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.

When a bathtub flexes under weight or is noticeably cold, spraying expanding foam underneath is a commonly recommended solution in the DIY community. Let’s see if this approach is viable. Can expanding foam be used under a bathtub? Yes, expanding spray foam can be used under a bathtub. It can reduce coldness and flex in …

Improving the energy efficiency of your home is not about any single magic bullet solution. It requires taking a comprehensive look at the energy losses occurring throughout your home and tackling them one by one. An often overlooked opportunity for energy savings is learning to properly seal around air vents. Air-sealing is a critical part …

I have recently noticed mosquitoes in our home, something I am not happy with at all. I’ve been looking for a solution on how to control them without using pesticides inside. One of the solutions that I came across was the use of dish soap to kill mosquitoes. Intriguing, yet it sounded ridiculous. So I …

For the most part, I prefer to avoid pesticides in and around my home. I lean toward natural remedies whenever possible. I want to prevent exposing my family to toxic chemicals or disturbing the natural ecosystem of my yard. But there comes a time for massive action. I live in Southeast Texas and we have …

My family visits Destin, Florida almost every summer. We stay in the same condo each visit. I’ve often contemplated purchasing a condo so that we could use it as often as we want and rent it out the rest of the season. But the real question is whether or not renting that property out will …

In 2016 while planning the design of my family’s new home, I began to research Wago lever nuts, unique electrical wire connectors that offer distinct advantages over traditional wire nuts. I was fascinated by the concept and the potential ease of use that these wire connectors would offer. But were Wago wire connectors really superior …

Mosquitoes are one of the most annoying pests a homeowner has to deal with. Not only are they a complete nuisance, but they can also carry diseases, and they are difficult to manage. Thankfully, mosquitoes “bug” researchers, too. So, there have been many studies that try to pinpoint the most effective means of controlling them. …

I have been reminded recently of the frustrations that apartment owners deal with when it comes to high utility bills since my daughter moved into an apartment complex. Rather than feeling helpless, we have to take a look at what the primary causes of high electricity bills are and what we can do about it. …

I had heard for years that you can improve the condition of clay soil by drilling holes in a lawn. I didn’t believe it. I’m skeptical by nature. But I’m always ready to put something to the test if only to disprove a myth. I may have been wrong about this one. If you have …

I receive a lot of questions about controlling pests in the home. A huge part of an indoor pest control strategy is proper air-sealing which not only reduces entry points for pests but significantly improves the energy efficiency of the house. But to really control pests, we need to take a comprehensive approach to understanding …