I tend to take our microwave for granted. It’s fast, convenient, and for the most part, reliable. But when it starts making strange noises and won’t heat like it’s supposed to, it can be really concerning. If your microwave is making a loud noise and not heating your food or drink, one or more parts …
How-To
Some home builders fail to provide an access point during construction. I’ll never understand it. At some point, you are going to need access and the only solution is to create one. Here’s how you can get into an attic with no access: Decide where to put the attic access. Prepare the tools and set …
You want to finish your attic, but first, you need to make the opening big enough for the stairs. You have some home renovating experience, but you’ve never done a job like this before. How do you enlarge an attic opening? Here are 7 tips and tricks that will help you enlarge your attic opening: …
Particleboard is a modified wood product and is a good choice for some projects. However, you have to take care to make sure that moisture doesn’t destroy it. The best way to seal particleboard is to apply a waterproof sealant before installing the particleboard, this process can take up some time in the construction project, …
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 …
If you have ever contemplated turning one of those pre-built sheds that you see at Home Depot or Lowes into a hunting or fishing camp, this article is for you. I’m going to break down the cost to make this happen. We’ll start with essentials and then see what adding a few extras would tack …
When my wife decided she wanted a large flower bed along the front porch, I was worried that we would have standing water in the front yard. I’d addressed standing water issues previously by installing a french drain in the yard so I wasn’t ready to create another issue. I did some research and learned …
There was a time when a device’s energy consumption was easy to understand and estimate. When you turned a device off, it was truly “off” and no power was drawn until it was turned on again. Today, however, we live in a world of always-on electronics. Even when “turned off” these always-on devices continue to …
I frequently notice standing water in my garage when I pull in during a rainstorm that will sit for a couple of days. The garage also suffers from condensation on the floor at times. I have been wondering if I need to install a dehumidifier in my garage to prevent mold and structural damage. If …
Gas bills in an apartment can be very frustrating because you have no control over many of the factors that impact your bill. You can’t, for example, just go out and buy a more efficient water heater or furnace. And you probably can’t shop around for a more competitive gas provider. At the same time, …