The Debate About Vent Screens The practice of placing screens on furnace vent pipes has critics. Some argue that a screen will obstruct airflow and cause furnace problems, such as affecting the operation of the pressure switch. Another argument is that the vent screen will not withstand the corrosive influence of flue gas exhaust. Others point out that screens that are constructed to restrict rodents are insufficient to keep out insects and are ultimately ineffective....

Clean All Seasonal Clothing Before Packing Just prior to packing your seasonal clothing for the off-season is the best time to thoroughly clean the clothes. Any stains left on the clothing will only darken and become worse in storage. Clean clothes are also less likely to attract insects in storage. So wash all of your garments according to tag instructions, including taking items to the dry cleaners before storing clothing....

But dark-colored clothes that have faded are pretty sad. With these seven easy tips, you can learn how to wash dark clothes so they hold their color longer, look better, and last longer. So before you toss clothing into the hamper, first ask yourself if those jeans really need to be washed. Perhaps they can go back in the closet or drawer to be worn again. Take a look at the guidelines on how often to clean men’s and women’s clothes....

Why Learn Bird Sounds Many birders focus primarily on learning to identify birds by sight based on plumage, colors, and field markings. Learning to identify birds by sound, however, can help birders identify many birds whose songs and calls are more distinctive than their appearance. Tuning your ear to a bird’s song can also help you locate birds more easily instead of relying only on brief flickers of moment through dense trees and brush....

Cultivate your soil in May and June when they hatch, to expose them to hungry birds. Use chunks of potato or sweet potato as a decoy trap. Skewer a piece of raw potato and bury it near the problem area and dig after about a week and check for the presence of wireworms. Dispose of the potato piece, wireworms and all. Remove and destroy infected crops after harvesting to limit overwintering....

The garage door on an attached garage is often seen as a weak link in the thermal envelope on a home, and for good reason. In most homes, the garage door opens several times a day, exposing most of an entire wall to outdoor air. Because a garage door functions like this, it’s tough to adequately seal and insulate the garage. Unless the garage door is rarely used, any effort to thoroughly insulate the garage often costs more in materials than you’ll gain from energy savings....

Looking for a new garden hose? The J&B Lawn XpandaHose is a great one to consider. Touted as the “strongest hose available,” the unique design is supposedly more durable and flexible than traditional models on the market. Though it stretches to 75 feet in use, the hose contracts in size, making it easy to maneuver and store. Honestly, prior to reviewing this product, we were unfamiliar with using expandable hoses, so this one would not have been on our list....

Of the many wisterias used in landscape design today Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda), and American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) are the most common. Japanese Wisteria floribunda was brought to the United States in the early 19th century for ornamental use and has since become invasive in many parts of the country. Before thinking of planting Japanese wisteria, check with local ordinances to see its invasive status....

The primary task of Southern gardeners is fighting drought. Northern gardeners should be mindful of dry conditions, too, but not to the same degree. Mid-summer is a good time for Northern and Southern gardeners alike to take stock of the garden and consider adjustments for next year’s garden.​ All Regions Be vigilant about removing weeds or the weeds will soon overtake your garden beds. Weeds flourish in the July heat....

Pre-Attached vs. Separate Underlayment Laminate flooring manufacturers typically recommend an underlayment. What happens if you don’t put padding under laminate flooring is moisture coming through the subfloor can cause it to warp and mildew. And footsteps on the floor will be louder. Underlayment is found in two forms: Separate: Unattached laminate padding comes in rolls of 3 mm polyethylene foam or felt that’s laid on the subfloor and taped side to side prior to laminate installation....

They should unify, balance, and fit in with the rest of your landscaping and home. They should be easy to maintain and safe for children and pets. They should be able to grow well in your native climate or microclimates on your property. Here are 16 plant selections for landscaping your pool that will bring color, texture, and scent to your backyard. Many succulents don’t have spines, or if they do, they can be small....

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to your bed position. Here are some feng shui tips to choose an optimal location for your bed, including what it means if your bed is against a wall and what to do about it. Command Position Is Best The ideal location for your bed is in the commanding position. When your bed is in command, it’s positioned so that you can see the entrance to your bedroom while you are in bed, without being directly in line with the entrance....