DIY repairs....
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Pick the Right Truck For The Job
One who has the need for a utility truck often questions what they should look for in a vehicle...
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An Older Car Primer
Where road conditions can be horrendous in the winter, smart people own what is called a "beate...
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Restoring a Vintage Car
Vintage cars can mean a lot of different things to different people....
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How to Treat and Clean Mildew Damage
A little chlorine can go a long way for taking care of mold....
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Computer Software for Designing a Bathroom
Here's what you need to know before designing your bathroom....
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How to Remove Stains From Clothes and Carpet: Petroleum Jelly, Oil, Grass
Some stains can be troublesome to remove....
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How to Set up a LAN
Setting up your LAN network is easy with this guide....
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Utility Trucks - Rent Or Buy?
There may come the time when you have to question whether or not it is worthwhile to own, rent...