The shock of a massive electric bill is enough to make any homeowner want to curb their energy consumption. Whether it be in the dead heat of summer or the harsh cold of winter, you can’t simply go without heating or cooling. Luckily, there are some great ways to reduce your electric bill and save energy.

Ductwork isn’t easy for every homeowner to navigate without vast HVAC knowledge, and that is understandable. The ducts in your home are every bit as important for heating and cooling your home as the AC and furnace. So, what size duct do I need for a 12×12 room?

The in-sink garbage disposal has become a staple appliance in most homes. These often-forgotten undersink appliances don’t get much attention but get more than their fair share of use. It isn’t surprising that in-sink garbage disposals often need replacement or repair. There are several options to consider when your garbage disposal quits disposing.

House projects can get set on the backburner. Especially if the job at hand is a major remodel, you will need to set aside the time and money to make sure the end result is exactly what you want. Before you finally roll up your sleeves to begin a bathroom renovation, the first question to ask is: “Do I need a permit for this?”

In America today, the average home is roughly 2,600 sqft., compared to an average household size of 2.6. About three people living in 2,600 sqft might seem rather comfortable, yet many people opt for much larger homes. It could be they need the space, or it could be they want to show off a lavish home.

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) have been around for decades, and these days it’s near impossible to find a modern home which doesn’t utilize these devices; they’re even used in a lot of older homes now because they’re useful here as well.

Toilets are in every home, but they are hardly talked about until something goes wrong. Toilet issues, however, are more common than you might think. In fact, one survey suggests that 28 million Americans have a toilet that clogs every month. This begs the question – what can be done when you have a toilet that swirls but won’t flush?

When you are ready to enjoy more living or storage space in your home, there are a few options that are available to you. You can either build up, sideways, or down. Building an additional story onto the top of a house or an extra room off to the side can certainly improve a home. Adding a basement, however, can be one of the best things that you can do to a home, if you do it correctly.

In plumbing terms, a shower diverter is a term for the valve that redirects water from the showerhead to the bathtub faucet. If you have a bathtub, you most definitely have a shower diverter installed. Even if you don’t have one, you still probably have a diverter installed with your shower fixture.

Buying a house is difficult but building one, that is another story. Instead of filling out forms and jumping through hoops, you will be pouring the foundation and building the frame. But how long does it take to build a house?

When you’re laying out a nice, new layer of porcelain tile, there are certain things you expect. For example, you expect your tiling to stay put. The problem is, using the wrong bonding agent can make it hard to keep your tiles in place. That’s why there’s an ongoing debate between using Versabond versus using Flexbond thinset mortars when you’re laying out tiling. So, what’s the difference between the two? Is one better than the other?

You noticed that sag in the roof of your home. A trip into your attic and a bit of investigation and you found a roof trust with some damage. The damage doesn’t look too bad from the inside, but you can see the definite sag where the roof truss has bowed from the outside. How much does it cost to repair a roof truss?

If you need to have wood waterproofed, then chances are you’ve applied Thompson’s Water Seal to it. This waterproofing stain is known for being one of the best in the home improvement world when it comes to keeping your materials looking great. Of course, many of us want to make our projects look even better with a fresh coat of paint. But, is this actually doable?

If you walk into your bathroom and see that your toilet bowl has lost water, don’t immediately call the plumber. There are some things you can adjust to solve the situation. However, if you find that your issue is more serious, contact a professional to prevent lost money and time.

Not only do you need strong arms to take on drywall installation, but you will need mental willpower and a strong back. Wondering how much does drywall weigh is smart since drywall installation is not something to take on if you have back problems. 

No that isn’t the sound of the house being sucked under by a giant whirlpool. What you are hearing, that sounds like a giant washing machine on steroids is actually the  sump pump. In many homes, it won’t even matter what room in the house you are in, because it seems there is nowhere that violent sucking sound can’t reach. So what do you do about it? Can you do anything about? What causes it?

Electrical service is a hallmark of modern civilization. Having electrical service is so common we tend to take it for granted. However, there are times when electricity becomes a problem. An arc or short circuit in an electrical system can quickly start a fire you our home. Many people wonder if an electrical fire can be extinguished with water?

Knowing when your siding is ready for an upgrade is simple. Choosing the right type of replacement siding is not quite as easy. After all, when it comes to ensuring that your home is durable and possesses curb appeal to impress, your siding should be one of your first considerations.

Flickering lights can be a scary sight to behold in both horror movies and real life. Your lights can flicker for a variety of reasons, but it’s hard to pinpoint the cause if you are inexperienced with electrical work. Many homeowners ask themselves: why are my lights flickering and how do I fix them?

Mirror size and placement relating to your vanity can make or break your room’s aesthetic. That’s why it’s so important to get the right fit for your space. If you have a 36-inch vanity that needs a mirror to accompany it, you’re in the right place.

Like any other outdoor room, porches are simply a continuation of your living space. Although all porches provide a space that bridges the gap between the outside world and the inside of your home, not all porches are created equal. Some porches are meant to greet visitors, while others are designed more for relaxing and enjoying the outdoors in an enclosed area.

You use your shower to get clean, so if any part of it’s gross, it feels icky instead of relaxing, and you say, “eww” more than “aah.”. If the shower floor starts to get scummy or grimy, it boosts the ick factor because you feel like you’re standing in filth. So what’s the best way to clean the shower floor so you’re not cringing while you’re washing up?

Le Creuset cookware is not only one of the best performing brands on the market, but it also looks amazing. Even if you aren’t known to cook gourmet meals in dutch ovens all that often, you might still want to own a Le Creuset simply for its shiny and colorful enamel.

The swimming pool that serves as the centerpiece of your yard should be a constant source of fun for your family. Unfortunately, accidents can happen near the pool and the people involved can get seriously hurt. You must keep that area safe at all times and building a new pool fence will help with that goal.

It is easy to put concrete curbs out of your mind because of how commonplace they are in daily life. Whether you walk over concrete curbs every day or you simply drive alongside them, they’re a bigger part of your life than they may seem. With all of the functionality and benefits of concrete curbs, how many types are there?

Doorbells are a simple, albeit important fixture of modern homes that are typically reliable and low maintenance. Things can still go wrong with a doorbell despite the simplicity, so it’s important to know basic electrical information about your doorbell. So, which circuit is the doorbell usually on?

If you spent time in your grandpa’s garage, you probably noticed all those cans lining the shelf above his workbench. Those old often dented cans had labels like mineral spirits, acetone, polyurethane, lacquer thinner, spar urethane, latex, and oil-based. The list of painting products is endless.

When you’re tiling your shower, there are two things that you want to be sure of. The first is that you want your shower to be waterproof. The second is that you want to make sure that your shower tiles actually stick. That’s why so many people want to know what the best adhesive for shower tiles currently is.

Upgrading your home can be done in a variety of ways. Some folks pursue those upgrades by redesigning their home, building new rooms, or perhaps purchasing more appliances. In the long run, one of the best upgrades you can secure for your home is a replacement electrical panel.

Are you worried about property harm because of the water drainage? You shouldn’t be. We have everything you may need to know about this issue! While runoff from a neighbors yard can be detrimental to yours, there are ways to stop it. But how exactly do you do that?

When planning out the electrical wiring in your home or replacing old wiring, you may have a number of questions. The main one being, can you mix gauge wiring on a single circuit? More specifically, can you connect 14-gauge wire to 12-gauge wire?

A fresh coat of paint can revitalize the look and feel of almost any area of your home. This is particularly true of a kitchen. Painting can bring color and light to a space. Many homeowners choose the relatively less expensive option of fresh paint over a total kitchen remodel. Budgeting for fresh paint in your kitchen may not cost as much as you might think.

For the majority of sunrooms, the temperature of the space is determined by, well, the sun. Some building owners opt for heated sunrooms, while others go with unheated and instead choose a flooring to compliment it. So, if you choose unheated, then what exactly would be the best type of flooring for an unheated sunroom?

Switches are used for operating lights, fans, garbage disposal, and even large electrical mechanisms. However, not all switches are the same. Planning out which switches and sockets to have in your home bears many questions.

Red oak and white oak are trendy hardwood flooring options for oak wood floors. They’re both beautiful and add some character to your home. While both are wonderful, people typically wonder if one may be better than the other.

It’s stressful when a strong storm carrying heavy rains and flash flooding passes through, especially when you are a homeowner. The significant wind and rainfall has a tendency of highlighting all the vulnerabilities of your home’s exterior.

A gazebo might be a great addition to your backyard patio or lawn. You can escape the heat of summer or have protection from the rain. Unless you have a concrete slab that you can drill into, you may find it difficult to anchor a gazebo.

The plumbing system of your home relies mainly on gravity to get the job done correctly. However, the sewage ejector pump must be installed in homes with finished basements so that waste can be moved “up” through the drainage system’s discharge pipe. Choosing the right pump for your basement remodel or any other space where you can’t use gravity to flush waste is very important.

Family needs have changed, and many older homes place the washer and dryer where they no longer fit our lifestyles. Many homes have washer and dryer connections in out-of-the-way locations like basements. Many homeowners wonder what it costs to relocate washer and dryer hookups to more convenient locations.

Push fittings tend to be known by the popular brand SharkBite. They are sold in just about any major hardware store and through retailers across the web. You might see them in a variety of other names as well, but SharkBite is often the preferred brand.

If you are building a structure that requires some support beams and additional safety measures, you might have purchased some joist hangers. Joist hangers are very strong pieces of hardware that offer additional weight support and security for weight bearing structures. They are much stronger than just using nails or screws alone. As you prepare to install your joist hangers, you might wonder if you can use screws instead of nails to install them.

Light switch covers are wall plates that cover the switch mechanism and electrical wiring that operate the installed electrical fixtures. Their primary function is to protect the wiring and prevent electrocution, and most have a plain design that blends in. However, there are lots of different designs, types, and combinations that combine form, function, and even fashion.

If you are working on a project that involves drilling screws into a hard surface like a hardwood or even metal, you probably need a drill bit. You don’t want to drill the screw right into the hard material, as there are all sorts of bad things that can happen. Drilling pilot holes is an important and simple process. It does, however, involve some planning and research. So, when you plan on using #8 screws you need to find the perfect size drill bit to make pilot holes.

We don’t realize how much we depend on our electricity until there is a power outage. While electricity at one time was merely a useful convenience, the way our homes currently run, it is more of a necessity. A power outage can cause your food to spoil, leave you without a way to cook food, and it can also affect your heat or air-conditioning system. So when your power goes out, you’ll probably want to know, “How long does it take for the power to come back on?”

Choosing the right ladder can be tough because there are so many brands that make them, and many are similar. Good ladder manufacturers not only create a wide variety of ladder heights, but also several options for materials and purpose.

Both Sakrete and Quikrete are name-brand concrete mixes. Which leads us to the question, when fixing up your home, which brand should you go with? Is there one that’s better than the other? If so, in what ways?

There can come a time where your shower or bathroom starts to look outdated. It can really drag the overall appeal and aesthetic of the home down. When that happens, it can require a change or an update to the bathroom. So, how do you retile a shower floor?

When you are beginning the process of home renovations, it can be difficult to determine which repairs will require permits. Permit regulations vary on the extent of the project and depend on the state and city in which you reside. Therefore, Pennsylvania homeowners may be unsure if they need a permit to finish a basement in Pennsylvania.

If you’re looking to install a shower in your basement, you’re probably wondering how it can be done without breaking any concrete. Basement bathroom shower installations can be incredibly difficult when it requires you to tear up your concrete floors in the process. Fortunately, you don’t have to.

Tamper-resistant outlets are the new standard when it comes to outlet safety in homes and businesses. Modern building codes require that you install tamper-resistant outlets because of how much safer they are than standard outlets. With that said, it can be difficult to plug an electrical device into a tamper-resistant outlet, and that can be frustrating.

The available housing options today are more diverse than they’ve ever been.  You can stick with a more conventional house if you prefer, but going with something different is an option for many people. If you are interested in unconventional homes yourself, then you should take a longer look at building a pole barn house.

Hardwood floors can make a room look elegant, rustic, historic and quite expensive. They are often selling points for home buyers and can potentially increase the value of your home. This, of course, is assuming that the floors are in great condition. If you notice scratch marks on your otherwise lovely hardwood floor, you will want to find a way to get rid of these unsightly marks as quickly as possible. 

Closet space is one of the most underrated aspects of a home. Having enough space to keep all of our clothes, whether we wear them or not, can either be a major plus or a huge inconvenience. That is why creating more closet space can become a necessity.

You may think that the decision between various toilet seats doesn’t really matter. But in reality, you’re going to be sitting on it every single day, so it’s something you should think about! Wood and plastic are the two most common materials for toilet seats, but which is best?

Laminate flooring is stunning and designed to have a long lifespan, but it cannot stand up to water. Whether your sink sprung a leak, or you were a victim of a flood, when your laminate floor gets wet, it can become ruined quickly.

Some home improvement projects require the help of a professional. In some cases, the project is just too big for one person. In others, the project involves dangerous circumstances that require a licensed individual. Or maybe you just don’t have the expensive machinery necessary to perform the job.

Choosing the right ladder is not only a matter of quality but a matter of safety as well. Between aluminum and fiberglass ladders, there are hundreds upon hundreds of options ranging in quality and function. However, which one do you choose? How can you tell which one is better between aluminum ladders and fiberglass ladders?

When you’re building your home, you are in control of everything, including the orientation of your house. That small detail is something most people don’t think about but can make a huge impact on how you experience your home. After all, the direction your house faces will impact your heating, parking, as well as the amount of sunlight you get. So, what is the best direction for a backyard to face?

Adding a shed to your property is an excellent investment. You may need it for storing tools, building a workshop, or extra storage for seasonal decorations. Whatever the reason, you must investigate the cost, in time and money, of building a shed on your own versus buying one and having it installed professionally. 

It isn’t everyday that you run into an issue with your toilet. Unless objects get accidently flushed, or there is an issue with your water supply, most toilets are generally very low maintenance. Occasionally, however, your toilet may malfunction, leaving you with concern and no idea of how to fix the problem– or what the problem even is. One of the most common problems with toilets is that, after flushing, they don’t stop. That is, the water continues to swirl for a prolonged period of time.