Category Archives: Fix It & Use It
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That Scary Place Where “Monsters” Live
Posted on May 2, 2023 by mikew in Fix It & Use ItWhat to Know Before Hiring an Attic and Crawlspace Service Part 1: Shuttered closets and underside bed caverns are dark places that can be scary for children. Peering into those spaces is to face the worst fear imagined. From a distance shadows cast frightening possibilities. The safest space seems to be pulled tight under the […]
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Nature’s Little Surprises
Posted on April 10, 2023 by mikew in Fix It & Use ItIn the course of my inspections there are little things I come across that cause me to smile and take notice. As an inspector there are plenty of the not-so-pleasant nature surprises but I want to share a few of the more wonder-full ones. I often expect to find nesting wasps and yellow jackets under […]
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Little Things That Make a Big Difference
Posted on March 30, 2023 by mikew in Fix It & Use ItIn the work break and sun breaks we all balance the could dos, should dos and will dos. Let me offer some simple ways on sunny days to make headways on the house keep. This article will focus on worthwhile chores for the outside in dry weather. Estimated time on for each category: 20 minutes […]
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Deck Tips Before You Start
Posted on January 30, 2023 by mikew in Fix It & Use ItDecks are one of the more common do-it-yourself projects undertaken and even when “contractors” are hired I’ve been surprised at the misses. As you begin to plan and prepare for your deck renovations and replacements I want to offer you some important tips. These come from the most common mistakes and shortcuts I have seen […]
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Further (mis)uses of tape
Posted on January 20, 2023 by mikew in Fix It & Use ItThe interesting application of our favorite adhesive has shown up in more ways! In elementary school I joined the sticker-collecting obsession and covered my binder. I didn’t have the cool trapper-keeper that the cool kids had, but the stickers made up for it. Flue-ky Repair – (mis)Use #9 It sure looks like ducting where it […]
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Stuff That Once Crushed It!
Posted on January 10, 2023 by mikew in Fix It & Use ItAs you will see, I crushed the pun-point in this one. A Toilet That Crushes It! This is not the type of toilet you see everyday but this house built in 1946 had one of the most forceful flush systems I’ve seen in a long time. Imagine dropping four gallons of water from seven feet […]
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Solstice House Check Up
Posted on December 30, 2022 by mikew in Fix It & Use ItEssential House Maintenance Chores Repeated every December and June The summer and winter solstice are great times to perform needed house maintenance so let this article be a “maintenance needed” dash light to gently prod you toward some simple house care. Addressing these tasks will make you familiar with possible repairs, alleviate the worry of […]
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You almost had it, my DIY friend!
Posted on December 20, 2022 by mikew in Fix It & Use ItSink Drain Pipe Whoops After posting an article about sink drains and p-traps I found a creative new way to install these drain pipes. This was a first for me and looked like an optical illusion when I took the picture… I’m trying to think of something witty to write but can’t come up with […]
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Trees, Lightning and Snow Strikes
Posted on December 10, 2022 by mikew in Fix It & Use ItIronically. The first snow of the season came with something that felt pretty ironic. In preparation for my impending home inspection license renewal I took a course on evaluating trees and common issues. Numerous pictures and conditions were identified to warn folks of tree trouble. I felt informed and ready to bring a few new […]
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Re-Stocking and Stocking-Stuffing
Posted on November 29, 2022 by mikew in Fix It & Use It‘Tis the season to get the handy “candy” for home owners and maintainers. Winter months can raise the urgency of delayed repairs, the coming new year stirs inspiration of project progress, and Christmas seems to promote the purchasing of stuff. These suggestions come from one who is always looking for a few handy items to […]
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