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How To Build a DIY Kids’ Birdhouse Resources Tom and Camilla showed Jasper how to build a birdhouse using simple 1x5” select pine boards and a variety of simple tools, including a hand saw and a drill. All of these tools can be found at home centers and craft stores. Shopping list 1x5 select pine ½-inch dowel for the perch Exterior screws Tools

But putting down carpet can be daunting to the do-it-yourselfer because the tools are unfamiliar. Fortunately, the process isn’t that difficult, whether you rent the tools or hire a pro to do the work for you. If you hire a pro, installation should include the initial measurement (a pro is trained to see things such as traffic patterns and incoming light, and can suggest the best places to hide seams) and a floor plan showing how the various pieces will be installed....

Now, more than 87 percent of houses are so equipped. While the number with window AC units has shrunk overall, these appliances are still cooling significant numbers of homes, particularly in the Northeast, despite being noisy and obtrusive, and having limited efficiency and cooling capacity. Not to mention the twice-yearly struggle of putting them in and taking them out. By comparison, central AC is a giant leap forward in convenience, quiet, and, most of all, comfort....

“People need to realize that chickens have to have someone taking care of them seven days a week, at least a couple times of day,” says Carver. “It’s not like having a cat where you can put out an extra litter box and go away.” Read on for the science behind what needs to go in your backyard chicken coop. Caring for Backyard Chickens Waterers Like all living things, chickens require water....

10 Uses for Used Coffee Grounds 1. Repel Insects in Your Garden Coffee grounds make for a great repellant in the garden. Mound grounds into a ring to create a protective border around plants that will ward off ants and slugs. 2. Fortify Plants Give seedlings a nitrogen boost by stirring grounds into soil or a watering can. 3. Deodorize Your Fridge Place a bowl of dry grounds in your refrigerator or freezer to neutralize odors left by stale food scraps or spoiled food....

“The circuits in these older homes weren’t designed to power the many gadgets of modern life,” says electrician Allen Gallant, who has wired six This Old House TV project houses. The signs of strain may be obvious—a tangle of extension cords and power strips sprouting from a single outlet—or lurking unseen behind walls, ceilings, and cover plates. Protecting the Fuse Box Fuse boxes, like the one above, are less common these days than circuit breaker panels, but they work just fine — unless someone installs fuses with a higher amperage than the wires can safely handle....

Hydrangeas are Versatile Hydrangeas work in almost any landscape. They’re hardy to various soils and climates, allowing them to flourish in growing zones 4 through 9. As general rules, most hydrangeas thrive in partial sun and well-drained soils. How to Choose and Plant Hydrangeas Hydrangeas Range in Color Hydrangeas will range in colors from blues and purples to pinks and whites based on the soil’s acidity. Blue flowers indicate that the soil is more acidic, while pinks and whites indicate that the soil is basic or alkaline....

That said, it can be a real challenge to select the perfect fixture. Just stroll down the lighting aisle of any home store, and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the countless styles, finishes, bells and whistles—and that’s before you look online. Start by evaluating your space to determine the type of fixture (or fixtures) that best fits it, whether wall-mount, ceiling-mount, or, in very large entries, a combination of the two....

Note to our favorite plumbing and heating expert: The keychain-size Style PS—with pliers, scissors, tweezers, a file, and a bottle opener—meets domestic TSA “no blade” carry-on rules. Handy on the road, even if less so on the job site. Folding Multitool by Leatherman Features Magnets hold the handles together but won’t mess up credit cards. No fingernails needed to get at tools. They pop out with thumb pressure. No rough edges or balky parts; it’s good to go right out of the box....

Some products that claim to be safer for pets and plants have environmental drawbacks, and all salts stop working in temperatures below 15ºF. Eco-Friendly Salt Alternatives Take a look at these greener alternatives to chemicals that will do just as good of a job at securing your footing this season. Sand Time-honored and cheap, it easily turns a slippery surface into a secure one. Keep it in a bucket near the door and spread it often, as it tends to thin out in high-traffic areas....

Ross Trethewey has This Old House in his blood. His grandfather first appeared on the show in 1979 before his father, Richard Trethewey, began to make regular appearances shortly after. Ross remembers visiting his father on those job sites, and as he got a bit older, he wanted to learn the trade. Why Heath Loves Electrical Finish Work Growing up in a house of plumbers, Ross says that they were taught certain techniques and values at an early age....

How Dangerous Is Black Mold in Your House? Many kinds—and colors—of mold exist. Stachybotrys, a black mold, has a reputation for being particularly toxic, but it doesn’t matter what type of mold you’re dealing with—all molds found within the house bring with them the possibility of health risks and should be removed immediately. The most likely places to find mold in the bathroom are in the tile grout, around drains, and on the walls or wallpaper....

Steps for Replacing a Deck Post Tools