Living & Home

Cleveland – September 22, 2026 -- Minwax has introduced Minwax One Step Stain & Topcoat, a water-based product that combines wood stain and protective finish into a single application, cutting DIY project time significantly.

The formula skips wiping and dries in two hours

Unlike traditional wood finishing, which requires staining, wiping, and then applying a separate protective topcoat, Minwax One Step is brushed on like paint with no wiping step required. The product dries in just two hours, which the company says helps DIYers finish projects up to three times faster compared to using Minwax Wood Finish Water-Based Stain and Polycrylic Protective Finish separately.

Boaz, Alabama – September 21, 2026 -- Homeowners in Boaz, Alabama, are being urged to schedule a professional roof inspection immediately after severe weather, before minor storm damage turns into costly leaks or denied insurance claims.

Wind can hide damage behind a shingle that looks intact

Missing shingles are the easiest sign of wind damage to spot, but lifted edges and popped nails matter just as much. When wind breaks the seal beneath a shingle, the area becomes vulnerable to water even if the shingle settles back into place and looks fine from the street.

Roanoke, Virginia – September 21, 2026 -- A new HelloNation article breaks down when Virginia homeowners should repair a roof versus replace it entirely, drawing on insights from Roanoke-based Roofing Expert Ryan Pacheco.

Shingle age determines whether repairs will actually hold

Asphalt shingles have a predictable lifespan, and once they approach it, new patches may not bond effectively. The article notes that brittle shingles or those losing granules often fail to seal properly, a problem accelerated by Virginia's frequent powerful storms.

Newer roofs often qualify for targeted repair instead of full replacement

When shingles retain flexibility and strong granule coverage, isolated storm damage can be fixed without replacing the whole system. HelloNation says the key is distinguishing localized damage from a wider aging pattern, something a professional inspection can confirm.

Nyack, N.Y. – September 21, 2026 -- A new HelloNation article breaks down why the wording in a home insurance policy can determine whether a homeowner pays thousands out of pocket after filing a claim.

Replacement cost restores a home without subtracting depreciation

Replacement cost coverage reimburses policyholders using current market prices for materials and labor, aiming to rebuild the home to its original condition. Actual cash value works differently, factoring in depreciation based on the age and condition of the property or belongings at the time of loss.

The article uses roofing as an example: if a roof is several years old and insured under actual cash value, the payout may cover only a portion of the full replacement cost, leaving the homeowner responsible for the remaining balance. In Nyack, where construction and labor costs run relatively high, that gap can be substantial.

Pittsfield – September 21, 2026 -- Homeowners relying on private wells across Berkshire County are being urged to test their water before choosing between a filter, a softener, or both, according to a new HelloNation article featuring Well Service Expert Matt Barnes of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Well water quality varies widely throughout the region, meaning no single treatment system works for every household. Some homes deal with hard water, while others contend with sediment, iron, or unusual odors -- each requiring a different fix.

Filters target sediment, iron, and odor problems

Water filters remove physical contaminants like sediment and rust particles that cloud water. Certain filtration systems also reduce iron or sulfur compounds responsible for discoloration and bad smells, while helping protect plumbing from buildup and corrosion.

Carson City – September 21, 2026 -- Property owners in Carson Valley and Reno are being reminded that annual backflow testing is required in most Northern Nevada jurisdictions to prevent contaminated water from entering clean drinking supplies.

Backflow devices stop pollutants from reversing into drinking water lines

A HelloNation article explains that backflow devices are installed to block contaminated water from irrigation systems, fire sprinklers, or industrial equipment from flowing backward into a home's plumbing or the municipal water supply. Internal valves inside these devices can wear out, corrode, or fail over time, often without any visible warning signs.

Oak Brook – September 21, 2026 -- Ace Hardware has named Vantage Point (38B-4), a sophisticated blue hue, as Clark+Kensington's 2027 Color of the Year, now available at participating Ace Hardware stores nationwide and online at The Paint Studio.

The blue tone anchors a full 2027 color collection

Selected by color trend forecasting partner Colour Hive alongside the Clark+Kensington design team, Vantage Point is described as a rich blue softened by subtle undertones. It serves as the focal point of a broader 2027 Clark+Kensington Color Trends collection, joined by two coordinating palettes named Drift and Mellow.

Kim Lefko, Chief Marketing Officer at Ace Hardware, said the color aims to bring warmth and character to interiors while staying versatile enough to feel current in 2027 and lasting for years afterward.

St. Paul, Minn. – September 21, 2026 -- Command Brand has launched the Command DÉCOR Collection, a new line of premium metal fixtures designed to be seen rather than hidden, now available at retailers nationwide and online.

The collection combines real metal construction with the brand's damage-free hanging technology.

Pieces are available in four finishes -- Brushed Brass, Light Beige, Matte Black and Chrome -- and include Large and Small Metal Hooks, a Metal Wall Planter with a removable plastic insert, a Metal Key Rail, a Metal Wall Shelf, and a Large Towel Hook and Small Robe Hook for bathrooms.

Small hooks hold up to 2 pounds while larger hooks and shelves support up to 5 pounds.

Every fixture uses Command Brand's signature technology, letting users hang items without nails, screws or tools and remove them later without leaving marks or holes.

Markham, Ontario – September 21, 2026 -- Enercare, one of Canada's largest home and commercial services companies, has launched a new campaign called "Comfort Days" urging homeowners to schedule furnace maintenance before winter arrives rather than waiting for the first cold snap.

The campaign uses claymation nostalgia to sell furnace checkups

Created with business agency GALE and animation studio Bent Labs, the campaign borrows the visual style of classic holiday television specials. Knitted textures, glowing fireplaces, and cozy slippers appear throughout the animation, which began rolling out across channels the week of September 14.

Rather than pitching furnace maintenance as a chore, the creative focuses on the reward: a warm home waiting for homeowners when temperatures drop. "Comfort Days" reframes the task as the first step toward a cozy season instead of another item on a cold-weather to-do list.

Mankato – September 20, 2026 -- Homeowners who install a radon mitigation system can expect measurable improvement within 24 to 48 hours, but confirming long-term protection requires follow-up testing, according to a HelloNation article featuring Radon Testing Expert Mitch Kelley of Basement Solutions in Mankato, Minnesota.

A fan and gauge system vents radon gas continuously from beneath the home.

Once installed, a certified radon professional's system uses a fan to pull radon from beneath the foundation through pipes and release it outdoors. A small gauge called a manometer is attached to the system to show whether it's operating correctly; a changed reading or no pressure difference can signal a problem.