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Unseen and under-appreciated, the garbage disposal likely works harder than any other kitchen appliance. But it requires some care to function at its best. Learn how your disposal works, the do’s and don’ts of its operation, including what to put in it and what not to, and how to keep it clean and running smoothly for peak performance that lasts. How a Garbage Disposal Works Because few homeowners see past the rubber splash guard at the bottom of their sink, most don’t think about how a garbage disposal works....

In this video, This Old House host Kevin O’Connor and a specialist perform a whole-house energy audit. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for Performing a Whole-House Energy Audit: Check the energy rating on each appliance and light fixture. Look for Energy Star label or other low-usage ratings. Replace older products that are wasting electricity. Inspect the water heater, and make note of any leaks, rust spots or lack of insulation....

A fun way to play up personal style at home is on the mantel. Whether you have a true fireplace shelf or faux fixture, the mantel is a unique vignette where you can make a statement. Swap out decor monthly, season to season, or for the low-maintenance folk, only in between holidays; just be sure to do something with this space as it’s typically the focus of every living area....

Of all the working parts in a kitchen, the faucet might be the one we use the most. According to the EPA, each American uses an average of 88 gallons of water a day, and a lot of it is to wash hands, rinse off produce, fill the tea kettle, or simply get a glass of water. Today, these workaholic fixtures come in a wider variety of price points than ever before....

No doubt you’ve heard that a well-designed garden should include plants prized for their striking foliage, as well as some that produce fall color or berries, and others that provide good structure in winter. But let’s face it: most of us want flowers. Lots of them. All the time. That’s where the summer flowering plants below come in. They’ll churn out blooms for weeks on end this summer. In most cases, you can harvest armloads to fill vases or give away, and still have plenty left to enjoy in your garden beds long past Labor Day....

CONCORD, Mass., SEPT. 27, 2019 —The Emmy Award-winning series This Old House and Ask This Old House will begin airing new seasons of both shows on PBS starting October 3. You can check your local listings by clicking here. Additionally, you can find all the ways to watch This Old House and Ask This Old House here. For a sneak peek at the new season, go to: www.thisoldhouse.com/season-premieres. Returning for its 41st season, This Old House will feature three unique and compelling construction projects....

Big, nasty cleaning jobs—prepping a long-neglected exterior surface for paint, say, or purging years of grime discovered behind a kitchen appliance—call for a heavy-duty cleanser. Trisodium phosphate, commonly known as TSP, may be just the ticket to banish major messes, but this potent, inexpensive cleaning product does have its drawbacks. Read on to learn the ABCs of TSP and how it should best be used to see if it’s the weapon of choice to defeat your toughest cleaning challenges....

In this video, landscaping contractor Jenn Nawada shows host Kevin O’Connor everything he needs to know about preparing your garden for winter. Jenn explains that protecting all the hard work performed in the spring, summer, and fall should be the concern before the cold weather arrives. By focusing on water, clean-up, and protection, Jenn dishes on the best ways to protect your plants. When is the Best Time to Prep Plants for Winter?...

Before: Obstacle Course An obstacle course can be fun—but not in your kitchen. Melissa Loy and Mike Margolin’s Hollywood, CA, cook space had a peninsula that separated it from the breakfast nook, and the range placed at one end and the sink at the other. “Lots of water got spilled!” says Mike. Shown: A peninsula to the right of the sink cut the kitchen in half, with upper cabinets that blocked light from the breakfast-nook window....

Every kitchen needs a little perch where you can sip your morning cuppa and scan the headlines before heading out the door each morning—or where the kids can munch on cookies after school or do their homework while a parent prepares supper. If you crave that extra space in your kitchen, here are a few DIY breakfast bar styles for you to choose from. Measurements and Choosing Your Bar Top Before you start constructing anything, consider a few details....

With two small children running around, it is hard for my husband and me to get to the gym. This year, we are dedicated to creating a space inside our home to work out. The only unused space available is our unfinished storage room in the basement. Watch how I turned this small space into a functional and modern home gym. For a list of tools and materials for this project, scroll down to the bottom of the page....

Whether it’s from a fire in the home or a wildfire nearby, put that scary memory behind you Make no mistake: Fires are scary. Whether there has been a fire inside the home or a terrifying blaze had worked its way across the landscape, the first priority is getting everyone to safety. But when the flames subside, the stubborn evidence remains. The smell of smoke can linger for a long, long time, and every inhale becomes an uncomfortable reminder....

Make the most of your kitchen’s storage space by installing a pull-out shelf in one — or all — of the base cabinets. The shelf resembles a shallow drawer that glides out for easy access to items stored in the back of the cabinet. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Our shelf was built for a standard 24-inch-deep by 33-inch-wide base cabinet, but its design is adaptable to virtually any size cabinet....

There’s nothing sweeter than fruit grown from your very own tree. In fact, many varieties are simple to grow and maintain, and in addition to bearing fruit, most will produce lovely flowers and attract helpful pollinators to your garden. When you’re buying a fruit tree, ask whether it’s self-pollinating or needs a pollinator. And bear in mind that arborists can often graft trees that require a pollinator to trees that self-pollinate, essentially making the tree self-pollinating....

Previous episode: S18 E12 | Next episode: S18 E14 In this episode: Nathan travels to a Sears kit house in Richmond, Virginia to tighten an old, loose stair railing; Mauro demonstrates how to strip paint off of old door hardware; Heath explains the uses and purposes of different types of electrical boxes; Richard replaces an old thermostat with a smart thermostat without replacing the original two wires in the wall....

Previous episode: S44 E3 | Next episode: S44 E5 In this episode: The 1890s Victorian, once owned by the first black postmaster of Atlanta, had been neglected for many decades. The back bump out, sinking due to rot, has since been replaced with a new two-story addition with a stem wall foundation. Builder Jerry Davis gives Kevin O’Connor a tour of the new inside spaces and layout made possible by the addition and shares discoveries made during demo....

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. It’s a great idea to parse the internet for the best mattress deals before finalizing your purchase at checkout, and Helix is an online mattress brand that regularly offers deals on its huge portfolio of mattresses. We’ve rounded up five Helix beds that we recommend and what you can expect to pay for them during sales events....

Best Mint Scent: NEST Fragrances Reed Diffuser This reed diffuser can freshen up a living space with a designer-like touch and a lemon and mint scent. The attractive packaging makes it a suitable gift for a loved one, and the vegan oil that’s made in the United States without animal testing positions it as a premium option that’s worth the price. Key Features Lemon and mint scent 5.9 fluid ounces Eight reeds 90 days of lasting power What Customers Are Saying Many customers were pleased with the scent of this reed diffuser, stating that the lemon and mint tones mixed together nicely....

Homeowners in Denver searching for lawn care companies can halt their search. The This Old House Reviews Team has reviewed and analyzed lawn care companies in the Denver area and found that TruGreen is the top choice. TruGreen offers several annual plans, a la carte options, and a satisfaction guarantee. Read our comprehensive TruGreen review to help you discover if it’s the right fit for your lawn. Pros and Cons of TruGreen ✔ Natural fertilizer available✔ Mobile app and online chat✔ Offers pest control services✘ Customers complain about inexperienced technicians✘ Customer service can be difficult to get in touch with by phone...

Kevin O’Connor meets plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and his son, home technology expert Ross Trethewey, to talk about airflow. Richard explains that most folks with forced hot air or central air conditioning dislike their air distribution, and the Tretheweys explain the options. Air Flow Issues in Heating and Cooling Systems Most American homes have hot air heating or ducted cooling systems. And, seven out of ten of the folks in those homes are unhappy with how they operate....