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Home security systems: should you have one?

Thu, 05/20/2010 - 17:00 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Home, Real Estate, Insurance - Home Insurance Home safety and security is a top concern for most consumers, so it's no surprise the home security system industry is booming in this time of economic uncertainty and rising crime statistics. But while new technologies have made home...

New Wind Power Technology Offers Savings at Home

Sun, 05/16/2010 - 13:00 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Home, Real Estate, Green Mention wind power and you immediately think of giant wind farms, both on shore and off. But thanks to a new wind turbine design released at this month's National Hardware Show, getting wind power at home may become just as common as rooftop solar panels,...

New Wind Power Technology Offers Savings at Home

Sun, 05/16/2010 - 13:00 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Home, Real Estate, Green Mention wind power and you immediately think of giant wind farms, both on shore and off. But thanks to a new wind turbine design released at this month's National Hardware Show, getting wind power at home may become just as common as rooftop solar panels,...

New wind power technology offers savings at home

Sun, 05/16/2010 - 13:00 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Home, Real Estate, Green Mention wind power and you immediately think of giant wind farms, both on shore and off. But thanks to a new wind turbine design released at this month's National Hardware Show, getting wind power at home may become just as common as rooftop solar panels,...

DIY Disaster Doctor: Deadly HVAC Design

Fri, 05/14/2010 - 10:00 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Small Spaces, Living Spaces

Charlie Rice of Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspectors in Sykesville, Maryland (via The Money Pit). Courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

To the untrained eye, this is a typical tangle of HVAC system hardware. But in actuality, this setup is anything but....

DIY Disaster Doctor: Bathroom Conundrum

Wed, 04/28/2010 - 15:00 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Kitchen & Bath, Big Projects, Products & Materials

Brodie Brown of Browntree Inspections in Marietta, Georgia (via The Money Pit). Courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

This photo might represent the ultimate in bathroom convenience for the multitasker -- or an attempt at European styling...

DIY Disaster Doctor: This Toilet Gets the Axe!

Mon, 04/19/2010 - 10:42 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Kitchen & Bath, Big Projects

Howard Maxfield of Plus One Inspection Services, Inc. in Mill Creek, Washington (via The Money Pit). Courtesy of the ASHI Reporter

Someone has taken a whack at fixing this wobbly toilet using a tapered axe head and scrap of wood as shims. Not exactly my...

DIY Disaster Doctor: This Ladder Needs More Leeway!

Fri, 04/16/2010 - 10:42 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Small Spaces, Living Spaces

Rick A. Harrington, Patch Independent Home Inspections, LLC, Pickerington, Ohio (via The Money Pit). Used with permission of the ASHI Reporter

This fold-down attic ladder is going nowhere except into a pretty important support column. If this column is...

DIY Disaster Doctor: Staggering Staircase

Tue, 04/13/2010 - 10:42 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Small Spaces, Essential Skills, Know-How, Living Spaces

Rick A. Harrington of Patch Independent Home Inspections, LLC in Pickerington, Ohio (via The Money Pit). Used with permission of the ASHI Reporter.

Is this curious structure actually a staircase? Apparently, this DIYer didn't...

DIY Disaster Doctor: In One Vent, Out the Other

Thu, 04/08/2010 - 10:42 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Living Rooms, Small Spaces, Living Spaces

Alvin C. Miller of Hawkeye Home Inspections, LLC in Wellman, Iowa (via The Money Pit). Courtesy of the ASHI Reporter.

There's no getting comfortable in this room any time of year, since the temperature-controlled air from the HVAC system...