The Smart Home Devices That Offer the Most Value

As the eco-conscious movement expands, society's values change. A few decades ago, individuals purchasing homes looked for time-efficient, convenient appliances that catered to life on the go. Now, people want sustainable and energy-efficient products.

Energy-efficient home appliances reduce the price of a homeowner's utility bills while shrinking their carbon footprint. They also increase the value of a home. There are various smart home devices you can install to increase efficiency.

Smart Plugs

Most individuals charge their phones, tablets and laptops overnight to ensure power efficiency the following day. These devices reach a full charge within a few hours and continue to pull power from the outlet throughout the night. Their power absorption accumulates over time, increasing utility costs and the size of your carbon footprint.

You can install smart plugs in your home to restrict power pulling from unused devices. They monitor your appliances' energy use and limit their access to electricity during certain times of the day. They also track energy use so you can make adjustments to lower the price of your electricity bills.

Smart Garage Door Opener

Homeowners can improve the efficiency of their heating and air conditioning systems by preventing the release of in-home air, and your garage door is a significant escape point. Nearly 51% of a home's energy use derives from temperature control. If you are forgetful when it comes to closing your garage door, you can benefit from installing a smart door opener.

You can preprogram these devices to close after you leave your house. This helps the homeowner conserve energy used through temperature control systems. 

They also utilize LED lights to illuminate the inside of your garage. LEDs use 75% less energy than conventional bulbs. They also last 25 times longer than incandescents, reducing your utility bills and the size of your carbon footprint. Installing a smart garage door opener in your home can significantly increase its value.

Smart Thermostats

To further conserve the energy used by your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, you can install a smart thermostat. Homeowners may program these devices to keep their homes at energy-efficient temperatures. The thermostat also turns down at night, depending on the season, to maximize your HVAC's electricity use.

Smart thermostats use motion-detecting sensors to adjust your home's temperature depending upon its occupancy. When your house is vacant, the system turns on its vacation mode, which you can change from your smartphone. These green appliances significantly lower electricity bills.

Smart Lights

Our homes' lights contribute to the size of our carbon footprints. Installing smart lights in your house can reduce energy waste and conserve the environment. The system connects to your smartphone through Bluetooth and turns off all lights when you leave the property for a programmed number of hours.

The device also uses a motion detection sensor to turn off the light in an unoccupied room. When paired with LED lightbulbs, this system can be significantly more energy-efficient than conventional lighting.

Smart Energy Monitors

A valuable device for the eco-conscious homeowner is a smart energy monitor. These systems evaluate the inner power working of your house. It connects to your electricity meter and calculates which appliances pull the most power.

Intelligent energy monitors connect to your smartphone through Bluetooth to relay its electricity findings. The device converts data into charts and graphs for straightforward viewer interpretation. Homeowners can then use this information to change their energy consumption patterns and shrink their carbon footprint.  

Cater to the Market

Increase the value of your home by upgrading your appliances and devices. Maintaining an energy-efficient house is attractive to potential buyers looking to shrink their carbon footprint and pay low utility bills. Because millennials are eco-conscious and buying property now, it is essential to cater to their values. 

Visit Brands Direct Online and find great deals on smart home devices that offer the most value.

Guest Contributor: Rose Morrison

Home improvements and repairs you must do before moving in

Moving to a new home can be an exciting time. However, it can also be stressful and exhausting, not to mention expensive to the point of draining your wallet dry. Depending on your new home state, there are some home improvements and repairs you must do before moving in. 

Are improvements and repairs expensive?

Specific improvements will increase your property's value, which is always good when the time to sell it comes. Repairs can help reduce maintenance costs you will be facing in the future, and it’s always good to save money. If you are smart, some of the work you do on your home will end up giving you a net benefit.  Some renovations will increase your home insurance rates, so be sure to calculate this into your overall budget. Other types of work on your home simply can’t be avoided, especially for glaring issues that need to be fixed.

Can I do some of the repairs later?

The short answer is: yes, of course. On the other hand, dragging the repairs will involve you living in total chaos for a long time. You might think it will just be for a week or two, but old houses can have problems you weren’t expecting. Since you don't know how the house was constructed, there could be hidden issues that you didn't initially notice. These could end up causing unexpected delays, and you don't want to be trapped in a house remodel limbo. And people promise themselves they will take care of minor repairs later when the relocation is over. But then those minor issues sit unaddressed for years because you never got around to it.

Re-polish the wood in your home to let it sit before moving in.

Renovating before you move in

Everyone has ideas of what their dream home should look like. Relocating to a new home is the perfect time to let your imagination run wild. And spring is a great time to do renovations on your home. You might think that doing everything at once is expensive, but doing multiple home improvements and repairs at the same time will probably be cheaper. Some renovations will require some touch-ups after the main work is over. We’re talking about small finishing touches like patching up walls or floors and painting the house. The best solution is to do the cleanup just once when you have done all the work.

Realistically your best bet is to schedule all of the home improvements and repairs you must do before moving in and living on the property. Once everything is finished, you can just relocate to your new home without worrying about doing more work. So, plan for how long the work will take but have backup options. Rent storage for your possessions, so they don't get in the way of the repairs. Ensure you get a clean and mold-free unit for your items so they are safe and dry during the spring rain season. Even if the repairs last longer than expected, your possessions won't clutter the workspace, and you will know they are secure.

Avoid water damage by fixing any leaks.

Here is a list of 8 home improvements and repairs you must do before moving in:

1. Check the roof – repair any cracks or leaks since water damage can wreak havoc on your home. Invest in roof repairs to avoid rotting wood and mold buildups.

2. Refloor – this is one of the repairs most people skip to save money. While fitting new floors can be expensive, it will be a lot cheaper and easier to do before moving in.

3. Improve the insulation – investing some money before moving in can save you a lot in the long run. Draft-proofing and insulating are great ways to save on heating and electricity bills.

4. Apply wood finish – it's not just the floors that need to be re-done. It would be best to refinish all the wooden elements like panels, windows, or railings before you move in. This will give them a bit of time to sit and air out.

5. Popcorn ceilings and walls – they used to be standard in houses constructed before the '90s. Besides being an eyesore, popcorn fixtures can contain asbestos or other toxic materials that can be harmful to your health.

6. Check the plumbing – leaks can cause some of the worst and most expensive damage to a home. Hire professional plumbers to take care of any problems before you move in. Mildew and mold will be much more costly to deal with later if water damage is left unchecked.

7. Replace locks – it shouldn't take long and doesn't cost much. With new locks, you can be sure that no one else has the keys to your home. Replace the exterior locks; it's cheap and will give you peace of mind.

8. Exterior and interior painting – we recommend doing this last but before bringing in the furniture from storage. All of the other major work will already be done. Also, painting an empty home free from the clutter of furniture and boxes is a much simpler task.

Paint your home last after all of the other work is done.

One more thing we need to mention is that it is essential to pay attention to your health. People get so caught up in renovations, repairs, and moving that they can forget about their well-being. We all hope to see the end to the coronavirus pandemic, but the fight isn't over yet. So, when the moving day finally arrives, you have to take all the necessary precautions in order to stay healthy during these hard times. Moving to a new home means that you will be interacting with many different people. Sometimes we all need reminders, even for the basics - so be smart and stay safe.

Taking care of home improvements and repairs you must do before moving in will end up saving you a lot of stress. Additionally, doing the repairs while you are not living on the property will mean they will be done faster – since nothing will be in the way of the work. And if the work is done faster, it usually means less added expenses. Taking care of everything while saving time and money – what's not to love?

Meta description: Moving to a new home and need to renovate? Here is a list of 8 home improvements and repairs you must do before moving in.

Guest Contributor: Sophia Perry

7 Easy Ways to Eliminate Odors at Home

Ever had that lingering odor even after mopping, cleaning, and scrubbing? It’s normal in an everyday household where you always cook or make a mess. Fortunately, you can remove the odor at home using these easy tricks. 

7 Easy Ways to Eliminate Odors at Home 

Each part of your house needs a different approach to cleaning. To make the most out of your time cleaning, you should know the tips and tricks for cleaning your home to get rid of any bad odors efficiently.  

Refrigerator

The refrigerator houses your food and sometimes it stays there for too long. Some foods also have a distinct smell to them that can stick to the refrigerator for a long time like the smell of a fish. 

Here’s how you can eliminate odor from your refrigerator:

1. Clean out the shelves and drawers of the refrigerator.

2. Scrub all the shelves with a mixture of warm water and baking soda.

3. Wipe it off with a mixture of white vinegar and warm water.

If you want to prevent odor from building up inside your refrigerator, keep a box of baking soda open on a shelf in the back of the fridge and on the freezer too. Replace it monthly to keep it working. 

You can also soak a couple of cotton balls in vanilla extract and place them on the back of your refrigerator. Remember to put it on a small plate to avoid stains. 

Dishwasher

If you’re not cleaning your dishwasher once a month, then you better start doing so. Your dishwasher can house harmful bacteria and dirt. Dishwashers get it from pieces of food that accumulate in the filter and cause odor over time. 

Here’s how you can get rid of the odor from your dishwasher:

1. Remove all food particles from the bottom of the machine.

2. Also, remove the filter and rinse it.

3. Pour two cups of distilled white vinegar into the machine.

4. Run the machine in hot water cycle.

5. Pause the cycle around the 15-20 minutes mark to let the mixture break down any detergent residue.

6. Finish the cycle.

Microwave

You should consider remodeling your kitchen so your microwave doesn’t get exposed to dirt and gunk too much. The microwave is where you mostly heat or cook your food so it should not always have a lingering odor on it. 

You can remove any smell on your microwave by boiling one quart of water with lemon slices for a couple of minutes. Wipe off any dirt, gunk, or food particles in your microwave and let the door open to air it out. 

Toilet

The toilet should always be clean and odor-free. Clean your toilet with a toilet bowl cleaner so it looks clean and shiny. Use some toilet-specific cleaning products to get rid of smells and stains. 

Afterward, pour ½ cup of bleach into a bucket of water and clean the toilet using the mixture. Your toilet should smell good and look good. Use some toilet freshener gel to add a pleasant fragrance.  

Mattress 

A mattress can start to smell after a few years of use. It may be time to change it or use some traditional method to save you some money. Here’s how you can keep your old mattress fresh:

Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress. Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour and vacuum it up. You can also use fabric spray to add a pleasant odor. 

Closet

The closet can house odor because it traps moisture in such a close space. If you can, try opening your closet from time to time and do a thorough cleaning. 

Use closet dehumidifiers that will help absorb moisture from the air so your closet won’t produce a smell. If your closet smells it will also give its smell to your clothes. 

Carpet

Among the things on your house, the carpet will absorb odor the most. Remove the smell by sprinkling baking soda all over the carpet. Let it sit for a couple of hours and then vacuum. 

Your carpet should smell good after. Have your carpet clean or use some carpet cleaning products to keep your carpet looking new and smelling fresh. 

Conclusion

These are some of the easiest ways you can keep odor away from your home. No one wants to live in a house that has a foul smell. When in doubt, baking soda and vinegar are your friends for driving away smell.

Guest Contributor: Hayley Banks

7 Tips for Working Safely on a Roof

If you live in a house, you know that your roof needs to be repaired every handful of years or even more often in case it sustains damage during a rough storm. Depending on the extent of the damage, it’s sometimes best to hire a local roofing professional, but there are some minor problems you could take care of yourself. However, working on a roof is dangerous, which means you need to make sure you always stay safe. Here are seven tips that should help you complete the job and avoid any injuries.

Check the weather forecast

It’s extremely dangerous to perform repair works on your for in weather conditions such as ice, snow or strong winds. Rain is also tricky, since the roof becomes very slippery. On the other hand, the hot summer sun can soften the shingles and leave them susceptible to further damage. Extremely warm weather can also lead to heart-related illnesses that can be worse than falling. So, if, possible, choose a cool and calm day to work on the roof.

Prepare the workspace

You need to wear the right attire; gather all the supplies you need and tape off the area. Your shoes have to be appropriate, and you need to wear a tool belt to help you keep track of your tools. If you prepare well, you won’t have to go on and off the room multiple times, which will also lower the chances of an accident. Finally, taping off the area will make passers-by aware you’re working above them and they’ll be able to avoid getting too close to your house. Also, never forget to call out before you toss anything over the edge.

Ladder stability

Needless to say, you should first check if your ladder is safe and in good condition for safe use. Next, you should stabilize it in the area you’ll be using it. Set it up on solid footing and remember that your ladder should be set against a sturdy backing. The bottom of the ladder should stick out about one foot away from the house for every 4 feet of elevation, while the top should be raised to extend a minimum of 3 feet above the edge of the roof, so that you can have a firm grip as you dismount the ladder.

Fall restraint mechanism

You should never perform any works without a fall restrain mechanism. Such mechanisms come in a wide range of forms, such as anchors, tracks and lifelines. By restraining the worker from getting too close to the edge, falls become much less of a worry. Particularly useful are use temporary roof anchors, which can be removed and the socket covered with an end cap when not in use, making them aesthetically pleasing. These systems are suitable for single users, trained to use a harness and lanyard and can be used in fall restraint and fall arrest.

Fall protection method

If you’ve implemented the previous tips, you should be able to avoid falling off your roof. On the other hand, you might want to provide extra security by including a system specifically manufactured to offer even more protection. A secondary net, for example, will help you work more freely and there are other fall arrest kits for roofers you can use.

Use guardrails

If the area you need to work on is large, you should definitely think about using guardrails, since they are excellent at protecting falls. Another benefit is that they are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

Fall arrest systems

These can be the least preferred option because they intend to stop a fall after it’s already happening. They also require training and practice in order to be used properly. However, they are most helpful when you need to reach a repair on a roof edge. All in all, adding even one method of fall protection into your work environment will greatly increase your level of safety overall.

So, if you have the right equipment and know how to use it properly and safely, you may fix your roof on your own. If you lack either the necessary skills or equipment, you should definitely leave it to professionals.

Guest Contributor: Diana Smith

Stop Using 10 DIY Home Plumbing Hacks — These Can Cost a Lot of Money Loss

When you come across a critical plumbing problem, how do you try to resolve it? By contacting a plumber, or you try to implement a DIY plumbing solution to overcome it? Well, in the first place, you shouldn’t consider applying any plumbing remedies that you randomly found over the internet. Because most of these plumbing hacks are not verified and can lead to severe plumbing issues, which can be difficult to get rid of. You might even end up replacing the pre-installed plumbing units for using an inappropriate solution. 

Due to inadequate cleaning and maintenance, dust, grime, and mold start to get accumulated in the plumbing system over time. And, this is the primary reason why leakages in the plumbing units are most likely to be noticed. Sometimes, detecting a minor plumbing problem becomes difficult, especially when you intervene in the matter without having adequate knowledge or experience. 

So, we would highly recommend scheduling an appointment with the plumbers to acknowledge the root cause of the problem. Moreover, when it comes to providing the ultimate solution, only a professional can help you out. 

A high-functioning water and drainage system is one of the essential requirements of the homeowners. So, instead of spending money on unwanted repair expenses, make sure you have hired a veteran plumber — it won’t break your bank. Here, we are debunking some of the most common plumbing myths that cause several unanticipated problems.

1.Without a Plunger, the Toilet Bowl Can’t Be Unclogged

Yes! You have already heard about this plumbing myth, right? Undoubtedly, plungers are considered to be one of the most effective plumbing tools that aid in de-clogging the toilet bowls. But, when it comes to eliminating severely clogged items, a plunger won’t be helpful. 

In certain circumstances, start finding plunger alternatives are required. Consider adding a claw tool, and it’s one of the best bathroom accessories that carefully extracts the heavier objects that have accidentally fallen in the toilet bowl. 

Additionally, few other unclogging methods can provide inevitable results to the homeowners. Here, we are compiling a list of plunger alternatives that can dislodge the blockages easily

• The mixture of water and dishwashing liquid or soap

• Vinegar and baking soda solution

• Drain Snake

• Create water pressure using plastic bottles

• Squirt Gun Toilet Drainer

• Epsom Salt

• Wire Hanger

• A Toilet Brush

• And, a bucket of warm water can break up the clogged items efficiently.

Still unable to unclog the blockage of the toilet bowl? Then, don’t delay in reaching out to an experienced plumber Dubai for an immediate solution. 

2.Chemical Drain Cleaners are Ideal Disinfectant

Obviously, it is! But these sorts of cleaning products can be the potential reason behind the damage to the plumbing units. Moreover, chemical drain cleaners are not environment-friendly, and it releases harmful fumes which can cause skin irritation and respiratory problems. Though these disinfectants come at an affordable price, you have to spend a lot of money on repair, maintenance, and replacement after using them. 

Despite using drain cleaners, start applying the mixture of vinegar and baking soda; it’s one of the most effective home remedies. By using this solution, you can not only disinfect the disposal, but it also alleviates the unusual odor from the bathroom. 

3.Disposing Wet Wipes Won’t Cause a Problem

You might have unknowingly or knowingly disposed of flushable wipes down the toilet, but it's worth mentioning that you should immediately stop doing that. Because, due to wet wipe disposal, the drainage system gets blocked. Don’t forget to check the details of these products, which showcases the extent of their dissolution. 

Instead of throwing up paper towels, hygiene products, and other seemingly flushable products in the toilet bowl, simply place them in the garbage bin. Start practicing this habit from today to prevent unwanted plumbing problems. 

4.Everything can Go Down the Drains

Drain blockages take time to occur. There might be infallible problems that can lurk inside the drainage system, which sometimes become difficult to determine. Over time, wet wipes, inappropriate food items, and cat litter start to build up inside the drain pipes, leading to clogs and damage. And, these objects might seem to pass through the drain pipes easily, but in reality, it blocks the path of the pipes. So, we would highly suggest stopping believing in this plumbing myth to prevent the clog and keep the drains damage-free. 

5.Most Plumbing Fixes Don’t Require Professional Involvement

This statement is mostly made by those homeowners who have ended up calling plumbers to deal with the out-of-control plumbing situation. And, such a statement is completely false, so don’t fall for this specific plumbing myth. Without the intervention of a plumber, nowadays, it is impossible to either install, repair, or replace the required plumbing units. When it comes to resolving a plumbing issue, you can never solve it without the necessary tools and equipment. 

Over the years, an upsurge in booking plumbing services has been noticed across the country. Because these plumbers can easily tackle a wide range of tasks with their expertise and extensive plumbing skills. Always consult with a reliable and knowledgeable plumber before taking any further action. 

6.Placing a Brick inside the Toilet Tank can Conserve the Water

Water conservation is necessary, but that doesn't necessarily mean you have to apply improper techniques to achieve that. Moreover, there are plenty of ways by which you can prevent the unwanted wastage of water from the toilet tanks or faucets. But, putting a brick inside the toilet tank is not the best solution to save water. If the water pressure suddenly increases, it might break apart the brick and damage the tank’s internal components. So, don’t try this plumbing hack; it’s absolutely not suitable!

7.A Dripping Faucet Requires Less Attention

This is by far one of the most problematic home plumbing myths that you can come across. Due to faucet leakage, you can end up losing almost 10,000 liters of water a day. Based on the extent of the damage, you might even waste more gallons of water. So, in a nutshell, it can be stated that a leaky faucet requires immediate attention, so contact a professional plumber to fix the problem. Save water, money, and monthly utility bills by just taking proper action. 

8.Cleaning Plumbing Fixtures with Hand Soap won’t Damage it

Depending on the type of plumbing accessories you have, hand soap can damage those. These hand soaps contain chemicals that can adversely impact the plumbing materials. Do you have brass plumbing fixtures in the bathroom? Then, instead of using inappropriate cleaning products, consider cleaning them with lemon and baking soda. However, for toilet bowl cleaning, use the mixture of vinegar and baking soda; that’s an effective way to eliminate the odor and bacterial growth. Prevent unwanted bacterial infections by just following these cleaning rules.

9.Turn off the Tap Handle Tight — It’s Essential!

It may seem like one of the best practices avoiding the faucet from dripping continuously, but turning off the tap handle with excessive pressure can damage it. Moreover, when the faucet is already dripping, these sorts of plumbing myths will bring additional plumbing problems and increase repair costs. 

10.Water and Soap Mixture will make the Bathroom Fixtures Clean

Do you leave the soap bubbles at the sink after washing hands? Wait! Hold on! If you do so, then you should immediately stop doing that. The water and the soap mixture can corrode the bathroom fixtures. Simply consider rinsing out these substances within a minute to prevent such a critical plumbing problem. Increase the longevity of the bathroom fixtures by just taking further recommendations from an expert. 

Acknowledge, Learn and Adapt the Right Plumbing Strategy:

That’s not the end! There are a few more plumbing myths that can be life-threatening for homeowners. You might have heard that plumbing fixtures can sustain for years without any sort of maintenance. But, in reality, without plumbing unit maintenance, you can never avoid the major-minor issues. 

Furthermore, don’t put lemons on the disposal, though it creates a fresh aroma containing citric acid. And, we all know that citric acid can corrode the metal inside the disposal. So, stop using such plumbing remedies and stop degrading the condition of the plumbing system. 

Guest Contributor: Biler Charlie

How to Prevent Water Damage to My Ceiling from the Apartment Upstairs

One of the most common complaints from tenants is water damage due to leakages. It’s something you can’t run away from but only learn to handle. We can never tell when we’re going to experience a leak or predict where it will come from. However, you can always take certain precautions to prevent the occurrence of such damages. 

Besides knowing the preventive measures to take, you want to ensure that you’re familiar with all associated legal steps. You need to know what’s expected of you, should you experience water damages from an apartment upstairs. For example, you need such tips as what to do first, whom to report to, or whom to hold responsible, and so much more.

In this piece, we’ve shared in detail a step-by-step process on how you can avoid water damages to your ceiling from an apartment upstairs.

What’s the First Thing to Do after Noticing Water Damage?

Once you’ve realized your ceiling has damages due to water leakage from an upstairs apartment, you should make an effort to inform the neighbor about the matter. Try to exercise patience and politeness because the fault may not even be theirs in the first place. You should request the upstairs apartment owner to check their house for a possible cause then take appropriate action. 

Possible Causes of Water Leakage in the Apartment Upstairs

The two main things that might cause water to leak are faulty appliances or negligence. Below are some of the notorious sources of water damage in apartments. 

Negligence

The negligence of the person staying upstairs is one of the critical causes of water leakage in our residences. The fact that you’re always careful doesn’t necessarily mean that your neighbor also acts in the same way. Therefore, you shouldn’t be surprised to learn that a bathtub or a sink that ran overnight is what has caused damage to your ceiling. The ceiling damage might also result from unmaintained toilets that are known to clog unprecedentedly. 

The clogging of the toilet can only be considered negligence if the neighbor had noticed it but failed to inform the sewer line maintenance team to work on it. However, if the owner of the apartment upstairs notified the person in charge, then the responsibility is transferred to the landlord or the manager. 

Damaged Fire Sprinklers or Water Pipes

Despite being vital safety mechanisms, fire sprinklers could become more dangerous than anything you know. Your upstairs neighbor could unknowingly be having two or more faulty fire sprinklers. Their piping system might also be having serious damages, and that’s how water ends up destroying your ceiling downstairs. 

How can You Prevent Water Damage to Your Ceiling?

Whether you stay in a simple apartment or high-end design, preventing water damages on your ceiling is very easy. You can do the following to help keep the problem away.

1. Keeping Water Pressure within the Normal Range

Water pipes burst primarily due to excessively high pumping pressure, according to a cheap assignment writing service. So the first safety measure is to ensure that the water pump operates within the recommended pressure range. Kindly remember that very low pressure would cause a shortage of water in the building. Keeping it somewhere between high and low will always give good results. It can be a good idea to work together with the property manager on achieving this objective as the chances are high that there’ll be prompt response. 

1. Replace all Faulty Fire Sprinklers and Water Pipes

Prevention is always the best weapon against any damage. You want to be inspecting any abnormalities with the sprinklers or pipes and then organizing replacements where necessary. With well-maintained appliances and water pipes, you’ll rarely experience any water-rated damages to your ceiling. 

1. Proper Ventilation of Water Tank and Pump Rooms

The high chlorine concentration in water can cause corrosion of the water pipes, and eventually, their damage. Therefore, what you want to ensure at all times is the proper ventilation of the room hosting the pump or tank. Doing so could be an excellent step towards protecting the pipes and preventing water damage. 

1. Mitigation of Water Hammering

Water hammering occurs when the pump stops abruptly. It may also occur when a valve along the piping system closes suddenly. Water hammer is a dangerous process as it generates vibrations that weaken the pipes. To ensure that this never happens again, you’ll have to install water hammer arrestors at strategic points along with the piping system. Mitigating the water hammering effect reduces the chances of water damage in your apartment by at least 50%. 

Who Pays for the Damage Caused?

Well, for damages to the apartment due to your negligence, you’ll have to contact your renters' insurance company to arrange for compensation. However, if the fault is on the landlord's side, then you’ll not be required to pay anything. For damages that happened due to your neighbor’s actions, they’ll have to figure out the way forward with the property manager or the landlord.

Why Should You Prevent Water Damage to the Ceiling?

Nothing else could match the importance of a well-maintained ceiling. For instance, it gives your loved ones an easy time studying and prevents damage to other home components. Being an essay writer I value a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere at home since it doubles as my workplace. Few things can be more daunting than your ceiling that starts to show signs of water damage. That’s why  I consider investing in this prevention means very important. Combining the impact of a and the absence of risky mildews, you can be assured of overall wellness at all times. 

About Leon Collier

Leon Collier is a blogger and academic writer from the UK who has vast experience working with Essay Writing Service UK and has contributed significantly to the excellent essay writing service UK reviews. He loves to take on every challenge thrown at him via the cheap assignment writing service UK and has the ability to deliver outstanding work regularly. When he’s not busy writing, he loves reading books and playing tabletop games with his friends. Follow him on Twitter @LeonCollier12.

Remembering the Difference Plumbers Can Make in People’s Lives

Plumbing can be a challenging job, especially when nothing seems to go right. Customers are complaining, the workload exceeds your expectations, and the phone keeps on ringing. If you’ve been there (or are now), you know exactly how it feels. You might feel like giving up and looking for another job or simply quitting and running to escape this mess. When that happens, you must stay strong and face these issues. Yes, plumbing can be difficult at times, but how long has it been since you’ve considered the difference that you make in people’s lives? Let me remind you. 

Why Plumbing is So Important

Not only is plumbing helping all people around you but it is also giving workers the satisfaction of a job well done. Here are some of the most important reasons why plumbing is so important, and why you should not quit your job. 

1. Plumbers are responsible for bringing safe and clean water into your home and all around it. Without plumbers, people would not have running water or clean water to drink or wash with, for that matter. This might seem an obvious idea but it’s definitely worth mentioning; sometimes, even water can be underrated. But it shouldn’t since it is vital to our survival.

2. Without proper plumbing, people worldwide could be looking at bills that exceed their financial abilities. You can literally lose precious water and thus, money by not having your pipes checked. Plumbing has also reduced the amount of water used worldwide by a lot, in case you forgot.

3. In case of an emergency, plumbers are the first ones to be notified. Natural disasters and other phenomena can seriously damage the pipes; without finding a quick solution to the problem, these issues could expand. Plumbing can save people in case of an emergency.

4. Plumbing can also lower the probability of danger in your house. People can literally electrocute themselves if pipes are not proofed and they can support serious damage to their properties. Plus, they can get poisoned due to all the chemicals released in the atmosphere and injure themselves by slipping, tripping, and falling.

5. It’s crazy how much energy can plumbers help saving! Less water means less power, and less power means less electricity. That saves energy and helps people stay eco-friendly. In fact, you help people stay eco-friendly and keep their water usage sustainable.

Why You Should Get a Job in Plumbing 

If you’re about to graduate and don’t know where you’re headed, considering plumbing is a great option. As you can tell, there are many benefits to becoming a plumber. Now let’s look at how this job will help you succeed in the future. 

• You will have a stable job and security. You don’t have to worry about every single paycheck to make rent. Plumbers are paid quite well, especially if they’re really good. Consider a trade school for plumbing.

• Plumbing will bring you independence. If you don’t like working for people, this is your go-to. You can get hired as an independent contractor and work as much as you want. Signing a contract can be a bad decision, especially when your main focus is not on that specific job operation.

• As an essaywriter and student, I can tell you that student debt does not pay itself. That means you’ve got to work hard post-graduation to pay your loans. Getting a job as a plumber as a sidekick might be exactly what you need, so don’t throw away this opportunity.

• You will be really satisfied with your job if you decide to take on plumbing! As you saw earlier, plumbers are lifesavers. They are extremely helpful in major life situations and can quickly respond to an emergency.

• Plumbers get respect from their communities since they’re the ones to solve so many problems. Plus, you will be able to use your skills in so many places! For example, going camping as a plumber can be really satisfying. You can literally create water pipes for your fellow campers and share your skills with your friends.

• Speaking of which, plumbing will help you interact with other people and become more open-minded. As a plumber, you need to run errands and won’t be stuck in one place every day. You will be running from house to house, checking with your clients and ensuring that the job is done right. If you are a successful worker, you will get positive reviews and can expand your plumbing business even more.

Finally, probably the coolest thing about getting a job in plumbing is that you don’t have to pay any more plumbing bills for the rest of your life. You will be able to help yourself with whatever you need while your family can also enjoy this benefit! In any case, if you are a plumber, I hope you realize how big of a difference you make in people’s lives.

Justin Osborne is a essay writer, he loves to share his thoughts and opinions about education, writing and blogging with other people on different blogs and forums. Currently, he is working as a content marketer at essay writing service. 

Guest Contributor: Justin Osborne

9 Crucial Things to Know Before You Knock Down a Wall

There are lots of reasons to knock down a wall. You might be changing up your floor plan a bit. You might have decided you want an open layout. You might even be tempted by the visceral thrill of smashing something with a sledgehammer - creative destruction can be a beautiful thing.

We don’t want to stop you from disintegrating a wall with sheer physical force - that’s a joy we wouldn’t deprive anyone of. We do, however, want to help you stay as safe as possible. With that in mind, here are 9 things to keep in mind before you reduce the wall to rubble:

What’s in the wall?

My mama always said life is like a wall - you never know what you’re going to find inside. My mama is an interesting lady.

The point is, there are lots of things you might find inside your wall. Things you’d rather not slam a hammer through. Things like pipes carrying water under high pressure, or live wires. Either of those things are bad to smash on their own, but put them together and you’ve got a real problem on your hands.

If you don’t know what’s inside your wall, don’t risk hitting it with a hammer. Ask a contractor for help.

What’s on the wall?

Of all the dangers of DIY demolition, knocking down a load-bearing wall might be one of the scariest. 

Why? Because people might think they know what walls are load-bearing, and get it wrong. The results can be catastrophic - your home could literally start collapsing on top of you!

If you’re not 100% sure that a wall is load-bearing, get a contractor to help identify whether or not it is. Even if you think you’re 100% sure, it can’t hurt to get a second opinion - you really don’t want to knock a load-bearing wall down.

Should the wall you’re looking to knock down turn out to be load-bearing, call a professional to take it down for you. Taking out a load-bearing wall is not a DIY job.

What is permitted?

Before you start any home improvement project - even knocking down a wall - you should talk to your local government about what permits you might need.

We can’t give blanket advice on whether or not you’ll need a permit - the laws are different in each city. We can only recommend that you play it safe, and call before you demolish anything.

What’s your budget?

Knocking down a wall implies some level of renovation. You’re going to need to budget appropriately. Do you want new furniture? Do you need to change your flooring? These are all things you should think about before taking that first swing.

Even if all you want to do is knock down the wall and clean up afterwards, you’re going to have to invest some resources. If there’s any plumbing or electrical in it, you’re going to have to reroute it. Unless you know how to do everything yourself, you’ll need to hire someone to help. 

Budget twice, sledge once.

There’s no going back

Okay, that’s a bit of a dramatic exaggeration. You can go back, but it will involve rebuilding a wall that you just tore down. And we’re sure you’ve got better things to do.

Don’t tear down that wall unless you’re absolutely sure you want it gone.

Things are about to get messy

There’s going to be a lot of dust and debris - hopefully, that comes as no surprise. Move furniture out of the way, and cover everything within a wide radius with plastic sheets.
You may need a dumpster to take care of all that debris - check out this guide to dumpster rentals if you want to know more about how big a dumpster you’ll need and how much it might cost.

There are unexpected hazards

From lead paint to asbestos insulation, there are hazards that are tough to spot unless you know what you’re doing. You can find test kits for wall paint at home hardware stores. Asbestos is only very rarely found in walls, but if you have quite an old home, it should be looked into.

Making time

This is not a one or two-hour project. Between the permitting, the preparing, the actual work, and the clean-up afterwards, you’re looking at several days. Before you get started, be sure to make a schedule. 

Are you experienced?

If you don’t have the experience needed to knock down a wall, you’ll end up with a huge mess, at best, and a half-knocked down wall that you’ll need to call a contractor for help with anyway. At worst, you could seriously damage your property or injure yourself. Make an honest assessment of your level of experience. If you don’t think you’re up to the task, don’t try it!

With that, we’ve covered the most crucial things you should think about before you swing that hammer. Always be careful when doing home demolition. If you decide to take down the wall yourself, all we can say is - happy hammering!

Guest Contributor: Christie Simon

DIY Home Improvement Projects Before Moving

There’s no surprise that moving to a new house can be a stressful undertaking and the last thing you want to do is to add the home improvement projects in your to-do lists. However, tackling these things before you arrive at your new place actually makes a lot of sense. This is especially true if you also have to deal with all the relocation boxes and furniture during the big day. 

Thus in order to make your arrival less stressful, below are some DIY home improvement projects you can do before the big day:

Deep Clean

If you have spare time, you should also include in your home improvement projects the idea of deep cleaning. When you clean your new house before you relocate, you can ensure the house is free from dirt and dust when you start the unpacking process. 

Thus, make sure you have a cleaning plan in place to get this job done right. For example, you should have every bathroom and kitchen scrubbed, every cabinet and drawers cleaned, and many more. And while you’re preoccupied with your cleaning task, you can hire reliable movers and packers to handle the difficult aspects of the relocation. By doing this, you can make your entire moving process more seamless and successful. 

Improve Your Lighting

One of the easiest ways of upgrading your new home is to go for a yellow glow. This means changing your lighting fixtures from white bulbs to the yellow ones to create a better ambiance in your dwelling place. In doing so, you should make sure to utilize LED lights so they’ll last for a long time, thereby saving you money in the long run. 

Moreover, you may also consider installing dimmers in exchange for the light switches for great effects. For instance, if you want to adjust the brightness of each area depending on the time of day as well as your current mood, you can use the dimmers for this purpose. 

Bring Nature In

Another do-it-yourself home improvement project to consider is to add flowers and plants inside the new house. Typically,  even if you have simple potted plants in some areas of your dwelling place, they can add a good level of happiness and vitality and freshen the air. 

So, if you want to bring nature in once you relocate to your new home, you should start choosing the best houseplants that are somehow difficult to kill. In case you don’t want to be overwhelmed in taking care of real houseplants, you can go with faux-flowers or greenery. All you have to do is pick the quality ones to make them more attractive. 

Upgrade Your Existing Furniture Pieces

If you’re tired seeing your old furniture but you don’t want to spend more money to buy new ones, the best thing you can do is hack your existing furniture pieces and turn them into new ones. Thus, in order to get started with this exciting home improvement project, there are plenty of creative DIY ideas that intend to give new life to your old furniture. 

Whether it’s painting, using adhesives to decorate shapes and other designs, reupholstering, and many more, you can get the most out of these tasks to upgrade your old pieces of furniture. Moreover, in case you need help in moving these heavy items to your new home, hiring quality moving services long distance or locally can be a great solution. Instead of worrying about this task, you can have peace of mind knowing that a professional moving company are there to make the entire transition less stressful. 

Replace Outdated Fixtures

In addition to transforming your old furniture, replacing outdated fixtures can be a great DIY home improvement project. Typically, it’s amazing to think how a new fixture can do a lot of change for your new home. 

For example, you can decide to install a chandelier above your bed, swap your old fans with the more efficient and modern ones, and replace your plumbing fixtures. By doing all these things, you can certainly bring a significant home upgrade to your new house before and after the relocation. 

Add A  Fresh Coat Of Paint

Another DIY home upgrade project you can consider doing before your scheduled relocation date is painting the interior of your new home. It’s one of the simple and cheap tasks that can add color and life to an empty place. 

So, if you want to make this project more personalized, then you should start choosing the right paint color by playing around with your options. Once you’ve decided the one you prefer, then it’s time to get the ball rolling. Also, you should remember that whatever finish you pick, it can significantly change the whole appearance of your new place. 

The Bottom Line

Sometimes, upgrading your new home before the relocation doesn’t have to be huge or expensive. Even the smallest improvements in your area can have a significant impact on its overall appearance. Therefore, if you’re looking for the best ways to be hands-on in making changes in your place, keep these projects in mind and you’re good to go.

Guest Contributor: Mary Berger

Need Help with Your Sinkhole Insurance Claim?

Nothing can be more devastating than finding out a giant sinkhole in your front yard one fine morning. If you are living in Florida, it may be a common scenario for most of you. Due to this giant sinkhole, your property may go under substantial damage. For which you may require immediate financial assistance. You may have insured your property, but does your insurance cover sinkhole damage? If it does, how can you claim it effectively? These questions can easily overwhelm you. Worry not; we will try to clear your confusion in the following article.

Sinkhole Signs

As mentioned above, sinkholes are pretty common in Florida. They can either occur due to natural topography or for human activities. The topography of Florida consists of a thin layer of sand and clay covering limestone. Due to rain and circulating groundwater, the ground gets loose and forms cavities and crevices. Although sinkholes are very unpredictable, they may possess some signs in some cases. The signs being,

• The splintering of the ground

• Drying or dying of vegetation

• Excessive standing of the water

• Failing to close doors and windows properly

• Exposure of previously hidden tree roots

• Leaning of different structures fixated to the ground

• Cracking of any structure

• Unexplained loud noise

• Suspicious water stains

Reporting of Sinkhole Activity

Although no state agency is responsible for sinkhole inspections, many homeowners tend to call Florida Geological Survey to verify sinkhole activity. The FGS maintains a database, however, it doesn’t assist the homeowners to file a claim or get paid. Therefore, the home is already marked as a “sinkhole home,” and still no luck in claiming the insurance from the company.

Sinkhole Insurance Claims

Florida is one of the most vulnerable states when it comes to sinkholes. The fl sinkhole map can be a difficult decision to purchase your home in.

Similar to California with earthquakes, sinkholes are more likely to appear in states like Florida and Alabama, where there is a high water table, than anywhere else in the country.

Sinkholes can lead to ground collapse, which can cause catastrophic damage to your property. This is why Florida sinkhole claims are a rather common insurance policy that many Floridians opt for.

While your Florida insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the property damage caused by the sinkhole, our Licensed Public Adjusters keep YOUR interests in mind and uncover the full scope of the damage to your home or business. Their thorough inspection will uncover any additional damage that may not be outwardly apparent.

They will then negotiate directly with your insurance company until you get the settlement you deserve.

Filing a Sinkhole Claim

Give a call to your insurance company at the first sign of sinkhole generation. The company will send an adjuster to record and file their inspection of the area. It is a common practice to send a geologist or geotechnical engineer by the insurance company after the adjuster assessment. They provide their professional opinion if there’s a sinkhole present or not. After that, the company may request repair estimates and send the client a letter confirming or denying the claim.

Why is Sinkhole Damage Claims Denied?

When a sinkhole damage claim has been denied, there are three important questions that should be asked. They are,

• What type of testing was conducted?

• Has there been any drilling done before denying the claim?

• Has every information regarding the claim been investigated thoroughly?

There are some companies that may try to Ignore the standard procedure required under the law of Florida. Consulting a geotechnical engineer may be costly, and the insurance company may not be keen on spending money. Therefore, they may have performed a “drive-by” test and reported everything normal. If it’s the case with your insurance company, you can take drastic measures like going to court for your claim.

Sinkhole Insurance Law in Florida

Before 2007, the residents in Florida were required to purchase sinkhole insurance for structural damage and non-catastrophic events. However, despite the lobbying of the companies, a new law has been established which forced the insurance companies to include the cost of sinkhole coverage. Nowadays, the Floridians are only forced to buy catastrophic ground collapse insurance, which covers:

• The sudden crumbling of the ground

• Falling of ground cover visible to the eye

• Damaging of the foundation or the building

• Any incident that forces the residents to evacuate the insured property

However, there are still conflicts about the Florida sinkhole law that enables the insurance company to pay less or deny paying.  

Recent Approaches to Deny Sinkhole Damage Claims

In the past, the insurance companies used to deny sinkhole damage claims by denying any sinkhole activities. They may blame the earth’s movement or material shrinkage for the damage. However, now with the advancement of technology, one can easily determine if there is a sinkhole. So, the companies are now highly focused on the structural damage wordings. They may refer to any damage caused by sinkholes as “cosmetic” to deny the claim. The insurance company may either report this by a simple visual inspection or conducting comprehensive tests. Either way, after they declare that the damage is “cosmetic” rather than structural, they deny the claim to pay the homeowners. This possesses several problems like now your insurance company won’t pay for repairing the damage, and the house is already marked as a sinkhole house. Even if the homeowner wants to sell the house, he has to substantially pay for the repairing from his pocket.

Why Hire an Adjuster for your Sinkhole Claim?

The insurance company already has their own team of experts to assess and manage the sinkhole claims. Additionally, you may not be aware of all the nooks and croons of the insurance laws. However, an adjuster has the license to practice insurance law and is well aware of it. So. When you are facing a panel of experts, it’s always clever to form a team of your own to fight better. Here, at Ask an Adjuster, we have helped a lot of homeowners and built a reputation. When our adjusters are handling your claim, you are assured of having the best benefits with minimal hassle. 

Ask an Adjuster Claims Adjusting Works for YOU!

Ask An Adjuster Licensed Public Adjusters work for you, NOT your insurance company. Call Ask An Adjuster Claims Adjusting BEFORE you call your insurance company. We will represent you during the entire insurance claim process. Our sinkhole insurance adjusters in Florida will do a thorough inspection, find any and all damages, and report those damages to your insurance company. They will then communicate directly with your insurance company on your behalf.

Even if you have already filed a claim, we can still help you. We may be able to find additional damage that your insurance adjuster overlooked. Call us for a FREE, no-obligation inspection.

Guest Contributor: Arnold Bloom