Courtesy Amazon Multimeters measure the voltage, resistance, and current of a wiring circuit. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best multimeters on the market to help you find the one that’s right for you. Multimeters vary in capabilities, but most models measure voltage, current, continuity, resistance, and other important aspects of electrical components. Using this tool can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run because you can diagnose and repair wiring problems on your own instead of paying an electrician to do so. In this review and buyer’s guide, we c ..read more

Courtesy Echelon and NordicTrack Bring the energy of an exercise studio into your home with the latest and greatest trend in fitness: Workout mirrors. With options for personal training, live classes, goal-setting and more, these devices can make any room in your house feel like a gym or studio. Finding a way to move your body that you enjoy is one of the biggest initial hurdles when it comes to kick-starting an exercise routine. Starting a home gym is an easy way to make exercising more convenient, but all of the equipment can take up a lot of space that many of us don’t have in our homes. Th ..read more

Erin Little If you’ve recently made updates to your house, you may be wondering if you’re eligible for a tax break. Depending on the type of changes or renovations you’ve implemented, you might get a little extra help from the government on your home upgrade.  How will the home improvements I made on my home affect my tax situation? This question may cross your mind as you prepare for tax season. Or perhaps it was something you had thought about even before starting plans to make over parts of your house. The answer to this question isn’t straightforward and will vary according to each ho ..read more

This simple DIY project is a dream come true for pooches who have a hard time jumping into bed at night Your companion follows you everywhere—on walks to the park, down the driveway to get the mail, and even to bed at night. But when one hop doesn't quite cut it anymore, or arthritis makes the trip to bed too difficult, the addition of a handy ramp that collapses for storage and hides away pet bedding feels like a custom fit. In fact, if your pup is part of the 20 percent of adult dogs experts say suffer from osteoarthritis; the gentle incline could even help avoid injury. As This Old House ..read more

iStock Learning the best ways to use these popular landscaping rocks will lend both style and utility to your yard or garden. And with plenty of options for different types of spaces, most DIY gardeners and landscapers will be able to find something to turn their yard into an elegant escape. But knowing which stones to use for a project can be critical, and this guide aims to help. Landscaping rocks might not be your first thought when it comes redesigning your yard, but these versatile materials are worth considering. Between their durability, variation, and utility, landscaping rocks can tur ..read more

Get insider tips and a step-by-step guide for concrete floor leveling. The first step to making the most of any basement is to achieve a level floor. Happily enough, leveling uneven concrete slabs has an easy fix that won’t sacrifice your headroom. The easiest way is to use a self-leveling compound, also called liquid floor underlayment or floor resurfacer, within sections of level-cut rails. The material flows out like thick syrup, then hardens into a smooth, perfectly level surface, sometimes in less than an hour. The only places you'll lose any appreciable headroom will be in the slab's l ..read more

iStock Learn the differences between the common kinds of tanks found in home well-water systems, how they work, and what type you’ll need. An estimated 23 million homes in the United States get their drinking water from private wells, and most of those wells include one or more water storage tanks that may need to be repaired or even replaced at some point. These tanks work with pumps, pressure gauges, and valves to maintain consistent water pressure, store water for immediate use, and increase the longevity of components in the home plumbing system. Read on to learn about the different types ..read more

Courtesy Milwaukee Tool Take care of the tasks around your home with these handy products. Faster screwdriving: 4-Volt MAX* Cordless Screwdriver Courtesy Craftsman This 1/2-pound, 4-volt power screwdriver’s handle hides a rechargeable battery that turns screws up to 300 rpm, four times faster than hand cranking. A rocker switch controls the rotation; LEDs light the way. Comes with 19 bits, but the hex shank will fit any you already own. $40; craftsman.com Fiber-cement face-lift: Hardie Architectural Collection Panels Courtesy James Hardie Fiber-cement siding, which holds paint well, resists ro ..read more

iStock Pregnancy can make sleep difficult, but pregnancy pillows offer a soft and supportive solution to a lot of sleep-related problems: Helping women sleep on their sides, providing comfort and support for the belly and back, giving the hips some much-needed relief, and replacing the need for multiple pillows at once to cradle all the sore spots. Pregnancy comes with a lot of changes; most notably, the fact that a baby is now growing inside your body! While this miraculous development is occurring, expectant mothers tend to find that other changes are less-than-magical, including their abili ..read more

Devis Bionaz/GAP Interiors You’ve heard of spring cleaning. But did you know that winter cleaning is just as important? To minimize clutter, keep pests out, and maintain fresh air in your home all season long, you’ll want to make sure to cross each of these areas off your winter cleaning checklist. Most homeowners probably wait until spring to do all their deep cleaning—after all, it’s practically a seasonal ritual. But winter cleaning is just as critical as spring cleaning. Here’s why: Closed windows and doors that keep out cold air also seal in germs, viruses, and bacteria that can then live ..read more