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4+ hour, 57+ min ago (293+ words) Wood furniture is best preserved in homes with 30 to 50 percent relative humidity. If a house gets much drier than that, wood furniture can shrink and crack. For this reason, it isn't bad to run a humidifier in a really dry house in winter. But moisture also damages wood. If you allow the mist to fall directly on wood furniture or allow a room to become much too humid, the wood will swell. With enough exposure to moisture, wood can develop water stains, and the finish may peel. The underlying wood eventually warps or rots. Other kinds of furniture can be damaged, too. Particle board (MDF) furniture swells dramatically when it gets wet. Moisture can stain leather furniture. And some upholstery fabrics, like silk, are also susceptible to water stains. Even if your upholstery isn't affected by water, the excess moisture…...

9+ hour, 30+ min ago (282+ words) Bri began working full-time as a freelance writer and editor in 2013. Since then, she's worked on hundreds of articles and web pages for various clients, including general contractors and others in the home space. Placing your security camera outside, you might point it slightly upwards to try to capture a good view, but don't let it face directly into the sun or sky. You'll end up with glare issues or a lens flare, making it hard to discern details in the image. Your camera's extended exposure to the hot sun also makes it more susceptible to image sensor damage. Placing your security camera in a space where it's too obscured isn't advised. Just the sight of security cameras can be a visible deterrent for would-be intruders, and you lose that if your cameras are hidden. In addition, you might pick…...

10+ hour, 10+ min ago (783+ words) Plus dishwashing advice from M.F.K. Fisher, Craig Claiborne, Julie Sahni, Paula Wolfert, Diana Kennedy, Paul Prudhomme, and other food icons. Connect Images / Getty Images Do you regard washing dishes as penance or therapy? Do you use an automatic dishwasher, or do you fill the sink with hot soapy water? Do you use a brush or a sponge? Is it best to soak dirty dishes, and, above all, when do you do them? I recently asked those questions of a number of well-known cooks, chefs, writers and cookbook authors who love to cook and eat and who regularly produce mountains of dirty dishes. And the last thing my friends said to me, in a heartfelt aside as they went out the door, was, 'For God's sake, get a dishwasher.' So I went right downtown and bought one, and I still use it…...

11+ hour, 10+ min ago (645+ words) As a writer for Static Media, Kyle has authored articles about tips for completing tasks, from replacing your smart thermostat to preparing your air conditioning unit for winter. He also regularly writes about the latest technologies and capabilities found in construction and outdoor power tools. How To Update A Wood-Burning Fireplace To Gas And Why You'd Want To If you have a wood fireplace, you might be tired of collecting firewood, the inefficient burning method, and the hassles of cleaning ashes. One option is to show off your DIY design chops and decorate the fireplace like a professional while creating a faux fireplace. However, if you prefer the coziness and warmth that a real fire produces, you might consider a conversion instead. In a case like this, comparing the advantages of a gas vs. wood-burning fireplace and doing a conversion…...

12+ hour, 12+ min ago (685+ words) Takeout coffee prices are sky high, so skip the cafe and make your own at home Making your own coffee at home is a much more cost-effective option, and it doesn't have to involve a big initial investment either. If you want to keep things super simple then you could use a moka pot to prepare a short, strong drink, or a V60 brewer for a cup of filter coffee, but if you want to make multiple cups a day then an electric machine might be a better choice. De'Longhi has released some truly excellent coffee makers this year (in fact, it earned the prize for Home Brand of the Year in the TechRadar Choice Awards), and the Dedica Duo is a prime example. It's a compact manual espresso machine with a very reasonable price tag that far outstrips others in…...

12+ hour, 23+ min ago (827+ words) Small changes with a big impact can help you get the best price for your property The Independent Money channel is brought to you by Trading 212. House prices across the UK shot up 12.6 per cent across the start of 2021 to the start of 2022, the Nationwide House Price Index shows - but cumulatively, in the nearly four years since, they've risen less than five per cent. So, if you bought your home quite recently and you're now trying to sell it or are thinking of doing so in future, its potential price has likely grown by less than you hoped - while buyers are trying to lower the fee further. To add value, you could have plenty of options: you could extend, convert the loft, or renovate the kitchen " but these projects cost thousands and can take months to complete. Instead, there are…...

13+ hour, 10+ min ago (491+ words) As an engineer, Bob worked on everything from auto parts to oil rigs. The carpentry business that followed was hugely enjoyable but not particularly lucrative, so he supported his passion with consultancy work. The Highly-Rated Harbor Freight Drill Kit That Can Help Make Home Projects Easier A cordless drill/driver is, without doubt, one of the tools every homeowner should have. Even those who do very little DIY will occasionally need to drill holes or drive screws. If that's you, you probably want to spend as little as possible, and Harbor Freight is known for budget-friendly tool prices. The Warrior 18V Cordless "-inch Drill Kit could well be what you need. It is designed to make basic home projects easier, it is highly rated by thousands of satisfied owners, and it costs just $29.99, including a battery and charger. The price is…...

14+ hour, 10+ min ago (1036+ words) It takes seconds to detach your hose and could save you thousands in leak repairs There are some things you can't control or predict, but getting ahead of preventable home maintenance issues as the deep cold of winter arrives can save you from a massive headache down the line. That's why plumbing pros are urging you to disconnect your hose now to stop the spigot in your yard from freezing and the icy temperatures from cascading into pipes indoors and causing a burst there. Taking this simple step now to remove your hose will prevent the ice and cold of any frozen water inside it from spreading through pipes inside your house. If you haven't ticked this off your list yet, Kolby Barnes, Plumber and Training Director at Service Force Plumbing, says removing hoses from backyard spigot is the one…...

14+ hour, 17+ min ago (444+ words) As temperatures plunge, Americans are racing to protect their homes THE cold can be brutal, unforgiving, and expensive if you're caught off guard, but a simple trick is saving homeowners from a major headache. Instead of dropping cash on a high-tech gadget, experts say that a humble bathroom product can be the ticket to thawing frozen pipes. Homeowners may not know that hair dryers can be used for more than just achieving the perfect blowout. According to Frank Czeronka of Mr. Rooter Plumbing, a steady, controlled stream of warmth can be ideal for thawing frozen pipes. All you need to do is relieve a little pressure by turning on the faucet, then working your way from the faucet down the length of the exposed pipe under your sink, moving toward the frozen area, he told Today. Czeronka warns pipes are…...

14+ hour, 45+ min ago (238+ words) CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas " As winter approaches, Corpus Christi Water is helping homeowners prepare their plumbing for colder temperatures with simple preventative measures that can save costly repairs later. While no freezing temperatures are currently forecast for the region, taking these seasonal maintenance steps now can protect house pipes throughout the winter months. Homeowners can complete these easy winterization tasks any time during cooler weather: Wrap outdoor and exposed pipes with foam insulation. Towels or pool noodles can also serve as effective alternatives. Disconnect outdoor hoses to prevent water from freezing in the lines. Cover outdoor faucets with insulated faucet covers or wrap them in towels. Insulate backflow devices to prevent freezing and backflow failure. Cover or insulate pool equipment to protect pumps and filters from damage. When temperatures are forecast to drop below 32F, homeowners should take these extra precautions: Open…...