The Field Guide
Guides & How-Tos
Practical, no-nonsense know-how straight from the field — what we’ve learned doing excavation, plumbing, and sewer work across Snohomish & King County, written down so it’s useful before you ever pick up the phone.
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How to Prep a Pad for a New Shed or ADU
A structure is only as level and lasting as the pad under it. Here’s how a proper base is built…
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Let’s Replace a Kitchen Faucet the Right Way
A new faucet is one of the most satisfying afternoon upgrades — if you avoid the two mistakes that cause…
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Why Your Drains Keep Backing Up (and How to Tell What’s Wrong)
A one-time clog is annoying. A pattern is a message. Here’s how to read what your drains are telling you.…
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On-Site: Regrading a Backyard That Flooded Every Winter
A homeowner near Marysville had a patio that turned into a pond every November. The fix wasn’t a bigger drain…
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Tankless vs. Tank: How to Choose Your Next Water Heater
Replacing a water heater is a 10–15 year decision. Here’s the honest trade-off, without the sales pitch. Tank: simple and…
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On-Site: Cutting Roots Out of a 1960s Clay Sewer Line
An Everett home with repeat backups every spring. The camera told the whole story in about ninety seconds: roots. What…
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Let’s Build a French Drain That Actually Drains
Most failed French drains fail for one reason: they had nowhere to send the water. Here’s how to build one…
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On-Site: Tracking Down a Hidden Slab Leak in Lynnwood
A Lynnwood homeowner’s water bill doubled with no visible leak. The water was going somewhere — under the slab. The…
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Trenchless vs. Dig: How Sewer Line Replacement Actually Works
“Replacing the sewer line” used to mean trenching your whole yard. Often, it doesn’t anymore. Here’s how the options compare.…
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How to Read Your Lot Before You Dig
Before a single bucket of dirt moves, the lot tells you most of what you need to know. Here’s how…