Posts

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....

Joe and Rebecca Titlow bought the distinguished early Georgian house, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, in 2007. “To us, every floor creak and wall crack in this home is a link to our history,” says the couple. “We’re proud to raise our family here.” So far, that family includes one toddler daughter and two energetic dogs. The house has quite a past indeed. Nathaniel Page, a descendant of the original owners, served as the flag bearer for the Bedford Militia during the Battle of Concord, in 1775—one of the first military engagements of the Revolutionary War....

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....

11 Tools To Have in a Basic Tool Kit You can fix almost anything with these 11 basic hand tools. 1. Screwdriver Set Screwdrivers can be used for anything from tightening cabinet hardware to installing light switches to opening paint cans. This 10-piece set includes five Phillips and five slotted screwdrivers in common sizes. 2. Tape Measure Keep a tape measure on hand to measure anything from the wall area for a paint project to the lumber thickness at a home improvement store....

We’ve selected some great classic options such as picnic, coffee, and dining tables as well as more unique options like a rolling grill table or a poker table for you to choose from. 1. Picnic Table with Benches Rather than tangling chairs around teetering folding tables in your backyard, devote an afternoon to building this beauty. Follow the step-by-step instructions in our How to Build a Picnic Table with Attached Benches tutorial....

In this Episode: Building in the Rockies is not easy. Amber and Jared know it all too well. Impassable roads, supply chain issues, and worker shortages have put their project for Kyle and James behind schedule, and there are issues to deal with at other projects. Will there be a break in the clouds to let concrete and lumber make it up the mountain? Amber and Jared think they can meet the challenge....

Special thanks to the KB Classical Moulding catalogue, available at kuikenbrothers.com, for guidance on molding styles and history. The Purpose of Crown Molding It isn’t essential, but adding crown molding goes a long way in achieving old-house charm. Crown Molding Designs Here, we see what different styles of the trim—Federal, Greek Revival, Early American, Georgian, Colonial Revival, Traditional Revival and Craftsman—can do for your rooms. Volume for a Low Ceiling Simple, elegant beading makes this Federal style crown molding help a low-ceilinged room full of feminine neutral accents read as voluminous....

Finding the best home insurance requires research. There are many companies, but they can differ greatly in terms of coverage, cost, and customer service quality. Keep reading to learn about the top homeowners insurance companies in San Antonio. San Antonio’s Top 4 Homeowners Insurance Companies The highest-rated homeowners insurance companies in San Antonio include: Lemonade: Easiest Sign-Up Allstate: Best Coverage Options Travelers: Most Experience Amica®: Best Customer Service Lemonade J....

Top 5 Cordless Leaf Blowers In a hurry? Here are the 5 highest rated blowers for your yard: Best For Big Yards: EGO Power+ Cordless Leaf Blower Best Fan Design: DEWALT Leaf Blower Best Adjustable Tube: SnapFresh Leaf Blower Best Value: BLACK+DECKER Lithium Sweeper Best Precision Nozzle: Greenworks Cordless Leaf Blower Looking for more information? Continue reading for our reviews of each product below. Best Leaf Blower For Big Yards EGO Power+ Cordless Leaf Blower This heavy-duty leaf blower runs for over 75 minutes on a single charge....