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Ross Trethewey helps a homeowner fix his slow WiFi. The family has had problems with their WiFi since they moved in. They cannot stream movies on their television in the basement, and sometimes even emails are slow to send. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Ross sees a ton of similar complaints from other homeowners. Finding the issue can be tricky since you can’t see a WiFi network’s physical problem. Ross demonstrates a step-by-step approach to diagnose a WiFi problem and determine how to fix it....

This is initiative is part of This Old House: Live—daily programming and opportunities to connect with our experts during these challenging times. Health care workers around the country are facing shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) including N95 masks, safety goggles, face shields, and nitrile gloves—items that are common among construction sites as well as home workshops. If you have spare, unused masks, respirator cartridges, nitrile gloves, safety goggles or face shields, please donate them....

The Internet is rife with testimonials about the power of smell to keep mice out. The truth? Scent isn’t the best long-term solution for your rodent issue. What Smells Do Mice Hate? “Some smells repel mice for a short period of time, like cigarette smoke and certain colognes,” says Ron Harrison of Orkin Pest Control in Atlanta. “But mice are extremely curious. A strange odor isn’t going to keep them away when they’re looking for food or a place to nest....

Steps: Hole saws are typically installed on arbors or mandrels that attach to a drill driver to cut a clean hole in a material.2. To mount a hole saw to a mandrel: a. Insert the bit through the center hole. b. Screw the mounting plate as tight as it goes. c. Loosen up the mounting plate until the nubs on the plate line up with the holes in the hole saw....

This article appeared in the Summer 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. Desert-style getaway The handy homeowners: Molly Madfis, who blogs at Almost Makes Perfect, and her husband, Gideon Boomer Project overview: Molly and Gideon wanted to give their LA backyard spaces a look inspired by the hip hotels of Palm Springs, using a palette of serene desert hues. First they replaced a falling-down fence along the back of the property, and much later “refaced” another one, covering it with redwood boards they then painted....

This article appeared in the Summer 2022 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. It was the large kitchen and open floor plan that sold Meg Copley on her 1931 house in Norwalk, CT. But she’s not a fan of the blue vinyl siding or the awkward office bump out in front, saying, “It just seems like an afterthought.” So we asked architect Jeff Troyer to help Meg envision her Colonial Revival’s true potential....

Most Spray: Invisible Glass Window Spray This glass cleaner comes in generously sized, see-through spray bottles. Unlike pressurized cans of foam cleaner, these plastic bottles of liquid cleaner are safer to use with extreme temperatures. For example, you can keep a bottle in your car throughout the year to clean its windows and windshields. Key Features Four 32-ounce bottles Liquid formula Designed for tinted and untinted windows, mirrors, and more What Customers Are Saying The majority of customers gave this glass cleaner multipack a high rating and positive review, stating that it produced a streak-free shine on car windows....

Whether you tackle heavy-duty projects inside and outside of the home or draw the line at hanging a picture frame, a hammer is a tool that nearly every homeowner needs. From stubby claws to iron-forged hammers, this tool comes in a variety of designs and serves many needs. Top 7 Hammers Best Steel Handle: Estwing 16-Ounce Steel Claw Hammer Most Shock-Absorbent: HEIKIO 16-Ounce Steel-Forged Hammer Best Design: Stalwart 16-Ounce Natural Hardwood Claw Hammer Best Wooden Handle: Edward Tools 16-Ounce Oak Claw Hammer Most Heavy-Duty: CRAFTSMAN 20-Ounce Fiberglass Hammer Best Fiberglass Handle: Irwin 16-Ounce Fiberglass Hammer Best Stubby Claw: EFFICERE 8-Ounce Stubby Claw Hammer Best Steel Handle: Estwing 16-Ounce Steel Claw Hammer This 16-Ounce Estwing Hammer comes with a smooth grip wrapped around a steel frame that delivers a powerful swing and easily drives nails....

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. Most folks have experienced sleeping on innerspring mattresses, and they are considered the most traditional mattress of the various options available today. But just because they’ve been around a while, that doesn’t mean innerspring beds are out of style. The best innerspring mattresses offer robust support for your body and are topped with a soft layer of padding....

1. How Much Room Do You Need for a Half Bath? Theoretically, you can fit a sink and toilet into an 11-square-foot spot and still meet national building codes. But for comfort’s sake, look for an area that’s 3 to 4 feet wide and 6 to 8 feet long. Check local codes for additional requirements, and be sure to check out TOH’s details on dimensions and clearances. 2. Design for Accessibility Handheld showers and easy-to-grip lever faucets suit people of all abilities and can be put in any time....

Top 5 Pool Shocks Best Multifunction Shock: HTH Super Shock Treatment Largest Quantity: NAZUHA Zappit Pool Shock Best Packaging: DryTec Chlorine Shock Treatment Best Liquid Cleaner: Austin’s Pool Tech Shock Best Water Clarifier: Robarb Super Blue Clarifier Best Multifunction Shock: HTH Super Shock Treatment Key Features Comes with 12 one-pound bags Treats 13,500 gallons of water per bag Uses calcium hypochlorite as the active ingredient What Customers Are Saying Customers liked the amount of pool shock that they got for the price....

Farmhouse Sinks Sexy, supersized appliances used to dominate the kitchenscape, but that was before a sink came along that refused to hunker down in a cabinet. Suddenly all eyes were on the cleanup zone, where a bossy, glossy-white heavyweight pushed aside the humble, hardworking stainless-steel basin. America’s appetite for farmhouse, or apron-front, sinks can be traced to the late 1990s, when companies like Rohl realized they could romance a boxy U....

En Suites on Every Floor Instead of a second-floor study, this cottage features two primary en suites: one upstairs that allows parents of young children to be near the kids’ rooms; while grandparents or guests can be comfortable on the main level. Perfect for a Powder Right inside the entryway, the powder room features a classic combo of navy and gold. ​ ​Vanity, fixtures: Signature Hardware​ Open Sightline The same open kitchen/dining/living area works well for parents who want to keep an eye on young kids while cooking....

Top 4 Toasters Best Four-Slot Toaster: Cuisinart CPT-180P1 Metal Classic Toaster This four-slot toaster has two adjustable toasting dials on either side to help you toast up to four slices of bread, bagels, and pastries to your liking. Additionally, this counter toaster has a stainless steel exterior that will match other appliances in your kitchen. It’s also compact for a four-slot toaster, making it an excellent choice if you have limited counter space....

Coffee makers simplify the process of making your favorite cup of coffee. They’re available in a variety of designs and come with features like single-cup serving, automatic brewing, and milk frothing. While other methods for making coffee persist, the convenience of an electric coffee maker has made it a preferred brewing method for many households. Top 5 Coffee Makers Best Single-Cup: Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker Best for Pot Brewing: Cuisinart Perfectemp 14-Cup Coffee Maker Best Programmable Brewer: Cuisinart SS-15P1 Coffee Center Most Versatile: Ninja Specialty Coffee Maker Best Design: Technivorm Moccamaster 10-Cup Coffee Maker Best Single-Cup: Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker This Keurig single-serve coffee maker has easy-to-use buttons that help you brew a six-, eight-, or 10-ounce cup of coffee....

This Old House landscape contractor, Jenn Nawada explains how to identify echinaceas and gives a general overview of the perennial. Jenn also demonstrates how to take care of and maintain the plant. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Echinaceas are popular for a reason, and Jenn shares why they are a great plant for even the inexperienced gardener. What is Echinacea? Echinaceas are a full sun plant that can be grown in zones 3-8, which is almost everywhere in the continental United States....

It seems inevitable for human beings to continually accumulate stuff. Yet it’s not necessarily the amount of personal possessions that’s the problem, often it’s the lack of ample storage and organized arrangement of our gear that causes so much frustration and leaves us unable to find what we want when we want it. While some folks amass all manner of items and so really struggle with clutter, most of us have a few weak spots—too many tools, loads of clothes, a massive media collection....

When we say “yard’, it usually has another word in front of it, such as “front”, “side”, or “back”. Those descriptors aren’t just locations, either. They usually imply a function as well. Front yards are the face we present to the world. Back yards are where we live our lives. Side yards connect those spaces. The Front Yard Does the Welcoming Work Our ideal front yards are public spaces with a green lawn, a welcoming entry, and some well-tended shrubs to anchor our houses to the site....

Steps for cutting stone Mark first demonstrated how to cut stone using a feather and wedge system: a. Start by drilling holes in the stone along the line you want to cut. b. Place the feathers on the outside of the hole and the wedge in between them. c. Gently tap on the wedges using a hammer. Listen carefully and pay close attention to the vibrations in the hammer to ensure the rock is splitting slowly and carefully....

Top 5 Refrigerators Best Mini Fridge: Midea WHS-65LB1 Compact Single Reversible-Door Refrigerator Best Design: Galanz GLR10TRDEFR True Top Freezer Retro Refrigerator Best For Beverages: Whynter Beverage Refrigerator Best Medium-Sized Fridge: Frigidaire FFHT1425VV 28-Inch Freestanding Top-Freezer Refrigerator Best For Families: Kenmore 71212 Top-Freezer Refrigerator Best Mini Fridge: Midea WHS-65LB1 Compact Single Reversible-Door Refrigerator This mini fridge from Midea works well in dorm rooms, bedrooms, basements, or offices. With 1.6 cubic feet of storage space, it’s compact enough to fit anywhere but large enough to store snacks....