If you’re looking to purchase your first home – or are simply trading one home for another – you may feel overwhelmed by the thought of taking weeks or months to peruse listings, visit open houses, and secure financing for your next home. Even after you’ve found the right home, you’ll still have to undergo inspections and appraisals to ensure your financing will remain solid. However, recent advances in technology have made the home selection process substantially easier, even for those with on-the-go lifestyles.…
As you peruse the kitchen showroom at your local cabinetry shop, you might be more focused on price and stain color than you are about small details like door hardware. However, unless you have the money to renovate your kitchen every few years, choosing the right kitchen cabinets will make a big difference down the road. Here are two kitchen cabinetry upgrades you should consider, and how they might make your life a little easier: …
It’s time to replace your roof. This is a big undertaking, and the decision will last for years or possibly the rest of your life. If you’re considering replacing your roof, check out these four facts you must know first, so you make an informed decision.
Some Materials Don’t Work on Low Roofs
Depending on the slope of your roof, there are some materials you just shouldn’t use. Asphalt and metal are fine whether you have a low roof or steep roof because they do a good job of blocking rain and allowing it to slide off with ease.…
All too often, leaks, clogs, and water temperature problems can ruin the convenience of a home plumbing system. While many homeowners rely on a professional plumber to fix all of their home plumbing problems, there are a few simple fixes that anyone can do. Here are the fixes for three common plumbing problems.
Pipe Noise
There are a number of different noises that can come from the pipes in your home, and the type of noise that you hear will vary depending on the cause of the problem.…
In many parts of Canada, the ash tree is a familiar part of the landscape, but this much-loved species is under threat from a foreign invader. The emerald ash borer first arrived in Canada more than a decade ago, and this innocuous green beetle now threatens millions of trees. If you have ash trees on your property, learn more about the threat from the emerald ash borer, and find out what you may need to do to control the spread of this voracious pest.…
Utility bills are expensive, especially heating and cooling, which constantly seem to rise. Luckily, there are many changes you can make to your home that significantly reduce your energy costs. Check out these five efficient tips to stop wasting energy and finally get your energy bills lower.
Insulate and Repair Holes in Your Air Ducts
Forced-air heating and cooling systems push cold or warm air through vents to various places in the house.…
Users of large fuel tanks need to recognize that special care should be provided for both the tank and its fuel. Many problems can arise for the user of poorly-maintained large fuel tanks, including expensive equipment damage. One of the most serious and common problems is water contamination of fuel. Below are a few reasons to help you understand why water is bad for fuel, tanks and equipment as well as information on how to test for and prevent water contamination:…
Maintaining an energy efficient home offers a variety of benefits such as the opportunity to leave behind a smaller carbon footprint and the ability to save some money on your monthly electricity bills. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on home remodeling projects in order to create an energy efficient living space. Here are five cost effective home updates you can make that will help you save money throughout the year and make you feel good about the impact you have on your surroundings:…
Getting rid of that concrete patio or driveway can be a back-breaking job without the right tools and advice. With just a bit of planning and know-how, you can speed up your project and save yourself some time, money and effort. The following offers plenty of helpful tips for concrete removal and disposal:
What’s Your Disposal Strategy?
Before you start busting concrete, you should create a plan to dispose the rubble.…
If you went to a lot of time and trouble to create a custom-built home that matches your specific tastes and lifestyle, the last thing in the world you want to do is enclose that unique property with a ho-hum generic fence. Look around your neighborhood and you’re likely to see the same old stone walls, wrought iron gates, and wooden picket fences everywhere. Here are three unconventional alternatives to show you just how fascinating fences can get.…
