Winter can be a time of great fun for sledding, building snowmen and cuddling up beside a roaring fire. Even if you enjoy the beauty of winter, a homeowner needs to deal with certain problems that occur during this season. High energy bills are one, and snowed-in roads are another. Another problem that can cause an unexpected expense is a frozen or burst plumbing pipe. Always call a plumber immediately if you think a pipe is frozen, because the results can cause flooding in the home and damage to your possessions. This image shows the devastating results of frozen...

Not every tile is suitable for every surface – that’s why it’s important to know the difference between a wall tile and floor tile. In America, the PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute Wear) rating system is used to determine the durability of tiles. Typically, a floor tile should have a rating of 3-5. A wall tile usually has a rating of 0-2.   Different Finishes A wall tile is usually slicker and smoother than a floor tile, especially when it’s wet. A floor tile will often be textured to make it slip-resistant and safer to walk on. A wall tile...

Air conditioning systems are complex and, therefore, naturally prone to problems from time to time. We tend to dread such problems occurring, assuming automatically that any malfunction is sure to cost us time, sweating/shivering, and a large amount of money. But that’s not always the case. In fact, many of the most common problems in air conditioning systems are not so dire at all. Here is a list of just a few. The liquid refrigerant is running low – We’ll start with an example of a problem not so terrible. If you notice the air coming through the vents...

Dirty ducts in air conditioning systems are unfortunately as dire as they are commonplace. Whether you’re wondering why the air pressure coming out of the vents in your house has dropped, or why your entire system seems to be going on the fritz (possibly not for the first time recently), or even why your “allergies” seem to be giving you so much trouble, the answer could very well lie in the condition of your air conditioning ducts. Ducts collect dust, debris, and even small organisms (all of which are possible allergens) when the return vents suck in air from...