START WITH CLEANING > Working in the shade, clean furniture using an oxygen bleach to remove any loose remnants of old finishes, dirt, and mildew (unless it’s redwood; then opt for oxalic acid to help maintain its color). Mix the bleach in a garden sprayer following the manufacturer’s instructions. Spray it evenly on each piece, let it foam up for 15 to 20 minutes, then gently scrub with a soft-bristle brush and rinse with water....
How long do refrigerators last? Or when those old cabinets just can’t be saved? The National Association of Home Builders’ “Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components” gives a decent guesstimate by compiling life-cycle data from scores of product manufacturers and testing labs. The following is a summary to guide you in planning your next big home improvement. When Should You Replace Appliances? The life expectancy of a typical appliance depends to a great extent on how much it’s being used....
In this video, Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps locate the leak on a steam boiler that is losing water. Steps for Diagnosing Steam Boiler Leaks Set the thermostat at a high temperature to turn on the boiler, and leave it running during diagnosis. Once the boiler has turned on, check the floor around the boiler. This would indicate a leak on the water side of the boiler....
Steps: Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Tools & Materials Drop cloths angled sash paintbrush Paint bucket Paint roller Paint tray In any house built before 1978, start by testing the room for lead paint. Use the kit and follow the instructions to determine if there is lead paint on the walls or on any painted trim. Place the drop cloth on the floor and tape off the trim with painter’s tape to protect the room from paint splotches....
If your tongue and groove floors are needed to be fixed, removed, or replaced, this video and the instructions below will help. This Old House General Contractor, Tom Silva, shows you how to remove tongue and groove flooring without damage, then, replace them with new ones carefully. He demonstrates how to take the end out of a groove, and re-install a new set, as well as describes how to give the floor a smooth finish when you’re done....
Q: We’re remodeling our kitchen and adding an island. We’d like it to have electrical outlets, but the floor is solid wood over a concrete slab. How do we route wires through concrete without wrecking the floor?—Erica Venaski, Miller Place, NY Just so you know, having a receptacle on a kitchen island is not optional; it’s actually required by the National Electrical Code on any island with a countertop bigger than 12-by-24 inches....
When you’re looking to buy a new house, it’s a good idea to go through the process to see what you’re getting yourself into. In this video, Master Electrician Heath Eastman talks all about electrical work and what you should look out for when prepping for a home inspection. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Inspecting the electrical work is an opportunity to get a sense of what you’ll have to work with and the things you’ll need to be mindful of when making improvements down the line....
About This House This once gracious house was built circa 1902 for a prominent businessman and Democratic party leader William H. Kelley and his wife, Nellie Dwyer Kelley. The couple raised their two children there while William grew the family’s grocery and coal businesses, represented central New York on the state Democratic committee, and began his 17-year term as president of Merchant’s Bank and Trust Company. The Kelleys lived in the house until 1925; around 1942 it was converted into a three-unit dwelling....
Top 10 Patio Heaters After extensive research, our top picks for the best patio heaters include: Compare Top Patio Heaters Best Mushroom Heater: FDW Outdoor Patio Heater Pros and Cons ✔ Has attached wheels for simple transportation✔ Uses a 20-pound propane tank for extended warmth✔ Has an elegant tapered pyramid shape FDW Outdoor Patio Heater $130 Prices taken at time of publishing. This propane heater warms 10 square feet with 41,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) of heat....
Homeowners in Atlanta get to enjoy a vibrant music scene and many sunny days. Unfortunately, living in The Peach State means accepting that many different kinds of pests can find their ways into your home. Summertime infestations are common, and Atlanta homeowners aren’t always equipped to handle them. That’s where professional pest control comes in. Luckily, some of the best pest control companies in the country service the Atlanta area. Orkin, Terminix, and Aptive are equipped with the experience, products, and materials needed to eradicate everything from mice to ants....
SimpleHouseware Pan and Pot-Lid Rack Save cabinet and counter space with this 5-pot organizer. COMOWARE Titanium Twist Drill Bit Set 13-piece set with holder for an array of home improvement and DIY uses. Dremel Power Cleaner This power scrubber makes quick work of cleaning sinks, glass stove tops, oven window, shower tile and glass doors, bathtub handles and drains, and much more. Original Blackout Pleated Paper Shade Easy tool-free installation to block 99% of light for complete privacy....
Thinking about buying a house? That’s a big and exciting decision. Before making such a major financial commitment, you’ll want to check out this prospective property from top to bottom. A home inspection can identify all kinds of issues–from tiny details like drywall cracks, to major problems like water in the basement. A home inspection can also help a prospective buyer create a wish list of upgrades. All of this information feeds back to the negotiation process, giving buyers and sellers key details that affect the property’s value....
Bring BIG fun to your backyard with these giant versions of the games you know and love. Read on to see how you can DIY these in just a few hours. DIY Giant Yard Games Jumbo Jenga The rules are minimal, but the suspense and excitement are maximum fun! These jumbo Jenga blocks are perfect for a summer night in the neighborhood. Related A Backyard Built for Playing Games For the full tutorial, visit Lemon Thistle....
Top 5 Handheld Shower Heads Best Combination Head: AquaDance Rainfall and Handheld Combo Best Two-in-One Shower Head: Delta Faucet H2OKinetic Handheld Shower Head Best Water-Saving Head: Hopopro Six-Function Handheld Shower Head Best For Small Showers: AquaDance High-Pressure Handheld Shower Head Best Filter Head: PureAction Luxury Filtered Shower Head Best Combination Head: AquaDance Rainfall and Handheld Combo This combo pack features a large overhead shower head that mimics the feeling of falling rain and a smaller handheld shower head attachment....
A staple of container gardening, potting soil can be pricey. So reusing it from one season to the next might make sense to thrifty, sustainability-minded folks who hate to waste. Yet the advisability of doing so depends on the condition of the potting soil—unlike fine wine, it typically doesn’t improve with age! Read on to understand the makeup of this growing medium and ways to salvage and revitalize it so that you can save cash while helping potted plants flourish....
Rooftop Deck This two-level house includes a latching door which is ideal for containing your pet if ever necessary. The stairs lead up to a top deck. Three-Story Condo Your pet can enter and exit as they please via the flaps on the side of this house. If you keep this outside, those flaps will also keep out wind and rain. Double Decker This weatherproof house offers several entry points which helps make cleaning a breeze....
When it comes to cleaning the bathroom, an important yet often overlooked part is the toilet tank. The inside part of the tank can harbor rust, mold, mildew, and bacteria that can cause unpleasant odors and impair your toilet’s functionality and longevity. If you don’t know how to clean the inside of your toilet tank, don’t fret. The job doesn’t take a lot of effort, thanks to everyday cleaners you’re likely to have on hand....
It might start as a spark from an arcing electrical wire, or from some robust sautéing that got out of hand, or more commonly these days, from a wildfire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are more than 350,000 house fires in this country every year. Some inflict relatively minor damage to the house, while others consume the house entirely. And while any fire is a traumatic event, many homeowners are left with enough house that they can rebuild the damaged parts and return to life as usual....
A roaster oven can come in handy when you’re trying to make a large meal for a gathering, but your wall oven is already full. It’s also useful if you don’t have an oven or don’t want to turn it on. Largest Capacity: Hamilton Beach Roaster Oven Key Features Made from stainless steel Has an 22-quart or 28-pound capacity Comes with a one-year warranty What Customers Are Saying Positive reviews highlighted this roaster’s ability to cook different birds of various sizes quickly....
There’s no feeling more satisfying than getting into bed after a long day, particularly if your mattress is topped with a quality set of sheets. Like a pillow or comforter, sheets are an essential part of your bed that can go overlooked. Best Luxury Set: Brooklinen Sheet Set If you’re willing to invest in high-quality sheets, this is the set for you. The sheets are made from breathable, soft, and eco-friendly long-staple cotton that has a smooth weave and a slightly luminous finish....
