Portable vacuum cleaners are better than ever these days, but a central vacuum system has the winning edge! See why… Here’s what I’ve learned about central vacs, including the cost and DIY installation info too.
Home Maintenance
The more care and maintenance you put into your home, the longer it will last. Here you'll find step-by-step instructions for keeping your home well-maintained year round. From floor repairs to DIY plumbing and other home maintenance tasks, we've got lots of unique tips that will save you time and money!
Thinking Of Putting A Hot Tub Inside Your House? Pros & Cons Of Indoor Hot Tub Installation
Thinking of installing an indoor hot tub? At the very least, don’t do it yourself! Although an indoor hot tub gives you more privacy and fewer maintenance issues, you have to think about mold inside, weight capacities on your flooring, and the multitude of electrical and plumbing issues that could arise. Here are the pros and cons of indoor hot tub installation.
Sealing Granite Countertops 101: How To Tell If Granite Has Been Sealed, How To Remove Granite Stains, And How To Seal Granite
Wondering if you should use a granite sealer on your countertops? The short answer is: Yes! I’ll help you determine if your countertops need sealed right now or if you can wait awhile, whether to use a topical sealer or an impregnator sealer, how to seal granite countertops yourself, and how to remove stains from granite.
How To Keep Your Condensate Line Flowing Freely: Easy Steps To Clean & Clear A Clogged Condensate Drain Line
Save money by reading this before you call an HVAC professional — because keeping your condensate drain line clean and clog-free is easier than you think! Follow these simple steps to maintain your HVAC system’s condensate line — whether you have a gravity flow line (like most people do – including myself) or an a/c condensate pump (like I recently installed).
What You Need To Know About Impact Resistant Windows Before Buying Hurricane Windows For Your House
Impact resistant windows are a coastal homeowner’s best friend — especially during hurricane season! If you’re thinking of retrofitting your home with hurricane windows, here’s what you need to know before you begin the process of replacing your regular windows with impact resistant glass.
Installing A Gas Range Where An Electric Range Once Stood Can Be Challenging! (Trust Me… I Did It)
Converting a 220V hardwired connection into a 110V standard plug when you install a gas stove is best left to a trained professional, but you can see here how it’s done first. Here’s my gas stove installation story — including 3 setbacks that I encountered while installing a gas range in my kitchen.
How To Cover A Concrete Cinder Block Wall
Concrete cinder block walls are sturdy and easy to build, but can often be unattractive when compared with the rest of your home. By covering a cinder block wall with surface bonding cement, you can increase the water resistance of the wall as well as the durability while creating a uniform surface that will blend with most architectural styles.
How To Choose The Right Deck Stains For Your Home And Stain Your Deck Yourself
Knowing which deck stain to choose is only half the battle. I recently refinished my 21 year old deck and I want to share the tips and tricks I’ve learned about finding the best deck stain and how to clean and stain a deck. It’s a great diy project that can be done in one weekend.
DIY Garage Door Repair vs. Professional Garage Door Repair: 6 Reasons Why You Probably Won’t Be Able To DIY It
Have a broken garage door? Should you try DIY garage door repair or call a professional? Here are the 10 most common reasons your garage door isn’t working, which ones you can tackle yourself, and when it’s time to call for professional garage door repair. Find out here if you have the right tools, the time, or the knowledge to take on this repair project yourself.
Need A New Water Heater? (Us, Too.) See The Hot Water Heater Rental Cost vs. The Cost Of Buying A New One
Did you know that you can rent a water heater, as opposed to paying full price for the installation of a brand new one? See if renting a water heater is better than buying one – based on the hot water heater rental cost compared to the cost of buying a new water heater. See the pros & cons of each, as well.
3 Ways To Cut Cast Iron Pipe For DIY Plumbing Repair Projects
Knowing how to cut cast iron pipe is essential for do it yourself plumbing repair projects. There are basically 3 ways to get the job done: a hacksaw, a cold chisel, or a snap cutter. See which one is BEST for cutting cast iron pipe.
Laminate Wood Flooring Or Hardwood? How I Chose Between Laminate & Hardwood Flooring
What’s better? Hardwood or laminate wood flooring? The flooring debate continues between laminate wood flooring and real hardwood. You’ll want to things like budget, durability, and resale value when weighing the pros & cons of both. I’ll help you decide what’s best for you!
How To Repair Screeching Faucet Problems: My DIY Kitchen Faucet Repair Tips
Got screeching faucet problems? Here are the 5 main causes of faucet problems, plus photos and the steps I used to do my own kitchen faucet repair. You can too – It’s DIY time! Still think you need a plumber? I’ve got tips before you hire a plumber for more serious issues as well.
Soundproofing A Room Is An Easy DIY Project: Simple Steps For Soundproofing Your Home Or Apartment
Are you living in a noisy environment – like me? I’ve learned a lot about soundproofing a room + Tips for soundproofing your home. Hope they help you as much as they’ve helped me.
Carpet vs Hardwood Floors: 5 Things You Should Consider Before Installing Carpet Or Hardwood Flooring
I’m trying to decide between carpet and hardwood floors right now. Here are some pros & cons to consider before choosing hardwood flooring or carpeting for your home.
How Much Does It Cost To Drill A Water Well?
Want to know how much it costs to drill a water well? You’re not alone. I’m sharing all the best tips from a custom homebuilder – to help you dig own well.
A Preventative Home Maintenance Checklist For Fall
Here is a preventative maintenance checklist (for inside your home AND outside your home) for the Fall season. Tips for saving money on your home heating bills, too!
5 Surprising Things Homeowner’s Insurance Doesn’t Cover
Here’s a list of what homeowners insurance covers and what homeowners insurance doesn’t cover. Plus, what you can do about it to protect yourself!
Remodeling Your House? You’ll Need A Building Permit! 5 Facts About Building Permits Homeowners Often Overlook
Don’t get caught remodeling your home without a building permit… it can be a costly mistake! Here’s when you need a building permit, and when you don’t.
Concrete vs Cement vs Mortar: Which One Should You Use When Building Or Remodeling Your Home?
Trying to decide between concrete vs cement? They have very specific uses. Cement is rarely used by itself. Concrete is used in most building projects.
Curb Appeal Ideas: 5 Outdoor Home Improvement Projects You Can DIY To Save Over $3,000
DIY curb appeal ideas & exterior home improvement projects. See how much it costs to stain a deck, seal a driveway, add a gravel path, paint vinyl siding, etc
9 DIY Home Improvement Ideas That Don’t Cost Much Money
Increase the value of your home without spending much money. From curb appeal to minor repairs – these 9 home improvement ideas will make a huge impact.
How To Repair A Damaged Metalbestos Chimney Yourself
It was annoying having to repair a metalbestos chimney in the middle of winter, but it wasn’t difficult. It’s a simple DIY roof project that anyone can do.
Home Air Filters: How To Choose The Best Air Filter For Your House
Buying the best air filter for your money is pretty simple once you understand what MERV ratings mean and how they relate to your HVAC system’s performance.
Home Energy Audit vs Home Energy Review: What You Can Expect
A home energy audit can save you thousands of dollars in energy costs. Here’s the difference between a home energy audit and a home energy review.
