TrustDALE Blog

Insights on Companies and Trust

Battling Bamboo and Kudzu: Why Cutting Vines Isn't Enough
Exterior & Landscaping

Dale Cardwell

Battling Bamboo and Kudzu: Why Cutting Vines Isn't Enough

Kudzu removal takes more than cutting visible vines. Learn why roots drive regrowth and what to ask contractors about treatment, plant protection and follow-up.

Soft Wash or Pressure Wash? A Surface-by-Surface Guide
Cleaning Repair & Maintenance Exterior & Landscaping Home Services

Marnie Zambri

Soft Wash or Pressure Wash? A Surface-by-Surface Guide

Compare soft washing and pressure washing to protect your roof, siding and driveway. Learn what to ask before you hire a cleaning company.

Is Fall a Good Time to Build a Patio or Outdoor Kitchen? What to Know Before You Start
Exterior & Landscaping Home Services

Cat Rakowiecki

Is Fall a Good Time to Build a Patio or Outdoor Kitchen? What to Know Before You Start

Planning a fall patio build? Learn how to manage frost risk, concrete curing, permits and bids before choosing your contractor.

Rain Is Coming: Is Your Yard Grading Putting Your Home at Risk?
Repair & Maintenance Exterior & Landscaping Home Services

Ki Corley

Rain Is Coming: Is Your Yard Grading Putting Your Home at Risk?

Poor grading can send storm runoff toward your foundation. Learn how to test your yard’s slope, check downspouts and prevent basement water.

Painting a House in Hot, Humid Weather Without Paint Failure
Repair & Maintenance Exterior & Landscaping Home Services

Ki Corley

Painting a House in Hot, Humid Weather Without Paint Failure

Exterior paint can fail in heat and humidity. Learn how you can check surface temperature, dew point, drying time, and contractor qualifications.

Transform Your Backyard Into More Living Space
Exterior & Landscaping Home Services

Cat Rakowiecki

Transform Your Backyard Into More Living Space

Transform your backyard into more living space with practical guidance on design, drainage, permits, safety, budgeting and hiring contractors.

How to Protect Your Landscaping From Intense Summer Heat
Exterior & Landscaping Home Services

Cat Rakowiecki

How to Protect Your Landscaping From Intense Summer Heat

Learn how to protect your landscaping from summer heat with deep watering, mulch, shade, smart irrigation, and heat-tolerant plant choices.

Can You Replace Deck Boards Without Replacing the Frame?
Repair & Maintenance Exterior & Landscaping Safety & Security Home Services

Ki Corley

Can You Replace Deck Boards Without Replacing the Frame?

Replace deck boards safely by checking the frame, ledger, posts, footings, and hardware before you resurface or rebuild.

Siding Shortcuts That Cost Consumers
Repair & Maintenance Exterior & Landscaping Safety & Security Scam Prevention Home Services

Dale Cardwell

Siding Shortcuts That Cost Consumers

Siding replacement mistakes can result in damage and costly repairs. The right installer and the right materials for your climate make all the difference.

Why a Watered Lawn Turns Brown
Exterior & Landscaping

Cat Rakowiecki

Why a Watered Lawn Turns Brown

Lawn turning brown despite regular watering? Find the cause with lawncare tips for soil, irrigation, heat, pests, disease, and seasonal dormancy.

How Long Should a Wood Deck Last?
Repair & Maintenance Exterior & Landscaping Safety & Security Home Services

Ki Corley

How Long Should a Wood Deck Last?

A wood deck's lifespan averages 10 to 20 years. Learn the warning signs, maintenance tips, material options, repair costs and replacement advice.

Cloudy Pool Water After Chlorine: What Is Still Wrong?
Cleaning Repair & Maintenance Exterior & Landscaping Verified Businesses Home Services

Cat Rakowiecki

Cloudy Pool Water After Chlorine: What Is Still Wrong?

Cloudy pool water can persist after chlorine. Learn how to test chemistry, inspect filtration, restore clarity, and know when swimming is unsafe.

Roof Roulette: How Storm Chasers Target Homeowners
Repair & Maintenance Exterior & Landscaping Safety & Security Scam Prevention Verified Businesses Home Services

Dale Cardwell

Roof Roulette: How Storm Chasers Target Homeowners

It's one of the oldest scams to follow severe weather: storm-chasing roofers, who swoop in after a storm promising fast repairs, "free" roofs, and deals that sound too good to pass up.

The Overlooked Secret to Leak-Free Windows
Repair & Maintenance Exterior & Landscaping Home Services
Jessica Long

Jessica Long

The Overlooked Secret to Leak-Free Windows

Learn why window flashing is an overlooked detail that helps protect new windows from leaks, hidden water damage, and costly installation mistakes.

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Three for Thursday is a weekly email and Dale's Do's and Don'ts is a monthly newsletter from Consumer Investigator Dale Cardwell. Each week in Three for Thursday you will see a video of one of our investigations, hear Dale answer real consumer questions and learn the steps to becoming a savvy consumer. Each month in Dale's Do's and Don'ts Dale provides information valuable to homeowners.

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