Home Services

The sound of a burglar alarm or smoke detector going off is enough to scare anyone. Sometimes, it’s normal to hear an alarm for a few seconds when someone first gets home, but anything longer than that can trigger some suspicions. So, what should you do if your neighbor’s alarm is going off?

It is very common for people to unknowingly bring bed bugs into their home and if they’re not detected quickly, you could end up with a full-scale infestation. Like cockroaches, bed bugs are considered one of the most difficult household pests to eradicate completely. However, is it possible to only have one bed bug in your home?

A dirty AC condenser cannot properly transfer heat as it’s supposed to. Once this happens, the condenser will stay hot, and cold air won’t circulate throughout your home. Not only does this render the system ineffective, but it can also cause long-term damage.

If you notice winged bugs in your home, you might assume you are experiencing a flying termite infestation. This is worrisome as flying termites can inflict severe damage on your house’s structural integrity. However, you’ll commonly find 3 winged bugs that look like flying termites.

When you receive a letter from your landlord certified mail you may automatically think the worst. Certified mail can mean the start of the eviction process, sure. However, there are a variety of reasons a landlord may want to use this USPS service to send you information.

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.

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.

With airborne viruses and hidden chemicals on the rise in modern times, purified air has never felt more important. Home HVAC systems with quality filters can help increase a home’s value, and certain areas with better air quality have even become more desirable. Air purifiers have also become quite popular in recent years. But with an average price tag between $200 and $500, you might wonder if air purifiers work or if they are a waste of money.

Riddex Plus is an ultrasonic pest control device that repels rodents, cockroaches, and termites using digital pulses through your wall’s wires. I’m honestly not sure how I didn’t know about this sooner.

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.

The thought of ticks in your home is enough to give you nightmares, but it may be your reality. Ticks mostly stay outside, but finding them indoors is more common than you may think. So, can a house become infested with ticks?

Shrews may look cute in pictures, but you may not think they’re so cute when you find them indoors. They aren’t as gross as rats, but nobody wants to find shrews indoors. So, why are there shrews in my house?

There are few things more frustrating in the world than bed bugs and roach infestations. If not addressed properly, a cockroach problem can lead to serious health concerns, hygiene issues, and even the spread of diseases. Whereas, neglecting a bed bug infestation can result in major allergies, skin infections, costly remediation, and even a negative impact on your mental health.

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.

Welcoming a baby into the family is often one of the most memorable and precious moments in a person’s life. Preparing a nursery for a child can be a full-time job in itself. From purchasing a crib to gathering a wardrobe, the entire process can leave you tired and broke.

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.

You only get to live alone for the first time once, and it’s important to make the most of it. But moving into your own place can also feel a bit daunting. There is all the stuff you need to buy, and a home aesthetic to think about.

It’s sad for many homeowners to watch their yards and gardens become less vibrant as summer ends. That said, you can reap the benefits of a beautiful fall season if you tidy up your yard before everything goes dormant. This is the best way to encourage healthy growth when spring returns after fall and winter.

Winter is the time of year when people rely on their HVAC systems the most. That’s especially true in the Midwest and on the East Coast, where winters can be brutal. However, many people make some serious winter HVAC mistakes that cause nothing but trouble.

According to a report by the National Fire Protection Association, 92% of home structure fires involve clothes dryers. For people trying to install a dryer vent in a tight space, this statistic can be incredibly concerning. This guide will help you avoid many potential fire hazards.

Whether you’re buying or selling a home in Chicago (or the suburbs), you never want to move forward without getting a home inspection. These inspections let you know exactly what you’re getting into before you finalize the purchase – allowing you to ask the seller to make repairs and/or back of the deal, if necessary.

When you shop for a car, you take a test drive. When you’re looking for a new outfit, you try clothes on in the fitting room. And when you’re house-hunting, you check out open houses. An open house gives you a chance to see how a home fits you and your lifestyle, but it only works if you know what to look for.

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.

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:

If you take a look at most of our plumbing guides, you’ll notice that one of the first instructions we add involves shutting off the water. It’s simple, right? Well, sometimes you might want to think twice. You might want to know if your water heater needs to be shut off too. This is doubly true if you own a tankless system. After all, it’s important to do it all the right way, right?

Getting all of your ducks in a row as a homeowner involves lots of inspections, particularly if you are seeking a conventional loan. Conventional loans sometimes have different stipulations than government-issued loans, leaving renovators and homeowners confused about what inspections are required.

Waking up in the middle of the night due to strange noises can be a frightening experience. In all likelihood though, ghosts are not the producers of those odd noises. Instead, what you may be dealing with are raccoons that have taken up residence in your attic.

Buying a new home is a big deal and an even bigger investment. If you are in the process of, or if you have recently purchased a new home, you are well aware. You were probably quite surprised at all that was involved too. Who would have guessed there were so many moving parts (pun intended) involved in buying a new home?

Protecting our homes and valuables is one of our highest priorities in life. That is also why so many people have turned to alarm systems for help. Popular security systems like SimpliSafe, for example, are one of those types of security systems. And with so many people now using security systems like SimpliSafe, there have come many questions. That includes questions like why is my SimpliSafe siren beeping and others.

Spiders get into people’s houses during the winter looking for shelter, water, and food. It’s the same reason that other bugs, like flies, mosquitoes, and wasps often come inside during the fall and winter. Spiders often follow their prey, such as flies, into houses when the temperature drops. 

When people think about mobile homes, they don’t ever really assume they’ll see them traveling or that they’ll be mobile. To a point, it’s easy to see why. It usually costs a lot of money to move a mobile home to another lot—especially since mobile home lots will ask you to pay for their right to move there.

Your furnace blower motor is an essential part of your HVAC. It is the reason your furnace or AC is able to blow the air throughout your home. Many reasons can cause the blower motor to fail, such as old age or a high amperage draw. If you have an issue, how much would it cost to replace your HVAC blower motor?

Apartment buildings have taken over much of the United States and currently house millions of people across the country. What many people don’t think about is that every single apartment has to get their plumbing and electricity from somewhere. So, how does the plumbing work in an apartment building, and where does it come from?

For many homeowners, distinguishing between an occasional brown recluse spider sighting and an infestation is difficult. However, you can tell the problem has gotten out of hand if you watch out for a few key signs, such as:

During the 1970s, asbestos was banned due to the serious health risks of inhaling the fibers. Older homes and buildings may still have asbestos, and the material needs to be removed. If you find out that your rental unit has asbestos, you may be wondering if you can sue your landlord for asbestos exposure.

A burglar alarm is essential to basic home security. Statistics show that 60% of burglars avoid homes with a burglar alarm, indicating they are effective. Today, burglar alarms are quite affordable, especially if you buy a basic system without smart features. 

When you hear “money pit,” do you instantly think of the comedy classic starring Tom Hanks and Shelley Long? (If not, it’s worth a peek for a lot of laughs -- or maybe a cautionary tale if you’re house hunting.)

Many people understandably dread using their furnace too much during the winter. After all, sometimes it can result in some hefty energy bills, but that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. That’s especially true if you follow our essential winter furnace tips and tricks.

A furnace that isn’t working problem is more than just an annoyance. Any problem with your furnace can indicate issues that are potentially dangerous to you and your family. A furnace that tries to start and then shuts down requires immediate attention.

By now, you’ve probably noticed that your pets can tell something is going on. Cats and dogs are perceptive, and the packing process may pique their interest. That’s one of the reasons why you must wait to pack your pet’s things until right before you move.

A heat pump is a multi-functioning system for homes. It can create a cool space in the summer months and a warm and cozy space when it’s cold outside. Whether in winter, spring, summer, or fall, you want your heat pump working correctly. 

Your bed is the place in your home that should bring you the most peace, tranquility, and comfort. After all, most people spend nearly one-third of every day in bed. So ensuring it is free of any discomfort is essential to maintaining this harmonious status quo. This balance is immediately interrupted, however, the moment you notice a centipede crawling on your sheets. 

Moths are among the most unique and fascinating insects, but it’s not fun when you find them in your home. They fly around erratically and often look like colorless butterflies to the uninitiated, and that can frighten any homeowner. There are over 160,000 species of moths, but 10 of them are specifically none to live around households.

We have all heard about people who have paid rent just one day too late and gotten evicted. Other times, we’ve heard about people who have also tried to pay in part. Once in a blue moon, you might hear about a landlord who says no to a rent check. Is that actually legally possible? Moreover, why would they do that?

A utility sink can make for a very useful addition to a washroom, basement, or garage. It offers an additional drainage capability, cleaning space so as to not ruin higher-end sinks, and a world of other possibilities.

These days, buying a house seems to be out of reach for a lot of people. High interest rates, sellers who overprice their homes, and confusing loan options can make the situation feel hopeless. Several guidelines exist to simplify the process, like the 3-3-3 rule for buying a house.

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?

The words “emergency repair” are enough to scare any homeowner, as they know how expensive it can become. That’s why many people may want to wait it out and see if they can hold off on HVAC repairs until normal business hours. However, that can be unsafe, especially if you notice one of many signs that you need an emergency HVAC repair.

If you’re getting rid of your 50-gallon old-fashioned water heater and choosing to go with a tankless heater instead, congratulations! You’ll be saving a lot of space.

Your water heater and furnace are essential components of your home. Having hot water and the ability to heat your home on even the chilliest of days are crucial to the comfort of any home. Keeping both running strong takes regular maintenance and care.

There are times where the renter/landlord relationship can an interesting one. In most cases, tenants sign their lease and rarely have to deal with their landlord. In other cases, a multitude of issues can arise that can complicate the relationship.

Utilities are often quite expensive. Depending on where you live, certain bills can fluctuate from very small to astronomical in certain months. If you discover your landlord is using your utilities you will likely become upset. 

Hiring professional movers is an expensive prospect, but it doesn’t have to be. A little preparation and research can make all the difference in how much you spend while moving. Here are some simple tips to save money when you hire movers:

With the cold winter months coming up, it can be frustrating to find that your heater is not working. Whether you are alerted by unusual noise or abnormal cold, having your furnace fail to ignite your burners is not a great experience. So what causes this issue, and what do you do about it?

Many people consider it worth upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace for the cost benefits alone. Utility bills in the United States have risen with inflation, and it won’t slow down anytime soon. You can enjoy many benefits if you switch to an energy-efficient furnace, such as:

Oil and electric water heaters are two common types of water heater, and each has its pros and cons. If you’re installing a water heater in a home or office, you should know what these are, as then you’ll be able to make a wise purchase.

P-traps are an integral part of plumbing, particularly when it comes to showers. They can prevent sewer odors and wastewater from seeping out and into your home. They aren’t always an option, so what are the best shower P-trap alternatives?

Termites are bad news for any homeowner, and they can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage and repairs to your home. Hiring an exterminator to get rid of termites can be quite expensive, but it can provide homeowners with peace of mind. So, do termites come back?

When you’re looking for a new home, you might come across a place you love that is part of a Homeowner Association (HOA). Maybe it features impressive amenities, like a fitness center or a pool. You know you can afford the mortgage, but don’t forget, if you buy the property, you have to pay HOA fees, too.

One of the primary functions of a lawnmower is to spin  blades to cut your grass. While this movement is simple, the machinery behind it can be relatively complex. Whether you have a push or riding lawnmower, many different pieces are necessary to make it work. The variable speed pulley is an essential component that allows you to control the movement of the blade. If it breaks, you will experience various problems, including uneven grass.