Checking for Damage After Irene

Mon, 08/29/2011 - 16:12 - Tom Kraeutler

If Hurricane Irene passed through your area, it would be wise to inspect your home for storm damage. Obvious storm damage, like a broken window, is easy to spot. But if you don't look closely, you might miss little problems that could develop into big repair bills later.

Check your foundation...

Garbage Disposal Woes: How to Get Out of a Bind

Mon, 08/29/2011 - 14:54 - Leslie Segrete

When your garbage disposal jams it often automatically shuts off, and may not restart when you flip the wall switch. Many homeowners don’t know there’s a reset button located on the bottom of the unit. It’s usually very small and often red or black. So get a flashlight and look under the unit....

Is Remodeling on the Rise?

Wed, 08/24/2011 - 15:09 - Tom Kraeutler

BuildFax, a service that collects and organizes construction records on millions of properties from cities and counties across the United States, reports that in June 2011, remodeling activity in the U.S. reached the highest level since the index was introduced in 2004. This upward trend matches...

Keep Leftovers Fresh With These Fridge Maintenance Tips

Fri, 08/19/2011 - 11:41 - Leslie Segrete

It’s summer, so everybody is cooking and grilling and eating outdoors. When I grill, I always want so many different choices and flavors that I end up with a ton of leftovers. If you’re like me, you’ll want to make sure your refrigerator is running correctly so that leftover burger or rib is...

10 Million Dollar Prize Winning Light Bulb Ready for Sale

Mon, 08/15/2011 - 16:26 - Tom Kraeutler

With the expected phase out of incandescent bulbs beginning with the 100 watt bulb at the end of this year, competition is hot for a new wave of energy efficient light bulbs that delivers the shine without the ka-ching of high energy bills.  And a competition with a 10 million dollar prize is...

Kitchen Design Trends: What's Now and What's Next?

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 11:04 - Tom Kraeutler

How will today’s social, economic and generational conditions impact kitchen design? That question is the focus of “GenShift 2011: Lifestages Redefining the Kitchen,” a study from Masco Cabinetry based on an online survey of 1,027 U.S. homeowners ages 18-65.

The study identifies changes in...