Author: Eve Brown

> When it’s cold outside (even in LA), you need the right furnace to heat your home evenly and efficiently. A furnace can only do its job properly if it’s the right size for the space it’s heating. Too big and it will switch on and off frequently, too small and it will run constantly. Neither is ideal. A small furnace will lead to high energy bills, uneven heating, and a shorter lifespan. Not to mention the fact that you’ll probably still be cold. A…

Los Angeles homes have more electronic devices plugged in and drawing power now than ever before. While modern electrical grids can supply power evenly and safely, power surges can result from several causes outside and inside the home. Every homeowner should understand the basics about power surges and how to prevent them. Over time, even small power surges can cause damage to appliances and devices. Here’s a quick primer on everything you should know about power surges, and what you can do to stop them.…

> Pipes don’t last forever. Even copper pipes, despite their 50+ year lifespan, develop corrosion over time and in certain conditions. How does pipe corrosion affect your plumbing and your home’s water? And how do you prevent your pipes from corroding? Corrosion affects different types of pipes in different ways. Cast iron pipe corrosion looks different than galvanized pipe corrosion and it can be caused by several factors. The bottom line: we want your plumbing and the water you drink to be safe. What are…

> As the old saying goes – there’s more than one way to unclog a toilet. OK, we just made that up but we’re here to prove it’s true. Sure, we love our plunger, but what if you don’t have one? Have you tried soap or baking soda? Follow our detailed instructions for how to unclog a toilet with a plunger but stick around for plunger-less toilet clog hacks too. One way or another, we’ll get your toilet unclogged and return things to business as…

> Before 1902, humans adopted creative ways of staying cool during hot summers. The ancient Egyptians hung wet reed mats in their windows that created a cooling effect when the wind blew through. Ancient Romans went so far as to pump cold water from aqueducts through the walls of elite homes. These days you need only turn your thermostat dial for sweet heat relief in your home. But what exactly happens when you turn that magic dial? And how do you fix your AC when…