Yeah, totally get where you're coming from on this. I've been renovating older homes for years and mixing modern lighting with antique pieces can be t...

Good tip about the 9V emergency terminal—didn't even know some locks had that. Mine definitely doesn't, unfortunately. Learned that the hard way when ...

Yeah, clay soil can be a real headache—especially when you're trying to manage drainage. We had a similar situation at our last place. Ended up instal...

You're spot on about maintenance making a huge difference. My neighbor's HVAC hit 27 years before finally calling it quits, and he was meticulous abou...

I've tried the angled mirror trick too, and it definitely helps. Another thing I've found useful is using mirrors with slightly textured or antique fi...

I've had pretty good luck with moss, actually. It does depend a lot on the variety you choose and your patio's exposure. I went with Irish moss in a s...

Yeah, insulation's helpful, but it's rarely enough by itself. I've had better luck combining it with dense drywall like QuietRock or Green Glue compou...

Totally with you on the belt drive being easier to handle in cold weather. Had a similar slip-up last winter—quick tension tweak and it was sorted. De...

Yeah, I feel you. Most of these DIY fillers are hit or miss, but I've had decent luck with the latex-based ones. They flex a bit more with temperature...