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 flowing through a circuit. It looks simple, but it’s a complex electronic device. Electricity flows like water through a circuit. The GFCI measures this flow; if the device is operating […]

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 a sturdy plug and outlet. Make sure the cord is in good condition. Some basic rules: Never run an extension cord through a doorway where it could get damaged. Never […]

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 that’s not so. Often, it’s easy to wash dirt from the surface of the underlying finish is in good shape. Some professionals use a pressure washer on siding, but that […]

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 valve. Or maybe your drip occurs at the small needle valve for the icemaker or the humidifier – turn the valve and the darned thing leaks. Maybe you wire a […]

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 from one surface, leaving a large gap. Or you tried to fill a wider gap, and the caulk just fell in the hole. What went wrong? No backer rod. Before […]

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 kind with a switch at both the top and the bottom of the stairs. Sometimes it’s up/switch off, and sometimes up/switch on. The name relates to switching the power line […]

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 checks on the door. First, look for a safety label near the control button or the overhead door. It will tell you how to safely operate the door and test […]

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 heard your water heater thumping, popping or even hissing when you turn on the tap. This is a fairly common problem that has many causes and solutions. The most common […]

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 through to damage your home. It is vital to keep water away from your foundation. That’s true whether your home is built on a slab or has crawl spaces or […]

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 may be essential to air out the house when you have just fried some bacon, and the kitchen exhaust fan can’t remove the odor. But if you open the window, […]