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Hazards of Making Our Countertops
Granite and the new quartz countertops have lots of silica in them. Corian does too, but not as much. I didn't know why we ever needed...

Paul Cummins
Oct 28, 20191 min read


Add Ghostbusters to Your Inspection Protocol!
Buying a house CAN be scary. I know I'm not quite normal myself but this outfit provides a paranormal inspector! Click on image for...

Paul Cummins
Oct 12, 20191 min read


New Home Maintenance Books in Spanish!
Ask for a copy during our next inspection!

Paul Cummins
Sep 19, 20190 min read


Updates for those clumsy folding closet doors
Bifold doors get off track and bang into things. Here are some other options. Click on images for links. Barn doors are really cool...

Paul Cummins
Aug 11, 20191 min read


Squirrels in the attic better than bats in the belfry!
Allstate article linked to image says make noise, put vinegar soaked rags in the attic, seal the opening after they leave and check for...

Paul Cummins
Jul 28, 20191 min read


Disposer is safer than you think.
It's not like a blender. I often find construction debris in units subject to recent renovation. Just found six plastic candy wrappers...

Paul Cummins
Jul 28, 20191 min read


Building Museum Great on a Hot Day!
Washington's Building Museum has a feature called LAWN. Built on scaffolding is a turf hill with hammocks and corn hole games. On a...

Paul Cummins
Jul 15, 20191 min read


Simple Beauty
OK, this is the best photo I've taken this year. Photosynthesis happening on pots in our fish pond. Enlarge it if you can on your...

Paul Cummins
Jun 28, 20191 min read


Gotta Get Fresh Air In!
Just like you can't use your deck in the summer without a 9 foot umbrella, you don't want bugs entering as you go inside repeatedly to...

Paul Cummins
Jun 12, 20191 min read


An Intimate Experience
When my aunt would come visit she would open our closets looking for I don't know what. I remember how odd I thought that was...too...

Paul Cummins
May 6, 20191 min read


Get Lots of Questions About Home Warranties
Well, as with any insurance, they're betting against you. They're trying to get you to make a monthly payment forever that maybe you'll...

Paul Cummins
Apr 25, 20191 min read


DIY HVAC
Up to 25 feet of coils, 5 year guarantee, no-solder fittings, pre-charged with coolant, provides heat and cold. Seems all you need is...

Paul Cummins
Apr 21, 20191 min read


Leaking toilet seal
Could there be anything scarier than the toilet leaking through the floor! This gasket from Fluidmaster allows for a tight seal beyond...

Paul Cummins
Apr 19, 20191 min read


The right caulk means you can walk the walk!
Literally, in the case of sealing sidewalk cracks! How annoying is it to caulk around your windows and have the caulk dull-up and grow...

Paul Cummins
Apr 10, 20191 min read


Concrete Friendly De-Icer
Calcium Magnesium Acetate won't put pock marks in your concrete steps, walkway or driveway. It won't bother pets, track in on your...

Paul Cummins
Apr 10, 20191 min read


Ceramic Cook-tops are the Cleanest!
Right, we started by cooking meat with a stick over a fire... no dishes to clean, no greasy spills, the fire burnt up any potential mess....

Paul Cummins
Apr 4, 20191 min read


Install that new dishwasher easily under your granite countertop!
No need to damage your cabinets with a side mount! Click on image for link. #maintenance

Paul Cummins
Apr 4, 20191 min read


You've put plenty of insulation in your attic, but what about the stairs?
Some estimates say you can save $19 a month with one of these things! Personally I couldn't do the zipper ones...it's hard enough to get...

Paul Cummins
Apr 4, 20191 min read


It's good to get loopy! (at least with dishwashers)
Just installed a new diswasher for a neighbor. It has a loop on the discharge tube, on the side of the dishwasher, which prevents...

Paul Cummins
Apr 4, 20191 min read


Losing Money Isn't Cool!
Note the PVC cover on this closed cell foam pipe insulation. I see many an uncovered piece of foam around the low pressure line (cold...

Paul Cummins
Apr 4, 20191 min read
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