Archives

Fast-Growing Shade Trees

Here are our favorite fast-growing shade trees to keep you cool and give you privacy as well as ornamental beauty.

How to Fix Cracks in Concrete

We discuss how to fill and seal cracked concrete walls for a simple, permanent repair.

S31 E25: Looking Back and Looking Ahead

With one week left, Kevin O’Connor learns to install tiles for the kitchen backsplash. Kevin visits our previous non-profit development. Tom Silva helps install the new stairs.

EPA's New WaterSense Labeling

Water-efficiency specifications for new homes have finally arrived from the EPA

Steal Ideas From These Inspirational Rooms

20 striking rooms for homeowners, designers, and decorators to emulate

Staircase Design and Upgrade Ideas

Add distinction and character to plain old stairs with these 10 creative tips

S8 E25: Newel Post, Cutting Pipes, Propagating Plants

Tom repairs a staircase’s wobbly newel post. Richard shows Kevin several methods for cutting rigid pipes and flexible tubing. Roger Cook shows how to reproduce plants from cuttings and by grafting.

Bath Tile Design Ideas

The right tile can change the look and feel of a bathroom. When clients can't decide what they want, show them some of these great designs

Hydraulic Cement for Leaky Basements

Using the right product for patching holes where water seeps in will save you a trip back with a wet vac and a sump pump.

Weeding Out Bad Employees

Who do you have working for you? Are your employees mostly Superstars, Average Joes, or Slugs? Here's how best to deal with all three

How to Plant a Small Tree

Boost your curb appeal with a handsome addition to your landscape

The Crawl Space Vent Question

To vent or not to vent—finally someone has done the right tests and come up with an answer.

Installing a Whole House Fan

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows a quick and clever way to keep a home cool

Installing a Bathroom Vent Fan

Putting in bathroom ventilation is one of the most requested retrofits, and it only requires a day's work.

How to Fix and Measure Pull Down Attic Stairs

Follow these guidelines when inspecting, measuring, and repairing an existing folding attic stair unit.

Installing Attic Stairs

In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to make attic stairs safe and sturdy

S31 E24: Roxbury Past and Present

Roger Cook works on the front yard. Norm Abram looks at the second unit. The homeowner learns to maintain her new countertops. Richard Trethewey installs a new water heater.