what could be lurking in your air ducts

Moving into a new home can be an exciting time as you and your family adjust to your new lifestyle. Each day brings new discoveries, but faulty plumbing shouldn't be one of them. Doing your homework before you buy that steal-of-a-deal home helps you avoid unpleasant plumbing surprises in the future. Bathrooms & Kitchens Don't be swayed by those gorgeous tiles or the cute little window you've always wanted. Take the time to check for signs of plumbing problems in your bathroom before you say I do to the realtor.

As a homeowner, you probably are familiar with the overwhelming nature of maintaining your investment. From repairing a leaky faucet to installing new flooring, the challenges of home ownership are easy to see. Of course, certain updates are essential for the value and function of your house. Considering your heating and air conditioning system encompasses half of your home's total energy use, maintaining the system benefits the environment and your bank account.

Like any proactive homeowner, you might find yourself in the hardware store every few months shopping for a new HVAC filter. Although you might be tempted to find an inexpensive brand and stock up, the fact of the matter is that some filters are designed to tackle common household complaints. Here are two types of HVAC filters you might adore, and why you might never go back to the run-of-the-mill variety:

With the arrival of spring comes increased rainfall and a higher risk of flooding. Although some areas are more prone to flooding than others, this catastrophe can happen to anyone anywhere as evidenced by the fact that all 50 states experienced some type of flooding event in the last five years. If you have an outdoor air conditioning unit, taking steps to protect it from flood waters can save you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs.