Anthony Karcz

In recent years, extreme heat and droughts have become increasingly common. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System’s U.S. Drought Monitor, 22 states are currently experiencing moderate drought or worse. These conditions have spurred calls for water conservation, including mandated water restrictions in certain jurisdictions. While xeriscape landscaping began out West, it can be …

Xeriscape Landscaping 101: How to Do It—No Matter Where You Live Read More »

As security systems become easier to manage with mobile apps and are a more deeply integrated part of a smart-home system, more and more people are choosing to be involved in the selection of security equipment that is installed in their homes, regardless of whether they have hired a professional that knows how to install …

Wired vs. Wireless Security Cameras: 8 Differences To Know Before You Choose Read More »

All-purpose bench vises—the heavy cast-iron sort your grandfather might have had mounted on a bench in his garage—are handy for holding items such as bars, pipes, and axes. They are often used to grip such objects for welding, sharpening, and a host of other tasks, but they’re not great for woodworking since their serrated iron …

Yost Bench Vise Review: Is It Worth It? Read More »

Snow, sleet, ice, and freezing temperatures make winter driving treacherous and unpredictable. Be prepared for even the worst weather by stocking your car with supplies that will keep you comfortable, and keep your car moving safely, all season long. 1. Pet-Friendly De-Icer While municipalities usually plow and ice city roads, sidewalks, parking lots, and concrete …

16 Winter Emergency Supplies You Should Always Keep in Your Car – Plane Grace Read More »

Homeowners seeking a better way to control temperatures throughout the home should examine the benefits of a zoned heating system. What Is Zoned Heating? A standard, non-zoned heating system controls the temperature of the entire house as a whole. A zoned heating system, in contrast, allows homeowners to control the temperature of each room or …

Zoned Heating System Read More »

Q: I tried turning on my gas fireplace for the first time this season, and for some reason, it won’t light. I think it could be a problem with the pilot light, but I don’t know what to do. Who repairs gas fireplaces? A: A malfunctioning pilot light is a good guess for why the …

Solved! Who Repairs Gas Fireplaces? Read More »

Step into a winter wonderland of warmth and welcome right at your front door. With the holidays over and the lights and baubles stashed away until next year, the front porch can easily become a lifeless afterthought. “Curb appeal is not just about accenting the home visually. Curb appeal evokes a feeling that people will …

19 Ways to Make Your Front Porch More Inviting in Winter Read More »

Picture it—an oasis of wildflowers dotted with blooms of various shapes and sizes. Bees and butterflies are buzzing and flitting from nectar-filled flowers to sun-soaked resting spots. It sounds positively idyllic. But planting and growing a wildflower garden involves more than tossing random seeds onto a bare patch of grass. A bit of planning and …

7 Things to Know When Growing a Wildflower Garden Read More »

Beyond a weekly mow and the occasional weed treatment, you probably don’t ponder your lawn and its purpose very much. Sure, you pay plenty of attention to the backyard, but that might be because it looks more like your living room than anything else. The front lawn, though—do you really enjoy it? Couldn’t it be …

Why Do We Have Grass Lawns? Read More »

With severe winter weather threatening many parts of the United States, it’s important to be prepared. January 2024 has proven to be a stormy month so far with blizzard-like conditions pelting areas of the country with more snow and extreme cold forecasted in the coming days. Winter storm preparation is vital to ensure you and …

Last-Minute Winter Storm Preparation: Buy Online and Pick Up Today Read More »