via homedepot.com Mini Trim Square Milwaukee’s 4-1/2-in. trim square is a smaller version of the classic and versatile 6-in. speed square. 1-1/2-in. smaller doesn’t seem like a big difference, but being able to put it in your pocket while you’re not using it is a big deal for DIYers! It does everything that the 6-in. speed square does, its got angle markings along the long edge, a ruler perpendicular to the foot of the square and scribe slots from 1/4-in....
While there are many bad smells to snuff out in your house, there’s one particular smell that’s unbearable to deal with at times: the smell from the garbage can. While taking out the trash seems like the obvious solution, it doesn’t fix the stench that is still lurking in the bin after. Once you give the garbage bin a good clean, the trick is to sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of the bin....
I don’t own a “pipe snapper” to cut cast iron. So my favorite tool for that nasty job is a grinder equipped with a diamond blade. In tight spaces where my grinder won’t go, I’ve always used a reciprocating saw and metal-cutting or carbide-grit blade. That works, but not very quickly. And cast iron destroys blades fast; I’d go through two or three blades cutting a 4-in. pipe. So recently, I tried a diamond recip saw blade....
Above ground pools offer a great way to make the most of the warm weather months. Here’s what to know about pools if you’re in the market for one. Why Choose an Above-Ground Pool? Compared with in-ground pools, above ground pools are: On This Page Less expensive. Even the nicest above ground pools almost always cost thousands less than an in-ground pool. (Repairs are usually cheaper, as well.) Less of a commitment....
Why drilling and notching rules matter I once worked alongside a plumber nicknamed “Ethan the Terrible.” The name had nothing to do with his skills; he was one of the best plumbers around. But if a floor joist (Fig. A)—or anything else—stood in the way of his pipes, he’d break out a saw or drill, then slash or bore away until he made room. Fixing the ruins—at least for us carpenters— was the “terrible” part....
Imagine opening the tap and watching those thousands of gallons of in-ground pool water drain away. What a costly, wasteful undertaking, right? Fortunately for most pool owners, completely draining an in-ground pool is something they’ll never have to do. But for in-ground pool owners in cold climates, partial draining is necessary for winterizing a pool. Here’s a look at when you might need to let some of the water out....
Maybe you’ve seen this in a television show or a film: A green, confusing maze fashioned from shrubs and hedges, usually on the castle grounds of some long-ago king, queen or emperor. Guess what? Hedge mazes aren’t just for palaces. You can have one in your backyard, even if you’re got less acreage than the grounds of Versailles. Adrian Fisher is a renowned pioneer in the modern maze-making world. Fisher’s work can be seen at historic buildings, important public lands, impressive private gardens and tourist attractions across the globe....
Carol A Hudson/Shutterstock Mary Poppins Returns isn’t the only place you’ll see a chimney sweep turn up. They’re also regular visitors to homes with wood-burning fireplaces and wood stoves—or at least they should be for the sake of safety. There are over 25,000 reported chimney fires a year in the U.S. While some sound like a low-flying jet and include flames shooting out the top of the chimney, others are slow-burning and go undetected until a chimney inspection uncovers damage....
When most people think of air compressors, they think of a bulky, loud machine. But modern technology has done a lot to make compressors smaller, lighter and quieter. That’s never been more obvious than in Milwaukee Tool’s new M18 FUEL™ 2 Gallon Compact Quiet Compressor. Courtesy of Milwaukee Tool What’s New? Power The M18 FUEL Quiet Compressor is cordless, running exclusively on Milwaukee’s M18 battery platform. At this time there’s no option for a corded version, which may be a turn-off to some....
via Farrow & Ball Housekeeping is hard enough — you don’t need your paint to make your room look dirty or dingy. Picking the right paint (with the right undertone) is your best strategy for success. Here are five color pitfalls, and how to avoid them. Sally Anscombe/Getty Images Warm White Any white with a warm undertone can look dingy, especially in the wrong light. Consider Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s White or Farrow & Ball’s All White, both of which are crisp without being clinical....
Wherever you live or wherever you travel, you’ll probably have laundry to do. A portable dryer makes it easy to dry clothes when you’re short on space or on the go. Here’s what you need to know about this handy appliance. What Is a Portable Dryer? Portable electric dryers aren’t much different from regular electric dryers. “A portable dryer is essentially a smaller version of a normal dryer,” says David Clark, CEO at Basement Guides....
Add More Weight Family Handyman On This Page My kitchen sink has a pullout faucet that sometimes won’t stay put. To give the hose more weight underneath the sink, I grabbed an old padlock and attached it right next to the existing weight. Worked like a charm! — Stuart Ross Plus: Check out this cool tool for removing faucets. Corral Hoses In a Tube I can’t be the only one whose pullout faucet hose gets wrapped around things under the sink....
When it comes to my home, smell is important. Sure, most people would say the same. But I take it to the next level with all the seasonal candles, room sprays and scent plug-ins. With the holidays upon us, I’ve gathered all the decorations to whisk my home away to a winter wonderland, complete with the best smart Christmas trees, outdoor Christmas decorations and of course, holiday scents. And if you’re wondering, yes, I’ve also ordered my Advent calendars that double as home decor....
Bugs in the Attic ChiccoDodiFC/Getty Images On This Page What bugs will you find in the attic? Flies, termites, wasps, silverfish, moths If you have flies swirling around, it’s more than annoying. Flies can carry disease into your home. Fortunately, it’s not hard to get rid of flies with traps and sprays. However, prevention is the best way to get rid of flies, particularly fruit flies. Cluster flies are another type of fly you might find....
As deck season draws to a close, it’s time to prep your deck for winter, just as you do your yard and garden. Here are some key steps you can take to help your deck withstand winter’s harsh conditions and emerge in the spring ready for yet another season of backyard fun. Inspect and Repair Check for any problems and evaluate whether repairs are necessary. Fixing small damaged areas now prevents them from turning into larger, more expensive repairs....
Admittedly, I’m a tech nerd. I love tweaking settings on my router, adding new functionality to old gaming systems—and of course embracing all things smart home. When I heard that controlling lights with your voice—or phone—came into vogue, I jumped on the bandwagon. I started out with smart plugs, trying different brands until I landed on the Kasa line by hardware manufacturer TP-Link. Other brands had wonky integration with Google Assistant (sorry, Alexa lovers) and didn’t work as well as I had hoped....
Jay Ondreicka/Shutterstock It goes by many names: the cave weta, cave cricket, camelback cricket, sand treaders and spider cricket. This species, widespread in the United States and in the world, can be found in caves, as well as damp, cool areas underneath leaves, stones and rotting logs. They can also be accidental invaders of your humble abode, taking up real estate during the summer and fall in dark and damp places like your basement, shed or crawl space....
It happens to most of us. You think you have this lawn care thing figured out. Then you notice “yellow” grass disrupting your masterpiece. Worse, the blemish seems to be taking on a life of its own. Here are six things that can make your green grass turn yellow, plus a few solutions and tips for how to fix them. Over Fertilizing Using too much fertilizer can make your grass yellow, when it’s supposed to make it green....
When you experience your first basement flood, it’s amazing how your vocabulary becomes simplified to a few four-letter words. Let them out if you must, but remember this one especially: STOP! Stepping into basement flood water is more dangerous than it looks. Basement Flood Safety Tips A basement flood, especially your first one, is an alarming experience. But you have to slow down. It’s going to take time to fix this problem and if you charge down the stairs into that murky mess with electrical appliances and/or outlets already underwater, you risk serious injury....
Depending on where you live, spring may be in full swing right now. Our friends in Kansas City and Louisville, for example, are watching tulips pop and grass seedlings sprout. In some parts of the country, like Florida and California, spring work takes on an entirely different feel. The distinctive seasonal changes don’t exist. They’re more subtle. Here we’ll focus on that magical time when cold winter weather loosens its grip and brownish grass begins to green up and grow....
