We knew it needed work. At some point the house had been converted to a two-family, with bleak little kitchens upstairs and down. None of the fireplaces functioned, the plumbing and wiring were kaput, and holes in the roof invited in rain, destroying much of the third floor—where Merle, a filmmaker, envisioned her office. Shortly after closing, the former owner’s daughter dropped by for a farewell look. Walking around the kitchen, she suddenly felt her foot go right through the floor....

The lesson here is whether it’s lengths, distances, diameters, or angles, you can trust modern measuring tools. The cause of mismeasurement is the person who’s measuring—you have to choose the right tool for the task and know how to use it correctly. On the following pages, you’ll find what you need for basic household measuring, plus a few specialized tools for extra-big and super-small jobs. If, like me, you worry about the veracity of your measurements, you can opt for electronic tools, which minimize human error....

Greenworks 40-Volt Electric Lawn Mower This electric lawn mower has a five-position height adjustment with a range of 1 ¼-inches to 3 ⅜ inches and a lightweight 16-inch cutting deck that allows you to easily maneuver it through your lawn. This mower is entirely cordless and can last for up to 45 minutes on a full charge, saving you from the hassle of connecting it to an extension cord. Furthermore, it features a useful two-in-one function for mulching and bagging....

They explain different insulating techniques, including using shrink wrap, weather stripping, and caulk. Anything you can do to decrease airflow and leakage will drastically increase comfort and energy savings. Try Sealing Air Leaks Before Upgrading Windows Windows usually have an R-value of 1 to 2—walls generally have an R-value between 13 and 20. Before incurring the expense of buying a new window, homeowners should try to seal any air leakage around the existing window’s frame....

In this episode: The 1890s Victorian, once owned by the first black postmaster of Atlanta, had been neglected for many decades. The back bump out, sinking due to rot, has since been replaced with a new two-story addition with a stem wall foundation. Builder Jerry Davis gives Kevin O’Connor a tour of the new inside spaces and layout made possible by the addition and shares discoveries made during demo. Richard Trethewey meets up with homeowner Jonathan to check out the progress of the HVAC installation....

After earning an education degree from the University of Georgia, Sara started her career in 1995 with an educational television program in Atlanta by writing, editing, and producing segments. She moved to Boston to further her career in educational television at WGBH as well as to follow her heart back to her New England roots, where she has always been attracted by the quaint towns, old homes, and the proximity to the ocean and mountains....

Sarah joined the TOH crew in 2014, shortly after graduating summa cum laude from Quinnipiac University with a degree in Film, Video and Interactive Media. Her first several months on the job were spent in the office, answering phone calls and viewer emails. It was clear that her talents were more valuable in the field, so she was soon named Production Coordinator for both This Old House and Ask This Old House....

Want to see more of this project? Tune into new episodes every Thursday on PBS and Mondays on the Roku Channel. City-Dwellers Start Renovations During the past 140 years, the Concord home has seen several renovations. The Pasquinas have hired the Silva Brothers to help them improve views of the beautiful three-acre property and make better use of the space inside. See the Before Photos of TOH’s Dorchester Triple Decker Project Beautifying the Outdoors This Old House Landscape Contractor Jenn Nawada starts on enhancing the landscape outside by planting new trees and shrubs....

Start with a wall canvas of flat latex paint in a color that will contrast with the shimmery pattern but not so much that a stray blip will stand out. Then choose a stamp; these medallions were made with the 4-inch Funky Stamp (about $20; englishstamp.com). Gather Your Materials To get started, gather your stamp; an acrylic craft paint, such as Folk-Art’s Metallic Silver; a dense foam mini roller; and a plate with a flat center....

How to Install a Sump Pump Dry Well Tools title: “Sump Pump Dry Well Installation” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-11” author: “Suzanne Azar” How to Install a Sump Pump Dry Well Tools

Top 4 Meat Thermometers Most Customizable: Lavatools Javelin PRO Duo Meat Thermometer Best Instructions: Kizen Instant-Read Meat Thermometer Best Leave-In Thermometer: ThermoPro TP-16 Digital Cooking Thermometer Most Affordable: GDEALER DT11 Meat Thermometer Most Customizable: Lavatools Javelin PRO Duo Meat Thermometer This thermometer comes in blueberry, chipotle, sesame, olive, orange, panda, ink, and wasabi colors, which is more than double the number of colors offered by the other kitchen thermometers in this review....

Best Body Paint: Neon Nights UV Body Paint Set Key Features Body paint Eight colors 20 milliliters of each paint color Screw-top container What Customers Are Saying Positively, customers liked the bright, long-lasting glow that this UV body paint provided when it was applied correctly. However, some users were confused by the directions, as they didn’t understand that they needed a UV light to charge and activate the glowing effect of the paint....

Below you’ll find our top recommendations, a comprehensive buyer’s guide, and answers to some common questions. Best Bistro Set: Grand patio Premium Steel Patio Bistro Set Best Sun Protection: Flash Furniture Patio Garden Table Set Best Wood Set: Walker Edison Outdoor Patio Furniture Dining Set Best For Entertaining: DINELI Patio Furniture Sectional Sofa With Gas Fire Pit Table Best Small Sectional: Devoko Patio Furniture Set Best Bistro Set: Grand Patio Premium Steel Patio Bistro Set Pros and Cons ✔ Powder-coated finish prevents rusting✔ Works in coastal or beach areas✔ Folds up easy storage ✘ Doesn’t include seat cushions✘ Can be wobbly...

For the first-time ever, TOH is looking for a historic home to renovate in Los Angeles County. The TV crew is hoping to find a dynamic family with a classic old house in need of help, with plenty of things to save and update. However, the project’s scope must be “just right”—not a whole house, but more than just a kitchen. The renovation must be able to be completed in about five or six months, with construction potentially beginning as early as August 2010 and finishing by January 2011....

Decisions on buying or selling a house should never be taken lightly. Real estate agents can help advise, negotiate, and advocate for you throughout the experience. The This Old House Reviews Team has performed in-depth research on dozens of real estate agents in the Seattle metro that sell properties all around the Puget Sound to save you time on your search and help connect you to the best of the best....