“Acoustics” covers two different problems that are often confused. One is how sound behaves inside a room: echo, a harsh, hollow feel. The other is sound traveling between rooms or from outside: traffic, neighbors, a TV through the wall. The solutions are different. Part 1: Reduce echo inside a room Hard surfaces like bare floors, … Read more
Keeping a home clean and in good repair is easier when it is broken into small, regular tasks rather than marathon weekends. The schedule below is a starting point; adjust it to your household, pets and climate. Daily (10 to 15 minutes) Weekly Monthly Seasonal Once or twice a year Use cleaning products safely Less … Read more
Most burglaries are opportunistic: someone sees an easy target and takes the chance. Good security makes your home look and be harder to get into than the house next door. Start with the basics, which cost little, before buying technology. Doors: the most common way in Windows Lock windows, especially ground-floor and basement ones. Add … Read more
Mold spores are everywhere, indoors and out. They only grow when they find moisture, so the key to preventing mold is controlling water. As the EPA puts it in its guide to mold, moisture and your home, there is no practical way to eliminate all spores; the way to control growth is to control moisture. … Read more
Water is the main enemy of a house. Rain, snowmelt and humidity cause rot, mold, foundation damage and peeling paint. Wind, ice and heat add their own problems. Most of the protection comes from regular, simple maintenance rather than big projects. Keep water moving away Roof and attic Inspect the roof from the ground with … Read more
Modern homes are built tighter to save energy, which is good for heating bills but means stale air, humidity and pollutants can build up indoors. The EPA notes that indoor levels of some pollutants are often higher than outdoors (EPA indoor air quality). Good ventilation brings in fresh air and removes moisture and pollutants at … Read more
Choosing a roof means balancing cost, lifespan, weight, appearance and climate. The figures below are typical ranges; real lifespans depend heavily on installation quality, ventilation and weather. Asphalt shingles By far the most common roof in the US. Affordable, easy to install and repair, with many colors. Architectural (dimensional) shingles look better and last longer … Read more
Siding protects the walls from weather and gives the house most of its look from the street. When you compare materials, the purchase price is only part of the story: how often you will need to clean, paint, seal or repair it matters just as much. Vinyl The most common siding in the US. Affordable, … Read more
Saving energy at home follows a simple rule: start where the most energy goes. In most US homes, that is heating and cooling, followed by water heating. Changing light bulbs helps, but fixing a leaky, under-insulated house helps far more. 1. Heating and cooling 2. Seal and insulate Air leaks around windows, doors, attic hatches … Read more
Pests come inside for three reasons: food, water and shelter. Take those away and most infestations never start. That is the principle behind integrated pest management (IPM), the approach recommended by the EPA (Safe Pest Control): prevention first, then targeted treatment only where needed. 1. Close the doors they use 2. Remove food 3. Remove … Read more
