A Summer Family Retreat

« Back to Home

ARTICLES

Smart Thermostats Go Beyond Traditional Programmable Thermostats

Posted on

If you are tired of constantly monitoring your thermostat to keep your family comfortable while keeping a handle on energy consumption, the smart thermostat may be for you. Just as its name implies, this little gizmo learns on its own and automatically adjusts to your schedule. For the energy conscious who don’t want to bother with the fuss of tweaking the dial throughout the day and night, this smart product simplifies life and may save money on your energy bill, too.…

Read More »

3 Upgrades That Will Improve Your Roof

Posted on

When you think of home upgrades, what comes to mind? Maybe a new deck, or an additional bedroom? How about a kitchen renovation? What you probably don’t think of is roof upgrades. But just because your roof isn’t usually a part of the house that you can show off to your friends doesn’t mean that it couldn’t benefit from an upgrade that improves its functionality. Every roof needs maintenance now and then, and if you’re going to have someroofing maintenance done, you may want to consider having the workers throw in some upgrades while they’re up there.…

Read More »

3 Easy Steps To Get Your Mobile Home's Pipes Thawed And Protected

Posted on

When your mobile home’s water pipes freeze in the winter, you will need to know what to do to thaw them. You don’t need to call plumbers right away for any repairs, unless your pipes begin to leak later on due to freezing water expansion that caused your pipes to crack. Follow these helpful tips to get your mobile home’s water pipes running again. Remain Calm It may seem like a daunting problem when you turn your faucet on and realize your mobile home’s pipes are frozen when no water comes out of them.…

Read More »

What Makes A Kitchen Functional?

Posted on

If you’ve spent any time watching HGTV, you’ve probably seen folks wanting to renovate their kitchens to be more “functional.” If you’re like most people, you probably wondered what exactly it would take to make a kitchen more functional. Does it take a larger fridge, or more cabinet space? Sometimes such small projects can fix functionality problems, but sometimes it takes a lot more. If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, take a look below to create a fabulous design that may just boost the value of your home.…

Read More »

Recruit Your Next Team At A Horizontal Drilling Rodeo

Posted on

A directional drilling rodeo has never aired on ESPN, but that does not mean it is devoid of the excitement that accompanies most athletic events. The men and women competing at these rodeos may not have the physical prowess of Lebron James or Marshawn Lynch, but theirs is an athletic event nonetheless. These are physically fit people with highly refined skills. They are competing at the highest level in their field–and they are the best.…

Read More »

Natural Ways To Protect Fences From Invasive Plants

Posted on

The addition of fencing to any landscape is a large investment for home owners. Properly maintaining and caring for the fence will help the structure last for numerous years. While weather is often an element in fence damage, invasive weeds and vines can cause a lot of damage. When invasive plants take over your fencing, there are natural methods to help keep the plants out and protect your fences for good.…

Read More »

Excavating And Construction Considerations For A Walkout Basement

Posted on

You’re a do-it-yourself type who’s always looked forward to homesteading – and now you’re ready to start building your new house. You’ve bought hillside property so you can have a walkout basement for extra living space. You may be trying to decide whether to do the basement excavation and construction yourself or to hire a professional. It’s smart to think about hiring an excavating contractor, since walkout basements have particular issues that can lead to wall failure if not constructed properly.…

Read More »

How To Fix Common Home Plumbing Problems

Posted on

Most homeowners are aware that plumbing leaks and other problems should be taken care of as soon as possible to prevent water damage and high water bills, but they do not look forward to spending the time and money to call a plumber. However, there are many plumbing problems that any homeowner can fix on their own without hiring a plumber. Here are a few basic home plumbing problems that you can fix without calling a professional.…

Read More »

Garage Door Selection: Familiarizing With Triple-Layer Garage Doors And Their Benefits

Posted on

Did you know that your garage door makes up 30% of your home’s overall aesthetic appeal, and improperly insulated garage doors also contribute to the overall heat loss of the homes? Needless to say, the type of garage doors that you choose have a huge overall impact in the appearance, durability and energy efficiency of your home, so it is crucial that you make a choice carefully. Among all of the designs and styles on the market, most professionals would recommend shelling out the extra money to get a triple-layer garage door.…

Read More »

3 High-Tech Home Windows You'll Want In The Future

Posted on

Whether you’re aware of it or not, home windows have been evolving and improving for years now. Gone are the days of rooms that never seem to warm up because of a drafty window. Today’s windows are thicker, double and sometimes triple glazed, with insulating gas between layers, all the better to keep the cold out and the heat in. But window technology doesn’t stop there. Before too long, you may have windows that are able to do a lot more than just keep the weather outside at bay.…

Read More »