New features also allow mowers to roll more smoothly and handle more nimbly than the clunkers of yesteryear. All this adds up to a healthier lawn and less work. Read on for four ways to compare models before deciding which fancy clipper to let loose in your yard. Before You Buy a Reel Mower: What to Know Check out the blades and reel Thicker, heavier steel blades add power and can slice through dense grass, weeds, and small twigs that can jam other mowers....
In this episode: Tom Silva explains why he enjoys sanding so much and how it gets him into the zone. He describes what he looks for in a good sanding job and how important sanding can be for the finished product. Then, he meets up with Kevin O’Connor to discuss power sanders and how they work. Tom breaks down the uses of a belt sander, finishing sander, and a random orbit sander....
In this episode: Paint expert Mauro Henrique explains how he became a painter, how he was introduced to the TOH crew, and his journey from Brazil to the United States. He tells us all about how it was never his goal to become a painter, but rather it was to become a carpenter. But, when the painter called in on a job that he was working on, his boss set him to work painting a room....
In this episode: Kevin O’Connor, Richard Trethewey, Tom Silva, Jenn Nawada meet in the driveway and discuss the beginnings of the project. Kevin and Tom meet homeowners Molly, John and Caroline. Molly starts the tour by taking Kevin from the foyer to the living room and dining room. Shelby Littlefield meets them in the living room and talks about the design inspiration. Jeff Sweenor meets them in the dining room and talks about the custom table he and Riley built....
In this episode: Today the cast arrives and reflects on the changes made since Charlie Silva’s crew first started work on the modest cape in the springtime of the previous year. The crew knocked down an outdated and awkward addition, poured a more extensive and deeper foundation, and added steel beams to connect the new angled addition to the back side of the original house. The new addition was trimmed and then sided with pre-painted clapboards....
In this episode: There’s good progress happening at the West Roxbury Victorian. Outside, electrician Leandro Amancio is working on installing lighting on the front porch—a first for the house. Inside, another first for the house is a primary suite and in-floor heating. Tile installer Gabriel Oliveira has installed a coupling membrane to receive the cable for in-floor heat in the primary bathroom–a smart electric system controlled by a programmable thermostat. In the other upstairs bathroom, Richard Trethewey assists plumber Fabio Kirch with installing a bathtub made of natural materials but maintains the necessary strength....
Top 5 Jewelry Boxes Best for Travel: Benevolence LA Travel Jewelry Box Organizer Best Wooden Box: Emfogo Jewelry Box Best Transparent Box: Mebbay Jewelry Box Best for Kids: The Memory Building Company Musical Ballerina Jewelry Box Most Ornate: Hipiwe Vintage Metal Jewelry Box Key Features Has a zipper lid Includes a built-in mirror Made from velvet Measures 3.75 by 3.75 by 1.97 inches What Customers Are Saying Customers with a limited jewelry collection were pleased with how well this mini box was able to contain all of their items....
Explore our top recommendations, comprehensive buyer’s guide, and answers to common questions below. Top 5 Pool Vacuums In this review, we compare the following models: Best for Leaf Cleanup: Poolmaster Big Sucker Swimming Pool Leaf Vacuum Best Pressure-Side: Polaris In-Ground Pool Cleaner Best Suction-Side: Zodiac G3 Automatic Pool Cleaner Best Handheld: Intex Rechargeable Handheld Pool Vacuum Best Robotic: Hayward Navigator Pro Pool Cleaner Best For Leaf Cleanup: Poolmaster Big Sucker Swimming Pool Leaf Vacuum Pros and Cons ✔ Has a 15-inch diameter with a wide opening to capture large loads of leaves at one time✔ Designed with a built-in adapter that fits standard garden hoses✔ Sold with a reusable leaf collection bag ✘ Doesn’t come with a hose or extension pole, both of which are necessary for operation✘ Collection bags may require replacement...
Top 5 Safes Best Traveling Safe: Vaultek LifePod Electronic Lock Box This traveling lockbox has a touch-activated keypad and manual backup key that open the dual-sided compression hatches so that you can carry your valuables on the go. The safe has an anti-impact latch for additional security. Key Features Has one lock and two latches Has keypad and manual key unlocking options Comes with a lanyard and cable What Customers Are Saying Customers described the product as lightweight and easy to lock....
Top 5 Shower Cleaners Best Foam Cleaner: Kaboom Foam-Tastic Bathroom Cleaner Best For Daily Maintenance: Scrub Free Daily Shower Cleaner Most Versatile: The Bucko Soap Scum and Grime Cleaner Best For Hard Water: Bioclean Hard Water Stain Remover Best For Glass Doors: Rain-X Shower Door Cleaner Best Foam Cleaner: Kaboom Foam-Tastic Bathroom Cleaner This Kaboom cleaner uses the power of OxiClean to reduce how much scrubbing you have to do. Once the foam turns from blue to white, it’s ready to be wiped away....
Best Controls: Stiebel Eltron Electric Tankless Water Heater Best Gas Tankless Heater: Rinnai Gas Tankless Hot Water Heater Best Point-of-Use Heater: Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater Best Electric Tankless Heater: EcoSmart Electric Tankless Water Heater Best Portable Heater: GASLAND Portable Gas Water Heater Best Controls: Stiebel Eltron Electric Tankless Water Heater Pros and Cons ✔ Has an electric, tankless water heater design✔ Operates with a maximum flow rate of five gallons per minute (GPM)✔ Comes with a seven-year leak warranty and three-year parts warranty ✘ Is the most expensive water heater in this review✘ Some customers who use well water had issues with the heater...
The deceptively-named Labor Day holiday is a time to relax from work and shop some sales. And where better to relax than atop a new mattress? That’s especially true for those whose fluffy new mattress is the feather in their cap of a successful bedroom renovation. And the best part of shopping online during holiday sales events are the deals. You get distinct deals you can’t snag anywhere else, like free pillows, sheet sets and other luxurious bedding accessories....
There comes a time when your mattress no longer provides the cushion or support that you need. When you start to experience new body pains or simply feel uncomfortable on your bed, it’s time to make a change––and that’s where the best mattress toppers come in. Rather than buy a new bed, you might choose to utilize a mattress topper to add a few years to your mattress’s lifespan. The right topper can fix common problems like a mattress feeling too soft or firm, aches and pains caused by your bed, or sleeping hot....
The late-spring timing of Memorial Day has given rise to the Day of Remembrance also being a seasonal signifier of sorts. Although the official first day of summer is weeks away, we ready our wetsuits and whites in anticipation of pool days and resort-wear fashion. Typically you’d think Black Friday or Cyber Monday is the best time to buy a new bed, but Memorial Day is also the perfect occasion to buy a new mattress....
What to Do During a Plumbing Emergency Shut Down the Water Supply Homeowners might start to panic if a serious leak occurs, but there’s a simple solution for stopping the water flow: the main shut-off valve. This valve is typically near the front of the house by the water meter or where the well pump supply line enters the home. If the homeowner shuts this valve, all of the water in the home will stop flowing, allowing them to get the leak under temporary (but immediate) control....
Wet Basement Woes are Hardly Universal Believe it or not, only about 40 percent of homes in the U.S. have basements. However, of those homes that do have basements, 60 percent have moisture problems. These problems may include rainwater not dispelling far enough from the eaves, groundwater soaking through the foundation, or moisture vapor making its way into the home. And despite not everyone having these issues, everyone who does dislikes them....
Fiber Facts The type of fiber used determines the basic performance and appearance of the carpet. The biggest trend today is: soft. Homeowners seek comfort, and carpet offers a cushion underfoot. It also suppresses noise. The fiber content is usually listed on a specification sheet on the back of the sample. While names may differ among manufacturers, products still fall within one of five basic categories. 5 Types of Carpet Fibers 1....
Whether it’s thick blankets of fiberglass batts, meringue-like mounds of spray foam (Tom’s favorite), or layers of seaweed (discovered under the floors of the first TOH project), all insulation works the same way: by trapping tiny air pockets that slow the movement of heat out of a house in winter and into a house in summer. Its effectiveness at resisting this movement is called its R-value; the higher the value, the lower your energy bills....
