Archive By Section - Your Home
The SawStop can help prevent accidents
Mr. Lamoureux: My son was telling me about a new saw that can sense when your hand is in the way and will automatically stop. Do you know what this is? Ronnie P. Hello, Ronnie: It is called SawStop. Basically, there is small electric charge in the blade that is monitored by a digital signal processor. If you were to touch the blade, some of the current would flow into your body which would cause ...
O Christmas tree
The day they make a scented candle or air freshener that really, truly fills my house with the smell of a fresh-cut Christmas tree - well, that's the day I'll buy an artificial tree.
Radon, C02 meters unneeded in most homes
Hello Robert, We have family in Texas so we have been following the aftermath of Hurricane Ike very closely. There have been several carbon monoxide-related problems there. I considered buying a carbon monoxide meter and a radon meter over the years, but had forgotten about it until this recent news. Do you think they are necessary? Jill T. Hello Jill, Since they were without power, the problems in Texas probably resulted from the ...
Sale killer?
So, you've heard the market is on the upswing and decided now is the time to sell your home. You've painted, carpeted, cleaned, landscaped and spruced-up, and your house is the shining beacon of the block. Folks who pass by and view it swear they hear angels sing.
Is your roof weatherproof?
So, OK, maybe this story catches you a little late. With the bit of rain we had just before Thanksgiving, you may have found out the hard way that your roof needs attention. Our best intentions here at The Signal were to warn you about this after those high winds we had, and before the first rains came. Best laid plans.
Should the HOA pay for an RFP?
Hello, Robert: Good morning. I am the new treasurer of the Board of Directors of our HOA. We were going over some bids for maintenance work around our complex and one contractor wants to charge us $1,800 for an RFP. We have never paid for this before, do you think it's necessary? Tina H. Hi, Tina: An RFP, request for proposal, is usually written for larger jobs. At $1,800 it sounds like the contractor is ...
What’s a fair price for replacing fireplace?
Hello Mr. Lamoureux, An inspector came out and said we have a crack inside our fireplace on the flue. A contractor wants $10,000 to take the brick down and build a new one with a new flue. Is this necessary? Is this a good price? Henry J. Hello Henry, It would be well worth your time to get a second opinion, just like you would with a medical evaluation. First of all, I would talk ...
Doing it yourself? Get the proper tools
In these uncertain times, many people are cutting back on expenses by eliminating certain purchases or services they feel are less than vital. While no one, of course, would ever drop their newspaper subscription, they might buy a fewer lattes each week or start drinking tap water instead of bottled. They might only get one massage a month and maybe let the psychic figure out why they haven't been called. A few folks, innovative or ...
Don't paint that tile, you'll regret it
Hello Robert, I've got a question for you. The tile in my bathroom is really ugly. It was here when we moved in and it was something that I wanted to change but have lived with it for a couple of years now. A neighbor suggested I could paint the tiles and I was wondering if there is a particular kind of paint you would recommend. Beth B. Hello Beth, No. Tile paint is available, ...
Don’t place pellet stove on carpet
Hello Mr. Lamoureux, I'm one of your readers and I want to put in a pellet stove. Are you familiar with these? I just had my living room carpeted, and I heard they are safe enough to place on top of carpeting. Is this true, or does it have to be on bare concrete? And what sort of precautions do I have to take to vent up through the roof? Jack W. Hi Jack, Yes, ...
Building your scream home
Big fun, big business or big hassle, there's no getting away from it. These days Halloween is big time. Though the haunted holiday is still five weeks away, it's already in the stores, and if you want to get the good stuff, decoration-wise, now is the time.
A treat for holiday decorators
Many Santa Clarita Valley residents may be celebrating a scaled-down holiday season this year, but creativity and vision can take holiday home decor to new heights.
Tree planting time
Boys, I have your Thanksgiving-Friday activity right here. While the ladies are battling crowds at the mall, and in between your leftover turkey munching and college football watching, you can plant a tree.
A sticky problem means starting over with tiles
Hi Mr. Lamoureux, Two years ago I had someone put self-stick linoleum tiles in my laundry/bath room. He thought it would stick better if he used mastic also. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Who knew? He did a wonderful job but shortly after the tiles seem to move a bit and also get some goop coming out between the seams. My question is: What can I do to correct this problem short of taking it all up ...
Sprucing up for fall
So, we've had a small break in the heat lately, and whether it was a result of the changing seasons or only a temporary invasion from the beach, there was a hint of cool fall in the air. With that as a nudge, and with the calendar indicating that autumn begins Monday, it's really time to think about your fall home chores. Those chores await inside and outside your home and include both maintenance and cleaning. Fall cleaning
Articles by Section - Your Home
Entice buyers with sweet scents
When a home smells good, it makes a favorable impression on visitors. This is exactly what home sellers want when they put their house on the market.
Tips for buyers/sellers
Key indicators point to conditions for a seller's real estate market this spring.
Smart spending tips
Spring home improvement season is on the way, and if you're like most homeowners you have a list of jobs you want to accomplish.
Popular spring remodeling trends
It's time to think spring, which means fresh home updates. Spring home improvement projects will help you update your home, add comfort and save more of your hard-earned paycheck.
Celebrate winter white all year
It's cold out there. In much of the country, now's the time when home serves as a cozy refuge from the ice and snow. We light our fireplaces and wish for springtime.
Page 1 of 1
