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How do you handle sewage when water is in short supply, or you don’t have a sewer or septic system? Homesteaders have traditionally solved this problem by installing outhouses and braving the elements when nature calls. But outhouses require extra real estate and aren’t permanent — they must be relocated when they fill up. The three options for those who prefer to have their toilet in the house are chemical, composting and incinerating toilets....

What is Artificial Grass You might be old enough to remember the emergence of artificial grass into the American landscape. Developed in the mid-1960s as a surface for athletic fields, it was first installed in the Houston Astrodome in 1966. That’s when “astroturf” became part of the vernacular. On This Page Here are a few fun facts: AstroTurf is actually a specific brand of artificial grass. But like Kleenex or Q-Tips, the brand name became the blanket term for all similar products....

There’s a swimming pool type and size out there for almost every backyard. If you have a small area for a pool, if your budget is limited, or if you just want a pool for cooling off, then a plunge pool might be right for you. Essentially, a plunge pool is a small pool for relaxing and refreshing. Plunge pools offer homeowners a quick-to-install, easy-to-maintain alternative to traditional in-ground pools....

Every year, more and more people discover what people in Finland have known for thousands of years: Saunas are good for you. Numerous studies point to the health benefits of sauna use, including lowering your risk for high blood pressure and pulmonary diseases, as well as relieving arthritis, headache and the flu. Regardless of the sauna type — woodburning, steam or infrared — sauna sessions make you feel relaxed, refreshed and restored, especially after a workout....

Breadmaker/Shutterstock Finally! You’ve decided it’s time to replace that funky front door you’ve never liked with something eye-catching that enhances your home’s curb appeal. And you know you love the look, feel and sound of wood. Front Door Wreaths for Every Season This guide will help you decide if a wooden front door is the right choice for your home, lifestyle and budget. 10 Modern Front Doors We are Loving Right Now...

Lawn mowers have come a long way since the first model was invented in the 1830s. They’ve transformed from heavy and clunky into easy-to-use machines. By the 1990s, self-propelled mowers were widely available, allowing users to simply walk behind and guide the mower. They can make easy work of your lawn mowing chore, but are they right for you?Self-propelled mowers are a perfect choice for yards that are too large or uneven to be easily covered by a push mower, but not quite big enough for a riding mower....

If you demand serious power, mobility and speed when mowing your lawn, then you need to consider a zero turn mower. Here’s the rundown on what zero turns bring to the table, how to know if one is right for you, and what you can expect to spend on a new model. What Is a Zero Turn Mower? With their distinctive lap bar controls, zero turn radius (ZTR) riding lawnmowers combine precision steering and separate wheel controls to allow the rider to turn 360 degrees....

Spending an hour or two every three to four months performing basic DIY auto maintenance can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year. In addition, proper maintenance reduces repair costs, improves fuel economy, minimizes breakdowns, extends your vehicle’s life and increases passenger safety. Although you can’t make every repair, or perform all maintenance on your vehicle yourself, here are a few things you can DIY. Check/ReplaceFuel Cap Once its only purpose was to keep gasoline from sloshing out of the tank....

The US Fire Administration notes that of the 24,000 electrical fires that were reported from 2014-2016, 12 percent of them were caused by electrical outlets, leading to approximately 850 injuries, 310 deaths and $871 million in property damage. It’s time to get better about electrical outlet safety for our loved ones and for the homes we build and share. Know the Risks of Electrical Outlet Fires and Electrocution The most significant risks connected with electrical outlet failures include:...

Gray has dominated interior palettes for almost a decade, favored for its cool complement to almost any other color. But Instagram images full of barely-white walls and cool-toned backdrops that once flooded our feeds have seemingly dried up. Are people starting to feel it’s too modern, too cold or just too overdone? We asked the experts: Has gray had its heyday? Here’s the inside scoop. Think Twice Susan Young, interior decorator and home stager at Indiana-based Color Joy Interiors, says she’s seen gray trending for more than 10 years....

Never heard of a squash bug? That’s understandable. Although well-known to farmers and avid backyard gardeners, unless you’ve cultivated cucurbits (gourds) like squash, zucchini, pumpkins, cucumbers, melon, etc., you may not have encountered this bug. Here’s what you need to know about squash bugs, how to keep them out of your vegetable garden, and what to do if they’re already there. What Are Squash Bugs? Defined as a “true bug,” squash bugs (anasa tristis) are insects with hypodermic-needle-like mouth parts that suck the life out of young, tender plants by extracting subsurface fluids....

Keep It 100/Getty Images Home improvement spending is showing no signs of slowing down, according to a recent study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) of Harvard University. In fact, spending is expected to increase in nearly every major U.S. metropolitan area in 2021. The projections, released annually in the first quarter, are “designed to project the annual rate of change in spending for the current quarter and subsequent three quarters,” according to the study....

Family Handyman Required Tools for this Garage Light Fixtures Project Required Materials for this Garage Light Fixtures Project 1-5/8-in. screws 1/2-in. electrical bushing 4-ft bulbs (CRI of 85 or better) 8-ft. fluorescent fixture (electronic ballast) Wire nuts Better garage lighting To efficiently light up a two-car garage, remove the bare-bulb porcelain fixtures (remember to turn off the power first) and replace each with an 8-ft. fluorescent fixture. (We recommend one 8-ft....

It’s finally done. The garlands are hung and the decorations are up. You’re ready to sit back enjoy the Christmas tree and bask in the warm glow of the fireplace and the Christmas lights when suddenly you notice something. It starts with the smallest of movements, but then you look a little closer. That’s when you notice it’s not just one thing moving around on the tree—it’s thousands of things....

If you lack the room for a fuller garden or you just want to make gardening easier, try vertical gardening. Beans, peas, tomatoes, cucumbers and squash all naturally climb. And did you know you can often choose bush or vine options when purchasing seeds or plants? Vertical gardening reduces stooping so harvesting is much easier on the back. It’s also easier to spot ripe vegetables, especially green beans and peas that tend to blend in and hide under foliage....

What is the Snow Joe iON+ Cordless Snow Blower? Snow Joe iON+ Cordless Snow Blower Product Features Family Handyman If you never heard of Snow Joe or never used a battery operated snow blower, let us introduce you to the long lasting, easy to handle, whisper quiet and environmentally safe Snow Joe iON+ cordless snow blower. The biggest benefit of electric snow blowers? No more priming balls or pulls cords. Just plug in the charged battery, and removing snow from the driveway on your own is as easy as pushing a button....

More and more people are opting for the convenience of home food delivery, subscription meal services and online shopping. And that’s especially true during cold and flu season. While the risks of catching and passing on germs are lower with home delivery than shopping in a store, there are still some precautions worth taking. Here are nine expert tips to keep in mind when it comes to safe home delivery....

One of the first things we did when we bought our house was install a fence. Our adventurous pup loved to take self-initiated strolls through the neighborhood, and we knew we needed a good fence to keep him in. While style was important, so was budget. We had a hard time deciding between a vinyl vs. wood fence, so we went with both: Vinyl for the front and wood for the back....

In the upper Midwest where I live, once winter arrives your outdoor grill or smoker probably sits idle for several months (unless you are a truly dedicated outdoor cook.) As I have learned from my own mistakes, it’s important to properly prepare your pellet grill or smoker for that downtime. And even if you live in a warmer climate, these tasks can help all pellet-powered cookers last longer. Pellet grills and smokers are expensive pieces of equipment, and if you treat them right they’ll return the favor!...

Along with all of the numbers printed on your tires, if you see a snowflake on a mountain, your tires are good to go for serious winter driving conditions. Here is the history and meaning behind that curious symbol. What Is the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol? The 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol (3PMS for short) is a six-pointed snowflake inside a three-peak mountain, found on tires that meet specific standards. They signify the tire has been tested for acceleration on medium-packed snow....