Rural homeowners who live in areas where winter temperatures are often well below the freezing mark face some unique home maintenance challenges. One of these involves trying to ensure that their water well pump, pressure tank, and any exposed water supply lines housed inside their well house do not freeze, which has the potential to split or burst pipes, damage components, and leave the home’s occupants without water for long periods of time.…
Asphalt is the most common type of paving material, and for good reason: it is extremely affordable, easy to install, and can be used within hours of being properly laid down under the right conditions. However, no paving material is completely immune to damage due to weather exposure, and asphalt is no exception. In order to keep your asphalt in good structural condition, you need to make sure that you have it regularly sealed to protect the top layer from degrading.…
If you waited patiently for your power to be restored after a storm passed through only to find that nothing happened when you tried to turn the lights back on, you probably need the assistance of a residential electrician. Although you can likely get an electrician to come out to your home and locate the problem soon, it is important that you don’t make any moves that could endanger yourself, your family, or the integrity of your electrical wiring.…
A fiberglass pool represents the best possible compromise between strength, longevity, and price. Yet fiberglass pools are susceptible to certain problems all their own. Fortunately, the most common such problem–cracks in the side of the pool–is easy enough to fix on your own. If you would like to improve your pool repair skills, read on. This article will discuss how to effectively repair cracks in a fiberglass pool.
Prepare for the Repair…
Septic tanks are a necessary alternative to sewer systems for houses and buildings located in rural areas. They make use of bacteria and chemicals to break down organic waste slowly over time. However, like all parts of your home, septic tanks can become damaged and begin to malfunction over time due to age and general wear and tear. Knowing the warning signs of a failing septic tank can help you determine when to contact a professional before your septic tank fails entirely.…
Cool roof coating or paint
If your roof is of a suitable material, you can significantly improve its reflective qualities simply by applying a cool roof coating. Applied like paint, this coating helps roof surfaces reflect not only light but also thermal rays from the sun. It also helps make your roof more watertight and improves its working lifespan. The drawback of this solution is that it’s not recommended for the ubiquitous asphalt shingle roofing.
If you have baseboard heating in your home, you will want to take steps in maintaining the baseboards so they dispense enough heat into the rooms where they are located. If you have noticed a reduction in the amount of heat a room is receiving, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the situation. Here are some tips you can use to regain a constant flow of heat in a room via baseboard panels.…
If you’re considering moving into a home with oil-based heating, you may be a bit nervous. Many people have heard all sorts of negative myths regarding this style of heating system. However, most of the myths floating around are exaggerated or completely false. Here’s a look at the truth about heating oil.
Myth: Oil is explosive; your tank may explode.
The truth: Oil has to vaporize before it will ignite, so your tank of liquid oil will not just explode or ignite.…
Not only do cracks in your driveway make your home look shoddy, but they can also undermine the integrity of your asphalt. Thus, whenever cracks form, you need to take steps to repair the cracks before they lead to the need to replace your entire driveway. While you might think that all cracks are the same, you would be wrong. In order to make enduring repairs, you need to understand what type of cracks you are dealing with and what is required to make a repair.…
As the weather is getting colder, you might be thinking about your heating system and how well it will heat your home this winter. The last thing that you probably want to deal with is a heater that isn’t working properly when the temperatures drop, so thinking about heating now is a smart decision. Luckily, following these three steps should help you gain peace of mind and should help keep your home nice and toasty all winter long.…
