Learn About Homes - OakSill

Latest Home Guides

Interested in learning more about home maintenance and “how homes work”? This is our central area for all of our articles. Always come here to see our latest articles on home maintenance, product reviews, home renovating and more.

how to grow garlic

From Clove to Kitchen: A Simple Guide on How to Grow Garlic Plants

get rid of carpet beetles (2)

11 Proven Ways to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles (DIY, Pro, & Prevention)

how to boost home water pressure

How To Increase Low Water Pressure for Good (Booster Pumps And Quick Fixes)

how to clean mold off of wood (1)

10 Ways To Remove Mold From Wood And Furniture

how to install replace toilet

7-Steps to Installing or Replacing a Toilet (Flange Prep Included)

beeping carbon monoxide alarm

What To Do If Carbon Monoxide Alarm Goes Off (Beeping and Chirping)

how to check for bed bugs

How To Check For Bed Bugs (Signs And Inspection Tips)

get rid of fruit flies

Say Goodbye to Fruit Flies: 7 Home Remedies That Really Work

how to clean jetted tub

You’ll Never Believe What’s Hiding in Your Jetted Bath Tub: Here’s How to Clean It

how to get rid of poison ivy

7 Ways To Get Rid of Poison Ivy (Natural And Herbicidal Strategies)

get rid of drain flies

12 Ways To Get Rid of Drain Flies (Natural & Chemical Methods)

clean washing machine

10 Ways To Clean A Washing Machine (Natural & Chemical)

how to remove rust from metal

15 Ways To Remove Rust From Metal (Natural & Chemical Solutions)

how can i remove a stripped screw (3)

9 Ways To Remove Stripped Screws

how to clean food disposal

10 Best Ways To Clean A Garbage Disposal (Get Rid of Odors)

how do you fix a leaky kitchen faucet

7 Ways To Fix A Leaky Faucet (How To Stop Dripping)

fix constantly running toilet

6 Ways To Fix A Running Toilet

homemade weed killer recipes

8 Homemade Weed Killers [Natural Herbicide Recipes]

new house construction steps

14 Steps To Build A New House (What’s The Process?)

how to get rid of ants

9 Ways To Get Rid of Ants (Natural & Insecticide)

smoke alarm chirping

How To Fix Chirping and False Alarms of Smoke Detectors (And Carbon Monoxide)

how to flush water heater

11-Steps To Flush A Water Heater (How To Drain)

fix reset replace garbage disposer

How To Reset, Fix, Or Replace Garbage Disposer (Can It Be Repaired?)

how can i unclog a toilet

10 Ways To Unclog A Toilet With Or Without A Plunger (How To Unblock?)

diy home projects that boost home's value

16 DIY Home Renovations to Increase Your Home’s Value Fast

merv filter rating

MERV Vs. MPR Filter Ratings (*2025 Comparison Guide*)

best indoor humidity

The Best Indoor Humidity Levels in a Home (Winter Vs. Summer)

18 Pros And Cons of Tankless Water Heaters (Is Tankless Better?)

how to spot a load bearing wall (1)

14 Ways To Tell If A Wall Is Load Bearing (Cost, Removal, & Install Tips)

ceiling fan direction in summer winter months

Ceiling Fan Direction For Winter And Summer (Which Way?)

uncork wine without corkscrew

7 Hacks To Uncork Wine Bottle Without Corkscrew (Best DIY Method?)

7 Steps To Get Super Glue Off Skin, Fingers, Clothing, and Plastic

refrigerator freezer temperature ideal

7 Hacks For The Perfect Refrigerator Temperature

how far apart are studs in a wall

5 Ways To Find Wall Studs Without A Stud Finder

surprising house defects

How Many Electrical Fires Per Year? [47 Electrical Fire Statistics]

leading causes of house fires

5 Leading Causes of House Fires: What Is The #1 Reason?

how many house fires per year

How Many House Fires Per Year? 52 House Fire Statistics (2025)

how far should a range hood stick out2

How Far Should A Range Hood Stick Out (What Depth?)

How to test range hood suction2

4 Ways To Test Range Hood Suction (And Why It’s Not Pulling Air)

salt free vs salt water softener

Salt vs. Salt Free Water Softeners (Which is Better?)

noise coming from bathroom fan when off (3)

How To Stop Noise Coming From Bathroom Fan When Off (5-Step Guide)

clean bath fan cover with water

How To Clean A Bathroom Fan (9-Step Guide)

who installs bathroom exhaust fans (1)

The 5 Pros Who Install Bathroom Exhaust Fans

why does dryer smell burnt

How To Fix A Dryer That Smells Like Burning (8-Step Guide)

how to vent bathroom fan

How To Vent Bathroom Fans (6-Step Guide)

bathroom fan venting options

6 Bathroom Exhaust Fan Venting Options For Wall, Soffit, and Roof

code-requirements-for-stairs-1-1024x683

15 Residential Stair Codes (Handrail Height, Width, Risers)

house so humid with ac on

10 Reasons Why Your House Is So Humid With The AC On

increase air flow

6 Strategies To Increase Airflow To One Room

blown start capacitor

How Long Do AC Capacitors Last? (And Reasons Why They Fail)

reasons-blowing-cold-air

7 Reasons Why Your AC is Blowing Warm Air (And How To Fix)

how long can ac run continuously

How Many Hours Should AC Run Per Day? (7-Factors Why Always On)

why furnace blowing cold air

8 Reasons Your Furnace Is Blowing Cold Air (And How To Fix It)

window ac

6 Reasons Why Your Window AC is Leaking Water

200 amp wire size

How To Pick 200-Amp Service Wire Size From Meter To Panel

ac leaking

6 Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Is Leaking Water

Window AC

How To Recharge A Window Air Conditioner (19-Step Guide)

Ac unit outside

10 Reasons Why Your AC Won’t Turn Off (And How To Fix It)

thermostat

What Temperature To Set Air Conditioner in Summer? (How To Set AC)

man diagnosing furnace problem in attic

The #1 Reason Your Furnace Is Leaking Water (And How To Fix It)

frozen indoor ac coil

4 Causes of Your AC Freezing Up (And How To Fix It)

furnace thermostat on wall with little hat

5 Reasons Why Your Furnace Keeps Turning On and Off

ac smells musty

How To Fix 7 Bad Air Conditioner Smells (Musty, Mildew, Cat Pee)

how does a heat pump work in winter (5)

How Does a Heat Pump Work in Winter? (Below 20 Degrees)

what temperature should air be coming out of vent when heating

What Temperature Should Air Be Coming Out of Vent When Heating?

signs thermostat is bad in house (3)

How To Tell If Your Thermostat Is Bad (6-Step Guide)

air vent on wall with mold

Signs of Black Mold In Air Vents (A/C Unit Symptoms?)

how to vent a dryer without outside access

How To Vent A Dryer Without A Vent To Outside? (4-Options Guide)

bathroom exhaust fan venting code (1)

7 Bathroom Exhaust Fan Venting Codes (2025 Requirements)

how to replace shower door bottom seal strip

How To Replace Shower Door Bottom Seal Strip? (7 Step Guide)

furnace without cover showing pilot light

How to relight pilot light on furnace? [10-Steps for gas restart]

refrigerant gauges on top of exterior air conditioner

How to put Freon in AC unit? [11-Step Guide to add refrigerant]

exit sign height requirements

Exit Sign Placement (2025 Building Code Requirements)

install ceiling fan

How To Fix Noisy Ceiling Fans [Humming, Clicking, & Buzzing]

weight of ceiling fan

How Much Weight Can A Ceiling Fan Hold? (3-Step Guide)

ceiling fan chain broke (1)

How To Fix A Broken Ceiling Fan Pull Chain (9-Step Guide)

furnace humidifier setting

How To Set A Humidifier? (Winter & Summer Humidity Settings)

sewage ejector pump code requirements (3)

Sewage Ejector Pump Code (2025 Requirements)

crawl space code requirements (1)

10 Crawl Space Codes (2025 Requirements)

where to place smoke detectors (1)

Where To Place Smoke Detectors? (2025 Code Placement)

how long does generator last (1)

How Long Does A Generator Last? (2025 Run Time Hours)

install ceiling fan

How To Install A Ceiling Fan Where No Fixture Exists (8-Step Guide)

what size wire for 50 amp (1)

What Size Wire Do I Need For Breaker? (15 to 50 Amps Wire Gauge Table)

How To Wire a Bathroom Fan and Light On One Switch (2)

How To Wire a Bathroom Fan and Light On One Switch (8-Step Guide)

converting hardwired range hood to plug in (1)

Converting Hardwired Range Hood To Plug In (9-Step Wiring Guide)

How To Connect Generator To House Without Transfer Switch (1)

How To Connect Generator To House Without Transfer Switch (7-Steps)

How To Fix A 3-Way If It Only Works When Both Switches Are On (1)

Why Three Way Switch Only Works When One Switch Is On? [7-Step Guide]

gfci outlet troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Dead Outlets And Why GFCI Won’t Reset (9-Step Guide)

cost to replace knob and tube wiring (1)

Cost To Replace Knob and Tube Wiring (2025 Estimates)

wiring an outlet (1)

How to Wire an Outlet and Add it to Existing Circuit (7-Step Guide)

how to wire a light fixture with red black and white wires (1)

How To Wire A Light Fixture With Red, Black, and White Wires

foundation inspection (1)

Home Foundation Inspection (Hiring Structural Engineer, Costs)

how to wire standard light switch

How To Wire A Standard Light Switch (6-Step Guide)

electrical

How to Identify Basic Electrical Wiring (Is White Or Black Wire Hot?)

how to wire 220v well pressure switch (3)

How To Wire A 220 Well Pressure Switch (4-Step Guide)

how to wire 220v plug with 3 wires

How To Wire A 220V Plug with 3 Wires (7-Step Guide)

how to get rid of gnats in house

How to get rid of gnats in the house? [11-Step Guide]

attic fan installed on roof with thermostat

Whole House Fan Vs Attic Fan (Differences?)

Gas Shutoff Valve Code Requirements

11 Gas Shutoff Valve Code Requirements (2025 Code Guide)

how to thaw frozen tankless water heater

How To Thaw Tankless Water Heaters (6-Step Guide)

what fixes are mandatory after home inspection

What fixes are mandatory after a home inspection? [2025 Guide]

how to make bathtub out of tile

How To Make A Bathtub Out Of Tile (7-Step Guide)

how to reduce noise from tankless water heater

How To Reduce Noise From A Tankless Water Heater (12-Step Guide)

flexible gas line code requirements

Flexible Gas Line Code (2025 CSST Requirements)

balancing ceiling fan

7 Steps To Balance A Ceiling Fan (And Fix Wobbling)

water heater installation code requirements

11 Water Heater Installation Code Requirements (2025 Guide)

p-trap pipe in bathroom

P-Trap Code (2025 Requirements)

why is dryer not drying

Why is my dryer not drying? [9 Reasons]

building code

7 Range Hood Vent Codes (2025 Requirements)

how to hook up dryer vent in tight space

How To Hook Up A Dryer Vent In A Tight Space? (9-Step Guide)

how to wire a bathroom fan and light on separate switches

How To Wire A Bathroom Fan And Light On Separate Switches? (14-Step Guide)

gas water heater vent pipe code

Gas Water Heater Vent Pipe Codes (2025 Requirements)

frozen evaporator coil

8-Steps To Unfreeze A/C Unit in 2025 (How To Defrost Fast)

how to replace a bathroom exhaust fan without attic access

How To Replace A Bathroom Exhaust Fan Without Attic Access? (12 Step Guide)

how to snake a bathtub drain

How To Snake A Bathtub Drain? (4 Step Guide)

refrigerator noises

Why Fridge Is Making Buzzing Noises (And How To Fix It)

how to quiet a noisy refrigerator compressor

How To Quiet A Noisy Refrigerator Compressor? (7 Step Guide)

venting bathroom fan into attic

Can You Vent A Bathroom Fan Into The Attic? (2025 Guide)

how to hang ceiling fan in mobile home

How To Hang A Ceiling Fan In A Mobile Home? (8 Step Guide)

how to vent range hood through the roof

How To Vent A Range Hood Through The Roof? (10 Step Guide)

how to clean dryer vent from outside

How To Clean Dryer Vent From Outside? (8-Step Guide)

wiring 3-way light switch

How to Wire A 3-Way Light Switch (7-Step Guide)

dryer vent installation code

Dryer Vent Installation Code (2025 Requirements)

wall mount range hood

How Many CFM For My Range Hood? (4 Step Guide)

Bathroom Exhaust Fan Sizing Chart

How Many CFM For Bathroom Fans? (4 Step Guide And Chart)

does uv light kill mold

Does UV Light Kill Mold? (4 Reasons It Works)

What Is Polybutylene Pipe? (Identify, Lawsuits, Cost)

What Is Polybutylene Pipe? (Identify, Lawsuits, Cost)

how to convert watts to amps

How To Convert Watts To Amps? (2025 Guide & Table)

professional home inspection checklist pdf

What Do Home Inspectors Look For? (Home Inspection Checklist)

toilet clearance code

Toilet Clearance Code (2025 Requirements)

What Does It Mean When Your Toilet Bubbles And Burps

What Does It Mean When Your Toilet Bubbles And Burps? (2025 Guide)

how to flush toilet when water is off

How To Flush A Toilet When Water Is Off? (2 Step Guide)

how to clean dryer vent on roof

How To Clean Dryer Vent On Roof? (6 Step Guide)

how to fix or repair a dryer vent hose

How To Fix Or Repair A Dryer Vent Hose? (8 Step Guide)

how often to clean dryer vent

How Often To Clean Dryer Vent (4 Signs Of A Dirty Vent)

how to keep birds out of dryer vent

How To Keep Birds Out Of Dryer Vent (The Easy Way)

how to clean dryer vent with leaf blower

How To Clean Dryer Vent With A Leaf Blower (8 Step Guide)

why is there water in dryer vent hose

6 Reasons For Water In Dryer Vent Hoses (Clog #1 Issue)

how to check bathroom exhaust fan

How To Check Bathroom Exhaust Fans (Things To Inspect?)

bathroom fan ducts in attic missing insulation

How To Insulate Bathroom Exhaust Fan Ducts (The Easy Method?)

what is the fan in the bathroom for

What Is The Fan In The Bathroom For? (8 Uses of Exhaust Fans)

how to unclog slow draining toilet

How To Unclog A Slow Draining Toilet (4 Simple Methods)

sounds toilet makes and how to fix it

Sounds Your Toilet Makes And How To Fix It (5 Step Guide)

how to measure shower door size

How To Measure Shower Door Sizes (4 Step Guide)

whole house uv water filter (1)

Whole House UV Water Filters: What You Need To Know Before You Buy

bathroom exhaust fan buyer's guide

Bathroom Exhaust Fans: What You Need To Know Before You Buy

how to install range hood vent through the wall

How To Install A Range Hood Vent Through The Wall (5 Steps)

how to pass a home inspection

How To Pass A Home Inspection (How To Prepare?)

radon testing during home inspection

Radon Testing During Home Inspections (Is It Necessary?)

how much does a home inspection cost

How Much Does A Home Inspection Cost? (Average Prices)

how long does a home inspection take

How Long Does A Home Inspection Take? (5 Factors For Time)

home inspections

The Biggest Reason To Make Your Offer Contingent On A Home Inspection

home inspection tips for sellers

10 Home Inspection Tips For Sellers (How To Prepare?)

Top 16 Key Questions To Ask During A Home Inspection

how much is a mold inspection

How Much Is A Mold Inspection? (2025 Cost Estimate)

how much is a mold inspection

What Will Fail A Home Inspection? (7 Things That Go Wrong)

should seller be present at home inspection

Should Seller Be Present At Home Inspection? (6 Pros & Cons)

how much does an asbestos home inspection cost (1)

Home Much Does An Asbestos Home Inspection Cost? (2025 Estimate)

how to install pivot shower door

How To Install A Pivot Shower Door? (10 Step Guide)

how to install island range hood (1)

How To Install Island Range Hoods? (10 Step Guide)

how to clean glass shower door

How To Clean Glass Shower Doors? (3 Step Guide)

what size tankless water heater do i need

What Size Tankless Water Heater Do I Need? (3 Step Guide)

how to install bathroom fan on first floor

How To Install A Bathroom Fan On First Floor? (14 Step Guide)

what makes thermal imaging cameras useful

What Makes Thermal Imaging Cameras Useful? (2025 Guide)

how to install under cabinet ductless range hood

How To Install Under Cabinet Ductless Range Hoods? (5 Step Guide)

how to flush tankless water heater

How To Flush A Tankless Water Heater? (9 Step Guide)

how to adjust temperature on rinnai tankless water heater

How To Adjust Temperature On Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters (6 Steps)

wall mount range hood installation

Wall Mount Range Hood Installation (9 Step Guide)

how much does it cost to install a bathroom fan

How Much Does It Cost To Install A Bathroom Fan? (2025 Estimate)

how to install a bathroom fan roof vent

How To Install A Bathroom Fan Roof Vent? (7 Step Guide)

whole house water filter leaking from top

Whole House Water Filter Leaking From Top (6 Step Guide)

how does a whole house water filter work

How Does A Whole House Water Filter Work? (2025 Guide)

how to remove spray foam insulation from skin

How To Remove Spray Foam Insulation From Skin? (2025 Guide)

how much electricity does a bathroom fan use

How Much Electricity Does A Bathroom Fan Use? (2025 Estimate)

how to adjust glass shower door hinges

How To Adjust Glass Shower Door Hinges? (4 Step Guide)

how to fix noisy bathroom fan

How To Fix A Noisy Bathroom Fan? (6 Step Guide)

how does a whole house humidifier work

How Does A Whole House Humidifier Work? (2025 Guide)

how to change furnace air filter

How To Change Furnace Air Filters? (5 Step Guide)

how does a thermal camera work

How Does A Thermal Camera Work? (2025 Guide)

how to remove bathroom exhaust fan

How To Remove Bathroom Exhaust Fans? (8 Step Guide)

do range hoods have to be vented outside

Do Range Hoods Have To Be Vented Outside? (2025 Guide)

how do bathroom fans work

How Do Bathroom Fans Work? (2025 Guide)

how to interpret thermal images

How To Interpret Thermal Images? (2025 Guide)

how to vent range hood on interior wall

How To Vent A Range Hood On An Interior Wall? (4 Venting Methods)

does furnace filter thickness matter

Does Furnace Filter Thickness Matter? (2025 Guide)

whole house humidifiers and mold

Whole House Humidifiers And Mold (2025 Guide)

what is air purifier cfm

What Is Air Purifier CFM? (2025 Guide)

how to install attic stair tent cover

How To Install Attic Stair Tent Cover? (4 Step Guide)

how to paint an old range hood

How To Paint An Old Range Hood? (7 Step Guide)

how to prevent mold in bathroom without fan

How To Prevent Mold In Bathrooms Without Fans? (5 Step Guide)

why the bathroom fan stopped working

Why the bathroom fan stopped working? [8-Step Guide]

how to remove nutone bathroom fan light cover

How To Remove Nutone Bathroom Fan Light Cover? (2025 Guide)

how to install range hood vent through ceiling

How To Install A Range Hood Vent Through Ceiling? (13 Step Guide)

what are the benefits of uv light in hvac systems

What Are The Benefits of UV Light in HVAC Systems? (2025 Guide)

how to clean oreck xl professional air purifier

How To Clean Oreck XL Professional Air Purifier? (5 Step Guide)

can you run a furnace without a filter temporarily

Can You Run A Furnace Without A Filter Temporarily? (2025 Guide)

condensate pump running continuously

Condensate Pump Running Continuously (What’s Wrong?)

attic fan temperature settings

Attic Fan Temperature Settings (*What Is Best?)

how to clean toto washlet

How To Clean Toto Washlets? (7 Step Guide)

where should i place my air purifier

Where Should I Place My Air Purifier? (2025 Guide)

what is a water pressure booster pump

What Is A Water Pressure Booster Pump? (2025 Guide)

water pressure booster pump installation

Water Pressure Booster Pump Installation (10 Step Guide)

how do i stop condensation in my bathroom fan

How Do I Stop Condensation In My Bathroom Fan? (5 Step Guide)

how to tell if condensate pump is working

How To Tell If A Condensate Pump Is Working? (4 Step Guide)

person installing bathroom fan

How To Vent A Bathroom Fan Through The Wall? (4-Step Guide)

winterproofing tips

What Happens If My Furnace Filter Is Backwards? (How Bad?)

what happens when you don't change ac filter

What Happens If You Don’t Change The AC Filter? (How Bad?)

how to clean range hood baffle filter

How To Clean Range Hood Baffle Filters? (8 Step Guide)

how to clean honeywell humidifier

How To Clean A Honeywell Humidifier? (6 Step Guide)

how does an attic fan work

How Does An Attic Fan Work? (*2025 Ultimate Guide*)

how to install attic fan in roof

How To Install Attic Fan in Roof (*2025 Guide*)

how to clean ac furnace filter

How To Clean AC & Furnace Filters (5 Simple Steps)

where is my furnace filter located

Where Is My Furnace Filter Located? (3 Easy Steps)

instant hot water shower

Take An Instant Hot Water Shower (Never Wait Again!)

how to install a hot water recirculating pump

Hot Water Recirculation Pump Installation (12 Step Guide)

how often to change 1 inch filter

How Often To Change 1 Inch Furnace Filter? (Easy Clues)

best ductless range hood reviews

How Does A Ductless Range Hood Work? (*2025 Guide*)

how to get rid of mold in basement

How To Get Rid of Black Mold in Basement? (5 Step Guide)

bathroom fan sones

What Are Bathroom Fan Sone Ratings? (2025 Guide On Loudness)

how to vent bathroom fan through soffit

How To Vent A Bathroom Fan Through A Soffit? (4-Step Guide)

installing a solar attic fan (featured)

How To Install A Solar Attic Fan? (12 Step Guide)

Protect Your Roof (Featured_3)

Can Attic Fans Protect Your Asphalt Roof? (How Much?)

how does a whole house fan work

How Does A Whole House Fan Work? (*2025 Guide*)

whole house humidifier pros and cons

Whole House Humidifier Pros And Cons (*2025 Guide*)

how does a hot water recirculating pump work

How Does A Hot Water Recirculating Pump Work? (2025 Guide)

pros and cons of attic ventilation fans (1)

My 7 Pros & Cons of Attic Vent Fans (Yes Or No?)

steam vs evaporative whole house humidifier

Steam Vs Evaporative Whole House Humidifier (2025 Guide)

pros and cons of hot water recirculation pumps

My 7 Pros And Cons of The Hot Water Recirculating Pump

pictures of mold in air ducts

7 Pictures Of Mold In Air Ducts (What It Looks Like?)

what is real estate due diligence

What Is Due Diligence In Real Estate? (2025 Guide)

how to use a moisture meter (1)

How To Use A Moisture Meter On Drywall & Wood? (6 Step Guide)

how to install uv light for hvac

How To Install An HVAC UV Light? (5 Step Guide)

Tips When Buying A Fixer Upper Home

5 Tips When Buying A Fixer Upper Home (2025 Guide)

home mold inspection cost testing

Should I Get A Mold Inspection When Buying A House? (My Top Tips)

attic venting without soffits

Venting Attic Without Soffits? (Is It Possible?)

how to prevent mold in air conditioner

How To Prevent Mold in Air Conditioners? (4 Step Guide)

leaking bathroom fan when it rains

Is Your Bathroom Exhaust Fan Leaking When It Rains? (What To Do)

how to oil a bathroom exhaust fan

How To Oil A Bathroom Exhaust Fan? (6 Step Guide)

how to use whole house fan

How To Use a Whole House Fan In A Two Story House (Easy?)