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xtotha/Shutterstock Your dog sure has some weird behaviors—especially when it comes to going to the bathroom. Between kicking up your lawn after they pee, or even spinning before they poop, your dog is very particular about where to go, and what tracks they’re leaving behind. Apparently, this is also true for dogs who eat poop. While this may seem gross to read about, it’s probably not surprising to hear. Eating poop is a pretty common practice for dogs for many different reasons....

What are lineman’s pliers? Lineman’s pliers are distinguishable from other pliers by their stub nose, flat gripping surfaces, large cutting edges, and their angular edges on the outside of the jaw. Lineman’s pliers are primarily used by electricians. They came into existence with the birth of the telegraph industry in the mid 1800s, hence the name “Lineman’s Pliers.” These are parts of a lineman’s pliers: Stub nose Flat gripping surface Angular outside edge for reaming Cutting edges Crimper Insulated handle How are lineman’s pliers used?...

If you aren’t familiar with heat pumps, there’s no time like the present to change that. In 2023, federal incentives kick in to make purchasing and installing one easier on the budget. And in 2030, California will begin phasing out gas furnaces. Because heat pumps use 50 percent less energy than electric resistance furnaces according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), they’re poised to become the most economical heating option for Californians, as well as people in any other states that follow California’s lead....

You’ve probably heard of grout, but do you actually know what it is or does? This unsung hero of the tiling world might lack the excitement and visual appeal of the tiles themselves, but it also provides the backbone for any floor or wall being tiled. By taking some time to learn about grout, you’ll be able to gain further mastery over the craft of tilework. What Is Grout? According to James Upton, bathroom remodeling specialist and founder of DIYTileGuy....

Since Roy Jacuzzi introduced it the public in 1968, the outdoor whirlpool has become a fixture of American backyard culture. The next generation of hot tub is affordable, portable and inflatable. Soak up the good life — these blow-up, jetted, bubbling delights are here to stay. What is an inflatable hot tub? As the name implies, inflatable hot tubs are soft-sided, portable blown-up tubs filled with heated water. Great for relaxing or soothing sore muscles, they can be set up nearly anywhere — outdoors and indoors — and packed up easily to travel a beach house or friend’s backyard....

Alternative building materials have increased in popularity over recent years, especially in high traffic, high visibility applications such as decks and balconies. To help you compare two of the top industry-leading materials, we’ve prepared a summary and comparison of Azek (now known as TimberTech Azek) decking vs Trex decking. Composition Trex is a true composite material, comprised of recycled wood (in the form of wood chips and pressed sawdust) and recycled plastic....

Before we get to the topic at hand, permit me a personal admission: I don’t leave snow on any walking or driving surface, at least not for long. I’m the guy in the neighborhood with the extra wide shovel, clearing the sidewalk at my end of the block before dawn so early walkers don’t pack down the snow. After one late spring snowstorm, I wanted to burn off the gas in my snow blower so it wouldn’t go stale over the summer....

What is a Sawzall? Sawzall—though a registered trademark of Milwaukee Tool—is the term often used to describe any brand of reciprocating saw. It’s not hard to see how the nickname developed since a reciprocating saw indeed “saws all” materials. Depending on the type of blade installed, it can cut through lumber, metal, plywood, plastic and cast iron pipe—you name it—making it a favorite of remodelers. Blades commonly range in length from 3 to 12 inches and can have anywhere from 6 teeth per inch (for aggressively cutting lumber) to 18 or more teeth per inch for smoothly cutting metal....

Family Handyman The next time you go home and dirty up a boot tray, rug or store-bought shelf with your snowy boots or muddy sneakers, imagine how it would feel storing that footwear in an aesthetically pleasing entryway bench with shoe storage. Build this bench yourself with basic tools and beginner skills! Liven up your entryway with one of these 15 eye-popping ideas. How long it will take to build this entryway bench with shoe storage: 1 hour, give or take...

Impact drivers are one of the coolest tool inventions of the last few decades. They have enough torque to drive construction screws, but they don’t cam out heads the way conventional screw guns do. They’re a must-have tool for any DIYer. The downside? They’ve always been mind-numbingly loud! No more. Instead of a mechanical hammer- type system, several manufacturers now employ a new technology that uses oil to hydraulically drive screws....

Bathroom lights illuminate and amplify, brightening our morning routines or setting the mood before a relaxing bath. If you’re looking to learn more about modern trends and options in bathroom lighting, we’re here to enlighten you. Types of Bathroom Lighting Most bathroom lighting is either “ambient lighting,” intended to illuminate the whole room, or “task lighting,” which focuses on a specific area. On This Page Vanity Lights These task lights highlight the face for personal hygiene, grooming and makeup application....

Want more birds in your yard? Adding a birdbath to your outdoor space will attract birds and other wildlife. The National Wildlife Federation says a reliable source of clean water is essential for creating a wildlife garden. What Is a Birdbath? A birdbath provides water for birds to drink and bathe in. A decorative birdbath can also double as garden art. On This Page Types of Birdbaths All birdbaths have a shallow basin to hold water....

Like many words borrowed from Italian, “pergola” rolls off the tongue, conjuring up images of al fresco meals served beneath a canopy of heady bougainvillea or jasmine vines. Judging from Google Trends, Americans have caught pergola fever over the past year. Searches for the term in 2020 doubled compared to the average over the entire previous decade, as families stuck at home looked for new ways to make their outdoor spaces more livable....

Andy Dean Photography/Shutterstock Because the kitchen is the heart of the home, don’t make your design choices without careful consideration. We suggest you tap into the advice of four expert designers asked to be part of the first-ever Delta Design Trust. This panel of celebrated designers was gathered to bring their unique perspectives to the home design industry. We asked them to reveal their biggest kitchen design don’ts. Kitchen Function Design expert Kate Arends, founder of Wit & Delight, says never design your kitchen around how you want to live, but rather how you do live....

Growing up in Aiken, South Carolina, Kristopher King spent a lot of time in nearby Charleston. He always loved the city, but never understood why until he took a college class on architecture and preservation. “I suddenly realized why I was drawn to historic cities and buildings,” he says. “I didn’t know that was something someone could actually do for a career and get paid for. It’s awesome.” After earning an undergraduate degree in architectural history from Trinity College and a master’s in historic preservation from the University of Pennsylvania, King spent the last two decades restoring houses in Charleston for himself and others....

Many people choose to live in older homes for their intricate architectural elements and historic charm, but that may mean coming across some fascinating attributes that no longer serve a purpose. Take, for example, that odd metal door on the outside of the house that opens into the basement. The History While natural gas is heating fuel of choice for many people today, up until around 1940, most families heated their homes by burning coal....

via The Container Store There are a lot of reasons you may want to purchase and use storage bins around the house. Whether it’s for food, clothing, tools or arts and crafts supplies, they can help keep things off the floor and organized. Despite there being a lot of options to choose from, when narrowing it down between clear and opaque, we think it’s clear storage bins that prove to be the true winner....

When dryer lint piles up, it can become a fire hazard. In fact, 34 percent of home dryer fires are caused by failing to clean out the dryer, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. If your lint comes from natural fibers like cotton and wool, you can use it for one of these purposes. Vadym Zaitsev/Shutterstock Start a Fire Dryer lint is flammable, which is why we’re urged to clean out the trap after each load of laundry....

Whether you’re planning a winter camping trip or stocking up on the essentials for warmer days, camping gear deals are the best time to pick up items like large tents, camping knives, survival gear and camping kitchens. By sticking to out-of-season sales, you can find gear for as low as $4! Shop now and score deep discounts on everything you need for the outdoor trip of your dreams—and while you’re at it, head over to Tentrr for an easy way to book your campsite....

Gas and diesel engines look similar on the surface. Both use internal combustion to move pistons up and down inside cylinders. The pistons are connected to a crankshaft which converts their back-and-forth motion into the rotational movement needed to propel a vehicle. Both engines create energy by igniting fuel, but the biggest difference between the two is in the ignition process. How Do Gas and Diesel Engines Work Gas engines use a four-stroke combustion cycle....