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The bidet has been a common fixture in European bathrooms for centuries; the first models were developed for French royalty in the early 1700s. Today, many master baths in the U.S. also have this additional fixture, and manufacturers have a number of different models to choose from. Installing a bidet requires basic plumbing tools and some skill in carpentry and plumbing. How Much Space Do You Need for a Bidet? Although looking superficially like a toilet, the installation of a bidet is substantially different than that of the more common bathroom fixture....

Steps for Installing a Stone Walkway Before doing any project that requires digging, always contact your utility locating service to identify the location of water lines, gas lines, etc. Use spray paint or some other type of marker to determine where the path will go to help make digging easier. Use a pickaxe to loosen the soil in between the lines of the new walkway. Then, use a shovel to dig out the path....

There are a few prerequisites to installing a new floor, whether it be hardwood, laminate, vinyl, or tile. One of the more important requirements is that the subfloor be flat, without humps and valleys. Even in newer homes, plywood subfloors and concrete slabs are rarely flat. High and low spots can affect the look of a finished floor, interfere with the installation, and even lead to material failure, especially in tile floors....

In this video we show you have to remove your old baseboard heater covers and replace it with a new one. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time When removing the baseboard heater cover, you’ll have to be careful not to damage the wall. Then, when putting in the replacement make sure to install everything in the right order. Richard Trethewey walks you through the process and shares helpful tips along the way....

Heath Eastman helps a homeowner safely install a variety of Christmas lights. He installs a GFCI outdoor outlet and protects it with an expandable weatherproof In-Use cover. Heath secures an icicle string light set to the roofline using universal shingle/gutter light clips. Along the tree Heath protects extension cords with outdoor extension cord covers. To turn all the lights on and off at the right times, he uses a timer....

Steps for Upgrading to a USB Outlet: Please note: All electrical projects present a shock hazard. If you’re not comfortable doing the work, please hire a licensed professional. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Start by shutting the power off at the main breaker. Use the voltage tester to ensure that power has actually been cut off to the receptacle. Remove the cover plate of the old receptacle using the flathead screwdriver....

Previous episode: S19 E17 | Next episode: S19 E19 In this episode: Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner relocate a poorly placed baseboard heater that has been doing very little to heat the space. The heater is located in what used to be a kitchen, but is now a newly renovated family room. The placement used to make sense as it sat across from the cabinets, refrigerator, and sink. However, with that all removed the heater is now placed opposite of the windows....

In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook installs a sump pump dry well to collect discharge water coming from a couple’s basement. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time How to Install a Sump Pump Dry Well Temporarily connect discharge hose from sump pump to a long PVC pipe. Extend pipe well away from dry well excavation site. Set the dry well in position and use ground-marking spray paint to mark the dry well’s rough outline onto the ground....

Homeowners Judith and Julia Aidoo-Saltus with Judith’s mom, Nora Aidoo One of our projects in Charleston, South Carolina has been awarded the prestigious Carolopolis Award for exceptional exterior restoration by the Preservation Society of Charleston. This house was one of two homes featured in the second part of This Old House’s 39th season on PBS. The two-story Victorian wood-frame house owned by Judith Aidoo and her wife, Julia, was built circa 1890....

Master electrician Heath Eastman shows Kevin O’Connor everything he needs to know about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The two discuss the different types of smoke detectors available and how they operate and interconnect. Then, Heath shows Kevin the difference between a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector, highlighting the importance of having both in a home. Two Types of Smoke Detectors There are two types of smoke detectors: ionization and photoelectric....

In Tool Lab, Nathan Gilbert talks all about saw blades. Having the right blade can significantly impact the table saw’s performance, quality of the cut, and safety. He explains that the stock blades on a table saw are for general use and not the best quality. Table saw blades come in three categories: ripping, cross-cutting, and combination. Nathan then goes into the blade anatomy, explaining the difference in teeth, kerf thickness, and coatings are designed to impact the cut....

3. Tubs 4. Tile You can certainly add a pop of color to the bath by painting the outside of a clawfoot tub, but did you know that you could also transform the inside of a grimey basin with paint, too? In the how-to video above, Rust-oleum shows you how. 1. Countertops Coating countertops is a great solution for covering stains or burns embedded in low-cost materials. The Giani Coutnertop Paint Kits come in a variety of shades....

If you live in a rural area or even just outside city limits, you may be one of the 20% of households in the U.S. that uses a private septic system, rather than a municipal sewer, to dispose of household water and waste from kitchens and bathrooms. Although there are many types of septic systems, the most common is comprised of a tank and a drain (or leach) field that’s located 50 to 100 feet from the house....

Heavy rain and melted snow runoff can come in through cracks or leaks in the foundation, where it can warp floorboards, rust appliances, and turn finished rooms into mildewed messes. Fortunately, regrading or rerouting can correct most drainage problems. How to Waterproof Your Basement Exterior basement waterproofing To prevent water from leaking through your foundation, gutters are your first line of defense. While gutter-and-downspout systems protect your house from precipitation, they can also compound drainage problems by concentrating roof runoff at a house’s corners, close to the foundation....

Top 5 Carpet Steamers Best Lightweight Steamer: Light ‘N’ Easy Floor Steamer Best Accessories: Costway Steam Cleaner Fastest Preheat: Moolan Steam Mop Best Steamer Head: Steam & Go Electric Carpet Steamer Best Design: Reliable Steam Floor Mop Best Lightweight Steamer: Light ‘N’ Easy Floor Steamer This carpet steamer has a large flexible head that’s effective at removing stains and grime from carpet, hardwood, laminate, and tile. With a 20-foot power cord and a 3....

The 10 Best Mattresses for Back Sleepers Do you lie on your back when you snuggle up under the covers at night? If so, you’ll want to get one of the best mattresses for back sleeping to ensure you’re maintaining a healthy posture and receiving proper pressure relief while you sleep. Back sleepers usually need a medium to medium-firm mattress, depending on their weight, size, and personal preferences. The best mattress for sleeping on your back is firm enough to provide optimal support for the spine and hips, but with ample cushioning to ensure the shoulders and hips are cradled and comfortable....

If you live in a large city, pests problems are bound to happen. Southeast Wisconsin and the Milwaukee area are no exception, with common pests like rodents, mice, and hornets. Getting a pest control plan can help ensure that your home and business remain pest-free. The This Old House Reviews Team has researched and rated some of the best pest control companies on the market for you. Keep reading this round up to see how the top Milwaukee pest control companies compare on plans, prices, and services....

Charlie Silva began working with This Old House in 2016 on the Arlington Arts & Crafts House. Charlie is President of Silva Brothers Construction, a leading contracting company in the Boston area that he co-owns with This Old House general contractor and his uncle Tom Silva. Charlie started working for his grandfather’s company at age 12 during his school vacations and joined full-time in 1981. Charlie’s daughters Jessica and Michelle have also joined the team over the years, assisting with administrative tasks and project management....

Whether it’s a modern home, a country cottage, or an industrial-style loft apartment, exposed brick is an incredibly sought-after look. Unfortunately, not everyone has it readily available, hiding behind their drywall and begging for the not-so-gentle touch of a sledgehammer. But, if you’re up for learning how to build a faux exposed brick wall, it will be fairly easy to achieve. There are two main methods for doing so. One involves using a brick veneer or “thin brick” (essentially brick tile) and the other involves using a hardboard or foam panel designed to mimic real exposed brick....

Laminate flooring is a popular feature in many homes. Once considered a basic, economical choice, laminate has become much better looking over the decades, and some options are nearly impossible to distinguish from real hardwood—making it a functional and stylish choice. Laminate flooring is also durable, so it’s great for homes with kids and pets. But once installed, laminate must be properly cared for to keep it looking as good as day one....