Knowing one's medical history is important in case of an emergency. So is knowing the history of your home in case of household emergencies and repairs. Such might require matching colors or locating the same brand of materials or knowing when and where things were purchased and who did the original installation or work. Some warranties may still be in effect. Even if they're not, the original dealer might have knowledge, and maybe even key parts in stock, that can be invaluable in an emergency situation. When you buy a new home, gather all the info you can and, while they're still available, construction drawings, too. When buying an older home, ask the previous owner about colors used, product brand names and for any warranties or literature they might have. (It'll be invaluable information for remodeling or repairs.) As you go along, be sure to record everything you do. Save scraps and samples, product labels and keep all manuals and literature in an archive box. Today's home history is tomorrow's helping hand. And that's the On The House tip for today.