Install a Trap Door on Your Electric Receptacle

Do you have an outdoor electrical receptacle you like to use? It’s probably where you plug in the stereo while hanging out, outside. It may also be the source of electricity for your outdoor lights, especially during the holidays. Protect the Receptacles To protect these receptacles, it’s important to install a cover in any area…

Straighten and Clean Your Cooling Fins

Air must move through the condensing unit in your air conditioner to effectively cool your home. If the fins get bent or damaged, air flow may be restricted. Needed Tools Aluminum fins could get bent or damaged by debris or high pressures washing. Purchase a fin comb, or coil fin tool, to straighten bent fins.…

Diagnosing Allergies and Asthma After Mold Exposure

While studies are somewhat inconclusive, scientists have found a link between mold exposure and respiratory illness. If you have symptoms that seem to correlat with exposure to mold or damp locations, such as coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing, it is important to get checked out by your doctor right away. Even if you do…

Chinese Money Trees

When it comes to enhancing our homes, houseplants are, for many of us, a logical go-to. While historically houseplants were an indulgence reserved for the upper classes, many more people today bring plants into their homes, to liven up the atmosphere as well as to include a bit of nature in the house. For those…

Should You Clean Your Air Ducts?

The duct work in your home or office circulates the air throughout the building either heating it or cooling it as it passes through the HVAC system. Over time, the ducts can become dirty with dust, debris and mold. Those areas of build up can contaminate the air you breathe indoors. The absence of large…

Beautify Your Yard: Shrub Maintenance Tips

There is nothing quite like a shrub to add some flair to your home’s landscaping. It doesn’t hurt that these attractive plants add privacy to make you feel more comfortable at home. However, just because they are a stylish addition to your yard does not mean that they are all fun; you still need to…

A Fix for Rickety Chairs

Do you have a rickety chair that won’t keep it together? Over time, dining room chairs start to get worse for wear. Often, they might still look good but they’re unstable. Instead of trusting your family and friends to sit on them, you only have a couple of choices. Either you can toss them out…

Muffle Those Noisy Pipes

Do your pipes sound like they are practicing for the church choir? This problem is especially common in older homes or apartments. The noise is usually caused by pipes that thump or creak against boards in the walls or rattle from the pressure of the water coursing through them. Don’t lose your shirt over it…

How to Fix Difficult Roof Problems

Some roof problems will require a bit more creative thinking and elbow grease to fix than others. These tips can help. The Cause One of the main causes of hard-to-fix leaks is failure to properly waterproof the area where the roof joins with the soffit. The Fix Here’s how to repair poor flashing. Remove the…

Can Mold Exposure Cause Serious Illnesses?

While some who are exposed to indoor mold develop allergies or asthma, mold spores may also lead to more serious illnesses. Still, the exact relationship between these conditions and mold exposure remains unclear. Infections Studies do show that increased time in moldy and damp areas can lead to a greater risk of respiratory infection, such…