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In this episode: Master electrician Heath Eastman brings us to the Tool Lab to explain everything we’ve ever wondered about power tool batteries. With a brief history of the evolution of power tool batteries, Heath shows us what they look like inside and explains how manufacturers calculate battery voltage. And voltage isn’t everything. Heath teaches us what amp-hours mean and how they affect how power tools run. To demonstrate, Heath gives us a first-hand look at the difference between what two 18-volt batteries can do based on their amp-hour rating....

In this episode: Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey puts the mystery behind toilet seat replacements to rest. Richard shows host Kevin O’Connor how simple toilet seat replacements have become, with standard sizes and bolt patterns. He even explains how corrosion-free plastic hardware is very easy to work with during installation. But, Richard also shows Kevin the most common issues that a toilet seat repair job may involve. Stripped hardware and corrosion can complicate the issue, but Richard explains how to handle them....

In this episode: Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey takes us on a house call to relieve a homeowner’s stress. With a 16-year-old water heater lurking in the basement, the homeowner is expecting it to fail at any moment, so Richard suggests they swap it out with a new unit. First, the two get started by shutting off the gas, cutting the existing copper pipes, and removing all the fittings and exhaust before pulling the heater out....

On this episode: The Westerly one-story ranch house has been converted to a two-story Dutch Colonial thanks to the Sweenor team. Today the crew does a final walkthrough and says goodbye to the homeowners and the apprentices. Starting outdoors, Kevin shows off the new sweeping gambrel roofline before heading inside to meet Jeff. They begin the tour in the original long hallway to see the updated bathroom, an old bedroom which is now an office complete with barn doors and a wall of shelving, and another old bedroom that has turned into a spacious laundry room....

After four years of living with a traditional wired security system at his Mariposa, CA, home, Jim Allen was ready for a change. “I was tired of walking through the door with my arms full of groceries thinking; I’ve got 30 seconds to turn o that alarm,” he recalls. So Jim canceled his service—which took nearly a week of customer service calls—and installed a smart home- security package himself. He was also paying $40 per month for professional monitoring, with a price hike looming....

To help you determine which set is best for you, we created this guide on the best Allen wrench sets. Keep reading to learn about our recommendations and how each product performed in our in-depth tests. Top 5 Allen Wrench Sets Best Case: TEKTON 25282 Hex Key Wrench Set Best Ball-End: Bondhus 20199 L-Wrench Double Pack Best Dual Set: TEKTON 25253 Hex Key Wrench Set Most Affordable: HORUSDY Allen Wrench Set Best Foldable Set: Texas Best Folding Hex Keys...

Here are our top recommendations. Best For Muscle Relief: Intex PureSpa Plus Hot Tub Best For Small Groups: Bestway SaluSpa Miami Hot Tub Best Square Tub: Coleman Atlantis SaluSpa Best Entry-Level: Intex SimpleSpa Hot Tub Most Decorative: Bestway SaluSpa Helsinki AirJet Hot Tub Best For Muscle Relief: Intex PureSpa Plus Hot Tub Pros and Cons ✔ Includes a patented fiber-tech construction for superior structural stability✔ Has built-in hard water treatment✔ Has a tilt-adjustable control panel ✘ Some customers said that air escaped easily✘ Can take a long time to reach its maximum temperature...

Some of the best pest control companies in San Diego are Terminix, Orkin, Aptive, and Rentokil. Each of these companies has the equipment, products, and expertise to protect homes from common household pests. Additionally, there are some local pest control providers native to San Diego that may be able to help address and resolve your pest issue. Top 7 Pest Control Companies in San Diego The highest-rated pest control companies in San Diego, California, include:...

We’re used to breaking work into a series of steps. First, we scrape, then we prime, then we paint. Lather, rinse, repeat. Wipe on, wipe off. Hiring a Renovation Team But when it comes to the complex task of home renovation, I recommend that homeowners consider a less linear approach from the start. Traditionally, an architect or designer is hired, a plan finalized and put out to bid, and a contractor chosen....

*The cutting ability of each saw was tested on five different materials: wood, nail-filled wood, PVC, steel, and cast iron. For each test, a saw was fitted with a fresh blade suited to the material being cut. Porter-Cable PCL120CRC-2 Price: $130; deltaportercable.com Highlights: Adjustable shoe hooks onto material to reduce vibration. Its electronic brake slows down the blade after the trigger is released. My two cents: “The articulating body allowed me to use it under cabinets and in tight spaces between the walls....

About the Idea House Build series: Join This Old House Pro2Pro Editor Chris Ermides as we chronicle the build of the 2020 Idea Houses in two new video series, Idea House Build: Cottage on the Cape and Idea House Build: Farmhouse in Fairfield County. Follow along as we document everything from breaking ground to the home transformation journey, as well as inspire and educate about the latest products and trends in the industry....

He also showed the high-powered, quieter Evolution Excel Disposal. Both are manufactured by InSinkErator and available at home centers and plumbing supply stores.

They turned to architect Mary Dorsey Brewster and general contractor Andy Tiplady to help them envision a plan that would make the best use of its rooms—and even squeeze in a few more in an addition over the garage. A Garage Addition Adds Home Value and Extra Space Topping the couple’s wish list was an extra bedroom and bath upstairs. Given the house’s small lot and strict local zoning laws, Brewster sketched an addition in the only spot it could go: above the attached, unheated garage....

WinkBeds has something for everyone, whether you’re seeking the all-foam comfort of the GravityLux, the hybrid support from their Original mattress, or something eco-friendly like the EcoCloud. This WinkBeds mattress review covers each of their American-made mattresses and their top-notch materials that are good for you and the planet. While a mattress is a large purchase, WinkBeds offers a generous lifetime warranty and 120-night trial period that allows you to test the bed before you buy it, and rest easy knowing your new mattress is covered for its lifespan....

Painted Stair Ideas Ombre Stair Risers Ombre is an effect produced by shades of color that graduate from light to dark. To create this look on your stairs, choose a saturated shade from the room’s color palette and use it to paint the bottom two to three risers. Next, lighten the paint about 20 percent with white and paint the next two to three risers with that color. Then, lighten another 20 percent and paint the next few risers....

17 Fireplace Remodel Ideas 1. Add Glass Fireplace Doors A cozy fire on a cold night is a delight. But a wood fire left untended isn’t safe. Unlike a gas fireplace, which can be switched off, the only way to leave a wood fire is closed off with glass doors. Retrofitting this safety feature to an existing fireplace isn’t difficult. The doors come in standard sizes that fit in any flat firebox opening....

Dams can tear off gutters, loosen shingles, and cause water to back up and pour into your house. When that happens, the results aren’t pretty: peeling paint, warped floors, stained and sagging ceilings. Not to mention soggy insulation in the attic, which loses R-value and becomes a magnet for mold and mildew. Birth of an Ice Dam Fast Fixes While a permanent fix for ice dams usually requires increasing the insulation, sealing, and ventilation in the attic, there are simple ways to diminish the damage after the dam has formed....

Top 5 40-Inch Smart TVs After researching several models, we’ve identified our top recommendations for 40-inch smart TVs: Best Remote Control: Hisense 40-Inch Smart TV Best Resolution: TCL 43-Inch 4K UHD Smart TV Best Roku TV: TCL 40-Inch Smart LED Roku TV Best Fire TV: Toshiba Full HD Smart Fire TV Best For SAMSUNG Users: SAMSUNG 40-Inch Smart FHD TV Pros and Cons ✔ Has built-in surround sound and speakers for a crisp audio experience ✔ Weighs only 13 pounds ✔ Has a numerical keypad on the remote control for watching live TV ✘ Has some user complaints about the restrictions on the Android TV platform ✘ Features an LCD display, which is inferior to a full-array LED display What Customers Are Saying In their positive reviews, users primarily highlighted this 40-inch TV’s robust built-in speakers, quick and easy setup, and Google Assistant compatibility....