Paul

As a homeowner, I am constantly experimenting with making the structure of my house more energy-efficient, eliminating pests, and taking on DIY home improvement projects. Over the past two decades, my family has rehabbed houses and contracted new home builds and I've learned a lot along the way. I share my hard-learned lessons so that you can save time and money by not repeating my mistakes.

I am a big fan of battery backup systems that can supply emergency power during outages. After living through three major hurricanes, I have a deep understanding of the need for backup energy. These portable power stations come in a variety of sizes and wattage capacities. While there are occasions when a large system is …

Nothing will stop a massive flood but if your house is prone to flooding from heavy rains there are some simple steps you can take to prevent it. Here are 15 ways you can stop your house from flooding when it rains: Check and clean your drains. Upgrade and rearrange downspouts. Waterproof window wells. Seal …

Converting an attic into a living space, such as a bedroom, has become a popular tactic among homeowners who want to add space and resell value to their homes. On the other hand, this transformation comes with many added costs, some of which may not even cross your mind. So, before deciding whether turning your …

Some people say it’s okay to let your garage cabinets sit on a concrete floor, while others believe it’s not a good idea. So what’s the verdict? Garage cabinets can sit on a concrete floor if the finished floor can handle at least 400 lbs/ft2 (1953 kg/m2). However, you can greatly reduce the risk of …

The laundry room can be an overlooked space in the home, and realtors may gloss the laundry room right over during the housing tour. But we know, small or not, a designated spot for laundry is an integral part of keeping your family’s lives functioning. If you want to make your small laundry room more …

Kitchen islands look great, offer extra storage space, and give you more room to prepare and eat your meals, at least in theory anyway. In reality, islands may not be the enormous advantage some make them out to be. What pros and cons come with having a kitchen island? The biggest pro of having a …

If you’ve noticed that your toilet wobbles, leaks, or the base doesn’t fully reach the floor, then it’s likely that the height of your toilet flange is too high. Prolonged use of a toilet with a flange that’s too tall can cause structural damage to the bathroom. Fortunately, there are several solutions to fix a …

Garages are seen as a point between the interior and exterior of the house. They provide a final barrier between the house and the street in care of any issues like flooding. But you may wonder if garage floors should be sloped or not. Garage floors should be sloped to match building regulations. The sloping …

Winter is here, and the last thing we want is to deal with a malfunctioning HVAC system. If you have a furnace in your home, now is the time to make sure it’s installed properly. One of the things you need to look out for is making sure that it is level. A furnace needs …

Stove fans are a great way of getting the most out of a wood-burning stove. A stove fan helps to circulate air and keep rooms warm. As a result, people often wonder if a stove fan works on a radiator and what advantages, if any, can be gained by adding a stove fan to a …