Author name: Pyvor

Q: I understand that I should use painter’s tape rather than masking tape to get the clean, professional finish I am looking for, but how do I know when to remove painter’s tape so it won’t spoil my work? A: You’re absolutely right to use painter’s tape. Although masking tape looks similar, painter’s tape has […]

Most homeowners insurance policies get squared away in the early stages of home buying and aren’t much looked at again until the time comes when they’re needed, say, after a burglary or significant storm damage. But don’t wait until the day you need to invoke it to learn what your policy doesn’t cover. A number

Spiders can easily enter buildings through openings such as doors, windows, and air vents. However, their size also allows them to crawl into a home through tiny cracks, gaps, and unfilled holes in the foundation. Spiders can also hide in objects that enter the home, such as firewood, plants, and storage boxes. The best way

Q: My last TV was so small that I couldn’t clearly make out all of the details of my favorite shows. I don’t have eyesight problems, so I think the TV was too small. What size TV do I need? A: The TV size you need depends on a few factors, including the viewing distance

Roaches come up drains seeking water and food, but they don’t typically nest within pipes. Most substances that are commonly poured down drains to kill roaches are actually ineffective or unsafe. Alternative solutions for getting rid of roaches in drains include installing drain covers, sealing cracks in and around plumbing fixtures, eliminating plumbing leaks, and

The term permaculture was coined in the late 1970s by Bill Mollison, a professor of biogeography and environmental psychology at Australia’s University of Tasmania. Now applying to culture in general as much as agriculture, permaculture is a philosophy highlighting the harmonious and mutually beneficial integration of the land, people, plants, animals, and soil in a

Q: If I want to have a garden next spring, I need to know when to start seeds indoors. Is there a planting calendar for starting seeds indoors? A: Tolstoy said, “Spring is the time of plans and projects.” Some gardeners replace “plans” with “planting” because they started planning as soon as autumn closed down

Unfortunately, the signs of root rot, which include wilting along with discoloration and/or dropping of a plant’s lower leaves, do look similar to the symptoms of underwatering. There is a reason for that: A plant with rotted roots can’t take up water. Therefore, it too might die of thirst even though its soil is soggy.

Unlike an arch-topped arbor or a gazebo (a stand-alone structure with a solid roof), a pergola is an outdoor structure made of posts, support beams, and rafters. A pergola roof is usually open, but it can be covered with lattice, panels, or vining plants, depending on your preference. Typically made of wood, pergolas are sometimes

Bleach can kill surface mold but won’t remove it entirely. Vinegar can kill mold by penetrating it to its roots. Other options include hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, essential oils, and lemon. For larger mold infestations, homeowners will want to hire a professional mold remediation company. I’ve seen mold pop up in damp corners of homes,