Tag Archives: Maintenance

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  Roof Maintenance – plumbing vents

  Posted on November 30, 2019 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  There are open pipes sticking out of our roofs. And you might wonder, Aren’t holes in a roof bad? Not in this case. Let me explain what they are and then offer a suggestion for keeping these in good working order in the future. These are plumbing vents so that when you pull the plug […]

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  Treating gut(ter) indigestion

  Posted on November 10, 2019 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  Some of you started reading this with concern – I’ll give Mike one paragraph and he better not gross me out. Some of you have dealt with some intestinal issues and thought a home inspector’s perspective might be helpful. And still others of you enjoyed my play on words and hoped more cleverness was to […]

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  The cost of clean breath

  Posted on April 30, 2019 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  In an ongoing effort to improve the air we breath I offer three cost options for improving the air we breath: #1 – Install an air scrubber. This must be installed by a licensed HVAC company like CM Heating in Everett – they were the ones to first introduce me to this. The cost at […]

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  Heat Pump Maintenance in Snow Storms

  Posted on February 20, 2019 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  With all the recent snow fall, collapsing shrubs and broken tree branches, there has been a major maintenance issue with heat pumps. After we had 18 inches of snow the second weekend of February, it seemed like my heat pump was running too long and sounding a little strained. I peaked outside and was alarmed. […]

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  What is a whole house fan

  Posted on October 30, 2018 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  There are two types I’ve come across… On hot summer nights my good friends have an interesting solution to cooling their house. Windows are kept open but their secret weapon is engaged when they flip a switch near their bed. A large fan turns on, metal louvers installed in their hallway ceiling open, and air […]

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  Wide Clearance Required

  Posted on September 20, 2018 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  There are a few areas that require wide clearance for proper and safe operation. Be sure your electrical panel is kept accessible and clear of all storage. As a rule of thumb I recommend a 3′ by 3′ by 3′ by 3′ space in front, beside, above and below the panel. I had one inspection […]

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  Here comes the rain (and) fall – 3 things to do

  Posted on September 19, 2018 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  There a few things you can take care of to prepare your house for the impending wet season. Replace your furnace filter. If it is a washable, hose it out and air dry it before replacing it in the furnace. If it is disposable, take a look at the measurements and buy a replacement at […]

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  Transform that nasty tub!

  Posted on February 20, 2017 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  Okay, you’ve cleaned your tub and shower with the best cleaning solutions available. Yet the blackish, brownish bead around the perimeter persists. It looks dirty even after a thorough cleaning. You have to turn off the lights and use candles to relax when in the bathroom. So what are you to do? It is time to […]

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  Another of my favorite handy products

  Posted on November 29, 2016 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  The weeks and days leading up to Thanksgiving were a blur of house projects as we prepared to host dinner with my family. My children and wife joined me in the effort to clean, paint, finish the moulding project (started 4 years ago!), re-finish the front door, and several other stalled projects. The challenge I faced was getting […]

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  More creative home repairs

  Posted on November 16, 2016 by mikew in Fix It & Use It

  I appreciate the Do-It-Yourselfer! After all, I am one of them. However, there is a time when it is time to call in someone more knowledgeable to do the job. After a recent home inspection, I’m looking for that creative contractor who demonstrated his/her ability to think outside of the box and fix problems in a […]

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