home maintenance tips: Should You Be Paid for Housework?
- 06/04/17 07:15 PM
Do you think husbands should pay stay-at-home wives for housework?
It’s a burning question in India, where its Ministry of Women and Child Development is considering a draft bill that would require men to pay a percentage of their salaries to compensate wives for the work they do around the house.
The feminist in me says, “Yahooo!” It’s about time someone put a price on the housework I perform every day. Hey, the dishwasher doesn’t empty itself.
But second thoughts raised several questions.
How do you price each chore? Is mopping floors more valuable than doing laundry? Deep cleaning more than regular dusting? If … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: Stink Bug Invasion! It’s as Bad as You Think
- 06/01/17 09:03 PM
An army of stink bugs has marched into 38 states, and the federal government is scrambling to find ammunition to take them down.
Brown marmorated stink bugs, a Chinese import, are invading homes, orchards, and vineyards; eating fruit, buzzing overhead, and staying warm until they can emerge and lay eggs in spring.
If last year’s stink bug invasion wasn’t bad enough, this fall’s invasion is the second one this year — which presages an even bigger onslaught in 2013, says Tracy Leskey, an Agriculture Department entomologist.
“This has been a very good year for the stink bug,” Leskey told the The Examiner in Washington, … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: The Ultimate in Fireplace Bling
- 05/31/17 07:35 PM
Has the romantic charm of your gas fireplace cooled off? Has the crackle of the flames (okay, gas fireplaces sort of hiss) lost their je ne sais quoi?Have we found the fireplace for you.The LHD50SS direct-vent gas fireplace by Napoleon includes an elaborate necklace of cut crystals made by Swarovski, internationally renowned producer of precision-cut crystals for the jewelry and fashion marketplace.Stretched out across the bed of the firebox in luxurious display, the crystal necklace is intended as the ultimate in fireplace bling. In the words of the LDH50SS brochure: “The results captivate, thrill and create the desire for absolute elegance.”But it’s … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: The Biggest Air Leak in Your House You Don’t Know About
- 05/25/17 08:38 PM
Have you caulked windows and replaced weatherstripping on your doors? Good for you. But if you think you’ve sealed up air leaks, you’re in for a shock.
The biggest air leak in your home is right under your nose.
Or, underfoot, more accurately.
It’s the hole that a plumber cuts in the subfloor to make room for the drain assembly at the bottom of a bathtub. Because the drain assembly is big, plumbers make way for it by cutting a generous-size hole that gives them some “wiggle room” when connecting plumbing pipes. This big hole often is left open to the space below.
How You … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: Should Your Grass Clippings Go Up in Smoke?
- 05/24/17 07:17 PM
What’s going up in smoke in California these days?If you answered “grass,” you’re right — although in this case it’s the kind you cut with a lawn mower. Researchers at the Agricultural Research Service in Albany, Calif., have come up with a way to turn ordinary grass clippings into environmentally friendly fireplace logs. The goal of the ARS has been to find a way to use the tons of clippings from yards, ballparks, schools, and golf courses that every year go into landfills instead.ARS chemist Syed H. Imam says the clippings are abundant and available free of charge, and that using them … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: Save Money With a Fireplace Insert
- 05/16/17 07:19 PM
Sitting before a crackling fire may be your favorite winter warm-up, but an old-fashioned fireplace isn't only an inefficient heating source, it also can create high levels of smoke inside and outside your home.
But an energy-saving wood or pellet insert lets you transform your existing hearth into a super-efficient heater that can cut your energy bills — by as much as 40%, says Leslie Wheeler of the Hearth, Patio, & Barbecue Association.
Beware: Savings vary greatly depending on the insert's efficiency, your climate, your home's layout, the R-value of your insulation, the height of your ceiling, and regional differences in fuel costs, … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: How to Prevent Water Damage
- 04/30/17 06:13 PM
Water damage is the No. 1 culprit that weakens your home’s foundation and the very core that holds your house together.
You’ve heard about core strength for your body. Well, water damage hits at the core strength of your house, eventually causing serious structural damage. Damp wood invites termites and carpenter ants; plus, it causes mold and mildew.
Here’s how to prevent water damage using three easy strategies that will give you peace of mind the next time heavy storms hit.
#1. Ensure Good DrainageWhy it matters: Poor drainage weakens your foundation, causing cracks, uneven settling, and pathways for water to enter your home.
How to … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: When Is the Best Time to Buy Appliances?
- 04/17/17 06:11 PM
When it comes to landing bargains on major appliances, timing is everything. And the best time to buy home appliances is when stores need you more than you need a new home appliance.
Generally, that means you can get more value for your money:
September, October, and January when manufacturers roll out new home appliance models, and retailers are eager to move last year’s inventory. (Refrigerators are the exception. New models come out in the spring.)
Last days of the month when stores are desperate to meet quotas and are more likely to dicker over prices.
Thursday, the day before the weekend rush when aisles are less … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: How to Help Your Appliances Last Longer
- 04/05/17 06:04 PM
Is it just me or does it seem that appliances don’t last as long as they’re supposed to?
Our dryer died after 11 years (two years before a typical dryer’s lifespan is up), and we repaired our refrigerator three times before it reached its 12th birthday (it’s supposed to live for 13 years).
Full disclosure: I wouldn’t give myself an A in appliance care. But in the future, I vow to keep up on regular maintenance that’ll keep my new dryer running longer than my last one.
Rob Carpenter, owner of a Mr. Handyman franchise in Maryland, shares some insider tips about how to extend the … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: How to Care for Your Water Heater
- 04/03/17 06:48 PM
Hot water heaters work hard for you, providing warm baths, clean clothes, and sparkling pots and pans.
So show your water heater some love by following a routine maintenance schedule that will keep it running for its 15-year expected lifetime, and perhaps beyond.
Here's What You Need To Do:Adjust the thermostat to 120 degrees. You’ll save up to 5% in energy costs for every 10 degrees you lower the temperature, plus you’ll reduce the risk of scalding.
Always maintain 2 feet of clearance around the appliance unless the manual specifically states otherwise.
Drain about a quarter of the tank a few times a year to remove sediment … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: How to Buy a Dishwasher
- 03/30/17 05:43 PM
Today’s dishwashers are loaded with advanced technologies that get dishes sparkling clean while using less than half the water and electricity than machines sold two decades ago.
Here’s what you need to know to select the best dishwasher for your home based on your household’s needs and budget.
First Things First: Dishwasher Types and CostBuilt-in dishwashers that are hooked up to your home’s water and plumbing system fall into four categories.
1. Budget under-the-counter dishwashers: These practical workhorses are more about utility than fancy features.
Energy Star-qualified models in this price range maximize cleaning and energy efficiency with soil sensors and smart dish rack design. … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: How to Reduce Your Water Heater’s Energy Use
- 03/07/17 05:35 PM
In the saving energy fight, the hot water heater is a born loser. That’s because most of us have a conventional storage-type water heater.
That water storage tank works constantly to keep water hot and ready whenever you want it. But as the water sits, it naturally cools down, a process known as “standby heat loss.” When the water cools, the burner or heating element kicks on to warm it up again, in a constantly repeating cycle.
Water heating accounts for 13% of your household’s total energy costs — about $270 per year based on annual home energy costs of $2,060.
Here are five tips … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: Roofing: Repair or Replace?
- 03/05/17 05:13 PM
Eventually, all roofs wear out and need to be replaced. You don't want to do it too soon, because you'll waste money. But you also don't want to wait too long, because then you'll end up with leaks and expensive water damage. To get the timing right, you need to know how to assess the overall condition of your roof and identify early signs of roof failure.
The national average for a new asphalt shingle roof is about $21,500, according to Remodeling's 2010-11 Cost vs. Value Report, of which you'll recoup $12,800 at resale (59.5%). For high-end materials, such as standing-seam metal, … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: Caring for Wood Siding
- 02/28/17 05:31 PM
Wood siding is one of the most beautiful of all types of siding -- and one of the most expensive. If you’d like to avoid repairs that could cost thousands of dollars, and you’d like to keep your clapboard, shingles, or board-and-batten lasting for decades, regular upkeep and maintenance is critical.
Finish, Protect Wood SidingWood must be properly finished with a paint, stain, or clear sealer. Left unprotected, it's susceptible to rot and decay caused by moisture. Of special concern is the fact that wood expands and contracts with normal changes in humidity and temperature. These fluctuations may cause paint finishes to … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: Siding: A Guide to the Options
- 02/27/17 05:14 PM
Perhaps no other building material plays such as key role in your home as siding. It protects your house against the harshest elements and is a factor in your home's appearance, architectural character, and value.
A vinyl siding replacement, for instance, recovers 83% of its initial cost at resale, according to the "2015 Remodeling Impact Report" from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Fiber-cement siding returns 79% but also gets high marks from homeowners polled for the "Report" who gave their fiber-cement siding project a perfect Joy Score of 10 -- a rating based on those who said they were happy or satisfied with … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: Money-Saving Tips to Repair Sagging, Leaking Rain Gutters
- 02/26/17 05:32 PM
Sagging and leaking gutters risk damage to your siding and foundation that may cost thousands to repair. Use gutter sealant, patches, and hangers to fix sagging and leaky gutters at a cost of only a few dollars.
How to Fix Leaky GuttersSeal leaky gutter joints and small holes using gutter sealant applied from the inside the gutter. A tube of sealant costs about $5.
Repair larger holes using a gutter patch kit or a scrap of metal flashing glued down with sealant. You’ll find patch kits at home improvement centers for about $10.
How to Straighten Sagging GuttersIf you suspect a sag, get up … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: Tips to Make Your Roof Last as Long as Possible
- 02/23/17 05:07 PM
A new roof is an expensive proposition — $18,800 on average for composition shingles, according to Remodeling magazine's Cost Vs. Value Report, and as much as $36,000 for high-end materials. Once you've made that kind of investment, you'll want to protect it.
And even if your roof is years old, maintaining it in good shape will prolong its life and keep you from having to replace it prematurely. Here's what you need to do to get the most from your roof.
Clean the GuttersRuined paint on siding and a wet basement are typical problems caused by clogged gutters, but it might surprise you to learn … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: Should You Repair or Replace Your Septic System?
- 02/21/17 05:14 PM
When sewage backs up into the house or terrible odors overcome the backyard, you know something is wrong with your septic system. Depending on what’s causing the problem, you’ll face some big decisions about whether to repair or replace the equipment.
If it’s a broken pipe, patching it might cost just a few hundred dollars. But if the drainfield needs to be replaced, you could be out $2,000 to $10,000. Worst case: You need an alternative treatment system, for $15,000 or more.
First Steps in a Septic EmergencyHere’s how to handle problems when they arise.
If you find sewage in your house: Lift the lid … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: When It's Time for an Electrical Wiring Upgrade
- 01/25/17 05:22 PM
The lights come on when you flip the switch, the TV works, and the refrigerator keeps food cold. That means the electrical wiring must be fine, right? Not necessarily. There may be times, especially if your house is more than 40 years old, when you need to upgrade electrical wiring for safety, or because the existing wiring no longer meets your family's power needs.
Rewiring can be a messy and expensive proposition, but with a little upfront planning you can minimize the disruptions and even turn the job into an opportunity to add features that will increase the value of your home.
Safety Issues with … (0 comments)
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home maintenance tips: The Value of Whole-House Surge Protectors
- 01/22/17 05:13 PM
A power surge happens in milliseconds — a thousandth of the time it takes you to blink your eyes. Maybe you see the lights flicker, or your computer locks up for no apparent reason. Maybe you don't notice anything at all.
But that little spike in the current flowing through the wires of your house can have big consequences. The Insurance Information Institute includes insurance claims from power surges in the same category as damage from lightning strikes. Together they resulted in more than $1 billion in insured losses in 2008, with an average claim of $4,329. There's an easy and affordable … (0 comments)
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