Smart Homeowners
Daily tips and resources to help you improve, care for and protect your home.
I will give you something every day so you can live smarter. With my team of experts, we’ll cover what matters to you: security, energy efficiency, maintenance, home improvement, finance and insurance.
🍔 One last meal
A little bit of rain and a lot less heat and your lawn and landscaping have perked up a bit! Why it matters: The Farmer’s Almanac predicts our first frost in Dallas will be November 20. So there’s still time for one last round of fertilizer. ⚙️ How it works: Fall fertilizing leads to a stronger […]
🏡🧪 The Build Science Behind Comfort and Health
Building science gives us the insights and tools to create comfortable and healthy living environments. Why it matters: We should no longer accept “rules of thumb” or the notion that “we’ve always done it that way” when it comes to the places we live. 🔬 Zoom in: Our comfort and our health rely on integrated systems. […]
🐶 A plea for the pups
If you or someone you know is ready to welcome a new dog into your life, now is a great time. Why it matters: The Dallas Animal Services shelter is at 161% capacity right now. Many breeds of large and small dogs are available today for adoption. Adoptions are free and include vaccinations, microchipping, plus […]
💦 Shut it off!
If a pipe busts in your house, you should be able to shut your water off in less than 30 seconds. Why it matters: We know how destructive water can be and the less water you have to deal with the better. When water soaks into certain building materials — like insulation or carpet pad […]
🪵 A couple hard years for trees
Hard freezes and extended drought conditions the past couple years have been hard on our Texas trees. Why it matters: You might need to act now to save your trees. 📝 Here are some of Tim’s tips: 👉 Drought stress Many trees have entire limbs that have dried up. Removing the damaged limbs and applying treatment if […]
🏡🧪 The Build Science Behind Durability
“If a building doesn’t last, it doesn’t matter.” Why it matters: Designing and building homes that hold up to the challenges of Mother Nature IS the job of the architect and builder. 🥊 The bottom line: Water kills buildings. But using the right practices and materials can keep the water out. 🔭 Zoom out: Have you ever […]
✋ Keep out pests with physics
Physics then chemistry. This applies to many aspects of building science, but today I’m focusing on pests. Why it matters: The next month is the ideal time to make sure your house is ready to resist the pests seeking refuge when it gets colder. ⚙️ How it works: Using physics means we are using the right […]
🚘 Ding ding pow
If your car was damaged Sunday night in the hail storm, I’ve got good news for you. Why it matters: Getting your car repaired is easy, convenient and costs you nothing. ⚙️ How it works: Paintless dent repair shops can offer a rental car and pickup & delivery of your car. For $0 out of pocket. […]
☎️ Tales from the helpline: Solar nightmare
Jim and I talked for almost an hour as I was helping him understand what went wrong. For $165/month, Jim’s solar is producing $23.40 worth of electricity. 👀 Why it maters: People having issues with their solar don’t know where to turn. 💣 Reality check: Unregulated salespeople can use smoke and mirrors and deceptive numbers […]
🏡🧪 Why Do We Build?
How would you answer this question: Why do we build? Read the intro to this series here. 🖼️ The big picture: Building has one primary objective: control. If we can control our buildings, we have created a predictable, conditioned space. 🔭 Zoom out: We’ve been doing this since the advent of fire and our ancestors’ days of […]