How well do you know your water? Free home testing kit.

How well do you know what is in the water in your home? The water you use to cook with, to clean with, bathe with, etc. Hard water can reek havoc on your appliances, laundry, and pipes. Newly washed clothes feel dingy and scratchy Washed clothes wear out up to 15% faster Washing machines can wear out 30% faster Skin has a filmy residue after bathing Soap scum rings on bathroom fixtures Extra detergent is needed to get dishes clean Pipes can...

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Movers Club: 10% off your entire Home Depot purchase

The Home Depot has done it again! Are you one of the many that are moving this year? If so we have a little inside tip for you to save you some green, the Home Depot Movers Club (yes, another club). They will give you 10% off of your first purchase which could add up considerably with all of those odds and ends you need for a new home. If you are in the market for a new appliance the savings could be even greater. So before you pack up your home...

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Week of Freebies: Eco Fin Deck Stain

One of the best things you can do to maintain a new appearance on your deck is to keep up with the stain and seals. Regular maintenance like this will keep your deck looking brand new for years and save you costly repairs or worse, having to replace the entire decking surface. Sun Frog has come out with a new wood staining product, Eco Fin, which is made from soy products and is a low VOC wood finisher for interior and exterior applications....

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6 Reasons the Housing Market Hasn't Recovered & Why You Should Renovate NOW!

Stumbled on a very insightful article from US News on the 6 Reasons the Housing Market Hasn't Recovered. I'll do my best to paraphrase the important parts but it calls to attention a great detail to keep in mind, now is the time to remodel and renovate your home. It's pretty clear from the national news, economists, and government reporting that the United States economy is in some pretty bad shape and likely won't really start the uphill...

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Week of Freebies: Toilet Odor Eliminator

The next freebie is something that all of us could use from time to time and certainly something to have handy around the house. Toilet odor concealing drops from The Drops! They're not your traditional bathroom scent cover-uppers, instead the chemical formula in these drops interacts with the water in the toilet bowl to create a barrier preventing odors from entering the air at all. My favorite part, they have a lavender scent, in my opinion much better than the traditional overpowering bleach smell. The Drops also offers a 100% money back guarantee,...

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Week of Freebies: Soy Clean BBQ Cleaner

Now here's something new, a cleaning product for your BBQ that is made from soybeans! SoyClean BBQ Grill Cleaner harnesses the power of soy for a high perfromance green alternative to traditional products. A safe and effective way to remove char, grease, and burnt-on barbeque residue from grills and smokers. Also works well on ovens and grill hoods. Barbeque Grill Cleaner's bio-based content is 91% as tested by Iowa State University using...

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Be a part of the club! The Home Depot: Home Improver Club

The Home Depot is a great resource for all things home improvement... if that wasn't clear already! But did you know they have a club you can join, free of course... to get your DIY and home improvement fix? Let me introduce you to the Home Improvers Club! You can finally let go of those memories of being the last person chosen in gym class and be one of the cool kids. Here's some of the perks, home maintenance and upkeep email alerts, how-to...

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Biggest mistakes homeowners make when selecting a contractor

1. Not doing their homework. Make sure to research and investigate your prospective contractors. Look into their licensing and insurance. Check their website and project portfolios. Ask for references and client referrals, better yet, if possible see if you can view one of their projects in person. Make sure that they have a positive standing with the Better Business Bureau. Many times just asking these questions will scare away the non-legit guys out there. 2. Taking the lowest bid. First rule of remodeling and home building for that matter...

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Week of Freebies: Pool Testing Kit

With summer upon us we bring you some freebies for those homeowners with backyard pools! A healthy pool is critical and without the proper pH and chlorine levels your pool could become a breeding ground of illness for you and your family. These levels can change drastically in a matter of just one day especially in a busy pool. "A properly maintained pool helps prevent recreational water illnesses, keeping swimmers healthy. The U.S....

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100 Twitter Feeds for Home Improvement Advice

Thanks to Constructionmanagementdegree.org for compiling this list! They've put together your best resources for easy access tips. Categories include general home improvement, green resources, remodeling, furnishing and decorating, publications tv and radio, corporate feeds, and project specific feeds!  "Whether you have a construction management degree or are just a determined do-it-yourself-er, you are sure to find great advice for all your home improvement projects with these terrific Twitter feeds." Head over to the feed list to see...

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Is Your Contractor Lead Certified per the EPA?

The latest enforcement to hit the construction industry is the Environmental Protection Agency's new lead handling regulations for contractors. The regulations require contractors to be certified in safe lead paint handling practices. That's right, the lead scare is back... but is it?? The truth is that the new regulations surround some rather far fetched ideas about lead contamination but unfortunately those of us in the trade must comply....

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Product Watch: Bacteria used for making Eco Bricks??

You wouldn't think that the terms "eco" and "bacteria" would go sononomously but according to the latest product catching press in the United Arab Emirates the tides may be about to change. The latest in eco building products are bricks made from bacteria and sand! The specifics are obviously a bit more complicated but essentially the bacteria binds with specific solutions and the sand. When placed in a form the end result is an eco friendly brick...

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Beat The Heat! Tips to save you money & energy this summer

We're in the dog days of summer folks! With temperatures here in the mile high city tipping the triple digits it brings our attention to the best ways to beat the heat. Obviously, you can crank that AC til the cows come home but instead of fainting from heatstroke you'll be fainting from your energy bill. What else can you do to keep your home ambient without breaking the bank? The average home spends $2200 a year in energy costs...

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Remodeling: Get the most bang for your buck

One of the most common questions asked about remodeling a home is where to put your money. For most people unlimited funds aren't exactly the norm so at some point you have to decide where to focus your attention and budget. So what can you do to get the most return on your home improvement investment? The answer isn't completely black and white, factors like location, time of year, and current market temperature come into play but typically there...

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