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As This Old House senior technical editor Mark Powers shows, in just one weekend you can turn a swath of dirt into a ribbon of elegance, able to withstand anything from a winter gale to a summer lawn mower. Brick Path Layers: An Overview Creating a successful path that can survive the elements depends on three things: the bricks, the border, and the base. For the bricks, choose ones that are rated for severe weather (SW), often referred to as “clay pavers....

With its deep seat, tall back, and wide armrests, there’s arguably no more restful spot to while away a long summer’s day than an Adirondack chair. Little wonder that these seats are a nearly ubiquitous feature on lawns across the country this time of year. Adirondack Chair Overview As its name implies, the chair’s early-20th-century design originated in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. Its signature details­—the angle of the back, and the slope, depth, and curve of the seat­—contribute to its unparalleled comfort....

TP-Link Tilt Security Camera If you missed this deal, here are some other great sales on security cameras: Best Motion Tracking: Kasa Smart 2K Security Camera Best For Outdoors: TP-Link QHD Security Camera Best Two-Way Audio: Kasa Indoor Camera OXO Brew 9 Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker To compare Cyber Monday sales, here are some other offers on coffee makers: Best High-End: Café Bellissimo Semi Automatic Espresso Machine Best Value: Proctor Silex FrontFill Drip Coffee Maker Best For Cold Brew: Goodful Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker...

How a plumbing trap can lose water

Steps for building a custom mantel: Tools

Instill Safety Measures Of course, we don’t want our kids to get hurt while they’re trying to get their fun on. So it’s important to minimize any potential for risks. These tips will help. Tuck your arms in across your chest. Land on your feet with your knees flexed. Roll with the fall, allowing your entire body to absorb the shock. Around the area, post these rules for play: Never walk under a climber....

Heading out the door with my two kids in tow always requires some planning, but who needs a last-minute scavenger hunt for coats and keys? Not me! To corral our most-needed items in one dedicated space in the entryway, I built this wall-mounted organizer fitted with cubbies for mail and sunglasses, hooks for coats, and a mirror for a quick check (in case the baby stuck something in my hair)....

The cubbies shown here are 12-inch cubes, but you can make them any size you like. Even if you make them wider or taller, the construction is the same. For extra fun, the fabric-covered panels inside are removable, so you can change a cubby’s look as often as kids change their mind. Step 1: Building Wall Cubbies - Overview To make a cube out of ½-inch plywood, you need to cut the sides 1 inch shorter than the top and bottom pieces that overlap them....

Just about everyone wants to live at home, well, forever, says James Vitale, an Altadena, CA, architect who specializes in disability access. But fewer than half of those age 55 or older and planning to remodel in the next three years paid attention to making their homes age-proof, a recent study by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies found. This mindset is changing, however, driving up the value of homes that are safe and comfortable for all, especially in areas that promote walkability and community ties....

In this scenario, Heath found that none of the surrounding receptacles or their wiring were to code, so he removed and replaced them with a 12-2 NM cable and a single GFCI outlet. These materials can be found at any home center or electrical supply store. Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Eaton and Eastman Electric. Shopping: NM cable Arc-fault breaker GFCI receptacle or grounded receptacle Electrical staples...

You’re right to be concerned: Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of toxic, human-made chemicals that are hazardous to ingest. One of the best ways to remove these contaminants from drinking water is with a point-of-use, reverse-osmosis (RO) filtration system. Some units, like the GE one shown above (homedepot.com), are compact enough to fit under a kitchen sink. (I don’t recommend whole-house RO systems because of their size, expense, and maintenance requirements....