Steps: Tape over all the supply and return registers throughout the house. Attach a duct blaster fan to a section of flexible duct, then attach opposite end of flexible duct to existing heating duct. Use a pressure-and-flow gauge to determine air pressure in duct. Blow smoke into the heating duct using a theatrical fog machine; check for smoke leaking out of the duct. Hold a smoke pencil close to joints and seams in duct to determine if air is leaking out....

Before You Get Started First, select a crown molding with a vertical height about the same as the narrowest gap between ceiling and cabinet. Then glue a 3⁄4 -inch-thick strip of clear poplar to the molding’s top edge. Make sure the strip’s front edge and the top of the molding are flush, as shown at right. When the glue sets, sand or plane the joint so that it won’t be visible after painting....

Is It Hard to Hang Wallpaper? Whatever effect a homeowner desires, achieving it demands equal measures of art and engineering, says painting and decorating contractor John Dee. For him, the smooth, seamless look and good adhesion that signify a top-quality installation begin with a properly prepared substrate and end with exacting attention to each room’s particular topography. Where walls are out of plumb, for instance, he cuts and overlaps the paper at the corners so adjacent patterns line up precisely....

Can You Install Laminate Yourself? It’s possible to install laminate flooring yourself in about 6-8 hours a room. The process is easy but it can be tiring and requires some know how. In the video, Tom Silva shares his tips and techniques for putting down laminate floors the right way by factoring in room for heat expansion. We’ve also broken down the steps below so you can follow along to install laminate flooring over a subfloor....

How To Paint a Straight Edge Without Tape Understand that there is no shame in using tape to achieve a perfectly straight edge. But, there are times when tape won’t cut it, whether the abutting material is too delicate, or it’s just too difficult to get the tape to stick to a thin edge. In those cases, these steps on how to paint a straight edge without tape will help....

Steps for Painting a High-Gloss Front Door Resources: Mauro painted Jenn’s door using a Fine Paints of Europe oil-based primer/undercoat. It’s a high end, more expensive primer, but Mauro chose it because he needed the door paint to be high-performance and long lasting, especially to preserve the high sheen of the door. For the paint color itself, Jenn chose an exterior grade, oil-based high gloss paint in the color Seaweed, which is manufactured by Benjamin Moore....

And while you may need a plumber for certain noisy problems, if air is coming out of your water pipes, the fix may not require a house call from Richard. What Does Air in Water Pipes Sound Like? Air in water lines will likely sound like a hiss or pop(s) emanating from the pipes. The causes can range from the simple to the complex, with the source of the air varying depending on the situation....

A deck rejuvenation project like this can be done in two days, but for homeowners who choose to apply stain, it’s best to spread the work over two weekends to ensure the wood is completely dry before you apply the stain. You also need a clear weather forecast, as a paint-based sealant coating requires 48 hours to dry before being exposed to rain or extreme humidity. Step-by-Step Instructions for Sprucing up a Worn Deck By doing the work yourself, most decks can be rejuvenated for a lot less than the cost of replacement—and certainly for less than hiring a professional....

Along the tree Heath protects extension cords with outdoor extension cord covers. To turn all the lights on and off at the right times, he uses a timer. In order to safely plug in the outdoor lights, Heath installed a GFCI outdoor outlet and protected it using an Expandable Weatherproof In-Use Cover, which is manufactured by TayMac. Along the roofline, Heath installed String-A-Long 300 Light Clear Icicle Light set, which is manufactured by the General Electric Company....

To get started, I visited my local Sherwin-Williams paint store where the painting expert suggested Extreme Bond Primer so I can save time and skip scuff-sanding the bookcase’s glossy surface. For a finish coat, I wanted a long-lasting, durable finish. Sherwin-Williams offers a paint called Emerald® Urethane Trim Enamel that really withstands wear and tear and is perfect for areas that get cleaned frequently. I chose a deep blue color, Seaworthy SW 7620....

Steps for Installing a Slip-On Baseboard Heater Cover Tools Baseboard Heater Cover Removal and Replacement

Hurricane Window Protection Options A layer of ⅝-inch-thick plywood can protect windows from a 2x4 traveling at 34 miles per hour. An identical layer of oriented-strand board (OSB) can’t. Covering windows with resin-treated ballistic nylon will prevent the 2x4 from shooting into the house, but it won’t keep the window from breaking. Metal storm shutters are permanently mounted to the house. If struck in the right place, the shutters can bend inward and crack the window....

Nestled into an alcove or tucked alongside a window, a snug spot in which to retreat with the latest page-turner—or just unplug for a while—has an irresistible pull, often evoking times (and homes) gone by. “These kinds of built-ins trigger so many memories and emotions,” says New York–based architect Gil Schafer, author most recently of A Place to Call Home. “It might be the bunk bed you had as a child, or feelings of other places you remember, like being belowdecks in a boat....

High-End Duette Architella Hunter Douglas ⅜-inch CORDLESS Opaque in Classic collection Iced Lemon Dimensions: 36" by 48" Warranty: Lifetime for buyer Is it for you? If you are a stickler for fabric choices, like to shop in stores, and want a simpler installation. About $360; in stores How It’s Made A U.S. factory makes cells within cells from nonwoven polyester (outside) and aluminized polyester (inside). Has more of a fabric feel and crisper folds....

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN Sponsor: This Old House JLC New England Live Insider Event Giveaway (“Giveaway”) is sponsored by This Old House Ventures, LLC, 262 Harbor Drive, Stamford, CT 06902 (“Sponsor”). Giveaway Entry Period: The Giveaway starts at 12:00:01 AM Eastern Time (ET) on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on Thursday, March 5, 2020 (“Giveaway Entry Period”). A Day starts at 12:00:01 AM ET and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET each calendar day of the Giveaway Entry Period....

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Advantages of LED Bulbs LED bulbs are the newest iteration for common household light bulbs, and there’s a lot to like about them. Between improved energy-efficiency, longer lifespans, color flexibility, and lower heat output, these bulbs are lightyears ahead of the incandescents of old. Importance of Light Bulbs Equivalency When choosing an LED bulb, homeowners and DIYers need to think a little bit differently than simple wattages. When replacing a 60W incandescent bulb, shoppers will find bulbs that draw far less wattage but offer equivalent lighting output....

Luckily, it’s not a speedy process so you have time to explore mortgage relief programs while you regain your financial footing. Start reaching out to your lender and these programs as soon as you know you won’t be able to make your mortgage payment. You’ll have a lot more flexibility with your relief options when you do. Here are some mortgage relief programs that can prevent you from falling into unforeseen debt:...

Our team starts with restoring the first black postmaster’s house in Atlanta, GA, which was the site of civil rights activism. The deep history and charm led homeowners Kysha and Jonathan to want to restore it for their family and use it as a homeschool for their children. Next, the Schwab family is looking to remodel their classic New England-style home in Newburyport, MA, to become their forever home. This 1,400-square-foot house (and others on the street) was initially built in 1889 to house the local shipbuilders....