South Carolina

NORTH CHARLESTON – November 07, 2026 -- Homeowners can add a fireplace to many houses that were never built with one, according to Fireplace Expert Jimmy Smith of WilliamSmith Fireplaces of SC in North Charleston, South Carolina, in a HelloNation article.

Advances in fireplace technology have widened the options, the article explains. A new fireplace can make a room more inviting or provide dependable supplemental heating in colder months, and it does not automatically require major structural changes.

Layout and utilities decide which fireplace fits

The first step is evaluating the home's layout and construction. Ceiling height, wall placement, available utilities, natural gas access, and ventilation all influence which type works best. Careful planning helps identify practical solutions while minimizing unnecessary modifications.

Aiken – November 05, 2026 -- Homeowners in Aiken, South Carolina, who want to sell in 2027 can start preparing now, according to a HelloNation article featuring Real Estate Expert Tad Barber. The piece lays out early planning, targeted updates, and careful timing as the path to a smoother sale.

Condition shapes buyer impressions in Aiken

The article calls condition one of the most important factors for Aiken buyers. Homes that look clean, updated, and move-in ready stand out during showings. Buyers often compare several properties quickly, so even small signs of wear can influence their perception. Addressing these issues early helps sellers avoid last-minute repairs.

Summerville – November 05, 2026 -- Shoppers who want supplements verified by an independent body now have more than 60 Thorne products to choose from that carry NSF Certified for Sport status, including the newly certified Protein Optimizer and Vitamin B12.

Thorne describes the lineup as one of the largest in the industry.

The certification covers testing, audits and ongoing monitoring

NSF Certified for Sport combines independent product testing, formulation and label review, manufacturing facility audits and ongoing monitoring. The program helps verify that product contents match label claims. It also checks for unsafe levels of contaminants and tests finished product lots for substances banned by major athletic organizations.

Sarasota – October 30, 2026 -- Drivers and dealerships in Florida and South Carolina can now get qualifying windshield damage repaired, not just replaced, by Service Pros Auto Glass.

Repair is new, replacement is not

Service Pros has long handled windshield replacements for drivers and dealerships in both states. Repair is a new service, offered for damage that qualifies under the industry's national standard.

Founder and CEO Bill Camp says that "when repair is the safe choice, we can offer it." He adds that the company's technicians are trained to that standard.

The American National Standards Institute decides what qualifies

The company's repair guidelines follow the American National Standards Institute, which sets out what damage can be safely repaired and how. If damage does not qualify, Service Pros will recommend replacement instead.

CHARLOTTE – October 29, 2026 -- If you smell natural gas, leave immediately and call Piedmont Natural Gas at 800.752.7504 or 911 from somewhere safe. The utility issued the reminder as temperatures fall and furnaces switch on.

Mercaptan gives odorless gas a rotten-egg smell

Natural gas has no smell on its own. Utilities inject an odorant called mercaptan, which smells like rotten eggs, so leaks are easy to notice.

Leaks can also be seen and heard

Smell is not the only warning sign. Piedmont says leaks can cause bubbling water, blowing dirt or dead plants. Sinkholes or exposed pipe may also appear, and a hissing sound can come from near a gas line or meter.

Forest Acres, S.C. – October 29, 2026 -- Before paying for a repair call, homeowners whose furnace has stopped working can run through a handful of simple checks that often fix the problem, according to a new HelloNation article.

The guide advises staying calm and ruling out minor issues before assuming a major failure. In Forest Acres, where temperatures can shift quickly, a malfunctioning heating system can cause discomfort if it is left unaddressed.

Start with the thermostat

An incorrectly set or unresponsive thermostat can stop a furnace from running. The article says to make sure it is set to heat and adjusted above the current room temperature. HVAC experts, including those at Mid-State Heating and Air LLC, frequently see thermostat problems as an early cause.

Columbia – October 14, 2026 -- Homeowners who suspect mold should usually start with an inspection rather than a lab test, according to mold remediation experts Ted and Donna Borys of Biotek Environmental in Columbia, South Carolina. Their advice appears in a HelloNation article that explains how the two services differ.

Inspections look for moisture and the conditions behind mold

Many property owners use the terms interchangeably, but the article says they serve different purposes. A mold inspection identifies signs of mold growth, moisture problems, and conditions that may support contamination. A trained professional looks for visible mold, water intrusion, elevated humidity, and hidden moisture.