Most of us know to swap out smoke alarm batteries. Far fewer people know the alarm itself has an expiration date. A smoke alarm is a sensor, and sensors wear out. Dust builds up inside. Parts age. An alarm that has been up on the ceiling for a long time may still beep when you…
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Our Shingles Looked Fine. The Leak Came From Somewhere Else.
Our roof was about 14 years old when we found a water stain on the hallway ceiling. The shingles looked fine from the street. We figured we had plenty of time left. We were half right. The shingles still had some life in them. The problem was a small part of the roof that wears…
Should You Save Your Old Plaster Walls? A Guide for Long Branch Homes
Older houses often have plaster walls instead of drywall. When those walls crack or start to sag, plenty of owners assume the only fix is ripping them out. That’s usually not the case. Old plaster can often be repaired, and there are some good reasons to hang on to it. How These Walls Were Built…
When Indoor Air Testing Is Worth Paying For
Indoor air testing gets sold hard and understood badly. Sometimes it answers a real question. Sometimes it produces a report that changes precisely nothing. The difference is whether you knew what you were trying to find out before you paid. When it earns its cost There’s a musty smell somewhere and you cannot find it.…
Repair It or Replace It? How to Tell Where Your Roof Really Stands
The Question Every Homeowner Hates You spot a leak. Or maybe a contractor knocks on your door after a hailstorm and says you need a whole new roof. Suddenly you’re wondering if you can patch the thing for $400 or if you’re staring down a five-figure replacement. It’s a stressful spot to be in, and…
Simple Ways to Cut Your Heating Bill Without Turning Down the Thermostat
Heating costs in New Jersey can be significant, especially in older homes that haven’t been updated in years. The good news is that there are practical steps homeowners can take to reduce their bills without sacrificing comfort. Start with air sealing. Drafts around windows, doors, and electrical outlets are a major source of heat loss…
Foam Board Insulation: Is It Actually Worth It for Virginia Beach Homes?
Nobody thinks about insulation until the power bill shows up in August. Then it’s a big deal real fast. Been hearing more homeowners around Great Neck and Oceanfront ask about foam board lately, mostly because they’re tired of paying to cool an attic. If that sounds familiar, the info here is worth your time: Foam…
Planning a Home Addition or Basement Finish? Don’t Forget the Ductwork
Homeowners spend a lot of time planning the fun parts of a home addition or basement finish — the layout, the flooring, the lighting. Ductwork usually doesn’t come up until the contractor asks about it and suddenly there’s a problem. Getting heating and cooling into a new space sounds straightforward. It often isn’t. Why Ductwork…
What Jersey Shore Homeowners Should Know About Nor’easter Season
You don’t notice the roof during the storm. You notice it when the house goes quiet again and you hear a slow plink… plink… somewhere upstairs. Two days later, there’s a faint brown ring on the ceiling like someone traced a coffee mug in reverse. That time delay is classic nor’easter behavior. How a nor’easter…
How Do I Unclog This Sink?!
Living in a home with three women and two children almost guarantees that we will have a clogged sink on occasion. From earrings to small toys and curly thick hair; you never know what the cause will be. This article is going to spell out what exactly you can do to solve a clogged sink by…