Power outage: what to do and how to stay safe
Reporting an outage, staying safe in the dark, generator and carbon monoxide safety, food safety, medical needs, and warming or cooling centers.
Frozen pipes: how to prevent them and thaw them safely
Preventing frozen pipes before a freeze, finding your shutoff, signs a pipe is frozen, thawing safely, what to do if a pipe bursts, and renters.
Filing a water damage insurance claim
Stopping the water, documenting damage, calling your insurer, preventing more damage, what’s usually covered, building your claim, and disputing an offer.
The garage door won’t open after a loud bang: broken spring
Signs of a broken garage door spring, why not to fix it yourself, getting the car out safely, hiring a pro and avoiding bait-and-switch prices.
After a house fire: what to do in the first days
Staying safe after a fire, emergency help, insurance and living expenses, the fire report, listing damaged belongings, and avoiding rushed contracts.
Sewage backing up into your tub or basement: what to do
What to do when sewage backs up: stop using water, stay safe, plumber or city, insurance coverage, cleanup and prevention.
The AC or heat stopped working: what to check and when to call
Safe quick checks for an AC or furnace, gas and carbon monoxide warnings, staying safe in extreme weather, hiring a tech and renters’ rights.
A storm or hail damaged your roof: what to do first
Staying safe after a storm, stopping more damage, documenting it, filing a roof insurance claim, and avoiding storm-chaser roofers.
A pipe burst or the basement flooded: what to do first
The first steps after a burst pipe or flooded basement: stop the water, stay safe, document it, call insurance and dry it fast.
Mold in the house: what to do
Signs of mold, fixing the moisture, when you can clean it yourself, when to call a pro, and renters’ rights.
Chimney cleaning: how often and why
Why chimneys need cleaning, how often to check them, warning signs, and what it costs.
A contractor took the money and walked off: what to do
How to document unfinished work, send a notice to finish, complain to the licensing board, watch for liens and get money back.
A neighbor’s tree fell on your property: who pays?
Safety after a tree falls, how insurance usually works, when a neighbor is responsible, talking it out, and overhanging branches.
Getting ready for a hurricane or big storm
Knowing your evacuation zone, supplies and a go-bag, documenting your home, flood insurance timing, evacuating safely, and staying safe after.