This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook tells us what we should do to keep the grass greener. Test Your Soil A soil test takes the guesswork out of lawn care, giving you precise measurements of pH as well as the quantity and availability of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus (home kits are usually reliable for pH only). Contact a cooperative extension service to conduct the test; they cost around $20....
One thing common to all doors is sizing. The standard height is 80 inches. Standard widths are in 2-inch increments. Exterior doors usually come in 30-inch, 32-inch, and 36-inch widths. Interior doors start at 12 inches and run up to 36 inches. Doors wider than that are either custom-made or a combination of two doors. Carpenters and suppliers often use feet and inches, rather than just inches, to describe door size....
Want to save these ideas for later? Create your own holiday gift list to share gift ideas with family and friends. DEWALT Titanium Drill Bit Set Shop Now This 21-piece drill bit set is a convenient gift for any woodworker. The bits come in a plastic storage case with a clear lid for checking your options before opening it. Each bit also features a patented web taper, which increases its rigidity to reduce the risk of breakage....
The Reviews Team at This Old House researched dozens of companies and compiled a list of the five best home warranties that are available in Las Vegas, accounting for factors such as cost, coverage, service, and availability. Top 5 Home Warranty Companies in Las Vegas 1. Best Overall: American Home Shield Since 1971, American Home Shield (AHS) has been among the top home warranty providers on the market, and it is our top overall pick for Vegas residents....
The best memory foam mattresses have played a huge part in the mattress in a box boom, proving to shoppers that affordable, pressure-relieving mattresses can be purchased online. But, there’s a lot to think about when researching the best mattress for your needs—quality, comfort, price, and convenience. This Old House Reviews team worked with the expert review team at Mattress Advisor to evaluate the top memory foam mattresses, breaking down characteristics such as motion isolation, responsiveness, pressure relief, edge support, spine alignment, and cooling, to identify the best memory foam mattresses for your particular needs....
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How To Build a DIY Kids’ Birdhouse Resources Tom and Camilla showed Jasper how to build a birdhouse using simple 1x5” select pine boards and a variety of simple tools, including a hand saw and a drill. All of these tools can be found at home centers and craft stores. Shopping list 1x5 select pine ½-inch dowel for the perch Exterior screws Tools
But putting down carpet can be daunting to the do-it-yourselfer because the tools are unfamiliar. Fortunately, the process isn’t that difficult, whether you rent the tools or hire a pro to do the work for you. If you hire a pro, installation should include the initial measurement (a pro is trained to see things such as traffic patterns and incoming light, and can suggest the best places to hide seams) and a floor plan showing how the various pieces will be installed....
Now, more than 87 percent of houses are so equipped. While the number with window AC units has shrunk overall, these appliances are still cooling significant numbers of homes, particularly in the Northeast, despite being noisy and obtrusive, and having limited efficiency and cooling capacity. Not to mention the twice-yearly struggle of putting them in and taking them out. By comparison, central AC is a giant leap forward in convenience, quiet, and, most of all, comfort....
“People need to realize that chickens have to have someone taking care of them seven days a week, at least a couple times of day,” says Carver. “It’s not like having a cat where you can put out an extra litter box and go away.” Read on for the science behind what needs to go in your backyard chicken coop. Caring for Backyard Chickens Waterers Like all living things, chickens require water....
10 Uses for Used Coffee Grounds 1. Repel Insects in Your Garden Coffee grounds make for a great repellant in the garden. Mound grounds into a ring to create a protective border around plants that will ward off ants and slugs. 2. Fortify Plants Give seedlings a nitrogen boost by stirring grounds into soil or a watering can. 3. Deodorize Your Fridge Place a bowl of dry grounds in your refrigerator or freezer to neutralize odors left by stale food scraps or spoiled food....
“The circuits in these older homes weren’t designed to power the many gadgets of modern life,” says electrician Allen Gallant, who has wired six This Old House TV project houses. The signs of strain may be obvious—a tangle of extension cords and power strips sprouting from a single outlet—or lurking unseen behind walls, ceilings, and cover plates. Protecting the Fuse Box Fuse boxes, like the one above, are less common these days than circuit breaker panels, but they work just fine — unless someone installs fuses with a higher amperage than the wires can safely handle....
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. How to Choose and Plant Hydrangeas Hydrangeas Range in Color Hydrangeas will range in colors from blues and purples to pinks and whites based on the soil’s acidity. Blue flowers indicate that the soil is more acidic, while pinks and whites indicate that the soil is basic or alkaline....
