If you thought you were about to read an article about the NBA Draft or the NFL Draft, you’re in the wrong place. We’re here to talk about drafty homes. Draftiness becomes particularly bothersome with the onset of winter. Whether it’s doors, windows, baseboards – or even electrical outlets – cold air can’t wait to infiltrate your home through these oftentimes defenseless pathways.   But, wait. There are some defenses you can call upon […]

We all know that one of the great things about having company over is that it forces us to clean and de-clutter our homes. It’s good to include Halloween in that line of thinking, knowing there’s potential to have a lot interestingly costumed little ones stopping by to say hello. Before the big evening, let’s take a look at some things you can do to prepare your home for a safe Halloween.   Are […]

Well, I think we all know what’s just around the corner. If you answered Christmas, we’ll give you partial credit. But, no, in this case we’re talking about winter. That corner of the year when we measure clothing outfits not by size, but by weight. It’s BRRRRR time. But before the cold air gets here, let’s first enjoy the season of window cleaning. When it comes to home maintenance, it seems like carpeting, upholstery, floors, […]

Well, autumn is almost here. How can you tell? Stores are out there promoting Halloween already. And, sure, the fiery colors of autumn leaves may herald in the passing of the season, but so can the onslaught of pumpkin-spiced drinks, coffees, cakes, desserts, and … yes … even pumpkin-spiced air fresheners. Why does this matter to you? If you’re a homeowner, simply relaxing as the cool breezes of fall wash over you is not necessarily a time […]

According to the American Pet Products Association, Americans will spend an estimated $75.38 BILLION on their pets this year. That covers food, medicine, vet care, live animal purchases, and other services. It’s a good thing we don’t need to send our pets to college and incur those kinds of academic costs. Oh wait, we stand corrected. It really shouldn’t come as a surprise that we’re spending so much on our pets. In fact, we suspect […]

Should you buy a fixer-upper? That depends. If you’re willing to live in the Waco, Texas area and somehow score Chip and Joanna Gaines from HGTV’s Fixer Upper program to recreate your home, it may be a no-brainer. But for the rest of us, buying a fixer-upper is a decision that needs to be clearly thought through before making such a commitment. Why Do You Want to Buy a Fixer Upper? There are a few reasons […]

Depending on where you live, your seasons probably look something like this:Fall Winter Spring Humidity We’re all familiar with humidity outside our homes, but have you ever considered the indoor humidity of your home? It must really matter. Otherwise, why would there be a whole industry dedicated to selling humidifiers and dehumidifiers?Steven Wright, a long-time comedian with a warped sense of humor and deadpan delivery once said: For my birthday, I got a humidifier […]

Summer is coming to a close soon, so you’ll want to teach your kids some valuable, character-building lessons by drafting them to help out with winter preparation chores – so you’ll have more time to watch football. 😉 But seriously, there are some get-ready-for-winter activities you could certainly delegate to kids that require little supervision (unlike more adult-appropriate tasks like pool preparation). Having everyone pitch in will help your whole family get down to the business of enjoying cooler […]

Well, summer is here and with that comes a lot of unwanted houseguests. We’re not talking about your in-laws. Yes, the return of summer bug season is here. In this brief entomological article, let’s learn how to repel, prevent, subdue, give the cold shoulder to, and otherwise avoid summer bugs that fly, crawl, swarm, bite and just DRIVE US CRAZY!!!!! Mosquitoes While we can all agree that bugs are annoying, many can be downright […]

The one part of your home you probably pay the least attention to is arguably the most important part of your home. Your roof. Other than wanting our roof to be aesthetically pleasing, we don’t ask a lot of it. We expect it to keep us dry and safe – and our possessions protected. With proper roof maintenance, a roof can last 20 –  even 30 years – just quietly doing its job of protecting you and […]