Home Improvement

Subsidence can occur due to many reasons, from the type of soil your house sits on to drainage issues. For example, heavy pipe leaks can soften the ground and pressure the foundation. Soil consistency affects subsidence as well because silt and clay are cohesive soils.

Many homes across the country have a basement. The basement can be finished or unfinished but usually, at a minimum, has some plumbing infrastructure. Unfortunately, sometimes the basement can develop a sewer smell that can be hard to diagnose and even trickier to fix. The first step to eliminating a sewer smell in your basement is to learn where the odor is coming from.

There are many reasons that you might need to cut a concrete slab but doing so can seem like a daunting task to many. If that describes you, fear not! We are here to help. Whether you are planning to cut a trench in a concrete slab in your basement, your patio, or anywhere else on your property, the process is relatively similar in every case.

In most modern buildings, trusses are used for the roofs. This in place of the rafters that would have been common in roofing technology of the past. The biggest reason for this is cost since you can use smaller lumber components than you would need for rafters.

Without primer, your paint of choice will struggle to stick to the surface and that’s why it’s as important as the paint itself. It isn’t difficult to apply primer, but it can be difficult to determine how long it takes to dry. So, how long should primer sit before painting?

With every single year that passes, it seems like a new type of siding is being made. The newest type of siding to hit stores is Liquid Vinyl Siding. This sounds a bit sci-fi at first. (Like, can you have a liquid part of a house exterior?!) Though it sounds futuristic, the future is now. All you need to do is know what liquid vinyl siding really is and what it means for your home.

Having a basement offers more storage space and additional living space for you and your family, which makes it a popular project for many homeowners, especially if you don’t have a lot of overall square footage. Depending on where you live, you’re going to run into different guidelines and roadblocks when it comes to digging out a basement.

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.

Gaslight fireplaces are a very nice feature to have in the home. They can provide an ambiance that sometimes can not be achieved with an electric fireplace. They also have benefits for those that might live in areas that are at risk for power outages.

The air conditioner is crucial to maintaining comfort for many households. A malfunctioning air conditioner could make dealing with the sweltering summer heat next to impossible. If one of the coils inside your air conditioner breaks, you need to replace it as soon as possible.

Accidents happen, and your bathroom suffers some damage. Or you notice the bathroom sink looks old and dated. The next step is to find a new bathroom sink and have it installed. Finding and purchasing a sink is only half the job. Installing the sink is the other half. How much does it cost to install a bathroom sink?

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.

We tend to take our power outlets for granted. They are seemingly just there to accommodate our every need without batting an eyelash. But there are two main types of power outlets to be aware of: 110V and 220V.

Drywall is the most common material used for ceilings. However, some people question what thickness is most appropriate for ceilings. Sometimes, local building codes require a specific size; this is something you need to check.

No matter your climate, one of the most important things is having a well-insulated home. This will help to keep your place warm in the winter and cool in the summertime.

When people think about giving their walls a makeover, they usually think of all the beautiful paint colors they could throw on them. Or, maybe they think of the posters and paintings they want to hang up on them. Or maybe they want macrame knots all over the place. They think of a lot of things.

A leaking toilet can be a real pain, causing a wet, smelly, unhealthy mess in your bathroom. Plus, once your toilet’s leaking, it’s pretty much unusable till you fix the issue. A common cause for a toilet leaking around the base is a worn-out or damaged wax ring. 

Container homes, once a curious oddity in the realm of home building, have grown significantly in popularity over the years. They are common for everything from vacation rentals to guest suites, and are even used in building large geometric dream homes in desirable areas.

Are you planning to install new lights in your home and are unsure which type of wires should be used for lighting – 12-2 wires or 14-2 wires? You’re not alone. This is a question that often stumps many homeowners. Fortunately, we’re here to help answer: “Can I use 12/2 wire for lights?”

Bathroom renovations can be some of the most transformational projects to upgrade your home. But they can also cause the most headaches, such as unexpected plumbing issues and tile jobs that go awry. One way to simplify this renovation process is to use a prefabricated shower pan. 

Electrical wiring is not a pursuit usually undertaken by homeowner do-it-yourselfers. However, some people undertake minor electrical repairs and additions to the electrical systems in the homes. One of the most perplexing portions of proper electrical wiring installation is understanding when wiring is required to be enclosed in conduit. Many people wonder if THHN wire must be in conduit to be installed properly.

Like any other outdoor room, porches are simply a continuation of your living space. Although all porches provide a space that bridges the gap between the outside world and the inside of your home, not all porches are created equal. Some porches are meant to greet visitors, while others are designed more for relaxing and enjoying the outdoors in an enclosed area.

Vinyl plank flooring has been all the rage in the home improvement industry for a while now. It’s gorgeous, cost-effective, durable, and comes in a huge variety of designs. But what many people want to know about vinyl plank flooring is whether or not it is waterproof.

Installing a roof is not as simple as assembling a pyramid of boards and dropping it on your house frame. There are things to consider as far as time constraints, cost, and aesthetics when drafting plans for a new build. Unless you’re using a single layer flat roof, two construction frame options are available to you: rafters or trusses.

Many homeowners get confused about their electrical system when talking about neutrals and grounds. This confusion can lead to questions about how the circuit breaker box in your home is wired. Is it permissible to have the neutral wires and the ground wires in your home’s electrical system connected to the same bus bar in the electrical panel?

After dealing with a stuffy bathroom for so long, you’ve finally decided to install an exhaust fan. You’re excited about the new addition, but suddenly, you realize that there’s a bit of a problem. Right now, the exhaust from your bathroom has nowhere to go.

When building or refurbishing an area other than the home on your property, there will be a wide range of specific services that need to be attended to. One of those services is the electrical wiring and sub-panel.

Your circuit breaker is a crucial part of your electrical panel that functions as a safety precaution should too much power pass through the wires. Rather than letting the power surge through the wire, it will temporarily shut off to protect the breaker and the electrical panel.

If your light switch is hot to the touch, it could be related to a few different reasons. But the biggest thing to note is a hot light switch is a fire waiting to happen. As soon as you notice the temperature is warmer than warm, call a professional right away.

The best time of year to hire a contractor and save money is between November and March. That is especially true if you plan to remodel your home and take on a big project. Winter is considered the off season for contractors throughout most parts of the United States. 

Glass walls enable homeowners to create a striking and stylish interior space. They allow you to feature a sense of openness inside your home while still keeping areas distinct and separate. On top of that, there are also practical benefits that only glass walls can provide.

Planning a major home improvement project is exciting, but it is also stressful and expensive. There are lots of moving parts to consider, which is why it is so important to hire a great and trustworthy contractor. Once you find a good contractor, you are hopefully a little less stressed. But when this contractor asks you for a whopping 30% up front, you might start second-guessing your decision.

If you’re in the middle of a bathroom remodel, chances are that you’re pretty pleased with the invention of Tile Redi shower pans. Tile Redi shower pans make it possible to get a gorgeous tiled look in the exact dimensions you need. Adding tile to a Tile Redi pan can prove to be tricky at times, especially when it comes to the “glue” holding your tiling together.

Every bathroom is unique, which means every shower will be, too. And that means every shower door will look different as well. The right fit for your space will depend on the size and shape of your bathroom as well as your personal preferences. One popular type of door across all types of bathrooms is a pivot shower door.

Metal roofs have been used to top barns, country-style homes, and buildings across the U.S. since the 1700s. However, the metal roofs of today are nothing like the familiar tin roof of years past.

There are a lot of variables that go into determining whether a 10-gauge wire can handle 40 amps. The higher the amperage rating of the circuit, the larger the wires must be. This helps avoid fire by cutting down on excess heat that melts the wires.

When putting in cabinets you have a few different options. For cabinets that will be floor mounted, you will need to decide on a flush toe kick or a recessed kick. This may be a matter of preference, however, there can be benefits for both, depending on your situation.

It is easy to understand why electrical wiring needs to be protected from damage or exposure to the elements. Your local electrical code will often require that electrical wiring be run through a conduit of some kind. There are a variety of different conduits available. EMT (Electrical Metallic Tubing) and rigid conduit are two of the most common. It is important to understand the difference between these two products.

Choosing between toilets is difficult because of the wide variety of brands and models. Most homeowners have trouble deciphering the difference between one toilet and another. Between two of the biggest toilet juggernauts, which is better: Toto or American Standard.

When a building is being constructed, it goes through many phases before the finished product is reached. Also, of utmost importance, is using the appropriate materials to ensure a strong build. The first phase is constructing the frame, but should you use 12d or 16d nails for framing?

Whether you’re a prepper by nature or not, you should always be prepared in the instance a flood should occur and threaten to damage your home. While you can certainly purchase the right insurance and stock up on necessary supplies, the post-flood cleanup and having to replace your treasured family belongings are not worth the energy.

Facial tissues like Kleenex and similar products can be found in most households in at least some capacity. This can be especially true when cold and flu season rolls around. These products look and feel a lot like toilet paper, so it would make sense that they are flushable, too. However, this is simply not true.

There’s nothing like a hot shower until someone barges in to use the bathroom, or your toddler rushes in to ask a question. Suddenly, your beautiful glass-door shower seems a little too…revealing.

If you are a someone who works with wood or just loves a good DIY, you know that in order for wood to last, it needs to be specially treated. All types of wood must be finished with a special layer of coating for added protection from light, moisture and other elements.

For many people, nothing says elegance and quality like marble. For centuries, marble has been the choice of building material to symbolize wealth and power. Marble has been used to adorn some of the most well-known palaces in the world. It is no wonder that many homeowners want to evoke the same feelings in their bathrooms but wonder about the cost.

We don’t talk enough about how important the dryer is to the typical household. Can you imagine working your way through your laundry pile without the help of a dryer? A job that typically takes less than an hour to finish may suddenly take up a big chunk of your day.

It is tempting for any homeowner to maximize sunlight and keep pests away. The two most common ways for a homeowner to allow natural light into the house are with screen doors and storm doors. So, let’s settle a common debate amongst homeowners: screen door vs. storm door.

When spray foam insulation gets wet, it is easy to get worried over what may happen. You may wonder if you have to throw the whole thing out. Thankfully, damp spray foam insulation is not the end of the world.

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?

It may go without saying, but the foundation of a home is one of the most important aspects of the entire property. The foundation literally holds the structure up. When there are issues with the foundation, it can lead to serious concerns about structural integrity and can cost quite a bit to repair.

The only thing worse than a freezing cold shower is a scalding hot one. While many are familiar with the issues of no hot water in the shower, the opposite is also possible: no cold water.  As summer approaches, you are going to want to enjoy a cool shower, especially if prefer not to run your air conditioning all day long.

There is nothing worse than a gap in your door that lets pests and cold air in, and warm air out. It can increase your energy bills and make life uncomfortable when bugs enter your home unwanted. You have probably heard that door sweeps can solve this problem, but what are the main types of door sweeps?

Quartz shower walls are the result of combining resin, natural quartz, and pigment together. They are pressed together to create large panels that have become very popular in bathrooms. While it’s a man-made material, that doesn’t take anything away from its beauty.

Some home improvement projects require the help of a professional. In some cases, the project is just too big for one person. In others, the project involves dangerous circumstances that require a licensed individual. Or maybe you just don’t have the expensive machinery necessary to perform the job.

If you have a dehumidifier, you’ll be happy to know that it can do more than prevent your home from getting moldy. Dehumidifiers have many uses you might not know about, including helping keep your home cool without air conditioning.

Not too long ago, the essential oil craze took hold in suburban America. This craze offered up a lot of benefits, including the fact that people started to look into natural health options more frequently. Unfortunately, this eco-friendly trend did have some kind of casualty here: furniture and clothing.

Purchasing a TV mount and the necessary screws can be an exciting decision. But getting your mount without screws can be an annoying discovery!

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.

The last thing you want to deal with when you have to use the bathroom is a wobbly toilet. You end up feeling like you’re doing some strange balancing act, hoping you don’t go tumbling to the ground. You certainly don’t want to hurt yourself in a fall, taking the toilet down with you.

Slippery floors are hazards, but they have nothing on slippery stairs. One wrong step on a slippery staircase can land you in the emergency room. You need to watch out for those slick stairs and save yourself from potential injury. If you have laminate flooring over your staircase, you may have dealt with grip-related issues in the past. Addressing that should be your priority as a homeowner.