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In this episode: Kevin O’Connor travels to Minnesota to tour a facility that manufactures quartz countertops. Traditionally, people choose granite or marble that comes out of the Earth in a large slab. But recently, a new option has surged in popularity—quartz countertops. Quartz is extremely hard, so people like it for countertops and other stone surfaces because it doesn’t scratch. It’s non-porous, meaning it doesn’t really stain. It’s easy to clean, and it doesn’t require sealing like granite....

In this episode: The construction crews are finally done, and Luke and Crystal can finally move in after nearly a year after their home burned down. Kevin finds them tackling a few last-minute punch list items and figuring out where to set their brand-new furniture that was just delivered. Studies show that 90% of homes lost to wildfires catch fire from flying embers and not the heat of the fire....

What surprised everyone, however, was the fact that Michele and Michael’s house was one of only 35 of nearly 7,000 projects that have qualified for the highest award since the program began in 1991, and it was only the third remodeling project. Most green houses in the city are new construction, but executing a green remodel isn’t as difficult as many people think. Before: A Modest Bungalow Morgan says the key isn’t necessarily a big budget, but the mind-set of the building team....

In the video above, Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, walks you through a house with a steam heating system. How to Quiet a Banging Steam Radiator What is Steam Heat? Steam heat is created by converting water from a boiler into steam. Houses with steam heat can be identified by looking for radiators that are connected to only one pipe, not two. Should You Use a Steam Heating System?...

You Can’t Fix What You Don’t Know For homeowners who want to maintain a lush, green lawn or healthy plants, soil tests are important—after all, they can’t fix what they don’t know. Soil tests are essentially a screenshot of the soil’s health. They explain the soil’s condition, including its nutrients, what nutrients it lacks, and those in abundance. They will also explain the soil’s acidity, allowing the user to adjust it for prime growing conditions....

Best Speed Settings: Whirlpool Whispure Air Purifier With four fan speeds and one sleep mode, this air purifier is customizable to match how much purification your air needs. It has a useful display that shows you the settings as well as the life of the carbon pre-filter and true filter. Key Features Offers four fan speeds, a sleep mode, and a timer Purifies up to 490 square feet Runs at 43–44 decibels Comes with a five-year warranty...

Top 5 Fire Extinguishers Best Aerosol Spray: First Alert EZ Fire Spray Fire-Extinguishing Aerosol Spray Best Pack: First Alert HOME1 Rechargeable Home Fire Extinguisher Best 10-Pound Extinguisher: Amerex B402 Fire Extinguisher Best Five-Pound Extinguisher: Amerex B500 Fire Extinguisher Most Lightweight Standard Extinguisher: Kidde FA110 Multi-Purpose Fire Extinguisher Best Aerosol Spray: First Alert EZ Fire Spray Fire-Extinguishing Aerosol Spray This fire extinguisher from First Alert comes in a lightweight aerosol can, which makes it the perfect size for small spaces, such as dorm rooms and vehicles....

Top 5 Potting Soils Best For Indoor Plants: Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix Best For Succulents: Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm, and Citrus Potting Mix Best For Orchids: PERFECT PLANTS Orchid Potting Mix Best Starting Mix: Miracle-Gro Seed-Starting Potting Mix Most Versatile: Burpee Organic Potting Mix Best For Indoor Plants: Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix Meant for indoor plants, this soil works well in herb gardens and other windowsill pots. Because it doesn’t contain compost or bark, it’s less likely to bring gnats into your home....

Top 5 Sewing Machines Best Computerized Machine: Brother CS7000X Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine Best Instructions: Brother GX37 Sewing Machine Best Speed: SINGER 4423 Sewing Machine Best Basic Machine: SINGER Mechanical MX60 Sewing Machine Best Value: Magicfly Mini Sewing Machin Best Computerized Machine: Brother CS7000X Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine This Brother sewing machine has a digital display, allowing you to see what function you input. With over 70 built-in stitches, this Brother sewing machine gives you a lot of versatility when it comes to your sewing projects....

“This Old House: Live” begins on Friday, March 27, at 5p ET with free access in the This Old House App to stream all episodes of This Old House and Ask This Old House, and select episodes of New Yankee Workshop, a benefit normally reserved for Insider members. The This Old House App is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV and Apple TV, and access to all episodes will remain free through Sunday, March 29....

Drilling a Hole Isn’t Always as Easy as It Seems It might sound very easy to drill holes through wood, but it can be challenging when that wood is vertical and tightly spaced. And, with codes dictating where those holes can be, there’s more to it than simply drilling. Drill Bits and Attachments The most common drill bits used for drilling through studs are auger bits and spade bits. Auger bits look like large twist bits but typically have self-feeding tips and large, heavy-duty flutes that can handle a nail or two....

title: “Top 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies 2023 Review " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-23” author: “Ralph Duran” title: “Top 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies 2023 Review " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-23” author: “Charles Smith” title: “Top 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies 2023 Review " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-20” author: “Albert Harmeson” title: “Top 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies 2023 Review " ShowToc: true date: “2023-01-08” author: “Holly Cooper” title: “Top 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies 2023 Review " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-16” author: “Lajuana Carvajal”

How Supply Chain Shortages are Affecting Everyone For supply chain shortages are causing issues for homeowners and contractors alike. While contractors are busier than ever, they can’t find materials as easily as they used to. Concrete pavers, decking, microchips, certain stones, paint tints, heat pumps, small plumbing parts, lumber, and a myriad of other materials are all in short supply, causing issues for everyone involved in a project. Longer lead times When contractors can find the materials they’re looking for, their lead times are often still three to six months....

A home inspection can also help a prospective buyer create a wish list of upgrades. All of this information feeds back to the negotiation process, giving buyers and sellers key details that affect the property’s value. Some mortgage lenders require a building inspection, to get an accurate assessment of the investment they’re funding. But it’s smart for any prospective homebuyer to go through an inspection process. There are several options for having a house inspected....