Home Improvement
-
Improving home inspection reportsOct 04, 2013 10:02 am - Q. I am currently doing research on the home inspection industry to find ways that could make business more efficient and profitable. Right now my focus is on the method...
-
The quest for getting hot water to the shower fasterSep 29, 2013 1:02 am - Q. Recently, you mentioned “hot-water recirculating” systems for home use, when people have to wait a long time for their shower water to get hot. I have used this type ...
-
It’s imperative to change furnace filters regularlySep 28, 2013 1:00 am - Q. I’m having trouble changing the filters in my air conditioner. Every year I have to call a repairman just to change the filters. There are two filters on top of the f...
-
Buyer finds undisclosed concrete in shower drainSep 27, 2013 12:35 am - Q. Ever since I bought my home, the shower has drained slowly. From time to time, I’ve had to use drain cleaner. But recently, it has gotten really bad, so I finally cal...
-
Front porches make a huge comeback in the MidwestSep 21, 2013 12:00 am - Sara Maves says few days go by without her meeting someone new in her neighborhood, thanks to the time she spends on her front porch in Chanhassen, Minn. “Sometimes it’s...
-
A question about crawl space foundation ventsSep 21, 2013 12:00 am - Q. My house has four crawl space foundation vents that have flaps that can be opened or closed. The furnace people said to keep the vents closed all the time to prevent ...
-
What a window upgrade can do for your homeSep 20, 2013 12:49 am - Many people have experienced troublesome windows at one point or another. Mold and condensation are unsightly and unhealthy. Years of weathering can make windows difficu...
-
Roof conditions often prevent close inspectionSep 20, 2013 12:26 am - Q. When I bought my home, the inspector said there were no roof defects. But shortly after the close, it rained and I had two leaks. So I called a roofing contractor, an...
-
Is a free-standing tub a good idea?Sep 15, 2013 1:02 am - Q. After years of saving our money and waiting for our children to move out, my wife and I plan to turn one of our extra bedrooms into a large bathroom. We’re going high...
-
Furnishings can hide defects from home inspectorSep 13, 2013 12:15 am - Q. I’m in escrow to buy a home, and the sellers still live there. With all of the furnishings and personal effects covering walls and floors and filling the closets and ...