The HTRC

The Homeowners & Trades Resource Center

Safety Sunday: OSHA, Asbestos, & You

For this weeks Safety Sunday, we turn to Charles MacGregor, who is a health advocate that specializes in mesothelioma with the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, a rare disease affecting 3,000 people in the U.S. each year. He works to spread awareness about the disease and push for an asbestos ban in the United States. This will actually […]

Wacky Weds: Why prime the walls?

For the cost of this paint, maybe I can save a few bucks by not priming… Sweet this product is a paint & primer in one… In some cases the above will work just fine, but that is for walls that have already been painted before. Now as for new walls or walls patched with […]

Natural Tips On How To Get Rid Of Ants From Your Home

You can tell when summer rolls around as people start going, my house is spotless but all of a sudden… just how can I get rid of these blasted ants? “There is absolutely no reason to accept that you need to live with ants and share your home with them. Instead, you can choose from a variety […]

Safety Sunday: Protect those feet – work boot options

In the Army there is a saying – you take care of your feet & they will take care of you. In construction this is well worth remembering and for most it starts with what boots you wear & when. In that vein we have a guest post from Michael Pierce. Michael describes himself as an […]

Wow Wednesday: Watkins Park, Michigan

Wednesday’s are generally reserved for a real wacky photo of something we spot in the field, but this last weekend we happened to be on vacation & ran into something really cool. The place is called Watkin’s Memorial Park in Three Oaks, Michigan. While it is slightly off the beaten path & easy to miss it […]

Tuesday Tip: Restoring Rusted Cast Iron

Cast iron is used in many products that range from woodworking tools like table saw tops to cooking pans and for many good reasons. The only downside though besides it weight is if one doesn’t take care of it, it can rust. In most cases a little surface rust is no big deal as there […]

Tuesday Tip: Adjusting Hot Water Temp. for Showers & Baths

Ever noticed that the water coming from the shower seems to be so much hotter during the summer as compared to the winter? Tired of the kids taking super hot showers and using up all the hot water? Sorry we can’t help you on the time aspect (that’s your battle though they do have timers for showers…), but […]

Wacky Weds: Who needs flashing?

Hey it’s a bay window way up on the second floor with a 2′ overhang above it, why install flashing??? Heh lets just install shingles on it. Funny thing, the only trade in this state that requires licensing & testing is roofers… Want to do it right, know how it should be? Getting the details […]