Posts

In this episode: Kevin O’Connor finds Jenn Nawada and her landscape crew in the homeowners’ current yard about 30 minutes away from the project. They want to bring several maturing trees to their new house. Jenn’s crew transplants the trees to their new location outside of the Seaside Victorian Cottage. In the kitchen, Tom Silva works with master carpenter Riley Partridge to install a unique range hood. Back outside, the sod has arrived from a local farm in Rhode Island....

We canvassed some of our favorite pros to see how they overcame problem areas at their own places without breaking the bank. The resulting projects aren’t just handsome, they’re also doable for the average DIYer. “I’m not a handy person, so I had to start from scratch ­figuring out materials, watching YouTubes, and asking for advice at The Home Depot,” says designer Max Humphrey, who gave a blah ranch interior his signature cabin-chic style....

How to Close Foundation Vents in the Winter The simplest way to close foundation vents for the winter is to plug them from the outside with foam blocks made specifically for this purpose. Just remember to remove the plugs when the weather turns mild in the spring. As you do that chore, check to make sure that the vent screens are intact so that insects and other critters don’t make a home under your house....

Here are good reasons for considering solar and alternative energy: Cut your electric bill. Let the sun, earth, or wind help with the bills. Most alternative energy systems supplement the fossil fuels your house uses. Less purchased fuel means more money in your pocket. Help to save the environment. Using more renewable energy means using less electricity generated by burning fossil fuels, which emit harmful greenhouse gases. Improve your home’s resiliency during power outages....

Ways to Prep Your Home for Spring Make a clean start at the front entry Muddy footprints, salt stains, grime from who knows where: That’s winter’s legacy to your front entry. To clean this area, remove the furniture and mats, then sweep away cobwebs and dirt. Dip a soft-bristled brush into a solution of oxygen bleach—1/2 cup of powder per gallon of warm water; scrub the walls, window frames, door, and floor....

From pest control to deck maintenance, follow these simple tips to keep your home and its yard up to par this summer. Summer Maintenance Checklist for Your Home Lubricate and clean metal storms Whenever you clean aluminum storm windows, give their metal frames extra attention—especially if they’re old and oxidized—to ensure they slide freely. Remove the storms, and vacuum the tracks and around the sill. Then lightly coat the tracks and spring-loaded locking tabs with a silicone lubricant spray such as B’laster (blasterproducts....

Top 5 Beach Chairs Best For Drinks: Coleman Camping Chair Most Portable: Tommy Bahama Beach Chair Best Pack: Nice C Folding Chairs Best for Lounging: Esright Chaise Lounge Chair Best for Shade: Kelsyus Original Canopy Chair Best For Drinks: Coleman Camping Chair Pros and Cons ✔ Is made of a durable steel frame ✔ Holds up to 325 pounds✔ Offered in multiple color options ✘ Users can’t recline in the chair✘ The chair doesn’t include a stable surface to use as a small table...

Top 5 Chicken Coops Best Features: OverEZ Large Chicken Coop Best Metal Coop: Polar Aurora Large Metal Chicken Coop Best For Small Yards: Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Chicken Coop Best Play Area: Aivituvin Walk-In Chicken Coop Most Portable: Best Choice Products Mobile Fir Wood Chicken Coop Best Features: OverEZ Large Chicken Coop Pros and Cons ✔ Includes two screened windows and two vents to allow for air circulation✔ Built by Amish-trained craftsmen✔ Made with non-toxic, eco-friendly paint ✘ Has the most expensive price tag in this review✘ Arrived damaged for some customers...

Best Design: Flexzilla Garden 50-Foot Hose This garden hose from Flexzilla has a distinctive green coating that can withstand severe weather conditions and temperatures between -40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The hose is also engineered with flexible hybrid polymer, allowing it to lay flat and resist kinks. Key Features Available in three-, five-, 10-, 25-, 50-, and 75-foot lengths Has a polymer blend body and aluminum fittings Works between -40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit Has kink, abrasion, and crush resistance...

The first mortars were simply clay-muds, then lime and sand. The basic ingredient in modern mortar is Portland cement, which is also the active component of concrete. Supporting Masonry Work Two things all masonry materials have in common is that they’re heavy and that they’re rigid, and therefore subject to cracking. If the surface on which a masonry structure is placed can move, that masonry will eventually crack. All masonry must be built on stable ground, either soil that hasn’t been disturbed before or fill that’s been mechanically compacted....

Is there a better feeling than flipping your pillow to the cool side? Now, picture an even more rewarding type of bedroom flip: flipping your mattress for an entirely new sleep experience. It’s an intriguing concept, especially if you’re wary of committing to just one mattress style for the foreseeable future. But before you swipe your credit card for that new mattress in a box, you’ll want to pause and be sure you’re getting the best flippable mattress for you and all your multi-faceted sleep needs....

This can invite a brew of nasty odors, mold, mildew, and bacteria that can leave laundry less than fresh. What’s more, allowing gunk to build up in the machine could shorten its lifespan. How to Maintain a Washing Machine How Often Should I Clean My Clothes Washer? Clearly, it’s important to clean the washing machine regularly (manufacturers recommend once a month). While it’s not a particularly taxing chore, the approach you take will depend on:...

Steps for Building a Fire in a Fireplace Resources All the materials Mark used to build the fire in his fireplace were found either around the house or in the backyard. The only thing Mark cautions against is burning pine and other softwoods in the fireplace, as it can cause creosote to build up in the chimney which could eventually result in a dangerous chimney fire. Seasoned hardwood is best to use in a fireplace....

Returning for its 42nd season, This Old House will kick off with four, new thematic “Behind the Build” episodes showcasing favorite audience topics: Designing Kitchens, Factory Made, Memorable Makers and Anatomy of a Kitchen. Then it’s off to Narragansett, Rhode Island where a Queen Anne Seaside Victorian Cottage restoration begins…and begins again. After a delay due to COVID-19, the This Old House cast of experts team up with Sweenor Builders to renovate the 1887 Queen Anne Victorian and to return this old house back to its Gilded Age beauty....

Hundreds of types of tools are available depending on your needs, experience level, project, and home setup. However, some truths remain evident no matter what tool you’re using. Tools should be durable, reliable, and safe. They should also work as designed and provide clear instructions on operating them. If you’re new to buying tools, it may be intimidating to narrow down your choices. The This Old House Reviews Team created this buyer’s guide to give you all the must-have information you need to know when shopping for tools....

Our top recommended lawn care provider, TruGreen, uses scientifically backed solutions to maintain hardy, healthy lawns in Charlotte. The company offers a variety of annual programs in the area, a la carte services, and a customer satisfaction guarantee. Pros and Cons of TruGreen ✔ Natural fertilizer available✔ Mobile app and online chat✔ Offers pest control services✘ Customers complain about inexperienced technicians✘ Customer service can be difficult to get in touch with by phone...

If you have a soggy basement, you’re not alone. The American Society of Home Inspectors, based in Des Plaines, IL, estimates 60 percent of U.S. homes have wet basements, and 38 percent run the risk of basement mold. What Causes a Wet Basement? The water in the basement most often comes from rainfall and melting snow. Even a small storm can trigger a deluge. For example, a house with a 1,500-square-foot roof sheds 1,000 gallons of water for every inch of falling rain....

Fridge Still Not Cooling? Follow These Steps to Diagnose & Fix it If none of these issues exist, then it’s time to troubleshoot for some more complicated, but still fixable, problems. Here are five other common reasons why your fridge may not be cooling, and how to address them. Condenser coils are dusty There are coils located under or behind the fridge that cool and condense the refrigerant. Sometimes so much dust or dirt collects on these coils that the heat can no longer be released efficiently, and it winds up in your fridge instead....

Invest in Door and Window Locks Probably the single most important thing anyone can do to ensure their security is to lock their doors and windows. Any door lock is better than no lock, but having a deadbolt with at least a 1 inch throw on the bolt is even better. Deadbolts are available in single cylinder or double cylinder configurations, as well as ones controllable from a smartphone or with a combination....