Housetto guides

Practical care for every part of your home.

Reliable maintenance guidance, appliance know-how, and homeowner checklists built for real decisions.

143 guides · page 1 of 12

Homeowner in a living room photographing a bookshelf and electronics on a phone, with a printed checklist on the coffee table.inventory

How to Make a Home Inventory for Insurance (Checklist)

Build a home insurance inventory room by room: what to record per item, how to back it up off-site, and how often to update it before a claim.

Aug 28, 202610 min read
Portable dehumidifier running in a basement with its digital humidity dial visible, set next to a small hygrometer on a shelf.systems

Best Dehumidifier Humidity Setting to Prevent Mold

The practical dehumidifier setting to stop mold before it starts, based on EPA's indoor humidity range, plus basement and room-by-room targets.

Aug 29, 20269 min read
Homeowner applying caulk around an exterior utility pipe entry point near the foundation of a house.systems

How to Seal Your Home Against Pests Before Winter

A 1/4-inch gap lets in mice; 1/16 inch lets in insects. Extension-sourced steps to seal entry points before fall's overwintering pests move in.

Aug 29, 20268 min read
Close-up of a homeowner's gloved hand pointing at a patch of dark, fuzzy growth on a bathroom ceiling next to a lighter, powdery patch.systems

How to Tell Mold From Mildew (and When to Worry)

EPA guidance on the real difference between mold and mildew, how to tell them apart by sight, and when a patch is worth calling a pro.

Aug 29, 20269 min read
Close-up of a pencil-width mud tube running up a concrete foundation wall next to a wood sill plate.systems

Signs of a Termite Infestation Before It's Serious

Mud tubes, frass, and hollow-sounding wood are the visual signs of termites experts check for. Learn what to look for and when to call a pro.

Aug 29, 20268 min read
Digital hygrometer on a windowsill showing a relative humidity reading, with condensation visible on the glass behind it.systems

What Humidity Level Triggers Mold Growth? (The 60% Threshold)

EPA guidance puts the mold risk line at 60% relative humidity, with 30-50% as the safer target. Here's the science behind that specific number.

Aug 29, 20268 min read
Homeowner crouching with a flashlight to inspect a damp corner and baseboard in an unfinished basement.systems

Why Does My Basement Smell Musty? (And How to Fix It for Good)

EPA guidance on what a musty basement smell means, how to trace it to hidden moisture or mold, and the fixes that clear the odor for good.

Aug 29, 202610 min read
Homeowner organizing contractor invoices and a permit printout in a folder next to a laptop showing before-and-after kitchen photos.inventory

How to Document Home Renovations for Resale Value

Document home renovations for resale by keeping permits, contractor invoices, and before/after photos in one file buyers and appraisers can actually verify.

Aug 28, 20269 min read
Homeowner using a phone camera to photograph a washing machine's model and serial number label inside the door frame.inventory

How to Find a Lost Appliance Manual (Online Lookup)

Find a lost appliance manual using the model/serial label, the manufacturer's PDF library, or a barcode scan—free, in under 10 minutes, with no account needed.

Aug 28, 20268 min read
Phone screen showing a home inventory app with photos and item details for a living room, next to a laptop with a spreadsheet open.inventory

The Best Home Inventory Apps Compared (2026)

Compare home inventory app types—free insurer tools, spreadsheets, and dedicated apps—by what they store, back up, and cost, checked for 2026.

Aug 28, 20269 min read
Homeowner at a kitchen table reviewing an insurance claim form alongside a printed inventory list and photos on a laptop screen.inventory

How to Use a Home Inventory in an Insurance Claim

How to use an existing home inventory during an insurance claim: what to send the adjuster, the proof-of-loss form, and how settlement is calculated.

Aug 28, 202610 min read
Homeowner photographing labeled moving boxes stacked in a living room, with a laptop open to a spreadsheet nearby.inventory

Home Inventory for Moving: What to Track Before You Pack

Build a moving inventory before pack day: item counts by box, high-value pieces documented separately, and the valuation paperwork movers require for claims.

Aug 28, 20269 min read