Home Improvement Archives - Page 4 of 4

Download

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner install a rain gutter, downspout, and rain barrel. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps.)
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House:

Shopping List for Installing a Rain Gutter:
– Aluminum gutter
– Aluminum downspout
– Aluminum elbows, end caps, mounting straps, and downspout outlet
– Gutter hanging brackets, for securing the gutter to the house
– Sheet metal screws, used to fasten together the gutter and downspout parts
– Gutter sealant, for creating waterproof connections between gutter parts
– Two 2-inch-thick concrete pavers, used to create a solid base for the rain barrel
– Rain barrel and diverter, used to collect rainwater

Tools List for Installing a Rain Gutter:
– Chalk line
– Tape measure
– Drill/driver
– Level
– Caulk gun
– Crimping tool
– Hacksaw and tin snips
– Hammer and cold chisel (or hole saw), used to cut a hole in the gutter
– Ladder

Steps for Installing a Rain Gutter:
1. Snap a chalk line across the fascia, creating the proper pitch toward the downspout end.
2. Measure the fascia to determine the length of the gutter.
3. Apply gutter sealant to an end cap, then press the cap onto one end of the gutter.
4. Secure the end cap to the gutter with a crimping tool.
5. Use a hacksaw and tin snips to cut the gutter to length.
6. Use a hammer and a cold chisel (or a hole saw) to cut a round hole in the gutter for a downspout outlet.
7. Apply gutter sealant to the flange of the downspout outlet, then screw the outlet to the hole in the gutter.
8. Temporarily screw the gutter to the fascia, positioning it about 2 inches below the chalk line.
9. Install hanging brackets onto the gutter, positioning one in front of each rafter.
10. Raise the gutter to the chalk line and fasten each hanging bracket by screwing through the fascia and into the rafter tail.
11. Set two 2-inch-thick concrete pavers on the ground directly below the downspout outlet.
12. Set a rain barrel on top of the concrete pavers.
13. Use a hacksaw to cut and assemble the downspout and elbows.
14. Screw the upper end of the downspout to the downspout outlet protruding from the gutter.
15. Fasten the downspout to the house with mounting straps.
16. Install a diverter in the downspout, positioning it even with the top of the rain barrel.
17. Attach a short length of downspout to the underside of the diverter.
18. Connect the diverter’s flexible hose to the port on the side of the rain barrel.

About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we’re ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O’Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:
Facebook:
Twitter:

Pinterest:
Instagram:

Tumblr:

For more on This Old House and Ask This Old House, visit us at:

How to Install a Rain Gutter | Ask This Old House

Download

How to Pickle Cucumbers | Easy Ways to Make Homemade Cucumbers Pickles

There are two main types of cucumbers – pickling cucumbers and slicing cucumbers. Here’s how to pickle cucumbers using both varieties.To find all the best brands for your home, shop at

How to make pickle cucumbers at home.

Metarials:
Fresh and Firm Cucumbers
Vinegar
Dill
Tumeric
Sugar
Kosher salt
Peppercorn
Mustard
Fennel
Garlic
Celery seed
Onions

Tools:
Measuring cup
Canning funnel
Pint or quart canning jars
LadleLids and rings
Timer
Large bowl
Steam canner w/ rack
Jar lifter
Measuring spoons

Pickling cucumbers are short, fat and bumpy. Usually, they are covered by little spines.They aren’t as juicy as other types of cucumbers so they can soak up more of the pickling brine. They can be pickled whole if not too big, or sliced first into spears or cubes.

Slicing cucumbers have smooth skin, juicy interiors and relatively small seed cavities.The thin-skinned varieties are better for pickling because they don’t need to be peeled. Slicing cucumbers usually need to be salted before they are brined to draw out some of the moisture. Slicing cucumbers can be cut into rounds or sliced into spears or cubes.

1. Start by washing your cucumber in the sink. Also, remove any damaged areas of the cucumber you might find.

2. Cut your cucumber into slices, spears, or whatever shape you like.

3. If your recipes call for salt, go ahead and salt your cucumbers for the recommended amount of time. Then pour off the liquid.

4. Make brine according to your recipe. In most cases, you’ll bring the liquid to a boil to melt the sugar and meld the flavors.

5. Boil a pot of water, shut it off and drop in the lids and rings.

6. Fill the water bath canner about two-thirds of the way up and start heating.

7. Using the canning funnel, fill the jars with cucumbers to within an inch of the top of the jar.

8. Fill the jars with brine to an inch of the top of the jar. Wipe each jar with a damp paper towel to remove any drips. Rims need to be completely clean and dry to ensure a good seal.

9. Take your lids out of the water and dry them completely to ensure a good seal. Place each lid over a jar. Screw on the rings – not tightly – and prepare the cans to be dropped in the canner.

10. Lower each jar into hot water using a jar lifter. Be sure to keep the jars upright. When the canner is full or jars add a little more water on top so there is about an inch or two above each jar. Cover the pot and turn up the heat!

11. Once the water comes to a boil, set a timer for the total minutes required.

12. When the timer rings turn off the heat and use the jar lifter to remove one jar at a time from the water. Make sure you keep the jars upright. Don’t tilt them! Place the jars on a cooling rack for twelve to twenty-four hours.

13. Check that each jar has sealed. You can tell by tapping each jar lid and listening for a “ping”. If you hear a “thud” your jar has not sealed.

14. Use a damp cloth to remove any sticky residue from the outside of each jar. Then store your pickles in a cool, dry place, out of direct light. Your pickles will be ready to eat in a couple weeks and will store for at least a year.

For more home improvement & home decor inspiration, head over to the Homeclick Community at

Music by: Mike + Ruthy (

Stay Tuned to subscribe our channel: