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Milwaukee Tool’s first cordless finish nailers hit the market in 2016 along with much fanfare given the manufacturer’s successful moves in cordless technology. At the time, Milwaukee had many “wins” under its belt in the cordless tool arena. Unfortunately, their line of cordless finish nailers turned out to not be among them. Excessively heavy and poorly balanced, with a horrible line of sight, the first generation brad nailer also regularly misfired in a way that left two holes per nail instead of one....

Many buyers overlook the mechanical systems when buying a new home. Behind a mortgage, heating and cooling energy costs are the second-largest expense homeowners typically have. So, it’s important to know what type of cooling and heating system exists in a house you’re looking to buy. In the video above, Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, walks you through a house with a steam heating system....

You work hard to make your house your home. If you have been wanting to invest in a security camera but hesitating due to the high prices, this one may be the solution. The Sinji Pan Tilt Indoor Camera is on sale for $39.95 down from $119. The Sinji can pan 355 degrees and tilt 80 degrees, to ensure the coverage angle is just right. It’s super easy to work with, thanks to its iOS and Android companion app that you can use to control it and view your space, even at night via infrared....

Sweep the slab > The first step might be the hardest: Clear off the floor. Once it’s bare, sweep out debris with a push broom. Protect outlets and drywall by hanging plastic drop cloths over the bottom 3 feet of wall. Wash the concrete > Mix a solution of ⅓ cup powdered laundry detergent, such as Tide, per gallon of hot water; the granules will act as a mild abrasive. Working in sections, pour some solution onto the floor and scrub with a stiff bristle brush....

Why You Should Cover Your High-End Appliances Buying a home warranty is a wise investment for any homeowner, but especially those who own high-end appliances. A home warranty can assist in providing coverage for expensive home items that homeowners insurance may not cover. We recommend reading your service contract to see which of your luxury appliances can be added to your home warranty. Pay extra attention to the fine print regarding coverage caps, which may stipulate that high-end appliances are not subject to the same reimbursement rates as lower-end appliances....

Water heater myths explained: Look for a rating plate on the water heater that will tell when the tank was manufactured and the warranty life. Tanks that have reached the end of their warranty period are more likely to fail. If you’re planning to change to a different style water heater, like going from a tank-style to a tankless, its better to change proactively. A water heater’s placement will also help determine when it should be replaced....

The cost of home renovations can add up quickly and you may not be keen on spending your cash reserves on updates throughout your house. As you explore financing options, refinancing your mortgage might be a good move. Real estate prices have been on an upward trajectory for the last several years, resulting in fast equity for homeowners across the country. Find out the pros and cons of refinancing your mortgage to pay for your renovations and if this is the best financial strategy for you....

When we think of a home’s basement, we often imagine dark, damp places with old holiday decorations and lots of spiders. And what else? Mold. What is Mold? Mold (sometimes called mildew), is a type of fungus. It’s made up of small organisms that send out tiny spores to reproduce when they find somewhere wet. These spores can attach themselves to clothing, hair, shoes, or just travel on the wind — and you encounter them throughout your day, mostly without noticing....

Steps: Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Tools & Materials Pipe freezing tool Pipe cutter Replacing the main shutoff valve is a risky job that should be left to professionals only. If the homeowner-accessible shutoff is not holding, the water utility usually has access to another shutoff in the street. When working in a multifamily home or if the main shutoff is damaged, water can be held back temporarily by freezing the pipe....

All in a Day’s Work—and Play! When you’re renovating a house—not to mention filming a TV show while you do it—things don’t always go according to plan. But that doesn’t mean the end result isn’t amazing! And the group of Insiders and guests who visited the Westerly Ranch House in Westerly, Rhode Island this June did a great job of going with the flow. (It certainly didn’t hurt that Tommy, Richard, Kevin, Mark, and Jeff were on hand to help, not to mention our Generation Next apprentices and the TOH TV crew!...

Decorating the family Christmas tree is among Claire Younker Moe’s fondest childhood memories. But as an adult, the tradition held less allure. “It’s not that I’m ‘Bah, humbug,’” Claire says. “I just can’t get into spending all that money on a dead tree.” Many years she went without. But then she had a son and felt guilty about denying him such memories of his own. An Evergreen Tradition So Claire and her husband devised a new seasonal strategy: They buy a live tree to trim indoors, and after the ornaments are packed away they plant it on their three acres on Bainbridge Island, Washington....

During the October 16 Live Q&A, Kevin O’Connor and Tom Silva were on the scene at the Brookline project house, giving a preview tour while also answering Insiders’ questions. One Insider asked for advice about fiber-cement siding versus vinyl (Tom likes fiber cement); another asked for guidance on the new workshop he is building in his backyard using 4x4 posts (Tom recommended using 6x6 posts). Another Insider wanted to know what was important for getting started in the building profession (most important thing, according to Tom, is a willingness to listen); and an Insider asked about moss growing on his roof (use a 50-50 mix of bleach and water to kill the moss, and put a zinc or copper strip above the area where the moss was to prevent future growth)....

Previous episode: S18 E25 | Next episode: Posting on Oct 4, 8pm ET In this episode: Nathan Gilbert shows Kevin O’Connor some interesting drywall paneling he recently found in an older house; Richard Trethewey travels to New York City to teach a homeowner how to clean her shower cartridge when it gets clogged; Tom Silva teaches Kevin the basics of using a lathe and then they turn a bowl together....

Previous episode: S19 E28 | Next episode: S19 E30 In this episode: The team tackles a few projects that will make any garage workshop high-performing. We start with Tom Silva traveling to Chicago, Illinois to help a homeowner turn her one-car garage into a woodworking shop. The homeowner enjoys woodworking and wants to expand her skills by creating her own workshop. The only place she can put it is in her one-car garage, so the space is a bit tight....

Handling projects yourself is a great way to save some money, learn new skills, and increase the resale value on your house. However, working with tools and new techniques come with their fair share of risks, especially if you’re trying something for the first time, so it’s smart for DIYers to focus on being cautious. 11 Safety Precautions Before Starting a DIY Project Follow these safety guidelines while getting jobs done around the house and you’ll keep out of harm’s way....

Best Survival Gear: LifeStraw Personal Water Filter This filtration straw doesn’t expire and has a compact design, making it a good addition to emergency kits. Along with filtering bacteria, it also removes microplastics to provide cleaner water. Additionally, LifeStraw covers a year’s supply of drinking water for a child in need with the purchase of one of the company’s products. Key Features Filters 1,000 gallons of water Comes in multiple colors and quantities Removes microplastics, bacteria, and parasites Made from plastic What Customers Are Saying Customers liked that this straw was portable and could filter contaminants from a number of water sources....

Top 5 Dinnerware Sets Most Unique: Pfaltzgraff Trellis 16-Piece Dinnerware Set Key Features Made from stoneware Set for four people Four 11-inch dinner plates Four eight-inch salad plates Four six-inch cereal bowls Four 14-ounce mugs What Customers Are Saying Most reviewers said that the plates were easy to clean and of good value considering the price. However, disappointed customers said that the dishes started to show scratches after a few months of use....

Rats are more than just a nuisance — they can spread diseases and chew through wooden structures. When homeowners see a rat, they often panic, but with the right poison, it’s an easy problem to take care of. To help you select the product that’s right for your needs, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best rat poisons on the market today. Below, we provide product recommendations, information about various types of rat poison and what to look for when buying, and answers to common buyer questions....

Want to save these ideas for later? Create your own holiday gift list to share gift ideas with family and friends. Sullivans Ceramic Vase Set Shop Now To help your host display natural or artificial plants, consider gifting this vase set. These ceramic vases are available in multiple colors. They come in three sizes to hold short and tall plants. However, they can also be used without plants as a standalone decoration....

From mowing to mulching to leaf blowing, keeping your lawn in pristine condition is an important part of home maintenance, especially in the fall. But having the right tools can help keep your lawn in peak condition without the hassle. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best tools for fall yard cleanup to help you find the product that’s right for you or your loved one....