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Top 5 Recliners Best Features: Mcombo Electric Power-Lift Recliner Chair Best Protection: Signature Design by Ashley Yandel Power-Lift Recliner Most Decorative Chair: Waldo Tufted Wingback Recliner Most Comfortable Chair: oneinmil Electric Power-Lift Recliner Chair Best Pockets: Esright Massage Recliner Chair Best Features: Mcombo Electric Power-Lift Recliner Chair If you’re looking for a recliner that will keep your devices charged and your drinks and personal items within arms length, look no further....

The inviting aura of an electric fireplace can make any house feel like a home. While traditional fireplaces require constant attention, an electric fireplace takes the chill out of the air without the work or smell. To help you find a fireplace that fits your home, we’ve researched online models and created this guide to the six best electric fireplaces. Top 6 Electric Fireplaces Best Size Options: R.W.FLAME Recessed and Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace Best Insert: PuraFlame Klaus Electric Fireplace Insert Best Large Fireplace: Touchstone Onyx Electric Fireplace Best Console: Ameriwood Home Chicago Electric Fireplace TV Console Best Stove: Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove Best Open Fireplace: TURBRO Eternal Flame Electric Fireplace Logs Best Size Options: R....

You don’t need an article to tell you that a sewer backup is no joke. But, old houses, increased rain, and lack of maintenance can suddenly experience sewage backing up into their homes. If this happens to you, you’ll need to take measures to fix it immediately to avoid further issues and emergencies. Get Regular Sewer Inspections The first step in how to manage a sewer backup is to not have one....

Corona experiences many different pest problems, from rats sneaking over from neighboring L.A. to moths following you home from Santiago Peak. A pest control company helps you prevent an infestation and keep your home pest-free. With so many companies in Riverside County, it might be difficult to decide on which company to commit to. That’s why the This Old House Reviews team is here to help you in your research. We have researched and reviewed some of the top pest control companies in the country....

There’s no hard-and-fast rule that says your backyard has to be the size of a football field to host a decent soiree. A small area equipped with the right features will comfortably fit an outdoor summer party, no problem. Here are our suggestions for your backyard. Design Ideas for Small Backyards 1. Put down a new patio surface Start from the ground up and give your patio a boast-worthy new surface....

The term “sprinkler system” might be misleading. While it probably brings to mind perfectly manicured golf courses or that section of town where the homeowners hire out all of their lawn maintenance, sprinklers aren’t just for luxury properties. These tiny machines are perfect for maintaining lawns of all sizes, and even flower beds and fruit and vegetable gardens. But before you try to jam a lawn sprinkler underneath the zucchini, there are quite a few things that would be good to know about these devices....

How to Design an Outdoor Kitchen: The most cost effective and straightforward outdoor kitchen to install is a grill station. It provides workspace, storage, and can be used as an anchor or focal point for the patio. When designing a grill station, Jenn thinks about the following: a. Placement - how far does the gas line need to be run, where can it vent, where does it fit practically, does it have comfortable access from the interior kitchen to bring food in and out of the house?...

In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O’Connor install a ductless heat pump to heat and cool a room. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps: Calculate the heat and cooling load of the space, then order the appropriate size heat pump. Mount the bracket for the indoor air handler to the room wall. Use a hole saw to bore a 2⅝-inch-diameter hole through the exterior wall....

A new mailbox may be on your to-do list, whether you just moved into your home or you’re sprucing it up and want to improve your curb appeal. Whatever the reason, it’s a good idea to brush up on mailbox rules and regulations before you begin to shop for a new one or are building one from scratch. What are the Curbside Mailbox Requirements? You’ll typically find curbside mailboxes in areas where the mail carrier delivers mail from a vehicle....

All plumbing systems develop clogs—there’s no way to avoid it. We’ll show you how to clear stubborn clogs in a kitchen sink, bathtub, toilet, and floor drain. These proven techniques will dislodge virtually any clog. If you can’t clear a clog after a few attempts, make sure you admit defeat and turn the job over to a drain-cleaning service or licensed plumber. Exerting too much force can permanently damage a pipe or fixture....

Steps for Hooking Up a Portable Generator: Heath explains some of the ways that a portable generator can be professionally wired to a house. First, never place the generator indoors or in a garage, as it generates carbon monoxide and is fatal. Always place it just on the outside of the house. Most generators can be plugged into a power inlet box, which an electrician can then wire into the house and connect to the electrical panel....

Previous episode: Idea House Build: Cottage on the Cape (E1) | Next episode: Idea House Build: All Dried In on the Cape (E3) In this episode: Dry-in is almost complete at the Cottage on the Cape. Matt explains the multi-layered roofing system that will be installed when the sheathing is completed. With the sheathing over the ADU finished, Chris joins Pete on the roof to see how the skylights will fit in with the layers and learn how the opening will be made water-tight....

Basements are at least partially insulated by the fact that they are typically three-quarters buried in the ground. Crawl spaces should be insulated, too, to prevent the plumbing from freezing in colder climates, to prevent energy loss in HVAC ducts, and to help insulate the house above. There is a complication though. For a long time, it was considered good building practice to vent a crawl space, on the theory that a flow of fresh air would keep the crawl space dry....

Sleek granite and sharp stainless. It looks all luxe and modern—and maybe just a little bit, you know, cold. So what to do if you want more warmth in the heart of the home? Cozy things up with rich-looking butcher block. Not only are its well-oiled tones welcoming, it’s easy to install, as This Old House senior technical editor Mark Powers shows on the following pages. Just order it to size, and then fasten it down....

Previous episode: S19 E16 | Next episode: S19 E18 In this episode: Tom Silva explains why he enjoys sanding so much and how it gets him into the zone. He describes what he looks for in a good sanding job and how important sanding can be for the finished product. Then, he meets up with Kevin O’Connor to discuss power sanders and how they work. Tom breaks down the uses of a belt sander, finishing sander, and a random orbit sander....

As Producer of Ask This Old House, Sarah Chasse is responsible for finding unique houses, compelling homeowners, and relatable projects to fill twenty-six episodes of television per season. With more than 2,000 emails coming in from homeowners around the country each month, it’s her job to identify the most viable projects and then see those projects through to completed TV segments. Sarah joined the TOH crew in 2014, shortly after graduating summa cum laude from Quinnipiac University with a degree in Film, Video and Interactive Media....

This story originally appeared in the Winter 2021 Issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. After four years of living with a traditional wired security system at his Mariposa, CA, home, Jim Allen was ready for a change. “I was tired of walking through the door with my arms full of groceries thinking; I’ve got 30 seconds to turn o that alarm,” he recalls. So Jim canceled his service—which took nearly a week of customer service calls—and installed a smart home- security package himself....

Below you’ll find our top recommendations, a comprehensive buyer’s guide, and answers to some common questions. Best Bistro Set: Grand patio Premium Steel Patio Bistro Set Best Sun Protection: Flash Furniture Patio Garden Table Set Best Wood Set: Walker Edison Outdoor Patio Furniture Dining Set Best For Entertaining: DINELI Patio Furniture Sectional Sofa With Gas Fire Pit Table Best Small Sectional: Devoko Patio Furniture Set Best Bistro Set: Grand Patio Premium Steel Patio Bistro Set Pros and Cons ✔ Powder-coated finish prevents rusting✔ Works in coastal or beach areas✔ Folds up easy storage...

Most Versatile: Makita BO5041 5” Random Orbit Sander Key Features Power: 3.0 AMP Variable speed: 4,000–12,000 OPM Weight: 2.1 lbs What Customers Are Saying Customers who liked this product said that it was easy to hold, highly maneuverable, and that it was quiet. While many woodworkers found this tool to be well-designed, some mentioned that the dust port was a bit too small and that it was difficult to attach to a shop vac....

Pittsburgh’s plentiful rainfall and warm, humid summers mean the city can experience a range of pest problems—from ticks to wasps to roof rats. Homeowners who have a routine pest control plan can avoid encounters with these unwelcome guests. There are many options for pest management services in the Steel City, so the This Old House Reviews Team has researched some of the best pest control companies to help you make the right decision....