Home Services

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 wants to bathe in water that smells like rotten eggs, but it’s more common than you may think. That’s because the water supply is vulnerable to a few chemicals and bacteria that can create that stench. For example, your water supply may be corrupted with hydrogen sulfide, which is exacerbated by heat. 

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?

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?

Certain home appliances need cold water in order to work properly. These often include refrigerators, freezers, and humidifiers. To ensure that those appliances are working as intended, a saddle valve may be used.

Roaches can be pesky little creatures that invite themselves over and then never leave. They will come out at night to steal your food and don’t give back anything in return except extra germs. Most homes have a cabinet that is full of cleaning supplies and various insecticides. So, if we have a bed bug spray on hand, will this spray also kill roaches?

Dry air can be a real problem, especially inside your home during the coldest months of the year. Humidity already tends to be lower in the coldest weather, and as you raise heat in your home, you may actually continue to decrease the relative humidity. Before you start to get dry and itchy skin, or experience static cling every time you put on your clothes, you might want to address the humidity issue. But how do you fix the problem of dry air in a house?

Whether you’re wanting to save money on your water bill or keep your lawn watered without breaking the bank—drilling a well is an excellent option for you. While you will incur some costs, you will save a lot in the long run. So, how much does it cost to drill a well?

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.

If your water pipes are making a humming noise, this could be due to several reasons. In some cases, homeowners describe this strange humming noise sounding like a foghorn, as it usually reverberates.

Taking a shower can sometimes feel like a nice reward after a long day at work or doing chores around the house. Naturally, people let their guard down in the shower, which can explain why you may have panicked after finding worms near the drain. So, why are there worms in my shower?

Whether you are experiencing issues with your gas furnace or are simply performing routine maintenance, keeping your furnace clean is imperative. When components get dirty or clogged, it can lead to components working improperly or not at all.

The rental market is beyond difficult right now. There are very few properties available, and rental prices are skyrocketing. As a renter, you need to act quickly when you find a rental that you can afford. One thing that throws a wrench in the process is a previous landlord who doesn’t respond to a reference request.

Ever since the 1970s, central air conditioning has been a popular choice for cooling homes. But the installation of a central air conditioning system can be labor-intensive and costly. Is it possible to do it yourself, or do you need a professional with a permit to install air conditioning?

No matter what you use your basement for, an unpleasant septic smell makes you want to stay as far away as possible. Whether your basement is for storage, a workshop, or a bonus room, it becomes virtually useless if it smells like sewage.

Raid is one of the biggest names in pest control, especially when it comes to sprayable poisons. The brand’s line of poisons are famous for being effective, but they’re also known for being (kind of) risky to people and pets. Spraying them in kitchen cabinets seems risky. So, is it even doable?

When you start a family there is a lot to be excited about. At the same time, there is a lot you may be scared of. When you start a home with your family you do your best to remove all the hazards within the dwelling. Sometimes, however, these hazards are hidden.

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.

Cleaning your gutters regularly of twigs, leaves and other seasonal debris is a stinky, miserable, and messy task that almost nobody looks forward to doing. Thankfully, you can reduce this headache by installing gutter guards. Implementing gutter guards into your rain gutter system is a great way to avoid having to clean your gutters on a regular basis.

Whether it be your stove, furnace, or boiler, old appliances simply cannot work at full capacity. Old HVAC systems must work much harder than they used to, but the results aren’t as good. For example, the typical furnace lasts 15 to 20 years.

You should flush your water heater at least once per year. However, many people flush their water heaters every 6 months. That’s especially a good idea if your home has hard water. Your water heater will quickly become full of sediment if your water supply has a high mineral content. 

Moving in together is an exciting opportunity to take your relationship to the next level. You get to spend more time together and learn about each other. You certainly don’t want anything to cause unnecessary issues, especially not issues with your landlord. But you aren’t sure how to ask your landlord if your boyfriend can move in.

Between landlords and tenants, who needs to complete maintenance and cleaning tasks is a bit of a gray area. In general, tenants are responsible for cleaning up after themselves and keeping up with minor maintenance tasks. But is dryer vent cleaning something they need to take care of, or is that the landlord’s responsibility?

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.

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 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 are trying to connect a 1 ¼-inch tailpiece to a 1 ½- inch drain, you are most likely doing so because you need a longer tailpiece. The standard tailpieces that come with the drains sold at most hardware and big-box stores tend to be shorter than you may need. That being said, making the switch is not a difficult thing to do.

The only thing worse than coming across a bug in your apartment is finding a mouse. When mice get into your apartment they bring with them harmful diseases and can, and will, chew through boxes to consume your food. Of course, the ideal outcome is to keep them out of your apartment in the first place, but one has already gotten in, you may be wondering: “How do mice get in upstairs apartments?”

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.

Termites can be a death sentence to homeowners. Finding out that you have termites is challenging enough, but now you have to choose how to get rid of them. Thankfully there are many ways to combat these little burrowing monsters, like termite spot treatment vs. tenting.

There are around 1,200 known scorpion species on the planet, and they exist on every continent except Antarctica. There are 70 identified species of scorpion in the United States. If you live somewhere with scorpions, you’ll want to know how to safely and effectively deal with these venomous arachnids.

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.

Modern plumbing is a wonderful convenience that allows us to live safe and sanitary lives. Many people rely on municipal sewer systems to help remove wastewater cleanly and efficiently from your home. Sewage usually safely travels through the sewer pipe connecting your home to the municipal waste plant. However, sometimes a leak can occur within your sewer pipe, leading to major plumbing complications.

Is there a drastic difference between the temperatures in the upstairs and downstairs of your house? If this is something new, you must be confused about why it is happening. After all, we all want to be able to expect what the temperature of a room will be before stepping into it. There’s nothing more frustrating than thinking you’ll have a peaceful sleep in an air-conditioned room only to find it’s more like a sauna instead.

Leaks are a way of life when it comes to plumbing. Anywhere there is liquid, there will eventually be a leak. Even the best plumbing construction will eventually breakdown in some way and need to be repaired.

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.

Which bugs do you consider as the most unwanted house guests? Most homeowners would probably vote for bed bugs or termites, but there is one candidate you shouldn’t overlook. Fleas should also be high on your list of unwanted house guests considering the different hazards they pose.

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?

Heat pumps offer an alternative to central heating or furnaces. They basically take the warm area from one area and move it over to another. They are more efficient than furnaces, which burn fuel to create that heat source.

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:

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.

When homeowners have a furnace that works well, they’re not going to complain. Furnaces that are well-maintained can easily last 20 years or more. However, after a certain point, even the most reliable furnace will need to be replaced or repaired. If you’re like many homeowners, you probably are wondering when it makes more sense to replace rather than repair.

Your new HVAC system is installed and running smoothly. However, you notice when the AC runs, there is a trickle of water from a pipe into a floor drain in the HVAC closet. Your HVAC technician explained the drain collects the condensate from the coils when the AC runs. Shouldn’t the drain have a vent like the other drains in the house?

If you ask anyone who’s hip to the jive, going green is important. Everything from water conservation to creating new ways to be energy efficient is on the table. That’s why more people are starting to look at unusual ways to save money on the basics. That’s why people are starting to install hot water recirculating pumps. But, are they really worth it?

Many homeowners use a whole-house humidifier to improve the air quality in their houses. They can help eliminate impurities in the air such as viruses and bacteria that would make you sick. Understandably, some homeowners are confused about when to turn on the whole-house humidifier.

Most homeowners are likely aware that heat exchanger problems can be quite dangerous. However, not everyone knows what a failing heat exchanger looks and sounds like. That’s why we compiled a list of some of the serious signs of heat exchanger failure.

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.

Whether you’re buying a new house or reeling from a recent break-in, many situations call for changing the locks on your doors. The best times to change the locks include:

The stigma, to us, seems as old as the creature. An “evil” bat is considered an ominous sight. A colony or “cauldron” flying over an old, haunted mansion at night is what we see when someone mentions bats.

Homeowners insurance typically helps costs associated with mold due to sudden events that are covered. For example, your insurance provider will likely cover the mold remediation in a basement where a pipe froze and burst. Most homeowner insurance providers cover sudden, accidental, unavoidable events.

Bed bugs can turn every moment in your house into a waking nightmare, and that’s no exaggeration. Not only are their bites uncomfortable, but you cannot eradicate them easily, and they reproduce quickly. It’s even worse to deal with bed bugs when you are about to move. So, will bed bugs follow you if you move?

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?

Do mice hibernate in the winter? This is a completely valid question if you’ve ever experienced any sort of rodent activity in or around your home, or you’re concerned that mice may move into your living areas in search of warmth during the winter months. Humans aren’t the only ones that want to stay warm in cold weather, as most mammals share the same instinct of hunkering down and staying cozy indoors.

If you live in a warm climate with brief or non-existent winters, then there’s a strong possibility you have lizards in your yard. Whether they are speedy desert lizards or translucent geckos, all lizard species are best admired outdoors rather than inside the home. If you’ve seen one or more lizards scurrying across a countertop or find yourself wiping up their droppings, then it’s time to find ways to keep these reptiles outside where they belong.

Honeybees, even though they do great things for the environment, may cause a lot of harm in a short amount of time to your home. You could end up paying hundreds of dollars in repairs if bees are not eradicated or relocated immediately. So, who do you reach out to? Will homeowner’s insurance cover the cost to remove the bees?

You are currently dealing with one of the worst problems an air conditioning unit can have: a bad compressor. It’s been diagnosed, your repairman confirmed it, and you are upset. You should be. It’s a pricey repair, no matter what type of AC unit you own! Right now, you have to figure out the answer to a pressing finance question. Should you replace your compressor, or just buy a new unit altogether?

Nothing can make a home feel comfortable quite like a reliable HVAC system. Sometimes, that means that you need to upgrade to a new thermostat or add one. Can you have two thermostats and one AC unit?

A properly functioning AC unit is a must in sweltering hot summers. It’s easy to panic if you notice your air conditioner isn’t working correctly. One common problem is an AC unit with a fan that is not spinning and that is hot.

Plumbing has completely changed the way we live in our homes and has brought about an element of sanitation and convenience all in one. Plumbing systems can vary between commercial and residential applications, but usually, cast iron or PVC pipe are the materials of choice for contractors worldwide. While each pipe has its advantages, one pipe is superior to the other.

Hissing sounds coming from your boiler may sound bizarre, but there is nothing to worry about. Some people refer to it as a “whirring” sound, but a hissing sound doesn’t indicate a problem. Hissing or whirring sounds typically appear when a boiler first turns on.