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Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor traveled to Portland, Oregon to help one resident retrofit her home to protect it from earthquake damage. How to Retrofit a House for an Earthquake Resources:While the specialty hardware that was used to secure the house to the foundation can be found at most home centers, determining the proper location for that hardware may require a consultation with an engineer. The seismic gas shutoff valve installed was a Northridge Valve, which is manufactured by Seismic Safety Products....

Top 4 Paper Towels Most Trusted: Bounty Quick-Size Paper Towels Best Tears: Brawny Tear-A-Square Paper Towels Largest Rolls: Presto! Flex-a-Size Paper Towels Best Multifold: Kleenex Multifold Paper Towels Most Trusted: Bounty Quick-Size Paper Towels These paper towels come in a 16-pack and are from one of the most well-known paper towel manufacturers in the industry. The paper towels combine strength and absorbency for quickly cleaning spills and messes around the home....

Top 5 Bidets Most Features: TOTO Electronic Bidet Toilet Best For Beginners: LUXE Mechanical Bidet Toilet Attachment Best Handheld Bidet: Purrfectzone Luxury Handheld Sprayer Kit Best Remote: ALPHA BIDET JX Elongated Bidet Toilet Seat Most Slim: Veken Bidet Seat Attachment Most Features: TOTO Electronic Bidet Toilet This bidet toilet seat comes equipped with drying, oscillating, temperature, positioning, and pressure settings, giving you a relaxing cleaning experience. It also has a contoured heated seat to provide maximum comfort....

With so many desks on the market, finding the right one to incorporate with your existing office furniture can be a challenge. That’s where the This Old House Reviews Team comes in—we did the research for you, evaluating models of various sizes, materials, and more to provide you with a comprehensive selection of the best computer desks to fit a variety of customer needs. Here are our top recommendations....

Best Two-Part Sealer: TotalBoat Concrete Coating This epoxy resin provides a high-gloss, heat-resistant finish. Though it has a complicated two-part application process with separate resin and hardener, it’s versatile because it works on concrete, wood, stone, ceramic, metal, and other surfaces. Key Features Has an epoxy-based formula Comes in a one-gallon quantity Has a two-part application process Covers up to 12.8 square feet What Customers Are Saying Customers were surprised at how thick this concrete sealer was, as this helped it better protect their surfaces....

Top 5 Wind Chimes Most Unique Platform: UpBlend Outdoors Wind Chimes Best Small Chime: Woodstock Chimes The Original Guaranteed Musically Tuned Amazing Grace Chimes Best Large Chime: ASTARIN Large Wind Chimes Most Colorful Chime: Bellaa Wind Chimes Best Tube Arrangement: Epartswide Wind Chimes Most Unique Platform: UpBlend Outdoors Wind Chimes The suspension platform that this wind chime’s tubes hang from has a hexagonal shape as opposed to a round one, giving it a unique look....

How to Prevent Damage to Your Dishwasher If you use your dishwasher regularly, consider checking and replacing the following parts. Dishwasher hose This piece operates similar to a washing machine hose, and it poses the same dangers of bursting and flooding the house if it isn’t inspected regularly. To check it, get low to the floor, remove the grill cover, and look underneath. If the hose looks worn, then it’s time to replace it....

“Having reached the magazine’s milestone 25th year in 2020, we looked to see how we could serve our readers even better,” said Kathryn Keller, Editor-in-Chief, This Old House Magazine. “We heard from more than 12,500 of the subscribers we surveyed, who told us they wanted even more advice from This Old House’s trusted experts, and more design ideas and tips. We heard them loud-and-clear and the result is a richer, upgraded magazine with a fresh, more contemporary design, a new content architecture, and an expanded mix of columns and features that leverages and expands upon our built-in expertise....

Sponsor: The This Old House Summer DIY Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is sponsored by This Old House Ventures, LLC, 262 Harbor Drive, Stamford, CT 06902 (“Sponsor”). Sweepstakes Entry Period: The Sweepstakes starts at 12:00:01 AM Eastern Time (ET) July 27, 2020 and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET each Sunday (“Sweepstakes Period”). A Week starts at 12:00:01 AM ET each Monday and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET each Sunday during the Sweepstakes Entry Period....

Working with a real estate agent can give you the advantage you need in the competitive market. The This Old House Reviews Team has dug into the market data to find the top real estate agents in Philadelphia that we can recommend for you. Fill out this easy form to be connected with a top agent near you: Benefits of Having a Top Real Estate Agent in Philadelphia Real estate agents have the depth of knowledge of the Philadelphia Metro to save you both time and money on either buying or selling your property—from Center City to Manayunk....

But it’s not always sunshine and drink sipping out there. In addition to the routine filtering, chemical monitoring, and occasional frog skimming, you have to address the fact that a pool’s underwater surfaces deteriorate over time. Cracks invariably appear they can be caused by a chemical imbalance or by UV rays, or even by slight shifts in the soil beneath the pool. The veneer may start to peel. In turn, the cracks collect dirt and algae, and pretty soon you have what looks like a giant birdbath....

How to Prevent Icy Steps Use Rubberized Treads Before icy weather sets in, add rubberized Ice Breaker Stair Treads to steps. In freezing weather, these cushy mats release ice with a stomp of the foot so that you can brush it away without danger. Ice Breaker Mats, from $15; vermontcountrystore.com How to Prevent Icy Sidewalks Use Granules for Better Footing Sure, ice melts are one way to go. Another: EcoTraction volcanic-mineral granules, which embed into ice to help provide secure footing....

To learn more about the features of a smart thermostat and what models we recommend, read our review on the best smart thermostats below. Top 5 Smart Thermostats Best Voice Control: ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control Best Smart Home Compatibility: Emerson Sensi ST75 Touch Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat with Touchscreen Color Display Simplest Design: Google Nest Learning Thermostat Budget Pick: Emerson Sensi ST55 Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat for Smart Home Easiest Installation: Honeywell Home T9 WIFI Smart Thermostat...

In this review, we take a look at some of the best nail guns on the market, dig into the many applications and benefits that nail guns offer, and answer some common questions. Here are our top selections. Top 6 Nail Guns Best Roofing Nailer: Metabo HPT Roofing Nailer Best Brad Nailer: DEWALT Brad Nailer Kit Best Framing Nailer: NuMax Pneumatic Framing Nailer Best Cordless Nailer: PORTER-CABLE Cordless Brad Nailer Kit Best Starter Kit: BOSTITCH Air Compressor Combo Kit Best for Light-Duty Use: Arrow Fastener Staple and Nail Gun...

In this article, we’ll review some of the top pest control providers in the Fort Lauderdale area, including nearby Palm Beach and West Palm Beach. We’ll also provide information on how to get a free quote. This article is meant to assist you in your own research. We recommend getting several free quotes from around the industry to make the most informed decision. Top Pest Control Companies in Fort Lauderdale Best of the Best Fort Lauderdale Pest Control Companies If you’re looking for a comprehensive pest control service, Terminix is a great choice....

Echinaceas are popular for a reason, and Jenn shares why they are a great plant for even the inexperienced gardener. What is Echinacea? Echinaceas are a full sun plant that can be grown in zones 3-8, which is almost everywhere in the continental United States. Perennial Picks that Make Quick Climbers Echinaceas are drought-tolerant, have long bloom times throughout the summer, attractive to pollinators, and have the ability to reseed themselves....