Chimney Fire Danger - No Flue Liner Each week, I receive quite a few emails from readers of this column. I treasure each one because they provide a window to view the real problems and challenges you face with your home. Some messages are small, some are medium, and others are extra-large. One reader sent […]
Clinker Brick Wall - Stunning and Unique My guess is that most of the bricks you’ve seen in your lifetime have been very uniform in shape. Each brick is rectangular. This is by design in almost all cases. The length of a brick plus one mortar joint in the USA is supposed to equal 8 […]
Spice Cabinet Ideas - Create a Spice Closet in a Wall! My 52nd wedding anniversary is less than five months away. I was so lucky to find my beautiful and loving wife. In all those many years, I think we’ve had fewer than four serious arguments. I discovered years ago that it doesn’t pay to […]
Outdoor Kitchen Ideas - Plan for Weather You may be dazzled by the outdoor kitchens you see on home improvement TV shows. Designers work hard each year to create trends of every type. You see it in clothing, paint colors, new cars and trucks, etc. This is done to pry dollars from your savings account. […]
Prevent Mold in Bathroom You may be plagued with mold and mildew in your tub and shower area. It’s a very common problem. The good news is that if you’re willing to spend just 30 extra seconds once you’ve rinsed off all the body wash and shampoo from your hair, I can just about guarantee […]
Recycled Asphalt Driveway - Don't Fall For the Hype I perform media scanning on a routine basis. I’m constantly on the lookout in publications and the Internet for new products, techniques, and hokum. I do this, in part, to keep my ear to the ground, but I also do it to help you save time […]
Countertop Layout Tool - Simple Hack I’ve shared in past columns how I’m helping my son finish off about 1,200 square feet of his basement. I’m saving him over $100,000 in labor and profit costs had he hired a contractor. I’m also confident he and I are doing a much better job. After all, I’m […]
Septic Tank Too High - Idiot Installer My best friend in Cincinnati, Ohio, Richard Andersen, had his septic tank installed too low. This story is about installing a septic tank too high. I’m about to share an incredible story about Jennifer’s new $20,000.00 septic tank that failed in the first year. You may not care […]
DIY Boiler Service - Easy if You Have the Tools Several days ago, I found myself without heat and hot water at 6 PM just as I was washing dinner dishes. My propane-fired modulating combi boiler, which does double duty, heating the house and my hot water, decided to stop working. It’s still chilly in […]
Why is My House So Cold? Tell the truth. Are there days in the winter when your heating system can’t provide the heat you need to keep you comfortable? What about your AC system? Are there blistering, hot summer days when you feel like a simmering sausage in a skillet? You may not want to […]
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