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Food Tip: EWG Released 2013 Dirty Dozen May 02, 2013 The Environmental Working Group released its annual list of pesticide concentrations in produce, known as "The Dirty Dozen" and "The Clean Fifteen." People who want to avoid ingesting pesticides, but who can't afford to buy 100% organic, tend to find this list very helpful. The Dirty Dozen are the fruits and... Read More

Tip: Sources of Basement Moisture Problems May 01, 2013 Minneapolis plumbing experts at the University of Minnesota Extension Service published a very good guide to basement moisture. They identified several causes of basement moisture, and listed solutions. Here are a few reasons for basement moisture: Missing or defective downspouts, ineffective sump pit or drain... Read More

Tip for Allergy Sufferers April 30, 2013 Are you suffering from seasonal allergies? Consider replacing carpet with tile or wood floor. Doing so will dramatically reduce the presence of major allergens, such as mites and house dust which aggravate seasonal allergies.   View original post. Read More

Tip: Going Green; Tile Green April 30, 2013 If you're doing a green remodel or LEED certified new building, you might need to hire a green tile contractor. I didn't even know about green tile contractors until I discovered Frank O'Reilly, a green tile contractor in San Francisco. His specialty is ecological tiling that is especially healthy for people with... Read More

Tip: Remove Stopper to Fix Bathroom Drain April 30, 2013 Did you know that if your bathroom sink drain is clogged or running slowly, the first step in fixing the drain yourself is to remove the stopper? According to San Diego plumber Anderson Plumbing, most bathroom sink clogs "congregate" around the stopper. If you've pulled the stopper out and the clog remains,... Read More

Tip: Rustic Slate Shingles April 30, 2013 Rustic slate shingles are the shingle to use if you are trying to give your house a look of luxury. If you look at the photos of slate and tile roofing in Cleveland (see photos of slate and tile roofing here) you will see how majestic they look. They're an investment, but one that has a serious aesthetic payoff.... Read More

Tip: Fight Energy Vampires April 30, 2013 A Miami electrician offers one of the best lists of energy vampires to unplug that I have seen on the Web. Their list includes secrets like the "other" off switch, smart strips, and GreenSwitch. Click though to learn how to save energy by powering down energy vampires.   View original post. Read More

Tip: Green Building Incentives in Seattle April 30, 2013 Green roofers in Seattle should be seeing steady business. The city of Seattle is offering quite a few green building incentives to its residents. Do you want to retrofit your roof in Seattle? The city offers low interest loans for retrofitting as part of their HOMEWISE program.   View original post. Read More

Tip: Use Screens to Define Basement Space April 30, 2013 Does your finished basement lack that certain something? A Silver Spring, Maryland contractor made a dynamite suggestion in a recent Washington Post article. He suggested that the homeowner hang perforated decorative screens between her basement's pillars. What a difference! If you're looking for a way to define... Read More

Tile Tip: Level the Substrate April 29, 2013 Here's a tiling tip: The substrate is critical for optimal tile setting and tile performance. According to Chicago tile installation expert Century Tile, chipping and breakage can occur if the tile substrate is uneven. Plywood, concrete, and drywall are all used as tile substrates. The substrate must be leveled... Read More

Orlando Business Journal Reports: Roofers Fear Falling April 29, 2013 What do roofers in Orlando fear most? They fear freak falls, reports the Orlando Business Journal. It makes sense, and is probably true for roofers in other areas. The Orlando Business Journal quotes a veteran roofer who (knock on wood) had never experienced a fall. He attributes his good fortune to being... Read More

Why You Should Clean Your Dryer Vent Hose April 29, 2013 Who even looks at the dryer vent? I know I don't. It's a dusty place behind the dryer that I would prefer to ignore. HOWEVER: The Austin, Texas electrical experts at Pedernales Electric Cooperative make a good case for cleaning the dryer vent hose. They suggest cleaning the dryer vent hose two or three times per... Read More

Flood Damage in Houston April 29, 2013 Residents of southwest Houston are cleaning up from flooding today. Saturday night's flash floods ruined cars, flooring, and any possessions that were less than 8 inches off the floors of most houses. The Associated Press reported that heavy rains brought a deluge of water on Saturday night, which flowed through... Read More

Pergola Inspiration April 24, 2013 I love these pergolas! For more inspiration, check out The Charlotte News Observer's awesome article on pergolas built by Charlotte carpenters. Photos, clockwise from top left: m_ke/Flickr, geonan/Flickr, starmisk/Flickr, guldfisk/Flickr. All photos are under the Creative Commons Attribution License.  ... Read More

Residents of Seattle Challenge Micro-apartments April 24, 2013 The Seattle Times reported that residents of Seattle are putting up resistance to the development of micro-apartment buildings. Because these micro-housing buildings are not subject to the same zoning laws as traditional housing, Seattle contractors and developers have irked locals. The complaints include issues... Read More