Leaky Pipes Cause Water Damage
Water damage is the enemy of all homeowners. It rots wood, producing mold and weakened support. It leads to foul odors and potential electrical hazards. Combating it can be time consuming and expensive. But the alternative is worse.
Tackle any sign of a leak at the first opportunity.
A leak doesn’t have to be an active drip. It can be something as simple as a crack or hole in caulk around the plate that backs a shower control. Water will inevitably move into that hole, where it then gets trapped. Some will evaporate. But some will remain behind, leading to weakened drywall and mildew build up. Read more
DIY Paint Like A Pro
Few jobs are as tough, or as satisfying, as painting your house. Professional painters really do earn the high fees they get. The areas are always larger than they seem. The quantity of materials is always greater than the initial estimate. But few other projects around the home can be carried out by do-it-yourselfers without special expertise or long experience. Some simple guidelines can lead anyone to a very satisfactory painting result.
Paint selection is task #1.
Naturally, everyone has difficulty picking out the desired color. It’s hard to visualize a whole wall from a single, small square. Paint color changes after application, too. It always dries a slightly different shade than what appears in the can. But with some research and a little experimentation you can pick out just what you want. Today, every shade the eye can perceive can be mixed up. Read more
Move Or Remodel?
When Ben Franklin had a decision to make, he would draw a line down the center of a piece of paper and make lists of pros and cons regarding the subject at hand. That came to be called ‘The Franklin List”.
A slight variation to that is what this article is all about. The question is: “Should you move, or stay where you are and remodel?” Of course, you could stay and do nothing, but then, why read this article? Read more
Tile And Plumbing: What You Need To Know
Tile and plumbing are natural neighbors. Bathrooms, kitchens and other areas that use water are often laid with tile because homeowners expect to splash it around from time to time. But those two can be good neighbors or bitter enemies.
Properly laid and sealed tile will keep water from getting into unwanted areas for decades. But sometimes caulking isn’t perfect and it can dry out and crack. Taking the time to make a good seal the first time around can prevent expensive repairs later. Read more