Pulling up in the driveway and pushing the remote control to open the garage door is a convenience that most of us expect. Yet, we don’t often think about the safety and maintenance involved with our garage doors. In 2007, there were over 13,000 injuries resulting from garage doors. From 1982 through 2001, garage doors
Home appliances have entered the digital age. Appliances can track energy use and be controlled by cell phones through Wi-Fi. One model refrigerator has cameras on the inside to inform you of what is in the refrigerator and when it’s time to replenish. Appliances are quieter, more energy efficient and have gadgetry than ever before.
If your back yard looks like you have a lake front lot after a rain storm, then you’ve got drainage problems. Poor yard drainage can cause a variety of problems including foundation cracks, rotted siding, rot to wood structural components, mold in crawl spaces or in basements, erosion and migrating soil and mulch. How does
We have come to rely daily on our microwave ovens for both reheating and cooking meals. Though microwave oven at home are subject to heavy usage, we usually don’t give much thought to the maintenance that should be performed to prevent damage. Microwave ovens typically last five to ten years. Following these safety and maintenance
During the winter, ice or snow storms.can knock out power and communications to your home sometimes for days creating a dangerous situation. Extreme temperatures and weather conditions can strain your home heating equipment and damage your home. Instead of grabbing an extra cup of coffee and watching television, spend time evaluating ways to keep your
Even if you mainly use your stove to reheat food and don’t aspire to be a gourmet cook, you don’t want it to fail right before a big occasion. Maintaining your stove can help improve performance and extend its lifespan. Cleaning Your Knobs and Dials: Use a non-abrasive cleaner or soap and water to remove
With a home burglary occurring every 15 seconds in this country, you may have already been a victim. Fortunately, most items that thieves are seeking such as cash, jewelry, laptops, guns, digital cameras and other small electronics can be replaced. However, a sense of security and peace of mind are much more difficult to recover.
Do your sinks have an unpleasant odor or are they slow to drain? A stinky kitchen sink can be an annoyance, but it also can be a health hazard. Bacteria that flourish on food particles and warm water are most likely the cause of a smelly drain. Food particles form a sludge that prevents water
Do you may hear clawing, gnawing or pitter-patter sounds at night? Have you noticed mouse droppings? Mice are notorious for getting into pantries or cabinets to raid food, as well as gnawing on wood or electrical wires. It is important to address any problem with mice because mouse feces and urine can spread diseases, provide
Heating and cooling costs make up approximately half of a home energy bill. By changing your thermostat 7-10 degrees in either direction depending on the season, you can save as much as 10-15% on your energy bill. It doesn’t make sense to heat or cool an empty house when everyone is at work or school.