Stu Backs Up Your Data
Stu now requires an account, created with your email, so your home data is backed up and can't be lost with your phone. Everything else stays the same: local-first storage, no data selling, full export and delete control.
Articles
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
Fall maintenance prevents winter damage before it starts. This interactive checklist organizes tasks by home system, explains what breaks when each is skipped, distinguishes DIY work from professional jobs, and guides you on timing and scheduling. Whether you have a weekend or a day, you'll find prioritized tasks that protect your home and save on heating costs.
Minneapolis Home Maintenance Plan: A Seasonal Guide for Zone 6 Homeowners
Minneapolis winters impose unique demands on single-family homes. This comprehensive seasonal guide explains the cause-and-effect logic behind Twin Cities home maintenance, from fall air sealing that prevents both ice dams and energy loss, to winter monitoring strategies, spring thaw inspections, and summer drainage management. Learn what makes Zone 6 homes structurally vulnerable, which tasks matter most, and when to call a professional, grounded in University of Minnesota Extension research and federal safety standards.
How to Replace a Water Heater Anode Rod
A sacrificial anode rod inside your water heater corrodes so the tank doesn't, but only if replaced before it depletes. This guide walks you through the DIY replacement process, helps you decide if it's worth doing on your heater's age, addresses the common stuck-rod problem, and explains how water softeners affect replacement frequency. DIY costs $20–$50; hiring a plumber runs $100–$300.
How to Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts channel rainwater away from your home's foundation. When they clog, water backs up, rots fascia, saturates soil, and in cold climates forms ice dams that push water under roofing. Cleaning gutters twice a year takes just a few hours and costs almost nothing; the damage from skipping it can cost thousands. This guide covers the efficient three-part process (clean, inspect, protect) with safety tips, troubleshooting, and specific guidance for your climate and landscape.
Lawnmower Maintenance Guide: Spring Startup to Fall Winterization
Most mower failures can be traced back to skipped seasonal maintenance. This comprehensive guide covers the two critical service windows (spring startup and fall winterization) plus in-season habits that keep your mower running smoothly. Learn the essential tasks for push, self-propelled, and riding mowers, understand why each step matters for your engine and safety, and avoid common mistakes that lead to costly repairs or mid-season breakdowns.
Do I Need a Radon Test?
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., causing an estimated 21,000 deaths annually. You can't detect it by sight, smell, or taste, so testing is essential. Whether you're a current homeowner, buying, selling, or dealing with a high result, this guide covers everything: why you need to test, what testing costs, the EPA action level, real estate implications, and how mitigation works.
Why You Should Clean Your Dishwasher Filter
Most dishwashers manufactured in the last 10–15 years have a removable filter that requires manual cleaning, yet many owners never discover it exists. When a filter gets clogged, dishes come out gritty, glasses look filmy, and odors develop. The good news: cleaning the filter takes about 15 minutes and solves all three problems at once. This guide explains why the filter matters for your appliance's efficiency and lifespan, how to find and remove it without damage, and how often you should clean it based on your usage.
How to Sharpen Lawnmower Blades
Dull blades cause disease and browning, but sharpening involves more than just grinding. Learn the two biggest mistakes most DIYers make: over-sharpening (grinding too thin) and skipping the balance check. This guide covers the technique points that actually matter, plus how to know when to replace rather than sharpen, and whether DIY or professional service makes financial sense.
Summer Home Maintenance Checklist
Keep your home safe and efficient through summer's most demanding season. This checklist identifies the 10 highest-impact maintenance tasks, the ones that prevent expensive emergency repairs, address life-safety hazards, and explain why summer is the right time to act on each one. From checking your AC filter to inspecting your grill, each task comes with a practical reason why and a clear trigger for when to call a professional.
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