Cleaning Gutters Without Getting Hurt
Most gutter injuries have nothing to do with the gutter. They happen on the way up or down, on a ladder that shifted, slipped, or was never quite stable…
The Chimney Is Where Roofs Leak
Chimney flashing is the metal barrier that seals the joint where a chimney meets the roof deck.
What the Attic Tells You About the Roof
Water rarely announces itself on the roof surface. It shows up first in the attic, as a stain on a rafter, a patch of daylight where there shouldn’t be…
Asphalt Shingles: Three-Tab, Architectural and the Difference
Three-tab and architectural shingles can look nearly identical from the curb, but they’re built differently, and that difference shows up the moment…
Roof and Gutters: What to Watch, and When to Worry
A roof does one job with two different parts. The surface sheds water off the top.
Well Water: What Changes When You Are Not on a Main
Well water changes the responsibility, not just the source. On a municipal main, a utility treats the water, meters it, and often flags unusual usage.
Water Softeners: What They Do and What They Cost You
A water softener doesn’t purify water. It swaps out the minerals that make water “hard,” calcium and magnesium, for sodium or potassium, using a tank of…
That Bang When a Tap Shuts: Water Hammer
That bang, thud, or knock when a faucet or washing machine valve snaps shut is called water hammer, and it’s caused by a sudden pressure spike as moving…
A Washing Machine That Backs Up
A washing machine that backs up is rarely a defect in the machine itself. It’s the drain trying to accept more water, faster, than it was built for.
A Toilet That Will Not Flush Properly
A toilet that won’t flush is telling you one of two things: the bowl isn’t getting enough water to create a siphon, or something between the bowl and the…