Timothy has written about personal finance, including detailed home renovation and repair cost guides, since 2017. His work covers everything from plumbing and roofing to solar and pest control. Find ...

A puddle that lingers for more than 48 hours after rain is a warning sign of deeper grading or soil problems — not just bad luck. Regrading the soil around a foundation is one of the most overlooked ...

Q: I need to build a retaining wall in my yard, but I’m worried about having proper drainage. What can I use to avoid drainage issues? A: Living in a state as soggy as ours gives people pause when ...

Q: A well-respected and competent contractor who has done excellent work for us in the past is giving us a bid to install a French drain and surface drain in our sloped backyard in San Mateo. For the ...

Last week we talked about how to treat super-saturated soil, and I promised to also cover solving specific problem spots that don't drain properly. It's actually pretty easy to fix, but it does ...