Knoxville, Tenn. – September 2006 – Do-it-yourselfers have a new tool to help them with home improvement projects when DIY Network premieres 10 Things You Must Know on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 10 p.m. ET. In 10 Things You Must Know, host Amy Matthews and her team of experts countdown the 10 crucial tips every homeowner must know before taking on all kinds of basic home improvement projects.
"This series is the first of its kind for DIY," says Freddy James, DIY’s vice president of programming. "Our viewers love getting golden nuggets of information that can save them both time and money with their projects. 10 Things You Must Know goes to the professionals and uncovers their secret tricks of the trade, and shares them with our avid do-it-yourselfers."Whether it’s as big as laying a hardwood floor or as small as picking the right wallpaper, home improvement projects can seem extremely daunting – especially for beginners. 10 Things You Must Know takes the anxiety out of any project by highlighting the 10 most crucial tricks, insider’s tips and rules that everyone should know before starting a home improvement task. Here’s a "sneak peek" at a few of the things homeowners "must know" when tackling a do-it-yourself home improvement project:
Laying Hardwood Floor
- Tip No. 8: Want to avoid squeaky floors? Put a layer of rosin paper between the sub-floor and the finished hardwood.
- Tip No. 1: Wood expands and contracts when it changes environments. By placing the hardwood boards in the room a few days before installation, the boards can get used to the new temperature and moisture. If they have to acclimate after installed, they'll buckle and bow.
Paint Like a Professional
- Tip No. 3: Rollers can put more than paint on the wall. Use simple masking tape to remove any extra fiber and debris to ensure a fine finish.
- Tip No. 1: Think you bought several cans of the same color? Slight color variations can become big variations on the wall. Mix two or three cans into a separate container to create a consistent hue.
Bathroom Vanity Installation
- Tip No. 8: Don't rip off the wall when removing the old vanity. Cutting around the silicone or caulk with a razor will keep the wall intact, leaving less repair work.
- Tip No. 6: When installing the sink, attach the faucets before attaching the sink to the vanity. You’ll spend less time with your head stuck under the cabinet.
Tips like these and more are also available beginning Tuesday, Sept. 26 on www.DIYnetwork.com, along with the countdown of each 10 Things You Must Know episode, and additional information on host Amy Matthews, and DIY’s vast array of home improvement shows.
About Amy Matthews
Host Amy Matthews joined DIY in October 2004 as the host of Bathroom Renovations, and adds 10 Things You Must Know to her tool belt in September 2006. She got her first taste of home improvement at the ripe old age of 14 when she traveled with her church youth group to repair homes for families in need. For the next several years, she tackled similar fix-it-up projects through various organizations. From underpinning to building porches to tarring a tin roof, she learned the most important tools for home renovation are patience and a good sense of humor! After studying at Boston University and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, Matthews returned to her native Minnesota where she continued to hone her do-it-yourself skills with The Family Handyman magazine. For the magazine, she's done everything from outdoor repairs and projects to new product demonstrations.
About DIY Network
DIY Network is your television source for the best know-how and how-to when it comes to any type of do-it-yourself project. DIY presents 90 percent original programming across a broad range of categories including home building; home improvement; automotive and boating; crafts; gardening; hobbies; living; and woodworking. Informational and entertaining, DIY’s programs and experts answer your most sought-after questions, plus offer creative projects that will inspire you to do something out of the ordinary – yourself. DIY’s Web site, DIYnetwork.com, features step-by-step instructions for all that you see on-air, totaling more than 15,000 projects online. These companion resources instruct millions of people everyday, which is why DIY is one of the fastest growing digital networks – exceeding 37 million homes – and DIYnetwork.com averages over 2.5 million unique visitors per month.
