Host Kevin O’Connor never dreamed of hosting Ask This Old House, but a string of good luck seemed to drop the job into his lap. Kevin was always a fan of This Old House and enjoyed working with his hands. When he and his wife bought their first home, they purposely looked for a fixer-upper. After handling some of the projects themselves, the O’Connors sent a letter to the This Old House team....
Be sure to select plants that will bloom in different seasons, so there’s always some color along the walkway. Take note of how much sun the area receives and select plants that will thrive in those conditions accordingly. Consider colors. At Mark’s house, Jenn picked a Japanese maple to bring out the red of the brick walkway, and she also picked a few varieties of evergreens, which is the complementary color of the red walkway....
Find step-by-step instructions for How to Build a Storage Chest To create the storage chest: Cut the side pieces to length Build the sides and lid • Layout the sides with a spacer • Clamp the glued sides • Notch the handle into the top piece Assemble the box parts • Assemble the sides • Drill with a step bit • Insert glued dowels • Cut dowels with saw Build the base • Rip base’s beveled edges • Notch base • Attach support strips to base pieces • Screw the base to the box Attach the lid with hinges
How to Build a Classroom Compost Bin A compost bin can help break organic waste into healthy, nutritious soil for growing plants and food. A bin that facilitates the composting process can be a boon to production. Resources Jenn and Nathan toured Hosmer Elementary School in Watertown, MA, one of the first net zero elementary schools in Massachusetts. How to Compost at Home To build the compost bin, Nathan used cedar lumber in a variety of dimensions, including 2x6” for the slats and the front posts, 4x4” for the back posts, and 1x6” for the center slats....
When looking for ideas for new woodworking projects, Tom is often inspired by construction details he spots on everyday objects from the past. In this case, he drew up a plan for a serving tray that relies on the same sturdy joinery found on wood boxes from a century or more ago. Tom likes the box joint because it triples the surface area—and holding power—of a plain butt joint, but it’s much simpler than its fancier sibling, the dovetail....
“Just be sure to call 811 to have utility lines marked before you dig,” says This Old House senior technical editor Mark Powers. Read on to see how he put this beauty together. Download the cut list to build a wood lattice fence. How to Build a Wood Fence Overview Day-to-Day Timeline Prep Day Determine the fence line and set the first post (Steps 2 and 3). SATURDAY Build the sleeves and panels (Steps 4–6)....
Choosing a carbon monoxide detector
Step for Choosing insulation Tools
Cooking oil and animal fat will clog your pipes. If it travels further afield, it will clog municipal pipes and harm a septic system. The grease on dishes placed in a dishwasher will clog up the dishwasher drain, too. Whatever you do, don’t pour fats, oil, or grease down the drain. What is the Best Way to Dispose of Cooking Oil and Grease? The simple answer is to throw it in the trash....
If it’s time to redo a popcorn ceiling, there are three popular ways to take on the challenge: scrape, cover with a new layer of drywall, or skim coat with plaster to create a new textured ceiling. How Much Does it Cost to Remove Popcorn Ceiling? The national average for popcorn ceiling removal is $1,707, according to Home Advisor. Removing popcorn ceiling can be a labor-intensive process that is best left to a licensed professional to ensure safe removal....
Steps for Repairing a Loose Newel Post Tools and Materials How to Silence Your Squeaky Stairs
Steps: Assemble the storage cabinets using the quick-connect hardware provided. Use a drill/driver to screw the adjustable legs onto the bottom of the main cabinet. Screw the hanging rail to the inside of cabinet, then set the cabinet into place against the garage wall. Check the cabinet for level and adjust legs, if necessary. Fasten the main cabinet to wall by driving 3-inch screws through the hanging rail and into wall studs....
Steps for Installing Quartz Countertop: Resources: Kevin toured the manufacturing facility for Cambria Stone. The slab that was installed at Jenny’s house was also Cambria quartz in the color “Windermere.” How to Cut a Granite Countertop The tools required for installing the quartz, including the hammers and pry bars for removing the old counter, and the silicone to secure the new countertop, can all be found at home centers. Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Gemini Stone, LLC of Everett, MA....
Steps for Installing a Water Spigot Outside Materials Bucket Plumbers putty Tools How to Replace a Spigot
3 Common Insulation Found in Old Homes Vermiculite What it is: A lightweight, shiny mineral that resembles mica flakes. Types of Insulation for Your Home How it works: Vermiculite absorbs water and is fire resistant, giving it myriad uses, from fluffing up garden soil to soundproofing floors. The mineral was popular during much of the 20th century as insulation, thanks in part to its easy application: It could simply be poured by the bagful between ceiling joists....
What Direction Should You Lay Sod? Make sure you lay your first row against a straight edge; this could be along your yard or fence or patio. How Long Do You Have to Stay Off of New Sod? Try to avoid walking on your new installed sod for about a week. (See Step 5 for more details.) How Much Does It Cost for Sod Installation? It costs about $400 to cover a 1,000-square-foot backyard (double that installed)....
Steps for Maintaining Gas-Powered Tools Materials Gas can (1 gallon) Tools How to Winterize Yard Tools
