Home Improvement

When you think of a 15-ft wide house, you might picture a shotgun house or single-wide mobile home. These style homes are typically long and narrow,  making them a good fit for narrow lots. You could also find multi-level 15-ft wide homes in many cities, where space is limited, but housing needs are high.

Insulation is an important part of every home. It keeps your house warm during the winter and cool during the summer.  But insulation also reduces noise, thus increasing privacy.

No that isn’t the sound of the house being sucked under by a giant whirlpool. What you are hearing, that sounds like a giant washing machine on steroids is actually the  sump pump. In many homes, it won’t even matter what room in the house you are in, because it seems there is nowhere that violent sucking sound can’t reach. So what do you do about it? Can you do anything about? What causes it?

As outdoor electrical outlets are subjected to different weather patterns, installing them falls under strict building codes. 

The blower motor inside your HVAC unit has an important role to play. That blower motor is responsible for moving the fan in your HVAC unit so the air will not circulate without it. Simply put, your HVAC unit will not be able to provide the comfort you seek if the blower motor is malfunctioning.

Light switches are a major feature in the electrical system of a home. They are located in every room and some rooms have multiple switches. The switches in older homes were not grounded but due to new safety regulations, many new construction homes do have grounded light switches.

Working with toilets and other plumbing fixtures can be intimidating, difficult, and messy. This is especially true when it comes time to remove the lid from your toilet tank remove any component. With that said, how do you remove the plastic nut from a toilet tank?

Building a sandbox yourself is the best way to keep costs down. In addition to doing the labor yourself, you should also look for cheap materials. There are many types of sandboxes and sandbox alternatives you can create. You can look online for old tractor tires (a popular sandbox frame), or search for inexpensive treated wood. There are many places where you can find cheap or free building materials. Below is a list of great places to look for this kind of building materials for your DIY sandbox.

Pairing the right sink with a 30-inch cabinet is not as easy as it may sound. Factors such as how the manufacturer states dimensions and flange sizes can make all the difference in installation. So what size sink do you need for a 30-inch cabinet.

Often times, when builder-owners plan to rewire a house, it is to protect the drywall from fire hazards. Things get slightly complicated, however, when builder-owners are faced with the thought that they may have to remove drywall. You don’t need to worry, because you can rewire a house without removing drywall, and it’s easier than it sounds.

Grout is an integral part of any tiling job. It helps keep tiles straight, prevents moisture from gathering behind the tiles, and adds to the overall appeal of a room. However, if your grout lines are uneven, they’re more likely to be an eyesore than an aesthetic anchor. 

Retaining walls are built for different reasons. They may be built for landscaping purposes or perhaps for safety reasons. Some homeowners also want retaining walls to keep their property protected and to maintain their privacy.

Plywood is an affordable and reliable building material, and it can be used to construct a great many things. It’s been a popular building material for decades, and most modern homes and businesses incorporate plywood in some way. Generally speaking, it’s a durable material. But like a lot of other materials, it becomes less durable when exposed to water, especially if it’s exposed for a prolonged period.

Recently, I typed up an entire article about the way that dimmer switches run hot. As someone who grew up in a home where dimmers were a thing, I was pretty shocked to hear how hot they get. Dimmer switches apparently have a reputation for that. Unsurprisingly, some people believe they’re unsafe. I can’t blame them, if they never experienced it. It’s a debate worth discussing. Are dimmer switches safe?

With the new focus on water conservation sweeping the nation, people are trying to find new ways to make sure that they enjoy a nice bath while keeping water bills low. Steam showers are becoming popular among elite designers. Touted as one of the new solutions to conservation, steam showers are hot-button items in brand new luxury homes. But, are they really worth that #hype?

Any outdoor electrical circuit should be protected by a GFCI breaker somewhere in the circuit. GFCI circuits protect you from an accidental shock be interrupting the flow of electricity when an electrical fault is detected. Sometimes, an outdoor GFCI outlet will trip after a rainstorm.

Have you ever had dirty water flow back into your home via a toilet, sink, or other fixture? Saying that it’s an unpleasant sight would be quite an understatement. Dealing with backflow is a nightmare and that’s why you need to put measures in place that will prevent it.

The tobacco industry creates a wide range of products that are sold worldwide on a mass scale. Even though they are a common purchase, many people don’t know how best to dispose of them. That’s why we’re here to clear the air.

Bathroom remodels are one of the most popular upgrades homeowners choose for their property. One consideration that any anticipated bathroom remodel should include is a conversion to a wet room bathroom. Often, the advantages of converting your traditional bathroom to a wet room bathroom far outweigh the major disadvantage, cost.

Completing a new room often involves installing some kind of material over the bare walls and the ceiling. Many homeowners opt to use drywall for that specific task because it can cover up the space while introducing some useful benefits. Drywall being fire-resistant, easy to work with, and affordable means it can be a positive addition to your home.

Showers should be a place of relaxation and cleanliness. If your shower isn’t helping you relax or is constantly dirty, then you’ve got to make a change! Whether installing a new shower into your current home or selecting one for your new home, you’ve still got extensive choices to make.

Nothing screams 1960s design quite like linoleum floors — and not in a good way. Adding new floors is likely on your list of top to-dos if you’re updating your home. And luckily for you, you might be able to install vinyl plank flooring over linoleum without a lot of hassle.

The question is less about pivot vs. hinged shower doors and more about the preference of each type of shower door hinge. Those preferences are also going to be determined by considerations such as the shower layout, the shower design, and other practical and aesthetic aspects.

There are so many factors that go into choosing your type of home construction. Whether you’re shopping around or looking to build your house from the ground up, it can be overwhelming. You know about the all-to-common wood frame homes, but another type of house keeps popping up: CBS homes. So, what is a CBS home, and why is it growing in popularity?

While pulling into your garage one day, you may notice that something’s off. After stepping out of your car to get a closer look, you’ve discovered that your garage is crooked. Your garage is leaning to one side and now you’re trying to figure out what to do.

Bathroom maintenance can be a chore. Due to their susceptibility to water, bathrooms attract bacteria like a moth to a flame. Moisture can accumulate in the nooks and corners of tiles, bathtubs, and cubicles of your bathroom and attract mildew spores, dirt, and soap.

Closet space is one of the most underrated aspects of a home. Having enough space to keep all of our clothes, whether we wear them or not, can either be a major plus or a huge inconvenience. That is why creating more closet space can become a necessity.

Double sink vanities are regal, helpful, and completely practical. When having a double sink vanity, you essentially get two sinks rather than one, but for the same price. Roughing in a sink involves connecting a sink, toilet, or tub in its final stage. After you rough-in your sink, you will be almost finished with the install. Although it can seem complicated, it is not too hard if you follow the steps correctly. 

A beautiful kitchen can work wonders for just about any type of home. Preparing your favorite treats inside a gorgeous kitchen is a delightful experience unlike any other. If you’re interested in redesigning your home kitchen, don’t forget to do something about the ever-present backsplash.

Challenger circuit breakers and service panels were popular during the 1980s and 1990s. Thousands of these Challenger electrical systems were installed in homes built during this period. Unfortunately, experience showed that certain Challenger circuit breakers overheated during normal use. If you have Challenger components in your home, it is critical to replace those breakers. Replacement breakers for Challenger products are available.

After a long, stressful day a good soak in the tub can be a relaxing way to unwind. However, this experience is highly dependent on a working stopper keeping the water from escaping down the drain. If your bathtub doesn’t have a functioning stopper or plug, there are ways to block the drain without them.

When you’re taking a shower, you pay more attention to the shower’s dimensions than you probably realize. Every time you turn around and bump your elbow, you might think about how your shower is too small. On the contrary, if you love taking long showers, it might be because you have enough room to be comfortable. 

For many homeowners, a two car garage is not only highly sought after, but it is also a necessary part of their home. Not all houses come with 2 car garages, of course, so often homeowners will have one built to accommodate their needs.

When you are beginning the process of home renovations, it can be difficult to determine which repairs will require permits. Permit regulations vary on the extent of the project and depend on the state and city in which you reside. Therefore, Pennsylvania homeowners may be unsure if they need a permit to finish a basement in Pennsylvania.

We don’t realize how much we depend on our electricity until there is a power outage. While electricity at one time was merely a useful convenience, the way our homes currently run, it is more of a necessity. A power outage can cause your food to spoil, leave you without a way to cook food, and it can also affect your heat or air-conditioning system. So when your power goes out, you’ll probably want to know, “How long does it take for the power to come back on?”

Bathrooms need to be vented properly, and it’s this fact which led to the bathroom exhaust fan being created. A bathroom exhaust fan is attached to a building’s exterior, and it’s connected to the bathroom by ductwork.

Are you looking for a creative and affordable way to revamp your wood floors? Painting is always an option! But before you dive into the renovation process, there are plenty of pros and cons to consider.

Removing a Kohler shower handle can be difficult, especially considering that there are several different Kohler shower handle types. However, you will be able to remove your Kohler shower handle in no time using the images and three steps below.

When deciding on paint colors, one of the most common questions posed by homeowners is: “Will the paint color I choose dry to be darker or lighter than the color swatch?” The short answer is neither. So, when you’re choosing some paint, don’t worry about whether it dries to a specific shade. What should matter is the color itself.

Have you noticed your bathroom sink is taking longer to drain than usual? Or, perhaps your sink has stopped draining completely. When this happens, it’s time to remove your bathroom sink stopper and unclog your drain.

Buying your very first house is a huge accomplishment, and it’s also one of the most expensive purchases you’ll ever make. But closing day isn’t the finish line when it comes to home-ownership costs; it’s only the beginning. Many first-time homebuyers underestimate maintenance costs, which could lead to financial stress and buyer’s remorse.

The list of home maintenance tasks that must be regularly performed is incomplete without chimney sweeping. Failing to clean your chimney puts you and the people inside your home at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Chimney fires are also more likely to occur if that part of your home remains unclean for a long time.

One great way to keep your porch warm in the wintertime is to add an outdoor fireplace. Some outdoor fireplaces are quite expensive, but if you do most of the work yourself, and source free and cheap materials, you can build an outdoor fireplace on a budget.

A new driveway is a costly home improvement. The average price of a brand-new driveway is around $5,000 on average, but it can cost as little as $2,000 to well over $10,000. There are all sorts of factors that impact the price of a new driveway. Driveway extensions cost less, but when done professionally, can still cost several thousand dollars.

Sump pumps are critical pieces of machinery that can save your home from flooding disasters. Nearly all homes with basements or any homes susceptible to flooding should have one (or more) sump pumps. It is also important to maintain these pumps to ensure they are working properly. When you inspect your sump pump, you might wonder if it is normal for there to be some water in the sump pit. 

Basements tend to be cooler than the rest of the house, and deciding how to heat them can be tricky. Should you extend your current system or invest in a new one? What’s the most efficient way to heat the basement?

The perfect bath can soak away your stress and troubles, and they are great for soothing sore muscles. At the end of a long day, nothing is more luxurious than relaxing in a deep bathtub.

Do you want to take full advantage of the backyard space you have available? One way to do that is by building some structures that will help define and beautify that available space. Consider building a gazebo if your goal is to maximize that part of your property.

Whether you are aware or not, backflow can be a major problem that threatens the health and safety of you and all the members of your household. Because of this, it’s recommended that a backflow test be performed annually by a certified plumbing company. During the test, valves will be opened and closed to detect any irregularities in the prevention system. Then, a form is submitted to the local city to ensure there are no code violations and the preventer meets the proper standards.

The size of living spaces in the United States varies greatly depending on where you live and your budget. Of course, you might consider having more space ideal so that you can fit all of your things easily. However, perhaps you welcome the challenge of making a small space work for you. 

When you’re building your home, you are in control of everything, including the orientation of your house. That small detail is something most people don’t think about but can make a huge impact on how you experience your home. After all, the direction your house faces will impact your heating, parking, as well as the amount of sunlight you get. So, what is the best direction for a backyard to face?

Exterior paint is known to be both strong and durable. But, is it appropriate for indoor use? It may seem like a great idea to use exterior paint on interior walls; however, this option has serious downfalls. One has to beware of the dangers of exterior paint when it’s used indoors.

Sheds are convenient for extra storage, holding everything from tools to lawn care equipment and sports gear. However, nowadays, sheds can be a lot more than just a place to stash your stuff. People use them as cabanas, workshops, small playrooms, and much more. 

In plumbing terms, a shower diverter is a term for the valve that redirects water from the showerhead to the bathtub faucet. If you have a bathtub, you most definitely have a shower diverter installed. Even if you don’t have one, you still probably have a diverter installed with your shower fixture.

Building a structure like a barn or shed doesn’t feel like as big of a deal as building a livable structure to many. However, Building Departments throughout the country value safety and expect you to comply when you build a barn. So, what happens if you build a barn without a permit?

Hanging drywall in a home is a big moment. It is when the shape and feel of a house really takes form and the construction site suddenly becomes a home. The drywall phase is a real turning point in home construction, and it involves some careful considerations. After all, you need to decide the type, amount and size of drywall that you need. You even need to decide whether you should hang it vertically or horizontally. 

Spending hours cleaning your bathroom only to have it still smell like urine? Even the most meticulous of cleaners can fall victim to this eternal battle with urine smell in the bathroom. So, where does it come from, and how do you get rid of it?

You’re probably pretty familiar with plywood, an engineered wood product used for many different projects. But when it comes to the underlayment, things are a little more complex. Is underlayment plywood the same as the subfloor, and when should it be used?

Cement board, widely known as Hardie board, is a form of fiber cement that is commonly used on the exterior of buildings or as the backing for walls, floors, and tile applications. The boards are incredibly durable and highly resistant to fire, rot, and mold and mildew growth. When used as an exterior building material, you may be wondering: “can you paint cement board?”

In the never-ending quest for more living space, a walkout basement might be your solution. It can either be built as part of new construction or as an addition to an established home. Bear in mind the latter will be quite costly.