The Importance of Proper Fasteners and Hardware in Construction of Decks According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an estimated 20,000 deck collapses occur annually in the United States and approximately 6,500 people are treated in emergency rooms each year for injuries related to deck or porch collapses. An average of around 20 [...]
Best Practices for Refinishing Exterior Trim Your home's exterior trim plays a crucial role in its overall appearance and protection against the elements. Over time, exposure to sunlight, rain, and changing temperatures can cause the paint on exterior trim to deteriorate. This will make the trim look worn and weathered. Refinishing your exterior trim [...]
Unvented Crawlspaces An unvented crawl space is a type of foundation design that is sealed and insulated. Unlike vented crawl spaces, which have openings that allow for air circulation, unvented crawl spaces are typically fully enclosed. Air circulation and humidity is controlled through a number of mechanical means within the crawlspace to accommodate for [...]
The quality of water coming out of our plumbing fixtures is a key aspect of maintaining a healthy and comfortable home. When the water looks discolored, it can be alarming for the home owner or buyer. Most will start to ask questions about the water’s safety, origin, and potential impacts on both health and [...]
Expansion tanks and thermal expansion relief valves are used in water heater applications to address the expansion of water as it is heated. When water is heated, it expands, and without an expansion tank or expansion relief valve, the pressure in the system can increase, potentially causing damage to the water heater, pipes, or [...]
Picture yourself on a nice sunny day at your home, enjoying the yard, maybe cutting grass or gardening. Your elderly neighbor passes by and you smile and wave. As they do the same, they catch their foot on a concrete slab that has heaved or settled, and then they trip and fall. No one [...]
What if you could save money, breathe cleaner air, enjoy enhanced safety and comfort in your home all while improving your overall peace of mind for a relatively small investment? Let's look at why HVAC preventative maintenance is such a good idea. Save money: Regular HVAC maintenance is estimated to lower the chance of [...]
Flexible drainpipes under bathroom and kitchen sinks are relatively common and can be purchased in most hardware stores. However, just because they are available does not mean that they should be used. Most of the time the presence of flexible pipe indicates that the installation was not performed by a qualified plumber. One of [...]
Two-pronged electrical receptacles, also known as ungrounded outlets, can present several potential issues due to their lack of grounding. The absence of a grounding conductor poses a safety risk as it increases the chances of electrical shock and may fail to protect against electrical faults. Inadequate grounding can also increase the risk of electrical [...]
Fences and gates are designed to grant or deny accesses to a given space. Their structural integrity determines their ability to fulfill these tasks. Fences are comprised of posts, horizontal braces, fence planks or pickets, hardware, and fasteners. The two latter elements are the crucial components that hold these individual members together to complete [...]
