Keeping Mold From Taking Hold
Rashida Ferdinand exposed the studs—added in a 2005 renovation—on her New Orleans house by removing the drywall to a foot above the flood line. TOH master carpenter Norm Abram tears away at the original wall in search of overlooked mold A bedroom ... [... more]
This Old House |
The Cleaner Cleanup
Asbestos found in the vinyl floor tiles at the TOH TV project house means a state-licensed (and well-protected) abatement crew must do the removal. Prep on an asbestos—abatement job starts with two layers of glued and taped plastic on the walls ... [... more]
This Old House |
Norm's Notebook: Paintbrush Care
I need good control when I'm applying a finish, so I pinch the ferrule between my thumb and first two fingers. For the final feathering strokes that smooth the finish, I switch to a more delicate grip farther up the handle, as I do here. For the ... [... more]
This Old House |
Fixing the Furniture Finish
Water rings can be removed by wiping with denatured alcohol. Clear nail polish can fill in a ding or a chip in a clear finish. Touch-up markers can make scratches and worn edges disappear. A gouge sometimes has a slightly raised burr around its ... [... more]
This Old House |
Hot sauce cleans copper.
Hot sauce cleans copper Olive oil brightens wood White wine removes red wine Vinegar cleans brushes Cornmeal soaks up grease Pantry staples have long been the safest way to tackle minor fixes and cleanups around the house, plus they have the ... [... more]
This Old House |
7 Clean Sweeps for Fireplaces
With natural gas and propane prices continuing to rise, you'll likely be looking to the old fireplace this winter to help cut your home-heating bills. But before you spark up the logs, take heed that fireplaces and chimneys are involved in 42 ... [... more]
This Old House |
How to Clean Windows Like a Pro
Brent Weingard of Expert Window Cleaners demonstrates pro technique Wash the window Wipe the window Dry the edges of the glass and the windowsill Customize the squeegee Scrub the panes Wipe the windows clean Ideally, windows should be washed ... [... more]
This Old House |
Breathing Easier
Remember the first time you looked at a drop of drinking water under a microscope in Bio class and saw the millions of tiny organisms it contained? Well, the air in your home is also filled with life. Most of it is harmless. But for people who ... [... more]
This Old House |
Grill Maintenance
Nothing announces the arrival of summer like firing up the grill. Unfortunately, nothing sours a summer party faster than a grill that won't light, smokes too much, or cooks unevenly. Grease, marinades, and sauces wreak havoc on gas burners, ... [... more]
This Old House |
How to Get Rid of Grease Stains
Don't let those grease and oil stains on your cement or concrete floor just sit there. It's easy to remove them, according to the folks at the Michigan State University Extension. The extension offers this advice: First, sop up any wet areas. ... [... more]
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Maintaining Ceramic Tile
USE A GROUT saw to scratch out any cracked, softened or badly stained grout from the joints between the wall tiles. CUT AWAY THE old caulk from around the top of the tub. Then thoroughly clean the joint of all grime, dust and soap buildup. FORCE ... [... more]
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Central Vacuums
A central vacuum does for housework what central air-conditioning does for cooling: It eliminates the hassle of storing and schlepping heavy equipment, it's quieter to use than a portable unit, and it just plain works better. And in the same way ... [... more]
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