All articles – First House Fixes

Sealing Driveway Cracks Before Another Winter Gets Into Them

Posted on August 5, 2026In Yard & Exterior

Freeze and thaw turn small driveway cracks into potholes. A $68 afternoon with crack filler and a squeegee on our 70-foot asphalt drive.

Posted on July 31, 2026In Energy & Utilities

A July storm knocked our power out for 31 hours. The sump battery, the fridge, the cooler and the generator question we finally answered.

Posted on July 22, 2026In Weekend Projects

Three nights at Ludington, Moose's first long hike to the lighthouse and a 2015 tent that leaked on night two. A summer break from the house.

Posted on July 14, 2026In Repairs & Fixes

The side door jamb on our garage was soft for six inches. Cutting out the rot, an epoxy repair and a new sweep, for $72 and a Saturday.

Posted on July 8, 2026In Yard & Exterior

Peeling trim, a sun-faded front door and three early-summer weekends. Prep, paint and the $420 we spent instead of hiring the whole job out.

Posted on July 2, 2026In Homeowner Money

Our premium went from $1,148 to $1,259 at renewal. Our agent re-shopped it, nothing beat it by enough, and here's how we decided to stay.

Posted on June 25, 2026In Repairs & Fixes

The back patio outlet tripped every time it rained. What I tested, the cracked cover I found and the weather-resistant GFCI that fixed it.

Posted on June 18, 2026In Tools & Workshop

A roofing nailer from Gary, a compressor from Dad and a few things I bought. The tool list for reroofing a one-car garage, and what I'd skip.

Posted on June 13, 2026In Yard & Exterior

A 12-by-20 garage, one June weekend and three of us. Tear-off, ice and water shield, shingles and a Bagster, for $1,315 instead of $3,400.

Posted on June 7, 2026In Homeowner Money

Our servicer wanted a new appraisal and at least 25 percent equity. A $575 appraisal came in at $292,000, and $96 a month came off our payment.