When I was growing up, the large house we lived in had a full basement. It was basically one large open room. Today, basements have become valued resources. They are often used as full-fledged living spaces, with additional bedrooms, bathrooms, and home entertainment features. This brings to mind one important question if you're considering investing in an extensive basement makeover: Is a finished basement a good investment? … [Read more...]
Have you ever thought about converting that extra room into a home theater room or doing the same with part of the basement or attic? It’s not like the room has to be rebuilt from scratch or needs movie house chairs, a slanted floor, a projector popping out of the ceiling, or little blue hued LED lights marking an aisle. Sure, you may need a carpenter or local handyman for a few things, but for the most part home theater rooms can be the ultimate viewing spaces created on a simple budget … [Read more...]
Have you ever found yourself scratching your head at all of the different types of furnace filters to choose from at the home improvement store? If so, you have lots of company wondering and staring at the shelves along with you. In an ideal world you'd like to see an apple-to-apples comparison when you shop for HVAC filters, but in my experience it is somewhat similar to buying mattresses. You're not certain if you're getting the biggest bang for your buck unless you look closely at the … [Read more...]
Do you have a water faucet that whines, screeches or squeals when you turn it on? There are a few reasons why this annoying little problem occurs. By the way, I love that my son is such a willing participant in front of and behind the camera. The photo you see is him, while the angle and expression were all his idea. Got to love him! Is this a DIY fix-it project for able-bodied homeowners? It most certainly is, so pay attention, y'all. There are several possible reasons why your … [Read more...]
Radiant barriers have been around for decades but they are starting to gain momentum. This is in large part due to advances in design and the sales potential to existing homeowners that are upside-down on their mortgages. I touched on the subject of radiant barriers in a recent post regarding home energy audits, but I wanted to dig a little deeper. Radiant barriers inhibit heat transfer by thermal radiation. The concept works and is widely used throughout the homebuilding industry among … [Read more...]
Would you like a few great window cleaning tips to help you out for this labor-intensive chore? Let me see a show of hands of those of you that like to clean windows in your house. That's what I thought...just a couple of you amongst many. Why is that? I have a good idea that it has something to do with time, ladders and unsatisfactory results for all of your hard work. Am I right? I'm with you...believe me. I have a home with a lot of the old-fashioned, multiple-pane windows. I counted … [Read more...]
We recently bought a Samsung top-load washing machine to replace our Kenmore Elite HE3t front-loader. The Samsung has loads of the latest technology built right in such as: VRT™ (Vibration Reduction Technology) - It really works! Direct Drive Motor - no belts here Internal Water Heater for NSF-certified sanitized loads CEE Tier 3 status Diamond Drum™ for a thorough, yet gentle, wash (easier on your clothes) PureCycle™ is a setting that cleans the washer itself As a … [Read more...]
I'm a thrill-seeker at heart. Some of my best days have been when I took a leap of faith, lived life on the edge, got the crap scared out of me and came out on the other side with a better appreciation for life. Things like: Whitewater rafting in world-class rapids! Plunging head-first towards Terra firma in a vintage, open-cockpit biplane on the tail end of a hammerhead maneuver! Riding roller coasters and thrill rides (Acrophobia comes to mind)...always with hands raised from the first … [Read more...]
I officially dislike my 6½ year-old Kenmore Elite HE3T front-load washer. Yep...it's broken again. I fear that this will not be an easy fix. It will be costly and we may decide to replace it rather than repair it. We've spent our fair share on repair bills with this washer and do not wish to throw good money after bad. The problem now appears to be either a bearing problem or the spider assembly needs to be replaced. Those parts run upwards of around $220-$300 each. Back to the diagnosis. … [Read more...]
I went to war recently in an effort to retrofit my 23 year-old toilet with a new, dual flush conversion kit. The toilet won a few battles along the way, but I won the war, and that is what is most important! It all started with a broken flush handle. I took a look inside the lid to replace the handle assembly and decided that it was time to replace the works with an entirely new set of guts for this old toilet. I actually do this DYI stuff myself most of the time that I write about. By … [Read more...]
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