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As the cold weather approaches and your furnace begins its annual duties, we often think of ways to make our homes more energy efficient. One thing that can make a big impact on energy savings at a reasonable cost is inspecting your insulation and weatherstripping. Over time, weatherstripping can become worn out and damaged which then creates drafts. Insulation can settle over time, thus reducing its R-value and becoming less effective. Below, we’ll discuss some effective ways to check your insulation and weatherstripping to see if any action is needed. Weatherstripping First, do a visual inspection around your doors and...

While it’s an arduous task that needs to be done in the heat of the summer, sealing your asphalt driveway is a necessary task in maintaining its integrity. Here are the five steps you need to take to prepare your driveway to look like new again: 1) Pick a good span of daysThe first step in this process is scouting out the weather reports and seeing where there is a good three or four-day span of hot temperatures without any rain. 2) MeasureYou will want to measure the dimensions of your driveway and keep that information when you plan on...

If your home’s paint is beginning to peel and crack, it may be getting difficult to avoid the age old question: Should I hire a painter or do it myself?That answer depends on a few things. First, do you know how? Painting your home is a job that is relatively easy enough for most homeowners to tackle. However, a homeowner must also have the available time, be in good enough shape, and must not be bothered by working on a ladder and/or scaffolding. If you think the architectural features of your home will require equipment, expertise and intestinal fortitude that...

Window sills take quite a beating. Constant exposure to the sun, rain and ice can take a toll, especially when water finds its way beneath the layer of paint and caulk. Ongoing exposure to moisture can cause the sill to rot, a process that only gets worse over time. If left unchecked, the rot will penetrate deeper into the sill, requiring more and more extensive repair, often spreading to adjacent jams and trim-work. The good news is that repair isn’t too difficult, especially if performed early enough. If the rot is confined to just a small area, a simple patch...

Memorial Day is known as the kickoff of summer fun. Campgrounds, amusement parks and beaches all typically mark the long weekend as their season’s opening. If you find yourself staying home during Memorial Day weekend, there’s another thing the holiday weekend is known to kickoff which might be more to your liking: The unofficial start of the home improvement season! The long weekend can be an opportunity to fix those nagging little problems that have been at the back of your mind, just waiting for a nice day to get started. Got a leaky outdoor faucet? Need to bring the...