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4 Easy DIY Ways to Finish Your Basement Stairs
Just like any other part of your house—whether it’s your HVAC unit or roof—the stairs will eventually wear out and need to be replaced or refinished. This is especially true for the basement stairs. Since they’re more commonly exposed to moisture, they have a greater chance of developing rot, mold, and other serious issues that…
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Be Ready for Winter with These Home Winterization Tips
You know what it means when your social media feed is suddenly inundated with pictures of pumpkin spice lattes, cozy sweaters, fall home décor, and apple picking. Not only is it time to welcome autumn with open arms— it’s also the perfect time to start prepping for the cold weather ahead. Here are some must-read…
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What Is the HERS Index and Why Does It Matter for My Home?
Want to reduce your home’s energy use? Well, then you’re probably going to want to make some improvements around your home. But which ones? And what should you focus on first? That’s where an energy evaluation can help. The first step in many residential energy overhauls is to have an energy audit performed. Professionally trained…
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Homeowner 101: How to Patch a Drywall Hole
Patching a drywall hole is a skill that intimidates a lot of people—I know because I used to be one of them. But don’t worry, because patching a hole in your drywall seems tougher than it actually is. No matter what your experience level is with home repair, this is something almost everyone can do.…
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How and When to Hire a Chimney Sweep
Did you know that fireplace chimneys need to be cleaned and maintained just like any other piece of equipment in the home? Chimneys that aren’t properly maintained can malfunction in a variety of ways. After enough fire burning, creosote can build up on the inside of your chimney, and if it’s not cleaned, it can…
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How to Keep Animals Out of Your Home
Wildlife can be beautiful, and having animals near your home can be an enjoyable way to immerse yourself in nature as you relish the view. However, there are times when animals get too close for comfort — they stop being part of the scenery and start becoming a nuisance that causes damage to your home.…
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How to Increase the Energy Efficiency of a Fireplace
How to Increase the Energy Efficiency of Your Fireplace Fireplaces generate a lot of heat — when you’re standing right in front of them. Unfortunately, when the fire is out, they can suck warm air from the room and send it up the chimney, which wastes energy and leaves the room feeling cold. But with…
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Warning: Learn These Home Heating Fire Hazards
Heating your home with poorly maintained equipment is like playing with fire—sometimes quite literally! Even if you don’t have a fireplace with an open flame, you could be putting the safety of your home and family at risk. Especially if you slack off on monitoring the condition and performance of your heating systems. While heating…