Most people don’t know how easy it is to make their homes run on less energy. Drastic reductions in heating, cooling and electricity costs can be accomplished through very simple changes, most of which homeowners can do themselves. Of course, for homeowners who want to take advantage of the most up-to-date knowledge and systems in…
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Some sellers want to sell their home “as is” so they don’t have to invest money fixing it up or take on any liability for potential defects. There is nothing wrong with buying a home “as is,” particularly if you can buy it at a lesser price, but if you are considering buying an “as…
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Roof assessments are among the most valuable observations a home inspector can provide for a prospective home buyer in the pre-purchase inspection report. Authoritative judgments about if and when a roof may need replacement can have a significant impact on price negotiations and/or the buyer’s planning. The primary reasons for replacing a shingle roof include:…
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Many homeowners who are unfamiliar with construction and wiring are timid when it comes to electrical work. It makes perfect sense to have a healthy respect for electricity—it can be dangerous if you don’t understand it. To give you confidence and a little knowledge to help you discuss electrical problems with an electrician, let’s explore…
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Ceramic tile is a wonderful product. It’s beautiful and durable—and often affordable, if you buy the less expensive varieties. Because it’s waterproof, ceramic tile is used mostly in bathrooms and kitchens. It’s hard to beat compressed, glazed and baked clay when it comes to repelling water. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of tile…
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Storage tank water heaters are the type of appliance that can hum along for years. Once installed, they don’t need constant attention. However, they do require maintenance to keep them running at peak efficiency. These are mostly simple tasks that you can do yourself, but you can also hire a pro to perform regular maintenance…
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There’s a common misconception that if your home has older windows that are in less-than-perfect condition, you must replace them with new windows. But as long as the window is structurally sound, you can fix most problems and extend the window’s service life by many years. Of course, there are instances when a window is…
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There is perhaps no more appropriately named plumbing fixture in the whole world than the tankless water heater. No deception, no confusion: It’s a water heater that has no hot-water storage tank. So, where does the hot water come from? Good question! Tankless water heaters, while relatively new, are growing in popularity with both plumbing…
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Floods are unpredictable and unavoidable, it is important for homeowners to take necessary precautions to reduce the damage to their homes. However, when returning to a home that’s been flooded, homeowners should be aware that their house may be contaminated with mold or sewage, which can cause health problems. The following steps should be considered…
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Every year, tens of thousands of humans contract diseases from their pets. Though they are rare, these pet-borne diseases – known as zoonotic diseases – range from salmonella to the plague, and can be contracted directly or indirectly. Luckily, there are simple measures that homeowners can take to ensure their family’s and their pet’s health.…
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