How Many Motion Sensors Do You Realistically Need?

The continued boom of home security options has made it easier and easier to keep a home safe, and the owner informed. Smart technology allows you to see who is ringing your doorbell with a video on your cell phone.

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Does Renters Insurance Cover A Broken Window?

Insurance policies can be very confusing, especially if you’re a new renter. While the policies usually have everything in the fine print, they can be difficult to understand. What’s covered? What’s not? How about windows; will your renter’s insurance cover a broken window?

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When Should Seniors Consider Selling Their Home?

Whether you’re getting older or helping aging parents consider their next steps, selling a home could be on the horizon. Sometimes, where you live doesn’t fit as well with your lifestyle as it once did, so it makes sense to move. Before posting a for sale sign, consider the reasons that signal it’s time for seniors to sell their homes.

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Can A Landlord Store His Stuff On The Property? (Find Out Now!)

Being a landlord is not an easy thing, especially when it comes to all the tools and junk that is required to keep a home running. Even if you’re a fan of apps like Clutter, the truth is that it’s often more convenient to store tools and stuff on-site. But, is this actually legal to do on a rental property?

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Can You Put A Power Vent On Any Water Heater? (Find Out Now!)

When people think about water heater upgrades, they tend to want all the bells and whistles. A well-running water heater means lower bills, better safety standards as well as piping hot water. What could be better than a well-ventilated water heater, right? If you are a home improvement fan, you probably are wondering what you can do. Is it possible to put a power vent on any water heater you could have?

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No Water Pressure After Turning Water Back On? (We Have A Fix)

You had a small plumbing repair to make, such as a broken supply valve under a sink.  You followed all the guides and turned off the main water supply valve.  With the repair complete, you opened the main valve.  Now there is no water pressure at the sink where the site of the repair.

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Does Bed Bug Powder Really Work? (Find Out Now!)

When I was about 20, I lived in a gutted warehouse in Newark for a while. I had no furniture and slept on an airbed. The place was so grimy, we still had bed bugs, rats, centipedes, mice, and roaches. When I told my landlord, he gave us bed bug powder. Did it work? Well…Let me tell you my experience and advice.

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How Much Does It Cost to Fumigate a House?

Living in your dream home can quickly turn into a nightmarish ordeal and it’s all because of annoying pests. To be more specific, pests like ants, bed bugs, and termites can be truly troublesome to deal with. If you let them stay in your home, they could end up inflicting long-term damage to your property’s value.

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How Long Does It Take For Pipes To Unfreeze?

Frozen pipes are an expensive nightmare. Your pipes may unfreeze quickly, but the anxiety that they may burst is awful. So, how long does it take for pipes to unfreeze?

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Can A Landlord Check My Mail? (Find Out Now!)

When it comes to national protections, few things are as sacred as mail. It’s considered to be a federal offense to deface a mailbox. In fact, even opening another person’s mail can be a reason to get arrested. Mail is super private. That’s why many people tend to be worried about a landlord’s right to peek in your mailbox.

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P-Trap Vs. S-Trap Drain Pipes: What Are The Major Differences?

Whether you are building a home or remodeling an older home, you should understand drain configurations when deciding on plumbing. A licensed plumber is involved with the contractor or builder, but you should know what is up to code. Understanding the main differences between a P-trap and S-trap will help to ensure your home is a safe environment.

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How Much Does a Flea Exterminator Cost?

Which bugs do you consider as the most unwanted house guests? Most homeowners would probably vote for bed bugs or termites, but there is one candidate you shouldn’t overlook. Fleas should also be high on your list of unwanted house guests considering the different hazards they pose.

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How Can A Pressure Tank Break After A Freeze?

Depending on the location of a home or vacation home, there may not be municipal water lines that run into the property. When this happens, there is usually a well system that is built to provide water to the home.

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Does A New Furnace Increase Home Value?

If you are preparing to sell your home, you might start looking differently at all your home appliances and furnishings. You want everything in your home to look and perform at its best so you can get the most money possible for your home. This might even inspire you to perform a few upgrades to boost your home’s value. If your furnace could use some upgrading, you might be tempted to swap it for a new one. But does installing a new furnace increase your home’s value?

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Are Furnace Gas Valves Interchangeable? (Find Out Now!)

Many people love to do projects on their own before they contact a professional. Like projects dealing with electricity, if there is doubt, do not do it yourself. Call a professional if you have to change the furnace gas valve if you are unsure of something.

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How Long Does A Landlord Have To Fix A Mold Problem?

How long a landlord has to fix a mold problem depends on a variety of factors. When dealing with mold, many variables affect how it is dealt with. The time allowed for a landlord to fix mold issues is largely dependent on where the property is located and how severe the mold problem is.

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How To Tell If A Light Bulb Is Secretly A Camera

Hidden cameras are ultimately among the biggest privacy violations that you can experience. Spy cameras have become so small that you can find them in everything from smoke detectors to light bulbs. That said, the average person still struggles with how to tell if a light bulb is secretly a camera.

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Can I Sue My Landlord For Raw Sewage? (Find Out Now!)

The smell of raw sewage is nasty. Plus, the fumes can be toxic for you and your family to breathe. But who’s responsible for fixing it, and what happens if you ignore the problem? Here’s what you need to know.

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Can You Put A Fence On A Rental Property? (Find Out Now!)

People often say that tall fences make good neighbors, but when you’re a renter, things get dicey. Renters are often restricted from changing the exterior of their apartments and condos. Fences are considered a major change, though they also have a lot of benefits for the right person. Is putting up a fence okay when you’re renting?

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Thermostat Clicks But There's No Heat? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Furnace problems can be inconvenient, uncomfortable, and expensive to deal with. Whether it is your thermostat or your furnace, it is never pleasant to sit in a cool home when something isn’t working properly. So, what does it mean when your thermostat clicks but there’s no heat?

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Do I Need To Move Furniture For Pest Control?

Nobody wants to live in a home with pests. So, we spend thousands of dollars trying to get rid of them with pest control services. But how do we prepare for services? And do we need to move the furniture for pest control or not? Here are your answers.

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Furnace Not Blowing Hot Air? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Your furnace has one job: blowing hot air. If your furnace is not doing that, what are you paying it for? To address this issue, we’ve come up with some common reasons your furnace may not be blowing hot air.

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Ant Droppings Vs. Termite Droppings: How to Tell the Difference

Finding droppings in your home can feel like the start of a long battle, whether it’s ant droppings vs. termite droppings. Pest problems can happen to anyone, even the most meticulous of cleaners. Each pest has different droppings, so if you are unsure about what infestation you have, inspecting their droppings can help.

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Is A Termite Letter Required In Georgia? (Find Out Now!)

When it comes to buying or selling a home, whether in Georgia or anywhere, there are quite a few things that you need to do. You need to acquire an estimate on any potential necessary work, and typically, you need an appraisal. But in addition to these things, is a termite letter required in Georgia?

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Condensing Vs. Non-Condensing Boilers: Which One Is Better?

Your plumbing contractor tells you it is time to replace your old boiler. Now you face several decisions. The first decision that faces you is replacing your old boiler with a new high-efficiency condensing boiler or sticking with a more traditional non-condensing boiler. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

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York Vs. Trane: Which Air Conditioner Is Better?

Your air conditioning system is one of the most appliances in your home. Having central air is much more convenient than using a window-mounted unit, too. Instead of keeping a single room cool, it keeps the entirety of your home cool and comfortable.

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How To Clean A Gas Furnace Burner (Quickly & Easily!)

Whether you are experiencing issues with your gas furnace or are simply performing routine maintenance, keeping your furnace clean is imperative. When components get dirty or clogged, it can lead to components working improperly or not at all.

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Where To Buy Bubble Wrap (For Moving and Shipping)

Bubble wrap is one of those things that people tend to think of as a fun popping time, but not much else. Well, until they actually need it anyway. When people need it for wrapping up goods prior to a move or cushioning stuff during a major project, it quickly turns into a race to find a place that carries this stuff. Wondering where you can get enough bubble wrap for your next project? We did the research…

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How To Install A Water Softener In A Pre-Plumbed House (Do This!)

Regardless of how it gets into our home, we source the water that we use to drink and bathe through groundwater. The thing is that the water picks up soluble bits of the ground as it passes through and into our pipes.

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Will Bed Bugs Follow You If You Move?

Bed bugs can turn every moment in your house into a waking nightmare, and that’s no exaggeration. Not only are their bites uncomfortable, but you cannot eradicate them easily, and they reproduce quickly. It’s even worse to deal with bed bugs when you are about to move. So, will bed bugs follow you if you move?

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How To Increase Airflow To The Second Floor

Having a second level in your home is a bonus for most people who want more room and privacy. But what about heating and cooling your upstairs? Heating seems to be no problem since heat rises. The problem is, during the summer, how do you increase airflow to the second floor?

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Can You Put A Deep Freezer In An Apartment? (Find Out Now!)

Freezers are useful appliances that have been around for a long time, and you can find freezers in most homes and a lot of businesses. One can use a freezer to preserve leftovers and keep perishable foods frozen, and some freezers are so small that they can be integrated into refrigerators.

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How To Flare Copper Tubing (Step-by-Step Guide)

Making connections can be easy when it comes to social media, but it is getting more and more complicated in the real world of building. There are so many connections needed when you are building or repairing something around the house and some of them have to do with copper tubing, which can be a pain to work with sometimes.

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SimpliSafe Siren Beeping? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Protecting our homes and valuables is one of our highest priorities in life. That is also why so many people have turned to alarm systems for help. Popular security systems like SimpliSafe, for example, are one of those types of security systems. And with so many people now using security systems like SimpliSafe, there have come many questions. That includes questions like why is my SimpliSafe siren beeping and others.

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Will Bleach Kill Fleas In Your Yard? (Find Out Now!)

If you ask many cultures of the world, bleach is the wonder cleaner. It’s super popular in Eastern Europe, and it also happens to be a Midwestern mainstay. It’s not just for cleaning tile, either. Many people use bleach to kill vermin, too. Fleas are one of the many pests alleged to be killable by bleach. Does it work?

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Can Tree Roots Penetrate A PVC Pipe? (Find Out Now!)

PVC pipes are an excellent choice whether you’re planning any kind of home DIY project or you’re a professional contractor looking to do a job well done within a budget. PVC is remarkably sturdy, yet it’s far cheaper than many alternatives, such as galvanized steel or copper.

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How To Hook Up A Dryer Vent In A Tight Space (Step-by-Step Guide)

According to a report by the National Fire Protection Association, 92% of home structure fires involve clothes dryers. For people trying to install a dryer vent in a tight space, this statistic can be incredibly concerning. This guide will help you avoid many potential fire hazards.

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How To Prime A Well Pump (Quickly & Easily!)

In many parts of the country, getting well water is a mandatory part of your daily lifestyle. Wells remain a major source of water for many households in America. However, if you have a well, you’re going to have to pump out the water that is in there if you want to drink something. To do this well, you will need to know how to prime a well pump. The question is, how?

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Valor Gutter Guards Review: How Do These Leaf Guards Stack Up?

Cleaning your gutters regularly of twigs, leaves and other seasonal debris is a stinky, miserable, and messy task that almost nobody looks forward to doing. Thankfully, you can reduce this headache by installing gutter guards. Implementing gutter guards into your rain gutter system is a great way to avoid having to clean your gutters on a regular basis.

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Why Are Ants Coming Out Of My Bathroom Sink?

If you have ants coming out of your bathroom sink, you’re obviously going to want to get rid of them right away. Even the highest-quality sinks can leak, which not only will waste water and cost you money over time but will also bring about a whole bunch of other issues. This includes unwanted visits from pests like ants, which is what we’re talking about here.

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Does Citronella Actually Help Keep Bugs Away?

Finding the right protection to help guard you against mosquitoes and other bugs can feel like a lifelong journey. There are all sorts of methods out there. There are bug zappers, sprays, candles, torches, essential oils, and even machines that use sound waves. It can all feel overwhelming, and lead you to want to choose the most natural and organic method, like citronella, to keep these biting pests away. But does citronella really work at helping to keep bugs away?

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Are Air Purifiers A Waste Of Money?

With airborne viruses and hidden chemicals on the rise in modern times, purified air has never felt more important. Home HVAC systems with quality filters can help increase a home’s value, and certain areas with better air quality have even become more desirable. Air purifiers have also become quite popular in recent years. But with an average price tag between $200 and $500, you might wonder if air purifiers work or if they are a waste of money.

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Heat Pump Blowing Hot Air In Cool Mode? (Fix It Now!)

A heat pump can be an efficient way of delivering hot or cool air into your home depending on the time of year and the temperature outside. When the temperatures soar in the summer, a heat pump that blows hot air is doing you no favors.

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Does A Landlord Have To Provide Blinds?

In the tenant-landlord relationship, each party has certain obligations. Aside from the obvious expectations, many other questions may arise. These questions can concern everything from who is responsible for what repairs to what fixtures and items tenants should expect landlords to provide. Is the landlord required to provide blinds is a common inquiry from many tenants and first-time renters.

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Is A Landlord Responsible For Water Damage? (Find Out Now!)

The other night, a friend of mine came back to his apartment from a night out, only to see that the toilet had flooded. There was brown stuff everywhere, and he was horrified. I mean, most of us would be, right? He called up his landlord and asked who was responsible for this. The answer might surprise you.

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Sink Drain Pipe Leaking At Connection? (Fix It Now!)

If there is one consistency about plumbing, it is that there is no such thing as a good leak. Should you notice water leaking from anywhere in your plumbing system, it is a real problem that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

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Will Mice Come Near Me While I Sleep? (Find Out Now!)

Your bedroom is your personal sanctuary, and the place that you let your guard down after a long day to get a quality night’s rest. However, if you have mice infesting your home, it can be hard to unwind when you’re wondering: “Will mice come near me while I sleep?” Anyone who’s ever had a mice problem knows the uncomfortable feeling of laying in bed and hearing those tell-tale scratching sounds in your walls or the ceiling above your head.

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Water Heater Keeps Tripping Breaker? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Very few people volunteer to take cold showers. So when the water goes cold AND your power goes, that’s a double whammy. You reset your circuit breaker, but it goes out again, and you’re not sure what to do about it.

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Can A Condo Association Force An Owner To Sell? (Find Out Now!)

Condos are a unique type of real estate. On one hand, it’s like an apartment that you can rent. On the other hand, you have to deal with condo associations, which almost can act like a landlord. They can cite you, they can make your life a nightmare…but can they actually go so far as to force a condo owner to sell?

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Do Mice Hate Lavender? DIY Mouse Repellent Sachets And Sprays

The only time having a mouse in your house is okay is in a Dr. Seuss book (unless you keep one as a pet). Otherwise, it’s safe to say you don’t want mice in your home. But what if you start to see some of the little critters hanging around your abode? Certain smells repel mice; for example, mice hate lavender.

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Is It Legal For My Landlord To Lock My Thermostat? (Find Out Now!)

You might get excited when you see the words “heat included” on a rental sign. Heat and air conditioning can be some of the highest utility expenses when renting a home. Your excitement may change to confusion or anger when you move in and see that the thermostat is locked by the landlord. 

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Rheem Vs. AO Smith (Which One Is The Better Water Heater?)

In finding the best water heater company, both Rheem and AO Smith are easy contenders for the top. Both of them have a couple of hundred years of experience under their belts. They have also produced an impressive line of products. But when comparing the two, which of these water heater companies is the best?

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How To Clean The Flame Sensor On A Furnace (Do This!)

With so many components in your furnace, it only makes sense that one may stop working from time to time. More often than not, a dirty or clogged filter will be the cause of a furnace that isn’t working properly.

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Hot Water Tank Not Filling Up? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Water heaters are essential in modern homes, but they are as prone to problems as any other modern commodity. Nothing is worse than when your hot water tank won’t fill up when you need it most. So, why is your hot water tank not filling up?

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How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes In The Backyard

Your backyard is undoubtedly so much more than a fenced-in area behind your house. For you, it might serve as an extension of your living space, complete with cozy, plush lounge seating. Or perhaps you host dinner parties and BBQs with friends and family or enjoy frequent picnics. But when uninvited guests, like mosquitoes, show up, it can take a big bite out of your fun.

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Natural Ways To Keep Mosquitoes From Biting

Mosquitoes have a way of ruining an otherwise perfect evening. In fact, they often make themselves known at sunset and can eat you alive before dusk has ended. There are all sorts of remedies to help prevent mosquito bites. Some of these methods work better than others, but as more and more information comes to light about harmful chemicals, you might want to find an organic and natural way to help keep mosquitos from biting.

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Can A Landlord Look Through Your Stuff? (Find Out Now!)

As a tenant, it can be hard to understand your rights and what your landlord can and can’t do. One thing many tenants worry about is whether their landlord has the right to look through their belongings. Whether it’s during a routine inspection or a different situation altogether, can a landlord look through your stuff?

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What Causes A Furnace Blower Motor To Go Bad? (Find Out Now!)

With the winter months coming fast, ensuring that your furnace motor stays in good condition is paramount. Because of this, it is good to be aware of what causes a furnace blower motor to go bad. Having this knowledge will prepare you for quick action should a repair be required.

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How To Get Rid Of Rats In Walls And Ceilings

Imagine drifting off to sleep at night and hearing scurrying and scratching sounds. It’s undoubtedly unsettling, to say the least, when you know you have critters living within your walls. Understandably, you want to know how to get rid of rats in the walls and ceilings once and for all.

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Replacing Galvanized Pipes With PEX. Is It Worth It?

Galvanized pipes have many ways of telling you they need replacing. Perhaps they make weird noises, or maybe you notice decreased water pressure due to plaque buildup. You might even notice a slight discoloration in the water.

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