It takes dozens of separate pieces to build a hardwood staircase. Stairs are made up of treads and risers—the flat steps and vertical kick plates you can see—as well as stringers, the saw-tooth pieces of wood that support the stairs from underneath. Why Do Stairs Squeak? With all the wooden parts, it’s pretty much inevitable that stairs will eventually start to squeak. Unlike our own ever-tightening joints, age tends to bring looseness in stairs....
Installing a smart thermostat Tool
Hardwood vs. Laminate Wood Flooring Hardwood flooring is solid wood, cut from the tree. The three most popular wood choices include oak, walnut, and hickory, although maple and cherry are sought after as well. Laminate “wood” flooring consists of several layers of material laminated together to resemble real wood—an underlayment, a composite wood-fiber core, a high-resolution woodgrain photograph, and a clear protective sealer that resists scratches and fading. How to Refinish Hardwood Floors While laminate flooring has come a long way as far as durability and appearance are concerned, it’s not solid wood and isn’t installed in the same manner....
Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Mauro’s Painting. Tool
To protect the rubber gasket on the garage door, Mauro taped them off using Frog Tape. Mauro painted the door using Benjamin Moore Aura Semi-Gloss exterior rated paint in Van Deusen Blue. He applied the paint using a Wooster 3/8” nap, 6 ½” long roller, and a Picasso 2 ½” angle cut brush. Shopping List: Exterior latex paint Cleaning detergent Tools: All About Exterior Paint
Steps for Repairing a Pothole: Fill Asphalt Driveway Cracks Those fissures hold water, which can break up pavement when it freezes, and create a perfect home for weeds. All About Sealcoating a Driveway Before temperatures dip below 60 degrees F, and after you clean out the weeds and debris, fill cracks between ½ inch and 1 inch wide with a meltable crack sealer, like those made by Dalton Enterprises. Press the rope-like sealer into the cracks just below the surface, as shown, then use a propane torch to melt the self-leveling sealer and permanently bond it with the asphalt....
How to Replace a Deck Joist Hanger Resources Nathan replaced the rotted joist hangers with 2x8” Face-Mount Galvanized Joist Hangers, which are manufactured by Simpson Strong-Tie and can be found at most home centers. Read This Before You Build Your Deck To resecure the deck boards to the joist, Nathan used a drill driver and 2” Deckmate star drive coated deck screws, which can also be found at home centers....
How to set tile Tools
The same applies to the work done around a property or job site. Sharp is always good, and with a bit of practice, you’ll be able to repair and sharpen any axe or hatchet bit (the blade of an axe) in no time. How Sharp Should an Axe Be? First, understand that axes don’t need to be razor-sharp. In fact, a razor-sharp edge can be more prone to chipping than a standard sharp edge....
Steps for Labeling a Toolbox See more clever ways to give dad an organized workspace with our guide on how to organize your garage. 5 Clever Ideas for Chalkboard Paint Tools and Materials Soap Black chalkboard spray paint Painters tape
As an activity, gardening is work, but rewarding in ways beyond the physical fitness benefits of bending, stretching, pulling, et cetera—as various studies have shown. Research in the Netherlands found gardening to improve mood and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, while a Norwegian study found that gardening alleviates symptoms of depression. What’s more, two separate studies revealed regular gardeners to be at lower risk of dementia than non-gardeners....
How to Use a Chalk Line If you don’t know how to use a chalk line, don’t worry; you’ll get the hang of it. Here are the basic steps to learning how to use a chalk line. All you’ll need is a chalk box with a string inside and a bottle of powdered chalk. Angle Measuring Tools Step 1: Load the chalk box The case that holds the chalk line is called a chalk box....
DEWALT Oscillating Multi-Tool Kit This oscillating multi-tool kit is a versatile and cordless power tool. It includes a universal accessory adapter to easily attach different blades, sanders, or other accessories to serve various project needs. A bright LED light is fixed to the head of the multi-tool to help you work in dark spots, and the convenient three-speed selector is located near the end of the tool. CRAFTSMAN Impact Wrench Kit An impact wrench is a powerful tool to have on hand....
“The most off-base calls we get from journalists are the ones about ‘Paradise Lost,’ ” says Colette Curtis, now assistant to the town manager. “I get it, it’s a catchy story line, but the truth is so much more interesting and exciting.” She’s talking after her lunch hour, one of the rare ones she gets these days. “We all used to take them every day before the fire,” she says with a laugh....
In this episode: Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada tells you everything you need to know about ornamental grasses. They are some of Jenn’s favorite plants to add to a landscape design because they can add a cool visual element to virtually any area. Jenn shows a few examples of the many varieties you can choose from and explains how you could use them in a design. Master electrician Heath Eastman and home technology expert Ross Trethewey discuss electric vehicle (EV) chargers with This Old House host Kevin O’Connor....
In this episode: Mason Mark McCullough tells us all about how he became a cast member of This Old House and Ask This Old House, as well as how he became a mason in the first place. Mark tells us that Tom Silva recommended him to the show, and after a few small parts, Mark was featured in an episode of Ask This Old House. The rest is history. Mark’s story on how he started in the masonry trade is fascinating....
In this episode: General contractor Tom Silva takes us back through time and tells us how he became a general contractor. Growing up in a house full of people who worked with their hands, his role as chief on a construction site seems pre-determined. Tom tells the whole story from being a little kid breaking things with his dad’s hammer to how he got his start on This Old House. Tom also gives us a look into some of the things most folks don’t know about him....
In this episode: Carpenter Nathan Gilbert shows host Kevin O’Connor how to handle minor repairs on finished wood surfaces. Nathan shows Kevin how to handle light abrasions, heavier wear, and even small gouges on hardwood surfaces. He explains how to blend these repairs in and even tells Kevin when it’s best to call a professional. Next, we meet House One editor and DIY expert Jenn Largesse as she oversees the installation of the container pool in her backyard project....
In this episode: Landscaping contractor Jenn Nawada shows host Kevin O’Connor everything he needs to know about preparing your garden for winter. Jenn explains that protecting all the hard work performed in the spring, summer, and fall should be the concern before the cold weather arrives. By focusing on water, clean-up, and protection, Jenn dishes on the best ways to protect your plants. Jenn explains that plants need water late in the year despite the growing season coming to an end....
