A simple formula for matching your bathtub needs with your water heater capacity. Don't bother taking a bath after my daughter takes a shower. She starts singing Adele songs and…
See how I did that? How could it be called a drain if it doesn't drain? Get it? I'm not sure why home centers and hardware stores are allowed to…
There are still a few oil burning furnaces. Most of the houses I inspect are heated with natural gas. (I'm seeing more and more geothermal heating systems, but those are…
A quick peek under your kitchen sink and a 15-minute fix can help avoid costly repairs. At nearly every inspection, I find a problem relating to the dishwasher installation. Even…
https://www.familyhandyman.com/The folks at Handyman magazine actually spent time analyzing toilet paper to see which brands break down fastest in water. This is important because plugged toilets are important. You do,…
Do you have a less than cooperative toilet? Don't call a plumber just yet: there are some simple maintenance tips that might solve the problem. Take a wad of 6…
An inexpensive valve and 20 minutes of labor can prevent scalding. Which is worse, scalded skin or Legionnaire’s disease? Until 2006, many homeowners had to ask themselves that question. It…
If the house that you are buying is new or old, it is likely that a sewer scan will provide valuable information. I have encountered issues with houses that were…
"Relief valve discharge." Just try to work that phrase into everyday conversation. It's not easy! As a home inspector in the Stillwater, MN area, I often come across a small…
Why home inspectors check every. single. outlet. At a home inspection in Hastings, I found one outlet that had reversed polarity. It's not unusual to one or two in a…