With the winter weather bringing in the cold, you can be sure that your utilities will be showing the rise in heating costs. Regular servicing of your HVAC system is an important part of making your home energy efficient, but it is not the only thing that can be done. Here are some things that you can do to reduce heat loss in your home and save energy this winter:

When you want to be sure that your patio, driveway, or other asphalt fixture is always taken care of, there are some great maintenance guidelines that you will be able to practice. These guidelines will provide you with help that will keep your asphalt as strong and durable as possible. With this in mind, follow these points and use them so that you are able to protect any asphalt fixture on your property.

The desire to provide your family with a constant supply of wholesome, nutritious eggs is a great reason to delve into the world of what has become known as "backyard chickens." In fact, this trend toward healthy local food has become so popular that many residents of urban and suburban areas are successfully maintaining productive flocks of poultry even in small backyard spaces. If you are serious about populating your backyard with a flock of laying hens, you will first need to ensure that they have a shelter that is warm, dry and inaccessible to any feral cats, rodents and wild animals that may live in your area.

Low-lying or poorly drained areas in your yard can pose a landscaping challenge. Fortunately, there are options for these spaces that are attractive and easy to maintain. The following are just a few ideas for making the most out of areas with overly wet soil conditions. Idea #1: Create a Wetland Garden Some plants grow better in wet soils, so you can plant the space to maximize on these soil conditions.

Like tornadoes and hurricanes, hail is a major source of damage to homes and vehicles during a storm. This may not be obvious at first glance, though. In addition to small dents on the roof of your home, hail may puncture small holes that result in a loss of heat and even major leaks. If you suspect that hail has caused significant damage to your roof, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Cleaning your air ducts will not only cut down on dust in your home, it will make the air in your home cleaner, which can help cut down on breathing issues as well as other health issues. You can tell when you need your air ducts clean by the amount of dust in your home, you can also tell if you have musty or stale odors when your furnace is running.

Garbage disposals are fairly simple designs that usually function without a problem for many years. Unfortunately, they are still vulnerable to wear and malfunctions. You can handle some of the repairs on your own, but there may be times when you need to call in a professional. Here are a few common issues and tips to deal with kitchen disposals. Jammed Disposal If you turn the disposal on and hear the motor humming but the blades aren't grinding anything, it may mean that the unit is jammed.

Make an asphalt patio to display potted flowers and foliage by following the instructions below. After you have finished the project, set up a couple lounge chairs and a small table in one corner of the patio so that you can relax and enjoy the display that you have created. Materials measuring tape wooden stakes wooden beams water hose large shovel rake wheelbarrow tamper crushed gravel cold mix asphalt asphalt float potted plants and foliage lounge chairs small table Prepare The Ground And Dig Out The Marked Section

It's very easy to get nervous about any sign of failure in your home's foundation. Even so, it's also important to be aware that not every crack you see is something to worry about. If you know what to watch out for you'll be able to identify warning signs that your foundation is at risk, whether you see a crack or not. Watch Your Basement No one wants to walk through their basement and see cracks in the floor, but even these aren't necessarily an issue.

If you have a tree stump in your backyard, you have probably thought about removing it. However, it's easy to put this type of thing off, and you might not think that the tree stump is really a big deal. However, you should consider calling a tree stump removal company sooner rather than later. These are some of the reasons why you should get rid of that old tree stump as soon as possible.