Each year, it's my guess you have a major or minor crisis at your home because you failed to take the time before it got really cold to prepare for Old Man Winter. Technology in the form of your smart phone, tablet or laptop computer seems to amplify the stress of everyday living sucking away […]
DEAR TIM: I've always been afraid of electricity. I know I can't be alone. I'm trying to overcome this fear and wonder if you can help me. What would you do if you were me? Are there simple tools I can use to help tell me when I'm close to a wire or cable that […]
Norman Zarr, who lives in glorious Asheville, NC home of the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn, has water dripping from his T and P valve on his water heater. Here's what he told me: "I get water dripping from my pressure/temperature overflow valve on my water heater. What are the possible causes? I have […]
Connect PEX Pipe - So Very Easy and Fast DEAR TIM: I've got a major bathroom remodel I'm jumping into and luckily I'm allowed to do the plumbing work myself where I live as long as it meets code. My inspector says I can use pex pipe and it seems too good to be true. […]
Quick Column Summary: Is furnace smell dangerous Carbon monoxide is odorless/dangerous Dust accumulation causes smell Clean furnace and ductwork Jane, who lives with an old octopus gravity-feed (probably) furnace in Roseville, MI, has an odor issue. Let her describe it: "We moved into a home that has an old octopus furnace - it is labeled […]
My guess is there are countless older homes within miles of where you live, many of them have ancient clay pipe sewer lines extending from the houses out to the city sewers. These clay pipes, with their mortar-filled joints, are notorious for allowing tree roots into the pipes. When that happens, the tree roots feast […]
Simple Common Roof Rafters Quick Column Summary: How do you create a roof rafter You need 4 simple tools and geometry How to determine your roof slope DEAR TIM: I'm now retired and starting to attack a huge list of projects. One of them is building a simple shed and I have no clue how […]
Septic Tanks and Oxygen Facts Myths about septic systems Facts about septic systems Oxygen is needed in all septic systems There's a big misunderstanding about how septic tanks work and whether it's a good or bad idea to add oxygen bleach to a septic tank. Let's clear the tank, er air, now about all this […]
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Some topics really get a rise out of people. Splitting wood is one. Certain people have a very strong opinion of what’s best. It has to be all the testosterone that’s surging through their veins as they smash the splitting maul down into a log! I’ve split wood using every imaginable tool, […]
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Snowblower Quick Start Guide For most of my life, I had never used a snowblower. I lived in Cincinnati, OH, and it just didn’t snow much there. Then I moved to New Hampshire. I shared a driveway with a born-and-raised New Englander. Within a month of moving in Dave said, “Go buy […]
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