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 also have a professional check it from time to time. Water, weather, and freezing conditions eventually take a toll, even on stone and brick. From the ground, you can do […]
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 from the roof for use around your yard. This also helps solve problems with excessive water runoff that overloads rivers and streams. Start by doing a little online research. Your […]
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 the long run, you can save money and keep the concrete looking like new. In northern climates, snow-melting chemicals and freeze-and-thaw cycles can damage the concrete. Salt penetrates the surface […]
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 hear the crunch of breaking glass – yuck! A new and messy fix-it job. To prevent a bulb from sticking in the first place, lubricate its round metal threads with […]
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 now when you need it? You don’t want to spend money on a service call if you don’t have to, so check these things first. All heating appliances have an […]
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 also make our homes more comfortable. One of the biggest energy-wasters is the trap door to the attic. In many cases there is no weatherstripping or insulation around it. Warm […]
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. What’s going on? There may be a quick fix. The spout often contains an aerator that introduces air into the water, so the flow seems stronger, even though the flow […]
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 making sure you match the plug with the correct electrical outlet. Once upon a time, you could insert a two-prong plug the wrong way into a wall outlet, resulting in […]
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 it down, and the stopper pops up to drain the sink; lift it , and the stopper closes. Most of these mechanisms need adjustments from time to time, and many […]
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 gas appliances are required to have a special valve located on the pipe near the appliance. Look at your gas cooking range – you should see a valve just behind […]