Many people today wish to live off the grid, having their utilities provided for without relying on any public services. While the reasons for doing this differ, everyone has the same basic needs, including power, food, water and shelter. Gaining access to...

Electricity and water don’t mix. That is why having outlets in your bathroom brings extra risk, and for over 60 years, the safeguard against this danger has been GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets. These outlets will disconnect power when...

Many of us use being struck by lightning as a metaphor for something unlikely, and it certainly isn’t something that the majority of us has ever experienced, but I’m sure that you would like to keep it that way, and the same goes for your home. Annually...

Between 1930 and 1950, many houses were made with asbestos installation. Use was discontinued when it was realized that the fibers from asbestos could cause serious damage to the respiratory system, possibly even lung cancer. Unfortunately, some homeowners...

One of the most common causes for energy loss in an older home are your windows. Whether you are trying to keep the cool air inside your home in the summertime or the cold outside in the wintertime, spending some time and money on making sure your windows...

Wildlife will always be around us, whether we live in a city or out in the country, and when their habitat overlaps with ours, this can lead to many problems. The main reasons why you might see wildlife near your home is that they can find something they...

If you live in a low lying area, or where it is very flat, and you get heavy downpours, you might need a sump pump. A sump pump’s purpose is to keep water from seeping into your basement. This could be from the ground water level rising, or runoff from...

There are many things to consider when buying a new house, but something you might be overlooking is a test for radon gas. What are the dangers of radon gas? Radon gas is the second leading cause for lung cancer, so it makes sense to protect yourself and...

If you have been exposed to poison oak, poison sumak or poison ivy, that is an experience you will never forget. These three plants are part of the same family, and the result from exposure can lead to a serious allergic reaction. Sometimes this could just...

There are many different options for roofing materials. One of them is asphalt shingles. You can recognize them as gray tiles in different shades. Sometimes moss or mold will start growing on these types of roofs. This can be a serious problem that could...