Expert Advice on Home Improvement TV Host of Today's Homeowner® and home expert for The Weather Channel
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Out With The Old, In With New Windows: As the season for home remodeling and DIY projects gets underway, evaluating a home's list of needs and repairs becomes top priority. Read More
Safety and Security, Repairs and Installation, Ask Danny Published 03/28/2008 by Danny Lipford
We are in the process of purchasing a new home, but it has a strong damp/musty odor. How can we make sure it has no water damage? -Raul
Raul,
There are a number of possibilities that could be causing your problem including a leaky roof, plumbing leaks, excessive moisture in the crawl space, a slab that wasn’t waterproofed correctly, condensation in the walls due to an improperly installed vapor barrier, or damage from flooding.
While it’s not easy to check inside of walls, you can inspect the attic as well as under the house or in the basement for signs of leaks, moisture buildup, mold, or rot. A moisture meter can be used to check for excessive moisture in wood while a hygrometer can determine the moisture content of the air.
Water stains on rafters are a telltale sign of leaks, either past or present. Also, be sure to examine the floor joists under the house for signs of mold. If the house is in an area prone to flooding, look in out of the way places—like closets and inside of cabinets—for stain lines on the walls or water damage on the floor.
I would definitely have a competent home inspector examine the house before you purchase it, as mold and excessive humidity can be costly to eliminate.
Check out our article How to Prevent and Remove Mold and Attic and Basement Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Electrical and Lighting, Heating and Cooling, Safety and Security, Quick Picks Published 03/21/2008 by Ben Erickson
Wireless lighting systems for your home used to be considered a luxury item that could set you back thousands of dollars, but the JetStream Lighting Control System® from CentraLite contains everything you need to control up to five rooms in your house for under $700. Individual wall switches communicate with each other using radio frequency signals without the need for a central controller, making the system easy to install in existing home.
The JetStream Starter Kit comes with five dimmable wall switches and a battery powered remote control which can be used to turn lights on and off from your house or car. Four preprogrammed lighting scenes are included, but up to 100 custom scenes can be programmed using a computer and optional USB interface device. Additional switches and accessories—like an automated timer, tabletop keypad and controllers for lamps—are available as well.
Installation requires a neutral wire at wall switches, which may not be present in some older homes. The JetStream carries a five-year limited warrenty and can be expanded to control thermostats as well as security and entertainment equipment. A searchable database of dealers and installers is available on their website.
Safety and Security, Quick Picks Published 02/12/2008 by Ben Erickson
Clothes dryers are responsible for over 15,000 fires a year, resulting in more than a dozen deaths and hundreds of injuries. Many are the result of inadequate venting caused by crimps and sharp bends in the flexible vent hose. The Dryerbox® reduces these problems and allows your dryer to run more efficiently by allowing the hose to contract into a metal box recessed in the wall. While designed primarily for installation in new construction, a Retro-Fit model is also available.
Safety and Security, Garage and Storage, Ask Danny, Green Living Published 02/07/2008 by Danny Lipford
Lori asks, “My husband and I are big advocates for recycling. We fortunately have a recycle center nearby that we use. Our problem/question, How or where can we get rid of old car batteries and old paint? Our recycle center doesn’t allow them and don’t have answers. We’ve been holding on to these old items and don’t know what to do with them. Any advice?”
Kitchens and Baths, Plumbing, Safety and Security Published 01/22/2008 by Joe Cuhaj
Concerned about what’s in your drinking water? Well, you should be! While municipal drinking water in the U.S. is among the safest in the world, almost all of the 25 largest city water systems have reported violations of federal drinking water standards. These include samples that contained significant levels of chlorine, lead, E. coli bacteria, and other contaminants.
Home Improvement, Safety and Security, Announcement Published 12/13/2007 by Ben Erickson
In light of the continued drought gripping the country and the recent California wildfires, it’s more important than ever to take every precaution possible when dealing with fire. The winning entries in our Fire Safety Contest drove that point home with their cautionary tales demonstrating how easily things can go wrong. Each of our winners below will receive a Kidde Nighthawk smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, along with a second Kidde smoke alarm.
Safety and Security Published 11/16/2007 by Joe Cuhaj
Mold is all around us and in every breath we take. It plays an important role in the natural process of decay and is used to make everything from cheese to penicillin. If allowed to grow unchecked inside your home, however, mold can result in damage to both the structure and your health.
Safety and Security, Contest Published 11/02/2007 by Danny Lipford
Though cooking is the main cause of house fires overall, problems with heating equipment—from furnaces to fireplaces to space heaters—surpass it in the winter. We’re asking you to help make this year safer by sharing your close encounter with fire and what could have been done to prevent it. The two entries with the most compelling story and helpful prevention tip will receive a Kidde Nighthawk smoke and carbon monoxide alarm along with a second Kidde smoke alarm.
Lawn and Garden, Safety and Security, Repairs and Installation, Diseases & Pests Published 08/30/2007 by Jerri Farris
The Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) strikes fear in the hearts of homeowners, particularly residents of Hawaii and the southern United States. According to a report by the Department of Agriculture, it is one of the most destructive pests in the country. Each year over $1 billion is spent in the U.S. for preventative and remedial treatment and to repair damage caused by Formosan termites.
Safety and Security Published 08/28/2007 by Ben Erickson
From hurricanes and floods to tornadoes and fires, natural disasters are a homeowner’s worst nightmare. While August through October are the peak months of hurricane season, being prepared for a natural disaster isn’t just confined to a few months out of the year or those living along the coast. Here are a few basic steps you can take now to prepare for the worst.
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