Winter Upkeep

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Winterizing Yard Tools

Your lawn mower, string trimmer, and other outdoor power tools will benefit from some upkeep before they hibernate for the long winter ahead. PLUS, see more on Winter Upkeep, including:
•How to Put Your Lawn Mower to Bed
•Digging Out Your Car
•Snow Blowers
•How to Winterize Shrubs
Clean and prep your gear now, and it will come roaring back to life next spring… more

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Holiday Special

cool tools

Cool Tool Gifts

11 absolutely unnecessary tools that are so cool you’ll want to have them—or give them—anyway. PLUS, see more Holiday Gift Ideas, including:
•Tools for Kids
•Heirloom Tools
•Gifts for the New Homeowner
•Gifts for the Garage Guy
This year, buck the trend toward practicality, and give them something they'll be surprised by … more

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Christmas Special

gingerbread house contest

Astounding Gingerbread Houses

Bandsaws, Dremels, and X-Acto knives were used to create these gingerbread houses, here to inspire you to enter the This Old Gingerbread House contest. PLUS, see more Christmas ideas:
•Tools to Make Gingerbread Houses
•Choose a Live Christmas Tree
•Edible Home Improvement Gifts
•Unbelievable Holiday Light Show
Enter our This Old Gingerbread House contest until December 15th for a chance to win a Home Depot gift card and be featured on our website. … more

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Photo Gallery

photo of finished Second Empire remodel with inset of the house before remodeling

Second Empire Reader Remodel

How one novice homeowner renovated a wreck with crumbling walls, moldy floors, and pigeon nests, relying on lots of help from her dear old dad. PLUS, more before and after Remodels, including:
•Before & After Cape Cod
•One-Room Redos
•D.I.Y. Bungalow Renovation
•A Kitchen Fit for Dinner-Party Prep
Check out this young homeowner's remodeling success … more

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Photo Gallery

10 Uses Coffee Filters

10 Uses for Coffee Filters

They're a must-have item in the kitchen, of course. But lint-free, tear-resistant coffee filters are mighty handy in the workshop—and pretty much everywhere else. PLUS, see more on Workshop Accessories, including:
•10 Uses for Plastic Wrap
•10 Uses for Egg Cartons
•Easy Workshop First-Aid
•Quick Projects with Car Wax
Beat rust, organize hardware, and eight other quick projects… more

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Photo Gallery

Small spaces colors

3 Small Spaces, 9 Bold Color Ideas

The quickest way to transform your littlest rooms? Take a high-impact approach with paint. PLUS, more Painting tips, including:
•How to Paint a Color Wash
•How to Paint a Room
•Choosing Interior Color
•Fabulous Fall Colors
Go bold with color… more

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How-to Video

Installing a programmable thermostat

How to Install a Programmable Thermostat

TOH plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey shows how easy it is. PLUS, learn more Insulation tips to keep cozy this season:
•Install a Storm Door
•Install Storm Windows
•Insulate Your Windows
•Insulate Your Attic
Get the right temperature at the right time with a new thermostat, installed in just one hour… more

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How to Replace a Baseboard Heating Cover
How-To Videos

In this how-to video, This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey gives a facelift to an old, banged-up baseboard heater

Spotlight

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How to Stop Break-Ins

...and how to prevent them for less than $250

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Q: Are exterior lights safe?

I have a phobia about plugging things in when it's wet outside. Is there really a SAFE way to do it?

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Tip Of The Day

Random-orbit sanders that use interchangeable hook-and-loop pads are more economical, since the sandpaper can be reused. The alternative, adhesive-backed papers, get ruined when you peel them off.

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Hot Topics

Hot Topic- Exterior lighting

I recently swapped out my entry light fixture for a new one. It's installed correctly but just doesn't work. What could the problem be?

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This Old House: The Weston House

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This Old House does new construction with a twist, helping build a prefab timber-frame house for a family of four.

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December 2008

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