When searching for a new house to live in, one of the most important things to consider is which direction it’s facing. The direction of your home will determine many things like the amount of sunlight it receives as well as other weather considerations.

Staining wood can bring out some of its natural patterns and deep colors like nothing else. If you want to change a wood surface’s color without painting it, staining is a great option. However, stain must be properly applied otherwise it will not dry and still feel sticky and rough hours later.

Did you just discover that your neighbor’s security camera has a perfect view of your property? Before you panic, think about it logically. Chances are that your neighbor wants to keep their property safe and doesn’t realize it’s pointing at your property.

Ferrets are cute little animals, but they produce a musky odor that some people find unpleasant. If you keep a ferret in your house as a pet, the entire space could have a strong odor, especially if you fail to keep its cage clean. Failure to wash the animal and its litter box and bedding could also contribute to the musky smell in your house.

One of the things that draws homeowners to a stainless steel refrigerator is its sleek, smooth surface. However, just one dent can ruin a stainless steel refrigerator’s appeal. Luckily, if your stainless steel refrigerator has a dent, this is usually a fixable issue.

Blinds serve an important function in our home. With them, we have privacy and the ability to control how much light gets into each of our rooms.

Having candles on hand is a good idea for a few reasons. If you like infusing a different scent into your home, a variety of candles can make it so that you have a new scent whenever you want it. Candles can also come in handy in the event of a power outage. So long as there are candles in your home, you will never be in the dark.

Cable outlets, also known as coaxial outlets, are a common fixture in most modern homes. Even with many households making the shift from traditional cable television, cable internet remains a popular choice across North America.

Handrails quickly rank as one of the most critical pieces in home remodeling. Decorative values aside, handrails are essential to building a safe environment for everyone living in the house.

Noise pollution can make life incredibly difficult. If unwanted noises are reducing your quality of life, you may want to consider soundproofing. Whether it’s a noisy neighbor, busy main thoroughfare, or simply obtrusive sounds traveling between rooms, you can soundproof a room to help decrease the amount of sound disturbance.

Most homes will have at least one fan in them. Like with all appliances, fans will require some maintenance once they start getting used regularly. This includes doing things like lubricating their motors to ensure that they still are up and running. Of course, you can’t just use bacon grease on a good fan. So, what can you use, anyway?

Bad neighbors are the bane of the homeowner’s existence. Unfortunately, oftentimes it is difficult to know how to deal with this common nuisance. In the event that you can’t get rid of them, your best bet is to ignore bad neighbors.

If you have a septic tank, you know it can be a lot of maintenance. Perhaps you just had your septic tank pumped and it’s full again. There could be a number of reasons why this happens.

Imagine the following scenario. You and your neighbor have been living next to each other for years, and you never really had any issues. Yet, one day, you notice a construction crew near your yard. They’re putting up a fence! You’re confused because you’re not really sure whether or not they are allowed to do this. Is this even legal?

So, you’ve decided to remodel your kitchen and are thinking about purchasing slate appliances. Slate is a relatively new color option and a unique alternative to stainless steel.

The appliances in our home make life easier. Even if you don’t use them on a daily basis, things like the washer and dryer can keep life from getting hectic. So, when the dryer will no longer do its job by heating up, it can leave us with a major problem.

Bissell has been a leading manufacturer of home cleaning appliances for more than 140 years, and it’s been said that this company even supplied England’s Queen Victoria with sweepers in the 1890s. Since that time, their products have improved substantially, and one can find their sweepers, washers, vacuum cleaners, and bare-floor vacuums being used by not only homeowners but business owners as well.

If you’ve spent a lot of time cultivating a beautiful garden, you don’t want pesky invaders taking over your space. Invasive species like the Virginia creeper steal resources from other plants in the area. This can easily lead to a dead garden.

If your furnace is showing an open pressure switch error, don’t panic! While the pressure switch is an important safety feature, an open pressure switch is usually an easy and inexpensive fix. 

If you have kids, you have probably had Kool-Aid spills in your carpet more than once. Or adults doing Jell-O shots. Were you able to get the stain all the way out or did you give up and toss an area rug on that spot? Some stains are just really difficult to get rid of. Especially red Kool-Aid. But it is possible if you do it correctly.

Water heaters are a modern convenience and luxury that you can find in just about any home. At first glance, the only difference between short and tall water heaters is their height, but that isn’t entirely the case. So, besides the obvious height gap, what is the difference between short and tall water heaters?

Architecturally, glass blocks are very similar to conventional brick materials. Both bricks and glass blocks are used in the same way although, glass blocks can be used in some situations where bricks cannot.

Having an efficient swamp cooler in the summer results from taking care of your cooler in the winter. In this article, we will give you a step by step process to winterize your swamp cooler properly. Preparing your swamp cooler for the off-season is not difficult, and it will increase the life of your unit.

Have you ever lifted a bathmat out of your tub to find a rectangular area of gross brown stains underneath?  If so, you’re not alone.

Granite is one of the most popular home building materials. It’s especially popular inside the kitchen where it is often the material of choice for creating gorgeous countertops.

Curtains can be one of those “set it and forget it” home décor items. To be honest, I’m not sure that I’ve ever washed a curtain. But that doesn’t mean you can’t! You have to consider the material, of course, as well as a few other things.

It’s a good idea for homeowners to have a backup plan in the event that the power goes out. While getting something like a generator might seem like a great idea, it’s not within everyone’s budget. This is where kerosene lamps and lanterns come in handy. 

A safe can be a sound investment in protecting the things that are most valuable to you. It is the extra layer of protection that we desire to keep those truly valuable and important items as protected as they can be.

Picture Juliet stepping out onto her balcony to speak with Romeo, and you have the perfect image of a French balcony. There was just enough room for Juliet on her small perch. In fact, these balconies are often referred to as “Juliet balconies.”

Designing your home is fun and exciting! Laying new carpet, purchasing new furniture, painting the walls— we understand, you’re anxious to see how the finished project looks. However, there is one thing that you should know. You must wait to put your furniture on your new carpet.

By the nature of their design, tarps keep the elements away, but they get grimy in the process. No one wants a mud-encrusted tarp sitting on their garage shelf. But how easy are they to clean? Can you put them in the washing machine?

Many people recoil at the thought of being near asbestos. But you might be surprised to learn how common it is in older homes. If you’re thinking about buying a house with asbestos in the siding, the best thing to do is be informed. Learn more about it and the potential risks.

If you’ve just purchased a new dishwasher and you’d like to connect it to a garbage disposal for effective drainage, you’ve come to the right place. Both garbage disposals and dishwashers are generally attached to a kitchen sink for water to drain appropriately once the washing cycle is complete.

Cleaning a mattress involves jumping through all sorts of hoops. It’s not like you can just throw it in the washer. But what about the mattress cover? If it’s removable, it should be washable, right? Purple, one of the leading mattress companies in the United States, has something to say about that.

It always seems like something is getting spilled on your carpet. It may seem like an easy-clean, but milk can leave a nasty smell even after it looks like it is gone. The person who said not to cry over spilled milk must not have noticed the lingering stench. We are going to help you get rid of that.

Not many people have a kitchen sink rack, but those that do know that its both a lifesaver and a major pain. A great way to protect your sink from scratches and rust, if you can fit it in the dishwasher than its easy to clean. If not, you are going to be scrubbing and scrubbing and trying to get inventive to cut back on your cleaning time.

If you are relocating and taking along your gas dryer, you may want to know if you can convert it to electric. To answer this question, it’s important to know the differences between these types of dryers.

Cleaning paint can be a headache. When acrylic paint dries, it dries hard, into an almost plastic-like form. This can make it hard to restore a brush that has dried or get paint out of something like clothing.

If you are wondering whether you should be worried about a dripping sound behind your wall, the short answer is yes. There aren’t any good reasons for water to be dripping behind your wall. Furthermore, water damage can be very serious and can prove quite troublesome to homeowners. If you hear a dripping sound in the wall, it is crucial to get the problem fixed as quickly as possible.

When something goes wrong with one of your appliances, it can be challenging to know whether you should fix it or purchase a new one. Especially with an item such as a dishwasher, there are always new models coming out. These new models that come out each year are often more energy-efficient and help you save money in the long run. Despite this, there is no single answer that can tell you whether or not you should fix or replace your dishwasher. 

Linoleum is a great, cost-effective option for kitchen and bathroom floors. It’s known for being durable and long-lasting, more so when it’s properly cared for. The key to making linoleum floors last longer is regular cleaning.

Pet ownership has a miraculous way of turning people into cleaning gurus, even with a pet as “self-sustaining” as a cat. Let’s face it. Cats clean up after themselves for the most part, but even the daintiest of kittens can still have gross byproducts. A good example of this is dealing with cat litter that’s gotten stuck to carpeting after Fluffy uses the litter box. So, how do you fix this issue?

Having a garage is a plus for any homeowner no matter how many vehicles you have. You can use your garage for storage for your tools, yard and garden items, or even to park your car. But what do you do when your garage won’t close all the way? This can be frustrating, as you don’t want someone to gain access to your garage.

If there is one thing that seems to dry out my hands, it’s washing dishes in piping hot water. And sometimes, I forget my gloves. That’s why, on occasion, I get the urge to turn down the temperature so that I can avoid slathering my hands in super thick lotion. I still often wonder if it’s really safe, or if it’s effective.

Finding a proper bathroom vanity can be difficult enough, but what about when the space is limited as it can be in a mobile home? Just because mobile homes offer lesser space doesn’t mean that they can’t have beautiful, modern aesthetic qualities.

Many homeowners prefer propane over natural gas because it is safer and more convenient. With that said, it is still wise to be aware of your propane consumption when you use a stove. So, how much propane does a stove use?

Out of all of the different furniture materials to choose from, microsuede has a soft feel and elegant appearance. They look stylish in any home and are incredibly easy to maintain. Because the fibers in the fabric are tightly woven, it can be hard to stain a microsuede couch. 

Why does my house smell like a permanent marker? This is the first question that will cross your mind when you notice the smell. However, before you start finding the reasons behind the smell, it’s best to remember that the odor is never a good sign, since it points to a problem somewhere in your house.

A portable generator can come in handy in countless ways. However, connecting a portable generator to your house without a transfer switch can present its challenges. A transfer switch can divide an electrical load between sources and is often used for backup generators in the event of power outages.

One of the great luxuries of the modern home is having a water dispenser in your refrigerator door. It’s wonderful to have filtered water and ice available at the ready, but it’s not-so-wonderful when your dispenser suddenly stops shutting off. A leaky dispenser can drive you crazy and cause a slippery mess in your kitchen!

If you have a termite infestation in your home you may be considering fumigation. This is one of the best methods of killing off termite colonies and giving you peace of mind. While it may seem like an involved process, with the proper planning, everything will go smoothly, but how long does termite tenting last?

Is there anything better than getting a stack of pancakes for breakfast? Those sweet and fluffy treats often covered in butter and syrup are regarded as breakfast favorites all over the world.

Vaulted ceilings are in right now. Like, super in. They’re considered to be one of the most frequently requested amenities in luxury apartments as well as in regular homes. Of course, there are different types of vaulted ceilings. One of the more popular is called a “tongue and groove” vaulted ceiling. If you’re debating installing this ceiling, it’s a good idea to know what you’re in for.

When living in dryer climates, a humidifier can really come in handy. Dry air is much different than living in humidity and can have noticeable impacts on your skin in particular. Dry skin, breathing problems, and cracked lips are just a few of the things that overly dry air can cause.

Smart TV technology has become pretty common. Most can enjoy the benefits of a smart TV without having to pay the sky-high prices that originally came with the technology. Still, finding a TV with Chromecast built-in may be out of reach.

Pellet stoves are one of the most eco-sustainable sources of heat you can get, and they are very efficient as well. You can get more heat with the same amount of pellets versus wood with a superior clean combustion system. Also, you can get tax benefits for using a pellet stove because they are so environmentally friendly.

Battery acid can refer to any acid that is used in a chemical cell or battery.  There are different types of acids within batteries, depending on if it is a lead-acid battery or an alkaline battery. Because car or automotive battery acid is 30-50%  sulfuric acid (H2SO4) in water, it is important to dispose of battery acid in the safest way possible.

It’s no secret that drinking reverse osmosis water can have many health benefits. The higher quality water contains fewer contaminants and tastes better than regular water. The reverse osmosis filtration system is commonly sought out by many others because of these health benefits. Surprisingly, though, this filtration system isn’t expensive, as one would think.

If you disposed of your Kenmore Elite dishwasher’s manual and are suddenly in need of some guidance, you’ve come to the right place. No need to worry, as it is relatively easy to troubleshoot a Kenmore dishwasher, regardless of the model. Thankfully, Kenmore dishwashers are outfitted with fully integrated reset sequences for when the appliance starts to malfunction or operate out of the norm.

Are you having issues with starting up your riding mower? When you go to start it, does it crank over but not completely startup? Thankfully, riding mowers aren’t very complicated pieces of equipment, and the owner can quickly resolve most issues. This will help save you money and time on bringing it into a shop. However, if this happens to you, what do you do?