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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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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 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…
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What Are Your Best Eco-Friendly De-icing Options?
What’s the most eco-friendly way to deal with wintry ice on sidewalks, driveways, porches and steps? Most people stock up on bags of salty de-icer, and then start throwing handfuls of it around when snow starts falling, thinking “More is better.” There are two problems with this approach. First, many common de-icers are loaded with potent…
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What Should I Turn the Thermostat to During the Day?
What’s the ideal temperature to set your thermostat to during the day? Like many homeowners, you might often wonder about just how high or low you need to set your furnace or AC to run when you’re away from home. You probably already know that it wastes money to heat or cool your homes when…
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Install a Window Box Planter for Instant Curbside Appeal
Affordable window updates are few and far between, but a hanging planter installed outside the kitchen or under a set of living room windows is a cheap way to add natural beauty to your home without emptying your checking account or planning out a major remodeling project. Window boxes are so simple, in fact, they…
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Dress Up Your Deck With A DIY Gas Fire Pit
Gas fire pits marry the cozy warmth of a backyard fire with ease and convenience. Instead of spending your time chopping wood, obtaining a fire permit, and struggling to light a fire the old-fashioned way, you can set up your own gas fire pit for backyard campouts at the touch of a button. And while…