Category: Home Improvements
Is Sick House Syndrome Making You Ill?
Today’s energy-efficient houses have reduced carbon emissions and saved homeowners billions in utility costs. But these airtight homes can prevent toxic substances from escaping. The same can happen in poorly ventilated spaces. The result is known as sick house syndrome, which can make a home’s occupants ill. Here’s what you
October To-Dos: Prepping Your Home for Fall
October ushers in cooler temperatures, brilliant fall foliage, and a bountiful harvest. Take advantage of all three as you prep your home and family for your favorite fall customs and traditions. Inventory the family’s outdoor cold-weather gear. Are last year’s jackets, coats, hats and gloves in good condition and do
Eliminating Musty Smells in the Basement
Dark, scary basements are a common trope in horror movies, but in real life, you are more likely to confront a dank odor than a ghost. Here’s how to get rid of musty smells in the basement. The source of dank smells The most likely source of musty odors is
Professional Painting Tips For the DIYer
Many homeowners attempt painting as a DIY project, thinking it does not require a high level of expertise. But there is more to painting than you might think. So let’s get you primed to paint with these professional painting tips. Choosing paint Consider your furnishings when choosing your paint color.
September To-Do List: Kick-off to Fall!
While it may still feel a lot like summer, September signals the official kickoff of the fall season, which means it’s time to bring on the fall decor and all things pumpkin-spiced as well as the rakes, the weather stripping and the heavier clothing. So here’s a handy to-do list
August To-Do’s: Winding Down from Summer
August is a terrific month to savor those last days of summer while at the same time prepping for the fall season. Then, finally, it’s back-to-school time, and cooler weather is just around the corner. So here’s a handy must-do list to get you and your home ready. Go through
July To-Do List – Summer Fun and Chores to Keep You Busy
Summer is in full swing, and the heat is on. Keep your cool by tackling this set of (mostly) indoor chores to keep your home in shape and your family life running smoothly. Then, reward yourself with an outdoor barbecue with neighbors. If you haven’t already, now is the time
Public Versus Private Neighborhood: Who Pays for Upkeep?
If you have never lived in a neighborhood that the residents privately own, you may be confused as to who is responsible for maintaining the neighborhood’s streets, lights, amenities, and common areas. Let’s break down who is responsible for what in public and private neighborhoods. Public versus private A neighborhood’s
Protecting Your Home Against Mother Nature’s Wrath
Every year, major storms wreak destruction in different parts of the nation. Whether you are most at risk from hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms or polar vortexes, what can you do to protect your home from nature’s wrath? Water, water everywhere Water sustains life on earth, but water in the wrong place
June To-Do List – Summer Home and Garden Tasks
It’s June, which means it’s time to relax and enjoy the kick-off of summer, but before the fun can begin, be sure to tackle this handy home and garden to-do list. Change the filters in your air conditioning vents to help your unit operate at optimum capacity. If you haven’t
Conquer the Accumulation of Clutter
It happens to the best of us: We accumulate stuff over a lifetime which becomes annoying clutter throughout the house. Your disorganization and clutter drive you crazy, but you may have failed at repeated attempts to conquer it. Taking a look at what causes the clutter in the first place
Make A Difference by Attending Town Council Meetings
You may not have considered attending your town council meetings until a project or problem near you affected your life in the community. Suddenly you’re on a crash course to learn how decisions are made that affect your quality of life, your taxes, or both. Here’s what you should know
May To-Do List – 10 Chores to Gear-up for Summer
Before shifting gears into summer, here’s a handy list of chores for the busy homeowner. See if you can beat that Memorial Day deadline. Before the heat becomes unbearable, tackle all that clutter hiding in the attic. Pass along unused items to family and friends or donate to a worthy
How to Spot Roof Problems Early
A sound roof is crucial to your home’s most essential function: shelter. Good maintenance of your roof protects you from exposure to the element, not to mention expensive repairs. Regular DIY inspections are key to detecting issues before they become major problems. Know your roof You should inspect your roof
How to Get a Great Night’s Sleep
There’s a component of healthy living that often gets overlooked. We know about healthy eating and exercise, but regular healthy sleep is essential, too. You spend about a third of your life in bed, so here are some tips for getting a restful night’s sleep. How’s your mattress? Did you
Seven Household Items You Should Replace Regularly
Many household items need replacing periodically to maintain your home and your personal care. Keeping track of them all can be overwhelming, so here’s a reminder list of seven household items it’s important to replace on a regular basis. HVAC filters Neglected, dirty return air filters cause your heating and
April To-Do’s: Home Maintenance Musts
Longer days and warmer temperatures mean it’s time to seize the opportunity to get outside and accomplish those outdoor chores. Here’s a to-do list to get you motivated. If you haven’t already, it’s time to prep the lawn and garden beds for spring and summer. Apply fertilizer and weed control
Nine Home Maintenance Tasks You Shouldn’t Neglect
Weekends are a time to relax and enjoy family and friends, but be sure to set aside time for some home maintenance tasks. Doing so will keep your home and its systems, equipment and appliances in top shape and save you money. Though it’s not a comprehensive list, here are
Facts and Fiction About Cleaning with Vinegar
Many people have turned to vinegar as an alternative to chemicals for household cleaning. Vinegar is natural and inexpensive, but is it as effective as the hype would have you believe? Let’s review what vinegar is good for — and what it’s not. Versatile vinegar Vinegar has a sharp smell
Don’t Be in the Dark About Cleaning Your Window Blinds
Cleaning window blinds is one of those household duties that’s easy to put off or forget entirely. But the task is not complicated, so wait no longer. Here’s our handy guide to cleaning window blinds. The right tools for the job Try cleaning your blinds once a month to keep
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