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Requiring only a few tools, replacing a bathtub drain is a fairly simple job that virtually anyone can do. To begin, you’ll need the following items on hand: Screwdriver Pliers Drain wrench Drain fitting (the basket-shaped piece that sits just under the stopper) Steps to Remove a Bathtub Drain Step 1: Identify the stopper There are many types of bathtub stoppers. Three common models that don’t rely on a trip lever mechanism are the toe-touch, the push-pull, and the lift-and-turn....

In part one of this project, I removed my mantel so I could cut it shorter for a better tv height and demo’d the tile on the fireplace surround and hearth. I realized my substrates were in pretty rough condition, so I replaced the drywall and prepped the floor with cement board. To see more of the that process, click the link below. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time How to Prep a Fireplace for New Tile...

Steps: To identify if a citrus tree is diseased, check the fruit and the leaves of the tree. Small, green fruits indicate that the tree isn’t receiving proper nutrients. Pinched leaves indicate that psyllids have been feeding off the tree and spreading disease. Check the root tips. If the roots are brown, they should be cut off to allow for new root growth. Take a shovel and cut down 4-6” around the base of the tree at the dripline to do this....

Steps for Repairing a Paver Walkway: Examine the walkway. If the pavers have moved around but the base appears relatively firm, it might just be a freeze/thaw issue. If it appears that the pavers caved in, there’s a good chance it was damaged by chipmunk tunnels. Keep this in mind while working on the walkway. Before moving any of the pavers, take a picture of the pattern laid out. Remove the pavers and place them carefully out of the way....

If you have a sump pump set into the concrete floor of your basement, should it be covered or sealed up to block out radon gas? While there’s no plumbing-related reason for a sump pump cover, it will prevent objects from falling into the well and young children from playing in it. Also, the local building department might require a cover. Solid and perforated covers are available from most sump well manufacturers, including: Topp Industries (Box 420, Dept....

Indoor security cameras have evolved over the years from bulky, expensive systems that require professional installation to small, user-friendly devices that can be plugged into the wall and set up in minutes. With the increase in do-it-yourself security cameras that range from $30 to over $300, it’s important to understand the variance between models and select an indoor camera that’s right for your situation. Security cameras work to monitor motion and sound in rooms throughout your home using high-quality video and two-way audio communication....

Decking and Railings General contractor Tom Silva, carpenter Nathan Gilbert, builder Deliandro Dias, and finish carpenter Bill Gilbert lead a crew of volunteers to finish the deck. The team is installing decking on the top side of the deck while also cutting and assembling the railing components before installing them between the posts. Patio While a crew of volunteers is laying mulch around the freshly planted trees, mason Mark McCullough is leading even more volunteers while they place patio bricks, donated by the Pine Hall Brick Company, over the freshly-compacted stone base....

When Kevin O’Connor, the host of This Old House, renovated his 1894 Queen Anne, he never once considered replacing its original double-hung windows with modern ones. “It would kill me to put new windows in this house,” he says. For one thing, the handcrafted sash and blown-glass panes would be costly to replace—as much as $1,000 apiece—and substituting anything less would destroy much of the old place’s charm. Still, he was dismayed by how much air leaked in during the winter, even with outside storm windows in place....

Dormer roofs are the little rooms that project from a roof and allow more space and light in the top floor or attic. As architectural styles have shifted, architects and builders have invented more ways to build dormers. Here are 12 different types of dormer roofs and their history. 1. Arched Top Arched top dormers often point to architectural styles that originated in France. These include the Second Empire style (popular 1855-1885), named for the period when Napoleon III ruled France; the Beaux Arts style (1885-1930), favored by Americans who had studied at the leading French school of architecture, Ecole des Beaux-Arts; and the French Eclectic style (1915-1945), based on traditional French houses....

Period Pieces Few things are as great as getting your home’s particulars just the way you want them: the marble slab at the right height for rolling out pie dough, a dimmer control that correctly calibrates the lighting, a barstool that’s not just cool but comfy. But it’s not everyone who conjures a wish list like Joan Riddle’s. Shown: The original house was built with stone from the surrounding fields, likely in the 1840s or ’50s, when this area of Pennsylvania was bustling with newcomers....

There’s nothing like a long soak in a hot tub, especially when it’s outdoors overlooking the view. Summer or winter, the warm water, and massaging jets ease tired muscles and melt the stress away. Maybe you’ve been attending pool and spa shows, looking at all the models and options available. Before you get too far along your buyer’s journey, there are a few things to figure out, like if you need a permit, where you’ll locate the tub, and if you need to hire someone to install it....

Steps: Mark desired lengths for the poplar and cut on a miter saw. Rip desired widths on the table saw. Rip the plywood to size on the table saw. Use a router with a rabbeting bit to cut rabbets on the pieces for the sides and the top for the plywood. Square off the rounded corner from the router with a chisel. To set the radius on the bottom of the sides, trace a round object like a plastic bucket or paint can and then cut the radius with a jigsaw....

Steps for Fixing a Loose End Cap on a Stair Rail Carefully pry out the bung underneath the end cap with a flathead screwdriver. Loosen the stair railing nut from the bolt using the screwdriver and remove the end cap from the stair railing. At the thickest part of the end cap, measure to find the center of the railing end cap and mark it about ⅜" from the top of the end cap....

Jenn: Hey guys, I’m Jenn from House One and today I’m here with Brad from Fix This Build That. Brad, thank you for being here. Brad: Absolutely, awesome to be here Jenn: I thought we could start with you telling everybody a little bit about Fix This Build That and how you got started. Brad: Yeah, absolutely. So Fix This Build That is a website where I do woodworking and DIY projects and plans—Anything from Instagram, to social media, blog to YouTube....

Previous episode: S20 E11 | Next episode: S20 E13 In this episode: 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....

Previous episode: S42 E10 | Next episode: S42 E12 In this episode: With the board and plaster going up inside, Kevin O’Connor finds Tom Silva and local technology installer Erich Plummer hiding sound speakers in the living room ceiling. Just in time for cold weather, the heating contractor is ready to fire up the HVAC system. Richard Trethewey meets Mike Gamache and his daughter to show the difference between an old condenser and modern more efficient units....

Explore our top recommendations, tips on what to look for when shopping, and answers to common landscape fabric questions below. Compare Top Landscape Fabrics Best For Small Gardens: ECOgardener Weed Barrier Best Lifespan: Dewitt Bulk Woven Landscape Fabric Best For Large Gardens: Mutual Industries Geotextile Fabric Best Nonwoven Fabric: HOOPLE Garden Weed Barrier Best UV Resistance: WAENLIR Heavy-Duty Weed Barrier Best For Small Gardens: ECOgardener Weed Barrier Pros and Cons ✔ Features double-layered weatherproof fabric✔ Safe for use in vegetable gardens✔ Is easy to cut and install...

Steps: Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Chains aws are some of the most dangerous tools to use. If you feel uncomfortable or uncertain handling one, hire a professional. Always wear appropriate safety gear when operating a chain saw. A hard hat, ear protection, safety glasses, face mask, gloves, safety chaps, and sturdy shoes are a must. The chain brake is right in front of the handle and prevents injury caused by kickback....

This shingle-style house in Manchester, Massachusetts was built in 1891. Putting the history back into this turn-of-the-century beauty, homeowners John and Molly plan to strip away the 1970s carpet, cracking balusters, and doors to nowhere and reclaim the history of this rambling Shingle-style home. Homeowners: Molly and John and their young daughter General Contractor: Silva Brothers Construction Location: Manchester, MA Scope: John and Molly bought this home a year ago, after deciding they were ready to move out of the city....

Whether you’re laying a wood floor in a new house or replacing one that’s damaged beyond repair, there are dozens of species to pick from, including trusty domestics, such as oak and maple, and intriguing exotics, such as tamarind and acacia. You also have a choice of widths—be it rustic wide planks or traditional narrow strips—and stain colors, which allows you to tailor your floors to your house’s style and decor....