Maintenance & Repairs
Upkeep, vendors, and keeping a home in shape.
How to Install a Window Well Cover That Stops Leaks
A properly fitted window well cover with a domed shape and sealed edges can stop most basement window leaks for under $80 in materials.
How to Install a Window Well Cover in 6 Steps (2025 Guide)
Window well covers prevent debris, water intrusion, and accidental falls — most install in under an hour with a drill and four fasteners.
How to Install a Whole-House Surge Protector (4 Steps)
A whole-house surge protector mounts at your electrical panel and stops damaging voltage spikes before they reach outlets, costing $150-$400 installed.
How to Install a Motion Sensor Light Switch in 4 Steps
Motion sensor switches cut bathroom and hallway energy waste by 30-50% and cost $15-45 installed — wiring takes 20 minutes if your box has a neutral wire.
How to Install a Dishwasher Air Gap (and Why You Need One)
A dishwasher air gap costs $10-$25 and takes 30 minutes to install, but skipping it can send dirty dishwater backward into your sink.
How to Inspect Your Deck for Rot and Loose Fasteners (2024)
A screwdriver test on your deck's ledger board and posts can reveal rot before it causes a collapse, and it takes about 30 minutes once a year.
How to Inspect Siding for Storm Damage Before Filing a Claim
Hail dents, cracked panels, and granule streaks on downspouts are the three things adjusters look for first when reviewing a siding storm claim.
How to Inspect Roof Vents After a Windstorm (5-Step Checklist)
Winds over 50 mph can crack, lift, or tear roof vent flashing in seconds, and a missed tear can let water into your attic within one rainstorm.
How to Inspect Fascia and Soffit for Rot (Before It Spreads)
Fascia and soffit rot starts where water pools—at gutter joints, behind downspouts, and near valley flashings—and can spread into rafters within 18-24 months if ignored.
How to Inspect Chimney Flashing for Leaks in 4 Steps
Faulty chimney flashing causes 90% of chimney leaks—most fixable before they rot your roof deck if you catch them early.
How to Inspect and Clear Roof Valleys (4 Steps to Prevent Leaks)
Roof valleys channel twice the runoff of flat sections and clog faster — inspecting them twice a year cuts leak risk by 60% and extends shingle life.
How to Inspect and Clean a Foundation Drain in 4 Steps
A clogged foundation drain can flood your basement in a single storm—inspection takes 20 minutes and cleaning costs under $150 if you catch it early.
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