The curiosity of children is a wonder to behold. But children’s curiosity with fire and electricity is one childhood interest that needs to be closely managed. A lack of supervision or containment when children are free to explore flammable materials around the house could be a matter of life and death.… Read the rest
The Packers and Cowboys are locked in a classic. The Food Network has a “America’s Worst Chefs” marathon playing. I’m just 1,000 points away from a new record score on “Call of Duty.” We heard a voice calling us to enjoy this beautiful autumn day on the river. As Garfield would say, it’s a good Saturday afternoon for a nap.… Read the rest
Every backyard barbecuer dreams of being a grill master. Truth is, not everyone can be a four-time world barbecue champion Mike Mills. Most us are Average Joes just trying not to burn the hot dogs until they’re pitch black and extra crispy. Unfortunately, some barbecuers this season will fall dangerously asleep at the grill.… Read the rest
Nothing says summertime than grilling out or relaxing on an outdoor deck. Fewer home improvements add better aesthetic or financial value to your home than a stylish, stunning new deck.
Alas, like Rome, no smart, good home deck is planned and built in a day. And with Improvenet.com reporting the average cost of adding a new deck to the average American home ranging between $9,000 and $20,000, swinging and missing a home deck addition is a strikeout most families can’t afford.… Read the rest
Reader advisory: The subject of this story stinks worse than 5-year-old garbage coated in vinegar and dirty diaper frosting.
Reader guarantee: Reading this story can greatly improve your ability to prevent your home from being skunked.
As a homeowner, we must always be on guard against unruly and unsanitary intruders: From mice to termites to birds to raccoons, devious home invaders come in all shapes and sizes and from all directions
And no matter how unlikely the squatter, homeowners need to be prepared and have a game plan when unexpected trouble comes wandering in, like say, a skunk.… Read the rest
Summer is primetime for home improvements. For every homeowner’s best intention of improving the livability, quality and value of their home comes a hard truth: Most American homeowners can’t afford to swing and miss on a major home improvement project.
While two-time NBA world champion Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors can afford to miss on 50 percent of his shots and still find a way to guide his team to wins and championships, the vast majority of home owners don’t have that luxury.… Read the rest
… Read the restWhen one walks into their 2–story home, the last thing they expect to see is water coming from every light fixture in their kitchen. When this does happen, the emotions are so overwhelming that one is almost in a state of shock.
After shutting off the water, I made a phone call to my insurance agent, and they suggested calling Reconstruction 380 because they are a preferred company of my insurance.
… Read the restA year ago last January when our state was in a deep freeze we received a phone call from our neighbor that we had a water pipe break. I did not understand the extent of damage 34,000 gallons of water could do until receiving pictures. Our insurance company contacted Reconstruction 380 out of Cedar Rapids and Waterloo, which was the best part of that horrible day!
Des Moines. Cedar Rapids. Burlington. Dubuque. Interstate 80. Out of nowhere and without warning, sinkholes are appearing all over Iowa and often swallowing everything in their path. And you thought teenagers had a bottomless appetite.
This is no horror movie plot. This is reality for thousands of unsuspecting Midwest homeowners. As hundreds of evacuated homeowners in Fraser, Mich., discovered in December, sinkholes can strike anywhere.… Read the rest
As the House Stark would say, “Winter is coming.” And that’s not a blunt, true fact-of-life statement you want to be on the “not” side of the “ready or not” door.
And just because your home may look stunning as it basks in the late autumn glow as you pull into your driveway, looks can be deceiving.… Read the rest
