You Must Avoid These 4 Amateur Upholstery Mistakes

The easiest way to transform the interiors of your house is to upgrade the furniture. But isn’t that a tad too expensive? 

What if I tell you that you can do exactly that but without carving a hole in your pocket? 

Reupholstery is an effective way to revamp your house and get rid of your old and worn out furniture. You can find professional upholsterers who can help you redesign the interiors of your house or take on a DIY project. While professionals bring you years of expertise and the right tools, DIY is somewhat a challenge. Either way, you will be able to get an upgrade at a fraction of the price you would have spent on purchasing new furniture. 

There are a number of Youtube videos that can help you but it is not as easy as it seems. While they can assist you gear up for the job, the techniques and suggestions shared are sometimes inconsistent which leads to mistakes. Don’t worry! We will help you. 

Here are some common amateur upholstery mistakes that you must avoid. 

Use the Right Tools

The first step to upholstery is getting the right tools for the job. The most common rookie mistake is using the wrong tools. While purchasing the necessary tools may seem an expense but it will be worth it. In other words, you need a staple remover to reupholster otherwise you will end up doing the job in double the time. So, prioritize - time is more important for you or a little money. 

To put things into perspective, just like any other DIY project, why do you want to use a sword when you have a gun?

Compromising the Quality

Restoring the interiors of the house is always exciting. We all want our house to look presentable. While reupholstery is an effective alternative to purchasing expensive furniture, there are several things you need to take when taking up this job. One of which is ensuring that you do not compromise the quality. 

Chiefly, the purpose of upholstering is to make your room and furniture look the best wherever it is placed. Most people fall into the trap of budgeting and end up compromising the quality of the fabric. In the end, you should understand that the whole purpose of upholstery is to renew your old furniture. And you do not want to do that with poor quality fabric. 

While being economical is something that we will not hold against you as in most circumstances it works best, it is not the best option in this case. In other words, when you are restoring your old furniture, you do not want low quality fabrics which will not hold their ground in a few years. Then what is even the point of upholstering? Low quality fabrics lose color and get worn out easily. That means for a little more money, you can purchase premium fabric which will make you design your dream furniture without any hassles. 

Do Not Fall for Trends

In an attempt to remain updated with the latest trends in the world of furniture and interior design, do not go overboard with unwanted items. Simple is the new beautiful. Sober is the way forward, so do not overburden yourself with over the top items. Instead, reupholster your furniture and suit it with the style that suits you. 

Most people get overwhelmed with the trending designs and try to replicate it in their homes. That does not always work well. Rather it is best to go with what you like and what resonates with your personality. This will help you create a timeless decor that you always wanted. 

Living on False Hope

There is one thing worse than losing good furniture is keeping it even after it has worned out a little too much. There is no point trying to prolong the life of already dying furniture. You are just wasting your time and effort on something that just won’t work. If not today, it will die tomorrow. You must realise that they have finally reached the end of their useful life. 

Also, avoid purchasing furniture from garage sales or thrift stores. There is a reason why they were being sold at those places in the first place. Which is precisely why you must avoid the upholstery mistake of trying to make them look presentable. But if you do want to purchase it from such places, begin by thoroughly inspecting the used piece before you invest too much in revitalizing it. 

Do not just skim through the surface of the furniture but take a hard look at its underside. If you see something wobbling and dangling, the best thing to do is to avoid putting down any money for the purchase. Instead, in that case it is better to invest and purchase new furniture. 

Conclusion

If you enjoy upholstery and want to practise restoring your old furniture, you must avoid the aforementioned mistakes. We do not want you to make such costly mistakes. Precisely why we drafted this guide. In case, if your DIY project seems too much, you can always have professionals help you with it. Rest assured, your house will look as elegant as you wanted it to be. Isn’t that all what you want? 

So, do not settle for factory grade material when you can make your own and that too at a fraction of the cost. 

Share with us your experience in the comment section below.

Guest Contributor:

4 Top Tips in Redesigning Your Living Room as Your Workspace Extension

You’re working diligently to finish your project by the deadline while your kids take a Zoom class in the other corner of the room—your partner walks in to bring them snacks while your dog follows the scent of food. You look around flustered, knowing that sharing the existing home office with your entire family just isn’t sustainable.

It’s okay—imagine this: the ample space in your living room gets redesigned for either you or the kids to work or study in peace. You can shift your furniture creatively, which allows for the inclusion of a workspace extension. Not only is it functional, but it also fits your overall aesthetic. Below, we share the top four tips for redesigning your living room as your workspace extension.

 

1. Make Use of a Corner

When the rest of your living room is already packed with furniture or you’re working with limited square footage in an apartment, make one corner your workspace extension—preferably by a window to invite natural light in while you work. By using a corner, you create an obvious separation between your living area and your working area.

 When choosing the desk for this space, ensure it matches the rest of your living room décor to create a seamless design. To top it off, create a gallery wall just above your desk, using elements from the rest of your living room—for example, if you’ve opted for a chic appearance throughout, use black and white prints in gold or silver frames. If you’ve opted for a more bohemian and artsy vibe, create a gallery of your favorite art prints in funky frames.

 

2. Use an Open Wall

If you can rearrange your couches or if you have the budget to replace them altogether, you can create a workspace along an open wall. Before you jump the gun and buy a new desk or couch, take out your measuring tape. The best couches are the ones that fit perfectly into your available space. When you’ve mapped out where your furniture is going to be placed, you can begin working with the open wall.

 Using this redesign is ideal if you have multiple kiddos who need workspaces, as you can line the wall with a long desk and set up multiple workstations. Add floating shelves above each individual workspace to create a streamlined, balanced look and you’ll have a clearly divided, yet congruent appearance in your living room space. While you’re at it, make sure you’re incorporating mindful and comfortable touches that help to improve mood and keep energy levels up.

 

3. Create Your Own Cubicle

To create the feel of a separate office space in your living room, you can use makeshift walls that double as décor and storage space with the use of a tall cubby bookshelf. Open cubbies mean you can place books or other decorations facing either direction, which unites the two spaces, rather than appearing awkward and blocking off the natural flow of your living room.

 With this approach, you can create an entirely new office, rather than just an extension, and can use an L-shaped desk to create an open square within which you work. Incorporate additional design elements to complement the living area, like house plants of varying shapes and sizes. You’ll add life to the room neutrally, and it'll feel inviting, both for work and for lounge time with friends and family.

4. Use the Space Behind Your Couch

If you’re dreading the thought of giving up a precious part of your living room for a practical addition that seems to cut into the space you share with guests, don’t worry. Try a modular sofa in an outdoor-friendly fabric to accommodate all of your guests. Simply use the space behind your couch to set up your workstation. By layering your furniture like this, you create a simple workspace that doesn’t interrupt the rest of your hosting area. You can still enjoy football watch parties without feeling cramped.

Use a slender desk that tucks behind the back of the couch nicely, add an area rug to outline the workstation, and include a desk lamp for adequate lighting. Leave an open space for your laptop and layer additional décor on the other side of the desk, like a couple of books alongside an elegant orchid.

With the tips outlined above, you can have the best of both worlds—a workstation that gets you in the zone for ultimate productivity and a spacious living area that doesn’t feel crowded by the addition of a workspace extension. All it takes is a little imagination and creativity to envision a new design for your living room and once you’ve landed on just the right touches, you’ll be amazed by how great it all comes together. Tell us about your new vision for your living room! What tips do you plan to incorporate?

Guest Contributor: Kiley Morrow

The best apps to control your air conditioner from your smartphone

Ice Blast >> The best apps to control your air conditioner from your smartphone

There are a lot of benefits of controlling your air conditioner from your smartphone. The main advantage is that you can set the right temperature before arriving home. By doing this, the moment you enter your home you will find that the temperature is exactly how you wanted it.

Furthermore, you will be able to turn off your air conditioner if you forgot about it when you left home. Also, you can control when you are in other rooms of the house where you cannot control it directly with the remote. Similarly, if you are lying in bed and want to warm up the lounge, you can! You can even customize the power of your unit to save energy.

Another great advantage is that you can control your air conditioning in situations where your aircon control doesn’t work properly. Also, you won’t have to remember what the settings are that you like the most when it comes to temperature control – in the app, you can save these parameters and access the temperature you like with just one click.

In this article we will discuss several apps that can help you control your air conditioner in the best way possible. Also some of them include other features that can be helpful when it comes to comfort and utility.

Air conditioner remote control apps

In the Play Store or App Store, many remote control apps work with many different devices. You just have to make sure the app you want to download is supported by your phone. Also you need to make sure that your brand of air conditioner is compatible with the specific app. After making sure of those two things, you can start downloading the app.

The first app we will show you is called ASmart Remote IR. It is compatible with the most popular brands of air conditioners and it is very easy to use. The first thing you have to do after installing is clicking on the “+” button to add a new device and select the air conditioning brand you have.

The functions you have are turn on, turn off, increase, or decrease the temperature. Also, you can save your settings for quick access to the temperature you like the most. Furthermore, you can use this app with other appliances in your house.

2. Tado Smart Air Conditioner App

The Tado Smart Air Conditioner App helps you control your heating devices as well as your air conditioner easier than ever. This app helps you make your home air conditioner more intuitive. It can connect using an infrared connection which helps you even connect with old air conditioners.

This app works based on your preferred settings. So this means you can turn it off when nobody’s home, lower the fan setting, or even put it in quiet mode. Also, it acts as a remote control for your air conditioner, which means that you can change the temperature from your bed or your couch without having to stand up.

3. AirTouch

The AirTouch app is not only a remote control but it has a monitoring system that will help you manage your home’s temperature in the best way possible.

It will help you turn your air conditioner on and off, change and monitor setpoint temperatures, use alerts to know when to perform specific actions, change your aircon from heat, cool, fan, or automatic (if it has these options) and control from 1 to 4 air conditioners.

This app is one of the most complete ones out in the market. Also it is really easy to set up and understand. However, it does require AirTouch components being installed as part of your air conditioning and/or zoning system.

4. Cielo Home – Smart AC App

The Cielo Home App adds a lot of convenience to your daily life as this gives you the best user experience matched with automation and control.

This app provides you with global control as you can control your aircon from anywhere in the world. It also gives you a usage history, which means that it saves your usage patterns and helps you achieve saving goals.

You also have access to weekly scheduling where you can schedule your desired air conditioner settings at any time. Finally, it helps you keep track of your air conditioner air filter cleanliness so you can be aware of when to give maintenance to your air conditioner.

5. Ambi Climate

The final app on this list is the Ambi Climate app. The best feature of the Ambi Climate App is that it has a great ability to record all the actions that you perform with your air conditioner. Also, it analyses and acts on the information you give to the app.

In this way, this app will know and internalise the settings that you like the most and will build a profile based on your habits and preferences. So, it mainly saves you time by knowing what air conditioner settings you prefer according to the outside climate, the day, and the time.

Also, you can use this app to set specific levels of temperature and humidity when you are not home.  This keeps things under control, ready for your return home.

Remember that when you use an app for your air conditioner you can save a lot of money from energy usage. This is because when you leave your air conditioner running after you leave home there is nothing you can do about it. This situation represents a waste of energy, and therefore money.

On the other hand, if you have an app where you can control your air conditioner from wherever you are, then it is easy to turn off your air conditioner when you are not home.

At this point, you may be wondering if having any of these apps is worth it. The answer is yes. You have seen all the advantages they have, so do not discard the idea of downloading any of these apps without considering them first.

You need to know that all of these apps are different because they solve slightly different problems, and they execute their functions differently. So, it is up to you to decide which one works best for your needs.

Guest Contributor: https://iceblast.com.au/best-apps-to-control-air-conditioner-from-smartphone/

Top 5 Most Popular Home Renovation Apps

Top 5 Most Popular Home Renovation Apps

If you found yourself looking for reasons to stay indoors, look no further. With the pandemic giving us all so many reasons to stay home, there’s no better time to make our homes look and feel a whole lot nicer. With more restricted access to pre-Covid activities, working on personal projects and DIY home remodeling apps have skyrocketed.  

With so many options of what to do, the hardest part might just be deciding on what you want to do first. From installing new light fixtures in the dining room, repainting the bedroom, or revamping your kitchen, there are so many fun and creative ways to make your home feel more like home. 

With modern technology here to help make our lives easier, there’s no telling what you can do. 

Luckily, whether you are thinking of doing a major renovation or just thinking about adding in some essential pieces of furniture for your garden, the following top rated apps have got you covered. 

Top 5 Home Renovation Apps 

1. Houzz

Voted the number one app for home renovations, Houzz is your one-stop shop for all things interior design and gardening needs. This app not only generates suggestions based on your stylistic preferences, but it also shows you through a virtual display of what each change would look like in your home. Not satisfied yet? You can even work with a professional to make sure all your creative ideas are being addressed.

2. iScape

Thinking about redoing your backyard? How about planting some fresh flowers to frame the front of the driveway? As the most trending app for landscaping, this app does everything from offering environmentally friendly suggestions on how to maintain your lawn, to allowing you to hire a gardener.  

3. Chairish 

Care about sustainable consumption, and love a little piece of vintage furniture? Looking to add in some new statement pieces, but looking to stay on the frugal side of things? With Chairish, you can browse through pages and pages of unique, thrifty, customized finds. 

4. Magicplan

Do you ever wish you could just wave a magic wand and get exactly what you want? Well this might be your chance. With magicplan, you can scan any area of your house with your phone’s camera to recreate an entirely virtual display of exactly what your next big idea could look like. 

After the floorplan is locked and loaded, not only can you draw directly in the app, but you also have the ability to calculate what an estimated cost of your project would come out to! 

DIY projects and homeowners insurance

Did you know that each state has different local guidelines on home improvement, some of which might even include certain deals, discounts, or refunds? For more information, check out Illinois’ homeowners insurance guidelines. 

No matter how big or small of a size your DIY home design renovation project is, there’s a good chance you might just raise your property value. If you do something to your house, condo, or apartment, make sure you talk to your insurance providers, so that they can give you the right plan for your new and improved home. 

Guest Contributor: Sarah Hollenbeck

How do you Fix the Issues with your Water Heater’s Pilot Light?

The pilot light is one of the most crucial components of your gas water heater. After all, the appliance can’t provide you with hot water if this component faces an issue. However, apart from being the most crucial component, it’s also probably the most troublesome one. Gas water heater users might come across problems, primarily associated with the pilot lighter, quite often. 

Now, you’d want to fix the issue as soon as possible. And, for that, you might usually want to hire a plumber. However, there are specific ways through which you can fix the issues all by yourself. Here, we have discussed some common pilot light issues and simple ways to fix them. Also, you do not need to have any technical skills to apply these solutions.

How does the Pilot Light Work?

The pilot light provides the igniting flame for the gas that the appliance releases through the burner. Only after that, the heater starts heating the water. Also, the pilot light should always stay lit when you ignite it. Otherwise, it will fail to ignite the gas coming out of the burner in turn. As a result, you won’t get any hot water while using the heater. 

Now, most of the issues you face with the pilot light are related to keeping it lit.  Other than that, it might sometimes fail to provide a properly sized flame to the gas. If there is an issue with its placement, then fix that first. You can simply reach out to Handyman Dubai for a quick and reliable solution. 

What to do when the Pilot Light’s Flame is too Small?

A small flame indicates that the pilot light isn’t receiving enough gas pressure. In that case, it would affect the functioning of your water heater. So, you must not ignore this issue and apply a solution for it. 

Now, this issue is mainly caused due to a clogged pilot light orifice. In that case, you can fix the issue by cleaning it. However, it’s more sensible to contact a certified professional if there are any other causes. 

Cleaning the pilot light orifice

The pilot orifice regulates the amount of gas released through the valve. So, you must clean it to improve the gas pressure. And, for that, you must stop the gas supply using the shut-off valve. 

Remove the orifice

You can’t clean the orifice as long as it’s attached to the appliance. So, you must detach it before proceeding with this task. And, for that, you must remove all the nuts that hold the orifice to the water heater. Based on the model you’re using, this might take a while. Moreover, you’d also have to detach the pilot tube and the thermocouple attached to the orifice. Once you’re done, you can simply proceed with the cleaning. 

How to clean the pilot orifice?

A can of compressed air would be one of the best tools for clearing out any dirt and debris. Apart from that, you should use sandpaper to clean its tip. You can also find a water heart cleaning brush available in the market for this task. Make sure to clean the orifice properly so that you don’t face this issue again anytime soon. Once you’re done, you must re-attach the components to the heater with the utmost care. 

Pilot Flame won’t Light or Keeps Going Out: Causes and Fixes

Many other users often report a failure to light the pilot flame. Apart from that, you might sometimes fail to light the pilot flame in the first place. Now, you must consider the following common causes behind both these issues: 

Dirty air vents

As you know, you need oxygen to light up the pilot flame or keep it lit. So, you must make sure that your appliance receives that in a proper quantity. Now, the air vents are the only means by which your water heater intakes oxygen. It might often get clogged by dirt and debris. 

In that case, the appliance may fail to light up the pilot flame. The air vents are located at the exterior of the appliance. So, you can clean them up quite easily. Also, make sure to do that regularly to avoid this issue further. 

Kinked flex tube

The kink tube is yet another exterior component you must examine for pilot light problems. As it happens, this tube might often get kinked to cause interruptions in the gas flow. In such cases, the pilot flame might keep going out or simply fail to light. 

So, you must straighten this crucial tube to fix the issue. It should work in case there aren’t any other problems with your water heater. 

Clogged pilot tube

In case, the previously mentioned fixes didn’t work, you must turn your attention to the pilot tube. This component supplies gas to the pilot light through the orifice. Sometimes, especially in old water heaters, this tube might get clogged. In that case, you simply need to clear it to fix the gas supply to the pilot light. 

So, detach the pilot tube from the heater and examine it for any blockages. You can simply use a thin wire or a needle to clear it effectively. Then, you must re-attach it to the appliance and try lighting the pilot flame. 

The sensor has bent away from the pilot flame

Apart from other parts, you must also take a look at the sensor. Do you find it bent away from the pilot light? If yes, then you’ve found the cause behind the problem. The sensor’s end should always touch the pilot flame. So, you can easily fix the issue by bending it to that position all by yourself. But, make sure to shut down the appliance before you do that. 

Dirty thermocouple

The thermocouple plays an important role in regulating the gas supply. It signals the appliance about whether the pilot flame is burning or is out. Depending on that, the heater supplies gas to the pilot light. Now, like other components, the thermocouple can often get dirt and debris on it as well. In such cases, it can mistake a lit pilot light as unlit and vice versa. 

As a result, it sends the wrong signal to the appliance. Now, if you’re wondering what should be your next step, then you simply need to clean the thermocouple to resolve this issue. 

Damaged thermocouple

Does the pilot light face issues even after you try the above-mentioned fixes? In that case, your water heater probably has a damaged thermocouple. So, you must make sure whether that’s the case. Test it with a multimeter and check whether it generates at least 20 MV voltage. 

What if it doesn’t supply the specified amount of voltage? In that case, you must replace the thermocouple. You can simply use a wrench to detach it from the water heater. Then, carefully attach the new thermocouple in its place. Also, make sure to turn the gas supply off before you proceed. 

What if these Solutions don’t Work?

In some cases, the problem might also lie with the flex tube. So, you must examine this component as well. Moreover, pilot light issues are also sometimes caused due to a broken main control valve. In that case, many service providers might offer you repairs for it. But, it’s better to get a new water heater in such situations.

Also Recommended:Plumbing Services in Dubai – Where to Book From?

Guest Contributor: Biler Charlie

Fall Kitchen Decorations

Fall is right around the corner, and there’s no better time of the year. Decorating for fall can be so much fun, but also overwhelming with the amount of ideas there are. Decorating your kitchen is surely going to make it more inviting and give it a splash of fall.

Adding a wooden dough bowl to your kitchen table is a perfect decorative piece that can be filled with a variety of things, the fillers are endless. There are a huge variety of distressed wooden dough bowls in all different shapes and sizes, you’ll definitely be able to find one you like.

You can incorporate things you might already have in your kitchen in aiding you to decorate. Maybe you have a garden and have white or orange colored flowers, or maybe you can buy some. A vase is a common household item, most people have at least one of those in their house! Take every opportunity you can to save money. Don’t forget to pick up the little mini pumpkins to add the pumpkin spice. This is small and doesn’t take up much space, yet super cute!

Do you have kitchen towels laying around in your kitchen? This is the perfect time to pick up embroidered towels with cute fall sayings on them! They are subtle but very cute. They are very inexpensive and can be used outside of fall as well.

Do your windows shine bright in the day time and sometimes you need a little shade? Pumpkin themed curtains are the perfect touch of fall in your kitchen! They’re not dark enough to block all light, but just enough for some privacy and shade, with a cute burnt orange border!

Want to DIY a project for fall to put in your kitchen? If you have extra rolling pins laying around, this is the thing for you! Painting mini rolling pins and adding cute little puns to them that relate to fall and thanksgiving is a cute addition to your fall themed kitchen. Adding filler around the rolling pins is surely going to make them pop even more!

If you have an over the oven hood range, your decorating possibilities are endless. You can throw pumpkins and garland up there like this picture, you can put a sign up there, you can practically do anything! Just be careful the stuff doesn’t hang down too long as it could potentially be a fire hazard.

Guest Contributor: Tiffany Powell

Benefits of Becoming a Plumber

Are you thinking about what you want to do in life? Going to a trade school is a very good idea after high school or if you think you need a career change. There’s so many benefits about going into the trades, and we highly recommend the plumbing industry!

Inexpensive Education

You can go to a community college or a vocational school to train to be a plumber, therefore avoiding the burden of massive student loan debts, especially pertinent in light of the current $1.73 trillion in student loan debt. There are also numerous apprenticeships that would allow you to work and earn money while learning hands on at the same time.

You make a good living

Most plumbers live comfortably. The average salary for a plumber, based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is over $50,620 annually compared to the national median income of $36,200. ​

The more experience you have, certifications, and skill you have all play into your salary. 

Job Security

You will never lose your job due to a lack of need. People will always need a plumber, no matter the state of the economic environment.

You’ll never get bored

Each job site is a different scenario and a different way to fix things. You will never get tired of doing the same thing because no two jobs will be the exact same.

There's always opportunity to reach higher positions.

After an apprenticeships, if you stick with it, you can be successful. You will be licensed, can open your own business, the opportunity is endless.

Guest Contributor: Tiffany Powell

How to maintain healthy plumbing in your new home?

One of the things you have to do after the relocation is to maintain healthy plumbing in your new home. You might pay attention in the first few months or even for a year. However, after some time, people tend to relax and forget to follow best practices. That's when your plumbing starts to have problems. Luckily, we are here to show you how to take care of your plumbing system and make it last longer.

Regularly check your sewer pipe

Sewer pipe leakage is one of the more dangerous plumbing problems. It is also a severe health hazard. If you notice any unusual smell or if your grass around the house turns into mud or has discolored green patches, you need to call the plumber as soon as possible.

Detect leaking pipes on time

It is also crucial to learn how to detect hidden leaks around the house. Even the tiniest leak can turn into a huge issue if not fixed immediately. It is best to take a visible inspection and ensure there are no damp spots on your walls. Also, check any changes in your water bill or water pressure. Additionally, inspect the water meter to see if you are spending more water than usual. You can also resort to some clever hacks like using food color to see if the water flows in the correct direction.

Monitor water pressure to diagnose potential leaking pipes is an excellent way to maintain healthy plumbing in your new home.

Install smart leaking detection system

A smart leaking system is a bit more expensive, but it does all the work for you. This is a good idea if you are moving into a new house and it will be one of the things that will make moving less stressful. Perhaps not in the most direct way, but you will feel relaxed during the relocation process, knowing that your plumbing is monitored by this system 24/7. The system will monitor even the slightest change in how your plumbing works and report it immediately.

Fix any problem as soon as it appears

Do not be lazy when it comes to fixing plumbing issues. If you notice something, repair it immediately, no matter how small the problem is. It is a good practice, and you will train yourself to fix any issues as soon as they appear. Doing this will prevent more significant problems, and you will save yourself from plenty of hassle in the future.

Do annual plumbing maintenance

You need to call a professional plumber at least once a year to inspect the entire plumbing in your house. This is an expense, but it is also a necessity. The best way to do this is to call a few days ahead to schedule a visit. That will give you plenty of time to clear out some space for the plumber and move stuff around the house to make the pipes easily accessible. This is especially important if you are doing a larger plumbing project. If you need to move your furniture or some appliances, let the guys from US Moving Experts handle it for you. Professional movers will move all of the stuff that's in the way of any potential repairs safely, keep it in a storage unit, and return it to your home after the maintenance and repairs are over.

Installing a smart water meter is an excellent way to detect any issues with your plumbing on time.

Winterize plumbing on time

Do not forget to winterize your plumbing before the winter arrives. This is an efficient and helpful practice to follow. Frozen pipes are a common thing during winter, especially if you live in a house. If a frozen pipe breaks, it will create a mess.

Shut off all outside valves to prevent the pipes from freezing. Also, wrap exposed pipes with old blankets you don’t use anymore. It is also a good idea to try and defrost the pipes as soon as the weather allows you. These small steps will mean a lot in the long run.

Take care of your garbage disposal

When it comes to plumbing inside your kitchen, people often make a mistake by throwing everything in the garbage disposal. Even though it can shred most of the things you throw in, you may still accidentally damage it. Furthermore, you can cause clogs inside the pipes if you are not careful.

This also happens if people do not use drain covers in the sink or the shower. You will quickly clog your plumbing without even noticing. Apply these practices to increase the longevity of your plumbing and reduce the number of smaller issues over the year.

Do not use your toilet as a garbage bin

Even though the toilet can swallow everything, you should not use it as a garbage bin. If you use lower toilets, you won't even see the clog coming. Backed-up water will flow out of the toilet seat and cause a flood in your bathroom. Furthermore, that can also cause a bad sewer odor in your home.

When unclogging the sink, do not use chemicals

Even though chemicals are a great way to clear clogs in the sink, they can also damage pipes. It is better to use a snake or a plunger instead. You might get your hands dirty, but it’s easier to wash your hands than to damage the pipes by accident.

The most common issue with the plumbing is a leaking sink. Fix it as soon as it happens.

Another thing to avoid doing is to pour cooking oil or grease inside the sink. It is yet another way to destroy your pipes from the inside.

That’s how to maintain healthy plumbing in your new home

Hopefully, now you understand how to maintain healthy plumbing in your new home. It takes some energy and effort to be on the constant lookout, but it pays off in the long run. The more you take care of your plumbing system, the longer it will serve you in your new home!

Guest Contributor: Sophia Perry

6 Important Roof Care and Maintenance Tips for Landlords and Property Managers

Roofs are probably some of the biggest investments in the field of commercial properties. This shouldn't be that big of a surprise since their sheer size and scope make the first line of defense against all elements and lend tremendous structural protection to a building.

Still, this unique position exposes a roof to a great deal of attrition, and if owners and landlords don't invest enough time into maintenance, they can face very substantial repair costs. Let us take a look then at a couple of tips that should help you to avoid these costs and keep the roof of your rental property in top-tier shape.

Make sure the roof is draining properly

Clogged draining systems are one of the major causes of expensive roof repairs. Numerous rental properties are surrounded by trees and similar greenery that raise the price of the said property. The problem with them is that debris can easily build up and prevent drainage from performing its duty which can cause anything from leaks to serious structural damage if the problem persists. So, as step one, be sure to regularly inspect and clean all the gutters, pipes, and skylights that may prevent water from effectively draining from the roof.

Perform regular roof inspections

As every landlord knows, dealing with rental property maintenance in a fast and efficient manner. But, in order to be able to do so, you need to identify the problem as early as possible. That is why you should perform thorough roof inspections at least once or twice per year to make sure everything is safe, preferably during spring and fall before the extreme weather conditions kick in. But, if you want to be 100% sure, you might want to take a closer look at the roof after every serious storm. Other things you want to pay attention to are pests like birds, rats, termites, squirrels.

Be thorough and apply all safety measures

This is especially important if you are running multistory commercial buildings where sloppy work can cause severe subsequent costs and workers are in constant threat of injury. These problems can be easily avoided if you hire the experienced labor to assess the situation and do the remodeling works. Also, be sure that everyone is safe while they are on the task. Renting professional construction equipment and hiring someone to perform anchor point installation will ensure that all construction activities run smooth, fast, and without any life-threatening obstacles.

Take care of landscaping

As we mentioned in one of the previous passages, we mentioned that trees, shrubs, and greenery could cause extensive damage to the roof. This is the reason why you should take some time to arrange the yard around the property in a way to prevent these sorts of problems. Therefore, make sure that all loose branches are trimmed on time, bushes pruned properly, and all these trees and plants are at a safe distance from the building. If possible, trees around the yard should not be taller than the highest point of the roof since they can prove to be the most hazardous during a heavy storm.

Understand the impact of the local climate

Different climates have a different impact on roof construction and, as a result, cause a whole different set of problems. For instance, houses that are built-in colder climates are much more susceptible to snow and ice, so you need to make efforts to prepare a roofing system for the winter. On the other hand, warmer climates, extreme temperatures, and harsh sun can cause shingles to crack and sealants to fail prematurely. Windy areas will require that you anchor the shingles with some stronger material.

Take into consideration the resident turnover

Roofs are the structures that see a lot of upgrades, refits, and similar interventions that are closely related to the resident turnover. We are talking about satellite dish antennas, HVAC systems, ADSL infrastructure that usually goes through the attic, as well as smaller interior design projects that nevertheless require the penetration of the roof construction. No matter how insignificant these interventions may seem, they can severely compromise the integrity of the roof construction, so you should ask tenants to perform them under supervision and inspect the building at each turnover.

In conclusion

These few tips are far from a complete story, but they should give you some general idea about the ways you should take care of the roofs of your rental properties and avoid major repairs in the future. Roof systems are, by far, one of the most important parts of any building, regardless of whether we are talking about weather protection or structural integrity. That is why you should put extra effort into keeping them in good shape, even if you need to make some upfront investments.

About the author: Mike Johnston is an experienced blogger and editor with a background in creative writing and digital media. He’s a regular contributor to numerous online publications where he writes primarily about real estate, construction, home improvement, and interior design.

Kitchen Remodeling Ideas and Tips

The kitchen is probably one of the most used rooms in an average household. It’s the heart and soul of a place. Plenty of warm and delicious memories are made in our kitchens — weekend meal preps for those hectic weeks, bulk baking for those bake sales, preparing a meal for your family (or yourself), holidays that have come and gone with the anticipation of more holidays to come. It is a happy place and a room that you would want to reflect and radiate that happiness. 

And because of the constant use of heat and appliances, the constant shuffling to and fro when achieving culinary endeavors tends to wear on the surfaces of that happy room, or maybe you saw a model kitchen that you think would fit very well in your abode, you start to think of remodeling. Kitchen remodeling could be quite an endeavor. It can be tricky whether you are a tenant or a property owner. 

When you’re renting, you’ll need to consider the contract you agreed to and the limits of what you can do when you are remodeling. As an owner, you’ll need to consider which renovations add value to a rental property. These things, plus the space, budget, individual tastes, etc. are things that need to be taken into consideration when renovating your kitchen. 

Remodeling ideas and tips

1. Consider the space

You can’t exactly have a large, professional type kitchen with wide walkways and large storage spaces with a gigantic fridge if you live in a tiny studio apartment. You’ll need a kitchen that matches the size of the space available. You can still have the kitchen of your dreams as long as you use the space smartly. 

• Use the ceiling. You can use strong storage rods attached to your ceiling to store your pots and pans. Or your cups if you prefer. Just don’t store sharp objects up there, that’s just asking for trouble. 

• Glass doors. See-through glass gives the impression of a wider space. It’ll make your kitchen feel bigger than it is. 

• Lighting is everything. A dark kitchen will feel cramped. A well lit one will feel bright and airy. 

• Storage is important, too. Try having a pull-out pantry if you don’t have enough space for a full one. The pull-out will keep your essentials neatly and safely stored while keeping your kitchen clutter-free. 

• If you plan to show off the part of your dishware, try to use wall-mounted shelves. This way, you can display different designs of tea sets or spice jars and daily dishes without taking up valuable counter space. Consider using open-faced cabinets. This way, you can still have plenty of storage space for your dishware while also allowing guests to see your beautiful designs. By considering these options, you can easily find ways to show off your dishware while still keeping your small kitchen designs functional and stylish.

  2. Let’s talk appliances

Okay, so you want state-of-the-art, ultra modern appliances in your kitchen. Keep in mind that appliances will age and what is modern now will soon be old news, easily replaced by newer models. And if you are one of those people who worry about the environment, you might be looking for ways to reduce carbon footprint in your home. Seeing as one of the top consumers of electricity in the home is your refrigerator, taking into account the type of appliances to get when you remodel is an important step to getting the kitchen you so desire. 

You need to ask yourself:

• Does the appliance I want to buy fit with my needs? You don’t need a commercial grade stove with six burners if you’re only feeding yourself and the occasional guests. The same goes for the reverse, you can’t have a single burner if you’re cooking for a family of five and three of those are ravenous teenagers. 

• Will it fit my kitchen? The answer to this question is very important and will dictate whether you actually buy the appliance or not. If it’s too big, don’t get it. 

• Is this a good quality product? Read reviews before buying. You don’t want to buy something that looks good but is actually a hidden fire hazard. Do your research. It will help you save money in the long run. 

• Can I afford it? Speaking of money, remodeling can be expensive depending on how large the changes are. Create a budget and stick to it. And take into account the electricity it will consume. The higher the electricity consumption, the higher your bill will be at the end of the month. 

1. Stick to the layout

Every kitchen is fitted with pipes and gas lines and wires and outlets. The simplest way to renovate a kitchen is to do so while keeping to the original layout. Moving the pipes can extend your timeline and might cause you to overshoot your budget. Not to mention the possible problems that could arise from changing the location of your plumbing and wires. Sticking to the original layout will mean fewer debris for you to clean up afterwards. It will also mean fewer things to worry about during renovation. 

Conclusion

Kitchen renovations can be daunting, but they can also be fun. Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring renovators, keeping these three tips in mind will help you stick to your budget, create a good plan, and, at the end of it all, a kitchen you can be proud of.

Guest Contributor: Kat Sarmiento