Here’s our guide to improving, maintaining, and enjoying your house. With information on everything from home technology and reducing energy costs to outdoor living and working from home, these articles will help you care for your house and get the most out of living there.
Longer days and warmer temperatures mean it’s time to seize the opportunity to get outside and accomplish those outdoor chores. Here’s a to-do list to get you motivated. If you haven’t already, it’s time to prep the lawn and garden beds for spring and summer. Apply fertilizer and weed control and clear any remaining leaves… Read more »
Weekends are a time to relax and enjoy family and friends, but be sure to set aside time for some home maintenance tasks. Doing so will keep your home and its systems, equipment and appliances in top shape and save you money. Though it’s not a comprehensive list, here are nine important tasks you shouldn’t… Read more »
Many people have turned to vinegar as an alternative to chemicals for household cleaning. Vinegar is natural and inexpensive, but is it as effective as the hype would have you believe? Let’s review what vinegar is good for — and what it’s not. Versatile vinegar Vinegar has a sharp smell and sour taste because it… Read more »
Cleaning window blinds is one of those household duties that’s easy to put off or forget entirely. But the task is not complicated, so wait no longer. Here’s our handy guide to cleaning window blinds. The right tools for the job Try cleaning your blinds once a month to keep down the dust and dirt…. Read more »
Some people have the proverbial “green thumb” and can make any plant thrive. Others watch their houseplants begin to shrivel the moment they bring them home. Let’s get your greenery growing with this guide to selecting and caring for houseplants. Work with your decor Choose and place houseplants as part of your overall plan for… Read more »
It may still be winter, but it’s time to think spring inside the house, and outside in the yard and garden. Here’s a handy to-do list to keep you busy and feeling accomplished. Pull out the refrigerator and large pieces of furniture for a good old-fashioned spring cleaning. Sweep, mop and vacuum those neglected floor… Read more »
The many choices for home security cameras can be bewildering. There are different types of cameras, different ways they are powered and different ways images are stored and viewed. Let’s bring some clarity to the security camera picture. Questions to ask yourself Installing home security cameras can provide peace of mind. Burglars and intruders may… Read more »
Sometimes the router in a home Internet system doesn’t cover all areas equally, leaving dead spots. If the simplest fixes don’t solve your problem, you may need a Wi-Fi extender or a mesh system. Check out our tips for bringing those dead spots to life. Try the simplest fixes first If your router is at… Read more »
Statistically, you are more likely to suffer expensive water damage in your home than a fire or burglary. Each year homeowners file more than $10 billion in water damage claims with insurance companies. Advancing technology offers monitoring and leak detectors that can sense and stop a leak quickly and spare your home big damage. Here’s… Read more »
Taking a shower is soothing and comforting until the hot water suddenly isn’t. Prevent cold showers with our guide to preventing a crisis with your water heater. Water heater life span and maintenance With regular maintenance, a traditional tank water heater lasts 10 or more years and a tankless system lasts 20. Without regular maintenance,… Read more »
When you are building out a new kitchen, you’ve got lots of great choices when it comes to your sink. The many materials from which kitchen sinks are made allow you to create just the right look and functionality. Here’s our guide to the pros, cons and pricing of seven kitchen sink materials. Stainless steel… Read more »
Stay warm and keep busy with February’s handy to-do list of in-door chores. It’s guaranteed to make you fall in love with your living space all over again. Inventory your cold-weather wardrobe, looking for things that you haven’t worn this winter. Donate them before the season is over so someone else can enjoy them. Start… Read more »
Recent U.S. wildfire seasons have been particularly brutal, especially in the western states. Staying inside may help you avoid the worst of the smoke, but it will find ways to infiltrate your home anyway. If you live near an area prone to wildfires, here’s how to fight indoor pollution from wildfire smoke. Outside and inside… Read more »
A gorgeous deck in the backyard is a place to relax with family and friends. Occasionally, though, you’ve heard news stories about elevated decks collapsing and injuring people. How can you ensure that your deck stays safe, or build a new one that is trustworthy? Here’s our guide to safe construction and deck maintenance. Anatomy… Read more »
It only happens when you’re in a hurry: Your garage door opener malfunctions and you cannot get out of — or into — your house. Garage door openers are a tremendous convenience, but they can be temperamental. Let’s solve some of the most common frustrations. Anatomy of a garage door opener The modern garage door… Read more »
A chill is in the air, the leaves are falling, and the scent of pumpkin spice is in the air. It’s time to finish your last vegetable harvest and winterize your garden for the frosty months ahead. Fall maintenance lessens the amount of work you’ll have to do come spring and will make your garden… Read more »
A new roof, foundation or HVAC system may not be as exciting as a kitchen or bathroom remodel, but all of these can add value to your home. How does the condition of your home’s major components and systems affect its value? Professional examinations of systems When you sell your house, two professionals come to… Read more »
It makes sense that temperatures might affect outdoor appliances, but did you know that extreme temperatures can affect appliances inside your basement, garage or house as well? Here’s what you need to know about temperature’s effect on appliances and what you can do to prevent damage. Refrigerators and freezers A refrigerator can shut down in… Read more »
Since your bathroom is where you prepare to meet the day, good bathroom lighting is essential to looking your best. Here’s how to illuminate this important part of your home. Areas to be lit Three areas in your bathroom need appropriate lighting. The most important is the vanity. Good lighting is crucial here, since the… Read more »
Tired of the all-white design aesthetic so prevalent on Instagram, some millennials are resurrecting their grandparents’ decor in their own homes with comfy, colorful results. Introducing grandmillennial style! Do you see a pattern here? For years now, white has been the “it” color in home design. We’ve seen it throughout the house: white shiplap walls… Read more »
