Interested in learning more about home maintenance and “how homes work”? This is our central area for all of our articles. Always come here to see our latest articles on home maintenance, product reviews, home renovating and more.
Let’s face the facts: sometimes you just can’t install a ducted range hood in the kitchen. You may own a condo in an old building, and you simply can’t install a
For residential homes, staircase code is laid out in the IRC or International Residential Code handbook in Chapter 3. The IRC is a model code standard that has been adopted by many
Here is our review on the top bathroom exhaust fans with humidity sensors. These fans can automatically control the moisture in your bathroom and exhaust it to the exterior.
Wonder about the risks of polybutylene water piping? I have created an expert guide on the pros and cons of polybutylene piping. Click here to learn more!
Want to find the best whole house humidifier? Tired of dry skin and allergies? Check out my top 6 whole house humidifiers right here. Click here!
One of the most disturbing things that you can encounter as a homeowner or tenant is the possibility of your air vents being contaminated with mold. When I was inspecting
The under cabinet range hood is probably the most popular range hood style in the world. Since it is secured underneath the upper kitchen cabinet, it has a few advantages like…Saves space
The simple answer for how you convert watts to amps is to divide watts by volts to get amps. Amps = Watts ÷ Volts If you have 1000-watts and 120-volts,
Do you need a home inspection checklist? I am a licensed home inspector and below is my home inspection checklist for buyers that you can download as a PDF file.
Do you want to learn about toilet code requirements for clearances, venting, and general plumbing? I invite you to also read my guide on the causes of a toilet bubbling
Do you want to learn how to clean your dryer vent from the outside? Dryer vents frequently get choked with lint and debris which can slow down the dryer and
Do you want to learn why your toilet bubbles or gurgles when you flush it? The most common reason is a drain clog, but a clog in the venting system
Do you want to learn how to flush a toilet without running water? Losing water means you only have one flush left — the water left in the toilet tank.
Do you want to learn how to clean your dryer vent that goes to the roof? Dryer vents going to the roof are inherently more challenging to clean — and
Do you want to learn how to vent a dryer without outside access? Venting a dryer is important so you don’t breath in the lint and moisture of a dryer
Do you want to learn how to fix a dryer vent? Dryer vents frequently get crushed, ripped, and pulled off the dryer. Sometimes they also get lint clogs and other
Cleaning the dryer vent should be done regularly to prevent dryer fires and to dry your clothes quickly. I invite you also to read my guide on how to clean
If you have ever dealt with a bird in the dryer vent, their nest can quickly bring your dryer to a grinding halt. Birds love dryer vents because they are
Cleaning a dryer vent with a leaf blower may seem crazy, but I have done it numerous times successfully. The idea is to use the leaf blower from the inside,
If your dryer turns on, but the dryer won’t dry clothes, it can have a variety of causes — but the most likely culprit is a clog in the dryer
Having a dryer vent filled with water can be perplexing and annoying. All of that water and moisture from clothes is supposed to go outside and not trapped in the
Nothing can be more unnerving than smelling a burnt odor from a dryer. Most of the time, it is from a clogged dryer vent that gets very hot and burns.
As a home inspector, I have inspected hundreds of bathroom fans and this is a quick and dirty guide to checking a bathroom fan that is not pulling air. In
There is nothing more annoying that a water leak because of a bathroom fan duct. And it can be a notoriously difficult problem to diagnose because homeowners don’t even suspect
The main purpose of a bathroom exhaust fan is to remove moisture. But they can also be used for other things like additional bathroom lighting, heating, and to remove smells.
Shower door seals are usually an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ type of thing. But if you noticed that your glass shower door is leaking, you may need to
If you want to unclog a slow draining toilet, there are a few methods you can use such as the hot water bucket method, the coat hanger method, toilet snaking,
Is your toilet making noises and you want to know what it means? Toilets can make different sounds depending on the cause, but the two most common sounds are from
How To Measure For A Shower Door Install? Measuring for a new shower door isn’t very difficult, but it is important to follow a basic plan. The first step is
Are you interested in buying a whole house UV water filter? UV water filters can destroy up to 99.9% of harmful pathogens in your well or city water. I invite
Let’s face it: Modern homes need bathroom exhaust fans. The times of opening a window to ventilate the bathroom are over, and buyers expect exhaust fans. Without a bathroom vent
Do you want to learn how to install a range hood vent through the wall? Most range hood vents are installed by using hole saws or reciprocating saws but if
Do you want to learn how to ‘pass’ a home inspection? Home inspectors typically find 100+ defects when doing an inspection, and usually at least several problems that are serious.
Do you want to learn about the radon testing during a home inspection? Radon testing takes at minimum 48-hours to determine if there are elevated levels of radon gas in
Do you want to learn about the typical cost of a home inspection? The cost mostly depends on the size of the home, but other things like pools and outbuildings
If you preparing for a home inspection, you may be wondering how long it’s going to take. Home inspections usually take at least an hour for condos, but for normal
The home inspection is a big step in the home purchase process, and home inspectors frequently uncover hundreds of repairs needed in a home. Albeit most of our discovered repairs
Do you want to learn the biggest reason to make an offer contingent on a home inspection? As a home inspector, I have seen so many house problems and defects
Selling a home can be a nerve-racking experience, and you may be wondering how to get ready for the home inspection. You may also find my guide on 7 things
Are you curious as to what is the best range hood insert for your kitchen? Range hood inserts are a stylish and sleek way to make your range hood fit
The home inspection is a really important part of the home buying process, and you may be wondering what to ask the inspector. A good home inspector should cover all
Are you interested in finding the best high CFM ceiling fan for a large room? The highest CFM ceiling fans come in between 5k to 10k as their CFM rating, and
A home mold inspection is performed by a professional that will test the air for mold spores or physically swab visible mold. These mold samples are collected and sent to
After inspecting hundreds of homes, I have a strong idea of what will ‘fail’ a home inspection for a buyer. Sometimes it is very expensive problems that have to do
Want to find the best whole house fan? Whole house fans can effectively cool your home with less energy than traditional AC. Check out my detailed review.
The question of whether a seller should be at the home inspection is really dependent on the seller’s personality. If the seller is actually helpful at the inspection, answering questions,
The nice thing about solar attic fans is that they draw energy from the sun, so you never have to wire them, and they are pretty much set and forget.
How To Inspect For Asbestos During Home Inspections? Home inspectors are always on the lookout for anything potentially hazardous to homeowners, and asbestos is one of those things on the
Home foundation inspections typically involve walking the perimeter of the foundation closely looking for cracks and signs of settlement. If there is a basement or crawlspace, it will include the
The best HVAC UV lights have long power cords, are easy to install, and their bulbs last a long time. In this buyer’s guide, I will go over…My #1 top pick
The nicest feature of pivot shower doors is that they can swing either inwards or outwards unlike hinged shower doors. In this install guide, I will go over… Choosing which
Probably the most important code requirement for range hoods is that they should vent outdoors. Another important code is on the duct length and diameter of kitchen hoods. In this
Do you want to learn about bathroom fan venting code? Probably the most important bath fan vent code is that they need to exhaust to the outside. In this guide,
Do you want to find out the best way to install a dryer vent in a very tight space? You are in the right spot. A dryer vent installation can
Should a bathroom fan hose be vented into an attic? If so, how is it done? During my home inspections, I have come across many bathroom vents incorrectly installed into
Should a bathroom fan hose be vented into an attic? If so, how is it done? During my home inspections, I have come across many bathroom vents incorrectly installed into
Do you want to learn how to install island range hoods? Island vent hoods need to be installed from 24-inches to 36-inches above the cooktop or range.In this guide, I will
Don’t you hate it when your glass shower door becomes cloudy and gross? Soap scum can difficult to remove, but fortunately there a few trusted ways to remove it. In this guide,
Want to know how to clean a bathroom exhaust fan? Dirty bath fans don’t work very well and can be a fire hazard. Check out my detailed guide right here!
Do you want to find the best framed shower door for your bathroom? Framed shower doors tend to be stronger and have a sturdier feel when opening the door compared to
Do you want to find the best thermal camera? Infrared cameras are a great way to find hidden water leaks, air leaks, missing insulation, electrical faults, and more. In this product review
Do you want to find the best Cosmo range hood? Cosmo Appliances makes the most popular types of vent hoods including under cabinet, island, and wall mounted. In this product review, I
Do you want to learn how to size a tankless water heater? The two key things needed to size a tankless water heater is your household peak water usage (in gallons
Do you want to find the best decorative bathroom fan? Decorative bath fans include lights and they look like normal light fixtures. In this product review, I will go over…My #1 top
Do you want to learn how to install a bathroom exhaust fan on the 1st level of a home? A low profile bath fan with a thin housing can make this
Do you want to find the best Delta bathroom fan? Delta bathroom fans feature DC motors (some with dual speed) that run quietly and efficiently. In this product review, I will go
Do you want to find the best UV air purifier for your home? UV air purifiers work by disrupting the DNA of microorganisms which prevents reproduction. In this product review, I will
Do you want to learn the top ways to use a thermal imaging camera? Thermal cameras are highly useful in finding water leaks, and they show up as a dark blue
Do you want to find the best iPhone thermal camera? Thermal cameras designed for iOS include the popular FLIR cameras and other brands. In this product review, I will go over…My #1
Do you want to learn how to install an under cabinet ductless range hood? Installing under cabinet range hoods for a ductless configuration is very similar to a standard hood, except
Do you want to find the best propane tankless water heater? Propane tankless water heaters can be an efficient and space saving way to heat water. In this product review, I go
Do you want to learn how to flush a tankless water heater? Most homeowners use distilled white vinegar to flush their tankless water heaters, but you can also use a descaling
Do you want to find the best condensing tankless water heater? Condensing tankless water heaters have exhaust gases that can get as low as 100F, which allows cheaper (and easier to
Do you want to learn how to adjust the temperature for your Rinnai tankless water heater? The main first step is to remove the front panel to expose the ‘guts’ of
Do you want to find the best tankless water heater for cold climates? Even though most tankless heaters have internal heaters to protect against freezing, they all have outdoor temp ratings
Do you want to learn how to install a wall mount range hood? Wall mounted range hoods have adjustable chimneys that can usually fit kitchen ceilings up to around 10-feet high. In
Do you want to find the best 16x25x1 furnace filter? Probably most important step is to choose a 16x25x1 filter with the right MERV rating for your HVAC system. In this product
Do you want to find out the cost to install a bathroom exhaust fan? The cost of bathroom fan installs depends on whether its a replacement or new install, if new
Do you want to find the best wood range hood on the market? Wood range hoods have stainless steel hood inserts with hardwood exterior shells that gives it a unique look. In
Do you want to learn how to install a bathroom fan roof vent? Bathroom roof vents are typically installed using either a hole saw drill bit or reciprocating saws to cut
Do you want to find the best bathroom window exhaust fan? Window exhaust fans have extendable side panels so they can fit in almost any bathroom window to remove moisture and
Do you want to learn what to do when your whole house water filter leaks from the top? A leaking whole house water filter may be the result of a faulty
Do you want to find the best 10-inch whole house water filter cartridge? The most common sizes for whole house water filter cartridges are 10″ x 4.5″ for ‘big blue’ type
Do you want to learn how whole house water filters work? These water filtration system are installed right after your main water shutoff, and they can provide purified water to every
Do you want to find the best whole house water filter and softener combo? Whole house water filters coupled with a softening system can purify your entire homes water and reduce
Do you want to learn how to remove spray foam insulation from your skin or hands? Spray foam is a great product to air seal small areas or to insulate entire
Do you want to find the best ventless bathroom exhaust fan? Ventless bath fans use activated charcoal filters to remove foul odors and they recirculate the air in the room. In this
Do you want to learn how much electricity bathroom fans use over a year? Bathroom fan electricity use is determined by the wattage—and most fans are in the 10-50 watts range. In
Do you want to find the best stainless steel range hood? Stainless steel range hoods are highly durable and resistant to rust. In this product review, I will go over…My #1 top
Do you want to learn how to adjust glass shower door hinges? Glass shower doors can sometimes loosen over time, making the unlevel, and may even start leaking. In this guide, I
Do you want to find the best round bathroom exhaust fan? Round bath fans come in a variety of decorative styles and they all have a center light. In this product review,
Do you want to learn how to fix a noisy bathroom exhaust fan? Noisy bath fans can have numerous causes, but it can usually be boiled down to just a few
Do you want to find the best whole house water filter to remove fluoride and chlorine? These whole house water filters will greatly reduce the ppm of fluoride and chlorine with
Want to know the best way to size a bathroom exhaust fan? Check out our detailed guide here!
Do you want to know how a whole house humidifier works? In essence, these humidifiers work by sending water vapor into the HVAC ductwork, but there are also portable units that
Do you want to learn how to change your furnace air filter? Furnace air filters should be regularly changed, usually around 1-3 months. In this guide, I will go over…How to find
Probably the biggest complaint among homeowners about range hoods is the noise. Some range hoods can just be really loud, it can feel like a freight train is visiting your kitchen. In
The best external inline blowers have a strong enough fan speed (cfm) and are easily installed. Some inline blower hoods even have mounting chains so you can suspend them from attic
Do you want to learn how to install a Z Line range hood? ZLine makes three main types of popular range hoods, and the installation is very similar among all of
5 Best Ductless Range Hoods With Charcoal Filters (2021 Review)
Let’s face the facts: sometimes you just can’t install a ducted range hood in the
2021 IRC Residential Stair Code (Treads, Risers, & Railings)
For residential homes, staircase code is laid out in the IRC or International Residential Code
5 Best Bathroom Exhaust Fans With Humidity Sensors (Automatic Control)
Here is our review on the top bathroom exhaust fans with humidity sensors. These fans can automatically control the moisture in your bathroom and exhaust it to the exterior.
What Is Polybutylene Pipe? (How To Identify, Cost, Lawsuits, Pictures)
Wonder about the risks of polybutylene water piping? I have created an expert guide on the pros and cons of polybutylene piping. Click here to learn more!
Top 5 Best Whole House Humidifiers (2021 Review, Built-In, Portable)
Want to find the best whole house humidifier? Tired of dry skin and allergies? Check out my top 6 whole house humidifiers right here. Click here!
7 Toxic Signs of Black Mold in Air Vents (Early Stage Symptoms)
One of the most disturbing things that you can encounter as a homeowner or tenant