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Your home is probably your most valuable asset, and it’s worth protecting. Unfortunately, you can’t always be at home with the lights on to deter any would-be burglars. It’s a wise idea to invest in a home security system to keep your home safe. With professional monitoring, two-way voice options, and remote door locking and unlocking, there are many special security system features available that are designed to give you peace of mind when you’re away from home....

This article appeared in the Summer 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time With its deep seat, tall back, and wide armrests, there’s arguably no more restful spot to while away a long summer’s day than an Adirondack chair. Little wonder that these seats are a nearly ubiquitous feature on lawns across the country this time of year....

The Fourth of July is a swell summer day, isn’t it? You hang out in the hammock, grill a few burgers, and watch—or maybe light your own—fireworks. It’s great family fun—if you play it safe with those fireworks. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more fires are reported on Independence Day than any other day of the year, with more than half those fires caused by fireworks. Added to fires are injuries...

If you own a tractor, zero-turn mower, utility trailer, boat trailer, motorcycle, or heavier piece of equipment like a loader, excavator, or dump truck/trailer you have fittings that need to be greased so they operate properly, but perhaps most importantly, do not fail during use and save you from costly repairs and wasted time. Learn Where the Fittings Are If you’re operating equipment commercially (even if that’s just a weekend lawn route), it is in your best interest to learn where all the fittings are on your machine(s) and to make sure they’re properly lubed....

You could be replacing a light switch, putting a new plug on an extension cord, hanging a chandelier in the dining room, or repairing a lamp. There is one tool for electrical work that is indispensable and belongs in every toolbox, and that‘s a wire stripping tool. What You Need to Strip Wire A true multi-tool, wire strippers are essentially spring-loaded pliers that have different-sized notches cut into their jaws. Their main function is to cut and remove the plastic insulation from solid or stranded copper electrical wire without cutting the wire itself, so that the wire can be attached to a terminal or wire-nutted to another wire....

Steps: Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Tools & Materials Drill/driver Utility knife hand cultivator Garden hose Drill drainage holes in the bottom of the feeding trough roughly 6 inches apart. Flip the feeding trough over and put it in the desired location. Use cedar planks underneath the trough to give the planter more space to drain. Cut the screen to size and place it at the bottom of the trough to protect the drainage holes from getting clogged....

“We tirelessly think through how to ‘live’ in our homes—what people’s needs are based on location and demographics,” says Sandy. In this house, those needs were more familiar than most; shortly after they started planning, Jerry and Sandy recognized that the house they were building was the house they needed for themselves. And that’s why they packed the home with plenty of outdoor amenities. Screened-in kitchen and dining The spacious outdoor kitchen is perfect for cooking, dining, and hanging out, and it’s full of surprise amenities....

We’ve all seen it on the news. Hurricanes are bigger and more frequent. Sea levels are rising. And severe flooding—which has long plagued homeowners on the coasts and on the floodplains surrounding major rivers—is hitting homes situated along smaller waterways, too. Fourteen months before last fall’s Superstorm Sandy shocked the Eastern Seaboard, inland communities in New Jersey, upstate New York, and Vermont experienced the damaging effects of encroaching waters from Tropical Storm Irene....

Previous episode: S18 E16 | Next episode: S18 E18 In this episode: Jenn travels to Washington D.C. to see the Cherry Blossom Festival and then helps a homeowner select and plant a cherry tree for his own house; Mark learns about how Mount Rushmore was built and demonstrates various techniques for cutting stone; Nathan visits Abraham Lincoln’s house in Springfield, IL. Then, he helps a homeowner to replace his traditional mortise hardware with hardware that locks....

Hexagonal screws are used in all sorts of products, including tables, toilet paper holders, and bicycles. To loosen or tighten these screws, you’ll need a special type of wrench called an Allen wrench or hex wrench. These wrenches usually come in a set with several sizes and feature different arm lengths, end types, and storage cases. To help you determine which set is best for you, we created this guide on the best Allen wrench sets....

The average homeowner owns a variety of tools, including screwdrivers, hammers, and cordless drills, for hanging picture frames, assembling furniture, and doing other projects around the house. More advanced DIYers will own even more tools, such as jigsaws and sledgehammers. Whether you fall into the first category or the second, you’ll need a way to store all of your tools. Our review of the best tool storage ideas will help you choose the best method for your needs....

The fog that drapes the San Francisco Bay signals sky-high humidity levels. This excess moisture can quickly seep into your home and affect systems and appliances, causing breakdowns that are costly and time-consuming to fix. While homeowners insurance offers security against major events like earthquakes and fires, a home warranty fills in some of the gaps that insurance won’t cover. The next time your dishwasher goes on the fritz or your heating system breaks, your home warranty will kick in and prevent you from paying for expensive repairs or replacements....

Step 1: Cut the Frame Cut the angle iron to length, in this case 16”. Next, make L-shaped cuts on both ends of two of the pieces. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Tools & Materials Band saw Welder Table saw hot glue gun Power grinder Belt sander Paint brush This step begins in the video at 1:18. Step 2: Cut the Legs Cut the round bar stock to length, in this case 16”....

Insulating Your Attic Can Save You Money There’s no getting around it: If your house is in a cold climate, keeping it warm in winter is expensive. The Department of Energy predicts that prices for natural gas and heating oil will rise again this winter compared with last—and that’s after a year in which heating-oil prices rose sharply in most parts of the country. Sure, you can dial down the thermostat and get used to wearing bulky sweaters indoors to cut costs....

Top 4 Paper Towels Most Trusted: Bounty Quick-Size Paper Towels Best Tears: Brawny Tear-A-Square Paper Towels Largest Rolls: Presto! Flex-a-Size Paper Towels Best Multifold: Kleenex Multifold Paper Towels Most Trusted: Bounty Quick-Size Paper Towels These paper towels come in a 16-pack and are from one of the most well-known paper towel manufacturers in the industry. The paper towels combine strength and absorbency for quickly cleaning spills and messes around the home....

Indianapolis is one of many major U.S. cities where homeowners can experience year-round pest problems. The city is home to annoying critters like mice and rats as well as damaging bugs such as termites and bedbugs. To make your decision easier when considering calling in professionals, we’ve researched the best pest control companies in Indianapolis to save you precious time and money and get your infestation taken care of as soon as possible....

Space-Saving Sconces Dana explains, “We only had space for small bedside tables, so these pivoting, wall-mounted sconces were an attractive, space-saving solution.” Pivoting Sconce: Circa Lighting Hardware: Switch plate and Push-button dimmers by House of Antique Hardware Hardware with a Modern Flair Says Dana, “The choice of door hardware was a continuation of our ‘modern tradition’ theme. The knob with backplate is the traditional configuration for door hardware, but the shape of the knob itself is a little more modern; this disc shape is repeated in the cabinet knobs of the upper cabinets....

Typical ice-melting salts can help you stay grounded, but these materials may contain chemicals that are unsafe for pets and the environment. Fortunately, there are chemical-free ways to combat winter’s freeze that are healthier for all parties. Some products that claim to be safer for pets and plants have environmental drawbacks, and all salts stop working in temperatures below 15ºF. Eco-Friendly Salt Alternatives Take a look at these greener alternatives to chemicals that will do just as good of a job at securing your footing this season....

A TOH reader recently replaced an entryway storm door that had rusted because ice formed frequently on the inside of the glass panel. The following winter, ice formed on the inside of the new door. In fact, the ice built up to about ½ inch thick. Why Does My Storm Door Frost Up? You need two things to make ice: cold temperatures and a source of moisture. Moisture vapor leaking into the space between the door and the storm door might cause some icing, so make sure that the main door is weatherstripped around its entire perimeter....

Traditional Harvest Dining Collection Create a bountiful and beautiful tablescape this Thanksgiving, without breaking the bank. Get everything you need using this handy shopping guide Plaid Runner Like Norm’s fine flannel, this plaid pattern screams autumn. About $17.99; Target Serving Platter Remind everyone to be present with gratefulness this holiday season. About $19.99; Target Marble Serving Tray A beautiful backdrop for any holiday fruit-and-cheese platter. Glass Wine Goblet Use these elegant drinking glasses for wine and water alike....