Another major problem is a clogged soil line, which can prevent sewage from traveling uninterrupted to the sewer or the septic tank. The reasons for the blockage are virtually endless. Tree roots can wrap themselves around the buried pipe and crack it. Continue reading →
Plumbing Problems
A lot of uncertainty hides behind the walls of your house. Hidden problems have hidden costs, and can delay the start and certainly the completion of any remodeling job that involves plumbing. Continue reading →
New doesn’t always Mean Problem-Free
Every older house has its share of plumbing woes, but let me share a story about new houses to illustrate that new doesn’t always mean problem-free. It also illustrates why you should bring in professionals before you buy a house and maintain a list of reliable contractors and repair people after you buy. Continue reading →
Insulation at Your House (4)
Whether you should install insulation yourself depends on the structural design of your house and the type of materials used in its construction. Installing it yourself does save money if done correctly, and often insulation contractors are overscheduled, so you might not be able to hire one when you need one. Continue reading →
Insulation at Your House (3)
The facing material on the insulation is generally a vapor barrier. It is usually applied toward the “warm-in-winter” portion of the house to help resist the movement of moisture vapor to cold surfaces, where it can condense. This means that, in the ceilings, the barrier faces down; in the walls, it faces the inside; and in the floors over unheated spaces, it faces up. Continue reading →