Articles by Topic

Home Construction, Home Remodeling and Home Maintenance

A service of Sound Home Inspections, Inc.

Topic Index:

Basements and Crawl Spaces
Bathrooms
Condominiums
Construction and Remodeling
Deck Food - Sponsored by EB-TY®
Decks - Sponsored by EB-TY®
Energy/Heating/Cooling
Environmental and Health Issues
Exterior Siding
Gutters and Drains
Interior Surfaces
Kitchens
More Affordable Housing
Notes From The Home Front
Plumbing - Sponsored by Pex Supply
Purchasing and Owning Real Estate
Roofs - Sponsored by Champion Metal
Skylights
Water and Moisture Problems
Windows


Basements and Crawl Spaces Basement and Crawl Space Moisture Sponsored by Pex Supply Here is a guide to keeping most basements and crawl spaces 95% dry, 95% of the time without costing you a bundle. Downspout Drain Systems The key to a drier basement or crawl space. For even more information see the Q&A: Basements and Crawl Spaces Back to the top.
Bathrooms Bathroom Fans - An Essential Item! Good quality bathroom fans are a key to the long term maintenance of your home. Tub and Shower Walls One of the most common problem areas in the home, this article provides information on repairing existing damage and reducing future problems. Q&A: Bathrooms Back to the top.
Condominiums Condominium Ownership and Maintenance Identifying and avoiding the potential plagues of condominium ownership. Condominium Practices and Procedures Dale Gavin is an expert in Washington State condominium related laws. This article is a "must read" for anyone who has anything to do with condominiums. Condominium Reserve Studies Sponsored by Sound Home Inspections Condominium home owner associations need a way to budget for future maintenance expenses. Reserve studies are the method used for such plans. Washington is one of the states that requires such studies and mandates that such studies be made available to prospective condominium buyers. Back to the top.
Construction and Remodeling A Building and Remodeling Checklist A step-by-step guide to a successful building or remodeling process. A Field Guide to Bad Home Repair and Remodeling Contracts Eight of the most successful sales gimmicks in the home improvement industry. Acting As Your Own General Contractor Is Risky Sponsored by Home Owners Club Some tips and considerations from an expert about being your own "general contractor". Common Construction Wisdom A collection of George's favorite construction truisms and myths. Consumer News The Sound Home Guide to the latest construction product recalls, common problems and scams. Is It Time For New Cabinets? Replacing kitchen cabinets is a costly project. It may also be unnecessary. Here are some tips to help you decide if its worth replacing the cabinets. Or is it worth rehabilitating the old ones. Is It Worth Remodeling? It Pains me to see old structures torn down but at times the alternatives are simply too expensive and and not worth the trouble. Here are some guidelines. Practical and Reasonable Sponsored by Sound Home Inspections A guide to materials and construction techniques that balance initial cost and long term maintenance. Designed for low income housing programs, this guide is also useful for anyone on a construction and ownership budget, i.e. most of us. The Value of Planning When it comes to a home, advanced planning can save a lot of money and result in some other long term benefits. Here is an example of an existing home where some advanced planning can save money now and result in some seemingly unrelated benefits down the road. Back to the top.
Sponsored by EB-TY® Deck Food Afternoon Mussels by George (and Jim Henning) Sponsored by EB-TY® I think that you will like this simple recipe for mussels, but it also helps to have a good friend like Jim Henning - who bakes, crusty - wonderful bread! Al’s Chili by Alan Wickstrom Sponsored by EB-TY® Cheesecake by Judy Fischman Sponsored by EB-TY® Citrus Swordfish With Citrus Salsa by Monica Lebelt Sponsored by EB-TY® Cold Rice Dish with Nuts and Raisins by Annie Clark Sponsored by EB-TY® Here is a recipe a friend of mine gave me. I'm asked for the recipe every time I make it. It's a cold dish which is great for bringing to summer outings! Corn and Pasta Salad by George Sponsored by EB-TY® A delicious and easy summer salad! Crab Boursin by Glenn Eberle Sponsored by EB-TY® This is always a good dip/spread for a BBQ or Crab fest.... Fresh Fruit Cake by Hilda Sponsored by EB-TY® Georgian Shashlyk by Mikhail Semchenko Sponsored by EB-TY® A great summer recipe from from Georgia (not not the one in the SE US) by way of Moscow! Ken’s Killer Oyster Corn by Ken Cowles Sponsored by EB-TY® Liptauer Cheese adapted by George Sponsored by EB-TY® This recipe is very easy and fast! Moroccan Chicken with Lemons and Olives - adapted by George Sponsored by EB-TY® My Favorite Tomato Salad by George Sponsored by EB-TY® Roasted Almonds by George Sponsored by EB-TY® These almonds are fried but I think they are generally referred to as "roasted". Schinkenfleckerln - adapted by George Sponsored by EB-TY® A Viennese noodle casserole. (Schinken = Ham, Fleckreln = small pieces). Smoked Trout or Salmon Anti-Pasta - adapted by George Sponsored by EB-TY® Based on a fine meal eaten in Belagio, Italy Southwestern Potato Salad by Alan Harmon Sponsored by EB-TY® Spinach and Sun-dried Tomato Orzo Salad by Bart Swan Sponsored by EB-TY® Stuffed Olives and Dry Sherry - adapted by George Sponsored by EB-TY® A Spanish Favorite Teriyaki Chicken Kebabs by Mary Pfeifer Sponsored by EB-TY® The Best Marinate!!!!! by Bill Tucker Sponsored by EB-TY® The Great Paella Debate! by David and Paquita Sponsored by EB-TY® Transcribed by: George The Lake Guntersville Dip by Warren Pinheiro Sponsored by EB-TY® Here is a highly sought after dip from Lake Guntersville, AL. You will not find a better onion dip anywhere. Viennese Cucumber Salad by Julius Boehm and Peter Rohn Sponsored by EB-TY® The following recipe is based upon Julius Boehm's recipe as recalled by his friend and fellow Austrian-American, Prof. Peter Rohn. Back to the top.
Sponsored by EB-TY® Decks Deck Questions and Answers by Industry Experts Sponsored by EB-TY® Harry, Glenn and George are teaming up to answer your most frequent inquiries about deck design, construction and maintenance. Decks - All Sorts of Decks Sponsored by EB-TY® We love all sorts of decks and patios, they extend our homes and make outdoor living more enjoyable. Here is the information you need before you build or maintain your deck or patio. Wood Decks Sponsored by EB-TY® Wood is a great material for deck construction. Choosing the right design and materials will enhance your deck and reduce maintenance time and cost. Back to the top.
Energy/Heating/Cooling Air Conditioning This guide outlines two basic air conditioning methods for reducing overheating and increasing the ventilation in your home. Electrical Systems New electrical toys and appliances may be overloading the wiring system in your home. Find out what makes an electrical system healthy and safe. Ending Our Addiction to Oil In his 2006 State of the Union Address, President Bush called for an end to our addiction to oil. Here are some practical ways of doing so. Gas Furnace and Water Heater Chimneys In many older homes unlined brick chimneys are used with gas furnaces and water heaters. This can lead to some very dangerous conditions. Heating Ducts Forced air heating systems need ducts. Most of those ducts are hidden inside wall and floor spaces and not seen. But they do need periodic cleaning and service. Here you will find out 'why' and 'how'. Heating Your Home Sponsored by Dunn Lumber Don't Be Cold! Discover all your heating options and their components: gas and oil heat, electrical forced air furnaces and electric zone heating, portable heaters, ducting systems, filter systems, heat pumps, thermostats, wood heat, passive solar heat, and basement and upper floor heating. Moisture Problems How to solve this common problem in houses with zone heating, as well as in newer and smaller homes and apartments. Operable Skylights Sponsored by Dunn Lumber Using operable skylights to help cool your home and save you energy and $$$. No magic here, just some tried and true methods to keep your home comfortable! Passive Solar Heating Here is the story of "Solar I", a low budget project which transformed a small nondescript Seattle house into an elegant passive solar structure. Preparing for Cold Weather A seven step guide to keeping the cold out of your home in the winter. Radiant Heating Sponsored by Pex Supply Radiant heating is a versatile, comfortable and energy efficient option to heat your home. Wood vs. Gas Fireplaces and Stoves Wood fires are "romantic", but gas is so practical... Back to the top.
Environmental and Health Issues Arc Fault Interrupters - AFCIs AFCIs are new on the market and are now a part of the electrical codes. They are an inexpensive and good way to help prevent electrical fires. Essential Steps to Green Remodeling Less waste, low toxicity material, energy and water savings and health considerations are only a few of the suggestions made in this article by one of the pioneers in green construction and remodeling. Global Warming The Carbon Fund Lead in the Home Read this article to learn why lead is a problem, where it might exist, and what to do about it. Moisture Problems How to solve this common problem in houses with zone heating, as well as in newer and smaller homes and apartments. Underground Oil Tanks Whether you are a current underground oil tank property owner, or a soon-to-be property owner, this article is a must. Back to the top.
Exterior Siding Exterior Siding and Paint This article will help you choose materials and includes maintenance tips. Woodpeckers A lovely bird, but not when it damages your siding and trim or wakes you in the early morning hours of spring! Back to the top.
Gutters and Drains Downspout Drain Systems The key to a drier basement or crawl space. Footing Drains How footing drains can help keep your new basement and crawl space as dry as possible. Sponsored by Gutters, Downspouts, and Drains Sponsored by Leaf Filter Choosing the right gutter system for your home. Magic Gutters? Sponsored by Leaf Filter There is no such thing! Why Do We Need a Gutter System? Sponsored by Leaf Filter A good gutter system is a pre-requisite for a dry and safe home. Q&A: Basements and Crawl Spaces, Karl's Drain System, Topics: Gutters, Downspouts and Drains, Basement and Crawl Space Moisture, Q&A: Drainage Back to the top.
Interior Surfaces A Guide to Choosing Your Flooring Materials This very useful guide is reprinted here. Moisture Problems How to solve this common problem in houses with zone heating, as well as in newer and smaller homes and apartments. Restoring and Painting Plaster and Lath Walls Step-by-step instructions on restoring your existing plaster and lath walls. Back to the top.
Kitchens Is It Time For New Cabinets? Replacing kitchen cabinets is a costly project. It may also be unnecessary. Here are some tips to help you decide if its worth replacing the cabinets. Or is it worth rehabilitating the old ones. Kitchen Design The best place to save money and headaches in a kitchen construction project is in the planing process and in the careful selection of design and construction professionals. Back to the top.
More Affordable Housing Moisture Problems How to solve this common problem in houses with zone heating, as well as in newer and smaller homes and apartments. Practical and Reasonable Sponsored by Sound Home Inspections A guide to materials and construction techniques that balance initial cost and long term maintenance. Designed for low income housing programs, this guide is also useful for anyone on a construction and ownership budget, i.e. most of us. Back to the top.
Notes From The Home Front 4 Homes for the Price of One! A Dandy Handyman A Letter To A Painter By Harry Homeowner A Manufactured Home Nightmare A Small Wine Cellar in The Crawl Space Comparing Contractor Prices How I Maintained My Cedar Roof I Generalled My Own Home in 1978-79 Karls Drain System Northwest Air Conditioning Our First Remodel Painting Silicone Caulk Producing Electricity at Home The Cat House The Combined Drain System The Eternal Closet The Fixer Back to the top.
sponsored by Pex Supply Plumbing Choosing Pipe Sponsored by Pex Supply How to choose the best pipe for your water supply system, waste lines and radiant heat. Tankless Water Heaters Sponsored by Pex Supply Here is a way to save energy and have the endless supply of hot water for your potable use and to heat your home. Back to the top.
Purchasing and Owning Real Estate A Pre-Inspection Guide for the Home Seller Sponsored by Sound Home Inspections This article presents pre-inspection guidelines and suggestions for the home seller. Closing Home Loans - Tips from an Expert A few tips for a smoother close on your next home loan. Moving In: A Checklist A checklist to make moving into a new home easier and less stressful. Practical and Reasonable Sponsored by Sound Home Inspections A guide to materials and construction techniques that balance initial cost and long term maintenance. Designed for low income housing programs, this guide is also useful for anyone on a construction and ownership budget, i.e. most of us. Purchasing Undeveloped Land From Access to Zoning, this article discusses the most important considerations in the purchase of any undeveloped parcel of land. Real Estate Legal Terms A real estate transaction is a complicated legal process with a confusing language. So we asked Mary Anne Vance and Kenneth L. Taylor, experts in this area of the law, to explain some common real estate terms and concepts. Spec Homes Topics covered include definitions (What is a spec home vs. a custom home), current costs, the do's and don'ts of buying a spec home, standard features, some shortcomings in today's spec homes, maintenance costs, and tips on choosing the right spec home. The Pre-Purchase Process Sponsored by Sound Home Inspections Some tips from a home inspector about "due diligence" during the pre-purchase process. The Sound Inspection Sponsored by Sound Home Inspections What is a home inspection? When is a home inspection useful? These and other questions are answered here. The Value of Planning When it comes to a home, advanced planning can save a lot of money and result in some other long term benefits. Here is an example of an existing home where some advanced planning can save money now and result in some seemingly unrelated benefits down the road. Back to the top.
sponsored by Champion Metal Roofs Cedar Roofs Sponsored by Champion Metal More than you ever wanted to know about shakes and shingles. Moss on the Roof I had the pleasure of helping the Washington Toxics Coalition with their page regarding moss and how to control it. Take a look, it contains some very good tips. Pressure Washing Your Roof This is most probably a bad idea, so take a look at this page and find out why you should not pressure-wash your roof! Roof Venting Systems Roof venting is an important element in roof construction and re-roofing, this article will tell you why. The Sound Roof From yurts to castles, this article discusses various types of roofing styles and materials. Back to the top.
Skylights Operable Skylights Sponsored by Dunn Lumber Using operable skylights to help cool your home and save you energy and $$$. No magic here, just some tried and true methods to keep your home comfortable! Back to the top.
Water and Moisture Problems Downspout Drain Systems The key to a drier basement or crawl space. Moisture Problems How to solve this common problem in houses with zone heating, as well as in newer and smaller homes and apartments. Back to the top.
Windows Replacement Windows Window replacement is one of the most popular home improvement projects. Here is some information to help you decide if you should have the windows in your home replaced. Replacing the old windows in your home may help you save some energy. It can help cool and heat your home. It can also be a waste of money. Back to the top.

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