Homeowner Tips Articles
Maintenance and repair know-how for Portland and SW Washington homeowners, from Russ’s inspection findings.
Tub and Shower Caulk: Cracked Floor Joints, Apparent Mold and Swollen Baseboards
Cracked caulk where the tub meets the floor, apparent mold on tub caulk and swollen baseboards came up at 51 of Russ's inspections. What to reseal and why.
Interior Doors That Won’t Latch, Bind in the Jamb or Rub the Floor
Interior doors that didn't latch, bound in the jamb or rubbed the floor came up at 109 of...
Why the Anti-Tip Bracket Is Missing From So Many Portland Kitchens
A missing anti-tip bracket shows up in about one of every seven of Russ's reports. What it does,...
The Old Brass Gas Connector Hiding Behind Your Range or Dryer
CPSC has warned about uncoated brass gas appliance connectors since 1996. How to tell one from a modern...
The Flushmate Recall: How to Check a Pressure-Assist Toilet Tank
Four CPSC recalls cover about 4.5 million Flushmate pressure-assist units that can burst. How to read the date...
Lead in Drinking Water in Portland and Vancouver Homes: Where It Comes From
Portland and Vancouver report no lead service lines. The lead risk sits inside the house: old solder and...
Kitec Plumbing and Zurn PEX Brass Fittings: What the Class Actions Were About
Kitec pipe and Zurn brass PEX fittings were sold from about 1995 to about 2010 and drew class...
Cemwood, Hardishake, and Woodruf: The Fake Wood Shake Roofs of the 1980s and 90s
Cemwood, Hardishake and Woodruf roof shakes drew class actions over cracking and softening. How to spot one, why...
How to Check a House for Recalled Products, From Wall Heaters to Toilet Tanks
Recalled, warned about, or sued over: the products in older Portland and Vancouver homes, how to read a...
Galvanized Plumbing in Portland Homes: What It Means and What to Do About It
Galvanized pipes corrode from the inside out. Portland homeowners need to know the risks, how to spot problems,...