Posts

Types of Thermostats and Home Automation Systems A digital hard-wired thermostat allows you to program temperature and on/off cycles for heating and cooling systems. A wireless digital thermostat is a wire-free way to control and program heating and cooling systems. A WiFi-enabled digital thermostat lets you use a smartphone to program heating and cooling systems, turn lights on and off, and lock and unlock doors from anywhere. A WiFi-enabled energy monitor connects to the main electrical panel and is used to monitor electricity usage and cost....

Many homeowners keep up the look today because they either enjoy the quirky aesthetic or don’t want to go to the trouble of redoing their ceiling. Whatever the reason, popcorn ceilings need to be cleaned at least once a year, as the nooks and crannies easily trap dirt and dust, turning the surface into a dingy eyesore. What’s more, if you’re someone who suffers from home allergens, it probably doesn’t help to have all that dust literally hanging over your head....

Composting is a Multi-Part Process Composting is breaking down organic materials with the presence of air and water. There are also tiny microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, and insects involved to help break things down. Whether composting is occurring in the wild or the backyard, all of these ingredients have a role to play. Benefits of Composting There are a lot of reasons to start a compost pile. For one, compost strengthens the soil and provides plants with the nutrients they need to grow strong and resist disease....

Steps for Patching Holes in Brick Shopping list Mortar mix or putty Dye for mortar Sponge Bucket Tools How to Fill a Hole in a Brick Wall

Leaky Faucets A leaking faucet is a surefire way to soak your front while standing at the sink. For a leak coming from the base of all types of faucets, a common cause is a worn O-ring seal. After cutting off the water to the sink, remove the coupling nut from the base of the faucet and gently pull the spout from the socket. A degraded O-ring may appear frayed, cracked, discolored, or misshapen....

About Hebe Shrubs Original to New Zealand, hebe shrubs can thrive in U.S. growing zones 7 through 11, doing best in locales with warm summers and mild winters. Though they’re in a genus of their own now, the plants formerly belonged to the Veronica genus—hence the still-used common name of shrubby veronica. There are some 100 species of hebe, plus many cultivars. Flowers may be white, red, pink, purple, or blue....

10 Tips for Having a Successful Yard Sale 1. Title Your Event Wisely “Estate Sale” or “Moving Sale” implies that you’re liquidating a house’s contents, and can earn you more than “Garage Sale.” A Guide to Garage Organization, Storage, and Cleaning 2. Drum Up Attention Place ads in local newspapers, online, or on public bulletin boards. Reserve signs for the day of the event, and only include the sale’s date, time, and directional arrows to its location....

Steps for Installing a Gas Grill Tools How to Clean a Grill

Steps for Maintaining an Overgrown Garden Tools Needed:

Three woods of contrasting colors give the board its intriguing appearance: maple, oak, and cherry sourced from a hardwood lumber dealer. Tom and Kevin cut and glued together wood strips into identical rhombus shapes, then sliced them into six-sided pucks. When assembled into a board, they fool the eye into seeing three dimensions. As with any board in which the grain runs vertically, “a knife does less damage to the wood than on a flat-grain board,” Tom says....

Materials You’ll Need for a DIY Magnolia Garland Expect to pay $75 or $80 for magnolia and $10 to $30 for juniper or cedar if you order from a florist. Also, get some nylon sting, you’ll need about 6 ft, 28 gauge paddle wire, and 18 gauge wire. How to Make a Garland in 5 Steps Editor’s Picks: Our Favorite Holiday Decorating Ideas

How to Patch a Hole in a Textured Ceiling Materials Joint compound tray 1/2-inch drywall Wood strapping Drywall screws Joint compound Drywall tape Tools

What Causes Bad Odors in a Dryer? If your dryer isn’t smelling laundry fresh, there could be several reasons why. Let’s look at some of the main reasons you may have foul odors in your dryer. Placing Soiled Clothing In the Washing Machine Aren’t all clothes that you put in a dryer supposed to be clean? After all, if you just washed them, they should be, right? However, the problem may be how you’re storing clothing before you wash them....

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.

You can use spray paint for a variety of small to medium-sized projects. The variety of spray paint types allow nearly any project the perfect paint for the job. Applying primer before spray painting helps to ensure that your spray paint will have an even finish and smooth out blemishes. Otherwise, you may need several coats of spray paint to get consistent coverage. Why Apply Spray Paint Primer? Applying primer before spray painting helps to ensure that your spray paint will have an even finish and smooth out blemishes....

Can You Stain Brick? Stain vs. Paint Both stain and paint can change the look of brick siding, fireplaces, and other masonry. They each have their pros and cons, but both are good options for a brick makeover. The choice will depend on your goals. How To Paint a Brick Fireplace When it comes to ease of application, painting brick is usually the way to go. With a thick roller, an old paintbrush, and a bit of effort, you can achieve a painted look in just a coat or two....

Subscribe and listen to Clearstory on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, or wherever you get your podcasts.