Home Services

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?

In finding the best water heater company, both Rheem and AO Smith are easy contenders for the top. Both of them have a couple of hundred years of experience under their belts. They have also produced an impressive line of products. But when comparing the two, which of these water heater companies is the best?

Regardless of how it gets into our home, we source the water that we use to drink and bathe through groundwater. The thing is that the water picks up soluble bits of the ground as it passes through and into our pipes.

It’s unsafe to fumigate your house if you don’t first shut off the natural gas. This is for your safety, as well as the safety of the professionals who fumigate your house. Call your natural gas supplier and request that they turn off the gas for the day. 

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 rights between landlords and tenants with regards to rental properties has been constantly evolving over time. The changing attitudes towards tenant and landlord responsibility make determining who pays for what particularly challenging.

If you’re purchasing a new home or planning to refinance, then you’ll need to get a home appraisal. Your lender requires a home appraisal to ensure they aren’t lending you more money than the house is worth. You want the number to be accurate and not too low, so how do you prepare for a home appraisal?

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.

Reversing valves are some of the more important small parts of an HVAC system, especially if you run a heat pump during the winter. During the winter, reversing valves have a tendency of getting locked into place. This makes it very difficult for the valve to adequately do its job. If your valve gets stuck, don’t get frustrated. Get good at loosening it up instead.

While buying a pump is an easy solution to increasing your water pressure, those pumps can be incredibly expensive. For those on a budget, buying a pump may not be an available option. Because of this, we’ve produced a guide on how you can increase water pressure without a pump.

Pianos are a staple of many homeowner’s decorative tastes. Not only are they gorgeous and add class to the room they are in, but first and foremost, pianos are powerful instruments. Just like a car needs an oil change to keep running smooth, a piano needs regular tuning to stay sounding its best.

When people get their first home, they almost always notice that the water heater has a singular location: the basement. I mean, that’s great and all, but if you’re like me, you don’t always want to have a big clunky thing inside your home. Many people have wondered if it’s possible to safely install a water heater outside. To find out, we did a little bit of research.

You had a small plumbing repair to make, such as a broken supply valve under a sink.  You followed all the guides and turned off the main water supply valve.  With the repair complete, you opened the main valve.  Now there is no water pressure at the sink where the site of the repair.

Wasps are often misunderstood and feared creatures. While they are effective pollinators and beneficial to your garden, most people want them as far away as possible. When you see dozens of these flying and stinging bugs swarming around you on your property, you’ll want to do something about it, and fast. 

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?

Having a pet is a blessing and a curse in because all the joy you get from them comes along with many chores. Keeping up with these chores can help protect your clothes, furniture, floors, and HVAC system from damage and messes. That’s why we assembled an essential list of HVAC maintenance tips for pet owners.

Very few industries have as much dedicated lingo as the world of real estate. If you’ve ever listened to real estate investors speak, then you’d agree. It almost sounds like its own language! One of the more confusing terms that you might run into is “active under contract,” and it’s a term used in the middle of the home sales process.

Experienced HVAC technicians and contractors have less to prove than others. That’s not to say that a new company can’t be equally trustworthy. However, it’s a good sign if an HVAC contractor has been around for 5 to 20 years or longer.

You may notice that your home has some unwanted guests in the winter. Small, clear, white bugs in the house will likely cause you some concern. You may be surprised to find out that these bugs are called wood mites.

Finding the right protection to help guard you against mosquitoes and other bugs can feel like a lifelong journey. There are all sorts of methods out there. There are bug zappers, sprays, candles, torches, essential oils, and even machines that use sound waves. It can all feel overwhelming, and lead you to want to choose the most natural and organic method, like citronella, to keep these biting pests away. But does citronella really work at helping to keep bugs away?

It typically takes between 2 and 10 hours to move, but it depends on the size of your home. Ideally, you should allocate a full day for moving, as it can take longer than expected. Of course, moving goes much faster when you hire professional movers.

One of the best parts about booking with a platform like Airbnb is that you don’t need to throw down a giant security deposit. Instead, when you book an Airbnb, you just pay the rental price, taxes, and fees up front. 

Finding bed bugs in your home can be sickening. These unwelcome guests can set up a camp in your home that is hard to shut down. Luckily, there are Pest Control Experts whose job is to send these bed bugs packing. After the exterminators have attacked the source with proper treatment, you will need to carry on the work by taking the correct steps. How soon is too soon to mop after bed bug treatment?

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?

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.

Moisture, darkness, and insects attract brown recluse spiders. They also love overgrown plants and weeds that provide great hiding spots. This can eventually draw brown recluses into your home as they crawl through door gaps. 

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:

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.

A water heater is a lifeline when it comes to being comfortable in your home. If it involves water, then you need a reliable way to heat things when necessary. This is why it is so essential to make sure you take care of your water heater properly. 

Selling a house is one of the most stressful things a homeowner can go through. It’s not just about listing a house and exchanging money, and that’s why most people use realtors. That said, some people prefer to forego using a realtor when selling their house, and doing so carries some pros and cons.

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.

When your A/C drain line becomes clogged, a plumber’s snake may be the most cost-effective option. With the right type of snake, snaking a drain line is a straightforward task.

Getting the news that you have termites can feel like a death sentence, but could there be an upside? Fear of spiders is one of the most common phobias and also a very common infestation. So could you potentially kill two birds with one stone; does termite fumigation kill spiders?

If you’ve heard much talk about furnaces and their specific components, you’ve likely come across the term “blower.” The blower, or blower motor, is one of the most essential components of your furnace.

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.

Landlords must typically give at least 24 hours' notice before visiting your property if they go inside. However, this varies between states, so you must look into local laws before you take action. A landlord can only enter a property without notice in the event of an emergency. 

The last thing you want to do is get bitten by a snake that's invaded your house. Whether a snake is venomous or not, you can still get hurt. You must put as much distance between yourself and the snake as possible to avoid getting bitten. 

When it comes to your home, there are few things that are as important as having a good HVAC system. It’s what will keep your home warm and also regulate your home’s temperature. In recent years, heat recovery ventilation systems have become very popular. As one of the newest “hot features” of homes, it’s worth taking a look at what they can and cannot do for your home.

There are many reasons that people rent trucks from Menards. Sometimes, a truck is just what you need to haul a new purchase back home. At least, if you want to haul it home yourself at your own convenience.

Air ducts should be cleaned every 3 to 5 years for the best results. This helps reduce dust, dirt, and debris that could otherwise contribute to mold. It typically takes 3-5 years for dust, dirt, debris, moisture, and even pet hair to excessively accumulate within your ductwork.

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.

The sound of a mosquito buzzing near your ear is the last thing you want to hear before you fall asleep. This is because when you have mosquitoes in the home, you can wake up covered in bites. The itching alone is enough to drive a level-headed person crazy. If you struggle with these blood sucking insects where you live, you’ll want to do all you can to keep them out of your home.

Maybe your sofa is old and tattered or maybe you just don’t like the color anymore. Whatever the reason, if you’re wondering how to get rid of a couch, there are plenty of ways to do it.

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?

A sewer cleanout isn’t something that everyone is familiar with. In fact, many homeowners are unfamiliar with what a sewer cleanout is, what it does, where it’s located on your property, and how much it costs to install one. Oftentimes, a sewer cleanout only becomes a relevant topic when something goes wrong.

The cockroach may very well be the pest that most people want nothing to do with. They are troublesome home invaders that can spread disease, ruin food, and destroy clothing. Cockroaches also excel at striking fear into our hearts when they crawl on us or fly in our direction.

Your air conditioner, whether it is a small window unit or a large central unit, is a complicated piece of equipment. There are many components within it that, should they stop working, can derail the entire unit from working properly.

When the seasons shift, you remember just how critical your home’s heating and cooling systems are. Whether you’re entering a cold winter or a sweltering summer, make sure your thermostat is in good working order. The thermostat tells the HVAC system when it’s at the right temperature– but there are many ways miscommunications can happen.

When the temperatures start to drop in the winter months, your furnace may struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. While that may sometimes mean that you need a new furnace, it most often means that one of your furnace parts could benefit from a little maintenance. Understanding all of the various parts of a furnace can help you to make an informed decision about what is best for your home.

In the world of friendly neighborhood big box hardware stores, there are two names that regularly come to mind: Lowe’s and Home Depot. Lowe’s is newer, but has been gaining a lot of traction due to their affordable prices. Most people already know their competitor makes keys, but aren’t always certain that this classic locksmithing service will be at Lowe’s. So, what’s the scoop?

Laws, traditions, and common sense act as the guideposts that dictate and clarify many areas of the tenant-landlord relationship. Unfortunately, however, many areas of the tenant-landlord relationship aren’t so clearly defined.

Periodically, your furnace will turn on to reach a desired temperature before shutting off. This is called cycling, and the frequency in which it occurs depends on a few factors.

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.

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.

Nobody should have to live with a rodent infestation. But who’s responsibility is it to get rid of mice? And if it’s up to your landlord, can you withhold rent until the problem is fixed? Here’s what you need to know.

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. 

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.

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?

With every season comes its new challenges and new unwelcome house guests. In the summer, you may see tiny jumping bugs in your bathroom. These tiny bugs are called springtails, and they love to emerge all summer long.

Regardless of what type of bathroom aesthetic you are trying to achieve, you want your bathroom to look clean. The last thing you want is to have insects all over your bathroom. What do you do, then, when you notice that insects like weevils have moved into your bathroom.