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Bob Vila. Tried, True, Trustworthy Home Advice.

===============================================

#### Hi, I'm Bob Vila

You probably know me from TV. For the better part of a half century, as the host of shows like _This Old House_ and _Home Again with Bob Vila,_ I’ve been teaching and inspiring people to upgrade their homes and improve their lives. I learned firsthand about home building from my father, and I’ve written more than a dozen books about remodeling, buying your dream home, and visiting historic homes across America. It’s fair to say that buildings, especially homes, are my life’s work.

[Learn more about Bob](https://www.bobvila.com/about-bob/)

[Heating & Cooling](https://www.bobvila.com/category/heating-cooling/)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

[](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-air-purifier-for-smoke/)

[HVAC](https://www.bobvila.com/category/reviews/)

[

### We Spent Months Burning Incense (and Some Dinners) to Find the Best Air Purifiers for Smoke

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-air-purifier-for-smoke/)

These air purifiers quickly remove smoke and other airborne pollutants from the air to help you breathe easier and protect your health.

By [Michelle Larson](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/michelle-larson/), [Mark Wolfe](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/mark-wolfe/), [Lizzy Briskin](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/lizzy-briskin/)

[

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/installing-a-window-ac/)

[Cooling](https://www.bobvila.com/category/diy/)

[

### 8 Tips for Installing a Window Air Conditioning Unit 8 Tips for Installing a Window Air Conditioning Unit

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/installing-a-window-ac/)

By [Michelle Ullman](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/michelle-ullman/), [Bob Vila](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/bob-vila/)

[

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-air-purifier-for-pets/)

[HVAC](https://www.bobvila.com/category/reviews/)

[### Pet Dander, Odors, and Allergens—These 8 Air Purifiers for Pets Get Rid of Them All  Pet Dander, Odors, and Allergens—These 8 Air Purifiers for Pets Get Rid of Them All](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-air-purifier-for-pets/) 

By [Michelle Larson](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/michelle-larson/), [Glenda Taylor](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/glenda-taylor/)

[

](https://www.bobvila.com/interior/how-to-install-insulation-in-walls/)

[Insulation](https://www.bobvila.com/category/interior/)

[

### How to Install Insulation in Walls to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient How to Install Insulation in Walls to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

](https://www.bobvila.com/interior/how-to-install-insulation-in-walls/)

By [Timothy Dale](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/timothy-dale/)

[

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/blown-in-insulation/)

[Insulation](https://www.bobvila.com/category/interior/)

[

### Guide to Blown-in Insulation: Materials, Installation, and Cost Guide to Blown-in Insulation: Materials, Installation, and Cost

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/blown-in-insulation/)

By [Glenda Taylor](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/glenda-taylor/), [Bob Vila](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/bob-vila/), Updated by [Theresa Clement](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/theresa-clement/)

Home Advice You Can Trust

-------------------------

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[DIY](https://www.bobvila.com/category/diy/)

--------------------------------------------

[](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/lawn-mower-wont-start/)

[Mowers](https://www.bobvila.com/category/diy/)

[

### 9 Fixes For When Your Lawn Mower Won’t Start

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/lawn-mower-wont-start/)

Can’t get your lawn mower up and running? This guide will help you troubleshoot and fix lawn mower problems.

By [Tony Carrick](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/tony-carrick/), [Manasa Reddigari](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/manasa-reddigari/)

[

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/mushrooms-in-lawn/)

[Lawn Care](https://www.bobvila.com/category/lawn-and-garden/)

[

### How to Get Rid of Mushrooms in the Lawn How to Get Rid of Mushrooms in the Lawn

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/mushrooms-in-lawn/)

By [Jennifer Noonan](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/jennifer-noonan/), [Bob Vila](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/bob-vila/)

[

](https://www.bobvila.com/diy/ty-pennington-breaks-silence-news-digest-3-14/)

[DIY](https://www.bobvila.com/category/diy/)

[

### Ty Pennington Breaks His Silence on His Absence From ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ Reboot Ty Pennington Breaks His Silence on His Absence From ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’ Reboot

](https://www.bobvila.com/diy/ty-pennington-breaks-silence-news-digest-3-14/)

By [Sophie Kaemmerlé](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/sophie-kaemmerle/)

[

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-lawn-mowers/)

[Mowers](https://www.bobvila.com/category/reviews/)

[

### After Testing More Than Two Dozen Popular Lawn Mowers, We Found the 9 Best Models After Testing More Than Two Dozen Popular Lawn Mowers, We Found the 9 Best Models

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-lawn-mowers/)

By [Mark Wolfe](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/mark-wolfe/), [Tony Carrick](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/tony-carrick/)

[

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-overseed-a-lawn/)

[Lawn Care](https://www.bobvila.com/category/lawn-and-garden/)

[

### How to Overseed a Lawn How to Overseed a Lawn

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-overseed-a-lawn/)

By [Teresa Odle](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/teresa-odle/), [Stacey L. Nash](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/stacey-l-nash/)

[Product Reviews](https://www.bobvila.com/tag/commerce/)

### How we test and review products

The Bob Vila Product Reviews team tirelessly researches and tests products to ensure they live up to the hype.

1.  Our team scours the market for best-in-class products.

2.  We do our homework and thoroughly vet popular products.

3.  We’ll test as many as we can get our hands on.

4.  Our unfiltered, honest opinion is what you see on the page.

*   [

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-string-lights/)

    [Lighting](https://www.bobvila.com/category/reviews/)

    [

    ### We Tested Dozens of Outdoor String Lights. Here are Our 7 Best Picks We Tested Dozens of Outdoor String Lights. Here are Our 7 Best Picks

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-string-lights/)

    By [Glenda Taylor](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/glenda-taylor/), [Jamie Birdwell-Branson](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/jamie-birdwell-branson-2/), [Jasmine Harding](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/jasmine-harding/)

*   [

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-mulch/)

    [Outdoor Furniture](https://www.bobvila.com/category/reviews/)

    [

    ### The 8 Best Mulch Options of 2025 for Your Landscaping Beds The 8 Best Mulch Options of 2025 for Your Landscaping Beds

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-mulch/)

    By [Steph Coelho](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/steph-coelho/)

*   [

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/lawn-and-garden/outdoor-kitchen-essentials/)

    [Outdoor Kitchens](https://www.bobvila.com/category/lawn-and-garden/)

    [

    ### Outdoor Kitchen Essentials Outdoor Kitchen Essentials

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/lawn-and-garden/outdoor-kitchen-essentials/)

    By [Savannah Sher](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/savannah-sher/)

*   [

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-outdoor-cushions/)

    [Furniture & Decor](https://www.bobvila.com/category/reviews/)

    [

    ### Our Favorite Outdoor Cushions Are Made From an Unusual Material to Prevent Fading Our Favorite Outdoor Cushions Are Made From an Unusual Material to Prevent Fading

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-outdoor-cushions/)

    By [Emily Blackwood](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/emily-blackwood/), [Michelle Larson](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/michelle-larson/)

*   [

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-fire-pit/)

    [Lawn & Garden](https://www.bobvila.com/category/reviews/)

    [

    ### After 33 Hours of Testing, Here Are Our 11 Best Fire Pits of 2025 After 33 Hours of Testing, Here Are Our 11 Best Fire Pits of 2025

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-fire-pit/)

    By [Mark Wolfe](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/mark-wolfe/)

*   [

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-workbench/)

    [Workshop](https://www.bobvila.com/category/reviews/)

    [

    ### Our Favorite Workbench Requires No Assembly Our Favorite Workbench Requires No Assembly

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-workbench/)

    By [Glenda Taylor](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/glenda-taylor/), [Timothy Dale](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/timothy-dale/)

*   [

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/reviews/wd-40-pen-review/)

    [Easy DIY Projects](https://www.bobvila.com/category/reviews/)

    [

    ### I Won’t Go Anywhere Without This Tool I Won’t Go Anywhere Without This Tool

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/reviews/wd-40-pen-review/)

    By [Glenda Taylor](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/glenda-taylor/)

*   [

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-smokeless-fire-pit/)

    [Outdoor Furniture](https://www.bobvila.com/category/reviews/)

    [

    ### We Spent 32 Hours Testing to Find the 8 Best Smokeless Fire Pits We Spent 32 Hours Testing to Find the 8 Best Smokeless Fire Pits

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-smokeless-fire-pit/)

    By [Mark Wolfe](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/mark-wolfe/), [Tony Carrick](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/tony-carrick/)

[Curb Appeal](https://www.bobvila.com/category/curb-appeal/)

------------------------------------------------------------

[](https://www.bobvila.com/exterior/garage-door-ideas/)

[Garages](https://www.bobvila.com/category/exterior/)

[

### 12 Garage Door Ideas for Your Next Exterior Update

](https://www.bobvila.com/exterior/garage-door-ideas/)

Boost your home’s curb appeal with stylish garage door designs that perfectly complement your home’s aesthetic.

By [Savannah Sher](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/savannah-sher/)

[

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-artificial-grass/)

[Curb Appeal](https://www.bobvila.com/category/reviews/)

[

### You Might Mistake Our Favorite Artificial Grass for the Real Thing You Might Mistake Our Favorite Artificial Grass for the Real Thing

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-artificial-grass/)

By [Timothy Dale](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/timothy-dale/)

[

](https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/6-smart-ways-to-prevent-a-soggy-yard-with-every-rain-shower-52840/)

[Curb Appeal](https://www.bobvila.com/category/exterior/)

[

### 6 Smart Ways to Prevent a Soggy Yard with Every Rain Shower 6 Smart Ways to Prevent a Soggy Yard with Every Rain Shower

](https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/6-smart-ways-to-prevent-a-soggy-yard-with-every-rain-shower-52840/)

By [Glenda Taylor](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/glenda-taylor/)

[

](https://www.bobvila.com/exterior/curb-appeal-trends-2025/)

[Deck, Patio & Porch](https://www.bobvila.com/category/exterior/)

[

### Experts Predict These 5 Curb Appeal Trends Will Be Big in 2025 Experts Predict These 5 Curb Appeal Trends Will Be Big in 2025

](https://www.bobvila.com/exterior/curb-appeal-trends-2025/)

By [Sandi Schwartz](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/sandi-schwartz/)

[

](https://www.bobvila.com/lawn-and-garden/hardscaping-dos-and-donts/)

[Landscaping](https://www.bobvila.com/category/lawn-and-garden/)

[

### How Much Hardscaping Is Too Much? Experts Weigh In How Much Hardscaping Is Too Much? Experts Weigh In

](https://www.bobvila.com/lawn-and-garden/hardscaping-dos-and-donts/)

By [Teresa Odle](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/teresa-odle/)

[Easy DIY Projects](https://www.bobvila.com/category/easy-diy-projects/)

* * *

[

### 5 Ways to Find a Wall Stud Without Using a Stud Finder 5 Ways to Find a Wall Stud Without Using a Stud Finder

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-find-a-wall-stud/)

By [Kit Stansley](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/kit-stansley/), [Tony Carrick](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/tony-carrick/), [Bob Vila](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/bob-vila/)

[

### The 7 Best Things You Can Build With Stock Cabinets The 7 Best Things You Can Build With Stock Cabinets

](https://www.bobvila.com/diy/stock-cabinet-ideas/)

By [Theresa Clement](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/theresa-clement/)

[

### This Cheap, Homemade De-icer Recipe Will Clear Your Frosty Windshield in Minutes This Cheap, Homemade De-icer Recipe Will Clear Your Frosty Windshield in Minutes

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/homemade-de-icer/)

By [Steffani Cameron](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/steffani-cameron/), [Bob Vila Staff](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/bob-vila-staff/)

[Home Security](https://www.bobvila.com/category/home-security/)

* * *

[

### 4 Home Security Trends We Saw Come Out of CES 2025 4 Home Security Trends We Saw Come Out of CES 2025

](https://www.bobvila.com/exterior/home-security-trends-ces-2025/)

By [Michelle Larson](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/michelle-larson/)

[

### The Best Fireproof Document Bags to Keep Papers Safe, Tested The Best Fireproof Document Bags to Keep Papers Safe, Tested

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-fireproof-document-bag/)

By [Glenda Taylor](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/glenda-taylor/), [Tom Scalisi](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/tom-scalisi/)

[### How to Change a Door Lock in 7 Steps  How to Change a Door Lock in 7 Steps](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/changing-locks-on-a-door/) 

By [Glenda Taylor](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/glenda-taylor/), [Tom Scalisi](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/tom-scalisi/), Reviewed by [Bob Vila](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/bob-vila/)

[House Plants](https://www.bobvila.com/category/house-plants/)

* * *

[### We Tested 8 Hydroponic Systems, and Our Favorite is One of the Least Expensive  We Tested 8 Hydroponic Systems, and Our Favorite is One of the Least Expensive](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-hydroponic-system/) 

By [Katie Barton](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/katie-barton/), [Glenda Taylor](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/glenda-taylor/), [Jenn Ryan](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/jenn-ryan/)

[

### When and How to Fertilize Your Houseplants, No Matter the Type When and How to Fertilize Your Houseplants, No Matter the Type

](https://www.bobvila.com/lawn-and-garden/when-to-fertilize-houseplants/)

By [Sandi Schwartz](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/sandi-schwartz/)

[

### How Starting Seeds Indoors This Year Will Help You Grow a Better Garden Than Ever How Starting Seeds Indoors This Year Will Help You Grow a Better Garden Than Ever

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/starting-seeds-indoors/)

By [Glenda Taylor](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/glenda-taylor/), [Mark Wolfe](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/mark-wolfe/), Updated by [Teresa Odle](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/teresa-odle/)

[Generators](https://www.bobvila.com/category/generators/)

* * *

[

### We Tested Home Generators to Find the Best Picks a Power Outage We Tested Home Generators to Find the Best Picks a Power Outage

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-home-generator/)

By [Glenda Taylor](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/glenda-taylor/), [Austin Fracchia](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/austin-fracchia/), [Mark Wolfe](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/mark-wolfe/), [Zach Lazzari](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/zach-lazzari/)

[

### 11 Types of Generators and When to Use Them 11 Types of Generators and When to Use Them

](https://www.bobvila.com/articles/types-of-generators/)

By [Timothy Dale](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/timothy-dale/)

[

### Our Favorite Deals This Week Include Black Friday Deals on Home Security Cameras and More Our Favorite Deals This Week Include Black Friday Deals on Home Security Cameras and More

](https://www.bobvila.com/reviews/deals-of-the-week-november-2024/)

By [Stephanie Cronk](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/stephanie-cronk/)

#### Meet the Experts

We’re not just here to answer your questions and offer advice. BobVila.com seeks to educate and empower.

Our team of writers and editors are passionate about all things home. We are general contractors, master gardeners, real estate pros, historic preservationists, product testing specialists, and veteran journalists with expertise in everything from design to DIY. Our common bond is the mission of BobVila.com—to simplify, demystify, and chronicle the joys and challenges of homeownership through a commitment to accuracy, clarity, accessibility and good old-fashioned fun.

BobVila.com is the complete toolbox and ultimate resource for inspirational ideas and nitty-gritty know-how. It’s been that way since the site began in 2011. Our goal is to carry forward Bob Vila’s decades-long tradition of helping people maintain and upgrade their homes to live better each day.

*   [](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/glenda-taylor/)

    [

    Glenda

    Taylor

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/glenda-taylor/)

    Staff Writer

*   [](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/mark-wolfe/)

    [

    Mark

    Wolfe

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/mark-wolfe/)

    Staff Writer

*   [](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/sandi-schwartz/)

    [

    Sandi

    Schwartz

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/sandi-schwartz/)

    Contributing Writer

*   [](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/theresa-clement/)

    [

    Theresa

    Clement

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/theresa-clement/)

    Contributing Writer & Editor

*   [](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/debbie-wolfe/)

    [

    Debbie

    Wolfe

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/debbie-wolfe/)

    Contributing Writer & Editor

*   [](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/tony-carrick/)

    [

    Tony

    Carrick

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/tony-carrick/)

    Contributing Writer

*   [](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/bob-beacham/)

    [

    Bob

    Beacham

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/bob-beacham/)

    Contributing Writer

*   [](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/timothy-dale/)

    [

    Timothy

    Dale

    ](https://www.bobvila.com/authors/timothy-dale/)

    Contributing Writer
🏳️Bob Vila - Home Improvement, Home Repair, & Home Renovation

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