We recommend the best products through an independent review process, and advertisers do not influence our picks. We may receive compensation if you visit partners we recommend. Read our advertiser disclosure for more info.
We recommend the best products through an independent review process, and advertisers do not influence our picks. We may receive compensation if you visit partners we recommend. Read our advertiser disclosure for more info.
Today’s Homeowner exists to help you maintain or improve your home safely and effectively. We uphold strict editorial standards and carefully vet the advice and resources referenced in our articles. Click below to learn more about our review process and how we earn money.
Troubleshooting faulty motion sensor lights.Faulty Floodlights
Tom replaced 4 sets of outdoor floodlights with LED bulbs. Now, when the motion sensor is activated, he is experiencing the lights flashing instead of constant light.
Tom’s lights seem to have a mind of their own, one reason for that is his bulbs may have a bad diode.
Also, he could try switching the bulbs in each fixture to see if the problem is in the socket, then he would just need to switch out the sockets.
Vents in a spray foam house should be sealed off.To Vent or Not to Vent
Edward wants to know if he needs open vents in the ceiling and a return filter in the attic. He just recently bought a 6-year-old home with a sealed attic and spray foam insulation.
The biggest advantage to applying spray foam insulation to the rafters in your attic is that you’ll be creating a more energy-efficient envelope around your home, which means you’ll be spending a lot less energy and dollars on heating and cooling.
Any gable, soffit, louver, or power vents in the attic will need to be removed or sealed shut. This is because the entire attic will be turned into a conditioned space.
Ventilation like a range or bathroom fans do still need to be pushed through to the outside.
Tired of repairing drywall? Try these reinforcement methods. (Deposit Photos)Protecting Walls from Pets
Leanna’s sheetrock walls are taking daily beatings from her dogs. She wants to know if there is a protective paint product that can stand up to her pets.
We recommend Gold Bond Hi-Abuse XP board from National Gypsum. Hi-Abuse is mold and moisture resistant and features a specially formulated core to provide greater resistance to surface indentation and abuse.
Another option is to go with good quality paint. Eggshell paint is a more durable option, and a lot of folks tend to lean towards a semigloss finish to make the surface easier to clean.
Wainscotting on the walls would also provide protection from the dogs and enhance the style of the room. Click here to see three decorative designs.
Identifying Water Damage
Gloria replaced her 22-year-old wood siding 12-years ago. Now she’s noticing some of the wood is beginning to rot.
We always recommend to prime every surface of the wood. In Gloria’s situation water may be getting behind the boards, causing them to rot.
Gloria needs to reach out to a recommended local roofer. Having a professional come out and look at her roof should be inexpensive, and a trained eye should be able to identify the issue right away.
When tiling a floor, it’s important to set all the tiles flush and even to prevent a raised edge or lip that would be uncomfortable underfoot or possibly cause a tripping hazard. To ensure a flush installation, make a simple alignment tool from a 10- to a 12-in.-long piece of 2×6.
Best New Products
Lose the Gas Can This Mowing Season
It’s lawn mowing season – and you need a mower that will work just as hard as you do, if not harder. The EGO “Select Cut” Cordless Electric Walk Behind Self-Propelled Mower’s touch drive system puts total control of the machine into the palm of your hand.
Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.
Identifying Water Damage
Gloria replaced her 22-year-old wood siding 12-years ago. Now she’s noticing some of the wood is beginning to rot.
We always recommend to prime every surface of the wood. In Gloria’s situation water may be getting behind the boards, causing them to rot.
Gloria needs to reach out to a recommended local roofer. Having a professional come out and look at her roof should be inexpensive, and a trained eye should be able to identify the issue right away.
Lose the Gas Can This Mowing Season
It’s lawn mowing season – and you need a mower that will work just as hard as you do, if not harder. The EGO “Select Cut” Cordless Electric Walk Behind Self-Propelled Mower’s touch drive system puts total control of the machine into the palm of your hand.
