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Universal Design Tips for an Accessible Home

Learn about universal design ideas that can make your home more accessible, from ergonomic hardware to slip-proof floor coatings.
A man inspecting a deck and applying an adhesive to it.

How To Inspect a Deck

You should inspect your deck annually to make sure it can stand up to your outdoor gatherings. Use our six-point inspection plan to help.
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9 Steps to a Lush Lawn

Want to create a lusher lawn? Read these tips from This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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Home Repair Volunteer Programs

Learn more about starting or joining a volunteer program where you can put your home improvement skills to work
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A Functional Kitchen Layout With Period Details

An inefficient, U-shape layout is reconfigured as a galley with a period look
A child using a tree swing in a backyard.

How To Build a Safe and Fun Tree Swing in 9 Simple Steps

Looking for a way to add some fun to your backyard? Make an old-fashioned rope swing with these instructions for parents and kids.
A victorian style garden urn.

All About Victorian Garden Urns That Spice up a Yard

Victorian garden urns are a great way to add classic charm to your yard. This guide will teach you how to choose and use them in your decor.
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Home Inspection Nightmares XI

You won't believe your eyes. But it's all true! See 15 appalling screw-ups found by home inspectors
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Power to the Pumps

Learn how to safely get electricity to outdoor water features in this guide. You'll need a licensed electrician to do most of the work.
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How to Turn a Salvaged Urn Into a Garden Fountain

Breathe new life into a salvaged urn by creating this easy water feature in 5 quick steps
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How To Install an Angled Skylight

Our guide covers a step-by-step look at how to install an angled skylight, plus what to know before you start your project.
A home with a porch with a wooden lattice beneath it.

How To Install Lattice Under a Deck

Here's how to install a perfect porch lattice under your deck to give your home a facelift and your yard some extra storage.
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How to Extend a Downspout

Read our step-by-step guide on extending your gutter downspouts to help protect your home’s foundation from water damage and structural issues.
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10 Ways to Add Privacy to Your Backyard

Smart landscaping solutions to keep out wandering eyes and noise pollution.
An archway that adds an interesting architectural element to any home.

How to Create an Archway

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to create an archway and transform your ordinary doorway into an elegant architectural feature.
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Keep Mold From Taking Hold

Mold spores are a problem anywhere it's humid, but in post-Katrina New Orleans, the scourge was hard to beat; here's how the owner of the TOH TV NOLA project did it
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How To Get Rid of Rats in Your Yard

Rats are dirty, destructive, and spread disease. If you’ve got an infestation in your yard, it’s time to take action now. This guide will explain what you need to know to get rid of rats in your yard and keep them out for good.
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How to Install Knee-Wall Storage

It's an awkward corner of the house. Why not make it a space-saving dresser? This guide explains the process step-by-step.
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S29 E26: One Small Corner Restored

Kevin O'Connor and the Krewe of Zulu prepare for Mardi Gras. In Holy Cross, Roger Cook finds metal worker Joe Strain finishing the installation of the "hoop and scroll" iron fence.
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S6 E26: Toilet Tank, Watering a Lawn, Bookcase

Richard shows how to replace the parts inside a toilet tank, Roger shares tips on above-ground sprinklers and lawn watering, and Tom shows how to build a plywood bookcase.
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How to Install Pull-Down Attic Stairs

Installing a staircase to your attic is a challenging but achievable task. In this guide, we walk you through each step of the process.
A cushioned window seat between two book cases.

A Step by Step Guide to Building Your Own Window Seat

Follow our step by step guide to create your very own window seat with loads of extra storage, with just a handful of tools and materials.
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How To Fix a Bathtub Drain Stopper

Need to fix a tub that won’t drain? In this video, This Old House master plumber Richard Trethewey shows how to fix them.
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How to Build a Small Bookcase

A small bookshelf can make for a very versatile storage solution, beyond just books. This Old House's Tom Silva shows you how to build one.
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S29 E25: Only In New Orleans

Host Kevin O'Connor meets District Fire Chief Tim McConnell to see how his firemen are rebuilding 22 damaged firehouses with the help of volunteers and the Denis Leary Foundation in NYC.