A fireplace does not always need a chimney. You can have a vent, but there are some concerns with a vent when the fireplace is in use.

Controlling the amount of moisture in your home is achieved through vents in the bathrooms, utility room, and kitchen, as well as opening windows. The ducts for the mechanical vents are often not in the best of shape during home inspections, since they are easy to forget.

If you have a window or door that sits flush or proud of the wall, you probably then have trim sitting on the wall. This can be a problem area for moisture.

We want insulation in our homes, but can insulation cause a problem? Improperly installed insulation can.

Do you think about how to get out of your house in case of a fire? Windows are meant to be quick exits, but we block them with burglar bars and window screens that are attached into place.

Windows pose a problem area for homeowners. Gaps, holes, or cracks can lead to leaks as well as being spots where your energy efficiency can be lost.

Guest post describing the benefits of metal roofing.

A guest post from a satellite dish installation company explaining how to go onto a roof without damaging the gutter.

Is your home a place where you stay or where you live? If you do see it as an investment, do you ensure that it is increasing in value? Home repairs can be costly, but they can prevent future damage, and further expenses.

Creating living spaces outside your doors can be a way to extend your house without building another room. Porches also happen to be traditional in Texas to deal with the heat.

Part of your plumbing system penetrates the roof. These are the vents, and they could be a source of leaks in the home.

As Americans become stationary, is a new trend for homeowners a changing look to their home by adding a new facade?

Home additions create extra livable space, but they could create problems.

Do you take the time to really crawl through your home, looking for problems? I do not. However, if you had work done on your home, you may want to take the time to inspect it.

Is your attic filled to the brim with all of your old stuff? Are people working up there? New equipment? After three re-inspections of homes, I was considering how what happens in the attic effects our home.

As we struggle to manage our budgets, we look for ways to reduce our expenses. During the summer, the high electric bill catches our attention, so we scramble for ways to reduce that cost.

Being on your roof during our hot Houston summer may cause damage to the roof, but it may hurt you too.

Originally from the forum: repairing a pane of glass in a window

Originally published in the forum: advice on how to paint

Recycling’s trendy sibling, upcycling is becoming more popular, and it may be a way to save money in your own home.

There are homes designed without attics, and there are homeowners who wish to raise their ceilings, but there are energy efficiency concerns with having no attic.

How does your new green home stack up against an existing house? Maybe you paid more for a label.

Windstorm certification of your roof is a big deal in coastal areas, and it can be important for your insurance.

Air conditioning can be problematic in a Houston summer, and units can run all day long without ever really cooling to your desired temperature.

Electrical safety advances by making outlets a little better. TR stands for tamper resistant, and WR stands for weather resistant.

Can I install a gas range or oven? Are there safety concerns with gas cooktops that I should be aware of? What concerns should I have when it comes to a range, oven, or cooktop?

When you begin to seal and insulate your home, moisture can become a bigger problem. A constant supply of moisture can lead to mold, but non-constant moisture can lead to problems with wall coverings and more.

In newer homes in the Houston area, you will see forced hot air systems in bathrooms; however, gas bathroom heaters and electric bathroom heaters were common at one time.

Should I have a new home warranty inspection? Would there be any problems with a new home?

How do you get heavy equipment into a building, when you cannot get it up the stairs? A deadman’s door is the solution.

From lead based paint to flood insurance, homeowners may not be too happy with some actions by our government.

To make his home air tight, one homeowner used foam insulation from a can, but did not realize that he may have been creating a fire hazard.

Water prices are rising; to save money while helping the environment, you may want to reduce your water usage. Dual flush toilets are a step in that direction.

Does repairing your house now, prevent problems from happening again? Is the contractor feeding me a line? Is that the repair I really need? All good questions, so let us consider the answers.

Insulation does not simply hold hot or cold air in place

When you have an attached garage, or you are creating a conditioned workspace in a garage, you will need to insulate the doors to improve your energy efficiency.

I have been studying insulation lately, and how homeowners could improve their energy efficiency, but then I remembered moisture control.

Insulating a home involves more than the insulation in your attic. Weather stripping for your door is an important step.

Does your sliding door stick? Is it hard to operate? It may need to be cleaned, or it might need an adjustment.

Rules about smoke alarms seem to confuse sellers, buyers, and other real estate professionals, so let us go over some basics.