Home Maintenance

Taking samples of building materials to specialized laboratories for testing is the best way to kcheck for asbestos. The Asbestos Network website states, "Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) and...

Aluminum siding is fairly low-maintenance and, like vinyl, comes in nearly any color, size and style. Some companies even offer aluminum siding that resembles wood siding, making the possibilities...

Vermiculite is a popular material used in attic insulation. It has a pebble-like appearance, is a pour-in material, and is light brown to gold in color. Vermiculite mining in America resulted in...

Energy efficiency is an important homeowner consideration. Many people go to great lengths to block drafts with caulk, plastic sheeting and foam insulating materials. But there is a source of air...

Trapped moisture in a home can rapidly result in the growth of harmful mold and mildew. The crawl space of your home usually is located either above or below the living spaces, and is a prime...

Well as we all know winter if fast approaching and what does that mean? High Heat Bills. Here are some ways to keep those bills lower and save energy in these cold months ahead.

Mold is believed to play a part in numerous health problems, including allergy symptoms like watery eyes and skin rashes, disorientation, dizziness, respiratory conditions and headaches. When mold...

Whether you want to protect your house from insects and rodents, or you want to keep it extra insulated and prevent heat from escaping in the winter, sealing a crawlspace can be extremely...

Dryvit is the brand name for an exterior insulation and finish system It's a home siding that looks like stucco but also functions as insulation. The manufacturer estimates that one in every 11...

Many homeowners and builders whose houses have basements are faced with the problem of whether basement insulation is necessary. At first consideration, it seems like a no-brainer; doesn't...

Protecting your home's exterior from winter's frigid damage is vital to the life of your outdoor appliances. Winterizing your water heater conserves energy and lessens the possibility of frozen...

With so many choices, homeowners have used fiberglass less as a means of insulation. With new studies on climate change and talk of using green construction in home building, more homeowners are...

Do not insulate your home! At least not until you avoid these mistakes.

Insulation on the perimeter of a slab is a requirement in most building codes as a means of moisture and temperature control. If you did not place the insulation at the time of your slab pour you...

Using foam insulation in the ceiling of your house is a good idea. Whether it is installed in spray or rigid board form, you will see a noticeable difference in heating and cooling costs.

Winter is settling in......are you ready to stay warm and save some money? Going green is all about not wasting energy. And that's good for your bank account too! Here's some easy tips to help...

As energy costs have risen, so too has concern about the effects of global warming caused by energy use and the burning of fossil fuels. This has led people to look for not only ways to generate...

The most often overlooked areas in the home, when it comes to sealing out air drafts, are wall jacks and light switches. All you need to do is place your hand near one on a cold evening to feel...

With the Winter months arriving, it's time to start thinking of ways to make the inside of your home just a little more comfy. There are many things you can do to make sure you and your family are...

Closing off rooms in your house is an easy way to save money on heating bills in winter. That small, unused bedroom, closet or back room can add many dollars to your gas bills over the course of a...

Insulation is something we all have in our homes, but probably don't think very much about until we get those high winter heating bills. While you may be reluctant to spend money on something as...

Homes more than 20 years old typically have fiberglass insulation, which is a suspected carcinogen. Warning labels from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) about the...

There are various types of insulation for the home, but foam insulation has the highest insulation rating. Typically, a professional will install foam insulation in your home, but you can rent...

Keeping your home well insulated is just a matter of good home maintenance. Spray insulation kits are a good way to fill in the gaps that happen in insulation in older homes. Foam insulation is a...

Building a new home is perhaps the best way to get just what you want. When you buy an existing home, you are stuck with what the previous owners and builders thought was a good idea, but when you...

Insulation of any type will help improve the efficiency of your home's heating and cooling system. Some home insulators include items that are inexpensive, such as window treatments and hot water...

In these tough economic times, we are all looking for a ways to save a buck. Follow these tips for a lower electric bill and do your part in being green by using less fossil fuels.

When temperatures dip lower, thermostats get adjusted higher. Here are tips for saving money on your energy bill this year.

If you're ripping out a wall for a remodeling project and you come across old loose cellulose insulation inside, it will turn a somewhat dirty job into a horrendously filthy one. As you rip out...

A poorly insulated crawl space can leak cold air into your home and allow warm air to seep out. Improving the insulation in your crawl space can be an uncomfortable job. However, it's well worth...

Condensation is a high level of moisture buildup that can cause problems in attics and other parts of the home. Left untreated, condensation can contribute to mold and mildew growth, which can...

It's that time of the year again. It's winter. If you are an optimist, you picture winter as a time to snuggle in front of the fire and sip hot cocoa. If you are a pessimist, you see winter as a...

Insulation is a building material used to reduce the amount of thermal transfer between interior and exterior areas. This means that cold air from outside will be unable to enter the home, while...

Older houses are often poorly insulated, which can result in a noisy and drafty home. To improve your older home's soundproofing, there are a variety of homemade options depending on your budget,...

Screened-in porches can be a delight in the summer time, allowing for enjoyment and relaxation of being in the warm summer weather without the worry of bugs and pests typically found outside. As...

Attic insulation is used to reduce thermal transfer through the walls and roof of your home. It can also be used on the floor of the attic to block cold air from entering into other living spaces....

Home heating and cooling costs are rising every day. As the prices of electricity and natural gas go up, homeowners are feeling the pinch on their wallets. The good news is that you can save up...

Siding not only affects the appearance of your home, but also the effort and cost necessary to maintain its integrity. With advances in siding technology, authentic-looking, easy maintenance...

There are two, basic types of insulation processes from which a homeowner may choose: rolled (or batt) and blown insulation. There are advantages to each and some applications lend themselves...

The question of whether to insulate a crawl space ceiling depends on the type of crawl space you have. Houses with vented crawl spaces, those with openings designed to allow airflow to dry out...

It's fall, and your heating costs are about to rise sharply. When the price of natural gas and heating oil spike, so will your bills. With a little careful planning and execution, and a little bit...

Older homes in particular are subject to drafts around doors, ceilings, windows and floors. Even homes built before1980 had little or no insulation in critical places--subsequently wasting...

Anyone who has spent time in a mobile home knows that the structures aren't well-insulated. There are drafts in the winter and the heat is sweltering in the summer. Weatherizing your mobile home...

An uninsulated loft can be scorching during the summer and icy during the winter. This would be OK if you never used the loft for living space; however, once the loft space becomes a dwelling...

Manufacturers produce cellulose insulation using a variety of organic ingredients. It is primarily made from recycled wood, sawdust and old newspaper. These materials are shredded and heated to...

Wall insulation is used to improve the energy efficiency of a home. It can help keep heated or cooled air from escaping through your walls, while blocking the infiltration of air from outdoors....

Garage doors represent a fairly large wall area in many homes. By adding insulation to the garage door, you can greatly improve your home's energy efficiency levels. This can help to make your...

Rigid insulation is a construction material used in residential and commercial structures. It is designed to improve the thermal resistance of a building, which can improve the comfort levels of...

Many people go straight to the air conditioner when they want to cool down their house. While air conditioners do serve a purpose, there are other things you can do to bring down the temperature...