Expert Advice for your Lawn & Garden TV Host of Today's Homeowner^® and home expert for The Weather Channel

To cut door jambs so flooring will fit under them, turn a piece of flooring over to use as a guide. Lay a handsaw flat on top of the flooring and saw through the jamb.

Heating water accounts for 25% of the energy used in homes. While a tankless water heater costs three times as much to install as a conventional tank type, it can pay for itself over time in the energy saved. That’s because conventional water heaters use energy around the clock to keep the water in the tank constantly hot. Tankless models, on the other hand, only heat water as you need it. This can result in a 20% to 30% saving in the energy used to heat water.

One way to reduce potentially harmful chemicals present in your home is to replace chemical cleaners with natural organic ones. Vinegar is one of the best natural cleaners. Simply fill a spray bottle with a solution of one part vinegar to one part water and use it to clean, deodorize, and disinfect many areas of your home.

To grow new African violets, use a sterile knife and cut off a healthy leaf as near the base as possible. Dip the stem in rooting hormone then push it through a piece of paper and place the stem in water until it develops roots.

When traditional drywall gets wet, mold spores feed on the paper facing. New paperless wallboard resists mold growth. It’s held together with fiberglass mesh, allowing it to be cut and finished like standard wallboard.

To reduce wind damage from a hurricane or tornado, joints connecting the framing of a house are tied together from the roof down to the sill using metal straps and hardware.

Before renovation can begin on a house that’s been flooded, the drywall, insulation, and furnishings have to be removed. Then any residual mold is treated with chemicals and the framing is cleaned.

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.