Mold spores are everywhere. They float through the air and can settle on any surface. If that surface is damp and there’s a food source present, mold will grow. The paper face on a damp sheet of drywall can be the perfect food source for a spore to dig into. Before long, the mold can multiply and spread across the entire wall and into the wall cavity, feeding on wood framing and flooring....
One of the biggest changes to hit residential real estate since the turn of this century is the practice of home staging: preparing a house, largely through décor, to appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers—and obtain the highest price. Is it Important to Stage a House? It started in Sweden, where it’s called homestyling, and soon reached out shores. Why? Because it works! Staged homes, on average, sell about 88 percent faster and for 20 percent more, according to Realtor....
Anyone with their first interior home painting project has stood in the paint aisle wondering how many cans they need to bring home. To keep your colors matching and avoid return trips to the store, do some calculations ahead of time: How Much Paint Is Needed for Walls? Start by adding up the length of all the walls to be painted, from end to end. Then multiply that number (the perimeter) by the height of the walls, from floor to ceiling....
Previous episode: S19 E3 | Next episode: S19 E5 In this episode: In this special episode of Ask This Old House, Jenn explains how various climates across the United States impact the design, care, and maintenance of different landscapes, which includes discussing USDA Hardiness Zones and native plant species. Kevin explains the USDA Hardiness Zone map and how it can help a homeowner determine which plants will work best in their backyard....
Previous episode: S42 E5 | Next episode: S42 E7 In this episode: The barge rafters on the Queen Anne style house are decorative, and the Historic Commission wanted to reflect that in the new garage addition. Tom Silva helps to route the design on the rafters and then they get lifted in place and screwed on. Figuring out where to hide mechanicals is always a creative challenge. Richard Trethewey shows how Jeff Sweenor’s team solved the problem in the new and old parts of the house....
Most Powerful: Earthwise Corded Electric Tiller/Cultivator With a 13.5-amp motor, this corded tool is effective for heavy-duty tilling projects, such as preparing a new bed with rocky soil. It also has an adjustable cultivating width between 11 and 16 inches with a depth of eight inches. Key Features 29 pounds 16-inch cutting width Eight-inch cutting depth 13.5-amp motor Six tines Two-year warranty What Customers Are Saying Many customers liked this electric tiller’s safety features, power, and durability....
Charm City’s coastal location can be alluring for pesky pests such as mosquitoes, spiders, mice, and rats. Luckily, there are many companies in Baltimore with solutions for these annoying home invaders. Finding the best pest control companies is the first step to having a pest-free home. This Old House’s Reviews Team has researched a combination of the top national brands and local businesses to highlight some options that are best for your property....
Think it’s an overstatement to call it the war against weeds? Here’s what you’re up against. A single redroot pigweed is able to produce up to 30,000 seeds in a season. And those seeds can remain alive in the soil for 70 years waiting to sprout and overrun your perennial border at any time. Controlling weeds is a fight you can’t win entirely because they always grow back. But you can keep weeds under control by depriving new ones of the conditions they need to take root in the first place....
Although Philadelphia has had its ups and downs in terms of population, it’s back to being the sixth-most populous city in the country thanks to a 5.1% increase between 2010 and 2020. If you’re moving to the City of Brotherly Love, you’re probably looking for a moving company to help you safely transport your belongings to your new location. To help you in your search, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the top moving companies in Philadelphia for self-service, partial, and full-service moves....
This article appeared in the Spring 2021 issue of This Old House Magazine. Click here to learn how to subscribe. When you’re renovating, there’s one pesky thing that always stands in the way of creating the home of your dreams: the budget! Your home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, and while creating a budget and sticking to it is important, know that you don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve great style....
In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner install a wireless thermostat to control one zone of heating. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Steps for Installing a Wireless Thermostat Mount the electronic interface module (receiver) to the wall beside the boiler. Run two wires from the receiver to the appropriate zone valve. Run two more wires from the receiver to a transformer. Fasten the wires to the wall and ceiling with cable staples....
A blizzard, snowstorm, or even a heavy snowfall at the wrong time or place can be a rude surprise for homeowners without the necessary supplies for prep and cleanup. Don’t be caught off guard the next time the white stuff threatens to cripple your region. Prepare for a blizzard ahead of time and arm yourself with these goods and be ready to deal with the chilly aftermath. What Should You Do Before, During, and After a Blizzard?...
Phoenix is a beautiful city, attractive to more than 1.5 million residents. Fortunately for both homeowners looking to sell and residents ready to buy, the housing market has been thriving over the past year. According to monthly statistics in February 2021 released by the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS), sales were up 5.2% compared with 2020, with an 8.2% increase from January. In growing housing markets, hiring a professional real estate agent can be critical to ensure the most efficient sale or search for your dream home....
RY King Flameless Candles Set of Nine $26 Prices taken at time of publishing. This set of nine spooky candles of different sizes are completely flameless, featuring a battery-operated artificial flame. The set comes with a remote control for use at a distance, and they are also available in a variety of color choices to match your personal preference. OCATO 200-inch Spider and Spider Web This cobweb set, which folds up for easy storage, includes 200 inches of stretchable spider web and one 59-inch long black spider with poseable legs....
Warm weather brings everyone outdoors more often and using the deck or patio as an extension of your living space makes sense. To create a homey feeling that reflects your style and personality, and to save a bit of money, try your hand at making one or more of these 10 DIY outdoor furniture ideas. With something for every skill level, you’re sure to find the perfect project for your next free weekend....
TOH readers are no strangers to the idea of upcycling—and if you’ve been to the TOH Pinterest page, you would know that window greenhouses are all the rage. Here, we gathered tips from four fellow DIYers to help you craft a successful seed-starter or decorative structure for your own garden using salvaged windows. Set Up an Inner Frame and Base Be mindful of your materials and how they will interact with your climate....
Given the popularity of mid-century modern furniture, Tom Silva sensed a great Build It opportunity when his son showed him a reissue of the George Nelson platform bench. Tom saw that the clean lines of the elegant 1946 design were achieved with straightforward woodworking techniques: the bench top’s half-lapped strips would be easy work for a table saw and router. The legs’ trapezoidal shape might pose more of a challenge, but loose-tenon joinery could take care of that....
While hanging drywall takes a little muscle, getting the drywall ready for paint or wallpaper requires finesse. The goal here is simple: Make the joints between drywall panels disappear so that walls and ceilings are perfectly smooth. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Is It Hard to Finish Drywall? The process isn’t complicated. It takes just a few tools—a small and a large drywall knife and a swivel-head pole sander—to finish drywall....
It’s easier to patch imperfections and holes in baseboards than to replace the entire piece. In older homes, replacing it entirely risks damage to the plaster, and can be a difficult process if the baseboard is tucked behind the wood floor. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time Also, finding a molding profile that matches the existing trim can be challenging at best – and costly if it requires having the trim custom made....
Oops! Whether it be grape juice, a little present from Fido, or finger-paint artwork from your 3-year-old, it seems whatever is not supposed to get on the carpet always does. With the help of carpet manufacturer Shaw and rug maker and importer Nourison, we’ve provided a list of the best DIY carpet stain removers that you can make using products from around your house. Steps to Clean & Remove Carpet Stains To remove carpet stains:...
