Natural Disasters
Holiday Home Disasters Most Likely to Occur in Your State
Are you curious about holiday home disasters in your state? Read our analysis of the most popular states for common disasters and helpful tips for prevention.
How to Prepare for a Flood
No homeowner wants to deal with the destruction that a flood can bring, but the fact is that these natural disasters are a frequent occurrence in certain areas of the country and a possibility just about everywhere else. It’s best to always be prepared for the worst.
Homeowners Insurance in Fire-Prone Areas
If you’re struggling to find homeowners insurance in a fire-prone area, consider looking into surplus line carriers, private carriers, or your state’s plan.
SERVPRO Restoration Review
With thousands of locations across the country, SERVPRO offers professional cleaning and restoration services for homes and businesses that require mold removal or have been damaged by flooding, fires, or other disasters. Learn about the benefits and the drawbacks of the company in this SERVPRO restoration review.
ServiceMaster Restore Review
When choosing a restoration company to preserve and protect your home after a crisis, it’s important to do your homework. In this ServiceMaster Restore review, we examine the company’s services, availability, and reputation to help you determine if it’s right for your restoration needs.
How to Wire a Portable Generator
Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman explains a few different methods for hooking up a portable generator to a house.
What to Know About Household Safety
While accidents and hazards in the home seem to happen randomly, we can do a great deal to reduce their likelihood by being proactive about household safety. Read our tips for keeping you and your family safe.
How to Prepare for Storms and Natural Disasters
Be prepared to protect your family and your home when disaster strikes.
How to Safeguard Your House from Wildfires
Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor learns about ways to make a home more resistant to wildfires.
How to Retrofit a Home for an Earthquake
Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor travels to Portland, Oregon to learn how to protect homes from earthquakes.
Meteorologist Jim Cantore on Lightning
Meteorologist Jim Cantore discusses his biggest weather fear, lightning, and he shares tips with Kevin and Roger on staying safe during a lightning storm
How to Install Whole House Lightning Protection
Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook travels to central Florida to install a lightning protection system
3 Things to Do Before a Storm
Do these simple tasks before severe weather hits to help minimize or even prevent costly damage to your home
Whole-House Battery Backup
Their numbers are still small, but home battery backup systems may be the wave of the future.
Coming Home After Hurricane Harvey
Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor meets a woman whose home is being rebuilt by Habitat for Humanity and pitches in with the rest of guys.
Free Tools for Hurricane Harvey Relief
Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook helps the Houston Community Tool Bank put together a rental order for Harvey relief.
Cleaning Out Mud and Mold After Hurricane Harvey
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey partners with SEND Relief to clean out mold-ravaged homes after Hurricane Harvey.
Demolishing a Home Damaged by Hurricane Harvey
Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva works with Team Rubicon to tear down a home damaged by Hurricane Harvey
How to Prevent Plumbing Leaks Automatically
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates a wireless detector that can shut off the water in case of a flood.
Understanding the Dangers of Home Fires
Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor visits Underwriters Laboratories outside of Chicago to see first hand how dangerous fires can be.
How to Build a Storm Shelter
This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to pour a massive concrete storm shelter. Read on to also learn more about design considerations and guidelines to keep you safe from the storm.
Disaster Supply Kit: How to Prepare for Severe Weather
This Old House host Kevin O'Connor and Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel discuss how to prepare for the next big storm and list out what severe weather supplies you’ll need.
How to Choose Hurricane Window Covers
This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows a homeowner several ways to protect windows during a storm.
Winter Weather Tips with Meteorologist Jim Cantore
Ask This Old House host Kevin O'Connor speaks with meteorologist Jim Cantore about winter weather and how climate change is affecting it.
How to Stop Your Basement From Flooding
Afraid of water in the basement? Avoid a flooding disaster with damage-prevention specialist Michael Milligan.
Rising Above in Coastal Flood Zones
To survive the next big storm, more and more houses will need a lift. It's a smart move seen around the country—and in the Spring 2013 season of This Old House.
14 Supplies to Help You Prepare for a Blizzard
What you need to prepare for a snowstorm so you have the essentials before, during, and after an emergency strikes.
Smart, Safe Storm Cleanup Tips
Getting your home back into shape after big weather may require more than a broom and a mop. Here's a collection of our best pro advice for managing the aftermath
On Being Scared: Bump in the Night—and the Day
TOH editor Scott Omelianuk talks about the natural disasters that can give an all-grown-up homeowner a case of the shivers
Hurricane Prep: Storm Safety Checklist
Here's what you should do if a storm watch or warning is issued where you live.
Water, Water Everywhere
When the basement floods, here's how to beat back the tide
Dealing with Household Disasters
Floods happen. So do collapsed ceilings, trapped critters, and smoke-belching fireplaces. But with our homeowner survival tips, you'll know just what to do when trouble strikes