I’ll be honest. When I first heard the word “auxiliary” to describe heat, all I could think of is the women’s auxiliary club in town. It’s a term that I only recently heard in conversation. Most of us, after all, tend to focus on central heating or space heating. If you’re like me, you probably were wondering what on earth auxiliary heat is.

We live in a technological world with seemingly endless amounts of cloud storage. In turn, it has become almost impossible to lose important documents and treasured photos. But some documents and personal items exist in real life, not in the cloud, and they must be kept safe. This is where a fireproof safe comes into play. Every home should have a fireproof safe to keep valuable possessions safe. But what items should you keep in a fireproof safe?

Who wants to live in a filthy house with dirty floors? Most people don’t. But who’s responsibility is it to clean the carpets? Better yet, can landlords charge for carpet cleaning in a home that belongs to them? The answer may surprise you.

Copper pipe has been the go-to for plumbing because of its many great qualities. Copper pipes conduct heat well, allowing hot water to stay warm, and that makes them ideal for tub spouts. However, it can be frustrating when your tub spot’s copper pipe is too short and won’t reach.

House hunting very well could be one of the most exciting yet stressful times of your life. You’re making a huge decision, spending a lot of money, and in many cases, you’re taking a lot on faith. This sliver of uncertainty is why it’s so important to look for red flags when buying a home.

It is quite exciting when you and your partner decide to take your relationship to the next level and move in with each other. When two people in a relationship decide to move in together there are many logistics to cover. The most important thing to consider, perhaps, is where you two will live.

A furnace that isn’t working problem is more than just an annoyance. Any problem with your furnace can indicate issues that are potentially dangerous to you and your family. A furnace that tries to start and then shuts down requires immediate attention.

It can be challenging to figure out what rights landlords and tenants have when it comes to spare keys. For some renters, it can be disconcerting to think that their landlord could potentially enter their home at any time. So is it legal and acceptable for a landlord to have a spare key to their rental property?

Relationships between landlords and tenants can often be complicated. Over time it is not uncommon for issues to arise and for disagreements to commence. When you and your landlord have a disagreement it is always a good idea to collect evidence. You should also keep track of all official correspondences. 

Moving in together is an exciting opportunity to take your relationship to the next level. You get to spend more time together and learn about each other. You certainly don’t want anything to cause unnecessary issues, especially not issues with your landlord. But you aren’t sure how to ask your landlord if your boyfriend can move in.

Random unwanted sounds can really take away from an otherwise relaxing afternoon at home. Sometimes these unwanted sounds can even come from our houses themselves. Water pipes can make a variety of unwanted sounds when they are not operating properly. These pipes can even make noise when the water is not running.

When I first started doing home improvement work, I was shocked to find out how many seemingly universal household parts don’t work with mobile homes. I mean, they’re supposed to be universal, right?! We all know that most heaters and toilet systems may need to have modifications in mobile homes. When it comes to matters like hot water heaters, things can get dicey.

Your air conditioner is a real savior in the hottest months. One AC unit can turn a completely unbearable sunrise into a pleasant morning in bed under the covers. There is so much to be thankful for when it comes to having the modern convenience of temperature and humidity control. But sometimes air conditioners are very loud. In fact, an AC unit can get so loud, it is hard to concentrate on anything else. But how do you quiet a noisy air conditioner?

Nobody wants roaches in their home. But getting rid of them can be a challenge. So, who’s responsible for a roach infestation? And can you sue your landlord if they don’t fix the problem? Here’s what you need to know.

When you discover that you have termites, you naturally are eager to get rid of them. There are several ways to get rid of termites, including drilling, but you want to ensure that you choose the best way. How do you decide when drilling is necessary for termite treatment?

Since mice have the ability to squeeze through spaces as small as a nickel, it’s important to carefully inspect the interior and exterior of your home for holes. Even one small hole in the wall can result in a major infestation over time. To prevent mice from infiltrating your home, repair large cracks or holes and fill small ones with a combination of steel wool and caulking compound. This makes for an effective plug to seal small openings; however, “what grade steel wool is recommended?”

When you are feeling chilly and turn to your heating system, you expect warmth and comfort. The last thing anyone wants to experience when the heat kicks on is a terrible smell. Unfortunately, it is not that uncommon for a sewer smell to invade your home with your heating system.

During certain times of the year, relying on your furnace is a must if you want to remain comfortable. If your old furnace breaks down, replacing it is a priority. While looking for a replacement, you may eventually stumble upon 2-stage furnaces.

Interior design is a college major that you can pursue if you’re passionate about working with others, designing spaces, selecting furniture, and adorning them. This is such a popular profession that more colleges and universities worldwide offer interior design programs. With so many selections, which country is the best for studying interior design?

Problems with water heaters can be stressful because they are an essential part of modern living. Water heaters are dense and durable, but they are still prone to failure which can prove expensive. So, can a water heater freeze?

Roaches can be pesky little creatures that invite themselves over and then never leave. They will come out at night to steal your food and don’t give back anything in return except extra germs. Most homes have a cabinet that is full of cleaning supplies and various insecticides. So, if we have a bed bug spray on hand, will this spray also kill roaches?

Water heaters can seem a little bit intimidating since they use gas, and heat, to warm the water. You may have some trouble getting the electronic ignition, to light your water heater, which can be frustrating. We’ve put together this guide to help you find the solution.

Problems with AC units can be understandably unnerving, especially when they hum without turning on. This is caused by several reasons such as a bad capacitor or broken motor. Whether it be replacing parts or replacing the entire unit, let’s explore what you should do when your AC hums but won’t turn on.

Water heaters are essential in modern homes, and luckily, they are usually easy to rely on. However, they are made of several parts that work together, and just one malfunction can throw the whole system off. So, what should you do when your water heater thermal switch keeps tripping?

Pianos are a staple of many homeowner’s decorative tastes. Not only are they gorgeous and add class to the room they are in, but first and foremost, pianos are powerful instruments. Just like a car needs an oil change to keep running smooth, a piano needs regular tuning to stay sounding its best.

Many tenants prefer to rent a property that comes with a washer and dryer. It’s always more convenient to do laundry in the comfort of your own home than to go to a laundromat. But what happens if your landlord takes away the washer and dryer; are they allowed to remove these appliances?

Proper oil burner maintenance is essential. Just like taking care of your car, there are a few things you should do regularly to keep your oil burner running smoothly. Part of this maintenance involves monitoring the condition of your fuel nozzles. Your nozzle burner is the tip of the spear – it leads the fight against the cold. If it isn’t working correctly, it will cost you time, money, and heat. 

Modern-day plumbing is a wonderful benefit that many people around the world have become accustomed to. Access to clean and reliable drinking water is a beautiful privilege, mainly due to backflow prevention systems. Using various valves, like a check valve or a backflow preventer, can keep potentially contaminated water away from potable drinking water, keeping you and your family safe.

It’s natural to reach for the thermostat during the fall and winter. Of course, you expect your home to heat up, but that doesn’t always happen. So, why is my house cold even with the heat on?

Few things are more inconvenient than a water heater that can’t heat water properly. When your water heater is acting in this way, you won’t have access to hot water for showers, nor will there be hot water to clean dishes with. And if you live in a home where demand for hot water is high, a water heater’s inability to produce hot water can be especially inconvenient.

Nothing is more annoying in the HVAC world than when your furnace won’t kick on. It can also be intimidating at first because we all know that furnace problems sometimes lead to expensive repairs. So, what should you do when the pilot light is lit, but the furnace won’t kick on?

What is a landlord required to provide? What is the responsibility of the tenant to provide? These are common questions within the scope of the tenant-landlord relationship. These questions cover items like appliances, carpeting, and trash receptacles, among others. Then, there is the question of the windows, and questions such as does a landlord have to provide window coverings?

Rodent control can be expensive, and it can also take a lot of time. But there may be a quick and natural remedy to your house mouse infestation. And best of all, you likely have the ingredients in your kitchen cupboard already.

As a homeowner, you want to ensure you can have a comfortable living environment. You also want to keep costs manageable since home ownership certainly doesn’t come cheap. One of the considerations when it comes to your future house is your utilities. And you might wonder if you should buy a home that uses heating oil. 

The sight of mice in the home is enough to leave any homeowner with an uneasy feeling. It feels like an invasion of privacy and a health hazard, so it only makes sense to repel them however possible. So, do coffee grounds keep mice away?

Your plumbing pipes travel through your home, including behind your walls, above your ceiling, and under your floors. You’re literally surrounded by water and drain pipes at all times, no matter where you are in your house. As a result, you might notice the sound of water running nonstop but can’t pinpoint where it’s coming from.

If there were a battle between a bed bug vs. tick, there would be no true winner.  With either of these in your life, you would be the sore loser. They both have unique qualities but prove to be more of pests than helpful, even in the bug world.

Once you sign a lease, you expect to be in your home for the entire term of the lease. But then, one day, you receive a notice from your landlord that the lease is being terminated early. Can your landlord terminate your lease early?

Teflon tape, commonly referred to as plumber’s tape, is implemented when connecting metal plumbing pipes in order to reduce the risk of leaks. In general, Teflon tape is recommended to be used on most threaded connections that do not have a rubber gasket.

If your toilet is leaking, it can quickly create a disaster in a bathroom. Not only can a leaky toilet create a problematic situation in your bathroom, leading to mold and mildew, but it can be costly to waste water, which can cause sky-high utility bills. Luckily, most toilet leaks are easy to identify and simple to repair, requiring just a few standard tools that most DIY homeowners have.

When you start a family there is a lot to be excited about. At the same time, there is a lot you may be scared of. When you start a home with your family you do your best to remove all the hazards within the dwelling. Sometimes, however, these hazards are hidden.

Spiders are one of the most common fears on the planet. Day to day, spiders generally do not pose life or death danger, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be risky. Understanding how to identify different types of spiders, like wolf spiders vs. brown recluse, can ease stress and spider-related fear.

A sump pump that runs continuously is the most common reason for sump pumps overheating and breaking down. If you discover that your sump pump is always running, address the issue promptly. This will prevent further damage to the sump pump and your basement.

We have all heard about people who have paid rent just one day too late and gotten evicted. Other times, we’ve heard about people who have also tried to pay in part. Once in a blue moon, you might hear about a landlord who says no to a rent check. Is that actually legally possible? Moreover, why would they do that?

If you are trying to connect a 1 ¼-inch tailpiece to a 1 ½- inch drain, you are most likely doing so because you need a longer tailpiece. The standard tailpieces that come with the drains sold at most hardware and big-box stores tend to be shorter than you may need. That being said, making the switch is not a difficult thing to do.

Is your water heater in the middle of your bathroom or kitchen? Maybe it is in a hall closet or taking up space in the center of the basement. The only solution you may have is to move it. But this can be a costly endeavor when paying someone else to do it for you.

Ideally, you should start packing at least 4-6 weeks before a move. Moves sometimes come up unexpectedly, but it’s a great idea to start packing as soon as possible. The biggest reason to pack early is that you have many other responsibilities to consider when moving.

When you face replacing the major components of your HVAC system, new technologies can offer some interesting options. Heat pumps have been around for years. With the introduction of the residential geothermal system, a lot of confusion has resulted. Many homeowners wonder about the differences between a geothermal and an air-to-air heat pump.

In Florida, the state known for its marshy lands and wonderful beaches, bugs are prominent. There’s likely not a home in Florida that hasn’t dealt with an insect invasion. But there are some tiny black bugs in Florida homes no one talks about very much.

Garbage is a part of life. Even the most environmentally-conscious individuals produce garbage! It’s how one disposes of their garbage that’s important.

Having been in a trap house-like apartment before, my heart sinks when I see small bugs that look like cockroaches. I actually double-check them to make sure that I don’t have a family of cucaracha in my casa. It’s actually kind of crazy to see how many bugs look like cockroaches. Wondering what the most common ones are?

Oil and electric water heaters are two common types of water heater, and each has its pros and cons. If you’re installing a water heater in a home or office, you should know what these are, as then you’ll be able to make a wise purchase.

No one wants to deal with leaky pipes; it wastes water, makes a mess, and just looks bad. But, when you have connections that use fittings and threaded pipes, you can inevitably end up with leaks. Primarily, leaks occur because no one used the proper sealant (or no sealant) during installation or the sealant’s worn out.

In the world of friendly neighborhood big box hardware stores, there are two names that regularly come to mind: Lowe’s and Home Depot. Lowe’s is newer, but has been gaining a lot of traction due to their affordable prices. Most people already know their competitor makes keys, but aren’t always certain that this classic locksmithing service will be at Lowe’s. So, what’s the scoop?

The rental market is beyond difficult right now. There are very few properties available, and rental prices are skyrocketing. As a renter, you need to act quickly when you find a rental that you can afford. One thing that throws a wrench in the process is a previous landlord who doesn’t respond to a reference request.

Air conditioning, also referred to as cooling, is more intricate than heating. With heating, energy is used to create heat, whereas, air conditioning systems use energy to remove heat. While you may know how to turn on your air conditioning, do you know which type that you have? Although conventional air conditioning systems are what first comes to mind when you think of cooling, there are other alternatives that use less energy.

When people get their first home, they almost always notice that the water heater has a singular location: the basement. I mean, that’s great and all, but if you’re like me, you don’t always want to have a big clunky thing inside your home. Many people have wondered if it’s possible to safely install a water heater outside. To find out, we did a little bit of research.

Heat pumps are amazingly efficient for heating your home under most normal conditions. However, when conditions aren’t right, your heat pump depends on its emergency heating capability to keep the temperature in your house comfortable and stable. If you own a heat pump, there are some facts about emergency heating you should know.

If you’re getting rid of your 50-gallon old-fashioned water heater and choosing to go with a tankless heater instead, congratulations! You’ll be saving a lot of space.

Insect infestations can happen in numerous locations in a home, and one space where insects mass is the crawl space. Crawl spaces are often cramped and hard to reach, which means addressing an insect infestation in this location can be a difficult task.