Gas and wood-burning fireplaces offer picturesque ways to stay warm and cozy in the winter, but they do require upkeep to keep them operating efficiently and safely. Find out why a chimney sweep should be part of your fireplace maintenance plan, what to expect when you hire one, and more. Why Do You Need a Chimney Sweep? Hiring a chimney sweep helps protect you from avoidable dangers and saves you money, too....
Bathroom chandeliers are a rising trend in home design, and we have to say they add a lot of personality and charm to a bathroom. In a bathroom, lighting is one of the biggest design considerations. As great-looking as bathroom chandeliers are, they’re not the right choice for every bathroom. In some instances, they’re more trouble than they’re worth. And many bathrooms lack high enough ceilings to make this safe and practical....
Sergey Zaykov/Shutterstock I had just returned from a glorious 12-day vacation, feeling relaxed and surprisingly ready to get back to work the next day. I was cooking something easy for dinner that night—sloppy joes, I believe—with some fries roasting in the oven. As I went to grab my oven mitt to take the fries out, my hand ended up cupping a tiny, little mouse. I was confused at first, but when the little fur ball started to move, I let out what I think anyone could describe as a blood-curdling scream....
Motor oil is an engine’s lifeblood. It cleans, lubricates, cools, cushions and protects engines and other mechanical parts. Motor oil also holds in suspension sludge, harsh chemicals, contaminates and abrasive particles — things that cause engine wear. Synthetic oil is used in most modern vehicles, especially high-performance and turbo-charged. Here’s what most of us need to know. What Is Synthetic Oil? Virtually all full-synthetic oil comes from high-quality crude (base) oil....
A dandelion‘s bright yellow flowers are certainly iconic, but the jagged fang-like leaves are what inspired its whimsical name, which comes from a French word meaning “lion’s tooth.” Learn your best bets for getting rid of dandelions in your yard. What Is a Dandelion? A dandelion is a wild broadleaf perennial herb found in all 50 states and southern Canada, as well as more than 60 other countries. In early spring, it produces yellow flowers....
A perfectly striped baseball field holds promise. The first glimpse of a bright green field beneath a blue sky on Opening Day is magical. That memory carries fans and players through the season’s slumps, streaks and everything in between. Professional groundskeepers keep that magic alive all season, and it’s a lot of work. We asked Marcus Campbell, director of field operations with baseball’s Class AAA St. Paul Saints, how his crew keeps its award-winning home field in top shape....
Can You Wash an Electric Blanket? Electric blanket season is upon us. If you’re getting your electric blanket out of storage and realize you’ve never washed it, don’t worry. Washing electric blankets is simple. It can be done by hand, or even in your washing machine if you’re careful about it. Here’s how. How to Hand Wash an Electric Blanket To hand wash an electric blanket you’ll need a large bucket, lukewarm water and mild laundry detergent....
You’ve worked on and enjoyed your yard all summer, and now it’s almost time to give it a rest. But before you do, these last chores of the season will set up your lawn and garden for optimal success when the warmth of spring returns. Here’s how to winterize a yard. Aerate the Lawn Aerating the lawn is useful at any time of year, but particularly in fall because it compensates for all the foot traffic the grass endures over the summer....
If you’re a fan of Joanna Gaines from the HGTV show Fixer Upper, you’ve got to see her new paint collection. And, even if you’re not a fan, you’ll have to admit, these colors are gorgeous! The new line of paint colors is called Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Exterior Paint collection. With 150 colors, all of which were selected by Gaines herself, the line is available in flat, satin or semi-gloss sheens....
There’s nothing that cleans faster than steam, but steam cleaner sales are few and far between. That’s bad news for me. As Sales Editor of Family Handyman, I refuse to pay full price for anything, but I need a new steam cleaner that can handle my cat Nancy and her penchant for mess-making. Psst—read our review of the FurZapper if you always find pet hair on your clothing. With a little digging, I found a whole host of steam cleaner sales—all of which boast savings of at least $40 and many of which feature markdowns of over $100!...
Have you ever visited someone’s home during the holidays and found it just perfectly decorated? Chances are, some cheerful Christmas garland pulled the whole festive look together. Garland, wreaths and other decorative greenery have been a part of celebrations for much of recorded history. As far back as ancient Greece, they were used as religious offerings, and to commemorate victories. The Christmas garland tradition, like that of the Christmas tree, came to the U....
This Walmart sale can’t be missed On This Page When it comes to the deepest discounts, Walmart Prime Day deals include drastically reduced prices on everything from patio furniture and smart TVs to a charcoal grill and mushroom logs. We’ve found some of the can’t-miss discounts for you so you can start shopping, saving and DIY-ing now. But don’t wait, the sale ends at midnight! Our Favorite Walmart Prime Day Deals HART String Trimmer/Edger Kit Sale price: $78, was $96 (18 percent off)....
What Are Sod Webworms? Sod webworms, also known as lawn moths, are white to tan-colored moths that appear to randomly flit over your lawn’s canopy during the summer as you walk through. These lawn pests don’t fly far before landing again. On This Page These adult sod webworms are not the problem, however. It’s the larvae you need to watch out for. These hungry little caterpillars munch on grass leaves right down to the surface, potentially killing the grass plant....
Do those red and yellow paint dots on tires mean the tires are on sale? Is there something wrong with tires marked with these dots? Do the dots indicate where or when the tires were made? Nope, nope and nope. Here is what’s really going on with these dots: Because it’s nearly impossible to manufacture a perfectly balanced, perfectly round tire, manufacturers identify any irregularities with these dots of paint. The dots then help service technicians correctly install and balance the tire....
When you’re out walking and catch a whiff of that distinct musky skunk smell, it just might be a clue that love is in the air. For two months, starting around Valentine’s Day, skunks can be especially aromatic because it’s their mating season. Nearsighted and docile, skunks can be found (or smelled) in residential neighborhoods. We don’t often see them, but if you’re interested, look at twilight when they’re typically out foraging....
If your home is burgled, it’s an unsettling experience. Here are seven things you need to do. Call the Police Your number one priority is to call the police since the longer you wait, it will be more difficult to catch those responsible and get your items returned. Wait for the police to arrive before entering the house. Make a List of Details Write down any details that can help police, such as a description of the intruders if you saw them or any recent events that may have led to the break-in....
Construction Pro Tips Max Rose was living life as a self-described ski bum in Colorado when one day he decided to open up the local paper and find himself a career. That led him to a nearby community college where he started learning everything he could about plumbing. That was in 2003, and 16 years and an apprenticeship later Max is still in the plumbing industry. We sat down and talked with Max about his experiences in the plumbing trade to find out five things he wishes he would have known on his first day in the field....
Family Handyman To prevent hand injuries, new snow blowers come with a clean-out device for clearing a plugged chute. If you own an older snow blower, retrofit it with your own clean-out tool. Just screw a pair of broom spring clips to your snow blower and snap in an old broom cut to size. You’ll have the tool handy when your chute plugs, and you can brush all the snow off your snow blower before you put it away....
The Problem Our washing machine stopped pumping out water during the discharge cycle and shut itself down. Instead of calling an appliance repair service, I took off the front access panel to poke around a bit. Seeing the big, obvious PVC cleanout plug, I unscrewed it to see what it was all about. The Solution Holy smokes! About a gallon of water poured out before I pulled out what appeared to be a filter drawer....
Even if you’ve never bought an Allen wrench, chances are you probably have one or two lying around the house. These are the small L-shaped hand tools that come free with most flat-pack furniture you assemble yourself. Although they might seem like an afterthought, they’re actually more essential than you might think. They allow you to work with hexagonal screws and bolts that require an extremely precise fit, unlike Phillips or slotted fasteners that can be loosened or tightened with a pocket knife or house key in a pinch....
