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Steps for Plunging a Toilet Step 1: Get the right type of plunger The key to resolving most clogged toilets efficiently is to have the right kind of toilet plunger. When most people think of a plunger, they envision the standard plunger, where the rubber cup part resembles a dome. Standard plungers are helpful in fixing clogged sinks or tubs, but the best tool for unclogging a toilet is the flanged plunger, which has a sleeve-like extension (or flange) projecting from the cup....

Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Mauro’s Painting. Tools

Shown: Walnut Edge Grain from The Grothouse Lumber Company, about $90 per square foot; glumber.com Butcher Block Countertop Overview Butcher block is merely slices of wood glued together into inches-thick slabs—a particularly sturdy and stable work surface in a kitchen. However, if you plan to put food on your butcher block, make sure to choose a product that has a nontoxic finish. Installing a butcher block starts with ordering one to fit your space....

A few years ago, I tested eight 10-in. dual-bevel sliding compound miter saws and found one of Metabo HPTs to be among the most accurate of them. So, I had high hopes for this new cordless 36V model (C3607DRAQ4), which is made in Japan. I put the saw through a series of objective tests, and to use on my remodeling projects. We also put it to use on Sweenor Builders job sites for several months....

Today, there are tons of contemporary faucet options that can turn a drab bathroom into a chic washroom. Here’s where to find some: Signature Hardware Exira Wall-Mount Cross Handles, $299 Houzz Bona Single Handle Bathroom Sink Faucet, $575.20 Modern Bathroom TOTO Neorest II Lavatory Faucet, $5,015.70 All Modern South Beach Wall Mounted Bathroom Faucet, $179.99 YOHOM White Bathroom Vanity Sink Faucet Single Handle, $89.90 The Home Depot Purist 8 in....

Propane vs. Heating Oil Most of what you need to do to stay warm is remember to pay the gas bill. Natural gas’s cousin, propane, is the king of fuels in rural areas. Delivered by truck to above- or below-ground storage tanks, propane-fueled appliances are also low-maintenance. But then, there’s the Northeast. Fuel oil, also known as home heating oil, is also a popular choice. Like diesel fuel, home heating oil is delivered by trucks and pumped into a storage tank usually located in the basement....

In this episode: Nathan travels to a Sears kit house in Richmond, Virginia to tighten an old, loose stair railing; Mauro demonstrates how to strip paint off of old door hardware; Heath explains the uses and purposes of different types of electrical boxes; Richard replaces an old thermostat with a smart thermostat without replacing the original two wires in the wall. How to Tighten a Loose Newel Post Nathan travels to a Sears kit house in Richmond, Virginia to tighten an old, loose stair railing....

In this episode: Mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner replace his crumbling flagstone steps. The front steps seem to be original to the 1940s house and they haven’t aged well. One reason could be found in the lack of gutters on the house. After 80 years of water falling off the roof and onto the steps, it’s easy to see why the steps are eroding. The other culprit is the lack of a base, so while the ground moved over time, the steps settled into a downward slope....

In this episode: While he wishes everything in his life was as organized as his truck, This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert takes pride in having a clean truck ready to tackle any project at any job site. Nathan takes viewers on a personal tour of his work truck and shows exactly how he stores and organizes his tools and supplies to help make the workday more efficient and convenient. Inside Nathan’s truck, you’ll see his miter saw on the front left-hand side, middle rack....

In this episode: Kevin O’Connor explains how he became the host of ASK and This Old House. With a bright future in finance, Kevin and his wife followed their love for old homes and purchased a fixer-upper. During the process, the two sent in a letter to This Old House about their home at the same time Ask This Old House was starting. A few weeks after the crew performed a house call at Kevin’s home, he received the job offer from the production crew, and the rest is history....

In this episode: Since the 1970’s the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester has been a special place to This Old House—it’s the home of our first project. For 41 years we have only come back to visit the old house but today we start a new project in Dorchester. It’s a three-story 1905 apartment building that was heavily damaged in a fire. Carol Wideman and her family had to move out over a year ago....

The house subsequently changed hands eight times before falling into disrepair. The City of Danville bought it in 2017 as part of a robust revitalization program. The 2,310-square-foot house has three rooms and a bath downstairs, and four rooms and a bath upstairs. The third-floor attic offers the potential for at least 600 additional square feet of finished space. The hand-carved front doors are original, as are the windows, clapboards, and fishscale shingles....

Overlooking one side of the living room, the office space lets Amy keep tabs on what’s happening downstairs. Built by local craftsmen to Amy’s custom design, the desk has a view to the front so she can keep an eye out for arriving guests. Wall sconces light the way down the hall to the double-door owner’s suite entry. Desk: Custom designed by Amy Matthews, fabricated by Forest Products Supply, Inc....

Top 5 Inflatable Pools Best Baby Pool: Intex Sunset Glow Baby Pool Best Large Pool: AsterOutdoor Inflatable Swimming Pool Best Play Center: Intex Fun ‘n Fruity Inflatable Play Center Best Lounger: Jasonwell Inflatable Tanning Pool Lounger Float Best for Families: Intex Inflatable Family Lounge Pool Best Baby Pool: Intex Sunset Glow Baby Pool Pros and Cons ✔ Features pink, yellow, green, and blue colors✔ Includes a repair patch to quickly address holes✔ Made of a durable and long-lasting vinyl material ✘ Too small for most children over the age of 3✘ Lacks a drain valve...

Below are our top recommendations, a comprehensive buyer’s guide, and answers to common questions. Most Powerful: Rowenta Micro Steam Iron Pros and Cons ✔ Has 400 soleplate holes to evenly distribute steam ✔ Comes with an anti-drip lid✔ Operates with tap water ✘ Has a short one-year warranty✘ Prone to leaks on the high heat setting What Customers Are Saying Customers liked that this iron had built-in safety features and easy temperature control....

Take Safety Precautions Cutting metal is a dangerous job. Once the cutting tool touches the metal, hot, sharp fragments will get thrown into the air and could cut or burn you. In addition to following each tool’s safety instructions, it is imperative to wear protective gear, including safety glasses, a face shield, and ear protection (cutting metal can be loud enough to cause hearing loss if ears are unprotected). Wear the Right Gear Cover your arms with a long-sleeved shirt and wear pants made from fire-resistant materials....

Sponsor: The This Old House Season Premiere 2020 Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is sponsored by Leviton and 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) September 30, 2020 and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on October 16, 2020 (“Sweepstakes Period”). Eligibility: Sweepstakes open only to legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) 18 years of age or older at time of entry....