These Stinky Little Pests Are Trying to Get Into Your House Before Winter

Ever walked into your living room on a chilly autumn evening and found an uninvited guest? No, not your neighbor popping in for a surprise visit, but a little shield-shaped bug that seems to have made itself at home. Welcome to the world of stink bugs, those persistent pests that love to crash our cozy fall parties.

How to Identify a Stink Bug

Stink bugs have a distinctive shield-like shape and a flattened body, typically measuring about half an inch to three-quarters of an inch long. They often display a mix of brown, green, or gray colors, with some species featuring bright markings. Their legs are long and slender, and they have a characteristic triangle-shaped structure on their backs, where the wings meet. They tend to move slowly and gather in groups.

Stink bugs also emit a strong, unpleasant odor when disturbed, hence the name.

The Fall Crawl

While we’re getting excited about pumpkin spice everything, stink bugs are on a mission. As the temperatures drop, these little critters start thinking, “Hey, it’s getting cold out here. Where can we crash for the winter?” And guess what? Your warm, cozy home looks like a five-star hotel to them.

But why fall? Well, stink bugs know winter is coming and they’re not fans of the cold. As soon as they feel that chill, they start looking for warm places to hunker down and wait out the chilly months. The fall crawl isn’t limited to stink bugs, either, as many pests from bugs to rodents partake.

How and Why Stink Bugs Sneak In

Stink bugs are experts at finding their way into homes. They can squeeze through the smallest cracks and gaps around your windows, doors and even through little openings around pipes. They are also attracted to light. So, when you’ve got your cozy lamps on in the evening, they’ll flock to your windows and doors, looking for any way to get to that warm glow.

Stink bugs aren’t trying to freeload off your heating bill (though it might feel that way); they’re just trying to survive. Your home provides the perfect temperature for them to enter a kind of bug hibernation called diapause.

But it’s not just about the warmth. Your home is full of great hiding spots. Those quiet corners in your attic, the spaces behind your walls, even the folds of your curtains to a stink bug, these are comfortable spots to stay safe.

Stink Bug Pest Control

Fortunately, a few simple pest control steps will keep stink bugs (and other unwanted guests) away from your property:

• Take a walk around your house and look for any cracks or openings. Seal these up with caulk or weather stripping.
• Ensure all your screens are in good shape; no holes, no tears.
• Consider changing your outdoor lights to yellow “bug lights.”
• Keep trees and shrubs trimmed away from your house. You’re basically removing the bugs’ red carpet to your home.

Remember, while stink bugs are nuisances, they’re just trying to survive. By taking these steps, you’re not hurting them; you’re just encouraging them to find a more natural winter home. So, as the leaves start to fall and you’re sipping your hot apple cider, take a moment to stink-bug-proof your home.

Source:

• EPA: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

The post These Stinky Little Pests Are Trying to Get Into Your House Before Winter appeared first on Family Handyman.

Article source here: These Stinky Little Pests Are Trying to Get Into Your House Before Winter

Billy Joel’s Long Island Mansion Is For Sale. Wait Until You See the Property Taxes

If you’re a Billy Joel fan with an extra $50 million to burn, now’s your chance to own a little bit of history. The legendary singer-songwriter is selling his dream home, called MiddleSea, on Long Island. Listed last year, realtors hosted an exclusive open house earlier this month, according to the New York Times, in the hope of luring prospective buyers interested in the 26-acre beachfront property. The price? A cool $49.9 million.

You get a lot of house, er, houses, for that.

Located on Centre Island, part of the town of Oyster Bay, Joel’s mansion features a main house, a guest house, a beach house, a gatehouse and a maintenance house, the smallest of the bunch checking in at just under 1,800 square feet. The main house is 20,000 square feet. Together, there are 18 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms nestled along 2,000 feet of shoreline. If the ocean’s too cold for you, the property also includes three swimming pools. There’s also a bowling alley if that’s more your speed. And while there’s plenty of room for a home gym too, you can also get your daily steps just by walking from one end of the property to the other, which the Times reporter notes takes about nine minutes.

It’s a 90-minute drive to New York City, but if you’re in a hurry, you can use the helipad to speed up your commute, assuming you have a helicopter (and, really, who doesn’t these days?)

He bought the house in 2002, and there’s a personal connection for him. Born in the Bronx and raised on Long Island, Joel grew up just down the road. He first saw it from an oyster boat as a kid, was taken by the “Gatsby sense” of it, and dreamt of owning it from that point on. The name, MiddleSea, is a reference to the first note piano players learnmiddle C.

Joel owns another property on Long Island, and he now lists Florida as his primary residence.

So why’s he selling what sounds like his dream home? Besides spending much of his time in the Sunshine State these days, the property taxes are just a little pricey, even for the Piano Man: the annual taxes on MiddleSea are a hefty $567,686.

The full listing is here, if you’re undaunted by that property tax bill. And if you’re not able to schedule a showing, or just curious, you can take a virtual tour via videk.

The post Billy Joel’s Long Island Mansion Is For Sale. Wait Until You See the Property Taxes appeared first on Family Handyman.

Article source here: Billy Joel’s Long Island Mansion Is For Sale. Wait Until You See the Property Taxes

How AI Can Help Scammers Hack Your Email

If youve got one of the world’s 2.5 billion Gmail accounts, theres a new scam going around that should be on your radar. Hackers are using an artificial intelligence (AI) ploy, posing as someone from Googles support team, to try and get users to reset their account via a fake portal, giving the would-be scammers access to your personal email account.

It’s a classic phishing scam, where a malicious actor tries to get you to give up personal information by pretending to be some kind of official customer service contact. However, what sets this one apart is the level of sophistication enabled by AI.

Heres how the latest scam works as first reported by Sam Mitrovic, a professional IT consultant who discovered the method when hackers tried it on him. He first received a notification from Google to approve an account recovery attempt. Less than an hour after declining that, he received a phone call that said it was from Google support in Sydney, Australia. He didnt answer.

A week later, the same thing happened, and when Mitrovic answered the phone call this time, he found himself talking to someone with an American-sounding voice. The voice asked him if he was traveling and whether or not he had tried to log into his account from Germany. It then informed him that someone had illegally accessed his account.

Quickly looking up the phone number, Mitrovic found that it matched the one from Googles support unit in Australia. He then asked the caller to send him a confirmation email, which he received shortly thereafter. At first glance, the email looked legit, showing a Google domain address. Upon further inspection, he noticed another address in the To field of the message from GoogleMail at InternalCaseTracking not a Google domain.

Phone numbers and email domains can be spoofed, another common tactic hackers use with phishing scams. But the real giveaway was when the caller said hello again after Mitrovic didnt respond to the first hello, a dead giveaway that he was talking to an AI-generated voice.

How To Avoid This Gmail Scam

So often, phony phishing scams are easy to spot. What makes this one so unsettling is its facade of legitimacy, from the legit-seeming email addresses to AI posing as a helpful human caller telling you that your account has already been compromised.

Its scary to get an official-sounding phone call from Google telling you that your account has been illegally accessed but stay calm and dont give them any information. Google support is not going to call you, unless you have a Google Business Profile connected to the account, so thats a red flag.

You can always look up the phone number. If its not from Google, that’s an immediate tipoff. Even if it says the number is from Google, as Mitrovic noticed in his case, hackers can (and frequently do) spoof those numbers and email addresses.

You should be suspicious of any account recovery notification that you didnt initiate. Thats often a sure sign of a phishing attempt.

Finally, you can review recent access attempts to your Gmail account to see if someone besides yourself has tried to log into it. Here’s how:

How to see if someone else tried to access your Gmail account.

Open Gmail in your browser and click on Details on the bottom right of the page. It will pull up a dialog box showing you the last 10 times your account was accesses along with the location of the IP address and the date and time of the login attempt.

The bottom line here is the same as with any potential online scam: stay vigilant and always be suspicious when someone is asking for your login information.

The post How AI Can Help Scammers Hack Your Email appeared first on Family Handyman.

Article source here: How AI Can Help Scammers Hack Your Email

We Found the Best Electric Coolers After Testing 10 Options

KARUNA EBERL FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN

Shop on Bouge RV

Shop at Walmart

Shop at Wellbots

Best Overall Electric Cooler

BougeRV Rocky 55QT Dual Zone 12V Portable Fridge

Shop on Bouge RV

Shop at Walmart

Shop at Wellbots

Pros:

• Dual-zone
• Affordable for its capacity
• Battery/solar option
• Light for its capacity
• Rugged look
• Removable compartment divider

Cons:

• Small-capacity battery (add-on purchase)
• No wheels

We’re awarding BougeRV’s Rocky 55-quart electric cooler best in show because of its versatility, size, weight, depth of features and affordability. After testing it out, it’s become our go-to mid-size electric cooler.

BougeRV’s Rocky series was designed for overlanding, which means multi-day off-road adventures. Testing challenge accepted! Since it’s designed for rough and tumble situations, the Rocky 55 is fitted with a flashy, durable stainless steel exterior that’s strong enough to withstand 664 pounds loaded on top of it. The Rocky is also efficient on power, drawing just 45 watts in eco-mode. As a bonus, the metal casing is also fingerprint resistant, so it stayed looking fresh, even when we did not.

The Rocky 55 is a true dual-zone model, which means you can assign each of its two compartments to be a fridge or a freezer. It also has a removable divider between them, which we found to be particularly handy when we were trying to fit a rack of ribs and a big bunch of chard. It would also be great for anglers or hunters who needed some extra length to store their catch.

As an upsell, you can buy a 173 Wh battery to run it off of, which can take 100W of solar (panel also sold separately). While most other manufacturers make unrealistic claims about how long their batteries will last under real-world conditions, BougeRV is refreshingly honest and spot-on with theirs: expect it to last only around four hours on eco-mode in hot weather. Of course, as with most electric coolers, you can also run it off of your car’s 12V socket, a regular AC wall plug or a portable power station. If you’re going that latter route, for any sizable electric cooler, plan on about 1,000 watt-hours per day (or better yet, 1,500 to be safe).

The Rocky 55 is also compact and lightweight for its capacity, not much larger on the outside than the Anker EverFrost 30, Bluetti MultiCooler, or EcoFlow Glacier, but with quite a bit more room inside. It’s also about 6 pounds lighter.

The Rocky’s biggest (perhaps only) flaw is that it doesn’t have wheels, making it more awkward to transport. Unless you’re particularly burly, you’ll want to do a team carry with this (and most other electric coolers, for that matter).

BougeRV’s rocky series comes in 41- to 81-quart sizes, and the company also makes several other lines of portable coolers.

Specs

• 55-quart capacity
• Dual-zone, independently assignable
• 44 pounds
• AC and DC power
• Optional pairing with 173 Wh battery
• Built-in battery compartment
• Solar charging (100W max, only with battery)
• 2-year warranty
• 60-watt average power draw
• Cooling to -4 degrees F
• Flush mount aluminum handles
• Removable compartment divider
• App control
• Bottle opener
• Door-activated LED light
• Cupholders
• Drain

The post We Found the Best Electric Coolers After Testing 10 Options appeared first on Family Handyman.

Article source here: We Found the Best Electric Coolers After Testing 10 Options

Saatva vs. Avocado Mattress: Our Editors Tried Both for a Year, Here’s Our Verdict

Choosing the right mattressespecially when shopping onlinecan be a nightmare. There are countless retailers, all of which make bold claims about things like comfort, technology and luxury materials. With so many big-brand bedding companies claiming to be the best, how do you decide which mattress to go with? Dont fret; weve got you covered like a cozy comforter.

Ill give you the scoop on two big bedding brands: Saatva vs. Avocado. Then, Ill break down details and specs on a popular mattress pick from both brands, each of which has been individually tested by our shopping experts. Before writing this piece, I also chatted with Derek Hales, Founder and CEO of NapLab. Hales has tested over 390 mattresses and hundreds of other sleep products, and hes tested the two mattresses were discussing here: the Saatva Classic Mattress and the Avocado Ultimate Organic Mattress.

The biggest difference between the Avocado Ultimate Organic and Saatva Classic is simply mattress type and material construction, Hales says. The Avocado is an organic, all-natural latex hybrid, and the Saatva is a more traditional coil style mattress. Below, we will get into all the details about each brand and mattress, and well let you know how sleeping on each mattress went for our shopping editors.

Saatva vs. Avocado: What’s the Difference?

Saatvas motto is premium quality without traditional retail markups. By cutting out the middleman, Saatva can offer direct-to-you pricing and luxury products at a much lower price than other luxury retailers. On the other hand, Avocado’s mission is to make healthy sleep accessible and affordable to all. Avocados luxury organic mattresses are made from non-toxic, natural and affordable materials.

When it comes to the brands most popular mattress models, the Saatva Classic versus Avocado Ultimate Organic, our shopping editors slept on each one for more than an entire year. Thats right: We tested each mattress for more than 365 nights. Heres what we learned.

All About the Saatva Classic Mattress

The Saatva Classic Mattress has a multi-layer coiled structure that starts with a pillow topper and high-density memory foam, then individually wrapped coils and a base coiled unit that allows for better airflow and a cooler nights sleep. The layers of responsive coils reduce potential sleep disruptions caused by movement, so if you share a bed, your tossing and turning wont disturb your partner.

As for materials, the Saatva Classic is free of fiberglass and chemical flame retardants. Plus, its made with an antimicrobial treatment to prevent the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. The organic cotton cover is hypoallergenic, too.

The mattress is offered in eight sizes (twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, California king and split California king) and has two height options: 11.5 and 14.5 inches. Additionally, there are three firmness levels to choose from: plush soft, luxury firm and firm.

Our tester, Editor Madi Koetting, picked the luxury firm model for her Saatva mattress review, which falls in the middle regarding firmness. The luxury firm feel offers plush comfort and support, which is great if you struggle with back pain. It’s also the optimal option for combo sleepers (side, stomach, back) and a good option if you and your partner desire different firmness levels.

The dual-coil design will help disperse body heat if you’re a hot sleeper. Plus, the organic cotton cover is breathable, which helps keep you cool. Its also one-sided, so you wont have to worry about flipping the mattress every few months.

Complimentary white glove service is included with every purchase of a Saatva mattress. The company will send a delivery team to set up your bed and remove your old mattressfree of charge. Saatva also offers a 365-night home trial, so you can return a mattress if its not right for you. If you fall in love with it like Koetting did, you can expect it to last for years with a lifetime warranty guarding against any defects.

After one year of use, I can confidently say that switching from an ultra-plush memory foam bed to the Saatva luxury firm hybrid mattress was an excellent decision. I used to wake up with neck and lower back pain due to sinking into my previous mattress, but now I wake up refreshed thanks to my Saatva bed, Koetting says. I also appreciate that the mattress hasnt become super plush over time, and I rest easy knowing this investment bed will last me and my partner several years.

If hotel-level firmness isnt your thing, youre in luck, Koetting adds. This Saatva hybrid pick is also available in a plush soft firmness level and a firm level, which is even less plush than the luxury firm model. I highly recommend the plush soft option for sleepers who are unwilling to give up that luxurious ‘burrowing’ feeling.”

VIA MERCHANT

Shop at Saatva

Product Comparison

Saatva Classic Mattress

Shop at Saatva

Pros:

• Combines the best elements of different mattress styles
• Innerspring system reduces motion transfer
• Two height options: 11.5 and 14.5 inches
• Designed to prevent overheating
• White-glove delivery and removal of old mattress included
• Three comfort level options: plush soft, luxury firm and firm
• Available in eight mattress sizes
• 365-night trial and lifetime warranty

Cons:

• On the expensive side

All About the Avocado Ultimate Organic Mattress

Every Avocado mattress is handcrafted using 100% certified organic materials. Unlike conventional mattresses, organic mattresses are made with natural materials like wool, cotton and latex, which ensures theyre free of potentially toxic foams, chemical fire retardants and off-gassing materials.

The Avocado Ultimate Organic Mattress has a medium-firm feel, what Avocado calls a gentle firm. A medium firmness level is great for anyone with back pain, stomach and side sleepers, and heavier individuals. The plush version of the mattress, which adds an extra two inches of support, is ideal for side sleepers because it provides additional pressure relief. Additionally, the innerspring layer is divided into five support zones to distribute weight evenly across the mattress, providing immediate pressure relief for the shoulders, back and hips.

Regarding temperature control, a two-inch, all-natural latex foam is a comfort layer, which most sleepers find cooler than memory foam. To add additional cooling effects, we recommend topping the mattress with a set of cooling sheets. Below the latex are individually wrapped coils to reduce motion transfer. The button-tufted top layer is crafted from soft organic cotton with moisture-wicking properties.

Editor Megan Wood used to review luxury hotel mattresses. She says, Ive tossed and turned on my fair share of expensive but sagging beds and woken up with an achy back. After testing the Avocado Green mattress for more than 365 nights, she says, Vacations aside, Ive slept on the Avocado Green mattress for an entire year, and Im thrilled to report that Im just as happy with it now as I was on the first night.

I used to sleep on my side with a pillow between my knees for better alignment. With the Avocado Green mattress, I ditched the pillow, Wood says. The mattress has held up to the addition of my boyfriend and his dog on most nights. I havent experienced any sagging, worn spots or discomfort. And I sleep better knowing my loved ones arent inhaling fire retardants through the night. Sleeping with a pillow between my knees is a distant memory.

My only change was to invest in a mattress protector to keep the Avocado clean and free from stains and spills, Wood adds. Ive recommended the Avocado to multiple friends who are also thrilled with the upgrade to better sleep with fewer chemicals.

VIA MERCHANT

Shop at Avocado

Product Comparison

Avocado Ultimate Organic Mattress

Shop at Avocado

Pros:

• Supportive and comfortable with layers of plush materials and pocketed coils
• Individually wrapped coils reduce motion transfer
• Certified organic, fair trade and non-toxic
• Company focuses on reducing environmental impact
• May help reduce back pain
• Full replacement for the first 10 years, and 25-year limited warranty
• Endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association

Cons:

• Pricey
• Slightly sweet wool smell took a few weeks to disappear

People Always Ask

Is Saatva good for back pain?

According to other real-world tested customer reviews, Saatva is good for back pain, neck pain and other sleeping-related discomforts because it offers a plush feel with enough support for a wide range of sleeping positions.

Does Saatva mattress need a box spring?

According to the company website, whether youll need to use a box spring with your Saatva mattress depends on the base youre putting it on. If you have a platform bed, adjustable base or an existing mattress support system thats in good shape, you probably wont need to purchase a new box spring.

Are Avocado mattresses environmentally friendly?

Avocados long list of organic certifications includes Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program. The company has net-zero carbon emissions, making its mattresses ideal choices for eco-conscious shoppers.

Saatva vs. Avocado: The Bottom Line

I asked Derek Halesas someone who has tested both the Avocado and Saatva mattresses for himselfto pinpoint the primary differences. Heres the bottom line regarding Saatva versus Avocado: Avocado’s latex hybrid design gives it a more polarizing feel. Latex as a material type is highly durable, but it’s also springy, resilient, heavy and dense, and it creates a more generalized body contouring hug. This feeling is neither good nor bad, but it is specific, he says. To be comfortable on the Avocado matress, you’ll need to absolutely love the feel of latex.

The Saatva Classic is built from layers of coils and foam and designed to create a balanced and even feel that many different types of sleepers can enjoy, he says. It’s also available in three firmness levels, which means a wide range of people with different body types and sleeping positions will find it comfortable. In my view, Saatva Classic is a mattress made for mass appeal.

When asked about the performance between the two, Hales said the Saatva had better cooling, higher bounce, and significantly better pressure relief. The Avocados advantage is its slightly better material responsiveness (due to the latex top layers).

Where to Buy the Saatva Classic Mattress

The Saatva Classic Mattress can only be purchased through thecompanys website. A queen-sized mattress retails for $2,095, but the company frequently runs sales and deals.

Where to Buy the Avocado Ultimate Organic Mattress

Avocado has a handful of stores in states like California, New York and Colorado. However, youll likely have to shop online, where you can compare mattresses, chat with customer support and more. A queen-sized, medium-firm Avocado Ultimate Organic Mattress sells for $2,800.

The post Saatva vs. Avocado Mattress: Our Editors Tried Both for a Year, Here’s Our Verdict appeared first on Family Handyman.

Article source here: Saatva vs. Avocado Mattress: Our Editors Tried Both for a Year, Here’s Our Verdict

The Dormeo Mattress Topper is the Best Amazon Purchase You’ll Make This Year

If there’s one thing you should prioritize, it’s your sleep. After all, scientists estimate that we spend at least one-third of our lives sleeping. Purchasing a new mattress seems like the obvious solution if you’re looking to eliminate aches and pains or simply improve the overall quality of your sleep. However, a new mattress is a big investment. If that’s not in the budget right now, don’t worry. There are other, more cost-effective ways to ensure you sleep comfortably through the night. Investing in a new mattress topper is a great place to start.

The best mattress toppers actually extend the life of your mattress. Some toppers change the feel entirely while others drastically improve your sleep quality by providing pressure relief, alleviating back pain or regulating your body temperature. And much like a mattress protector, they prevent spills, sweat and other stains from making it into the mattress itself. We tested nine mattress toppers, specifically looking for those that are best for side sleepers. The Dormeo Mattress Topper was our top Amazon pick. Here’s everything you need to know before adding it to your cart.

What is the Dormeo Mattress Topper?

The Dormeo Mattress Topper is a memory foam topper with medium firmness. It features innovative Octaspring technology to facilitate a cooler and more supportive sleep surface. What really sets the Dormeo mattress topper apart from other models is its three-zone support. Firmer Octasprings cradle your hips and back in the middle of the topper while softer Octasprings make up the zones around your shoulders and legs.

The Dormeo mattress topper has a non-slip bottom and adjustable corner straps to keep it in place.

LEAH GROTH FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN

Shop on Amazon

we tried it

Dormeo Premium Mattress Topper

The Dormeo mattress topper's 3 zone support offers targeted pressure point relief.

Shop on Amazon

How We Tested It

Delivery and Setup

As someone who struggles with back pain, our tester, Leah Groth, was happy to try the Dormeo Mattress Topper on her Purple mattress. The topper arrived in a single box that Groth was able to bring inside and up a flight of stairs on her own. The topper itself, which Groth estimates to be around 30 pounds, was folded and wrapped in plastic. The heavy weight of this topper made it difficult to maneuver once it was unwrapped. “Carrying and setup was a one-person job. It was very easy to get up the stairs without struggling,” she says. “Once opened, however, it is harder to maneuver than the others [that I’ve tried]. It is heavier and less flexible.”

Once Groth managed to position the topper on her bed, she appreciated the fact that it didn’t need time to inflate or off-gas. The only thing she didn’t like about the Dormeo mattress topper was its size. According to Groth, there was quite a bit of overhang when placed on the mattress. Fortunately, the overhang didn’t affect the overall comfort or support of the topper and it stayed on well thanks to the adjustable corner straps.

Sleep Testing

After sleeping on the Dormeo mattress topper for five nights, Groth noticed an improvement in her back. “Because the topper is so firm, it prevents my back from sinking into the bed,” she explains. “However, it provides support at pressure points. I definitely noticed that my back was less achy and my neck didn’t feel so strained after sleeping on it for a few nights.” She also found the topper to be cooling and breathable with a high-quality feel.

Groth loved how supported she felt while sleeping on the Dormeo mattress topper. However, she notes that there is some room for improvement. Though the topper is advertised as having a medium-firm feel, Groth found it to be a bit too firm for her liking.

“It was a little too firm for me and I didn’t love the Octaspring technology, which is supposed to provide targeted pressure point relief,” explains Groth. “I prefer a softer mattress, especially for side sleeping, as I tend to shift positions in the night. While it did offer pressure point relief for side sleeping, I didn’t feel super comfortable.”

Additionally, Groth would have preferred a smoother cover. She could feel the hexagon impressions through her sheets.

Overall, Groth recommends the Dormeo mattress topper to anyone who likes the feel of a firm sleep surface. “It is definitely well-made with high quality materials,” she says. “And it’s thick.” We recommend pairing it with a medium-firm mattress like the Cocoon Chill or luxurious Saatva Classic Mattress.

Pros

• Three-zone support distributes weight evenly
• Targeted pressure point relief
• Machine-washable cover
• Adjustable corner straps
• Available in seven sizes
• Arrives quickly via Prime shipping

Cons

• Pricey
• Hexagon grid can be felt through linens

Why You Should Trust Us

AtFamily Handyman, our team of editors and testers are always excited to try new products. We especially love testing products that enhance the quality of our sleep. We sent this mattress topper to long-term tester Leah Groth.

Groth put this topper on her own mattress and slept on it for five nights. During that time, she focused on its overall comfort and performance, paying special attention to how well it alleviated her back and neck aches. She also considered how easy it was to unpack and place on the bed, whether or not it had any odors and its overall value. “It is good quality, thick, and seems like it would last a long time,” raves Groth. “It may even get more comfortable over time. And the waterproof cover keeps it super protected.”

FAQ

Is the Dormeo mattress topper good for side sleepers?

The Dormeo mattress topper is designed for all sleeping positions. However, its smart three-zone support provides the appropriate amount of support for each part of your body. Firmer Octasprings in the middle of the topper offer much needed support for your hips, making the Dormeo mattress topper ideal for side sleepers.

How thick are Dormeo mattress toppers?

The Dormeo Mattress Topper we tested is 3 inches thick.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

The Dormeo mattress topper has over 1,940 five-star reviews on Amazon with customers raving about its overall comfort and ability to alleviate back pain. Here’s what they had to say.

One Amazon customer insists that the Dormeo mattress topper completely changed the feel of their 9-year-old Tempur-Pedic mattress. “It has definitely improved the quality of my sleep and has improved the comfort of my 9-year-old Tempur-Pedic hybrid mattress,” they write. “I’ve slept on this topper for 2 weeks now and I absolutely love it! I’m a side sleeper and this cushions my hips. I sleep soundly without waking up with hip pain. Very happy and definitely recommend it.”

Happy in the Sunshine, another five-star reviewer, couldn’t be happier that they purchased this mattress topper in spite of it being a lesser-known brand.

“I bought this topper because of my back pain and because I sleep hot. Bam! This made all the difference. Pain is better and the bed doesn’t overheat like it does with regular memory foam,” raves Happy. “This brand never gets mentioned when you search the internet for best toppers. But guess what? It was rated number one by Consumer’s Union so I bought it. I’m glad I did.”

And five-star reviewer Ms. Gloria D is sleeping better than ever thanks to this topper.

“This mattress topper definitely supports the body, and I do sleep well now,” she writes. “It has helped with my sensitive pressure points and Im pleased with the thickness and appearance. Definitely cooler than the foam gel one that I tossed out.”

Dormeo Mattress Topper vs. Dreamsmith Memory Foam Mattress Topper

A search for memory foam mattress toppers on Amazon will yield thousands of results so finding the best one can feel like an impossible feat. We tested two highly rated memory foam mattress toppers from Amazon: the Dormeo mattress topper and the Dreamsmith mattress topper. Both mattress toppers are made of supportive memory foam and have adjustable straps to keep them securely in place. Moreover, they both have removable covers that can be tossed in the washing machine.

Starting at $282, the Dormeo mattress topper is slightly more than double the price of the Dreamsmith. The Dormeo offers three-zone support and has Octaspring technology which allows air to circulate, making this topper breathable and cooling.

The Dreamsmith comes in five sizes, three thickness levels and starts at $120. It is supportive and comfortable, but keep in mind that this mattress topper will need time to expand after being positioned on your bed.

Final Verdict

If youre looking for a way to spruce up your old mattress, then the Dormeo mattress topper is an excellent choice. This temperature regulating mattress topper offers targeted pressure point relief and all-over support so you’ll wake up well-rested.

Where to Buy the Dormeo Mattress Topper

The Dormeo Mattress Topper is available on Amazon. It’s available in seven sizes and starts at $282. Best of all, it’s eligible for Prime two-day shipping which means you’ll be on your way to better sleep in no time.

LEAH GROTH FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN

Shop on Amazon

we tried it

Dormeo Premium Mattress Topper

Breathable memory foam, a machine washable cover and adjustable corner straps make this Dormeo mattress topper one of our top picks.

Shop on Amazon

The post The Dormeo Mattress Topper is the Best Amazon Purchase You’ll Make This Year appeared first on Family Handyman.

Article source here: The Dormeo Mattress Topper is the Best Amazon Purchase You’ll Make This Year

Essential Tips For Wiring An Unfinished Garage

How are you feeling about your unfinished garage? Is it well-lit? Does it have enough receptacles to plug in your tools and gadgets? Are you relying on extension cords to reach the far corners? I had an unfinished, detached garage that was built when Model T cars were the latest innovation. So, even though I’m a licensed electrician, I never bothered updating it. But I could have, and you can, too and it might just be a big upgrade to your quality of life.

Garage wiring requirements get updated periodically, and different jurisdictions follow different code cycles. Check with your city permitting office to see what code cycle they enforce. The below requirements are based on the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC), but they’re not exhaustive. If you have any questions or aren’t comfortable working with electricity, call in a pro.

Do I Need a Permit to Wire My Garage?

You might verify with your city’s electrical inspector. My jurisdiction allows me to install up to six receptacles and/or one new circuit on my own home without getting a permit, but your city likely has different rules. Many places require licensed electrical contractors to obtain the permit, even if it’s okay for the homeowner to do the work. Remember that if you do need a permit, you’ll also need an inspection when the work is done.

Garage Wiring Basics

Garage wiring requirements change fairly often because our needs are constantly evolving. Tools, electric vehicle (EV) charging and other garage accessories get bigger and more powerful every year. Here are the 2023 NEC basics, and also some general wiring tips.

Branch circuit requirements

All attached garages and detached, powered garages need one 20-amp circuit that feeds receptacles. If you have a single-car garage, you can also power the lights, but for garages with more than one “vehicle bay,” this 20-amp circuit is for receptacles only you can’t supply the lighting or anything else. It’s perfectly fine to add additional circuits, though, as long as they are 15 amps or greater.

Houses built as recently as 10 years ago might only have a 15-amp garage circuit (the 20-amp requirement was added in 2017). But if you use shop tools or have a portable EV charger, you probably know why the NEC upped the circuit amperage: They draw a lot of power. If everything in your garage is on a 15-amp circuit, and you fire up the table saw or plug in a 16-amp EV charger, the breaker’s going to trip.

Speaking of EVs, any charger over 16 amps must be on an individual branch circuit, meaning the circuit is dedicated to that use only.

Receptacle requirements

The NEC requires one receptacle for each vehicle bay, and they can’t be higher than 5 1/2 feet off the floor. These receptacles must be powered by the 20-amp circuit. You can have more receptacles on this circuit or add additional circuits for other receptacles, but the vehicle bay ones must be on the 20-amp. It’s also acceptable to add outdoor receptacles to your garage circuits (the 20-amp one or any additional circuit you add).

Every receptacle in the garage and outside must be protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI), which can be breakers or receptacles. Keep in mind that GFCIs must be installed in readily accessible locations, so don’t put a GFCI receptacle on the ceiling by your garage door opener or behind the fridge. Use other receptacles to protect these inaccessible ones, or use a breaker.

Lighting requirements

The inside of your garage (attached or detached and powered) must have a lighting outlet that’s controlled by a listed wall switch or controller. This light cannot be fed by the 20-amp garage receptacle circuit unless you have a single-car garage. You also need a lighting outlet outside any exterior door that’s accessible from grade level. It’s a good idea to use three-way switching to control the interior light so you can turn it on and off from either door, but it’s not required. The exterior light can be controlled by a switch, remote, central or automatic means.

One thing to consider: If you put lights and receptacles together, and something trips the GFCI, you will be left in the dark until you can reset the tripped breaker or receptacle. For this reason, many electricians run lights separately from other branch circuits.

Protect Your Wiring

The NEC requires that exposed non-metallic sheathed cable (NM-B), aka Romex, be protected from physical damage, and unfinished garages are full of things that could snag your wire and cause a fire or shock incident. People often ask if they can run cables vertically alongside and horizontally through the studs in a garage. The answer? Yes, but you have to follow some rules.

• Maintain 1-1/4 inch depth. Keep cable at least 1-1/4 inches from any edge of wood studs, joists or rafters, and never staple it to the face of framing members, where it could get hung up on something you’re carrying.
• Use nail plates. If you can’t maintain a 1-1/4 inch depth when you bore holes through the studs, use nail plates. These protective metal plates attach to the front of the stud to prevent a nail or screw from being driven into the cable. If you have metal studs with pre-punched holes, add bushings when bringing NM-B cable through.
• Use care with finished walls. If you have a garage wall that’s concrete block or already finished with drywall, consider using conduit or metallic sheathed cable instead of NM-B if the run will be within reach of people or tools. The NEC requires you protect NM-B from physical damage “where necessary,” which can sometimes be a judgment call.
• Support your cables. NM-B must be secured every 4-1/2 feet, and can’t be draped over joists or other things in your ceiling without proper support. Running cable horizontally through studs is considered support.
• Secure cables at boxes. Secure NM-B cable within 12 inches of boxes unless you have a single gang, non-metallic box without integrated clamps that’s no more than 2-1/2 inches by 4 inches in size. (In that case, secure the cable within 8 inches of the box).

FAQ

Does the garage door opener need a dedicated circuit?

No. The 2023 NEC allows all receptacles in the garage to be fed from the 20-amp circuit, including one on the ceiling for the garage door opener. You can also add it to any additional circuits. But, if the listing or labeling requires you to use an individual branch circuit, the NEC says you must follow the listing.

Sources

National Electrical Code (2023). National Fire Protection Association.

The post Essential Tips For Wiring An Unfinished Garage appeared first on Family Handyman.

Article source here: Essential Tips For Wiring An Unfinished Garage