Winter

Updating Home to Help My Parents

Contractors, Decorating & Design, Fall, Remodels & Additions, Safety, Spring, Summer, Winter...

I've lived in my 1928 DC Row/Federal Style home for over 30 years.  I would like to add a 2 or 3 story addition to the rear, as well as i...

Best Way to Store Firewood

Bugs, Pests & Rodents, Fall, Winter, Wood Stoves & Fireplaces...

I heard you warn that storing wood too close to your house can invite termites.  How should I be storing and maintaining my firewood supply?...

Laundry Room Layout

Appliances, Fall, Spring, Storage & Organization, Summer, Winter...

Laundry room tips...

Creating More Space in a Tiny Laundry Room

Appliances, Fall, Spring, Storage & Organization, Summer, Winter...

My tight-squeeze laundry area has turned into a disorganized mess I dread, and our family laundry volume shows no sign of letting up. Got any idea...

Choosing a Hybrid HVAC System

Fall, Heating, Winter...

It’s about time for me to upgrade my home’s HVAC components, and I’ve been hearing a lot about hybrid systems. Can they really keep my home comfy ...

How to Fix a Squeaking Floor

Fall, Flooring, Spring, Summer, Winter...

The best way to fix a squeaking floor....

How to Clean Algae from Roof

Fall, Roofing, Winter...

Tips for cleaning a roof....

How to Get a Glossy Garage Floor

Fall, Flooring, Garage, Spring, Summer, Winter...

I recently applied BEHR Premium 2-Part Epoxy Garage Floor Coating in my garage which looks terrific, but I would prefer a glossier finish...

Caulk Talk

Bath Remodeling, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

What is the best way to remove & replace the caulking around sliding shower doors, as well as a tub? ...

Kitchen Floor Solutions

Fall, Flooring, Spring, Summer, Winter...

We are about to begin remodeling our kitchen and need some advice on flooring....

Home Warranty Woes

Fall, Heating, Winter...

I bought my first house a little over 2 months ago. During the home inspection the heat pump was old but operational. We had the seller purchase a...

Will a Refrigerator Work in a Garage?

Appliances, Fall, Garage, Spring, Summer, Winter...

I adore your radio show and listen as often as I can.  Please help me with this question. I am planning on purchasing an additional refrigerator t...

Q + A: Tips to Avoid Shower Shocks!

Bath Remodeling, Fall, Plumbing, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Please help me with this.  When showering, if my husband flushes the toilet or runs water elsewhere, the temperature of the water changes.  What t...

Solution for a Leaky Boiler?

Fall, Heating, Winter...

Tips for the cause of a leaking pressure temperature reliefe valve....

Is Foam Siding a Good Idea?

Fall, Siding, Spring, Summer, Winter...

A friend is trying to interest my husband in a new process of building homes out of foam boards coated with thin layers of concrete.  Do you have ...

Beating the Rat Race

Bugs, Pests & Rodents, Fall, Winter...

My problem is mice and rats are coming in from the street sewer system.  Thought I fixed the problem 8 years ago by cementing a certain area but s...

Roof Replacement - One Layer or Two?

Fall, Roofing, Spring, Summer, Winter...

I am going to reshingle my roof. I have one layer of shingles down and was going to reshingle over top of them. Someone told me that when you put ...

Electric Dryer vs. Gas Dryer: Which is Cheaper?

Appliances, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

In general, electric dryers are about 15% more expensive to run compared to gas.  While this isn’t enough to justify the cost of installing a gas line...

Need Help Finding a Good Kitchen Contractor

Contractors, Fall, Kitchen Remodeling, Spring, Summer, Winter...

We’re planning a kitchen remodel this fall and have been having a hard time locating a contractor we were totally comfortable with.  The estimates...

Fed Up with a Bath Floor in New York City

Bath Remodeling, Fall, Flooring, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Other than re-grouting, ceramic tile is not a material that lends itself to any sort of refinishing.  However, as long as the base layer is secure (no...

Peeling Paint & Paneling Predicament

Decorating & Design, Fall, Spring, Summer, Walls & Ceilings, Winter...

We get many questions on our radio show about the many mysteries of removing paneling. The answers depend on the condition of the wall as well as how ...

Green Mold in Basement

Fall, Mold, Spring, Summer, Winter...

What is the green mold growing in my basement?  It is growng on furniture, boxes, plastic tubs, etc.  I am afraid to even check all my videos.  Wh...

Toilet Causes Lights to Flicker

Fall, Plumbing, Spring, Summer, Winter...

My lights flicker to the beat of a pumping sound whenever I flush the toilet, run faucets & use the shower. I'm thinking that there is a probl...

Synthetic Slate & Shake Shingles

Fall, Roofing, Spring, Summer, Winter...

I’m shopping for a new roof and learning that there are a lot more choices for shingles these days. I’ve decided against using composite asphalt s...

Will OSB Make Me Sick? Is it Strong?

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Fall, Remodels & Additions, Spring, Summer, Winter...

My parents are considering a new home in retirement community. My question is what are the pros and cons of a home built with particle board, and ...

Need Weatherproof Outside Storage

Fall, Outdoor Structures, Spring, Storage & Organization, Summer, Winter...

Homeowners are always looking for more storage space in and around the house.  Often items like lawn mowers, power tools, and pesticides are kept in t...

Avoid Mold in Bath

Bath Remodeling, Cleaning, Fall, Mold, Spring, Summer, Winter...

I have mold on my ceiling and behind the shower wall. There is black stuff coming through the plastic wall covering in the shower wall too. What shoul...

Can a Home Inspection Help or Hurt?

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

We bought our home, new, when it was first built. We had an inspector about a month before closing. Our home will be eleven years old.  Would it b...

Laminate Floor Solutions

Fall, Flooring, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Laminate floor has a very durable surface and easy to install, most just snap right together, no glue necessary.  The laminate can look like anything ...

Toxic Mold and Children

Fall, Mold, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Mold blotches began appearing and spreading in our 4 year old son's bedroom ceiling approximately 4 months ago. We are very concerned about the he...

Do it Yourself Garage Floors Save Money

Fall, Garage, Spring, Summer, Winter...

I am considering putting down a new floor over the concrete floors in my garage and breezeway.  I'm thinking about hiring a company who which uses...

CFLs and Dimmers

Electrical, Fall, Lighting, Spring, Summer, Winter...

I’d like to change the lighting in my home over from incandescent to the newer energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), is there a...

Attic Inspection Good Idea

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Insulation & Ventilation, Winter...

I do home inspections in Alaska and have had several people (mostly contractors) tell me that it is an absolute no-no to open the attic access hol...

New Front Entry Adds Value to a Home

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Contractors, Doors, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

If you’re looking to add value to your home without spending a lot of money, consider enhancing its curb appeal with a new front door. Once you’ve sel...

Leaky Hot Water Heater Could Mean Trouble

Appliances, Fall, Plumbing, Spring, Summer, Winter...

When was the last time you checked your water heater?  You just turn on the faucet and your hot water is there, right?  You should be checking your he...

Faux Finishing: Can You Do It?

Decorating & Design, Fall, Painting & Staining, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Paint is one of the most economical means of transforming a space, and taking it a step further with a faux flourish can lend texture and a custom loo...

Hybrids for the Home

Fall, Heating, Winter...

Just as hybrid technology is driving consumer choices and transportation savings on the road, it’s also becoming an energy-saving solution for the com...

Fast Sales For Slow Real Estate Markets

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

In the wake of credit and housing market troubles that sent 2007 out with a whimper, up-and-coming buyers and sellers may feel tentative about the opt...

Top Tips For Organizing Laundry Rooms

Appliances, Decorating & Design, Fall, Spring, Storage & Organization, Summer, Winter...

Tips to organize your landry room and save space....

Are You at Risk for Radon?

Fall, Insulation & Ventilation, Safety, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally when uranium in the soil breaks down. If inhaled, radon can cause damage to your lung tissues...

Time to Replace Your Water Heater?

Appliances, Energy Savings, Fall, Faucets, Plumbing, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Tips on replacing a hot water heater....

More Power To You

Electrical, Energy Savings, Fall, Spring, Storm Proofing, Summer, Winter...

Protecting your home from power problems has become a necessity of the new millennium.  If you want to make sure you're never left without power, you ...

Holiday Sparkle That Saves Energy

Decorating & Design, Electrical, Fall, Winter...

Decking the halls with twinkling lights is a favorite holiday pastime, but one that can also pack a post-season shock when your electric bill arrives....

Home Theater Basics

Appliances, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Many a movie buff dreams of a theater of their own, and it’s now possible to create the perfectly personalized viewing experience with products create...

The Winterized Getaway

Fall, Storm Proofing, Winter...

Whether you’ll be visiting again soon for winter fun or saying farewell until summer, now’s the time to ensure that your vacation home stays coz...

Last Chance For Energy Tax Credits

Doors, Energy Savings, Fall, Heating, Plumbing, Windows & Skylights, Winter...

With the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT), the Federal Government has granted consumers the very attractive opportunity to qualifying for a one-time ...

Ten Tips For Warm Apartments

Doors, Energy Savings, Fall, Heating, Insulation & Ventilation, Storm Proofing, Windows & Skylights, Winter, Wood Stoves & Fireplaces...

Heating is the single biggest energy expenditure during winter, and renters can make several easy improvements that’ll keep both the warmth and their ...

Customize Your Closet

Fall, Spring, Storage & Organization, Summer, Winter...

While complex closet upgrades may require the design and installation services of a pro, there are several products made for affordable organizational...

High-Tech Window Options

Energy Savings, Fall, Spring, Summer, Windows & Skylights, Winter...

If old, inefficient windows are beginning to affect your outlook, you’ll be glad to discover that evolving construction standards, the drive toward gr...

Hot Tips For Warm Floors

Fall, Flooring, Heating, Winter...

Like many of the best home design ideas, radiant heating is an approach with a long history. The Romans first used it to warm up enclosed spaces in th...

Preventing Plumbing Perils

Fall, Plumbing, Spring, Summer, Winter...

The possible perils of plumbing are many: leaks, bursting pipes, clogged drains, and trusted appliances that go on the blink. But if you pack a little...

Solar Solutions

Air Conditioning, Fall, Heating, Insulation & Ventilation, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Tips for using the power of the sun to heat your home....

Endless Hot Water, Energy Efficient Water Heater

Appliances, Faucets, Product Recomendations, Tub & Shower, Winter...

Nothing's worse on a chilly morning than an unexpectedly cold shower, and there's no greener, smarter way to prevent such a rude awakening than a tank...

Shopping For Home Plans

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Fall, Remodels & Additions, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Building a home from scratch can be an exciting but daunting endeavor, not to mention fraught with hidden expenses. It all begins with a plan, of cour...

Tips For Tankless Water Heaters

Appliances, Fall, Heating, Plumbing, Spring, Summer, Winter...

A great solution for delivering cost-effective hot water to your home, a tankless hot water heater is energy efficient because it only heats water as ...

Top 10 Home Improvement Topics

Bath Remodeling, Fall, Flooring, Insulation & Ventilation, Kitchen Remodeling, Plumbing, Roofing, Siding, Spring, Summer, Toilet, Tub & Shower, Walls & Ceilings, Windows & Skylights, Winter...

To help you avoid home improvement hassles of your own, here are the top ten home improvement topics we get the most questions on, and some solutions ...

Architectural Salvage Finds

Decorating & Design, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Looking for period-correct trimmings from a bygone era or a unique centerpiece for a contemporary room? Then head over to your local architectural sal...

Lighting For Style And Efficiency

Fall, Lighting, Spring, Summer, Winter...

If your approach to saving energy with home lighting is limited to shutting off the swtich as you leave a room, you’re off to a good start, but there’...

Log Cabin Living

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Log homes have always scored big in R-value, a factor calculating energy efficiency in building materials. Log walls actually contain millions of tiny...

Improving Indoor Air Quality Through Green Remodeling

Air Conditioning, Decorating & Design, Fall, Flooring, Heating, Kitchen Remodeling, Spring, Summer, Walls & Ceilings, Winter...

Depending on your sensitivity level, VOCs’ impact can range from irritation to illness, so keep the air clear from the start by selecting products and...

GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS

Fall, Fences & Gates, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Beautiful fencing is a great asset when it comes to curb appeal, home value and stylish definition of your yard and garden. Here’s how to build a fenc...

Green Roofing and Siding

Fall, Green Home Improvement, Roofing, Siding, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Just as products for home interiors have been getting greener, there’s a growing variety of exterior treatments for creating an ecologically sound hom...

HOME SWEET MODULAR VACATION HOME

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Second homes for seasonal leisure are a perennially popular investment, but the cost of new builds can send hopeful vacation homeowners packing back t...

Packing a Vacation Toolbox

Fall, Spring, Summer, Tools, Winter...

Pack a vacation toolbox with the rest of your family’s gear, and you’ll be armed for just about any development and free to use your time for well-des...

Roof Repair 101

Fall, Roofing, Spring, Summer, Winter...

With the generally silent, steady job it does protecting you and your home, it’s easy to take your roof for granted─easy, that is, until a leak ...

Budgeting for a Home Bar

Basements & Crawlspaces, Decorating & Design, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

As the popularity of home entertaining continues to grow, so does the range of smart, convenient amenities that can add a professional touch to the pr...

Paint Color Trends for Interiors

Decorating & Design, Fall, Painting & Staining, Spring, Summer, Winter...

If you’ve got a room that’s due for an update, bring out the brushes and look to this year’s popular paint colors for inspiration. A fresh coat of col...

The New Generation of Do-It-Yourself Flooring

Fall, Flooring, Spring, Summer, Winter...

It used to be that installing a new floor was a professionals-only gig requiring complicated equipment, odorous adhesives, and a massive amount of mus...

Remodeling Mistakes

Fall, Remodels & Additions, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Learn the top five mistakes to avoid when planning a remodeling project....

Boosting Your Home's Bottom Line

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Doors, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

A home's exterior makes or breaks the first impression when prospective buyers see your home. If you're looking to add value to your home without spen...

Building a Retaining Wall

Fall, Lawn & Garden, Spring, Summer, Winter...

A well-built retaining wall has many benefits: structures are protected from soil eroding either away from or toward their foundations, the integrity ...

Simple Steps for Perfect Painting

Fall, Painting & Staining, Spring, Summer, Walls & Ceilings, Winter...

As home improvement projects go, painting is on the easy end of the scale and fairly low-risk: the only thing a bad paint job can hurt is your pride. ...

Green Solutions for Kitchen and Bath Décor

Bath Remodeling, Fall, Kitchen Remodeling, Painting & Staining, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Whatever the style and color scheme of your kitchen or bath remodel, it’s getting easier to add a little green. Products that incorporate recycled mat...

Living With History

Bath Remodeling, Decorating & Design, Doors, Fall, Plumbing, Spring, Summer, Winter...

In this high-tech age of better, faster and new, owning and loving an old home can be a pretty isolating experience.  Here are solutions to make your ...

Styled To Sell

Buying, Selling or Building a Home, Fall, Spring, Storage & Organization, Summer, Winter...

Home staging is the art of styling your home for the buying audience.   Industry surveys show that staged homes sell faster and at higher prices than ...

February Weekend Projects

Bugs, Pests & Rodents, Energy Savings, Heating, Roofing, Winter, Wood Stoves & Fireplaces...

Right about now, the wind is howling – right through doors and windows! Here’s how to protect your home from the elements, one weekend at a time. ...

Washing Away Laundry Hassles

Appliances, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

The room in your home that sees all the dirty laundry doesn’t have to be a time and energy-wasting scandal. Today’s appliances and amenities are smart...

January Weekend Projects

Bath Remodeling, Cleaning, Decorating & Design, Walls & Ceilings, Winter...

Home improvement projects to work on in January that will keep your home in tip top shape all winter long. ...

December Weekend Projects

Appliances, Decorating & Design, Electrical, Home Security, Winter...

Tis’ the season….to get to work!  December is here, a month mixed with holiday excitement and lots of holiday home work!  Here are some tips to tackl....

Easy Ways to Save Water

Appliances, Energy Savings, Fall, Faucets, Plumbing, Spring, Summer, Winter...

Want to know an easy way to save a whopping one THOUSAND gallons of water a month? Just run your dishwasher and washing machine when you have a full l...

DryPly Soaks Up the Competition

Fall, Spring, Summer, Walls & Ceilings, Winter...

Georgia-Pacific, a leader in home building materials that satisfy both builders and homeowners, is once again unveiling an innovative product for hom...

Power Outage Protection - 6/29 Money Pit e-Newsletter

Electrical, Energy Savings, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter...

As we rely more and more on electrical power for every facet of life, we have to look for new ways to protect both the quantity and quality of the ele...