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7 Steps to temporarily patch your roof with a tarp

When ones roof is damaged it is only natural to want to stop any water from getting inside, which also happens to be one of your insurance company’s primary concerns. While it may take weeks or even months to get a roofer out to repair the damage, a tarp can be put in place pretty […]

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Roofing March 12, 2013 By SLS 8 Comments

3 Simple Do-It-Yourself Appliance Repairs

Appliance repair technicians do not know the exact details of every appliance they work on. They know the fundamentals and refer to the manufacturers manuals. While appliance repairs can be expensive, some can be done by those who understand the basics of working with plumbing and electricity. If you have rewired a lamp or replaced a […]

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Guest Article's March 2, 2013 By SLS Leave a Comment

BS4D: 10 simple rules to remember

Whether you are tradesmen, builder, architect, designer, or… there are a few simple rules that if you remember & apply will help keep you out of trouble not only now, but well into the future… Hot moves to cold Wet moves to dry Everything expands & contracts Water is like Murphy’s law & it wants […]

Filed Under: Common Sense Building, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: BS4D February 9, 2013 By SLS Leave a Comment

Stairs & the Dreaded Stair Stringer: Codes & Tips

In all my years in the building industry, the two biggest items that I see most people stumble with is math and stairs –generally you either you get it or you don’t. In a way it is funny listening to some custom home contractors compare staircases to black holes as they do nothing but suck […]

Filed Under: SkillsUSA, Tips & Tricks April 29, 2012 By SLS 11 Comments

How to install a door in 5 minutes

I have tried so many different methods & techniques for installing doors, it really isn’t funny. A couple of years ago, I saw a product called EZ-Hang come on the market, and my first thought was, yeah that’s nice. This is probably just another item for homeowners to buy believing they can do it like […]

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: How To December 1, 2011 By SLS 4 Comments

Let’s Blog Off – Thumbtacks & Hanging Items on Walls

Ahhh, the lowly thumbtack and how I loathe thee… Antique plaster, solid wood, faux finished, paneled & perfectly finished drywall just pock marked with hundreds of little holes where posters, notes, pictures & calendars use to hang – enough to leave one thinking that it should be criminalized. While a few of today’s Let’s Blog […]

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Blog Off September 13, 2011 By SLS 21 Comments

Jettisoning them bad driving habits

As a reminder, in last week’s on Money Saving Tips & Tricks – Your Vehicle article we covered items directly related to the vehicle (tracking your mileage, your tires, nitrogen, fuel , additives, etc…) & slew of the most common urban myths. I do have one item to add under the Gas portion, and that is […]

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Blog Off March 29, 2011 By SLS 10 Comments

Money Saving Tips & Tricks – Your Vehicle, Part 1

Even before all of the issues started in the Middle East, we knew gas prices were going to be heading up to $4 to $5 range this summer. With the onset of the issues in Egypt & Libya, we have already seen gas prices spike earlier than anticipated & now we have no idea of […]

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks March 23, 2011 By SLS Leave a Comment

Basic Water Heater Maintenance – Draining the tank

It’s ok, you can admit it and in fact, I will start – I have not drained my water heater in a few years. Fortunately, for me the water is not that “hard” where I am. “Hard” water is simply sand, minerals, and other solids found in water. Now, if I still happened to live […]

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Water July 1, 2010 By SLS 29 Comments

25 Conservation Tips & Tricks

In our last article, “Energy Efficiency vs. Conservation – what is the real issue?” we covered plenty of the issues that involve your actual house while it is being worked on. While we have also had several articles on making your house more energy efficient, money saving tips & tricks, air sealing, green cleaning, and […]

Filed Under: Energy Conservation, Miscellaneous Articles, Tips & Tricks June 19, 2010 By SLS 5 Comments

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Featured Posts

January - Mid Winter Maintenance Checklist

Welcome to the start of a New Year, and the first full month of winter. This is the time of the year when many individuals try to wipe the slate ...

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Preventing or fixing frozen water pipes

Updated: This article was originally posted in early 2010 after the Alabama Department of Health issued the following warning via press release: Prolonged period of cold weather ahead prompts warnings to ...

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BS4D: Saving on Heating Related Energy Costs

For the bulk of the year, energy costs are not a big concern to many and instead most calls relate to comfort, safety or health issues. We are now starting ...

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FAQ - Do I need storm doors or windows?

As the weather starts turning colder many start wondering - should I replace my windows, get a storm door, install storm windows, or??? Shoot I live in an area governed ...

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Common Sense Building: Build Radon Out

Common Sense Building: Build Radon Out

As many of you probably already know, January is National Radon Month. Just like CO, it is an odorless & tasteless gas; however, unlike CO there are no warning signs ...

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FAQ: Ceiling fan direction - summer & winter

One of the biggest questions out there is which direction should my fan be running and how can I tell. You look at the switch and realize it isn't any ...

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FAQ on Duct Cleaning: All Hype or Worthy Expense?

It must be spring time... I got the following in the mail just the other day: 5 different ads all for duct cleaning. With allergy season starting along with my ...

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Random Glossary term

  • Coil

    In our last article, “Energy Efficiency vs. Conservation – what is the real issue?” we covered plenty of the issues that involve your actual house while it is being worked on. While we have also had several articles on making your house more energy efficient, money saving tips & tricks, air sealing, green cleaning, and […]

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