In case you've been living under a rock for, well, your entire life, you're probably familiar with the iconic TV show This Old House. Now in its 43rd (YES, 43rd!) season — which just premiered on Sept. 30 — the experts on TOH are always sharing great tips and tricks that are SUPER helpful for clueless DIYers (like yours truly!).
So, if you're a new (or old) homeowner, you'll 100% appreciate these helpful tidbits from TOH legends Tom Silva, Kevin O'Connor, Richard Trethewey, Jenn Nawada, Mauro Henrique, Mark McCullough, Nathan Gilbert, Ross Threthewey, and Jenn Largesse. Enjoy!
1. First of all, pick yourself up a speed square — aka the most useful tool you probably didn't know you should own:
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2. This is how you ACTUALLY use a plunger (honestly, I think most of us have been doing it wrong this whole time):
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3. Speaking of bathroom clogs, here's an in-depth, but simple guide to unclogging your sink:
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4. Here's a SUPER-easy trick to test if your plant is still alive:
5. And if you want to be a responsible plant parent, take care of your pruners:
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6. Before you give your walls a total makeover, be sure to keep this tip in mind when buying paint:
7. And when you're done, you should know that this is how you properly clean paintbrushes:
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8. It's important to evenly space things, and this is the easiest way to do it:
9. FYI...maintaining your washing machine is important! Here's how you can do it with a few easy steps:
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10. If you plan on installing a smart doorbell, be sure to use this clever and easy trick for testing your Wi-Fi range first:
11. You might not know what Teflon is, but you should pick some up the next time you're at a home store, because MAN is it handy:
12. Identifying a load-bearing wall might seem intimidating, but don't worry — Tom Silva's got you! Here's how you do it:
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13. In need of a wet saw? Simply grab a bucket:
14. Stripping wallpaper can be a lot, but here's how the experts do it:
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15. Here's the plain and simple way to mix concrete:
16. This is a little more ~advanced~, but if you're into woodworking projects, here's how you easily "bend" wood:
17. Or if you're very crafty, these easy geometric shelves are easy to make (and very cool):
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18. Did you know you can DIY an air filter for your home? Here's how you do it:
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19. And finally, here all the things you need to start a basic tool kit:
To learn more tips and tricks from the This Old House team, be sure to check out their website or YouTube channel!
