Expert Advice for your Lawn & Garden TV Host of Today's Homeowner^® and home expert for The Weather Channel

Thousands of homeowners are devastated by the destruction a hurricane brings. After a hurricane, homeowners assess damage to their homes and prepare for the future. Before the planning stages here is some advice.

A major structural problem with your home is probably every homeowner’s worst nightmare. Structural problems left unattended decrease your homes value and only worsen over time. So if you are seeing signs of foundation problems around your home like cracks in your drywall, or if you have doors that do not open or close properly you probably need to have an evaluation done.

Whether you’ve got an inefficient dryer or are sick of waiting for hot water at a distant location in your home we’ve got answers and solutions around the home. It’s not uncommon for the typical home to a few little problems or things that cause aggravation on an almost daily basis. Here are some solutions to some of the more common and aggravating problems you might encounter.

Whether you’re considering slate with copper flashing or something a little more modest, a new roof is a major investment that typically runs into the thousands, even for the ordinary three-tab asphalt shingles that cover most houses. The materials themselves represent a relatively small portion of the bill. The bulk of what you’ll spend goes for the skilled labor involved. And that makes choosing an experienced pro the best way to protect your investment and ensure a leakproof job. Simple, right? Unfortunately, roofing is an easy-entry business that requires little more than a pickup, a ladder and some basic tools to get started.

Circular saw blades can often cost as much as $20-$25 so you not only want to keep them nice and sharp but clean as well. A build up of pitch and tar can quickly dull a blade and even make it smoke when it goes through wood. You can clean saw blades fairly quickly with ordinary oven cleaner.

Cutting an accurate circle in wood can be as simple as drawing one with this tip for creating a jig saw compass. Trace the shoe of the saw onto a thin piece of board and then draw a beam that runs perpendicular to the saw blade (we used a framing square.) The beam should be as long as the radius of the circle you want to cut.

It never fails: you’re in the middle of a project and you don’t have tools needed to complete it. Here are just a few improvised ideas that may get you over the hump.

Nail pops in drywall are a fairly common repair for homeowners. They are especially common on stairwells and walls beneath stairs. But don’t worry; it’s an easy fix. Begin by digging out the old nail or screw with a knife or pair of pliers.

I’ve had plenty of phone calls over the years from homeowners who are convinced they have to reside their entire house because some of their siding has been damaged by water. Yet when we take a look at these jobs, we often find that relatively little siding has to be replaced. Even better, the homeowners are surprised to learn that the fiber-cement siding we use as a replacement is often a perfect match for what they have. What’s more, it resists damage from water and insects.

The space between your kitchen countertops and the bottom of your cabinets is small but often the hardest to keep clean. A ceramic tile backsplash is a great solution that can be applied over almost any wall surface. The tile will be easier to keep clean than a painted or wallpapered surface, but, almost as important, it can add a great decorator touch to a kitchen. If you plan your project carefully and choose tiles that compliment the existing décor you may find that you appreciate the new look as much as the improved function.