Should You Insulate Your Attic?
Attic insulation is one of the highest-payoff energy upgrades a house can get. How to tell if yours is thin and what adding more changes.
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A closer look. Better decisions.
Field notes and practical answers for homebuyers, homeowners, sellers, and property professionals across the DC region.
Why Is the Toilet Flushing Itself?
A toilet that refills on its own is ghost flushing, and the culprit is usually a worn flapper leaking water into the bowl. An easy fix.
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A Better Way to Hang a Heavy Mirror
Skip the juggling act with multiple hooks. A wall-mounted bracket makes hanging a heavy mirror or picture safer, straighter and less frustrating.
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How To fix A Squeaky Door Hinge
A squeaky hinge takes about two minutes to silence. The right lubricants to use, the ones to skip, and how to keep the noise from returning.
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Protect Your Family from Scalding Hot Water
Tap water above 120 degrees scalds quickly, especially for children. How to dial the water heater down and what the change saves in energy.
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5-in-1 Tool Makes Painting Easier
What a 5-in-1 painter's tool actually does, from opening cans to scraping and cleaning rollers, and why one belongs in every paint kit.
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Repair A Whistling Shower Head
A whistling or uneven shower head usually means mineral buildup. Soak away the deposits and restore a quiet, even spray in an afternoon.
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Back flow Prevention at Your Hose Bib
A garden hose can siphon contaminated water back into your supply. How backflow happens at the hose bib and the small device that stops it.
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The Patio Screen Door is Stuck
A dragging patio screen door usually needs its track cleaned and its rollers adjusted. Ten minutes of maintenance gets it gliding again.
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Is Your Roof Worn Out?
Roofs near the end of their lifespan start telegraphing it. The wear signs that come before leaks and how to judge how much life is left.
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Inside Info on an Outdoor Fixture
Hose bibs freeze and split when winter catches them wet. Draining, insulating and shutoff steps that protect the outdoor faucet this season.
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No “Ding-Dong” Sound at the Bell
A dead doorbell is usually a worn button, not bad wiring. How to test and replace the button yourself before calling an electrician.
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