- French drains can work on flat lots, but only if there’s at least a slight slope for water to move—sometimes just a few inches over 20 feet is enoug...

- Gravel base is non-negotiable, even if it feels like overkill. I tried to cut corners on my first patio (just compacted dirt + sand) and it looked f...

- Had a moisture meter give me a totally false reading once—turns out it was picking up interference from some nearby wiring, not actual water. - I ...

Muted olive and taupe definitely have their perks, but I’ve got to push back a bit on the “earthy tones just make sense when durability’s at stake” id...