Tag: home maintenance

Proper Deck Cleaning for Nice Appearance

Dear James: We have an old wood deck and are expanding its size. The old deck looks bad compared to the new one. How can we make it look newer to match?—Valerie M. Dear Valerie: If the old decking was not cleaned and treated regularly, it can look almost black. The mildew can get slippery…


Drywall Damage? Here’s How to Fix It

By Hunter Boyce From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution From scuffs to scrapes to gaping holes, drywall damage happens. It’s an unfortunately unavoidable part of homeownership. But drywall repair doesn’t have to be daunting. Here’s how to easily fix your damaged drywall, according to the experts. Assess the Situation The first step of drywall repair, according to HGTV,…


Should I Get an AC Inspection?

By Paul F. P. Pogue From Ask Angi It might seem early to start thinking about your air conditioning unit, but late winter and early spring are the ideal times to be contacting your HVAC pro for an inspection and tuneup. A twice-yearly HVAC inspection—once in fall before heating starts, once in spring before you…


What Are Some Jobs I Shouldn’t Skip?

By Paul F. P. Pogue From Ask Angi Some jobs around your home make you more comfortable; others fix what is broken. But some of the most important ones are maintenance tasks, the work that stops problems before they happen, or at least prevents little problems from becoming big ones. Not all these tasks may…


The Serene Home: Strategies for Living an Organized Life

Take control of your surroundings. Organization is a must for getting more done with less stress and creating a happier life overall. It all starts with the home. Your house doesn’t have to appear messy to be disorganized—hidden clutter can be even worse. Out of sight, out of mind will eventually creep out of the drawers…


Painting Rusty Metal Can Be a Lifesaving DIY Job

Did you see in the recent news the catastrophic gas explosion that killed nine people on the island of Jersey in the English Channel? It’s early in the investigation, and the experts may not ever be able to pinpoint the cause, but I have my own idea based on something that happened to me two…


What Are Winter Rooftop Risks?

By Paul F. P. Pogue From Ask Angi Your roof is one of the most highly visible and important elements of your home. It works every hour of every day to protect your home from the elements, including heat, driving wind and snow. It’s easy to think of your roof as a stalwart defender, but…


Two Cleaning Jobs Not to Skip

By Paul F. P. Pogue From Ask Angi Whether preparing your home for guests over the holidays or simply performing a deep clean on general principle, don’t overlook these two cleaning tasks. Dryer vents and exhaust fans tend to get skipped, sometimes for years at a time, which can cause both inefficiency and fire risks….


Fall Garden and Tool Cleanup

There is still plenty of time to do some important gardening work before winter arrives. In your annual, perennial and vegetable beds, it is often a good idea to remove dead stems and leaves from any plants that had insect or disease problems. This will help slow the spread of these problems next spring. If…


Here Is How to Properly Clean Your Gutters

By Hunter Boyce From Atlanta Journal-Constitution As the leaves litter your yard throughout the fall, the need to clean your gutters will only rise. It’s an important part of home maintenance that can have some serious consequences if neglected. According to realtor.com, neglected gutters can cause roof damage during the winter, basement flooding, mold and…