Take a Close Look at Your Chimney
Brick and stone chimneys are certainly attractive and add value to your home, but they aren’t maintenance-free. You need to visually check your chimney and… Read More »Take a Close Look at Your Chimney
June 2019
Gather Free Water with a Rain Barrel
Yes, you can be green, save money on your utility bills, and still water your plants and garden. Consider a rain barrel to catch water… Read More »Gather Free Water with a Rain Barrel
Why Should You Seal Exterior Concrete?
In most climates, you don’t ever need to seal exterior concrete drives and walks. But there are advantages to using a good sealer, and in… Read More »Why Should You Seal Exterior Concrete?
Tricks for Replacing a Broken Light Bulb
Light bulbs in exterior fixtures and damp locations like bathrooms are notorious for sticking in the socket. Turning the dead bulb to replace it, you… Read More »Tricks for Replacing a Broken Light Bulb
No Heat? Try This Before Calling for Service
As autumn settles in, there’s no heat in your house, and it’s getting cold. The furnace worked fine in the spring. Why is it stubborn… Read More »No Heat? Try This Before Calling for Service
What’s Your Home’s Largest Energy-Waster?
We all work hard at tightening up our homes to save energy and money. In fact, most energy improvements are good for the environment and… Read More »What’s Your Home’s Largest Energy-Waster?
When Your Kitchen Faucet Slows Down
Your plumbing system works fine everywhere in the house – except at the kitchen sink, where the volume and force of water are petering out.… Read More »When Your Kitchen Faucet Slows Down
Use the Right Plug…or Else
Electrical plugs and outlets are designed to keep you safe from electrical shock and to protect the device you’re using. Take advantage of this by… Read More »Use the Right Plug…or Else
Pop-Up Stopper Sticks
Most bathroom sinks have a “pop-up” sink stopper that opens and closes when you operate a small knob or lever built into the faucet. Push… Read More »Pop-Up Stopper Sticks
Turn That Gas Off
If your home has natural gas or propane appliances, you should know where the gas valves are located and how to turn them off. All… Read More »Turn That Gas Off
Compact Fluorescents
OK, for many years compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) were a bit of a pain. They provided an eerie color, took a long time to reach… Read More »Compact Fluorescents
Fixing a Drip at the Bathroom Fan
So you run the bath exhaust fan to remove moisture – but then you get that drip, drip, drip from the fan on your nice… Read More »Fixing a Drip at the Bathroom Fan
The Rain May Drain, But It’s Not a Pain
When a rain gutter and downspout send their discharge below grade to a pipe, it may appear that rainwater is draining into a sanitary sewer,… Read More »The Rain May Drain, But It’s Not a Pain
GFCI? What? Why?
You may not know what a GFCI is, but chances are it’s making your home safer. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) measures the current… Read More »GFCI? What? Why?
Extension Cord Safety
You should view extension cords as a necessary evil. Avoid using them. If you must use an extension cord, use a heavy duty cord with… Read More »Extension Cord Safety
Wash Siding – Work Up
All types of siding eventually accumulate dirt and grime, maybe even some mildew. It might make you think you need to paint the siding. But… Read More »Wash Siding – Work Up
A Drip at the Darned Valve – Again
Let’s say that every time you turn the small globe valve for the outdoor hose bib, you get that drip-drip-drip from the body of the… Read More »A Drip at the Darned Valve – Again
Caulking the Wide Open Spaces
So you filled that wide gap in the exterior trim with the best caulk you could buy, and the next year it had pulled away… Read More »Caulking the Wide Open Spaces
Three-Way, Two-Way or One-Way Switch?
Home systems have some strange terminology. Why are the two light switches that control one light fixture called a three-way switch? You know – the… Read More »Three-Way, Two-Way or One-Way Switch?
Garage Door Safety
What is the largest, heaviest moving object in your home? You got it – the garage door. So it makes sense to do frequent safety… Read More »Garage Door Safety
Thump, It’s the Water Heater
Water Heater Making Noise It’s annoying when your water heater thumps, pops, and whomps whenever you use hot water. What can you do? You’ve probably… Read More »Thump, It’s the Water Heater
An Easy Fix for a Nasty Water Problem
Water, water, and water – the three most damaging elements to a home. Water at or below ground level leaks in moves under, and pushes… Read More »An Easy Fix for a Nasty Water Problem
The Crafty Way to Outwit Window Drafts
On many cold, sunny days it would be great to air out your home without feeling a nasty cold draft from an open window. It… Read More »The Crafty Way to Outwit Window Drafts
My Concrete Has Cracked
You know the old saying: two things in life are certain – death and taxes. Well, I can add a third certainty to the mix:… Read More »My Concrete Has Cracked
Why Use Primer When Painting?
Why Use Primer When Painting Your Home If you are painting, priming the wall would be a good idea. Primer helps your paint adhere to… Read More »Why Use Primer When Painting?
Is It Plumb, Level, or Square?
We like to check to see if things are on the level – or should we say “plumb”? Is a wall plumb or level? Is… Read More »Is It Plumb, Level, or Square?
Get Smart About Exterior Electrical Safety
You have heard about how dangerous high-voltage electrical wires can be: never touch a downed wire…storms can damage wires and so on. But what about… Read More »Get Smart About Exterior Electrical Safety
Should You Insulate Your Attic?
Homeowners are always looking for ways to save energy while making our homes more comfortable. One of the easiest ways of doing this is to… Read More »Should You Insulate Your Attic?
Why Is the Toilet Flushing Itself?
OK, so you just heard the toilet flush in the middle of the night. No one else is in the house, and you don’t think… Read More »Why Is the Toilet Flushing Itself?
A Better Way to Hang a Heavy Mirror
I have done this, and I bet you have too: You work hard to hang a heavy picture or mirror on the wall using several… Read More »A Better Way to Hang a Heavy Mirror
How To fix A Squeaky Door Hinge
While a squeeky door may have a few advantages – you can tell when the kids come and go – in general, a squeaky door… Read More »How To fix A Squeaky Door Hinge
Protect Your Family from Scalding Hot Water
At one time or another, we all have turned on a hot water faucet and been caught unaware by steaming hot water. You may have… Read More »Protect Your Family from Scalding Hot Water
5-in-1 Tool Makes Painting Easier
While painting is a bit of a chore, the right tools can help you get the job done easier and faster. Lots of small tools… Read More »5-in-1 Tool Makes Painting Easier
Repair A Whistling Shower Head
Singing in the shower takes on a new dimension when you’re accompanied by a whistling shower head. No matter how you vary the pitch and… Read More »Repair A Whistling Shower Head