Getting water from your well to the house sounds straightforward—but how you lay, connect, and maintain those lines matters more than people think. A bad install or lazy habit can lead to leaks, low pressure, freezing, or worse. Here’s what most folks are getting wrong. Using the Wrong Pipe Type Not all water lines are…
A water tank setup seems straightforward until you’re knee-deep in mistakes. Whether you’re collecting rainwater or storing well water, there are a lot of small decisions that make a big difference long-term. Set it up wrong, and you’ll deal with clogs, leaks, or contamination. Set it up right, and you’ve got a steady backup that…
Running a generator gives you flexibility—but only if you know how to prioritize. You won’t be powering the whole house unless you’ve got a massive setup, so it’s all about keeping the right things running and avoiding overload. Start with the basics, and don’t plug in anything extra until you’re sure the system can handle…
When the power cuts out, everything gets harder—fast. If you’re relying on phones, electric tools, or modern systems to keep things running, you’ll hit a wall once the battery dies. That’s where low-tech tools come in. The right manual gear can keep you cooking, cleaning, hauling, and surviving without needing a single watt. These aren’t…
When the temperatures drop and the power goes out, that “backup heat source” you bought starts feeling a lot more serious. But most people don’t realize how many little things can make it fail. Don’t wait for the emergency—here’s what to double-check right now. Test the Ignition System If your backup heat uses a spark…
Going off-grid sounds great until you try to jump in all at once without planning. You’ll waste time, money, and energy trying to fix things you rushed through. If you’re even thinking about going off-grid, here’s what you’ll want to think twice about starting with. Rushing Solar Without Understanding Load Too many people throw panels…
When people talk about prepping for outages, they’re usually thinking in terms of hours or maybe a day or two. But when the power’s out for a full week—or longer—it stops being an inconvenience and starts messing with your entire routine. Here’s what actually goes sideways when it drags on longer than expected. You’ll Start…
Predators don’t care about your fences unless they’re built right. Coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and even bobcats will test your perimeter if they think there’s food inside. That means livestock, eggs, and even pet bowls left out are all on the menu. If you want to keep them out for good, you’ve got to stop thinking…
A dripping outdoor faucet might not seem urgent, but that slow leak adds up fast—and can signal bigger issues. Whether it’s a constant trickle or only leaks after shutting it off, it’s worth checking before it turns into wasted water or pipe damage. Before you call a plumber or start replacing parts, a few quick…
Middle of the night, dogs barking, motion lights flicking on—you’re not walking out there with nothing. And you’re not grabbing the flashlight from your junk drawer either. Here’s what we actually keep by the door when we need to check a rustle or rattle in the dark. A High-Lumen Flashlight That Doesn’t Suck We’re talking…