April 30th, 2012 
How does your roof measure up against the others on your street? If stains and discolorations mar its inherent good looks, it doesn't necessarily mean you need a new one. A good cleaning is probably all that your roof requires.
First, though, know what you're dealing with. Those ugly black and brown marks streaking down toward the gutters aren't just dirt. What you're looking at here is roof mildew, also known as shingle mold, and it thrives on the crushed limestone component of your roofing material. Read More
DIY: How to Clean Your Roof
How does your roof measure up against the others on your street? If stains and discolorations mar its inherent good looks, it doesn't necessarily mean you need a new one. A good cleaning is probably all that your roof requires.
First, though, know what you're dealing with. Those ugly black and brown marks streaking down toward the gutters aren't just dirt. What you're looking at here is roof mildew, also known as shingle mold, and it thrives on the crushed limestone component of your roofing material. Read More
Sump Pump Plumbing Basics: Part II
This is Part two of a two part series on sump pumps. Read part one here.
How does a sump pump work?
Sump pumps have what is known as a float and kind of works much like a toilet running backwards. However, unlike a float in a toilet, which stops the toilet when the water reaches a predetermined level in a tank, a sump pump float activates the pumping mechanism once the water is over a predetermined level.
Sump pumps come in various models. Homeowners can work with a plumber Read More
Sump Pump Plumbing Basics: Part I
For those homeowners that live of a flat piece of land out in the country, a region that has a high water table, or a low elevated location, then there is a heightened risk of possible flooding. This is why areas like the ones mentioned are known as “floodplains.” After a period of heavy rains, there are numerous stories of people calling up a local plumber because their basement is flooded. Unfortunately, though water may look harmless, it does not take a lot of it to cause damage to a home. Read More
Pool Maintenance 101: Getting Into the ‘Swim’ of Things
Now that the weather is getting warmer everyone is getting ready to start swimming again, or this is true of most people. So if you don’t already have a pool, you may be considering buying one. It might seem like a lot of work and money--and, that's true it can be. If you're working on a budget you might want to look into an above-ground pool, which can be had at a lower price, and for which installation is infinitely easier.
But even if you do go the cheap and easy route when Read More
Swimming Pool Installation 101: Aboveground Pools
Backyard pools are a fun way to incorporate a little bit of the vacation life on your own property. Homeowners typically have two pool options: in-ground or above ground. Although above ground pools aren't the more luxurious option from the two, they're cheaper and easier to install. Here's a guide on how to do it:
Step 1 - Preparation:
Before you get to the nitty gritty of the installation process, you have to prepare. For example, before you do anything, check with your Read More
Using Canvas Art for Interior Inspiration
When you are looking to do some home improvements there are certain things you can do which will improve, and sometimes transform, your interior design. These can be done for very little cost but will have a positive effect on your rooms. An easy way to enhance a room is with wall art.
Obviously wall art comes in many shapes and forms, and prices vary considerably across the board. Specifically we are talking about canvas prints here. These have become very popular over the last Read More
Hardwood Flooring: A Guide to Installation
The first--and arguably the most important and meaningful part of putting in your floor, is selecting what style you want to go with. If you've already elected to go with hardwood flooring, there's a whole galaxy of options: different species, different glosses, different cuts and texture--and on and on. The palette of possible hardwood flooring options is almost endless. Choose a style that's going to complement the space where you're installing it.
The process to install Read More
Kitchen Design Themes: How to Tie It All Together
Designing your kitchen requires time and patience. You are creating a cohesive look that is symbolic of your style; each detail demands attention in order for it to be fluid. Your kitchen can be compared to an outfit. Any time you think out an outfit, you are looking to achieve a certain look, and that is the same for your kitchen. The room should emit a certain era in time, design genre, or theme. The overall effect should leave your guests with reflections of you and leave you feeling Read More
Measure for the Mirror Above Your Vanity
Bathroom remodeling, or any type of remodeling for that matter, can be stressful. One of the easiest (and, surprisingly, often overlooked) ways to help reduce this stress is careful measuring during the planning process. Making sure your numbers add up can move the project along smoothly and with minimal mistakes. One of the trickier parts of taking measurements can be deciding how big a mirror can or should be to accent the bathroom vanity cabinet you’ve chosen. However, if you take into consideration Read More
Get That Garage Organized!
It’s Spring time! That means families will begin the annual ritual of cleaning out their homes. Many people often forget about their garages though. The neglected home for their car and miscellaneous junk could probably use a makeover and the task could be a thorn in your side without a plan of attack.
Let’s face it, the garage is usually the destination for anything that doesn’t have a place in the home. Have you ever tried to straighten up your garage a little at a time? It doesn’t work Read More