How to Hold a Paint Brush To paint like a pro, you have to hold the brush like a pro. Lay the handle of the brush flat over the back of your thumb while holding the ferrule (the metal part that holds the bristles together) between your index and middle finger. The point of a slanted brush should be on the finger side, not the thumb side. How Long Does It Take To Paint a Room?...
Standing in your way, though, is a layer or more of wallpaper that was surely the delight of whoever chose it, perhaps many years ago. And that might even be you. But wallpaper trends come and go. Should you paint over the wallpaper? Can it even be done? Let’s start with the wisdom of doing it or not doing it, and then (spoiler alert) launch into the how-to. Can You Paint Over Wallpaper?...
What Plants Can Grow In Pots? Pairing up pots and plants in pleasing compositions, you can even grow perennials, grasses, and dwarf evergreen shrubs in pots to provide year-round interest. Containers also let you skip the major digging and weed-pulling of backyard gardening and fast-forward to the fun: designing, planting, and enjoying. You get just enough dirt under your fingernails to feel like you’ve accomplished something. Best of all, potted gardens are close-up delights....
Why Choose Concrete Over Asphalt While concrete is more expensive than asphalt, it is incredibly hard-wearing, making it an excellent choice for homes enduring cold New England winters. Concrete is also very low-maintenance, and its smooth surface makes for easy snow removal. Concrete driveways can last anywhere from 15 to up to 50 years with proper care, while asphalt driveways last about 15 to 20 years. Steps for Pouring a Concrete Driveway Step 1: Demo the driveway Before any major digging can happen, you have to call a utility locating service to ensure you don’t damage any electric, gas, or water lines....
Local building codes use this data to determine the depth of concrete footings to prevent frost heave (when water freezes, it expands, often pushing solid objects like rocks or deck footings towards the soil surface). The data is used to determine the depth of water and sewer lines to prevent them from freezing. Occasionally, a prolonged cold snap will drive the frost line down, and those water or sewer lines—and sometimes the septic system itself—can freeze....
Steps for Quieting a Noisy Forced-Air System Tools Baseboard Heater Making Noise? Here’s How to Fix It
But wait! Before launching your wrench into the neighbor’s bushes, there are ways to remove that stripped or broken bolt. Please read on. How to Remove a Rusted Bolt Rusty bolts are a common sight, especially for those who spend their working days outdoors. The heads on machine bolts can get oxidized to the point where you can’t tell they’re there. The nuts securing carriage bolts can rust, too, making it impossible to remove them....
To start, it is a mailbox post, not even a lamppost. The top is wide open to water infiltrations, only held down by a zip tie. It also uses a voltage way too high to use for residential outdoor usage. All in all, it’s an electrician’s nightmare. Steps for Replacing a Lamppost: Step 1: Call in the pros to help Installing a brand new post from scratch will require installing a light switch and connecting it to the nearest electrical source....
Houses built before 1985 used wires that could withstand temperatures up to 60 degrees Celsius.a. Certain lightbulbs generate more heat than 60 degrees, so over time, those wires could fray and crack, causing an arc, which could create a fire.b. After 1985, they changed the code so that wires needed to be rated to withstand temperatures up to 90 degrees Celsius, which is common for most modern fixtures.c. To determine which type of wiring you have, look at the cable....
All the other materials Heath used for this project, including the two gang cover plate and the screwdriver, can be found at home centers. Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Eaton and Eastman Electric. Shopping List: Wired smart switch Wireless switch Wireless switch cover plate Wire nuts Tools:
How Does a Wireless Light Switch Work? A wireless light switch, also known as a remote light switch, works with a device that has a wireless antenna and a switch. The device is installed into the canopy of the light fixture. Then, the wireless switch is attached to the wall. With just a simple push of a button, the switch sends the wireless signal up to this antenna to turn on or off the light....
How to Choose and Use Insulation Narrow down which type of insulation is right for your climate and budget. Watch This Old House TV general contractor Tom Silva explain the wide world of insulation. Types of Insulation for Your Home How to Beef Up Attic Insulation Keep your home warm—or cool, depending on the season—by wrapping your attic in insulation. Watch Tom Silva demonstrate a cost-effective way to save energy....
Curious if a flippable memory foam bed like the Layla will suit you? This unique and versatile memory foam mattress is meant to be flipped, so you can choose your ideal firmness level. Layla mattress review explores why this one of the best affordable mattresses out there if you want to reap the benefits of firmness level flexibility without overextending your mattress budget—queen-sized Layla mattresses are often on sale for under $1,000....
When you’re buying a fruit tree, ask whether it’s self-pollinating or needs a pollinator. And bear in mind that arborists can often graft trees that require a pollinator to trees that self-pollinate, essentially making the tree self-pollinating. It’s also important to make sure the species you want can actually thrive in your growing zone and fit your space. Larger areas can accommodate standard-size trees, while pots and smaller spaces are suitable for dwarf-size trees....
To save pet owners time in their search, the This Old House Reviews team researched the best pet insurance companies in Massachusetts and ranked the providers on factors such as policy coverage, plan options, customer service, and company reputation. We included sample quotes for a variety of dog and cat breeds in Oxford, Massachusetts, to give you an idea of plan pricing in the 01540 ZIP code. However, we recommend getting quotes from a few different providers, as that’s the best way to get accurate pricing based on your pet’s specific details and location....
Download a study guide to go with this video. These materials are adapted from Wx Workforce Training, a video-based weatherization training service.
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps guide you through two types of heated floors in terms of cost, installation, and energy efficiency to select the right one for your house. How well does radiant floor heat work? That’s the appeal of radiant floor heating, says This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, who has long been a fan. “It’s truly invisible,” he says. But a radiant heat system has more than just aesthetics going for it....
In this episode: Nathan Gilbert shows Kevin O’Connor some interesting drywall paneling he recently found in an older house; Richard Trethewey travels to New York City to teach a homeowner how to clean her shower cartridge when it gets clogged; Tom Silva teaches Kevin the basics of using a lathe and then they turn a bowl together. How to Clean a Clogged Shower Cartridge Richard Trethewey travels to New York City to teach a homeowner how to clean her shower cartridge when it gets clogged....
In this episode: Landscape expert Jenn Nawada shares her love and knowledge of hydrangeas. After explaining how these bushy, bright flowering plants’ hardiness and versatility can work in almost any landscape, she examines the different types of hydrangeas available while visiting a local nursery. After gushing over the different types of hydrangeas, when they flower, and how to prune them, we meet Jenn and host Kevin O’Connor back at the shop for some hands-on advice and troubleshooting....
