As we wind into the last stretch of Summer, my mind is racing ahead to all of the items that still need to be checked off on my end-of-Summer home maintenance to-do list. One task that I definitely need to get to in the next month is cleaning out my rain gutters. It's something I neglected to do at the beginning of the Summer, and even though the Bay Area monsoons won't start for another couple Read more

Planning a road trip or jaunt to the coast this weekend? Packing your sunglasses and bikini aren't your only considerations. You should also prepare with a few smart steps to keep your home safe while you're away. The last thing anyone wants to return home to after a vacation is a home that's been vandalized! Here are some easy ways to keep your house secure while you're having a fabulous time Read more

Standard advice for deck maintenance is that it should be pressure washed and restained at least every other year. Let's just say that we haven't been that dutiful in our deck maintenance and leave it at that. It was definitely past due time to deal with our decks — as this photo demonstrates.  As you can see, the redwood was gray and green — not the warm wood color with which it started Read more

When we replaced our windows earlier this Winter, our contractor took a close look at our deck and advised us to clean it as soon as the rains stopped. So it was a timely reminder to read about some essential deck maintenance tips in Holmes: The Magazine to Make It Right. If you suspect that your deck needs basic maintenance, Mike Holmes advises looking out for the following: Green or Black Read more

Has your neighborhood been inundated with a major snowstorm lately? If you're still digging out from a storm, or if one's on the horizon, try these tips from Mike Holmes of Holmes magazine to keep your home in tip-top shape throughout the Winter. "The most important thing to remember when preparing to weather proof your home is that you don’t want water from melting snow to get behind any Read more

Earlier today, I offered you recommendations for five quick fixes that you should try to get to this Autumn. While home maintenance is certainly the farthest thing from glamorous living, it is a necessary part of home ownership. It's also rewarding: A well-maintained home will be healthier, cozier, and longer lasting than its poorly repaired counterpart. This list of repairs will often require a Read more

Before you get too wrapped up in Autumn decorating or Halloween preparations, try doing something much more practical for your house. While it may not be flashy, basic seasonal maintenance tasks can vastly improve the comfort level and safety of your home. And while I love a pretty house as much as the next person, I also equally value a warm, cozy, and healthy home as well. I've separated the Read more

Sadly, Labor Day weekend is almost at an end. It's time to bid the Summer goodbye, and with it, perhaps a Summer getaway. If you're ready to close up your Summer cottage or cabin for the season, make sure to follow these tips to ensure that everything will be in shipshape the coming season. Seal your Summer cottage for the season. Cover windows with plywood to protect it from inclement weather, Read more