Exterior
How Mice Get In Every Fall: A Homeowner's Check for Entry Points
Mice need a gap about 1/4 inch wide. Here's where to look outside and inside, what to seal each gap with, and how to clean up droppings safely.
Exterior
13 articles
Exterior
Window Wells and Basement Egress: Covers, Drains and a Way Out
Basement window wells flood, collect leaves, trap animals, and sometimes are the only way out in a fire. How to check the well, the drain and the cover, and what makes a…
Exterior
Deck Safety Before the Snow: Ledger Board, Flashing, Railings
Snow adds weight to a deck that's been baking and soaking all year. How to check the ledger board, flashing, posts, fasteners, railings and stairs in an afternoon, and the warning signs…
Exterior
Inspect Your Roof From the Ground: What Binoculars and the Attic Tell You
You don't have to climb a ladder to check your roof before winter. What to look for from the yard with binoculars, what the gutters tell you, and what to find in…
Exterior
Does the Ground Slope Away From Your House? A Grading Check Before the Freeze
Bad grading sends rain and snowmelt straight into your foundation. How to check the slope around your house with a string and a level, what the code calls for, and simple fixes…
Exterior
Foundation Cracks: Which Are Normal and Which Aren't
Almost every concrete foundation cracks. How to tell a harmless shrinkage crack from one that means the wall is moving, how to track a crack yourself, and when to call a structural…
Exterior
Drafty Windows and Doors: How to Find the Leaks (and What Low-E Glass Does)
Cold air sneaking in around windows and doors costs you money all winter. Simple ways to find the leaks yourself, cheap fixes that work, and what low-E glass actually does.
Exterior
Gutters and Downspouts: Where Your Fall Rain Actually Goes
Most wet basements start at the roof edge. How to check gutters and downspouts in a fall rain, the slope and extension rules, and the quick fixes that keep water away from…
Exterior
Ice Dams: How to Spot the Risk Before Winter
Ice dams form when a warm attic melts roof snow that refreezes at the eaves, and the water backs up under shingles. How to tell if your house is at risk, and…
Exterior
Preventing Gutter Overshoot: Tips and Tricks for Maintaining Your Gutters and Avoiding Water Damage
Why gutters overshoot in heavy rain and how to fix it: cleaning, slope, downspout sizing, valley guards, and grading away from your foundation.
Exterior
Snowed In: Safely Inspecting Your Roof in Winter Weather Conditions
Ensure a safe and thorough winter roof inspection in snowy conditions. Discover expert tips and techniques for assessing your roof's condition.
Exterior
Protecting Wood from Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees are common pests that wreak havoc on wooden structures. They're called carpenter bees because they bore holes into wood to make their nests