March 03, 2006
You Grow Girl
One our favorite home interest sites is You Grow Girl. It's more than just a gardening blog. Gayla Trail has created a well written and beautifully designed online gardening community. The forums are active and the articles are well written and to the point. We are easily amused and one of our favorites is How to Grow Your own Pineapple.
March 01, 2006
Stopping Drafts
Readymade found a great draft stopper that will keep you warmer and save on your energy bill.
Posted by ChuckandHud at 08:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)Sticking Wood Drawers
One of life's little annoyances can be sticky wood drawers. With a bit of lubrication you should have smooth gliding drawers in no time. And as a last resort you can try sanding the drawer until it fits evenly, but remember it's permanent.
eHow.com states "Excess moisture due to rain or humidity makes wood swell and often causes the drawers to stick. Application of wax, such as beeswax or paraffin, seals the wood and helps prevent moisture-induced swelling."
February 28, 2006
Hot Water Heater Maintenance
How much do you rely on hot water? More than you think and when it's gone you'd wish you had followed these basic maintenance steps.
DIYnetwork
Improvenet
Mygreathome.com
Home Sprinklers
The U.S. Fire Administration recommends home sprinklers be installed in all new home builds as well as retrofitted to existing homes. They cite the cost of installing sprinklers in a new home is approximately 1 percent of the total cost of the home. "Home sprinklers are smaller than commercial and industrial sprinklers, and they can be aesthetically coordinated with any room décor".
Moisture Control and Ventilation
A well insulated home in the winter is a must, but you don't want to just seal yourself in your home. You also need open-ventilation which prevents mold, controls moisture, and is energy efficient.
Posted by ChuckandHud at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)February 27, 2006
Storm Preparedness
Personal safety is the number one concern before a storm of any kind reaches you. But the precautions you take to protect your home should also be a top priority. Whether it's lightning, rain, or high winds, make sure your house is prepared both inside and out.
February 24, 2006
Garage Door Maintenance
Garage door maintenance is often overlooked, especially considering how often they are used. So before those tracks start to rattle or you burnout that motor do some basic upkeep on your garage door.
Building a Raised Plant Bed
For you greenthumbs, Gardenweb shows how to build a raised plant bed.
Posted by ChuckandHud at 01:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)Weekend Fixes
Popular Mechanics lists 14 shortcut repairs to maintain your home. Any of these could be completed this weekend, so what are you waiting for.
Homemade Cleaning Products
Home cleaning products can not only release harmful chemicals but they can also be expensive. Organized Home recommends some everyday homemade cleaning recipes that will be easier on your wood and tile as well as your wallet.
Posted by ChuckandHud at 12:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)February 23, 2006
Essential Tools
What tools can't you live without? Here are some lists to "essential tools" that you may be overlooking.
DIYnetwork
About Home
Lowes
Old House Web
Contractor Guide
For the ladies:
Her Home
February 22, 2006
10 Tips for Cutting Energy Costs
I know Spring is just around the corner (or at least it feels like it with the longer days), but it's never too late to save on your energy bill for the remainder of winter and to maintain these cash-saving habits throughout the year. Hip Home has ten tips for cutting energy costs.
Posted by ChuckandHud at 01:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)February 21, 2006
Repairing Drywall
Dyrwall, sheetrock, plaster board, whatever you call it odds are it's in your home and you've probably dinged it moving furniture or you've made holes hanging shelves or pictures. The great thing about drywall is that it can be easily repaired fairly quickly. Here are Bob Vila's suggestions for repairing drywall.
Posted by ChuckandHud at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)February 20, 2006
C&H Ultimate Toolbox
"The right tools for the job" couldn't ring more true when it comes to your home improvement project. When you need a mallet a ball-pen hammer won't do and not all screwdrivers are created equal. We are compiling our list now but we'd like to hear from you. What are the most indespensible tools in your home toolbox and why?
February 19, 2006
Material Calculators
How much carpet do you need for the den? What BTU is right for your AC? Will my renovation pay off? Stop guesstimating and use these online calculators that will save you tme and money.
HGTV Calculators
This Old House Calculators
Improvenet Calculators
Converters and Calculators
Better Homes and Gardens Material Estimator
Renovation Wizard
Digital Home DIY
We don't touch on home technology very often but we think that the Digital Home DIY feature from CNET is a one-stop website. Detailed reviews on any home technology purchase as well as customer reviews and price comparisons really make CNET the 800-pound gorilla in this sector.
If you're an early adopter and seeking the latest technology then Engadget is for you. There are no price comparisons and the reviews are sparse, but this site focuses on breaking the latest tech gadget news and most products on Engadget won't appear on CNET for months. Visit the home entertainment category and prepare to drool.
February 18, 2006
Clean Kitchens
Company is arriving in 1/2 and hour and those dishes from last week are still there as is last nights take-out. Lifehacker has found a great way to clean your kitchen when you have precious little time.
Posted by ChuckandHud at 04:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)February 16, 2006
How to Hire Contractors
After you've decided to build that addition or finally remodel the kitchen, one of the biggest hurdles is finding the right help. Aside from going over bids and selecting the contractor you feel presents the most desirable cost to quality ratio, eHow takes you through this process step by step. Please use only bonded and licensed contractors, and as the saying goes, "Pay more now or pay a lot more later".
Posted by ChuckandHud at 08:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)November 16, 2005
Roses are Red
Prepare your rose bed for winter by cutting back.
Posted by ChuckandHud at 01:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)June 09, 2005
Get in the Swim of Things
You've skimmed 3 months worth of leaves, dirt, and dead animals and your PH levels are off the charts, but there's still more work to be done. Follow this checklist to before you get wet.
Posted by ChuckandHud at 01:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
