2020 Safety Gear Shopping Guide For Diyers

Here are our top picks for gear to keep you guarded on the worksite: ISOtunes PRO Protect your ears while listening to your favorite playlists. Bluetooth connectivity, 10 hour music playback and talk time, and dust, sweat and water resistant. $69.99, ISOtunes RZ Mask This comfortable and adjustable mask will keep out dust and irritants while you’re working away. The RZ Mask features 99.9% replaceable active carbon filters that last up to 60+ hours....

September 6, 2022 · 2 min · 255 words · Olivia Holland

Enhancing A Historic Home With Hardware 2019 Idea House

Window to the Past The craftsmen of KARP Associates took great care to restore the original six-over-six paned windows at the front of the house, and getting just the right window parts was essential. Director of Design and Residential Construction Robin Carroll explains, “To receive approval for the project, the Historic District Commission mandated that we restore the original elevations visible from the street. This included the historic exterior decorative trim and windows on the front and left-side facade....

September 6, 2022 · 3 min · 496 words · John Buchanan

How To Prepare For A Flood

Any instance where water covers land that’s normally dry can be considered a flood. Floods can happen anywhere in the U.S., although locations by the coast or a river, lake, or stream are particularly vulnerable to flooding. Large, storm-prone cities, whose paved surfaces prevent water absorption, also face flooding problems. There’s not much you can do to keep a flood from occurring, but there are steps you can take to minimize the damage....

September 6, 2022 · 4 min · 842 words · Erica Kennedy

How To Remove Scratches From Stainless Steel

But while the material may be “stainless,” it isn’t completely scratch-proof, and after years of wear and tear, it can start to look a little dull. The good news is that it’s not difficult to restore stainless-steel surfaces to their former glory, especially if you have the right materials and products. Here’s how to get scratches out of stainless steel. Assess the Damage and Gather the Materials Are you dealing with light, minor scuffs or deeper, visible scratches?...

September 6, 2022 · 3 min · 632 words · Joyce Heichel

Ross Trethewey

As Home Technology Expert on Ask This Old House, Ross Trethewey is responsible for seeking out some of the coolest stories in-home technology and bringing them to a national audience. You could say that Ross has This Old House in his blood. His grandfather Ron served as the plumber on the first season in 1979, before Ross was even born. His father, Richard, has been known as the face of all things plumbing and HVAC to This Old House fans for four decades....

September 6, 2022 · 2 min · 328 words · Alice Grissom

S19 E19 Flickering Lights Brick Stairs

Previous episode: S19 E18 | Next episode: S19 E20 In this episode: Landscape Contractor Jenn Nawada travels to Orlando, Florida to help a homeowner upgrade his inefficient, malfunctioning irrigation system with a new, smart system. The house was flipped before the current homeowners bought it, but not everything was done correctly. The sprinkler system was installed poorly, watering much of the sidewalk, driveway, and house instead of the grass. Since the irrigation system is already in place, Jenn only has to install new spray heads....

September 6, 2022 · 4 min · 849 words · Kathryn Wesley

The Most Fragrant Plants For Your Garden

The visual impact of your garden’s color and design may make the first impression, but its perfume may be what ends up stealing the show. A garden’s olfactory allure not only appeals to the humans who linger there, but it also attracts important pollinators: insects and animals that help fertilize plants by transferring pollen. There’s a grand array of scents that plants may impart, from a familiar sweetness to spicy, fruity, fresh, even candy-like qualities....

September 6, 2022 · 7 min · 1373 words · Andrew Brown

Tools Buying Guide Types Tips And Faqs 2023 Guide

In This Guide: Types of Tools | Features To Look for in Tools | Ways To Keep Your Tools Organized | Tips for Staying Safe While Using Tools | What Are The Most Trusted Tool Brands? | Frequently Asked Questions About Tools Hundreds of types of tools are available depending on your needs, experience level, project, and home setup. However, some truths remain evident no matter what tool you’re using. Tools should be durable, reliable, and safe....

September 6, 2022 · 6 min · 1199 words · Jeffery Simmons

How To Build A Diy Pet House

Build your pet a stylish home from a half sheet of plywood. Download my plans for an easy cut layout, and let the sawdust fly! In just a few hours, you cat or dog will thank you for the stylish new digs. Note: This DIY pet house is sized for a small cat or dog at under two feet wide. Steps for Building a Dog or Cat House: Step 1: Layout the cuts...

September 5, 2022 · 2 min · 395 words · Sarah Thornley

How To Cut A Perfect Jig Circle

Steps for Cutting a Perfect Circle: Before doing any work to the router, be sure that the battery has been removed or the router has been unplugged. Remove the base of the router by unscrewing it by hand or with a drill driver. Place the router base on the ¼-inch board and trace the screw holes and the opening for the bit onto the board. Drill holes in the locations of the screw holes using a countersink bit....

September 5, 2022 · 2 min · 403 words · Keith Garcia

How To Install Sliding Pantry Doors

Steps for installing bypass doors: Start by prepping the opening of the doors. In some cases, it might be necessary to pad the opening with some primed 2x stock material to ensure the opening is the exact width as the width of the doors. If the width of the opening is the correct dimension, notch out the opening to accept the trim piece, which will be added later to hide the track once its installed....

September 5, 2022 · 3 min · 435 words · Derek Anderson

Lawn Care Schedule

When to fertilize, water, mow, and deal with weeds and pests depends on where you live. Find your region and follow our lawn care timeline below. Lawn Treatment Schedule North: Zones 1, 5, 6 March Rake up debris and leaves from winter. April Growing season starts. Mow grass 3 inches high. Leave clippings on lawn. Apply first dose of fertilizer. Treat for crabgrass with pre-emergent herbicide or eco-friendly corn gluten. May...

September 5, 2022 · 2 min · 342 words · Larry Buller

Make Mini Barn Doors For Cabinets

The doors here, built by homeowner Kristine Franklin, who blogs at thepaintedhive.net, hide her washer (she dries laundry on an old-school clothesline). Equally impressive: She put them together for about 30 bucks! It’s a stylish solution that could work with all manner of useful but unsightly items—think DVD player, cable box, the resulting cord jungle…even the TV itself. Project details Skill Cost Estimated Time See more details from Kristine’s laundry room makeover....

September 5, 2022 · 2 min · 259 words · Barry Mcfadden

Raise A Second Story The Westerly Project

Previous episode: S41 E3 | Next episode: S41 E5 In this episode: With the gables installed on both sides of the addition, Kevin O’Connor finds Tom Silva and Jeff Sweenor building and raising the narrow gambrel roof profiles on either end. The next step is to stand the two second floor dormer walls on the long sides of the house. With the windows framed out, Tom and Kevin throw in with Jeff and his crew to finish sheathing before they raise the walls....

September 5, 2022 · 2 min · 300 words · Corrin Williams

The 5 Best Planners 2023 Review

Top 5 Planners Most Durable: Kodexlode Planner Best For Kids: Global Datebooks Dated Elementary-Student Planner Best For Financial Planning: Clever Fox Budget Planner Best For Wellness Planning: Erin Condren Wellness Planner Best For Mindfulness: Panda Daily Planner Most Durable: Kodexlode Planner This Kodexlode planner uses paper that’s resistant to ink bleeding and other damage. It also has a durable faux leather cover. With its weekly and monthly pages, this planner helps you stay on top of your tasks....

September 5, 2022 · 5 min · 970 words · Marissa Pratt

Wd 40 Best Practices

DO USE IT TO: Loosen up…rusted tools, blades, and nuts and bolts; corroded aluminum; stuck zippers. Remove…crayon marks; stuck-on gum and tar; sticker and tape residue; scuff marks on tile. Add a nonstick coating to…metal snow-thrower chutes and snow-shovel blades; hoes and other digging tools used in sticky clay soil. DON’T USE IT TO: LUBE A LOCK. After WD-40’s solvents evaporate, the oils left behind can attract dust and become sticky as they oxidize, eventually gumming up a typical lock cylinder....

September 5, 2022 · 2 min · 294 words · Randolph Green

What To Know About Insurance For Home Construction And Renovation Projects

The type of insurance coverage you’ll need will depend on the scope of the project. A home you’re constructing from the ground up won’t be properly covered by standard homeowners insurance (more on that below), whereas a simple home-improvement project may only require a few tweaks to your existing policy. Insurance for a New Construction Home If you’re in the planning phase for a new-home build, you know there’s a lot more to it than finding the right contractor or kitchen cabinetry: It’s crucial to secure adequate insurance coverage throughout the entire construction phase....

September 5, 2022 · 3 min · 595 words · Kevin Avera

Bath Remodel Products And Materials A Checklist

No-Regret Tile Floors If you want an easy-care floor: Go for porcelain or glazed tiles, and avoid porous natural stone tiles like limestone. Unless sealed vigilantly, they’ll absorb drips and spills and become stained over time. If you want a nonslip floor: Choose tiles with textured surfaces, matte finishes, or sand-containing glazes. Another option: small tiles with lots of grout lines, which offer better “grip” than large tiles. The Best Caulk to Use Go for an acrylic or hybrid formula you can remove without the use of harsh chemicals so that replacement is easier....

September 4, 2022 · 3 min · 557 words · Kyle Ashworth

Everything To Know About Hydrangeas

Landscape expert Jenn Nawada shares her love and knowledge of hydrangeas. After explaining how these bushy, bright flowering plants’ hardiness and versatility can work in almost any landscape, she examines the different types of hydrangeas available while visiting a local nursery. Hydrangeas are Versatile Hydrangeas work in almost any landscape. They’re hardy to various soils and climates, allowing them to flourish in growing zones 4 through 9. As general rules, most hydrangeas thrive in partial sun and well-drained soils....

September 4, 2022 · 3 min · 484 words · Linda Levitsky

Fourth Of July Deals 2020 Backyard Furniture Gifts Grills More

Nothing epitomizes the Fourth of July more than grilling outside and relaxing in the backyard with close family and friends. If you’re planning a small gathering this year, check out the top deals for July 4th gifts, as well as grills, outdoor furniture and other accessories to make your celebration the best one yet. Fourth of July Gifts for Hosts/Hostesses If you’re planning to attend an Independence Day celebration or BBQ, don’t forget to give a small and festive gift for the host or hostess....

September 4, 2022 · 5 min · 1016 words · Robert Trombley