In this video, Ask This Old House landscape designer Jenn Nawada gets a lesson on the best ways to compost organic materials at home. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for Using a Compost Bin Sort organics to throw in the compost bin, like fruit, vegetables, coffee grounds, and eggshells for carbon and dry leaves, newspaper, or cardboard for nitrogen. Do not use meat, dairy, oils, or bones in compost....
Product designers are kicking aside the boring, if serviceable, bristled toilet brush—believed to be an, ahem, goop magnet—in favor of oddly shaped alternatives mostly made with smooth, pliable silicone. This nonstick synthetic polymer sheds water (and more)—and is likely already doing time in your bath as flexible caulk. The material’s properties also help the traditionally icky toilet-brush holder stay cleaner longer, requiring only an occasional cleanser spritz and rinse. Here, three of the toilet brush’s newest bristle-free incarnations....
Previous episode: S19 E15 | Next episode: S19 E17 In this episode: Tom Silva travels to Nashville Tennessee to help a homeowner convert her door into a Dutch door. While the easy thing to do would be to buy and install a dutch door, her door is nicely made and seems like an original to the house. Tom agrees that it’s a door worth saving and demonstrates how to make an exterior door into a Dutch door....
Extreme weather event losses are the kind of disaster that the right homeowners insurance can protect you from. The nonprofit Consumers’ Checkbook regularly does local-market price checks, which show that among people with the same kinds of home insurance coverage, some overpay by $100 or more per month. Too many of us treat buying coverage for our homes and personal property as a set-it-and-forget-it proposition, signing off on our annual renewals with minimal scrutiny....
BEFORE | Space Challenge A foolish consistency is, well, let’s just say unnecessary when it comes to the look and feel of your home. Just ask Rick and Amy Steinhauser, who appreciate how their lodge-style home suits its lakeside setting in Plymouth, MN, but, as frequent travelers, also longed for a master bath with the fine finishes and luxury amenities they have enjoyed during hotel stays. Original to the 2003 house, the existing bath “was brown, woodsy, and dark,” says Rick of the 184-square-foot space....
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. Want a little more room while you sleep? It’s time to start looking for the best king mattress to add to your bedroom. While the 16-inch difference between a queen and a king mattress may seem insignificant, that space can make a huge difference in your quality of sleep each night, especially if you share the bed with a partner, pets, or kids....
SKIL ½” Corded Drill Another feature we appreciated on this drill is the two-finger variable speed trigger makes it easy to adjust the speed as you work for when you need to speed up or slow down. SKIL ½” Corded Drill $43 $50 15% off Prices taken at time of publishing. This half-inch corded drill is a great gift for any new homeowner or DIYer just starting their tool collection. It has a 7....
Icicles hanging along the eaves of your house may look beautiful, but they spell trouble. That’s because the same conditions that allow icicles to form—snow-covered roofs and freezing weather—also lead to ice dams: thick ridges of solid ice that build up along the eaves. Why are Ice Dams Bad? Dams can tear off gutters, loosen shingles, and cause water to back up and pour into your house. When that happens, the results aren’t pretty: peeling paint, warped floors, stained and sagging ceilings....
In this video, This Old House host Kevin O’Connor creates a safe wood-burning fireplace. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for Installing a Chimney Liner and Damper Spread canvas drop cloths on the floor in front of the fireplace. Use an electric chipping hammer to remove some brick from the rear wall of the fireplace. Clean the interior of the chimney flue using an electric drill and flue brush on an extension shaft....
Jan. 13, 2020 Statement from This Old House CEO, Dan Suratt: “For over 35 years, Roger Cook has provided expert landscaping and gardening advice to millions upon millions of viewers. But perhaps more importantly, he has displayed a sense of humor and warmth while going about his craft. As he stepped back from This Old House and Ask This Old House the last few seasons, Roger has maintained that grace and good-natured attitude, and endeared himself even more to his fans....
Previous episode: S19 E13 | Next episode: S19 E15 In this episode: Mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner replace his crumbling flagstone steps. The front steps seem to be original to the 1940s house and they haven’t aged well. One reason could be found in the lack of gutters on the house. After 80 years of water falling off the roof and onto the steps, it’s easy to see why the steps are eroding....
This article appeared in the Spring 2022 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. Ways to Prep Your Home for Spring Make a clean start at the front entry Muddy footprints, salt stains, grime from who knows where: That’s winter’s legacy to your front entry. To clean this area, remove the furniture and mats, then sweep away cobwebs and dirt. Dip a soft-bristled brush into a solution of oxygen bleach—1/2 cup of powder per gallon of warm water; scrub the walls, window frames, door, and floor....
Invisible fences establish a non-invasive but protective border around your yard. Letting your dog roam improves their quality of life because they get to exercise and explore. However, you don’t want them to venture too far. That’s why invisible fences exist as a cost-effective alternative to traditional fences. Explore our top fence recommendations, comprehensive buyer’s guide, and answers to common questions below. Compare the Top Invisible Fences Best For Any Size Dog: PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System Best Coverage: SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence System Best Entry-Level Fence: PetSafe In-Ground Pet Fence Best Remote Control: Pet Control HQ Wireless Pet Containment System Best For Multiple Dogs: Extreme Dog Fence Underground Electric Dog Fence Best For Any Size Dog: PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System Pros and Cons ✔ Doesn’t require burying the wire✔ Has a long collar battery life of up to 2 months✔ Offers five shock levels and one tone-only mode...
Top 5 Drain Cleaners Best Multi-Drain Cleaner: Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover and Cleaner Best For Hair Clogs: FlexiSnake Drain Weasel Sink Snake Cleaner Most Versatile Cleaner: Forlivese 5-in-1 Sink Snake Cleaner Best Single-Use Cleaner: Green Gobbler Drain Clog Remover Best For Septic Tanks: Xion Lab Safer, Greener Drain Clog Remover Best Multi-Drain Cleaner: Drano Max Gel Drain Clog Remover and Cleaner This drain cleaner clears clogs in nearly any drain around your house in just 15 minutes....
The search for a new home can be stressful if you don’t have a professional realtor to guide you through the process. And, when you’re selling a home, you want to make sure you get the best deal from the transaction. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, you can have a better experience when you work with a top real estate agent. Holly Springs, North Carolina, is a growing market full of new homes, many of which can suit a multi-family household....
Common household pests are a nuisance, but many can also spread disease and damage your home. Many pests are notoriously difficult to kill, and if the problem isn’t quickly solved, you could have an infestation on your hands. Hiring a Long Island pest control company is the best way to exterminate unwanted pests in your home, and acting quickly can save you time and money in the long run. Long Island is known for its beaches and state parks, including Jones Beach State Park, Fire Island, and Montauk Point State Park....
If you’re looking for extra storage space for your clothes, shoes, and other items, the This Old House Reviews Team is here to help. We researched the best under-bed storage containers and created a buyer’s guide to help you make an educated purchase. Here are our top picks. Top 5 Under-Bed Storage Containers Best Compact Storage: storageLAB Under-Bed Storage Containers Best Overall Capacity: Lifewit Under-Bed Storage Bag Organizers Best Shoe Capacity: Woffit Under-Bed Shoe Organizers Best Handles: Onlyeasy Under-Bed Storage Bag Organizers Best Plastic Storage: Rubbermaid Cleverstore Stackable Plastic Storage Containers Best Compact Storage: storageLAB Under-Bed Storage Containers This combo pack includes two compact containers that each hold 60 liters of clothing, giving you plenty of storage without taking up much space....
SAND Time-honored and cheap, it easily turns a slippery surface into a secure one. Keep it in a bucket near the door and spread it often, as it tends to thin out in high-traffic areas. Just sweep it away come spring. WOOD ASH This nonskid substance is free and readily available if you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove. To keep from tracking it inside, use it on less-trafficked areas. Its dark hue hastens melting when the sun comes out....
The time for those exposed bricks framing your fireplace, with their pocked faces and rustic finish, is long past. But before you go at the bricks with a paint roller and some white semigloss, consider the more elegant cover-up of art tiles. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Tiling or retiling a fireplace surround isn’t a quickie makeover. But as This Old House senior technical editor Mark Powers demonstrates, it’s well worth the effort....
Previous episode: S20 E16 | Next episode: S20 E18 In this episode: Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada and mason Mark McCullough team up to install a water feature for a bubbly new project. By tapping Mark’s secret stash of hand-selected boulders and Jenn’s knowledge of landscaping features, the two put together a stone water fountain made from basic materials that homeowners can find at most hardware supply stores. First, Jenn shows Mark how their fountain will work, including the parts necessary for the job....
