Posts

Master electrician Heath Eastman tells us what he loves most about his trade. After the planning and roughing in, Heath explains that he genuinely loves the finish work. He appreciates this stage of the work, from installing electrical outlets and switches to fixtures and lighting because it’s the first time the homeowner gets to see progress. Why Heath Loves Finish Electrical Work When it comes to the electrical trade, master electrician Heath Eastman’s favorite step on any job is the finish work....

When it comes to transforming a backyard, most DIYers do it over time—add some plants one year, follow up with hardscaping the next—until the space is complete. It’s the rare homeowner who formulates a plan, then executes it like clockwork. But This Old House reader Juan Zetino did just that after spending about a year designing his ultimate yard. Back in August 2009, Juan and his wife, Vicky, moved into their first house: a stucco ranch in Camarillo, California, about 15 miles from the naval base where he is stationed....

Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn a commission. Your bedroom is arguably the most important room in your space—you spend nearly one-third of your life asleep in bed. So, it’s essential that the design of your bedroom promotes a good night’s rest. But bedroom makeovers can be costly, not to mention time-consuming....

After years of use, you may find that your sliding patio door is no longer working—or looking—the way it’s supposed to. Maybe it often gets stuck, or the screen is sagging hopelessly. The good news is that unless there’s an underlying structural issue, these problems can be addressed without much difficulty. Dirty rollers from debris in the track are the main culprit for uncooperative sliding doors, and wrinkly screens can easily be replaced....

A long, cold winter can do a number on your deck, leaving it dingy and uninviting. But you can have it looking like new for the spring and summer by giving it a little facelift. We’ll go over how to get your deck cookout-ready with a simple wash, sand, and stain job. Before you start, however, check to make sure your deck is still in good working order. Take a look underneath it to see if the fasteners and connectors are sound....

I have a stand of white pines that seem to always be dropping needles. Can I use the needles as mulch around flowers? —Mary Ann Carpentieri, Warwick, RI Pine Needles Can Work as Mulch Pine needles, also known as pine straw, make fine mulch for some flower beds. They are light and fluffy, so spreading them around is a piece of cake, and they don’t compact much as they decompose, so you don’t have to worry about them becoming too thick or forming a rain-impervious mat....

Pickaxes, also referred to as mattocks, are useful tools to have if you’re an avid gardener or perform yard work. While a pickaxe and mattock have slightly different blades, both can help you break up matted soil or dig a hole for a new plant, improving efficiency and keeping your hands from getting tired. To learn what pickaxe model to buy for your gardening needs, read our guide below. Top 5 Pickaxes Best Grip: Hooyman Pick Mattock With Heavy-Duty Forged Construction Most Customizable: Truper 31614 Pick Mattock Most Versatile: TABOR TOOLS Pick Mattock With Fiberglass Handle Best for Digging: FITOOL Forged Adze Pick Most Heavy-Duty: Nupla Pick Mattock Key Features 36-inch fiberglass handle with rubberized grip 5-pound head Handle is epoxy sealed to the head What Customers Are Saying Satisfied customers said this pick is well-built, making it durable enough to perform heavy-duty tasks, like digging up compact soil or pulling up roots....

Kids deserve the safest and most comfortable environment as they grow. According to experts, two years old is considered a safe age to introduce children to the comforts of using a pillow. However, while two years old is the standard, this is still a sensitive age for a child’s development, and it is important to try and provide a pillow designed to be as safe and supportive for a child as possible when they sleep and as they grow....

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows host Kevin O’Connor the options for plumbing a drain to a low-profile sink. These sinks stand out half the distance of standard models, so Richard explains how a bottle trap may be the only choice for the job. The problem? They’re illegal, and he explains why. Half-baths are extremely convenient. They can fit in tight places and give the home an extra powder room for guests....

Q: My husband and I are proud owners of a 1920 Arts and Crafts bungalow with the original push-button light switches. We’d like to keep them, but are they safe? Should we replace them with more up-to-date versions?—Jennifer Pearce, Buffalo, NY Best Practices for Replacing Antique Light Switches A: I’d recommend that you replace the original switches with new ones. Those switches were made with materials that may have become cracked, corroded, or fatigued in the last 100 years, and their design doesn’t meet today’s strict electrical-safety standards....

Drywall screws are used to attach wallboard to studs. But the toothy threads and trumpet-shaped heads make them a tempting choice for other tasks. Here are some other smart ways to put them to use. Put up a Paint Station This Old House master carpenter Norm Abram screws one drywall screw through each corner of a scrap board and rests cabinet doors he’s just painted on the four points for a makeshift drying rack....

If you’ve been searching for a home security system, especially one that highlights and uses smart technologies, Cox Homelife Security has probably popped up in your search results. Known for its highly automated security systems, a Cox Communications security system can provide you with the ability to remotely control and monitor your home from anywhere. If you’re already a Cox customer and utilize cable and internet service, you can add Cox Homelife automation for a reduced rate....

3 Things to Remember Try to get a handle on it. A queen-size can weigh 75 pounds or more. Four comfy handles will help you reposition the mattress or even move it one day. Carry a ruler. Measure the height of the frame, the mattress, and any base or foundation, lest you literally have to climb into bed. Make sure your sheets still fit, too. Give it a month. It can take 30 days or more to adjust to a new mattress....

OFFICIAL RULES NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN Sponsor: This Old House Insider Hard Hat Tour Giveaway (“Giveaway”) is sponsored by This Old House Ventures, LLC, 262 Harbor Drive, Stamford, CT 06902 (“Sponsor”). Giveaway Entry Period: The Giveaway starts at 12:00:01 AM Eastern Time (ET) on Tuesday, February 24, 2020 and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on Thursday, March 5, 2020 (“Giveaway Entry Period”). A Day starts at 12:00:01 AM ET and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET each calendar day of the Giveaway Entry Period....

Steps for Cutting Wood Joints Cut the lumber to the desired length using a table saw or a miter saw. Cut the ¼” plywood to size for three boxes based on the previous cuts made. The plywood will serve as a bottom for all the boxes. RABBET-BUTT JOINT Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Set the dado blade in the table saw to just slightly above the thickness of the board....

Steps for installing a fence gate: Drive the post hole digger into the ground, separate the handles, and set aside any soil the digger collects. Do this until you have two holes each about 30” deep. If objects like a brick or rock are encountered that the post hole digger can’t remove, an iron digging bar can help loosen the object. When the hole is close to the desired depth, the round end of the digging bar can be used to compact the soil in the hole to its final level....

Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada tells us how she got started in her trade. Knowing that she wanted to make the natural world her office, she went back to school and achieved a master’s degree in landscape design. After getting her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, she began teaching outdoor education at a farm in Vermont. Landscape design wasn’t always Jenn Nawada’s plan. After getting her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, she began teaching outdoor education at a farm in Vermont....

With eight different levels spread among three floors, the mid-century-modern project in Brookline, MA, presents multiple opportunities for Tom Silva to share his skill and wisdom about getting a set of stairs just right. And even though the house’s split levels may require just a short run of stairs (three steps up from kitchen to family room, for example, and five steps up from kitchen to bedrooms), much care must be taken with the riser height....

Top 5 Ant Killers Best Liquid Bait: Terro Liquid Ant Baits Most Versatile: Raid Multi Insect Killer Best Dust: Terro Ant Dust Best Non-Toxic Killer: Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil Best For Lawns: Ortho BugClear Insect Killer Best Liquid Bait: Terro Liquid Ant Baits This liquid bait targets ants outside before they can get into your home. Arriving with six bait stations, you can scatter them across your property to treat multiple areas....

Longest Cord: Bissell Portable Carpet Cleaner This machine has the power of a deep cleaner but the portability of a handheld cleaner. It maneuvers easily with its 13-pound frame, reaches far with its 20-foot power cord, and cleans various surfaces with its six-inch stair tool and three-inch tough stain tool. Key Features Weighs 13 pounds Has a five-foot hose and 20-foot cord Includes two tools and a trial-size bottle of solution Has a two-year warranty What Customers Are Saying Satisfied customers liked this cleaner’s versatility, durability, and suction....