Lee Wallender is a home improvement writer of nearly 20 years and specializes in home remodeling, repair and maintenance. Sami Allen is the managing editor at Forbes Home, with over seven years of ...

Having spent 30+ years in residential construction, contracting, remodeling, maintenance and home repair, Deane now contributes DIY, informational and financial content as a freelance writer and ...

Editor’s note: In light of recent rains, we are reprinting a timely column originally published June 6, 2009. We have a 1973 two-story house with a basement that we’ve owned for about two years. The ...