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What is a Septic Tank? A septic tank is a watertight receptacle that’s buried in the ground. A two- to three-bedroom house usually requires a minimum of a 1000-gallon capacity tank. It is connected to the house’s waste drains by a pipe that feeds into the tank inlet. Partial walls inside the tank known as baffles are meant to promote the settling of waste. Although older tanks may not have them, most new tanks are fitted with filters that prevent smaller particles from entering the drain field....

“Post-pandemic, people are looking for ways to make their living spaces more interesting, and color is a part of that,” says Feldman. Ahead: how designers think about choosing and using the just-right shade of paint Warm Welcome A home’s entrance makes its first impression, and the right colors ensure it’s a positive one. “We went for a vibe that’s warm and playful, classic yet modern,” Feldman says of this entry in a 1947 Colonial Revival in Chevy Chase, MD....

Your dog loves that you’re spending more time at home these days. And sometimes a mid-afternoon game of fetch across the living room is a welcome break from work. But there are other times—if you’re out running errands or you just need some space—when it’s better to keep your pet in a trouble-free spot. Here’s how to use crates and gates to feel in control of your home. Shown Above: A good fit for smaller breeds, these mudroom base cabinets have been customized as a cozy retreat that blends in with the room....

“Shortcuts in framing are the biggest mistake you can make,” says Tom Silva, This Old House general contractor, “although it may take four or five years before the sagging, the bouncing, and the movement start to show up.” While the basics of modern stud-wall framing haven’t changed much in the past 25 years, the tools and materials certainly have. Pneumatic nail guns, which were novelties until the mid 1970s, have speeded up the assembly process; engineered lumber is steadily supplanting sawn boards, and metal connectors are now routinely used to enhance stiffness and sturdiness....

The angled ends and the varying heights of the pipes make it a game of skill that demands nothing less than the equivalent of a swish. Catch the unforgiving angled rim of one of the pipes and you’re off to the bushes to find where the ball bounced. But let’s be honest: The search won’t be any harder than rooting around for that Nerf basketball in your childhood room....

What to Get Before You Start Before you tackle the dirt and grime, you’re going to need some supplies to get the job done: Household cleaning gloves Face mask or respirator Safety glasses Baking soda White vinegar Lemon juice Dish soap Bleach Microfiber cloth Sponge Scrub brush Toilet bowl cleaner Spray bottle Bucket Before you begin cleaning, it’s a good idea to put your rubber gloves and safety glasses on. If using bleach, don a mask or respirator and run the bathroom fan to protect your lungs....

7 Thanksgiving Prep Tips 1. Make Sure Your Dishwasher is in Top Shape 2. Look After the Fridge Dump any leftovers before you start cooking to make some room. Airflow is essential inside a fridge, as well as outside. In the freezer, packing items closely together keeps them colder, but a stuffed fridge can hinder the airflow that works to cool food. Wipe up spills right away. This is especially important if the spill comes from raw meat, because its juices contain bacteria....

Steps for Installing a Sprinkler System Tools

The retro faucet the homeowner had in her kitchen is called the Dishmaster M76 Imperial Four, which can still be found on the manufacturer’s website and on some third-party sites. Tools

In the video, and the steps below, we walk you through how to decide how big your backsplash should be, selecting your tile, and how to install it from start to finish. Backsplash Installation in 15 Steps: Shop Tile at Home Depot Tools: Installing Decorative Tiles All About Ceramic Subway Tile

Why Choose Vinyl Plank Flooring? There are many reasons to like luxury-vinyl-plank (LVP) flooring. It looks like tile or wood but is more affordable and simpler to install, and it’s waterproof, durable, and easy to clean. Its VOC levels are very low—far below the thresholds to meet green certification—and if you are concerned about exposure to phthalates (in plasticizers), you can find planks that don’t contain those chemicals. Best Flooring for Kitchens CAUTION: Vinyl-sheet and vinyl-tile flooring installed before 1986 is likely to contain asbestos, as are the flooring adhesives used to hold them down....

You can complete this repair with some basic hand tools and a sharp chisel, but the process will go much faster and more smoothly with power tools like the ones I’m using here. An oscillating multitool, a circular saw, a table saw, and a brad nailer will all prove useful. A compressor-powered flooring nailer ensures that the joints will be tight. Many of these tools are available at tool-rental centers if you don’t already own them....