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From specialized parts to easy-to-break-plastic, it’s simply become tougher to be a DIYer. It’s essentially planned obsolescence and it’s an idea that’s been around since the Industrial Revolution. There are far more varieties of screws around like squares, pentagons, hexagons and more, which means you’ll need to add those screwdrivers to your toolbox if you want to try to fix some electronic items. What’s Being Done to Allow People to Fix Electronics?...

Did you know that dressers, a standard component of most bedroom sets, were first used in the kitchen? In 16th century England, dressers were wooden sideboards with drawers, typically used for preparing or “dressing” meats to be served at the dining table. As dressers became common in America, some were placed in the bedroom to store clothes. Here’s what you need to know before buying a bedroom dresser. What Is a Dresser?...

The first truly automatic transmissions appeared in 1948 Oldsmobiles. According to Edmunds, a leading American online automotive resource information company, in 2019 more than 98 percent of all cars sold in the U.S. came with automatic transmissions. Modern automatic transmissions are quieter, shift faster, feature more gears (up to 10) for quicker acceleration, help reduce tailpipe emissions and get better fuel mileage than manual transmissions. Manual vs. Automatic Transmission: What’s the Difference?...

There are a million tools and gadgets you can fill your toolbox with, but there are three in particular that really carry their own weight with DIY projects. Milwaukee Installation Drill/Driver via amazon.com This is a great drill for those homeowners who need just one compact drill to do all types of tasks around their home. It’s also perfect for pros when access takes priority over power. The shape of the drill lets you drill holes and drive screws tight against walls and in small spaces like cabinet drawers and under car hoods, but the four quick and easy attachments really take it to the next level—especially the offset and 90-degree attachments....

Cooking outdoors is one of the best ways to enjoy great food and great times with family and friends. Choosing between a grill or a smoker has a big influence on how this fun unfolds. Learn the differences between grills and smokers, and equip yourself with the best possible choice for your backyard gatherings and tailgating feasts. Grill vs. Smoker: What’s the Difference? Grills are mostly about heat, and smokers are mostly about flavor-enhancing wood smoke....

Family Handyman Be a Smart Shopper When Looking for the Best USB Outlet USB (universal serial bus) cables and ports began as a means to transfer data between a host, such as a computer, and an external device, such as a hard drive or printer. USB soon morphed into a power source, with USB wall outlets being specifically for charging. These charger outlets convert 120-volt AC power to 5-volt DC power....

In many ways, the design and construction process for a second home can be more enjoyable and carefree than for a primary residence. By building your retreat from the ground up, you get to maximize its R&R potential. Whether kicking back means quiet, leisurely weekends with a good book or action-packed family escapes with barbecue marathons, mountain hikes and lake toys is up to you. Building your getaway home isn’t all fun and games, however....

Blend Images - Mike Kemp/Getty Images According to recently released government data, housing starts in the U.S. increased 5.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.67 million units in December. This increase was due mainly to a double-digit increase in single-family starts, which jumped 12 percent to a 1.34 million seasonally adjusted annual rate. The overall seasonally adjusted rate of 1.67 million units, which represents the number of project starts that would occur if December’s pace was extended out over a 12-month period, marks the fastest pace for starts in well over ten years....

I have a one-year old dog. And though Louie is housebroken and has very good manners, any pet owner knows that if you have pets, you have pet messes. My cleaning closet holds three pet stain removers, but none of them really work. One pet cleaner with a built-in scrub brush even ruined the fibers of a wool carpet without completely pulling up a urine stain. Naturally, it didn’t take long for Louie to make a mess and test it....

Want to add something to your yard to make rainy days more enjoyable? Think about hanging a rain chain from your roof. What Is a Rain Chain? It’s a plain or decorative chain that channels rain from a roof down to the ground and away from the foundation of the home, or into a rain barrel. It slows the water as it falls, reducing erosion and soil loss. On This Page...

A crawlspace is the narrow area between the ground and the first floor of a home. It is typically unfinished, with a dirt floor. In some cases it can be as narrow as 2-ft. x 2-ft., just enough room to crawl around inside — hence the name. About 15 percent of homes have a crawlspace, which is often an access point for electrical, plumbing and ventilation within the home. What Is the Purpose of a Crawlspace?...

As cold weather settles in this winter, you may notice big changes in your heating bills. This year they’re expected to rise by 17.5 percent across the United States, based on predicted colder-than-average weather and higher fuel prices. Water heaters make up 15 to 20 percent of our home energy bills. According to the Department of Energy, conserving hot water can make these price increases a little less biting. “Simple things like taking shorter showers, taking fewer baths and not rinsing dishes before loading them into the dishwasher can make a huge difference over time,” says Mallory Micetich, a home expert at Angi....

When you turn on the tap, how long does it take to get hot water? Letting it run can waste money and water, not to mention time and patience. One solution ensures you’ll never have to wash your hands in cold water again: a hot water recirculating pump. These handy devices are game changers. What Is a Hot Water Recirculating Pump? A hot water recirculating pump attaches to your water heater....

Ten years ago, when I placed a potted amaryllis bulb on my desk at work, no one seemed to know what it was. In my non-scientific poll of anyone who came by, I was astonished to find 75% of my co-workers couldn’t identify the big bulb. Today, thanks in part to the popularity of easy-to-grow waxed amaryllis bulbs, I doubt that would happen. More people are figuring out how fun and easy it is to grow an amaryllis bulb for beautiful Christmas blooms....

Room air conditioners are one of the most popular air conditioning solutions due to their budget-friendliness and convenience. Approximately 25 percent of all homes in the U.S. have a room air conditioner, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. What Is a Room Air Conditioner? A room air conditioner lowers the temperature by pulling in the air from the room and passing it through the refrigerant coils to cool it. Room air conditioners can cool areas as large as 1,600 square feet....

We’ve now reached a point where a reliable home internet connection is as essential to people’s daily lives as basic utilities like water and electricity. It’s easy to take a strong, consistent and fast internet connection for granted, especially if you live in a highly-populated area where there are plenty of internet service providers (ISPs) to choose from. But if you don’t live near a major city, your internet access options are likely much more limited....

Installing a chain link fence on your property can provide security and safety for your kids, pets and equipment. But just like any DIY project, it will require careful planning and a fair amount of muscle to do correctly. We’ve had some experience repairing and installing chain link fences. But we also called upon Vince Christofora, owner of Woodstock Hardware, to walk us through the process. Check Local Building Codes and Property Lines Building codes vary among municipalities and towns, so check to see what’s required before you start your project....

Let’s cut to the chase: Does your home bathroom need to be Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant? No. Business owners must comply with ADA guidelines, but homeowners are exempt. And yet, just because you don’t need to comply doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. There are good reasons for designing a bathroom along ADA guidelines. You may be able-bodied today, but anything can happen tomorrow. And as we age, ADA-compliant fixtures can help us stay longer in our homes....

perrygerenday/getty images There is a common misconception that it’s impossible to have a furnace — a major component to an HVAC system — installed in the attic due to tight space and minimal access. This is not the case. As long as the attic is fully insulated, installing a furnace in the attic as part of an HVAC system makes a lot of sense for many homeowners. Installing a Furnace in Your Attic Typically a furnace is installed in the basement, a hall closet or the garage....

Sean Locke Photography/Shutterstock Reuben Saltzman is a second-generation home inspector and a long-time friend of CPT. As the owner of Structure Tech Home Inspection and with over 20 years of home inspection experience under his belt, he knows a thing or two about the business. We sat down with Reuben to learn what rookie home inspectors should expect as they start their new career. 1. A home inspector’s main skill In most states in the U....