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.

Phil makes it look easy.

How Do You Auger Your Home Sewer Line?

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Feb 12, 2012

If you've ever had your sewer line cleaned by a professional, you know how much it costs. One well known sewer maintenance business in the Denver area starts their pricing at $250 for...

Waiting for snow...

How Can You Remove Snow Ethically?

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jan 24, 2012

Granted, snow removal usually isn't something to write The Ethicist about, but like any outdoor activity that impacts the public and your neighbors, there are legitimate questions of...

Driveway ice with a Pan-Asian twist! -- Phil

Do Homemade Driveway Deicers Actually Work?

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jan 13, 2012

Maybe you have some slippery front steps and Grandma's on her way over, or your '78 Camaro just can't make it up the driveway—and you happen to be clean out of magnesium chloride....

What Are the Most Effective Ways to Cut Bathroom Smells?

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jan 09, 2012

Without going into the biological details, a quick analysis reveals that there are two levels of bathroom de-smelling: Level 1: instant (or if you prefer, emergency) and Level 2:...

It's a good idea to install smoke detectors this time of year. Photo: KMS Woodworks

What Are the Fiery Hazards of Home Heating?

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Dec 19, 2011

According to a recent report by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), nearly 1 in 5 home fires in 2009 were caused by home heating equipment. This puts heating at a very...

The Minnesnowta Roof Razor via Cleanairgardening.com

How Do You Safely Remove Snow from the Roof?

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Dec 19, 2011

The two very best ways to hurt yourself while clearing snow from your roof are 1) falling off the ladder on your way up to the roof and 2) falling off the ladder on your way down from...

Photo courtesy of Nest.com.

Is the Nest Thermostat Right for You?

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Dec 15, 2011

Nest is the world's first “learning” thermostat. Here's how it works: You install it just like a regular model, then set it manually for the first week, turning the temperature...

Robert S. Donovan/Flickr Creative Commons

What Did We Learn from Testing Fruitcake?

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Dec 14, 2011

When I was a kid, every holiday season my father received a fruitcake as a gift from one of his accounts in the cardboard box business. The cake always sat in its familiar quaint packaging...

Morguefile.com

How Can You Use Christmas Lights Without Tripping Breakers?

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Dec 11, 2011

Holiday lighting may be the world's largest collective ritual involving electrical danger. It's a time when our hearts are filled with testing the limits of our breakers (and our luck)...

Morguefile.com

Why Do Leaks Matter in Your Home?

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Nov 29, 2011

A lot of people treat hidden water leaks like going to the dentist: They're afraid of a big, expensive repair, so they pretend the problem doesn't exist and hope it will go away. But...