#home-maintenance

#home-maintenance

While adding loft insulation is certainly one way to improve your home's energy efficiency, making loft insulation mistakes can result in your hard work backfiring and leading to more problems than you even started with. However, follow the correct advice on how to insulate a loft and there's no doubt you and your home will reap the rewards. With building and roofing experts to hand, we're here to explain the most common loft insulation mistakes homeowners make so you can avoid a future that sees you ripping out your hard work and starting over again.

If you haven't heard of surfactant leaching, you're not alone. Neither had I until I started looking into why I had water streaks on my bathroom walls. I partly knew the reasons why, but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything that could cause more damage in the long run such as damp. Plus, I wanted to know if there was a way to easily remove them without causing more marks.

Precipitation is projected to be below normal statewide, meaning a generally drier season for areas from Houston to Amarillo. Snowfall will also be below normal, though parts of northern Texas could see a brief early snow event in mid-November. Otherwise, most Texans can expect a winter that feels more like an extended fall-mild afternoons, cooler nights, and fewer stormy systems than usual.

The Old Farmer's Almanac has released its 2025-2026 Winter Forecast, and the theme this year is "mostly mild-with pockets of wild." Editor Carol Connare explains that "most areas will experience near-normal to slightly milder temperatures," though short bursts of cold will still sweep through parts of the North. For Minnesota homeowners, that means a relatively calm winter-warmer than usual, with lighter snowfall and fewer prolonged freezes.

If there's one thing that winter has taught me (as a former California girl), it's that a good indoor doormat can save you so much cleaning later. Between snowy boots, slushy shoes, dog paws, and whatever mystery grit the sidewalk decides to share, a low-profile indoor doormat is the easiest way to keep floors cleaner without constantly running a mop.

Yes, you should wipe condensation off your windows. In fact, if this happens regularly, it's a good idea to get into the habit of removing it every single day, recommends Stephen Hankinson, Heating Expert at Electric Radiators Direct.

Think about your own home. How often do you blow the leaves off your roof? Or sweep the debris off your front porch? Those are important because if an ember lands on them, they can catch fire. But we aren't doing that kind of maintenance on a regular basis. Anywhere we have debris accumulating on roofs, porches, decks, patio furniture - you might see piles of leaf debris on the corners of your deck - those are areas where embers are going to catch.

You might use one in a damp basement, another in a condensation-prone bedroom, or a utility room where you use a dehumidifier to dry clothes,

While it's nothing to be ashamed of, any identified issues should be tackled as soon as possible-even if it's a relatively unthreatening amount. That's because exposure to unabated mold growth can make your home uninhabitable. Health problems, like allergies, can arise in anyone spending a lot of time on your property (including your children and pets). More severe reactions, like lung conditions, are also a risk. We asked the experts everything you need to know about this pesky problem.

The truth is, saying there's a set date is actually a myth. Dates aren't that important. When it comes to when to turn your heating on, other factors are more influential, and we're here to explain what these are. After all, getting it right isn't just for our own benefit - even though it's easy to think it is. The stark truth is that turning your heating on too late isn't just risky for your own well-being, but also the health of your home.

Damaged window screens might seem like a small detail for a new homeowner, but they play a big role when it comes to keeping your home comfortable and insect-free. They also help with ventilation, allowing fresh air to circulate while keeping pests outside - something you'll appreciate on warm summer nights. Fixing them now allows you to let fresh air into your home while keeping at bay.

Stubborn blockages are not always the friend of a plunger and often require extra help to remove them. Georgina Shepherd, Home Services Expert at , suggests using a drain cleaner: "Chemical drain cleaners work by triggering reactions that release heat and break down clogs." She adds, "This heat helps melt grease and soften hair, making it easier to dissolve and flush away the blockage."

Filling in a pool improperly can result in soil settlement, ground collapse, and drainage issues, leading to costly repairs and potential home damage.

According to construction designer Sergey Mashkov, dry window tracks increase wear and can damage window hardware, where friction causes wear particles to accumulate and create abrasive paste.

Being proactive about buying mould prevention products in summer allows for better pricing and availability when the colder months arrive, ensuring readiness for winter issues.

I tested the methods of teak restorer, mineral oil, and olive oil on my outdoor wood furniture. Each method involved cleaning, applying, and wiping off after a few minutes.

The gap between the floor and the bottom of a radiator needs to be a specific height to ensure good circulation.

A home inspection is a detailed review of a home's condition, typically done during the buying or selling process.

Polishing wooden kitchen cabinets is essential to maintain their appearance and cleanliness, giving your kitchen a fresh look that can impress guests and elevate your mood.

It's a good idea to remove nesting materials after chicks have fledged, ensuring nesting boxes are tidy for new birds and to prevent insect infestations.

Ignoring minor household issues such as leaky faucets or skipping car maintenance can lead to bigger bills and health risks down the line.

Did you know that the main function of your dishwasher's top rack is to accommodate for lighter items, while heavier pots and pans are best suited for the bottom rack?

Promising review: "Between myself (medium long hair) and my overly fluffy cat, a lot of hair and fluff was continually getting caught up on the roller brush of my vacuum. I dreaded vacuuming because it took so long to pull and snip the hairs wrapped up on the roller brush out with scissors. Not anymore!" - MKS

The number one biggest mistake to avoid when it comes to kitchen drain maintenance is waiting until there's a big clog to tend to it.