Home Services

You’ve likely had a great time at your vacation house this season, and security may have been the last thing on your mind. However, it’s important to focus on home security before you leave your vacation house for the season. Carefully inspect your vacation house for common weak points in security and correct them before leaving. 

Furnace problems can be inconvenient, uncomfortable, and expensive to deal with. Whether it is your thermostat or your furnace, it is never pleasant to sit in a cool home when something isn’t working properly. So, what does it mean when your thermostat clicks but there’s no heat?

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?

If you’ve ever heard the idiom ‘as quiet as a mouse,’ just know that this is a complete lie. Contrary to popular belief, mice are not in the least bit quiet. Though, while mice can be very noisy creatures, their sounds can be somewhat difficult to decipher.

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:

Getting new furniture is fun and exciting, as is moving (depending on the circumstances). But, what if you have a sofa that’s 40-inches wide? The standard clearance for a door is 36 inches wide, so would the sofa even fit through that small of an opening? If you don’t have an alternative way to get the couch in or out, like through a sliding glass door, will this be a problem?

Making connections can be easy when it comes to social media, but it is getting more and more complicated in the real world of building. There are so many connections needed when you are building or repairing something around the house and some of them have to do with copper tubing, which can be a pain to work with sometimes.

The HVAC system in your home is one of the most crucial components of the entire structure. No matter where you live, you will have need of heating, cooling, or both more than likely. When your HVAC system is working optimally, you don’t even notice other than the fact that you live in comfort.

You’ve spent a lot of money on your home’s HVAC system and smart thermostat. That makes it even more frustrating when for some reason, the furnace keeps turning on and off. One minute hot air is blasting from the vents, and the next it feels like you’re in a cryochamber. What is the explanation for this annoying situation, and what can you do to fix it?

Your furnace probably keeps turning on and off because of a dirty air filter or flame sensor. You may also have an electrical issue or a faulty thermostat. Check the air filter and clean or replace it as needed. Check and replace any blown fuses in the electrical panel. And if these don’t work, you may need to replace your thermostat.

No one wants to deal with leaky pipes; it wastes water, makes a mess, and just looks bad. But, when you have connections that use fittings and threaded pipes, you can inevitably end up with leaks. Primarily, leaks occur because no one used the proper sealant (or no sealant) during installation or the sealant’s worn out.

While termites can feast on living trees, they prefer dead ones. Dead trees attract termites who can devour them until they’re ready to move on to something else. In some cases, they move on to other trees whereas others move on to nearby structures. 

Your air conditioner is a real savior in the hottest months. One AC unit can turn a completely unbearable sunrise into a pleasant morning in bed under the covers. There is so much to be thankful for when it comes to having the modern convenience of temperature and humidity control. But sometimes air conditioners are very loud. In fact, an AC unit can get so loud, it is hard to concentrate on anything else. But how do you quiet a noisy air conditioner?

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.

When your York furnace’s red light starts blinking, it’s time for a proper POA. The problem may be as easy to fix as a blown fuse or something more complex that requires professional help.

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?

You know that buying a home is likely the biggest purchase you’ll make in your lifetime. But the cost extends far beyond the purchase price of your new house. Before you jump into home ownership, understand the hidden costs to make sure you’re not biting off more than you can chew.

Water supply is not always plentiful in all parts of the country. In some places, service is unreliable and there’s a chance you’ll be greeted by a lack of running water in the morning.

Your air conditioning system is one of the most appliances in your home. Having central air is much more convenient than using a window-mounted unit, too. Instead of keeping a single room cool, it keeps the entirety of your home cool and comfortable.

Foam core (or “cellular core”) polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has small air pockets embedded in the composite, whereas solid core PVC is solid plastic. If you run your thumbnail over the end of foam core PVC pipe, you can actually etch it. You can’t do this with solid core.

Some people don’t realize the amount of havoc bed bugs can wreak on a home. In all fairness, many people go their whole lives without encountering bed bugs, so how would they know? However, there’s always a chance that you’ll learn just how much bed bugs can inconvenience you, even if it’s not your fault.

Plumbers grease is used in lubricating and protecting plumbing fixtures. Also referred to as faucet grease, since this is its most common application, it helps to lubricate O-rings and swivel points.

With the new trend of DIY campers, many truck owners are starting to convert their truck beds into a bed. While blankets and a mat usually suffice for a few days, you may want to look into something longer term, like a mattress. But, what size of mattress should you get?

Animals typically get into walls via openings and cracks in your house. Small rodents, like squirrels and mice, can easily slip through holes in your roof and even pipes. Animals can also come inside if you leave windows open and have big gaps under your doors.

The other night, a friend of mine came back to his apartment from a night out, only to see that the toilet had flooded. There was brown stuff everywhere, and he was horrified. I mean, most of us would be, right? He called up his landlord and asked who was responsible for this. The answer might surprise you.

Heavy rain and storms can cause several problems for your home, and many homeowners dread a flood in their basement. Not only can heavy rains damage your plumbing and foundation, but heavy rains can also cause a sewer backup to occur, creating a whole slew of additional problems.

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.

When the weather begins to cool off furnaces start to warm up. Most of the time, the sound of furnaces waking from hibernation reminds as above spending the cold nights of winter in the warmth and security of our homes. Sometimes, however, the sounds were here are a bit less comforting.

Moving in to a new place is very exciting. It is an opportunity to decorate a new space and reorganize your life. Once you pass the application process and get the keys to your new place you may think you have everything you need. 

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.

Homeowners need to be knowledgeable and careful if they want to keep their septic tanks in good condition. The things you know could help save your household’s septic tank from unnecessary damage. Among the things worth knowing is the distance separating your septic tank’s lids.

In the winter months, your heating system is one of your home’s main energy users. Since your home’s heating system has such a huge impact on you and your family’s comfort, it’s important that you consider all of your options. While you may already be familiar with forced air or hydronic heating systems, hydro-air heating is a less common choice. However, they are slowly gaining popularity largely because of their flexibility and reliability.

Our furnaces are quite the piece of equipment. There are a number of components within that allow it to deliver heat into our homes, keeping us warm even when the temperatures are subzero. And just like any other type of equipment, things can go wrong.

The kids have left the nest, or you’re tired of taking care of a huge house — whatever the reason, you want to downsize. You figure it will be easier and less expensive to live in a smaller place, but that isn’t always the case. Before you move into a smaller home, do your research, because downsizing might cost you more than you think.

Leaking fittings and pipes not only lead to the wastage of an essential natural resource, but they can also result in elevated utility bills and presents a hazard in the home.

Droppings aren’t enough to know if you have an active mouse or rat population in your house. Sometimes, mice and rats pass through, and you may never see them again. However, it doesn’t take long to figure out that you have an active rodent population if you look for several signs, like:

Wasps are lean, mean, and ready to sting you and ruin your time in the garden. They wreak havoc on countless homeowners during the spring and summer. The average homeowner would do anything to keep wasps away. Understandably, many people struggle with how to get rid of wasps.

The air filter plays an important role in your furnace. Aside from the fact that it is meant to catch the dirt and debris in the air, it can play an important role in the overall air quality of your home. Moreover, a dirty filter can cause a number of issues with your furnace.

Insurance policies can be very confusing, especially if you’re a new renter. While the policies usually have everything in the fine print, they can be difficult to understand. What’s covered? What’s not? How about windows; will your renter’s insurance cover a broken window?

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:

Problems with AC units can be understandably unnerving, especially when they hum without turning on. This is caused by several reasons such as a bad capacitor or broken motor. Whether it be replacing parts or replacing the entire unit, let’s explore what you should do when your AC hums but won’t turn on.

Thermostats that seem to change the settings randomly can be suffering from several different ailments. A properly operating programmable thermostat may change settings if the thermostat is not programmed correctly.

Your home’s air ducts are an essential part of your comfort, especially during the peak of summer or the dead of winter. Understandably, it can be concerning to hear your air ducts sound much louder than usual. So, why are my air ducts so loud?

In the past decade or so, freon prices have gone up drastically. But anyone who has central air in their home knows that freon is a necessity, especially for those in temperate climates that can get into the upper 90s or 100s in the summer. With Freon being a necessity, you must know exactly how much this will cost you per pound.

Buying a house is one of the biggest decisions you can make in your adult life. There are various reasons why a married couple would buy a home under one name. Maybe one spouse has better credit, or perhaps it’s an investment property; either way, you need to understand the terms.

The average bat has a strong sense of smell, and you can use that to your advantage when you bat-proof your house. Natural scents with strong odors, such as eucalyptus, peppermint, and garlic naturally repel bats. You can apply oils and extracts of these scents around your home’s perimeter to keep bats away.

If the flame sensor on your furnace is broken or faulty, you may be looking for a temporary solution. Those who live in especially cold areas of the country rely on their furnace to keep them warm during winter months. Since your flame sensor is a safety device, when it’s not working properly, your furnace will not operate.

Homeowners are rightfully worried about keeping their sewer systems in pristine shape, and that includes keeping an eye out for strange happenings. One of the more alarming occurrences that can happen to your sewage line is to see your cleanout cap pop off on its own accord.

Moving to a different home can be an exciting experience. However, if you don’t pack your belongings in the proper sequence, moving can quickly get to be a stressful experience. People are busy planning their move and believe everything is under control until it isn’t, and they discover themselves suffocating in tags, plastic wrap, and cardboard boxes.

You need a permit to install a mini-split or replace one. The installation process of a mini-split is complex and requires working with wires, piping materials, and chemicals. Replacing a mini-split can be a dangerous job, but a professional can handle it safely.

AC units are more complicated than they seem, yet many problems are repairable, such as:

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?

Running toilets are toilets that continuously cycle through water, and they’re a pest. A typical running toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons of water per day. When you hear that running noise echoing from your bathroom, you might be wondering if it can cause a flood. You might be surprised at the answer.

The “rough-in” building stage is when the plumbing fixtures and pipes are all lines are put in place, but they are not yet connected. Plumbing rough-ins, such as sink drains, are just one of many things inspected throughout the building or renovation process.

It’s no secret that moving is a stressful experience. Moving can be a long and expensive process, and figuring out how to manage your time can be frustrating. Many people understandably struggle with what to get rid of when moving.

A water heater helps to heat the water in your house, so you can shower with warm water or use hot water to clean your dishes. Although a water heater is a major appliance, these units do not have a long lifespan, with many only lasting about ten years. Replacing a water heater is a simple job, but moving your new water heater is the hardest part of the entire water heater installation process.

It can be challenging to figure out what rights landlords and tenants have when it comes to spare keys. For some renters, it can be disconcerting to think that their landlord could potentially enter their home at any time. So is it legal and acceptable for a landlord to have a spare key to their rental property?

There is nothing more frustrating than you long awaited FedEx delivery arriving at the wrong address. Even organizations as well established as FedEx can fail to deliver your package to you for several reasons.

Many people don’t think about their air filters until it’s time to change them. However, it can be confusing when you notice that your filter is dirtier than it should be. So, why does my AC filter get dirty so fast?