Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Mary asks, “ We live in an older home that is raised off the ground with a crawlspace. In the past few years, the hardwood flooring in several rooms has started to warp and cup. What could be the problem?”

It sounds like you may have excessive moisture and humidity in the crawlspace under your home. Read on to find out how to correct the problem. Read in full.

Carelessly throwing cigarette butts on the ground is not only a fire hazard, it accounts for over 30% of all the litter in the U.S. Cigarette butts take 10-15 years to decompose and can leach harmful chemicals—including cyanide, arsenic, and lead—into water supplies. Watch this video.

Danny demonstrates a simple method of determining how far to pull your car into the garage so the door will close by suspending a plastic golf ball from the ceiling with a string. Watch this video.

Joseph asks, “Our house has a musty smell, and we recently found mold growing inside some of the closets and cabinets. How can we get rid of it?”

Since mold requires warm, moist conditions to grow, start by eliminating any unwanted sources of water, such as leaks in the roof, dripping pipes, or gaps around tubs or showers. Reduce the relative humidity levels inside your home, and treat any existing mold with a product made for that purpose. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

A home inventory is a comprehensive report which includes detailed descriptions and photos of the personal property in and around your home. While considered a key component in documenting insurance claims, a home inventory is also valuable for estate and financial planning. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

Living in Atlanta all of my life, and that’s a long time folks, I have never witnessed what I have these past few days. Ever hardened by the drought that has plagued this city for years, I truly couldn’t believe the downpour of rain we’ve received, especially since Sunday evening. Read on to find out more. Read in full.

The plastic caps on the end of an extension ladder can scratch paint or siding when they are leaned against your house. A simple way to protect your siding is to wrap the ends of the ladder with scraps of carpet, then hold them on with duct tape. Watch this video.

By following these simple DIY home security suggestions, you can greatly reduce the chance that your home will be subject to burglary or break-in while you are at home or away. Read in full.

Dean asks, “When we use the hot water in our new home, there is a very strong smelly odor. Please help.“

There are several possibilities for the unpleasant odor in your water, including the material the pipes are made of and the water supply itself. Read on to find out some of the causes of smells in your water and what you can do about it. Read in full.

Check out our Hurricane Help page for a wealth of articles and videos on how to prepare your home for the next tropical storm. You’ll also find a printable hurricane supply list you can take to the store with you, as well as a hurricane to-do list to help you get ready before the next big one hits. Read in full.