Why Am I Seeing Yellow Jackets Inside Of My House?
You might feel confused or even a little alarmed when you notice yellow jackets flying around inside your home. These insects are a type of wasp (although many people refer to them as a type of “bee”), and they are known for being aggressive at times, especially when they think their nest is in danger. […]
Spontaneous Combustion
Spontaneous combustion is a real thing. How do I know? Because about 20 years ago, we had a technician working on staining a number of deck boards for a client in the shop, he did not store the rags he was using properly after he was done with them, and I got awakened early the […]
Do ‘Baffles’ Baffle You?
Are you baffled about ‘baffles’? If so, you’re definitely not alone. A lot of people hear the term and imagine it refers to some kind of mysterious device with a complicated purpose, but baffles are actually pretty simple, especially as we speak of them in our focus here – how they relate to home improvement. […]
What Is ‘Durock’ And What Is It Used For?
When installing tile, it is important to fasten it to a surface with a particular set of qualities that make the tile installation most likely to last for as long as possible without developing some type of an issue. The best “backer board” of this type that I have come across is a product that […]
The Best Stain To Use On Hardwood Decks
After a long and harsh New England winter, many homeowners find that their hardwood decks need attention. Decks made from dense woods like mahogany or Ipe can handle tough weather, but months of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures still take a toll. Cosmetically, the wood may look faded, dry, or uneven in color once the […]
When The Snow Melts…
Living in New England, sometimes we get a winter to “remember”. Typically, these memories are not the type where we enjoy sharing how warm and sunny it was. Usually, it is the exact opposite. Constant dreariness, ice dams, snow piled 10 feet high that seems like it will still be there in July, etc. When […]
The Best Material for Inside Tile Corners (Hint: It’s Not Grout)
When you are finishing a tile job, one of the most important decisions happens at the inside corners. Many beginners (…and even some professionals!) assume grout should go everywhere between tiles, including where two tiled walls meet. But professional installers almost always choose silicone instead. That choice is not just preference. It is based on […]
What Are Soffit Vents?
Soffit vents are small openings built into the underside of a roof overhang. That underside is called the soffit and it wraps around the roof edges of most houses. The soffit vents help fresh air move into the attic while pushing warm, moist air out, most ideally through a ridge vent at the top peak […]
How To Prevent Ice Dams?
As we in New England are all VERY well aware, ice dams can cause serious damage to a home during the Winter months – particularly during Winters that are rougher than others! Ice dams form when snow on the roof melts and then refreezes at the edge of the roof. This creates a ridge of […]
What Is A Ridge Vent?
Sometimes I am walking around a house with a Client, and the discussion comes up (for various reasons) centered around their roof’s ridge vent (or lack thereof). In the moment, working to explain the concept of a ridge vent can be a little challenging, as in the process I often try to point out a […]
