Mike Thompson

32 Articles written

George D. Ford is a Professor in the Department of Building Construction Science at Mississippi State University’s College of Architecture, Art and Design. He also serves as the Program Director for the Building Construction Science program, where he leads academic development and supports industry-connected, studio-based learning initiatives.

With over 15 years of industry experience in commercial and industrial construction and more than 18–20 years in higher education, Dr. Ford brings a strong blend of practical and academic expertise to his teaching and research. Before joining Mississippi State University, he worked in construction management and engineering education at Western Carolina University.

Bright laundry room with white front-load washer and dryer, silver flexible vent duct visible behind the dryer, folded towels and a small plant on a shelf

Dryer Vent Cleaning Before Winter: The Overlooked Fire-Safety Job

Of all the winter-prep jobs in a house, dryer vent cleaning is the one most likely to have been skipped for years — not...
Suburban driveway and walkway freshly cleared of snow, snow shovel leaning by the garage, marker stakes along the driveway edges

Snow Removal Prep: Get Your Gear, Plan and Roof Ready Before...

The first serious snowfall of the year exposes every gap in a household's winter setup at the worst possible moment: the blower that will...
Clean basement corner with a round sump pump basin in the concrete floor, a pump with white PVC discharge pipe and a battery backup box nearby

Sump Pump Check Before the Winter Rains: A Homeowner’s Guide

A sump pump does its most important work on the worst nights of the year — midwinter storms, rapid thaws and the long soaking...
Snow-covered roof edge with a thick band of ice and icicles hanging along the gutter line

How to Prevent Ice Dams on Your Roof Before the Snow...

An ice dam announces itself in a familiar way: a thick ridge of ice along the edge of the roof, icicles hanging from the...
Stovetop crowded with saucepans and a frying pan during holiday meal preparation, steam rising

Kitchen Fire Safety for the Holiday Cooking Season

The holiday kitchen is a wonderful place and a demanding one: four burners going, the oven full, guests drifting in and out, and children...
Hand reaching up to press the test button on a round white smoke alarm mounted on a ceiling

Test Your Smoke and CO Alarms Before Winter: The 15-Minute Safety...

The first weekend of November brings a small ritual to most American homes: the clocks go back. Daylight saving time ended on November 1,...
Window pane covered in condensation droplets with a blurred winter garden outside

How to Stop Window Condensation and Prevent Mold This Winter

Streaming windows are a winter ritual in many homes: glass fogged by breakfast, puddles on the sill by mid-morning, and black spots of mold...
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