Tag: home safety tips

Avoiding Dangerous Furnace Puff-Backs

In Victorian times, spring cleaning became necessary because coal dust and oily grime settled indoors during the winter heating season. Surprisingly, there are still reasons why dirty, dark layers sully our modern interiors: furnace puff-backs. Their cute name belies the damage they cause. Puff-backs can happen with oil and gas… Read more »

How Freeze-Thaw Cycles  Can Damage Your Home

Water: we can’t live without it. But at home, we have to treat it with respect and control it carefully. “Obviously, we need water to drink, wash, cook, heat with and more,” explains Caleb Brunz, President of Paul Davis of Greater MSP, MN. “But we have to manage its location,… Read more »

Get Smart About Pipe Burst Protection

When the temperature outside plummets, our homes shield us from the elements. Many essential house components endure plunging thermometers without blinking and without much help from us, save for routine maintenance: roofs, siding, doors. But savvy homeowners realize that some systems demand assistance on very cold days: water supply pipes… Read more »

What To Do When Fireplace Smoke Invades

Chimneys look so simple – a vertical conduit that funnels smoke and heat from your fireplace to the outdoors – but they require precision to function properly. Chimneys must be carefully designed, skillfully installed and regularly maintained to do what seems like an easy task. Most quietly work well. But… Read more »