Many older houses are inadequately wired for today’s lifestyles. Before consulting an electrician about an electrical update, determine how you use electricity now. Make an “electrical map” of your house, showing all outlets, lights, and “hidden” electrical consumers (such as dishwashers, garbage disposals, or exhaust fans.) Then, determine the circuit every item is on, add […]

In many Northeastern Ohio communities, residential water pressure can be too high. Your water pressure is usually set by the municipal water company; that pressure, which needs to be sufficient to get water to hydrants and structures at high elevations, often exceeds 100-150 psi. However, the maximum water pressure recommended for residential buildings is 80 […]

If you have a boiler (for a hot water or steam heating system), the heat will be distributed throughout your home via pipes and radiators. When they are all working properly, you probably don’t give your radiators a second thought. But, when you hear noises, or when the radiators don’t heat up evenly, you can […]

Many people celebrate the holiday season by adding electric lights and lighted decorations to their home and yard. Yet, if sufficient care is not taken, these items can be the source of a disastrous house fire; according to the US Fire Administration, one out of three Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical problems. To […]

Homeowners are often surprised when their fairly new high-efficiency furnace shuts down unexpectedly in the middle of winter. In many cases, the problem is due to ice build-up in the vent pipe, blocking the exhaust flow. In models that are 90% efficient or greater, the lower temperature of the exhaust can allow moisture (a by-product […]

The most common source of drain blockage inside a home is an accumulation of the soaps and shampoos that we Americans use so frequently. Most of these products have a base of animal fat. When they are rinsed down the drain, they tend to cool and cling to the inside of your drain lines where […]

Lath-and-plaster walls are common in older houses (those constructed from the late 18th Century until the early 1950’s, when drywall became the common building technique.) Whether it’s an oil portrait of an early ancestor or wall-hung kitchen cabinets, securing things onto older lath-and-plaster walls can present a bit of a dilemma. First, let’s talk about […]

With rising energy costs, it is more important than ever to conserve wherever possible. Generally, cut heating costs by looking for places where cold air can enter, and sealing up those gaps and holes. If you feel a draft, fix it! Here are some specific things to check each fall: Make sure you have adequate […]