Living & Home

Louisville, Colo. – September 23, 2026 -- Homeowners across Boulder County are increasingly hiring a single design-build team rather than separate architects and contractors to handle outdoor living projects, according to insights from Klint Reiber of Colorado Custom Decks & Mosaic Outdoor Living in Louisville.

The region's shifting foothill winds, changing storm drainage patterns, and steep elevation changes make outdoor construction more technically demanding than it appears. A unified team studies these conditions early, guiding material and layout choices that hold up across seasons rather than failing under local stress.

Colorado Springs, Colo. – September 23, 2026 -- Homeowners planning decks, patios, or backyard renovations in Colorado Springs face a distinct challenge: intense sun, sudden wind gusts, and shifting elevation-driven weather that can undermine poorly built outdoor structures. A new HelloNation feature draws on insights from Klint Reiber of Colorado Custom Decks & Mosaic Outdoor Living to explain what separates a reliable outdoor living partner from a risky hire.

Local experience shapes material and timing decisions

The article notes that teams with decades of work in the region understand how elevation affects material performance, how seasonal weather dictates construction scheduling, and how wind patterns should inform structural choices. Homeowners in nearby Monument face similar conditions, making that regional knowledge equally relevant there.

Westport, Conn. – September 23, 2026 -- Homeowners facing a burst pipe or leaking water line often hire the first plumber they find, a decision that can lead to costly mistakes. A new HelloNation article, featuring insights from August Wildman of Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Southern Fairfield County in Westport, Connecticut, lays out five factors to evaluate before making that call.

Licensing confirms a plumber has met state testing and experience requirements

The article notes that a licensed plumbing company has passed state or local testing and verified experience checks. This helps ensure work follows proper codes and reduces the chance of future problems. Licensing also creates a formal channel for homeowners to raise concerns if something goes wrong.

Las Vegas – September 23, 2026 -- EZ Elephant, a ladder-free gutter cleaning tool, will be on display at Booth #834 during the Western Roofing Expo, running September 27–29, 2026.

The device lets users clear leaves and debris without climbing a ladder

The American-made system uses an extended-reach pole with adjustable angles to reach gutters from the ground. Its attachment, called the Elephant Clip, holds a gutter screen that tilts to let accumulated leaves and debris fall away.

The company describes the process as "Hook, Flip, Clean," saying it takes only minutes and can be repeated as needed without ladders, harsh chemicals, or professional cleaning services.

Frederick, Md. – September 23, 2026 -- A new survey from NaturaLawn of America finds that 78% of American adults feel guilty choosing screen time over time outdoors, even as 76% say they feel the need to disconnect at least once a week.

The survey, fielded August 22-23, 2026 among 1,137 U.S. residents ages 18-61 with a margin of error of +/- 2.964%, found that roughly three in four adults recognize the phrase "touch grass." Among those who know it, 83.2% have used it themselves, most often to mean unplugging from technology (54%) or getting outside (52%). Only about one in four use it literally.

Intentions don't match behavior over the past month

Despite widespread guilt over screen use, more than a third of respondents managed just 20 screen-free minutes outdoors on two or fewer days over the past month. One in nine managed zero such days.

Fairfax – September 22, 2026 -- A missing shingle or a faint ceiling stain might look harmless, but according to Storm Restoration Expert Nathan Rowitz of Trident Contracting, Inc., those small signs often hide deeper structural damage in homes across Fairfax, Virginia.

Water travels along framing, not straight down

Rowitz explains that a ceiling stain in a hallway can actually originate from missing shingles on a distant part of the roof. Moisture moves beneath the roofing surface once wind loosens flashing or lifts shingles, following framing lines rather than a direct path to the visible damage.

Wet insulation can hide problems for weeks

Even when an attic inspection shows no active dripping, insulation can hold moisture long after a storm passes. This delays visible signs of damage until the materials begin to dry out, meaning early problems can go unnoticed without a professional check.

Concord, N.H. – September 22, 2026 -- Homeowners in Concord, New Hampshire, can expect asphalt shingle roofs to last between 20 and 50 years, but harsh winters, ice buildup, and summer heat often shorten that window, according to roofing expert Jason Rule of Jasmor Properties, LLC, featured in a recent HelloNation article.

The article outlines specific warning signs homeowners should check before hiring a contractor or committing to a full roof replacement, aiming to help residents avoid unnecessary costs while staying protected against the region's shifting weather.

Curling shingles and missing pieces signal roof failure

Visible wear such as curling, cracking, or missing shingles often means a roof is no longer providing full protection. In Concord, where snow and ice add extra stress to roofing systems, these signs can escalate quickly into more serious structural issues.

Green Bay – September 22, 2026 -- Uneven room temperatures rarely mean a heating or cooling system has failed — the real culprit is often an airflow imbalance that a process called air balancing can fix, according to Green Bay HVAC professional Brian Sinkler of Sinkler Heating and Cooling, Inc.

Technicians test airflow at every vent to find the problem

Air balancing starts with measuring output from each vent to identify rooms getting too much or too little air. These readings pinpoint issues that adjusting a thermostat alone cannot solve.

Leaky ductwork wastes energy and overworks the system

Cracks or poor seals in ductwork let conditioned air escape into attics, crawl spaces, or walls, forcing the system to run longer than necessary. Sealing these leaks cuts energy waste and lowers utility costs.

Huntersville, N.C. – September 22, 2026 -- Homeowners have a narrow window this fall to protect their fences from winter damage, according to national fence installation company Top Rail Fence. Freezing temperatures, ice, heavy snow and strong winds can cause sagging panels, loose posts, cracks, rust and warping if a fence isn't prepared beforehand.

Fall, Not Spring, Is the Time to Act

Top Rail Fence President Todd Bingham said fence care is often mistaken for a spring or summer task, but fall maintenance matters more. A fence with loose hardware, overgrown vegetation or existing damage is likely to suffer further once winter weight and force are added, he said. Taking preventive steps now can help homeowners avoid emergency repairs or a full replacement later.

Havana – September 22, 2026 -- Habanos, S.A. has launched the Trinidad Vigía Reserva Cosecha 2022, the first-ever Reserva edition from the Trinidad brand, with a recommended retail price of 3,800 USD (3,276 EUR) per box of 20 and 660 USD (570 EUR) for a gift box of three.

The cigar uses leaves that underwent an additional aging process of at least three years, and production is strictly limited to 5,000 individually numbered boxes of 20 Habanos plus 5,000 gift boxes containing three Habanos, available at points of sale worldwide.

The cigar debuts in Trinidad's largest current ring gauge format

The new Reserva is presented in the Vigía vitola, measuring 54 x 110 mm and offering a medium-strength smoking profile with a smoking time of approximately 50 minutes. It is a Parejo format with a pigtail cap, produced at the Torres factory.