Dear Monty: You have written numerous articles over time about different problems with home inspections. We are near our savings goal and preparing to buy a home. What is your current opinion of home inspections? Monty’s Answer: Home inspection laws came into existence because home sellers were either unaware of or hid the defects of…
Officials: 5 Children Home Alone Die in East St. Louis Fire
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.—Five children all younger than 10 who were left home without an adult died in a fire early Friday at an apartment building in southwestern Illinois, officials said. Fire crews were called to the building in East St. Louis before 3 a.m. and reported finding two children already dead inside a bedroom….
Officials: 5 Young Siblings Die in St. Louis-Area Fire
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.—Five siblings under the age of 10 died early Friday when a fire swept through their apartment in southwestern Illinois, and officials were investigating whether they had been left alone. Fire crews were called to the building in East St. Louis, which is just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, before…
Use Permanent Window Film to Block Heat
Dear James: The old-tinted film on my windows blocks heat, but the corners are becoming loose and cracking. How do I remove the old film and install new film myself? —Lana T. Dear Lana: Old, deteriorating, tinted window film is still effective at blocking heat and glare, but it can look really bad and impair…
How to Properly Water Your Lawn
Q: We built a new home, and sod was laid yesterday. I did a fair amount of watering yesterday. How much do I water from here on? I have heard all types of things … as much as six hours a day for the first two weeks. What do you recommend? A: It is only…
The Mystery of Hair Conditioners, Solved
Hair conditioners fall into general categories according to what they do and the problems they solve. Using the wrong product for the specific condition of your hair will produce disappointing results. For example: If your hair is thin and fine, you are not going to be happy with an industrial-strength conditioner for thick, coarse, frizzy,…
How to Make a Summer Rental Feel Like a Home
Renting a house for a getaway this summer? Whether you’re staying for a week or the entire summer, you want to feel at home and at ease on your vacation. Here’s some help turning that summer rental into a place you love kicking back and relaxing in. Use Your Own Bedding Rental bedding is often…
Clean and Maintain Old Door Deadbolts
Dear James: The old deadbolts on my front and side doors are difficult to turn with a key or from indoors. What maintenance is needed, and can I do it myself? —Mike L. Dear Mike: For security reasons, it is important for the deadbolt to extend completely into the doorjamb, so you should fix the…
7 Ways to Get Rid of Flies in the House
Flies are a nearly unavoidable nuisance in most homes, especially during the warmer months of the year. They’re annoying for sure, but more than just pesky, houseflies (Musca domestica) can carry and transmit disease and cause illness. Consider these seven simple ways to banish these pests from the house and keep them out for good….
How to Get Rid of Sooty Mold
Q: I hope you can help. The leaves on my orange and lemon trees are turning black. The black material does not wash off easily, but it wipes off if I scrub the leaf with water and a paper towel, even though it comes back in a few weeks. The leaves seem to be producing…
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