During the first downpour, which went on for hours, I watched in horror as the backyard filled up. I’d always wanted a pool, but this wasn’t it. The flood was runoff from the road behind my property, which slopes down from there. I hadn’t realized until then that, basically, my place sits in a bowl. And it became all too clear in the months that followed that the flood wasn’t a one-time thing....

Shown: Activity on the second floor—snacking, studying, watching TV—centers around a sectional sofa that unfolds to a queen-size bed for overnight guests. A horizontal steel railing at the top of the stairs opens up the space and establishes its modern vibe. Teenagers want to be with their friends, and parents want to keep them close­—while giving them some independence, too. That was the case for the mom and dad who created this getaway space for their sons, 16 and 13, and, in turn, their 10-year-old daughter­....

A Word About Wood Porch floors typically have very little ventilation. In summer, hot air and sun bake the surface, while significantly cooler air is trapped underneath the floor. The opposite holds true in wintertime. This dramatic swing in temperatures, combined with moisture collecting on the underside and humidity up above, can cause wood products (and even many synthetic ones) to bow, cup, and split. All of that said, wood is comforting, beautiful, and classic....

Eliminating Household Odors For healthier ways to get rid of common odors, try these tips from green-cleaning expert Leslie Reichert. She explains how to get rid of bad smells in your house without using harsh cleaners. Lingering Fishy Aroma If your kitchen smells like the grilled salmon you cooked hours before, try this fix: Boil 2 of cups water, add 2 or 3 tablespoons of baking soda, and toss in a lemon peel....

How to Prepare for an Outdoor Party 1. Fix lawn problems The first thing arriving guests will notice is your lawn, so be sure to address any glaring issues before they walk the green carpet. How to Rejuvenate a Dying Lawn How to Deal With Common Lawn Problems 2. Get a lush lawn With proper care, your lawn will look great despite endless hours of barefoot traffic and blazing sun. Follow these tips from TOH landscape contractor Roger Cook on how to make your grass the greenest it can be: How to Mow a Lawn How to Fertilize a Lawn How to Maintain a Lawn Organically...

—Patricia McMartin, Winchester, VA A: Several options are available for removing iron, but the treatment varies depending on the kind of iron you have, along with other factors. If you haven’t already done so, get a water test to determine the type and amount of iron, in parts per million (ppm), as well as the water’s pH and dissolved oxygen content. The three most common types of iron in well water are: I know you’re against using a water softener, but it can be an effective and economical way to remove low iron levels—3 ppm or less—if the water’s pH isn’t too high....

All About Home Inspections

High heat for home use is created with electricity or by igniting a gas such as propane, MAPP (methylacetylene-propadiene), or acetylene, each of which burns hotter than the last. While these gases will burn on their own using the oxygen in the air, to generate the most heat they need to be burned together with pure oxygen from a separate tank. The important thing is to match a tool’s heat output to the task at hand....

With loose cabinet doors that no longer close the way they should, the best way to decide how to adjust cabinet hinges is to first determine the cause. Loose cabinet doors can be the result of: How to Adjust Loose Cabinet Hinges: How to Fix a Loose Cabinet Door That Has Stripped Hinge Holes How to Fix a Cabinet Door That’s Sagging

We’ll walk you through the uses of the right tools for the right circumstances. Before digging, call 811 or your “Dig Safe” authority. And wear protective gear when using digging equipment. Jackhammer to break up concrete that’s thick. If you’re trying to remove concrete 3 inches deep or more, a jackhammer is your go-to tool. Rentable electric units will likely knock out that run-down sidewalk at the end of the driveway or small patio....

Why do we build? For me, the motivation is often practical: I see a piece of furniture that I love, but can’t abide the hefty price. Take this console cabinet, for example. I spotted a similar one online for $400. I loved its striking black color and cane door and drawer-front details. So I snapped a photo and did some research. My penny-pinching instincts again proved correct: I found that I could build it for about half the cost of the original....

Display Coffee Table Overview How to Size Your TV Cabinet Since televisions are measured on the diagonal, screen size doesn’t tell you anything. So before you select a bifold door, first measure the actual width of your TV. A bifold door consists of two panels joined by a bifold hinge. Doors are sold by width, including both panels, and come in stock sizes—typically 24, 30, or 36 inches. To find the right size for your TV, double the width of the door and compare it to the actual width of the TV....

Always check with your homeowners association and your county’s building department before erecting any structure in your yard. Ask about permits and local codes, particularly the depth required for setting your posts. Steps for Building a Pergola Follow these instructions to construct a simple 6-by-8-foot DIY wooden pergola in your backyard. Step 1: Choose a Location Choose a flat level area of your yard. If you don’t have a level area, grade the area by removing soil....

Steps for changing a circular saw blade

How to Choose Ground Cover Tools

How To Draw an Ellipse Drawing accurate ellipses can be tricky, as they often come out uneven or slightly lopsided. However, if you need to draw a quick ellipse to make a template or guide, this method will help. Resources Measure out your center line and place a nail at each end of the line leaving a little space outside. Wrap your string around the nails but stretch it up to where you want the top of the ellipse to be before securing the string to the nail....

Instead of worrying about your garage’s contents until the repairman can get there, try the following steps. More than likely, you’ll be able to make the repair yourself and save money on a service call. 7 Simple Methods for Fixing a Garage Door that Won’t Close 1. Check the Sensors If your garage door won’t close all the way, it’s probably an issue with your sensors. Garage door openers have safety lasers mounted near the floor by the tracks....