Many brick homes built before the 1980s, and especially earlier, were not built with current standards of insulation. Usually, exterior brick walls built before this time have little or no insulation, in fact (source). I ran into this with an old house that we were renovating a few years ago. The methods for insulating exterior …

Framing a window for a remodel or during new construction requires basic tools and a fair amount of patience. It’s super-simple for a pro but can be done by a DIY enthusiast with the proper tools.  Framing for a new window can be accomplished through the steps outlined in this article. I will also walk …

If you are planning a remodel to a basement or garage on a slab, you will need to secure the bottom plate of the walls to the concrete. I’ve had to do this many times over the years and there are a number of ways to do it. Attaching the bottom plate of a wall …

New flooring can make a huge difference to the look and comfort of a home. Whether you are replacing old carpeting, installing new laminate or vinyl planks, or splashing out on hardwood floor or tile, it is important to prepare the floor to receive the new material.  When choosing underlayment material, many people consider using …

We’re familiar with tankless water heaters providing on-demand hot water for domestic appliances. But can that same type of tankless water heater be used to heat a pool? A tankless water heater can be used to heat a pool, although the type used for domestic hot water isn’t designed for this purpose. You may need …

When it comes to thermal insulation, foam board insulation is regarded as a great alternative to the fiberglass batt, which cannot compare in terms of R-value. Foam board insulation is compact, durable, easy to install, and serves to control a building’s energy use efficiently, which essentially lessens energy cost.  Foam board insulation products are generally …

When picking insulation, you want one that has high R-values and is safe. Flammability is an important consideration—after all, nobody wants to install insulation that can catch fire. So, is fiberglass insulation flammable? Fiberglass insulation cannot catch fire, but at high enough temperatures, it can melt. However, the brown paper that is often attached to …

If you are thinking about insulating your attic, there are several options. The trendy one is spray-in foam, but that can be costly and is not a DIY project. Foam board is cheaper, but can it be safely used in an attic? You can use foam board in the attic. It is an excellent installation …

A noisy furnace is annoying, but it can signify that something in your furnace is starting to fail. If you are wondering why your furnace is buzzing, we have the answers. The most common sources of a buzzing sound from a furnace include: The blower fan Motor bearings The draft inducer The Belt (certain models), …

Maybe you have noticed drafts in your home in the wintertime, or simply feel like you are spending more to heat your home than necessary. Often, the problem lies in air leaks around the home.  A good way to prevent air leaks is to insulate your attic space, but how do you insulate around a …