All articles – First House Fixes

How Much of Our July Water Bill Went Into the Lawn

Posted on July 26, 2025In Energy & Utilities

Our city water bill jumped to $112. I read the meter before and after a week of sprinkling to see how much the lawn and raised beds drank.

Posted on July 20, 2025In Yard & Exterior

Four gallons of exterior paint on sale, two scrapers and a lot of 6 a.m. starts. Painting our 1952 garage ourselves for $298 instead of $2,200.

Posted on July 15, 2025In Tools & Workshop

DeWalt in the garage, EGO in the yard and a rule against a third brand. How I picked, what it saved and the tool that almost broke the rule.

Posted on July 9, 2025In Repairs & Fixes

Weak pressure at the kitchen sink traced back to a 1952 galvanized run. Gary and I swapped it for PEX over the Fourth of July weekend for $262.

Posted on July 3, 2025In Homeowner Money

Our old policy wouldn't have covered a failed sump pump. When we switched in July we added $10,000 of water backup coverage. How we weighed it.

Posted on June 28, 2025In Yard & Exterior

Our backyard silver maple dropped seeds into every gutter this June. An arborist sized it up, quoted the pruning and told us what to watch.

Posted on June 23, 2025In Homeowner Money

After an 18 percent increase, we let an independent agent shop our policy. Four quotes, two deductibles and the lines that actually differed.

Posted on June 17, 2025In Weekend Projects

A one-day rental, three grits and two coats of water-based poly for $410, against a $1,950 quote. Plus the gouge by the closet I still see.

Posted on June 12, 2025In Energy & Utilities

Our basement sat at 68 percent humidity. A 50-pint dehumidifier brought it to 50, and I tracked what that adds to the electric bill.

Posted on June 7, 2025In Yard & Exterior

Two 4x8 cedar beds, a borrowed miter saw and $492 in lumber and soil. What we built, what we'd change and why Moose stays out.