Project #1: How to Add a Toe kick To finish the toe kick, Tom Silva opts for PVC boards as they are waterproof, easy to clean, and easier to cut than tile to match uneven floors. He goes through the process of cutting and installing the PVC for all of the cabinets. Steps for Installing a Toe Kick: Resources To add trim to the toe kick underneath the kitchen cabinets, Tom used 1x4” PVC trim boards, which are manufactured by AZEK Building Products....
Workhorses in the landscape, groundcovers spread to knit a tight, low-maintenance carpet of foliage that densely covers bare earth. Not just pleasing to look at, they serve a number of practical purposes as well: “Groundcovers can stabilize the soil, help it retain moisture, and prevent weeds from taking hold,” says TOH landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, who prefers them to mulch where she knows they will thrive. And while there are times when filling a bare spot with a swath of a single plant provides a welcome rest for the eye, she loves the idea of combining two or more species for a pleasing mix of foliage shape, color, and texture, turning groundcovers into a design tool rather than just a backdrop....
This Old House features two to three projects per season, and at least one of the projects is located in the New England area. We prefer projects located in climates where outdoor work may be undertaken during the winter months, and often we choose the geographic location first and then consider proposals in that area. Please note that the renovations are completely funded by the homeowners. This Old House coordinates product discounts and donations, where possible....
The top cushion is the Montlake Bench Cushion, manufactured by Classic Accessories. The baskets that Tom selected are the Rattique Storage Totes in Taupe, manufactured by Whitmor. The wood glue Tom used for the bench is manufactured by Gorilla Glue. The other tools and materials Tom and Kevin used to build the bench, including the track saw, sander, and sandpaper, can be found at home centers. Tools
We spent the first weekend cutting the lumber to length and applying two coats of primer to all surfaces. The next weekend, we dug and poured concrete footings and applied two topcoats of paint to the parts. Then we took one more day to build the arbor and paint the posts, which arrived the day before construction began. The arbor was built entirely of construction-grade redwood, which resists rot and insects....
Certain aspects of furniture building are intimidating. Tapering legs with any degree of accuracy, building and attaching drawers, and creating tabletops make newer woodworkers nervous. But, when host Kevin O’Connor meets maker Char Miller-King in her community’s workshop, she shows him some simple methods to build a beautiful shaker table with all of these features. Build It | Demilune Table How to build a Char Miller-King Shaker end table Resources You can check out other building projects by Char Miller-King at The Wooden Maven....
How Often Should Furnace Be Cleaned? Before chilly autumn nights set in, you need to make an appointment for your annual furnace maintenance. Without this yearly cleaning and inspection, a system can wear itself out quickly, pump deadly carbon monoxide into your home, or simply stop working. How Much Does It Cost to Clean a Furnace? Annual servicing is cheap—typically less than $100—especially when compared with the price of a new furnace....
Tools and Materials For this easy DIY project, you’ll need the following items: How to Install a Butcher Block Countertop a dough scraper kosher salt lemon juice baking soda scouring pad or stiff scrubbing brush paper towels razor blade scraper or fine-grit sandpaper food-grade mineral oil a lint-free cloth Keeping butcher block in good condition requires some TLC. It can’t be thrown into the dishwasher because of the high heat, and it doesn’t handle regular household cleaners, like bleach, well....
Steps for Fixing a Stair Tread Tools and Materials
Replacing a regular switch with a dimmer switch is one of the easiest DIY electrical projects. In most cases, no permit or inspection is required, but it is important to be careful whenever working around electricity. Safety Check: Is the Power Off? Any time you’re working with electricity, be sure to turn the power off at the panel and follow these steps: Check to be sure the circuit is dead by flipping the existing switch on and off before removing the switch plate....
Steps for Installing a Portable Air Conditioner Tools How to Select a Portable Air Conditioner
The other materials used for this project, including PVC piping, PVC glue, pipe cutters and wrenches, can all be found at home centers. In the workshop, Richard discusses which homeowners should consider a whole-house electric tankless. Expert assistance with this portion was provided by Bosch Thermotechnology. Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Jim’s Plumbing and Irrigation of Orlando, Florida. Tools
How to read pitch on a spirit level Some levels, like the I-beam, have vials with extra lines on both sides that show pitches of 1 and 2 percent. When the bubble in the vial touches the 2 percent line, for instance, the level has a pitch of ¼ inch per foot. Resources: Mark installed Andover Collection Stone Cleft pavers in the Richfield Blend color, which are manufactured by Ideal Concrete Block....
Installing crown molding Tools
The timed washing machine valve that only keeps pressure on the hoses for a set period of time is the Time Out Automatic Shutoff Valve, manufactured by Keeney Manufacturing Company. The washing machine valve that only operates when it senses a current draw from the washer is the IntelliFlow, manufactured by Watts. Both of these valves can be ordered online or from a specialty plumbing supplier. Washing machine hosesWashing machine valve
