Shrubs add beauty and privacy to your yard, but they need regular care to stay healthy. Here are three simple tips: Use the Right Tools – Keep essentials like pruners, trimmers, loppers, and protective gloves on hand for safe and effective trimming. Know Your Shrubs – Different varieties require different care. Learn what type you have so you can provide the right maintenance. Get Professional Help if Needed – If shrub care feels too complicated or time-consuming, a landscaper can ensure your plants stay healthy and beautiful year-round. With these steps, your shrubs will remain a standout feature of your yard for years to come.

Have a chair that looks fine but feels unstable? Over time, dining chairs often loosen up and become rickety. Instead of throwing them out or taking the entire chair apart for repairs, there’s a faster fix. Drill small pilot holes and use trim-head screws to secure the bottom rung to the chair legs. This quick solution will tighten things up and make your chair sturdy again — no complicated repair process required.

Smoke detectors play a vital role in protecting your family during a fire, but they only work if properly maintained. Follow these best practices to keep them in good condition: Test Monthly – Press the test button once a month. A chirp means it’s working. Change Batteries Annually – Replace the batteries every year, even if the test works. Spring cleaning is a good reminder. Replace if Faulty – If a new battery doesn’t restore the test tone, replace the detector. Replace Every 10 Years – Even if it still works, detectors should be swapped out every decade. Write the installation date on masking tape and stick it on the device for reference. Check for Expiration – Look for a “replace by” sticker. If there’s no date, replace the detector immediately. By following these steps, you’ll ensure your smoke detectors remain reliable — keeping your home and family safe.

For many first-time buyers, skipping a home inspection might seem like a way to save time or money. However, an inspection is one of the most important steps in protecting both your new home and your finances. Inspectors Spot the Costly Problems Home inspectors aren’t just concerned with minor details. Their primary job is to identify big issues that could cost you thousands down the road. From water damage and foundation cracks to other structural concerns, an inspection helps uncover problems you might otherwise miss. By investing in a professional inspection, you protect yourself from unexpected repair costs and gain peace of mind. After closing, you’ll be able to enjoy your new home knowing your investment is secure.

A cracked heat exchanger is never ideal, but it may not always be as dangerous as it sounds at first. If your furnace’s heat exchanger is damaged, replacement is necessary. The biggest concern with cracks is that they can allow carbon monoxide to leak into your home — and if that’s happening, the furnace should be shut down and replaced immediately. That said, not every crack automatically leads to hazardous gas leaks. Still, the safest approach is to be proactive: Schedule routine furnace inspections. Install an affordable carbon monoxide detector. Watch for warning signs such as corrosion, visible cracks, unusual odors, soot, or water pooling near the furnace. If you notice any of these signs, stop using your furnace right away and contact an HVAC professional. They can thoroughly inspect the system and confirm whether replacement is needed.

If you live in an area where winter temperatures drop below freezing, it’s important to protect your outdoor water faucets by draining them completely. Even if you have frost-free faucets, it's still wise to take a few minutes to drain them to ensure proper function. When water freezes, it expands by about 9%. This expansion can exert over 100,000 psi of force, which can easily rupture your faucet or pipes and potentially cause flooding inside your home. Steps to Drain Your Outdoor Water Faucets: Close the Inside Valve: Locate the valve inside your home that controls the water flow to your outdoor faucet. This valve is usually positioned closest to the wall where the pipe exits your home. Drain the Inside Valve: Place a small bucket under the valve. Unscrew the small drain plug on the side of this valve to allow any trapped water to drain out. Disconnect the Garden Hose: Remove any garden hose attached to the outdoor faucet. Open the Outdoor Valve: Open the outdoor faucet to let any remaining water drain out. Once drained, close the outdoor faucet. Replace the Drain Plug: Reattach the drain plug on the inside valve. After winter, to use your outdoor faucet again, simply reopen the inside valve. Before doing so, ensure that the outdoor faucet is closed to avoid any potential leaks or flooding. Additional Considerations: Uncover the Inside Valve: Make sure the inside valve is not covered by boxes, blankets, or other items. Covering this valve can insulate it and prevent warm air from circulating, which can lead to freezing and potential damage. Frost-Free Faucets: Many modern homes are equipped with frost-free faucets designed to prevent freezing. These faucets are typically a foot long and have a mechanism that keeps the valve beyond the wall, away from the cold. However, if these faucets are not installed correctly, they can still freeze. Therefore, it's still a good idea to drain them as a precaution. Insulated Covers: While insulated covers can help retain some warmth, they should not replace the draining process. In extremely cold conditions or when the faucet is exposed to strong winds, insulated covers alone may not be sufficient. Garden Hose Removal: Always disconnect your garden hose from the outdoor faucet. Water left in the hose can freeze and expand, potentially causing damage. If you need to leave the hose outside, ensure it is fully drained or use a compressor to remove all water. Summary By following these simple steps to drain your outdoor water faucets, you can avoid the risk of freezing and potential flooding during the winter months.