Hank Hill might be the world’s most popular propane salesman, and from watching King of the Hill, you’d never guess that propane is such an expensive fuel. But it is. People who are on a budget and regularly use this fuel often seek out ways to trim costs. One of the more popular rumors about propane prices is that you can get a discount if you own your tank. But is this true?

Technology has evolved in substantial ways over just the last 20 years. Take home security, for example. Back then, something like a camera in the home would have been considered extravagant and over-the-top. But now, cameras are more than affordable and can give peace of mind and security to any homeowner.

Heating oil is used in boilers or furnaces, which often sit in people’s basements. If there is a spill, it should be cleaned immediately to prevent damage to your home. However, even after the spill is treated, the smell of oil may remain.

You can find at least one microwave in everyone’s home nowadays. But the microwave oven was not really a thing until the 80s. In fact, only a quarter of homes in America had a microwave oven in 1986, and by 2008 that number was up to 95%. But how much do you really know about your microwave oven?

A portable dishwasher is a great way to clean dishes in a space that won’t accommodate a built-in dishwasher. It can be rolled out when you need it and stored away when you don’t. 

Hard water: An oxymoron or the cause of cleaning nightmares around the nation? While the term seems contradictory, hard water buildup is a real problem plaguing many households. It also poses the question of how exactly one would clean water stains without using more water.

When it comes to your home’s heating situation, there are very few things as annoying (or potentially dangerous) as a gas furnace with a bad flame sensor. Your furnace’s flame sensor is the tool that is in charge of shutting off the gas when a flame isn’t detected while your furnace is supposed to be firing. Without a functioning sensor, you run the risk of having a gas leak that leads to an explosion.

There are endless name brand cookware sets on the market today. It’s hard to know which one’s the best with so many fantastic options. Not all cookware is the same, and brands like Calphalon have quite a reputation. 

Power outages can throw a wrench in your plans and create a potentially dangerous environment at home. Generators can give any homeowner peace of mind when the power goes out to know that you can still run an important appliance. With that said, what will a 1,000-watt generator run?

Apartment living can be fraught with issues. Noise is perhaps the greatest source of friction between apartment neighbors across the globe. Luckily, there are ways to soundproof your apartment door and many are relatively inexpensive.

A well-functioning toilet flapper is necessary to the function of any toilet. There are only three main toilet flapper types available: tank ball, seat disk (or disc) and rubber.

There’s nothing like a cozy evening spent by the fire. It’s why so many of us prioritize purchasing homes with fireplaces in them.

Dishwashers are considered to be one of the most useful kitchen amenities on the market, but only when they’re properly functioning. In order for a dishwasher to work, it needs to be able to use its soap dispenser. Unfortunately, these things tend to get stuck fairly frequently. What can you do when you have a dispenser that won’t work?

Unfortunately, urine can leave stains and smells on clothes even after they have been laundered. It can seem that the odor is an unpleasant permanent feature of the affected garments. However, various natural and chemical products can return the item to its original fresh-smelling state. 

Your home’s spice rack is an always-growing collection of flavors that come from all over the world and eventually make their way into your kitchen. There are spices you reach for almost every day, and those you use only on the rare occasions. You might find yourself reaching for one of these rarely used spices and wonder exactly when you bought it. Moreover, you might wonder how long the spices in your home last until they go bad.

Many of us instantly recognize the beautiful blue and white coloration and patterns on a piece of Corningware cookware. Not only are these dishes practical and easy to use, but they are beautiful too. Whether you have recently purchased your own Corningware or inherited some vintage Corningware from your family, you may be curious about the best way to clean your Corningware pieces after use.

There are several things that most people are okay with leaking—details about favorite TV shows, news about a much-anticipated fashion line, things that people need to know. Sewer pipes? They’re not one of those things. In fact, a leaking sewer pipe is a serious health risk. Even cast iron sewer pipes can leak a pretty scary amount if left to rot. But, what can you do if your cast iron sewer pipe starts to leak?

Ceiling fans are an important part of our homes that often gets overlooked. They keep us cool in summer, warm in the winter, and circulate air when we need it most.

Everybody’s least favorite part of a home-cooked meal is the cleanup. Doing the dishes can be a huge chore, but that’s where your dishwasher comes in! These miraculous machines can make quick work of big messes.

Outdoor carpeting can make for a perfect addition to sun porches and small patio spaces. The key to proper carpeting is to ensure that it has been adhered properly. Using an indoor-grade adhesive won’t hold up to exposure to the elements. This is why using an outdoor-grade carpet adhesive is so important.

Much as we would love to have it, central air conditioning is not always an option. In a pinch, purchasing a window air conditioner can allow for cool, crisp air to permeate your space. But there are things to be aware of with these units.

I don’t know about you, but I despise vacuuming. Thankfully, in the effort to live like the Jetsons, someone invented the Roomba. Now we can have a hands-off approach to cleaning our house!

Strawberries are considered to be the most romantic berry out there, and rightfully so. They’re sweet, they’re related to the rose family, and you can always find a recipe that’s appropriate for the occasion. Unfortunately, when you’re prepping strawberries, it’s possible to have some of their redness end up on your carpet. So, what do you do then?

If you are having trouble opening your garage door or getting it to close properly, the problem could be linked to a faulty garage door cable. Cables are often installed incorrectly, a problem that leads to the garage door cables either being too short, too long, or out of balance. If your garage door issues are caused by cables in need of adjustment, here is how to fix the problem.

While in the middle of cleaning your bathroom, don’t forget to look down. The shower drain cover you’re stepping on could cause problems in the near future if you don’t clear it out.

No matter how hard we try, wood kitchen cabinets can take a major beating over time. Nicks, dings, spills, and drips can build up over time to really wear down the once bright and shining cabinets. When that happens, it can make the entire kitchen feel worn and outdated.

In today’s technologically-minded world, you’re likely to have multiple electronic devices for home entertainment. There are televisions, cable boxes, DVD players, Blu-Ray players, well, you get the idea. When you have to switch between a bunch of remotes to work everything, it can be a real pain.

Few foods offer as much comfort and flavor as a baked ham. It’s a delicious treat for the whole family and can be used in a wide variety of ways. Of course, there are always going to be leftovers because a single ham is downright massive. But, how long can that delicious pig part last in a fridge before it goes bad?

When living in dryer climates, a humidifier can really come in handy. Dry air is much different than living in humidity and can have noticeable impacts on your skin in particular. Dry skin, breathing problems, and cracked lips are just a few of the things that overly dry air can cause.

On average, a septic tank will need to be pumped every three to five years. However, there are other measures you can take that will help extend this time and prevent any backups, clogging or unpleasant odors.

Many homeowners are drawn to dimmer switches because they provide any lighting options in one switch. Understandably, many of those homeowners are left confused about the difference between the variety of dimmer switches available.

There are a ton of different attic and roof vents to choose from. When you’re looking to improve your home, it’s critical to use high-quality products that get the job done. 

The Beaver State, Oregon, holds many of America’s most beautiful views and natural vistas. It is home to countless wildlife reserves and national parks, but that isn’t the only thing keeping residents there. Oregon holds countless iconic cities, but affordable living costs in certain cities is one of the state’s best-kept secrets.

If you’ve ever gone apartment hunting, then you already know that vaulted ceilings are considered to be a major status symbol. It’s a way to give your room a more elegant look and also offer up some extra vertical storage space. For artists, a vaulted ceiling can also provide a lot of canvas room. But, vaulted ceilings can have their design limitations, and this is especially true when it comes to lighting. For example, the topic of recessed lights on vaulted ceilings can be a hard one to handle.

You think you smell Raid in your house, even though it’s been days since you used the insecticide  eliminate ants and termites? Well, chances are that you went on a little overkill while trying to get rid of the insects. Raid has a strong odor, which takes time to wear off, especially if you empty a can to eliminate the insects.

Owning a Honda self-propelled lawnmower makes it easy to cut your grass quickly. However, over time, your mower will need routine maintenance and care. One of the most crucial elements to pay attention to is the drive belt. In some cases, this belt can come loose, which means that you’ll have to adjust the tension by tightening it.

If you love to drink coffee, having a coffee maker just makes things easier. Bunn is one of the most recognizable names for coffee makers around, giving coffee lovers access to a quick cup of Joe whenever they want.

Ninja blenders are amazing! They work so diligently to chop up your favorite fruits and blend them into a great tasting smoothie. They can also double as a food processor, chopping up onions or celery to put into your favorite salads. The downside? The cleanup that comes afterward. They’re not fun to wash by hand. 

The heat pump, which is part of your heating and cooling system, is generally installed outside the home. It is similar to an air conditioner in that it can actually cool your home. The main difference is that it can heat, and a heat pump should cycle on and off.

Dehumidifiers are popular appliances in many homes, especially in areas where damp conditions can pose mold problems.  These appliances range from small room-sized units to whole-house dehumidifiers that are part of the HVAC system.  When a dehumidifier breaks, how should you dispose of a dehumidifier safely and legally?

That old retaining wall may have been beautiful when they first made it. In fact, it was probably necessary to protect your yard from erosion or dangerous slopes. However, if you need more room in your yard and you have this big retaining wall in the way, what can you do?

Heating a house is something that requires either a central heating unit or individual heaters for each room. Federal laws require that every habitable space has access to heat.

When you first pop dishes into the dishwasher, you usually expect your dishes to be hit with a large jolt of water. This is followed up by some detergent, some jet-provided scrubbing power, and then a nice drying session. However, if your dishwasher doesn’t spray water well, all your dishwashing hopes will be dashed. What causes this, and how on earth can you fix it?

As an avid bargain hunter, I love Costco. I’ve used Costco as a go-to to get my favorite bulk items, and also as a place to find cheap deals on things like shampoo. As most people know, Costco has an appliance center that makes it popular with bargain-hunters. But, is it a really good place to buy appliances?

Recessed light fixtures are often a significant part of interior design. Home inspectors and electricians recommend that all recessed light fixtures carry an IC or IC-AT rating. Without paying someone to come to look at your lights, how do you tell if recessed lighting is IC rated?

Natural sunlight can offer a lot of benefits. In addition to making a room feel brighter, it can give the illusion of being larger as well. Not only that, but natural light can provide us with the vitamin D from the sun that our bodies need.

Chandeliers are a worthy addition to dining halls, atriums, entrances, and other places around the house with high ceilings. They brighten the room and considerably raise the aesthetic appeal.

Water quality is always a topic of great interest for homeowners who want to be certain that the water flowing into their homes is safe for consumption. Those who err on the side of caution will purchase products like Brita pitchers to ensure they’re drinking clean water. But to work their best, they need to be clean, leading to the question, are Brita pitchers dishwasher safe?

Water softeners are necessary for homeowners with a high mineral content in their water. However, it can be off-putting to find brown water in the salt tank. So, why is it that your water softener salt tank has brown water?

Having animals in the attic is not only frightening to deal with, but it is an invasion of your home’s privacy. Sure, it may only be a furry critter, but animals stuck in your attic create noise disturbances as well as a sanitary risk. Most homeowners’ first instinct when they hear an animal in the attic is to reach for the phone and call a service to get it removed.

If you were recently placed under a boil water advisory, this means that there’s a concern that your local water supply may be contaminated with pathogens. When this happens, you can no longer trust the water that comes out of your tap, including any appliances that are connected to your water supply. This includes your refrigerator and ice maker, but what about your dishwasher? Can you use the dishwasher during a boil water advisory?

If you disposed of your Kenmore Elite dishwasher’s manual and are suddenly in need of some guidance, you’ve come to the right place. No need to worry, as it is relatively easy to troubleshoot a Kenmore dishwasher, regardless of the model. Thankfully, Kenmore dishwashers are outfitted with fully integrated reset sequences for when the appliance starts to malfunction or operate out of the norm.

If you survey 100 professional loggers and arborists on whether they prefer a Stihl or Husqvarna chainsaw, you are likely to get a clear-cut, 50/50 split.

Your ceiling fan has two jobs: to circulate air and light your room. When your ceiling fan stops doing one of these jobs, it can be a major frustration. A flickering ceiling fan light is not always something to worry about, though it can indicate larger electrical issues. 

Many homeowners prefer propane over natural gas because it is safer and more convenient. With that said, it is still wise to be aware of your propane consumption when you use a stove. So, how much propane does a stove use?

Architecturally, glass blocks are very similar to conventional brick materials. Both bricks and glass blocks are used in the same way although, glass blocks can be used in some situations where bricks cannot.

Mud daubers are similar to wasps except that they build their nests in the mud. They vary in appearance, but most are around ½” to 1″ in length. Even though they are docile, their nest can cause damage to your home. It’s a good idea that you try your best to keep them away.

Working with screws is a must for numerous home improvement or workshop projects. You work with them so often that you may sometimes neglect proper technique while removing or inserting them. That carelessness can lead to the screw being stripped.

No home is complete without a refrigerator. While modern refrigerators are impressive, they are not infallible and are prone to many problems. We all want our refrigerators to be cold, but not cold enough to freeze the food. Many homeowners have asked themselves the question: why is my refrigerator freezing my food?

When it comes to general repairs around the house, 9 times out of 10, it is cheaper to do it yourself. Of course, that requires a little bit of know-how and experience to ensure that the job is done properly. If you exacerbate the problem, that just means more money out of pocket in the end.