It’s a good idea to always carry jumper cables in your vehicle along with a first aid kit, a flashlight, an extra jacket, and other items in case of emergency. Better to have them and never need them than to need them and be without. Why you shouldn’t use jumper…
Some people feel that placing the sink in the island would make it easier to have a conversation with guests or family members seated at the island or in the adjoining room. However, I usually suggest against this. Sinks tend to attract clutter, dirty dishes, and, often, become an area…
James Hardie DOES NOT recommend using caulk or “H”-jointers for the butt joints of HardiePlank® siding with ColorPlus® technology. James Hardie also DOES NOT recommend applying caulk to the horizontal overlap between siding planks (see Figure 2). Should you caulk Hardie board siding? When James Hardie siding products butt into…
Without poly beneath the drywall, water vapor hits the drywall and diffuses through to the drier (in summer) indoor air. By installing a sheet of poly there, you cut off that drying mechanism and water that finds its way into walls can stay there longer and do more damage. Are…
You should only run a dehumidifier in your basement in the wintertime if the room maintains a high relative humidity. To monitor the relative humidity in your basement, hang a humidistat (sometimes called a hygrometer) on the wall. It works like a thermometer, constantly measuring the relative humidity in the…
Electric shocks can be very serious, so it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. If the shock seems severe, call 911 or your local emergency number. Even if the shock seems minor, it’s best to follow up with a doctor to make sure there aren’t any less visible…
A C-wire, or a common wire, runs from your low voltage heating system (24v) and carries continuous power to your thermostat. Should there be any voltage on the neutral wire? The neutral wire is often said to have zero voltage on it. If you touch that wire on a live…
“Year old” should be hyphenated when it modifies a noun that follows it. That is, when the phrase is describing the age of a person, place, or thing, and it precedes that noun in a sentence, then it should be written as year-old. Is 3 year old hyphenated? Year old…
If you are looking at a more technical or vocational subject of study, then a nationally accredited school may have the best programs for you. Regionally accredited colleges score “better” on other dimensions, such as academic reputation, transfer of credit, and the widest possible acceptance by other universities. Is nationally…
The EPA states that if the ceiling is still intact, then you’re not in danger of inhaling the substance and so the ceiling should be left as it is. You are going to want to do popcorn ceiling removal throughout your house: If the ceiling has been damaged at all.…