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Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains basement moisture control to Kevin O’Connor. After discussing some of the most common causes of wet basements and their consequences, Richard shows Kevin some methods for controlling them. Richard then explains how dehumidifiers work and how they may be the best option. Wet Basement Woes are Hardly Universal Believe it or not, only about 40 percent of homes in the U.S. have basements. However, of those homes that do have basements, 60 percent have moisture problems....

If you want the look of marble but it’s just not in the budget, don’t despair. You can paint your existing laminate countertop to look like marble, for a fraction of the cost. And you don’t have to be an artist for it to look nice, either. How to Marble Paint Countertops Marble comes in many different colors, including gold, black, brown, and blue. We chose to replicate the traditional white with grey veining, but this technique will work with any colors....

For this project, we’re teaming up with our friends at Sherwin-Williams to freshen up a bookcase with rich color and turn it into smart storage as a kitchen island shelf. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time To get started, I visited my local Sherwin-Williams paint store where the painting expert suggested Extreme Bond Primer so I can save time and skip scuff-sanding the bookcase’s glossy surface. For a finish coat, I wanted a long-lasting, durable finish....

Working with concrete Portland cement is the key ingredient in most masonry mixes, including cement, concrete, and mortar. Concrete is composed of portland cement, sand, and aggregate (gravel). When the concrete cures, the aggregate binds the ingredients and makes concrete strong. Mortar, used to build brick and concrete-block walls, is made of portland cement, lime, and sand; it contains no gravel. Lime makes mortar sticky so it adheres better to the brick or block, and it also makes cured mortar more elastic and less likely to crack....

Jenn L.: Hey guys! I’m Jenn from House One, and today I’m here with a very dear friend of mine, Jen Woodhouse from House of Wood. Jen, thank you so much for being here. Jen W.: Oh, thanks for having me! Jenn L.: So, I thought we could just start by you telling everybody about a little bit about House of Wood and what they could expect to see there?...

Previous episode: S43 E31 | Next episode: S43 E33 In this episode: This Old House has been following the restoration of a four-room schoolhouse that is being turned into nine affordable housing units for veterans in Dracut, MA. Great effort is taken to make the outside look as it did in 1898, including making the new chimney look old. Kevin O’Connor lends Mark McCullough a hand installing a 3/4’’ real brick veneer to the face of the chimney....

Best Grilling Gifts for Any Outdoor Cook For the Griller Who Can’t Quite Get Started: Oklahoma Joe’s Propane Charcoal Starter/Lighter For the Grillmaster Who Only Uses Charcoal: F2C Ash Bucket For the Person Who Has Been Burned One Too Many Times: Heat Guardian Heat-Resistant Gloves For the Griller Who Likes To Show Off: Cuisinart Deluxe Grill Set For the Person Who Wants To Sign Their Steaks: BBQ Fans Personalized Monogram Branding Iron For the Griller Who Can’t Get Enough of Chicken: Cave Tools Beer Can Chicken Holder For the (Indoor) Grillmaster: Elite Gourmet Indoor Electric Grill For the Grillmaster Who Never Skips the Vegetables: Cuisinart Nonstick Grill Wok For the Griller Who’s Constantly Checking the Temperature: Secura Wireless Remote Meat Thermometer For the Tidy Grillmaster: GRILLART Grill Brush and Scraper For The One Who Loves Smoking Meat: Dyna-Glo Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker For the Rookie Griller: Char-Broil Propane Gas Grill For Those Who Want To Grill Everything: Lodge Carbon Steel Skillet For the Griller Who Cooks With Oil: Nunez De Prado Extra-Virgin Olive Oil For Those Who Want To Grill Anywhere: Fire Sense Yakatori Charcoal Grill For the Griller Who Prefers Cooking With Wood Pellets: Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker For Those Who Like an Extra Kick: Mike’s Hot Honey Original & Extra Hot Combo For the Grillers Who Love Barbecue Sauce: Stubbs Texas BBQ Sampler Pack For the Griller Who Loves Kebabs: Norpro Stainless Steel 14-Inch Skewers For The Person Who Cuts Their Own Meat: DALSTRONG Cimitar Knife For the Griller Who Can’t Quite Get Started Oklahoma Joe’s Propane Charcoal Starter/Lighter This charcoal lighter simplifies what’s arguably the most difficult part of grilling: starting the charcoal....

These days, you may have been hearing homeowners opting to invest in steam showers to recreate a luxury spa experience at home. So what is a steam shower? Simply put, it’s a warm, vaporous steam room haven that takes the place of your ordinary shower stall. Along with the benefits to your skin and sinuses, a steam shower doesn’t take a long time to generate heat like a whirlpool tub or sauna....

Floating shelves are made up two parts; a simple cleat that’s attached directly to the wall, and a hollow box that slides snugly over the cleat. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Cut List for this Project Watch the video above, or get my cut list below and view the step-by-step instructions on how to make a floating shelf. Steps for Building a Floating Shelf For this DIY floating shelf project, I’m using stock boards from the home center, a miter saw to cut them to length, and a drill/driver to assemble the pieces with screws and wood glue....

House One editor Jenn Largesse continues her backyard renovation project. After installing beautiful composite decking and handrails around her shipping container pool, Jenn works with a contractor to install a vinyl pergola with aluminum reinforcement on her pool deck. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time How to Build a Pergola Start by laying all of the individual parts to the pergola kit out and take inventory of what’s there. Be sure all of the parts and hardware are included....

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows the correct, safe way to install a new blade on your portable circular saw Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for changing a circular saw blade Unplug the saw’s power cord from the electrical outlet or extension cord. Or, remove the battery if it’s a cordless saw. Press down on the saw’s arbor-lock button and rotate the blade until the locking mechanism engages....

The exterior of your home has a big job. Not only does it have to protect you and your family from the onslaughts of nature, it must continue to look inviting no matter what Mother Nature throws your way. If you’re in the market for improving the facade of your home, and you’re unsure which type of siding to choose, this comparison will help. Before we jump into the different types of siding, it’s important to note that any exterior siding project should also include some consideration of exterior trim–the casing treatment used around window and door openings....

Just like humans, plants get cold and need protection from frigid temperatures. Evergreen shrubs can withstand flurries, but heavy snow and other hazards of the upcoming season can wreak havoc on these workhorse yard plantings. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time What do you cover plants with in the winter? You can cover your plants in burlap to allow moisture in but keep the harsh elements, like wind, out. Other options include adding 3-4 inches of leaves or a layer of mulch around your plant’s base; this will help moderate the soil’s temperature....

In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to repair a squeaky floor through a carpet. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time How Do You Fix a Squeaky Floor Under Carpet? Use a hammer to locate a floor joist within the squeaky section of the floor. Tap the carpeted floor with the hammer and listen for a dull thud, indicating a joist below. Chuck the joist-finding screw into the drill/driver....

What to Do if Your Stairs Aren’t Up to Code It is important to note that code requires stair railings to be between 34”-38” away from the stair treads. With open risers, the maximum gap allowed between treads is 4”. To tighten a gap, close in the riser or add material to the top of each step. Balusters and cable railings also need to be a maximum of 4” apart....

Common household pests can not only be inconvenient, they can also endanger your family and spread disease. If your home is overrun with unwanted visitors, a professional pest control company can identify the problem and quickly come up with a treatment plan. Pest control companies all claim to effectively rid your home of pests, but it’s important to take a closer look at several companies to weigh your options. In this article, we’ll discuss six of the top pest control companies in the Bay Area and include information on price, services, and scheduling....

Whether most of your outings are to the grocery store or you’re planning a road trip, your car is your base camp when you’re out of the house. In addition to the tools you should carry to change a tire—a lug wrench, sealant, pressure gauge, and, of course, a spare tire—plan to stow a few extras you may need for other situations, to tide you over until help arrives. You should be able to carry all these items and still have room in your trunk for luggage....

American homes are host to more than 30 million acres of lawns, which will play host to countless barbecues, picnics, and Frisbee games in the coming months. With proper care, your lawn will look great despite endless hours of barefoot traffic and blazing sun. This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook tells us what we should do to keep the grass greener. Test Your Soil A soil test takes the guesswork out of lawn care, giving you precise measurements of pH as well as the quantity and availability of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus (home kits are usually reliable for pH only)....

This article appeared in the Summer 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. As modernist architect Le Corbusier famously said, “The history of architecture is the history of the struggle for light.” What an ally he would have found in today’s multi-panel doors, movable glass wall systems that let sunlight stream in. What Are Multi-Panel Doors? Like patio doors on steroids, these systems—also called “scenic doors,” “big doors,”­ or simply “multi-panels”—are made up of large glass panels that ride along or pivot on tracks, opening the house to what’s just outside, usually a patio or deck....

It takes more than a smile to make guests feel at home—and no less so when you’re headed outdoors. A backyard needs places for people to sit, sup, and converse. Buck Davis had precisely that goal in mind when he set about transforming the barren area behind his tiny Atlanta bungalow. The sloping yard, extending 80 feet from the house, offered only a few trees, weedy grass, and a chain-link fence....