Previous episode: S41 E2 | Next episode: S41 E4 In this episode: The old ranch house will soon gain a second level. The open concept living space requires extra planning for support of the second story. Now that the first floor walls are framed, Jeff is ready to place the main support beam. Kevin finds the crew maneuvering the 1200 pound PSL beam. The new deck off the back of the house will block the existing basement windows....
During a recent trip to our Westerly project, Kevin O’Connor caught up with builder Jeff Sweenor to discuss the rafter tail detail and how Sweenor ultimately decided to approach the build. The drawings for this Dutch Colonial call for a series of applied tails on several areas of the exterior, including along the sidewalls where the gambrel roof sits. This section of the house called for 62 rafter tails, which are spec’d to be installed along the exterior to create an eave detail....
Kids can do just about anything if they set their minds to it, and Kids Making It (KMI) in Wilmington, North Carolina helps them along. Kids Making It is a non-profit that aims to teach local youth and young adults the vocational and entrepreneurial skills to spark an early interest in the trades. Started in 1994, the organization currently serves 500 students through five different programs. Through these programs, students can learn building skills, make and sell things at KMI’s store, and earn income while they’re still in school....
Pets do the darndest things—silly, smart, and stupid things. You watch in amazement when your puppy learns to fetch, shake, and sit. But, when he rolls around on roadkill or eats his own poop, well, that’s not so amazing. Whatever your pets do in their spare time, you want to keep them safe. And sometimes, nibbling on houseplants is not a safe thing to do. In fact, some houseplants can make a pet seriously ill....
The quiet workhouse in your kitchen has a big job to handle: It’s tasked with keeping everything from your favorite deli’s salami to the gallon of milk your kids guzzle with breakfast cereal at the perfect temperature for safe consumption. Sure, everyone knows that a packed freezer works at optimum efficiency, but there are several other ways to keep your refrigerator working at full efficiency, too. 1. Keep an eye on the temperature in the fridge—and in the room Refrigerator temps may change with the seasons as the room temperature heats up or cools off the appliance....
In this video, master electrician Heath Eastman helps a homeowner replace his lamppost that is not exactly to code. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time To start, it is a mailbox post, not even a lamppost. The top is wide open to water infiltrations, only held down by a zip tie. It also uses a voltage way too high to use for residential outdoor usage. All in all, it’s an electrician’s nightmare....
Steps for Restoring a Lawn To remove the layer of thatch that blocks water and nutrients from reaching the roots of the lawn, use a dethatcher to clean up the grass. This machine works using large tines and prongs to pull up dead grass and other debris from the grass roots. Go across the lawn in a straight line and turn and repeat. Use a rake to gather all of the debris from the detatching step into piles and recycle or compost it....
Previous episode: S41 E24 | Next episode: S41 E26 In this episode: A massive stone staircase makes quite a statement in the front of the house. Icing on the cake is a custom brass handrail that will sit on top of the stone. Kevin O’Connor meets with Jay Coughlin at a metal fabrication company to see the rails coming together. The front room on the third floor will be a playroom for our homeowners’ daughter, Caroline....
Whether you’re embarking on a brand new build or remodeling an older home, few things can immediately increase your home’s curb appeal like new siding. But where to begin? Re-siding your home is a long-term commitment. With so many materials, styles and other options to choose from, narrowing down your selections can be a bit tricky. Here, our friends at LP Building Solutions share a few trends in exteriors to get you started....
Top 5 Board Games Best Mystery Game: Hasbro Clue Game Best Adventure Game: Z-Man Games Pandemic Board Game Best For Kids: Hasbro Chutes and Ladders Game Best For Families: Taboo Kids vs. Parents Family Board Game Best Trivia Game: Hasbro Trivial Pursuit Board Game Best Mystery Game: Hasbro Clue Game Key Features Requires two to six players Can be played by anyone who is at least eight years old Provides an hour or more of playtime What Customers Are Saying Positive reviews stated that this board game made a great gift for friends or family members and that it was easy to learn....
Leaf blowers not only blow leaves out of your yard, but they can also clear your driveway or patio of unwanted dirt and debris. Before purchasing a leaf blower, consider how much weight you can carry, how large of an area you’ll be blowing, and what type of power source you want, as these factors will affect the model you choose. Read our guide on the best leaf blowers below to learn about your different options....
Top 5 Painter’s Tapes Best Multi-Surface Tape: Scotch Blue Original Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape Best Combo Pack: FROGTAPE Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape Best Thick Tape: Duck Clean Release Blue Painter’s Tape Best For Outdoor Surfaces: Scotch Rough Surface Painter’s Tape Best Value: STIKK Blue Painter’s Tape Best Multi-Surface Tape: Scotch Blue Original Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape This two-pack of painter’s tape is 1.41 inches wide and covered in a medium adhesive for use on a variety of surfaces, including tile, wood, and drywall....
Top 6 Kitchen Sinks Best Undermount Sink: Kraus Undermount Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink Best Workstation Sink: Ruvati 32-Inch Workstation Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink Best Entry-Level: MENSARJOR Single-Bowl Kitchen Sink Best Double-Bowl Sink: Kraus 33-Inch Double-Bowl Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink Best Farmhouse Sink: VASOYO Farmhouse Kitchen Sink Most Modern: Kraus Quarza Kitchen Sink Best Undermount Sink: Kraus Undermount Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink Pros and Cons ✔ Includes a drain cover✔ Has a padded undercoating to reduce operational noise✔ Contains a channel-grooved bottom that keeps water from pooling...
Building a toy box Cut the 1x4” boards to a desired rough length using a miter saw. Lay out the boards for the front, back, and bottom of one side. Use the fourth piece to determine the angle for the top of the box. Mark the boards at a desired angle and cut it using the miter saw. Repeat this process for the other side of the box. Cut the stiles and rails for the front of the box at the desired length....
Cold brew coffee is one of life’s great little joys. But getting it from your local barista is expensive, and brewing it yourself is kind of a hassle. Or at least it was. With the Royal Brew Nitro Coffee Maker, you’ll be able to easily pour cup after cup at home, so you can power through that home office reno with ease and save loads of coffee-run money. If you’re not already hooked on nitro brews, here is the deal: Adding nitrous oxide to the brew helps reduce acidity and enhance the taste....
Steps for Cutting a Pass-Through in a Load-Bearing Wall Before doing any work, determine if the wall is load-bearing or non-load bearing. If in doubt, consult a structural engineer. If the wall is load-bearing, a temporary wall will need to built using 2x8 plates on the floor and ceiling and 2x4 studs at an angle to support any weight from the floors above. Hammer the studs into the temporary wall until they’re snug....
Fires can happen unexpectedly, so it’s best to prepare ahead of time. Keep your family safe, and follow these tips to create an escape plan unique to your home and loved ones’ needs. Tips for Creating a Fire Escape Plan With your family, draw a diagram of your home. Mark all windows and doors and plan two escape routes from each room, one of which should be a door. If the edges, knob, or hinges of a door feel warm against the back of your hand, use your alternate escape route....
There’s a new kid on the block when it comes to backyard pools. Container pools, or pools made from recycled shipping containers, are becoming more popular, and there are a lot of good reasons why. These pools are long-lasting, mostly self-contained, and relatively affordable compared to their in-ground counterparts. Here are the steps on how to install a shipping container pool. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time How to Install a Shipping Container Pool Everyone has an electrical panel in their house, and the design hasn’t changed much in decades....
If your trusty toilet has developed cracks or leaks, uses far too much water per flush, or is simply a shade of baby blue not seen in 20 years, it may be time to replace it. You might consider this a good time to put in a call to the plumber, but it can be all in a day’s work for a reasonably handy DIY-er. It’s not for the weak, since toilets are heavy and unwieldy, but if you have a strong back (or a sturdy assistant) you can save yourself the cost of a house call by installing it yourself....
Steps for installing a water feature Before digging, always contact the local utility marking service to locate any underground pipes or wires in the work area. Dig a hole where you plan to install the water feature. It should be about two feet deep. This can be done quickly with an excavator. Use the rake to rake out any rocks in the soil until the base is a flat, smooth surface....
