I loved the wood floors in our kitchen when we put them in seven years ago. But now they are in gross need of refinishing (have been for a few years), and I just don't feel like going through the hassle of moving out of the house for a week (to avoid the fumes) and (worse!) having to pack up the cupboard, television cabinet and bookshelves (the kitchen adjoins a small family room) and move all of the furniture somewhere else. Home improvement specialist Bill Keith gave me a neat idea by suggesting I check out the flooring at Alessco. They make flooring that fits over an existing floor -- the pieces snap together kind of like a puzzle -- and it looks like wood. So we could lay this floor it up to the heavy furniture rather than also laying it underneath. Another idea from a friends mother -- she places a rug under the kitchen table and a runner along the perimeter of the kitchen along the counters. The floors are covered where they get the most wear. Every few years she replaces the rugs, but rarely does she have to refinish the floor.

Our home had experienced some flooding under one of its prior owners, who very responsibly installed French drains and a sump pump to reduce the risk of any future water damage. It all worked beautifully until one big storm left six inches of water in the basement. (The sump pump was unplugged!) After the water cleared we were left with a soggy mess in the basement. The next day, I ordered a dumpster. Oh my gosh -- had I known how great an experience it was I would have done it sooner!