Home Services

Staying on top of your rent is an important and often difficult responsibility. Being an adult can be hard and expensive. It will come as quite a frustrating shock then, if your landlord reaches out saying you have not paid your rent but you see the rent check has been cashed.

Don’t ignore your instincts if you suspect your gas furnace has a cracked heat exchanger. Not repairing a damaged heat exchanger in a timely manner can cause serious health issues for your family. Among the toxic gases released into the air is carbon monoxide. It’s important to check to see if it’s cracked and then stop all use. But, how do you tell if it’s broken?

The majority of individuals use a mortgage to purchase a home because it is a costly investment. However, obtaining a mortgage is a lengthy process that necessitates the existence of a source of income. So, that begs the question: Can you quit your job after closing?

These days, sellers are sitting on home listings for much longer than they anticipated, often lowering the price to make the sale. But is the price the only factor that’s putting off buyers, or is it something else? What are the main reasons buyers are rejecting homes today?

It’s hard to miss the smell of sulfur; the scent is quite distinct and unpleasant. The smell is even more unpleasant when it’s in your neighborhood and even your home. So, why does my neighborhood smell like sulfur?

Refrigerators have a wide range of weights depending on capacity and conveniences. A refrigerator is one of the heaviest standard appliances in the home, and for many residents, it has gotten larger and larger. But before purchasing your fridge, it’s important to know how much a refrigerator weighs.

Glue traps don’t typically attract bugs by any specific means. Whether or not bugs are attracted to glue traps depends on the location, and that’s up to you. For example, you won’t catch many spiders if you place glue traps in the middle of the floor in a room with heavy foot traffic. 

A great heat pump can boost your home’s HVAC system. However, some brands such as Nordyne and Rheem are worth avoiding. Whether it be Ameristar or Lennox International, let’s take a look at the 6 worst heat pump brands.

We all seem to take clean water for granted. You turn on the tap and freshwater flows. If you live in a rural area and depend on a water well, you may have experienced a temporary lack of water when your well goes dry from overuse. You may wonder how long does it take for a water well to refill?

Furnaces are one of the most important parts of any home you go into. Without them, you won’t have heat during the winter and there’s also a good chance your hot water could also be linked to it. (If you have a steam furnace, anyway.) Running them is vital, and so is replacing the filter…or is it? Do you always need to use a filter when running a furnace?

Bed bugs are the true nightmare pest of both homeowners and apartment renters. The first sign of an infestation that most people see are the bites. These classic “three in a row” bitemarks freak people out. But, is it always a bed bug bite? What would it mean if it disappears in an hour?

Owning a home can be a wonderful experience, but a costly one as well. When it comes to all the expenses in maintaining your home, it’s tempting to cut financial corners where you can. However, you should undoubtedly renew your termite warranty; it’s a smart investment in your home.

Heating makes up almost 30% of utility costs, so wanting to close vents that bring in cold air is normal. These vents are fresh air intakes for your furnace. Before you decide to block them, learn more about furnace fresh air intakes and how to fix common problems.

Cleaning your air ducts can improve your home’s air quality and airflow. Air ducts are constantly exposed to dust, debris, dirt, pet hair, and dead skin cells that make them dirty. Dirty air ducts can lead to health problems, especially if you have a respiratory issue like asthma. 

Buying or selling a home is stressful, and that’s why most people don’t do it alone. That’s where a real estate agent comes in, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to do a great job. You’re not alone if you’re unsure of what to consider when finding a real estate agent.

Many homes use gas, such as natural gas, for stoves, water heaters, and more. If your home uses gas, you may wonder how to tee off an existing gas line. This guide will show you exactly how to do that!

During your regular monthly maintenance on your HVAC system, you notice something strange. Water seems to be dripping from your furnace exhaust pipe. You immediately wonder what is happening, why it is happening, and what you should do if you notice your furnace exhaust pipe dripping water.

Without central air, homeowners across the world would be out of luck during the spring and summer. Proper central air maintenance is necessary for it to run properly, and that includes maintaining the filters. So, why does your central air have two filters?

Painting your apartment can instantly freshen the space. But you have to be careful not to break your rental lease. In some cases, a landlord will let you paint. In other cases, they won’t. So, can you paint apartment walls or not?

The reset button on your furnace is a quick method to solve any short-term issues. But if your furnace keeps shutting off and requiring resets, this is a sign of deeper problems. Given that this is a fairly common problem in oil furnaces, we will be focusing primarily on solutions for those.

There is a strong chance that your new house has more space than your apartment. In that case, you must buy furniture and decorations to fill the space. There’s no reason to spend a fortune all at once, but you also don’t want your house to feel empty. 

There are many hurdles you must jump over on the road to purchasing or building a home. One of these hurdles is a home inspection. A home inspector will need to enter the home, survey and visualize the property, and report on his or her findings. But when it comes to home inspectors you should know that they are not a one-stop-shop. In fact there are lots of things home inspectors are not allowed to do.

Teflon tape, commonly referred to as plumber’s tape, is implemented when connecting metal plumbing pipes in order to reduce the risk of leaks. In general, Teflon tape is recommended to be used on most threaded connections that do not have a rubber gasket.

It’s summer, temperatures are sweltering, and you’re a/c has quit. The service technician declares you’re a/c unit a total loss and due for a replacement. You have done a bit of research and decide that the choice is between Heil and Carrier. Which one is the better choice?

One of the best ways to maximize the space in your unit is something you do before you move in a single box. Moving is often a hasty process, and it’s something you want to get done quickly. Still, a little bit of planning goes a long way.

The tenant-landlord relationship has many working parts. That also means in many cases, issues of clarity, responsibility, and terms are involved. One of those areas of concern becoming more prevalent today is the issue of power, namely electric versus solar power. For homes and landlords who use solar energy, that inevitably results in billing questions. One of the most common questions is does a tenant have to pay the solar bill if the home uses solar panels?

Fumigating your house is a big step, and it can be stressful before and after the process. After all, fumigants are dangerous chemicals, so many people worry about the lingering effects. That’s why we put together a post-fumigation checklist for homeowners.

Call a pest control service right away when you find a hornet’s nest. They have the knowledge, skills, and gear to safely remove a hornet’s nest. Experienced pest control professionals can approach and remove hornet nests without making the problem worse. 

Whether renovating a current shower or building a new one entirely, it is important to ensure that the water wiping is up to proper standards. That means using the right materials for piping water into your bathroom.

The time has come to replace the submersible pump in your residential water well. There are a variety of options to consider. Of the options, there is one that confuses homeowners more than any other?  Which is the better option?  A 2-wire or 3-wire submersible pump.

Who wants to live in a filthy house with dirty floors? Most people don’t. But who’s responsibility is it to clean the carpets? Better yet, can landlords charge for carpet cleaning in a home that belongs to them? The answer may surprise you.

A bookshelf is a great home accessory that provides functional storage without taking up much space. If you have a book collection, no matter how big or small, you might already have it displayed on one of these shelves. While there are many benefits to having bookshelves, they can also become breeding grounds for various insects.

Some parts of HVAC maintenance, like replacing filters, are easy enough. However, the average person can’t justify heavy-duty tasks, like cleaning the air ducts. That’s especially true for renters, who aren’t required to clean the air ducts of an HAVAC system.

In many parts of the country, getting well water is a mandatory part of your daily lifestyle. Wells remain a major source of water for many households in America. However, if you have a well, you’re going to have to pump out the water that is in there if you want to drink something. To do this well, you will need to know how to prime a well pump. The question is, how?

Most tenants are required to put the water bill in their name and pay it on a regular basis. But what if the water bill you received was astronomical, even though you haven’t been using more water than usual? Could it be because of a leak, and are you required to pay, even if it was beyond your control?

Bed bugs can be a pain. Once you have them, it can be very hard to get rid of them. Luckily there are pest management professionals who can help you clear the bed bugs out of your home. After the exterminators have treated the affected area, is it safe to sleep in your bed?

Air conditioners play a vital role in the home, especially during the hotter summer months. Depending on where in Canada you live, temperatures can get balmy and stretch throughout the summer. Without air conditioning, it can make for an awfully sweaty experience.

Whether you’re buying or selling your home, a home inspection is a valuable asset. An inspection report gives you a heads-up on potential issues with the property and allows you to plan for upcoming repairs or replacements. But before you make any final decisions based on the inspection, there are a few things your home inspector needs you to know.

Adding some warmth to your home through the winter can keep your space cozy and comfortable. Many people opt for a furnace blower to help push the hot air through the house effectively. While this is a great solution to heat a home, sometimes the furnace blower can become quite loud. Fixing a furnace blower yourself is possible for the technical and savvy DIY homeowner.

Working on sewage lines can be tricky. That’s why most homeowners hire professional plumbers. But can you put a 90 in a sewer line, or should you figure out something else? Here’s everything you need to know.

Whether it be abrasive chemicals or a bag of charcoal, movers won’t pick up many items. That’s why it’s important to speak openly with a moving company before you hire them. Many moving companies operate similarly, and professional movers won’t move some items, such as:

Copper pipe has been the go-to for plumbing because of its many great qualities. Then about 25 years ago PEX pipe started to become more popular in the US, thanks to its ability to withstand pressures and temperature changes in domestic hot and cold systems.

Every tenant should understand what their landlord is responsible for. Landlords are supposed to act quickly when it comes to their responsibilities as per the rental agreement that you signed. This applies to everything from plumbing problems to air conditioner failure. Many renters have asked themselves the question: should my landlord pay for pest control?

Home security is a huge issue and the market for security cameras reflects that interest. Many homeowners have turned to trail cams as security cameras. In many instances, these game cameras work as well as much more expensive security cameras. One challenge is how to hide a trail cam for home security.

Most homeowner insurance providers cover the cost of a burst pipe. However, it’s important to look up whether or not your provider includes that. If not, it’s worth switching to a provider that covers burst pipes, especially if you live in a cold area.

As a homeowner, you’re already used to dealing with repairs and maintenance projects throughout your home. That said, it should come as no surprise that issues can arise with your furnace, too. A furnace can be a life saver during the cold winter months, which is why it’s important to ensure it is working properly. That means you can count on it to blow hot air through your home when you need it and to shut off when you don’t. So, what should you do if the furnace won’t turn off at all?

Wells are a convenience and a staple in American homes for centuries now. The difference between the wells of days past and wells of today is the sophisticated simplicity of great well pumps. If you have a working well, you need a well pump, but what will it cost you?

The average homeowner would do whatever they can to improve the performance of their HVAC system. That’s especially true during the winter months, when your furnace serves as a lifesaver when it's freezing outside. Luckily, many of the best performance-boosting tips for a furnace are easy to do and inexpensive.

Termites are a nightmare for any homeowner as they can quickly destroy a house. These invasive bugs multiply quickly and mature queens can lay up to 1,000 eggs per day. Even the wind can transport termites to your house. So, should I be worried about my neighbor’s termites?

Your furnace is a complicated piece of machinery. There are so many components involved to ensure that your home stays nice and toasty without so much as a second thought. But those various components can mean that things will go wrong from time to time.

When you’re a landlord, you make an effort to try to find tenants that will be respectful towards your property and pay on time. However, things don’t work out, even when you do your best to vet potential renters. Renters and landlords both have rights that need to be protected. That’s why Illinois has strict guidelines on how to evict a tenant in Illinois legally.

Since 1996, Febreze has been a classic odor-killer that has been used on a wide variety of items including carpets, theater costumes, car seats, jackets, and gym shoes. It is a versatile spray that is found in cabinets all over America. One of the more surprising rumors we’ve heard about Febreze is that it kills spiders. Is this fact or fiction?

If you live somewhere cold, you are used to your utility bills increasing as temperatures drop. Unless you heat your home exclusively with a wood fire, you can expect to pay a high price to keep your home warm and cozy in the winter. While a higher utility bill is common in the winter, it shouldn’t shock you when you read your monthly bill. 

Having a stray fly come into your house is one thing, but a full-on insect infestation is another. Insects have all kinds of cunning methods of finding their way into your home. Then they repopulate like wildfire. Fruit flies are notorious for sprouting up out of nowhere and completely taking over your kitchen. But what if you have a sudden infestation of small black flying insects in your home, but they aren’t behaving like fruit flies?

The cleanliness of most parts of your house has nothing to do with the results of your home inspection. However, it does affect how easy it is for an inspector to move through your house, which affects how long it takes. You can also set a good tone and make a great impression on the inspector if your home is clean.

If you’re looking for your mobile home to count as real property, you may be required to have a permanent foundation. Having a permanent foundation will broaden your financing options and make selling your home a whole lot easier.

There’s nothing that a quick, polite conversation can’t resolve when it comes to problems with neighbors. Well, that’s not always the case, but it should come in handy if your neighbor’s kids keep going into your yard. Find an appropriate time to approach your neighbors without being confrontational.

Whether you’re buying or selling a house, it’s essential to have it appraised. The appraisal process is one wherein an appraiser checks certain aspects of your home to find its value. You may need an appraisal to buy a house, sell a house, or refinance it. No matter the reasoning, you need to understand how much it will cost to have your home appraised.

Swamp coolers represent a reasonable alternative to homeowners who need more cooling but would rather not splurge on an air conditioner. The aforementioned coolers rely on evaporated water and air circulation to make a home more comfortable. That’s why swamp coolers are also referred to as evaporative coolers.

It isn’t necessarily wrong to not tip movers if you have a good reason for it. However, you should only withhold a tip if the movers made exceptionally bad mistakes, such as: