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Have you ever experienced the annoyance of a leaky faucet? Not only can it be irritating to listen to that constant drip-drip-drip, but it can also waste a significant amount of water over time. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to fix a leaky faucet, helping you save water and money in the process. Read the entire article below:

And West Egg ... installs egress windows? Well kind of. The 50 year old me would have dug out and hauled the dirt to install the window well, cut the CMU, framed the opening with treated lumber, and installed the window. The 65 year old me wrote a check. I did complete all the interior finish work. That amounted to rough framing the opening, insulating, sheet rocking, building & installing the new 12" wide jamb, and of course the window trim. I painted the wall and window trim to match existing. Very pleased with the results. We now have a legal (and safer) bedroom in our lower level. For more information on what the MN requirements are for a bedroom read the following article:

If you had a home inspection on an older home, your home inspector most likely suggested having a sewer scope inspection completed. The value of a sewer scope is priceless, I mean who wants to wake up and can’t flush the toilet or have some sewage back up into their home? I cringe at the thought of finding something like that in my home and I see plenty of things as an inspector so how do you think you would feel? So let’s jump into it this guide discussing sewer scope inspections. Read entire article below:

Even if you’re an avid DIYer, you’ll eventually need a job done that’s just too big or complex to tackle by yourself. That’s when you hire a contractor. But how do you know you’re getting the best deal? Well, first, make sure you follow all the time-honored advice like asking friends and family to recommend a contractor, making sure you hire someone you’re comfortable with, and verifying that the contractor has been in business for a while and has liability and worker’s compensation insurance. Then when you meet with your contractors to discuss the job, you should ask these questions to be confident that you’re getting the most for your remodeling dollar. This is a new six part series for the summer, starting out with Exterior Painting . Painting the outside of a house is a big and often expensive job. The last thing you want is to face the project again in a few years when poorly applied paint starts to flake and peel. You can greatly improve the odds of getting a job that lasts 8 to 10 years by asking these questions before you hire a painter. Read the entire article below:

When it’s time to reroof, it pays to make sure the materials and workmanship are first rate. A poorly installed roof can cost you a small fortune if it leaks and fails to protect the structure below. When you get bids from contractors, be sure they’re licensed, bonded and insured and can provide references from past customers. I've included questions to ask your contractor and reference information from the state of MN.

“Seamless aluminum” gutters are the most common contractor-installed gutters. The quality of these installations can vary widely, so hire a contractor who’s been in business for several years and can show you examples of past work. Then ask these questions to be certain you’re getting the best-quality job.

Properly installed tile floors should last decades. But poorly installed floors will start to crack or fall apart in a matter of years, if not months. Here are some questions to ask your tile contractor to ensure a long-lasting job.

Today's blog is about asphalt driveways. As promised at the beginning of the summer I've now finished a six part series with great questions to ask contractors that may be working on the following projects at your house: June 28 Exterior Painting July 11 Re-roofing July 24 Seamless gutters August 3 Ceramic Tile Floor August 19 Concrete Driveway September 5 Asphalt Driveway Fly-by-night contractors are common in the asphalt industry, but there are ways to avoid them. First, don’t buy from door-knockers—reputable contractors seldom resort to this technique to get jobs. Then ask your contractor the following questions to get a long-lasting driveway and the most bang from your buck:

My wife and I just got back from an extended vacation this past weekend and I started going through my mail on Monday. An e-mail from MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (MDH) informed me that my license for radon measurement is coming due at the end of the year. This prompted me to review the requirements for annual CEUs. I've taken 7 out of the 8 hours of training needed!! I'm in good shape. The state of Minnesota has very rigorous licensing requirements and I remember the initial training and tests that I needed to take and pass. It was no easy feat for me. There are only ~350 licensed radon measurement professionals in MN. Safety was always a focus of mine during my 40 years in corporate America. I have checked the radon levels in my home to ensure the safety and health of my family and I encourage you to do the same. There is a great deal of information to help the homeowner learn more about radon at the MDH website. https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/air/radon/index.html

A concrete driveway is a big investment that will last a long time if it’s done right. But choose your contractor carefully. Poorly installed concrete can crack, buckle and heave, leaving you wishing you’d spent a little extra up front for a first-class job. Here's some questions to ask your contractor before starting.

Fall is here and the weather is beautiful in Minnesota, but we all know what's coming next. Yes, there's snow in the forecast. If you haven't finished your fall maintenance list, get on it now. To help you remember everything you're supposed to do as a Minnesota homeowner, I've compiled a comprehensive list of fall maintenance items that can found below.

I am already entertaining questions from friends and family as to why "West Egg". It comes from the novel "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald that I have enjoyed reading. First of all, the author is a native of St. Paul, MN so there is already a hometown connection. Second, the difference between the two fictional towns of East Egg and West Egg. East Egg is a place of residence for the people who inherited their wealth, while West Egg is a place where people who worked for their wealth lived. East Egg was used to refer to the places where those with inherited or “Old” money live. I feel I have worked hard in my career for the better part of my life. I would have definitely lived in West Egg with Jay Gatsby. I also enjoy hosting parties but nothing as lavish as in the novel. Third, I live on a small lake with my beautiful bride in a suburb of St. Paul and have a dock similar to the picture on the left which I have incorporated into my logo. While there is not a physical green light across the lake (nor Daisy Buchanan) it does symbolize my hopes and dreams of starting a new career in Home Inspection as I gaze at the other houses across the water.