There seems to be some confusion about the new water heater rules. It pertains to both electric and gas heaters. It depends on the size of the heater. After April 16, 2015, manufacturers can no longer make the old style heaters. They can sell all the OLDER technology ones until they run out. The new Read More »
Andy Shogren's sliding door out to his deck is leaking water and rotting his subfloor in Bakersfield, CA. Let him tell you what's going on. "I've subscribed for a long time to your FREE newsletter and have found some helpful hints over the years. I have a two-story house and the master bedroom has a sliding Read More »
Jim Carter, no relation to me, lives about an hour's drive north of Sacramento, CA. He thinks he wants to replace the wood siding on his house because it looks bad. But he's worried about the cost and his tight budget. Here's his story: "Hi Tim, When we moved into our house, it needed the Read More »
Karen Bloom is a subscriber to my newsletter and lives in Austin, TX. However, she and her husband also own a home in Memphis, TN that's having major issues with ice dams around her dormers. Here's her full report: "Hi Tim, I get your newsletter and really enjoy it. We have a house in Memphis, TN in Read More »
February 2015 is almost in the record books. Time is flying. I went on a short hike two days ago on a snowmobile trail with a buddy of mine. It was a sunny day with the temperature about 32 F. When standing in direct sunlight, it felt like 65 F after the past month! Spring Read More »
The USA Federal Government has decided it needs to make residential water heaters more efficient and has put new water heater rules in force as of April 16, 2015. After you discover how it's going to impact your bank account, you may have to take an extra blood pressure pill. This message was so important, Read More »
Ada Wilhelm has a gorgeous rectangular tile floor in her house in Hernando, FL. She wrote to me with a very simple question: "How can we darken a grout that is too light?" Well Ada, I'm wondering why you want to lighten it after looking at the photo you sent below. The grout, to me, looks Read More »
I primarily build and repair houses, but I am a little bit of a shade tree mechanic. My wife's car is a wonderful Volvo XC90 that was made in Sweden in 2004. Do you want to know how to check the transmission fluid level on your XC90? Read on. The other day, I noticed a Read More »
Tim Carter tests out the Quiet Technology Craftsman Snowblower. This snow blower is equipped with a new quieter engine. The blower was tested after a 6 to 8-inch snowfall in central New Hampshire. It was a cold day with temperatures in the mid teens F. When you see a close up of the muffler, the Read More »
Mark has an ice buildup and ice leaking out of his soffit where his dryer vent exits his home. It's pretty severe. Here's his story: "I am getting icicles on the side of my house near the dryer vent. This happens in Nebraska sub-zero weather. This side of my house faces the northwest. I made sure Read More »
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