Remove the handles, escutcheons, and cover plate for the shower valve. a. This will vary, depending on the manufacturer. In general, look for small circles that could be concealing screws that are holding the handles in place. These can usually be removed with an Allen wrench. b. Be careful to loosen only the handles and not actually turn them; otherwise, the water will turn on. Shut the hot and cold water lines off....
After donning some safety gear, Mauro shows Kevin how to soak the brush in the chemical solution and explains how to tell when it’s ready. The two then remove the paint using a soft-bristled brush and careful strokes before rinsing the brush with clean water. Finally, Mauro straightens out the bristles to get them ready for the next paint project. How to Clean a Dried Paintbrush Can You Put a Paint Brush in a Plastic Bag?...
Expert assistance with this segment was provided by the Laramie County Conservation District, the University of Wyoming Extension, Nawada Landscape Design, and Wanda Manley. Tools
Our shelf was built for a standard 24-inch-deep by 33-inch-wide base cabinet, but its design is adaptable to virtually any size cabinet. It has a 1x4 pine frame and 3/4-inch birch plywood bottom. If you’re only building one or two shelves, you can save some money by going to a home center or lumberyard that sells quarter or half sheets of plywood. And in most cases, they’ll even cut the plywood to your dimensions....
Steps: Tools:
Lower in several hardy waterlilies, and the perennials will send up shoots that keep you in daily blooms of pink, red, white, and yellow from June through August. Come fall, just shear off the shoots and they’ll come back bigger and bolder next spring. As long as the water doesn’t freeze solid in winter, these lilies will survive in place. Follow along as This Old House contributor Christopher Beidel, owner of Pernt, a handmade-furniture store in Brooklyn, New York, walks you through the step-by-step of building this aqua-gardener’s starter project....
Large barriers can interfere with migration and even upset ecosystems. And as development continues unabated—be it for housing, commercial uses, or infrastructure—the more likely it is for animals to venture closer to our backyards. Homeowners, however, can make conscious choices when it comes to fence materials and dimensions without causing undue harm to our neighbors in nature. Here’s how. Learn About Local Wildlife First up, research what types of animals are in your area and gain a basic understanding of their food sources, mating/breeding seasons, movement patterns, and if/when they migrate....
How to Paint MDF Step-by-Step What to Use When Painting MDF To prevent water from damaging the MDF, Mauro recommends using an oil-based primer, since it repels water. For this bench, Mauro used BIN shellac base primer, manufactured by Zinsser. For the top coat, Mauro used Benjamin Moore Advanced in “Simply White” with a semi-gloss finish. The top coat is a water-based paint. The other painting materials Mauro used, including the wood filler, paint brushes, and rollers, can all be found at home centers and paint supply stores....
These proven techniques will dislodge virtually any clog. If you can’t clear a clog after a few attempts, make sure you admit defeat and turn the job over to a drain-cleaning service or licensed plumber. Exerting too much force can permanently damage a pipe or fixture. That said, specialized plumbing tools used to combat clogs are affordable, and they’re available at any hardware store or home center; you can even rent some....
The sink hole cover the Richard used to seal the hole from the old shower head is manufactured by Danco and can be found at home centers. The other materials Richard used to complete the valve replacement, including the copper pipes, copper fittings, solder and flux can all be found at home centers and plumbing supply houses. Shopping List Pressure balanced shower valve Retrofit cover plate for valve ½-inch copper pipe and fittings Solder Flux Tub spout Shower head 2x4 dimensional lumber Pipe hangers...
How to Vault a Ceiling
Tool Lab is geared towards those with pro-level experience or interest — those who are new to the trades, have been working in the trades, as well as advanced DIYers who want to know what pros know and want to perform at their level. Be sure to catch new reviews and content each week on ThisOldHouse.com or on the This Old House YouTube channel.
Shown: A track mounted library ladder makes it easier to get to upper cabinets than hauling a step stool out of the broom closet. The ladder can be rolled to a corner when not in use or even used as a makeshift seat for kitchen visitors. But think twice if you have a climbing cat. No Visible Means of Support No sharp corners on these shelves will prevent dinged knuckles....
Pellet Stoves: Are They Worth It? You need only fill the stove’s hopper with pellets made from compacted sawdust, set its thermostat, sit back, and get cozy. A mechanical auger deposits the pellets into a burn pot, where they are incinerated at such a high temperature that they create no vent-clogging creosote and very little ash or emissions, which keeps both indoor and outdoor air cleaner. The best part is that they are about twice as efficient at warming your home as older wood stoves that have not been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are vastly more efficient than fireplaces....
Tools
In this episode: Kevin O’Connor looks at the kitchen progress—the base and top cabinets are in and the countertops are getting installed. The new coffered ceiling adds a beautiful detail above as does the new random width white oak flooring. Jeff Sweenor is installing white oak floating shelves on either side of the fireplace. A cleat on the three walls holds the two-inch dado jointed shelf. The dado joint for a wider oak mantle is a similar concept but with a heftier cleat....
In this episode: Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner relocate a poorly placed baseboard heater that has been doing very little to heat the space. The heater is located in what used to be a kitchen, but is now a newly renovated family room. The placement used to make sense as it sat across from the cabinets, refrigerator, and sink. However, with that all removed the heater is now placed opposite of the windows....
