I learned the hard way how much foundation damage costs. After my last home inspection, a contractor pointed out soil erosion three feet from my back wall where downspouts had been dumping water for years. He quoted a $4,200 repair and told me a $30 gutter downspout extension would have prevented the whole thing. That … Read more
Radon gas kills about 21,000 Americans every year, according to the EPA. That makes it the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking. If your home tested above the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L, installing a quality radon mitigation fan is one of the most important safety upgrades you can make. Our team … Read more
I have tested dozens of moisture control devices over the years, and nothing protects a home quite like the best crawl space dehumidifiers on the market today. Excess moisture under your house quietly feeds mold colonies, warps floor joists, and pulls humidity upward into your living space where it can aggravate allergies and asthma. The … Read more
I have spent the better part of three years chasing basement humidity across two homes, and I can tell you one thing with certainty: a basement dehumidifier with pump is the single most important upgrade you can make below grade. Manual-bucket units are fine for a utility room near a drain, but the moment your … Read more
Last winter, my neighbor came home from a two-week vacation to find $25,000 in water damage from a burst pipe in the basement. The entire downstairs had to be gutted. That single incident is what got me obsessed with WiFi water leak detectors, and I have spent the past three months testing 10 different models … Read more
Last January, I walked out to my coop at 6 AM and found my waterer frozen solid. The thermometer inside read 12°F. My six hens were puffed up like beach balls, refusing to leave the roost. That morning, I started my hunt for the best chicken coop heaters. Eight products, three winters, and one fully-frostbitten … Read more
If your dog spends time outside during freezing weather, finding one of the best heated dog houses isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. We’ve spent the past three winters testing eight of the top-rated insulated and thermostat-controlled outdoor dog houses, and the difference between a cold, shivering pup and a comfortable, warm one comes down … Read more
My black lab, Hank, figured out our old wooden fence within three weeks of bringing him home. He pushed through the loose boards, dug under the gate, and once cleared a four-foot panel just to chase a squirrel across the street. After the second near-miss, I went looking for the best in ground dog fences … Read more
Last winter, I watched my four Nubians waste a full small square bale every three days. I swept up loose hay off the barn floor every morning, and my hay bill nearly doubled. That frustration pushed me to spend three months testing the best goat feeders on the market today, comparing how much hay actually … Read more
When I set up my first garage gym, I bought the cheapest foam tiles I could find. Within three weeks, a 245-pound deadlift cracked them in half and left black scuff marks across my concrete floor. That is when I learned about horse stall mats. The best horse stall mats are not just for barns … Read more