8 Quick Winter Home Repairs That Always Need Fixing
Attacking small home repairs can lead to more than a feeling of accomplishment. They can clear the way for larger projects in spring. And as I walked through my home with my notepad app open, I found myself staring at a list of home repairs that always need fixing at one point. 8 maintenance items […]
Your wet Kansas City basement is sucking you dry
A WET BASEMENT IS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM IN MANY KANSAS CITY HOMES. But before we go sloshing around knee-deep dankness we begin our wet basement banishment in an unexpected place: The roof. Because lousy grading is hard to see when you’re right on top of it, but there’s no hiding when you look down from above. […]
How to survive your first old home purchase
An older home is a wonderful thing. Aside from the charm and character, an old home brings a host of problems not found in newer houses. Like poor wiring, cracked foundations, clogged pipes, and weak roofs. Now, don’t avoid an older home because of these issues, they’re normal. But old homes need special attention because […]
Is Your Old Home’s Electrical Service Undersized?
WARNING: You may want to open your main electrical panel after reading this article. Only do it if you know exactly what you’re doing. Don’t be dumb. A high number of older homes all over the U.S. still have 60 amp electrical service. This was fine at the time, but now it’s too small to […]
Septic Systems: Buried But Not Forgotten
Septic systems are easy to understand but hard to inspect so be on alert if buying a home with one installed. It takes a specialized septic professional to get in there and check it out. Instead of draining into a city treatment plant, a septic system drains into an underground tank near the home. The tank collects […]
8 Things To Know When Mold Takes Hold
If a basement is musty, has blotched walls and ceilings, or has a growth under the carpet then mold has taken hold. This is a health hazard that has many insurance companies scrambling – or refusing coverage. So what do you need to know about mold to stay out of trouble? 1. Molds are everywhere and […]
Is Your Fireplace Sending Smoke Signals?
I enjoy sitting in front of the fireplace on a blustery winter eve. It’s comfy,romantic…and the rest of the house is freezing! This happens when the fireplace chimney sucks up more heat than it makes. And while it’s become a major sales feature, let’s be realistic – a fireplace is just another heating system. Anytime […]
Kansas City Pests: The Unwelcome Guest
You are not alone. Your home is a sanctuary to thousands of freeloading pests – including millions of bed bugs and dust mites. Then there are the bigger pests that can take over – bats, birds, squirrels, raccoons, and skunks. These guys can make some homes uninhabitable (bats are a protected species) so get them […]
Don’t Treat Your Furnace Like It Wants To Borrow Money
Don’t ignore your furnace. Furnace maintenance is necessary every year before it gets cold outside. Gas and oil furnaces are not only expensive to operate, but a health hazard if don’t keep it up. And it’s not only furnaces but all gas appliances – water heaters, space heaters, and fireplaces. Furnace Maintenance There’s more to […]
