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Getty Images/ kali9 Construction employment ended what was a strong year for the industry as a whole on an upward trend, increasing by 20,000 jobs in December according to analysis of government data by the AGC. Those 20,000 jobs added to a total of 151,000 jobs added throughout 2019, marking a 2 percent increase from the year before. The number of unemployed workers with recent construction experience and the unemployment rate for workers with recent construction experience were the lowest ever recorded for December, coming in at 489,000 and 5 percent, respectively....

Christmas trees are a major symbol of the holiday season, but not everyone has the space to set up a whole tree, even if it’s artificial. Over the years, the popularity of one space-saving option has increased among people who live in small living spaces: artificial half Christmas trees. What Is a Half Christmas Tree? If you haven’t caught the trend yet, a half Christmas tree is a tree thats’s designed to look like it’s cut in half vertically....

When you’re shopping for a small air compressor, the first thing you’ll notice is that they’re typically plastered with specifications and technical jargon. But don’t let all those specs confuse you. Here we’ll tell you what all of those technical terms mean, which of them matter and which don’t, and help you choose a compressor to suit your needs. Keep in mind that small air compressors are not good partners for air-hungry tools like pneumatic wrenches, sanders or paint sprayers....

A couple renovating a kitchen in England was shocked to discover more than 260 gold coins dating back more than 600 years, according to the BBC. The report said the coins were sold by Spink & Son auctioneers in Bloomsbury, London, for £754,000, including the final purchase and fees — roughly $742,000 by current exchange rates. The coins, believed to be from 1610-1727, belonged to the Fernley-Maisters, a “Hull family involved in Baltic trading,” according to the BBC....

We all love the adorable little ladybug. There are hundreds of species of lady beetles or ladybugs in the United States, some native to North America and some introduced. Several species of native ladybugs have become rare, such as the 9-spotted ladybug. Others, like the Asian lady beetle, are invasive species that have crowded out the native insect population. What’s the Difference? While both are a species of lady beetle, there are some big differences....

Why is the Toilet Bubbling? If you have air bubbles that rise up through your toilet bowl (except when it flushes) or notice the water level rising and falling, you probably have a clogged or improperly vented toilet. This toilet bubbling problem is especially true when you have an appliance like a clothes washer nearby. Your drain plumbing line is gasping for air. If you suspect it’s just a simple toilet clog, here’s how to unclog it....

As someone who owns a robot vacuum myself, the first thing I’ll tell you is that nothing beats a handheld or canister version. But, with that said, there’s more to it than just that. If you love robotic creations, check out these 19 awesome DIY options. The reason I purchased a robot vacuum was simply because I am a clean freak. I want even the tiniest particle picked up on a daily basis without having to get out the vacuum and make a big deal out of it....

If you’ve ever tried to set up lighting to take photos or videos, you know how tricky it can be. Ring lights gained popularity from the photography community, but they’ve quickly become a must-have for all types of content creators thanks to their versatility. Here’s everything you need to know about ring lights. What Is a Ring Light? Ring lights are circular electric lights with a hole in the middle — hence the “ring” — that usually measure between 10 and 20 inches in diameter....

The tape measure is an amazing invention, and quite essential for nearly all building and DIY jobs. Fast, accurate measurements down to 1/16-inch are what a good tape measure delivers, and most measuring situations are simple and frustration-free, as long as you know how to use a tape measure. That’s because of the hooked end on modern tape measures, which makes it very easy to hook the tape over one edge of whatever you’re measuring, giving you a foolproof read of length or width on the other end....

Most common yard equipment is made to be easy and safe to operate, but occasionally dangerous mistakes happen. You might not even know you’re accidentally putting yourself at risk for injury. In general, never leave any tools unattended and always follow the safety instructions in equipment manuals. Here are some other yard safety tips to follow. Lawn Mowers Your lawn mower might be your most frequently used piece of outdoor equipment, and you probably feel comfortable with it....

I share my home office with Karma-Kat and Shadow-Pup, my inspiration for 35 pet care books. If they pester each other too much or Shadow barks at the “dangerous” garbage truck arrival, I know immediately and handle the issue. I also frequently consult with pet parents on dog and cat behavior problems, but pets may not “perform” the behavior when I’m there. I frequently request pet camera video footage to observe behavior complaints, including any damage to the home....

Hispanolistic/Getty Images After back-to-back months of slightly lower scores, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) crawled back up a single point in February to 86. While not a huge gain, this incremental increase suggests that while the historically high levels of demand for housing seen in the U.S. over the last year may be unsustainable, builders remain optimistic about the current and future state of the housing market. Robert Dietz, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders, outlined in a statement a few of the reasons home builders remain bullish despite challenges facing their industry....

Stay-at-home orders in response to natural disasters or pandemic outbreaks can strain relationships between renters and landlords, particularly near the end of a lease. A showing under these conditions may feel uncomfortable for tenants, who may not want strangers entering their home. We contacted three attorneys who either practice landlord-tenant law or work in real estate for their opinions on what rights belong to each party when it becomes a dispute, and whether or not it’s the right thing to do....

 What Is the Optimal Tread for a Tire? The minimum legal limit for tire tread depth is 2/32 of inch, but it’s best not to wait that long to replace your tires. If a tire is less than 3/32 of an inch, it’s time to get new tires. On This Page What Ways Are There to Measure the Tire’s Tread? There are a few different ways to tell if your tire tread isn’t up to par, from simple visuals using a coin to handy tools that will tell you the tread....

Family Handyman Faced with a bewildering array of paint brushes at your local home center, paint store or hardware store, choosing the right paint brush can be overwhelming. But don’t worry! Here’s how to narrow down the different types of paint brushes and pick the right brush for your project. Match the bristle type to your finish. Paint brushes are available with either synthetic bristles or natural bristles made from animal hair....

CKP1001/Shutterstock You use it to clean your dishes, but how often do you actually clean your dish scrubber brush? When not properly cared for, those tools we rely on for cleaning up in the kitchen can actually spread harmful bacteria. The trick is to clean your dish scrubber brush to make sure you’re getting the best clean possible. You can also make your own DIY scrubbie using this easy hack....

Sponsored by Ryobi Last week I installed and used the brand-spankin’ new Ryobi garage door opener. That’s right—the experts at Ryobi who normally dream up, engineer and produce power tools have created something new and unique in the world of garage door openers. The opener can host many cool accessories, in the form of snap-in modules. More on those in a moment. For now, let’s talk about the features of the basic opener:...

There are few tools as versatile and dependable as a quality heat gun, and I’d argue the Wagner Furno 700 is one of the best! Heat guns can be used for a wide range of jobs — removing flooring, refurbishing woodwork, thawing frozen pipes and much, much more. What is the Wagner 700 Furno Heat Gun? It’s a state-of-the-art heating tool. This electric heat gun features an LCD display, push button controls and six fan settings including a cool down mode....

If you come out one morning and discover a dead battery, it could be a one-time quirk from leaving the interior or headlights on overnight, especially if the battery revives with a jump-start. But a “one-time” no-start condition should be a warning that there may be a problem lurking that will leave you stranded on the side of the road. Wondering what drains a car battery? Here are the most common reasons....

Anyone with a shady spot to fill can attest to the value of hostas. They’ll happily grow where other plants fail. To ensure your hostas thrive, avoid these common hosta growing mistakes: Ignoring Slugs on Hostas WILLSIE/Getty Images On This Page Slugs and snails view hostas as an invitation to the buffet table. Thick-leaved hostas are more resilient, but damage can still occur. Fortunately, there are some simple precautions you can take to keep slugs and snails from attacking your hostas....