Those small cracks and depressions in your asphalt driveway can cause a whole lot of destruction. They provide places for water to work its way into and under the pavement; when that water freezes in the winter, it will expand – cracking apart the asphalt and even heaving up whole sections of the driveway, like […]
Over the last decade or so, manufacturers have been making new and improved roofing materials for do-it-yourselfers. The latest product is the easiest yet – essentially a “peel and stick” roofing material that, installed correctly, should last many years. Self-adhering modified bitumen roll roofing is designed for “flat” roofs with a pitch or 4/12 or […]
If your house is like most, you’re waging a constant battle against mildew, condensation, peeling paint and wallpaper, and other problems caused by excess moisture in your bathroom. The most effective remedy is to install an exhaust fan that will draw the water vapor produced by your shower to the outside. The vapor will be […]
Once again, that dreadful duty rolls around – cleaning out the garage. Well, after you have removed a couple of layers of junk and you begin to recall what the floor looks like, you may discover that you have a few more cracks than the last time you saw your floor. Don’t panic – you […]
If your next big project will be cleaning out your garage or basement, you’ll probably be faced with lots of decisions – about whether to hang onto that half-full can of paint that you used on the bedroom walls, about whether those never-opened tubes of caulk you bought on sale two years ago are too […]
Many older garages were built much like sheds and pole barns. The studs were set into the soil and siding was attached; if you were lucky, there was a bottom plate that sat directly on the dirt. Later, an asphalt or concrete floor may have been poured, covering the bottom plate (if there was one) […]
Over 20 years ago, a worker using a backhoe to dig a trench in the Slavic Village neighborhood of Cleveland struck a natural gas line that ran alongside a building. He miraculously survived the resulting explosion that flipped his machine over backwards, but suffered some second- and third-degree burns. The pipeline he hit was an […]
When April showers fall upon your roof, it’s the job of your gutters to control and carry away all that water. You can pinpoint problems in your system if you take a few minutes to check the condition of your gutters and downspouts. Your annual spring inspection is a good place to start. Put on […]
Each summer, it’s a good idea to inspect the condition of your porch – a part of your house that is particularly vulnerable to attack from moisture and insects. Small problems, if not corrected, can soon lead to more expensive repairs. The first part of your inspection is likely to be the least pleasant, as […]
Most people schedule an annual “spring cleaning” inside their house. However, it’s also important to clean the exterior of your house each year, to remove dirt, grit, and other abrasives that can damage siding or masonry. Before you start the cleaning process, cover the lawn and plantings around your house with plastic sheeting. Seal up […]