Tips to Prepare for and Make It Through a Flood

Tips to Prepare for and Make It Through a Flood

Millions of people around the world live in flood zones. If you’re one of them, you need to take steps to protect yourself, your family, and your home in the event flooding strikes.

A flood presents an enormous risk to life, limb, and property, and preparing for it improves one’s chances of making it through.  Here are some tips that will help you prepare for a flood.

Prepare Your Home

Your home will likely sustain damage, which will require you to hire flood damage restoration experts later. Still, there are some measures you can take that will mitigate some of the damage.

You can, for one, move furniture, appliances, and other essential items to an upper floor, if you have one. If your house has no upper level, you can always build platforms where you can place some of your essentials.

You can also check the grade of your surrounding soil and make sure it achieves a slope that moves water away from your house.

Building barriers like beams, floodwalls, or levees made of sandbags can also give your home some measure of protection during a flood.

To protect your most important documents, keep them in a waterproof container and store it on the higher levels of your home.

It would also be great if you have purchased a flood insurance policy beforehand because it gives you the coverage you need to repair or rebuild your home after a flood.

Assemble An Emergency Kit

Floods are unpredictable and will likely force you to evacuate your home. To prepare for such a situation, you must put together an emergency kit that includes the following items:

• Flashlights

• Extra batteries

• Non-perishable food and water

• First-aid kit

• Medications

• Battery-operated radio

Monitor Flood Warning Systems

The National Weather Service (NWS) issues flood alerts through the Emergency Alert System and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio network. There might also be community-based flood warning systems in your area.

Monitor these flood warning systems and local radio and TV stations for constant updates, especially when severe weather conditions are occurring. That way, you will know if it’s safe to stay, or when it’s time to evacuate.

Have An Evacuation Plan Ready

Evacuation is always a possibility when there’s a danger of flooding, and that’s why you must have an evacuation plan in place for your entire household.

Your flood evacuation plan must include, among other things, escape routes, meeting place away from the house, and a communication plan. Also, don’t forget to turn off the main power switch and close the main gas valve before evacuating.

Stay Off Bridges

Whether you’re in your car or on foot, make sure you steer clear of bridges, especially those situated over rapidly moving water. The bodies of water underneath bridges could also swell up rapidly and wash away everything and everyone on it.

Wait For All-Clear From Authorities

Federal and local authorities are tasked with, among other things, determining when it’s safe for evacuees to return to their homes after a flood. Wait for word from authorities, and go home only when they declare the area safe.

Avoid Driving Through Flooded Areas

Whether you’re escaping during a flood or returning to your home in its aftermath, never drive your vehicle through flooded areas. You could lose control of your car in as little as six inches of floodwater, so don’t even think about it.

Don’t Wade In Floodwater

Floodwater is hazardous to your health. It can be contaminated with chemicals, sewage, animal waste, and all kinds of bacteria. It could also hide debris that can cause injuries. As much as possible, avoid wading in flood water, especially when you’re not wearing protective equipment like safety boots.

Contact Your Insurance Provider

When it’s safe to enter your home, assess the damage and contact your flood insurance provider. Take pictures and videos of damaged parts of your home and submit them to your insurer as you file a claim. The sooner you file a claim, the sooner you’ll get the compensation that will help you clean up and repair the flood damage to your home.

These are just some of the things you can do to prepare for a coming flood and make it through. There are many other steps you can take to better your chances, but the tips above should be a good enough place to start.

Guest Contributor: Rachel Anderson

6 Smart Ways You Can Save Money on a New Construction Home

6 Smart Ways You Can Save Money on a New Construction Home

Building a home for you and your family is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make, so you can expect to spend a good chunk of your savings on this project. The costs will only rise if you choose to go custom with personalized additions and such. Building a new construction home certainly has pros and cons, but the control you’ll have over the project and the final cost will trump all negative sides. If you’re smart about your project, you can end up with a dream home yet keep it within budget. 

Create a budget

Before you start looking for contractors and sales representatives, make sure to call your financial advisor and see what kind of property you can afford. Any property purchase can quickly make you blow your budget and spend more than you can afford. That’s why you need to know exactly how much you can afford to spend. Once you have your maximum number, do your best not to go over it, even if you get properly tempted. 

Create a site-cleaning plan

One of the cheapest ways to help with construction and save money is to help with the site cleanup. This move won’t bump down the price of construction, but it will make everyone work more efficiently and carefully. An organized site helps the project move faster and eliminates certain issues, which means more money for you. Any delay in construction will result in higher interest payments and a boost in temporary housing costs. 

Consider knockdown rebuild process

If you’re not set on moving locations, consider knocking down your old home and building a new one in its place. This process is often less stressful and even cheaper than finding a new plot of land and building a house from scratch there. This is a popular service in Australia and other developed countries, so if you want to contact specialists in knock down rebuild in Sydney, you’ll have no problem finding someone experienced. Building a new house in place of your old one will also allow you to stay in your beloved neighborhood, save yourself time and nerve on moving and avoid selling and buying costs. 

Salvage some materials

Salvaging materials from your knockdown will not only save you some money but also make your building project green. Today, you can find yards specializing in the recycling of various building materials like doors, windows, cabinets, piping, electrical elements and similar. If you can’t reuse your waste, you can try to sell it and get some extra money. 

Splurge on the right things

Not all design elements are created equal, especially when it comes to the return on investment. Sure, you might want to stay in your house for a long time, but what if something changes and you need to sell? You don’t want your house to stay on the market for too long or achieve a low price. To get some idea: splurge on a quality basement and tall cabinets, but save some money on that master bedroom bump out which won’t motivate buyers to spend extra. Of course, your home is not an investment property, so you need to listen to your heart, but splurging smart will make you happy today and if you ever decide to sell. 

Consider conducting some DIY

Most contractors have fair prices, but professionals always cost more than a DIY job. So, if you want to save some money and know your way around tools, you can save some projects for later and conduct some DIY. If you’re fine with moving into an unfinished house, taking your time with DIY will save you a lot of money. Things that need to be installed before closing so you can get your loan approved will need to be done by pros, but you can easily hold off many things and do them later yourself. 

Building a house will not be cheap no matter what you do, but it can always be a little more budget-friendly. In order to save money on your new home, you have to be a careful and smart consumer. Sure, finding a balance between your wishes and your needs is hard, but with some creative thinking and smart money-saving tips, you can succeed in your task. 

About the author: Mike Johnston is an avid blogging enthusiast and experienced freelance writer with a focus in home improvement, interior design, family life, and sustainable living.

Guest Contributor: Mike Johnston

Top 5 Tips on Smart Home Repair

Top 5 Tips on Smart Home Repair 

Home automation is becoming prevalent because of its convenience, to the point where it practically works like magic. You can control your entire house with a click of a button, the sound of your voice, and sometimes, from anywhere in the world. In fact, it is estimated that the global smart home market will exceed $53 billion. But every now and malfunction can occur. 

Technology may not always be 100% perfect and is one of the arguments against smart homes, but sometimes, all it needs is a simple fix. 

In this guide, we will provide solutions to 5 smart home repair problems that are experienced with smart home products. 

1. Have You Tried Restarting? 

We have all heard this advice when working with any device and albeit for good reason. The IT department or customer service agent is not just being lazy when they ask this question. Turning your device off and switching it back on again can fix the problem. 

If the problem persists, it might be your modem or router that needs rebooting, or it might even be the problem itself, more on smart home Wi-fi problems in the next step. 

2. Check Your Wi-Fi

You may experience hiccups with the connection, such as your smart switch not connecting to Wi-Fi. When it comes to the placing of your modem or router, your device may have trouble staying connected or respond slowly due to an unstable bandwidth. 

This is what technicians refer to as a “dead zone”. The best solution is to move it to the middle of your house and preferably on higher ground such as an upper floor. Devices work better the closer they are to the Wi-Fi source. Signals also travel downward, so placing it higher can improve your Wi-Fi significantly. 

Your router may also be transmitting two wireless frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5Ghz. Simply put, your smartphone might be connected to one of the frequencies and your smart home device to another, so make certain they are all connected to the same one.  

3. Update Your Software

Smart home failures can be avoided by merely updating your software. All devices, including routers, will need to be updated periodically for the purposes of seamlessness and security, which are highly prioritized in a smart home.  

While most modern devices update automatically, older models may need you to manually do it yourself, so don’t be too worried if your device confirms your email address, password, location, or asks you to download a file. Of course, do be careful as not all pop-up messages are for updates. 

If it states there is an error, you may have to read up on the manual, check forums or FAQs on the site, or contact a customer service agent for your product. 

4. Fix Hardware

When you pertain to smart home repair it may require you to probe into your hardware too but only if you are an expert in the fields of electrical or hardware, no one wants to get into any serious accidents. 

If you’re like the rest of us who might be able to spot these issues but don’t know how to fix them, the best thing to do at this point would be to contact the manufacturer or consult handyman professionals such as HandyKith, for example.

5. Power Problems

Our last tip on the list of smart home complaints would be to ensure that you have a dependable power supply. Being a smart home, everything will be running on power, so it is important to correct any power issues causing the problem.  

There is no harm in guaranteeing that your cord hasn’t come loose or that you don’t have other wiring problems before looking for other possible malfunctions. You can also start supplying yourself with rechargeable batteries and adjust settings to conserve energy. Most devices will come with an LED indicator to display whether your device is receiving power. 

Conclusion

Next time you stumble upon problems with your smart home, keep these tips in mind. If you have any problems setting up, let us know as there might just be a simple solution.

About the Author 

The author has experience working with a few fully-equipped, high quality rated, professional contracting companies like HandyKith, that specializes in all kinds of house repairs and installations, including smart home repair. She has been a smart home enthusiast over the years and educates about the advantages of having smart homes.

Guest Contributor: Clyde Kincaid

How You Can Best Prevent Water Leaks in Your Home

How You Can Best Prevent Water Leaks in Your Home

A flooded home is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. However, much of the water damage in American homes comes from inside the house. Roof, pipe, and slab leaks can cause thousands of dollars in damages and require extensive cleanup. In this article, we’ll review what commonly causes indoor leaks, what their economic consequences are, and how you can work to prevent them from occurring in your own home.

What commonly causes home water leaks?

Most indoor water leaks have one of two origin points: your roof or your pipes. As you might imagine, roof leaks are caused by an issue with your home’s roof. In most cases, this problem starts small—a few missing shingles, or a piece of flashing out of place—but soon evolves into a major mess. Your roof’s shingles or tile are its protective shield against the elements. Any gaps in this armor exposes the underlayment, and then the roof structure itself, to moisture from rain and snowmelt. Under these conditions, a roof leak is only a matter of time.

Pipe leaks are generally caused by either the deterioration of the pipe—which can happen to metallic pipes in older homes—the shifting of the home, or, perhaps most commonly here in the Midwest, the pipe freezing on a cold winter night. As the water in your pipes freezes, it expands, putting incredible pressure on the pipe itself. This stress can cause the pipe to pop open like a frozen soda can, sending water flooding into your home. As we’ll discuss below, frozen pipes require the intervention of a professional who has the right tools and slow approach to safely thaw the pipe out.

Some pipe leaks occur underneath your home’s foundation slab. Appropriately, these are known as “slab leaks,” and they can be difficult to access or detect. Most homeowners first notice a slab leak when they see massive usage increases on their utility bill. As with other pipe leaks, you’ll need to bring in a professional plumber to help you pinpoint the leak’s location and access it.

What are the consequences of water leaks?

In a home, water is a highly destructive force. A pipe leak, burst pipe, or leaking roof can damage your floors, foundation, drywall, ceilings, and furniture—nothing in your home is immune. Indoor water damage creates the ideal conditions for mold to grow, causing a potential safety hazard for you and your family. All-in-all, insurance claims for water damage and leaks top $2.5 billion annually, making it one of the most expensive home repairs out there. What’s worse is that insurance doesn’t cover every type of leak, which means homeowners end up paying about $2,800 out-of-pocket for cleanup and repair.

Preventing water leaks

Just like all home problems and needed repairs, not every leak can be prevented. Some things are just out of your control. However, the right preventative maintenance and proactive forethought can make a difference and help you avoid many potential disasters.

Roof leaks

Preventing roof leaks is as simple as keeping your home’s roof in good shape. We recommend you have a roofer out to your home at least once-per-year in the spring to assess your shingles and make sure your roof made it through winter okay. Then, in the other seasons of the year, get up on a ladder and take routine looks at your roof. If you notice ripped-off shingles after that latest storm, it’s time to take action. Call a roofer and get it fixed before the underlayment is damaged.

Older pipes

If you own an older home, it’s probably a good idea to talk to your local plumber and get a report card on the property’s pipes. Most metal pipes need to be replaced every 70-80 years. If your home was built in 1950, for instance, you’re probably coming up on the maximum lifespan of your copper, brass, or galvanized steel pipes. A home plumbing inspection might be a good idea.

Frozen pipes

To keep your pipes from freezing, you should schedule your annual furnace tune-up with an HVAC professional. This inspection and preventative maintenance ensures that your heater is in its best-possible condition heading into the freezing nights of winter, making it far less likely to break down and expose your pipes to below-freezing conditions. For long-term added protection, you might also want to talk to your plumber about sheathing your pipes in insulating material. This slows down the temperature exchange, buying your pipes many extra hours in the event your heat goes out on a January night.

As it turns out, there’s a lot homeowners can do to prevent water leaks and avoid major problems. Be sure to check out the infographic below,, for even more advice on avoiding water damage and expensive cleanup costs.

Guest Contributor: Amanda L

5 Bedroom Decoration Ideas to Improve Your Sleep

5 Bedroom Decoration Ideas to Improve Your Sleep

Studies have shown that decor is indeed one of the factors that affect how well we sleep or if we sleep at all, the decoration of your bedroom has an impact on you on the psychological level and that’s what affects your sleep.

Your bedroom could make you feel stressed or it could make you feel relaxed and that plays a major role in your sleep process, when you’re stressed your body starts producing stress hormones that work on keeping you awake and alert which as a result prevents you from sleeping. And when you are relaxed your body starts producing sleep-inducing hormones that promote relaxation in your body so you can wind off and sleep deeply.

It is not just about falling asleep or not, it is also about the quality of your sleep, you sleep better when you are relaxed, you wake up more refreshed and energized so you are ready for the day ahead while sleeping stressed leads to low quality sleep that is never enough for making you refreshed or energized.

So here are 5 bedroom decoration ideas to improve your sleep:

There are five elements to the decoration ideas we are going to suggest for better sleep, these elements contribute to your mood and the overall feeling you get when you are in your bedroom so it is important to get those elements right so you can have a peaceful night of deep refreshing sleep, these elements are:

• Curtains

• Lighting

• Color

• Bedding

• Organization

Curtains

Using blackout curtains to keep the daylight out of your bedroom is important for keeping the room as dark as possible so you can sleep peacefully no matter what time is it of the day. Curtains can help to control the amount of external light that gets into your bedroom and if you are a light sleeper that could wake up easily because of light or any other disruption then blackout curtains could be huge for you because it is a truly effective way of keeping light outside of your bedroom.

Lightings

You need to take special care of the lighting of your bedroom if you want to enjoy a restful sleep. You need to pick lights that have low light intensity because it has been proved that high light intensity lights cause the suppression of melatonin production which is a very important hormone that the body produces to promote sleep.

You need to pick the right wavelength of the light also, because shorter wavelengths such as blue have been known to suppress the production of melatonin. You can use instead long wavelengths which don’t have any effect on the production of melatonin.

Color

Picking the right color is also an important factor in how your bedroom will make you feel, science has proved that the best color for bedrooms is blue it helps your body relax and unwind from the stresses that you have been facing all the day, when you enter your blue decorated bedroom you will feel like you have gone into a different world because of the relaxation this color can provide to you. 

Yellow and green are also great choices for your bedroom colors, they can help promote relaxation and make you less stressed when you are in the room.

Bedding 

Luxurious bedding is part of your bedroom decoration and is part of how well you sleep, the soft touch of the high thread count Egyptian cotton sheets is unbeatable and will make you relax in a matter of seconds or the silk sheets that can make you feel like a queen.

Luxurious bedding has the ability to make you never want to leave the bed, if you have the right sheets your relationship with your bed will be a love story. So make sure you invest in your bedding because it has the ability to make you sleep better.

Organization

An unorganized space evokes stress in the human psychology, we need the space that we exist in to be organized, to has patterns, less chaos and more organization, this is what we seek. And with our bedrooms nothing changes, we need our bedrooms to be in order and well organized so we can sleep and relax, because an unordered space can irritate us out of the optimal sleep state that we need.

Conclusion

So these were the five decoration factors that have an impact on how well you sleep, each factor on its own might seem minor but when these factors are combined they will probably have a significant impact on how good or bad you sleep. 

So make sure to follow the bedroom decor recommendations in order to get the best out of your sleep.

Author Bio

Karim is the founder of bedsisland.com, a website that focuses on sleep and everything related to it,  he has been blogging about sleep for over two years now and has a deep curiosity that leads him to explore every aspect that sleep impacts in our lives.

Guest Contributor: Karim Mohamed

Our Very Best Home Maintenance Tips and Tricks

Our Very Best Home Maintenance Tips and Tricks

There’s typically a point where many new homeowners, when confronted with a major home emergency—such as a broken furnace or a busted pipe—will wonder what exactly they got themselves into by buying a home. It’s true: owning a home can be filled with unexpected challenges and expenses. 

The best way to get on top of things? Put together a home maintenance budget and make preventative maintenance your focus as a homeowner. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to do both, and what you should prioritize when it comes to caring for your home.

Set your home maintenance budget

For many homeowners, setting aside the right amount for their home’s maintenance and upkeep requires trial-and-error. Over time, you’ll eventually settle on a number that you know from experience works for your home. However, if you’re a new homeowner or recently moved into a new home, a good rule of thumb is to set aside 1-2% of the value of your home into a home upkeep savings account. That means a homeowner whose home is worth about $250,000 should save somewhere around $2,500-$5,000 every year.

Bear in mind that your home’s mileage may vary. Older homes require more maintenance than newer ones. Homeowners with pools on the property should set aside more than those without. If you are capable of setting aside and saving more, you should do so: worst case, you’ll roll over some of that money to the next year and have a “rainy day” emergency fund set up for your home’s future.

Take care of your cooling and heating systems

Your home’s air conditioner and furnace represent two of the largest investments in your home outside of the structure itself. Keeping them in good working order should be one of your highest priorities as a homeowner. A professional tune-up helps do just that, while also making your HVAC systems operate more efficiently. This matters: your cooling and heating systems account for nearly half of your home’s energy use. Making both more efficient can really pay off throughout the year.

We recommend that you set aside some of your home maintenance budget for annual tune-ups for both systems—one in the fall to get your furnace ready for the winter and one in the spring to prepare your AC unit for our summer heat and humidity. Call a local HVAC pro in your area to schedule your HVAC maintenance.

Energy-smart decisions can really pay off

If you have some of your maintenance budget left over at the end of the year, consider reinvesting that extra cash into your home. A good place to start is with energy-efficiency upgrades. Why? Well, for one, these upgrades help prime your home for future savings, which means they can eventually pay themselves off through lowered electric and gas bills. Second, making your home more efficient can reduce the wear-and-tear on both your air conditioner and furnace. This means lower maintenance and repair costs moving forward.

Plus, not all of these projects carry a large upfront cost! Even something as simple as replacing your home’s air filter at regular intervals can improve the efficiency of your HVAC systems by up to 15%. That’s less than five minutes of work that can really pay off down the road. Similarly, you can cut your monthly electric bill by swapping out your old light bulbs for energy-efficient LED or CFL bulbs. These changes take very little money upfront, but can yield month-over-month savings.

The long-term value of home maintenance

It may not be immediately apparent, but preventative maintenance and energy-saving upgrades do pay off over time. As a homeowner, you’re in this for the long haul. The right decisions now, in the present, will have positive ramifications on the future of your home.

Guest Contributor: Amanda L

Eco-Friendly Design Solutions to Make Your Home Greener And Healthier

Eco-Friendly Design Solutions to Make Your Home Greener And Healthier

Green architecture has gained in popularity immensely over the last couple of years and this trend is sure to continue in the future. Architects from all around the world are constantly searching for innovative ways to make their new projects even more environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient, and thus help the entire green movement grow even further. Having this in mind, we’ve singled out five eco-friendly design solutions for making your home greener in 2020 (and beyond). Let’s take a look and get inspired.

Prefabricated homes as a way of reducing waste

In case you’re not familiar with the term, prefabricated homes are the ones that are built off-site and then assembled on the owner’s lot. This may sound strange at first, but once you consider all the benefits of such a building approach, you’ll understand why the popularity of prefabs won’t fade away any time soon.

 First of all, home builders in factories have a vast experience in pre-building homes so they will make sure to reduce the amount of waste to a minimum. On top of that, these homes have shown to be much more durable, and they definitely take less time to be constructed, since building takes place indoors and it doesn’t depend on weather conditions which means that there shouldn’t be any significant delays.

Locally treated sewage as an eco-friendly method

Aside from concentrating solely on your home design, you shouldn’t forget other aspects such as sewage. This is extremely crucial since for hundreds of years all the waste from massive sewers has been diverted into a single area and then dumped into the sea. Such an approach has polluted the oceans severely and consequently harmed our environment. 

Therefore, it’s no surprise that the idea of handling wastewater locally has become super-popular among green architects. They’ve realized that sewage can be used as a resource for irrigating one’s landscape. So, instead of continuing with the non-efficient method that has only done harm in the past, you can actually make good use of that resource and manage to lower your environmental impact simultaneously.

Solar energy as a green alternative for powering a home

Relying on solar energy to power a home is another solution for reducing your carbon footprint. For homeowners who live in sunny places such as Australia, Malaysia, Philippines, as well as some parts of the US, installing a solar system would be a wise investment as they provide optimal conditions for power generation. Other than getting high-quality solar panels, it’s also necessary to invest in solar system add-ons such as charge controllers and batteries. 

You’ll also need to convert the energy you store into a usable one. For that to happen, you’ll need to invest in another crucial component such as the SMA inverter. Doing so will ensure optimal performance and maximize the solar system’s efficiency. Finally, owing to the amazing professionals, it’s extremely easy to get this system installed nowadays and thus add that final touch to your home design.

Downsizing as a way of preserving the environment

Some people may find it difficult to give up the comforts and luxuries of living in extravagant, large homes. However, what they don’t realize is that homes with an average size of 186 square feet can be equally cozy and, at the same time, more beneficial for the environment. Firstly, these homes are extremely energy-efficient, and owing to this, the annual release of CO2 pollution is significantly lower. Secondly, smaller houses offer other major benefits as well, including mobility, affordability, and lower monthly bills. Finally, it’s important to remember that a smaller home also means fewer hours spent cleaning, as well as less money spent on expensive cleaning products.

Recycled materials for environmentally-conscious construction

Finally, another trend in the green architecture that is bound to become a true craze is building with recycled materials. Due to the use of sustainable materials, there will be significantly less waste which can seriously harm the environment. Even things such as plastic bottles, cans, and car tires that we’d usually just throw away can all be recycled, used in construction, and put to good use. Finally, the use of recycled materials, aside from being extremely responsible, can be very cost-effective as well. What this means is that you’ll be able to invest that money into some other green home improvement solutions and turn your home into an earth-friendly living space. Lastly, don’t forget that recycling is the future.

As you can see, there are some quite interesting green design solutions for eco-conscious homeowners. Going green brings numerous advantages and provides you with a chance to do something great for the environment while cutting down on unnecessary costs. Finally, don’t forget that every single detail matters and that only united we can turn our planet into a much healthier place to live on.

About the author:  Mike Johnston is an avid blogging enthusiast and experienced content writer with a focus in real estate, home improvement, and the construction industry.

Guest Contributor: Mike Johnston

Remodel Your Kitchen: Here Are 10 Reasons Why

Remodel Your Kitchen: Here are 10 Reasons Why

Remodel your kitchen to your liking. The kitchen is where you prepare delicious meals for your family. A hearty meal shared in the dining table is one way to create a stronger bond with each family member. That's why it pays to have a kitchen that is functional enough to serve this purpose. 

Take a walk through your kitchen and assess whether it's time for some remodeling. It can entail some cost, but it wouldn't match the convenience you'll have once make the most out of this change. 

To guide you through your decision making, we have put together 10 reasons why it's already time to remodel your kitchen.

1. Energy Savings

A lot of equipment has upgraded to have an energy savings feature. Now that the cost of electricity is getting high, it's time to invest and upgrade your kitchen equipment because it will pay off in the long run. 

2. Lifestyle

Food preparation depends on your lifestyle. What worked for you before might not be working for you now. Your preferences can change and expand. It's time to look around your kitchen and check whether you will need some addition or removal. 

3. Deterioration

A lot of action is happening in your kitchen, so it's inevitable that some spots would run down. Tiles can break from food preparations; cabinets might be too old already, some appliances might no longer be useful, and so on. Check your kitchen for any signs of deterioration and address it to prevent more significant problems to happen. 

4. A Fresh Look

Cooking also needs some motivation. If you feel like you need to move some things around to rechannel positive energies, then do so. A fresh look can reinvigorate your love for your kitchen. 

5. Modernity

Technological developments are sprouting left and right. Don't let your kitchen be left behind. These developments mean to cut short your preparation time. Give your kitchen a touch of modernity by upgrading your kitchen equipment or by changing your kitchen environment. 

6. Special Needs

Needs can change over time. If you have a differently-abled family member, then it's time to remodel your kitchen in a way that would cater to their needs. 

7. Gourmet Kitchen

If you're someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen, then we're sure that you're gradually remodeling your kitchen to achieve your dream kitchen. It can take time, especially that kitchen equipment can be pricey, but you'll eventually get there. 

8. Home Improvement TV

You might have bumped into a home improvement show on TV, and this gave you some kitchen remodeling ideas. Act on this inspiration if you think it will be for the best. 

9. Financial Incentives

Upgrading your kitchen equipment into energy-saving ones can give you a consistent financial incentive. Some governments offer rebates if you exchange your current material to energy savings one. 

10. Value

If you are planning to sell your property, remodeling your kitchen can increase your property's value. It would be best if you renovate your kitchen in a way that will be appealing to potential buyers.

There you have it! You have many reasons you can go to on why the need to remodel your kitchen. So, look around, and start to remodel your kitchen.

Guest Contributor, Dana Laksman

Sump Pump Advisor – A One-Stop Solution

Sump Pump Advisor – A One-Stop Solution

Looking for ways to defend your basement against flooding? 

If you live in a climate that suffers from heavy rainfall or snow or you’ve had water problems before, you need all the help you can get to prevent your basement from flooding and causing myriad issues for your home. 

That’s where the sump pump comes into play. It’s a submersible device that’s installed in the lowest point of your home, such as your basement, and keeps the groundwater level from rising all the way up to your basement floor. 

When it rains, the soil around your house gets oversaturated and the sump pit fills up with water. This activates the sump pump float switch that triggers the sump pump to drain the excess water into a dry well or a storm drain away from your house.  

Why You Need to Invest in a Sump Pump

Considering investing in a sump pump?

There’s no time to wait as the weather can be fairly unpredictable. It’s a small investment that will yield great benefits for your house in the years to come. 

Here are some advantages that are worth mentioning:

• Moisture leads to the growth of mold and mildew. Since sump pumps keep the groundwater and moisture levels in check, it significantly reduces the risk of fungus growth in your basement. 

• Moisture makes your house a termite magnet. A sump pump is just what you need to make sure your house stays protected against all kinds of pest infestations.

• Standing water in your basement can create humidity and cause difficulty in breathing, especially for asthma patients. Installing a sump pump will allow you to keep the humidity levels under control and improve the indoor air quality of your home.

• Electrical fires can occur due to flooding. Excessive water can cause the appliances in your basement to short-circuit. With a sump pump, you can prevent the water from ruining your appliances and reduce the risk of a household fire. 

Installing Your Sump Pump the Right Way

There’s so much you need to know when it comes to installing a sump pump in your house, whether you’re doing it yourself or getting a professional to do it for you. 

You may not know this but neither a homeowner’s policy nor your flood insurance will provide coverage for your sump pump failure. You’ll have to purchase targeted pump failure insurance coverage to minimize your losses.

Looking for ways to get the most out of your sump pump?

Sump Pump Advisor is here to save the day. It’s a one-stop solution where you can find answers to all the questions you may have about sump pump maintenance and picking out the right model for your home. 

With a host of informational guides to choose from and comparison tables that narrow down your options for you, Sump Pump Advisor has everything you’re looking for and more.

So what are you waiting for?

Head over to our website and learn everything you need to know about sump pumps in just a few clicks!

Guest Contributor: John Fred

Simple Tips to Keep Your Home Clean

Simple Tips to Keep Your Home Clean

Wipe down areas that are frequently touched or soaked with water. Such as sinks, fridges, toilets and floors. Sitting water can harbor bacteria harmful to your health. Frequently keeping them clean will prevent anything from building up.

Wipe down highly touched surfaces. Anything that gets constant hand contact. Doorknobs, cell phones, keyboards and handles areas that can easily spread germs. With the rise of sickness recently it is best to do it on a daily basis or practice.

Keeping food surfaces clean. Tables and counters should be cleaned and sanitized before and after food touches them. Raw meat, eggs and especially old stale food can get you sick if you’re not careful. Take precautions and use disinfectant or warm water and soap to keep these areas clean and to keep any harmful substances away from your body.

Taking out garbage. Trash bins can hold tons of disgusting things and leftover. Not only that but they can carry germs that can get you sick. Waste bins that carry used tissues and anything that could have bodily fluids on it should be taken out right away.

Also, with just 3 easy steps, Rain City Maids will help you clean your home. First, you need to book and select the date and time you would like your cleaning professional to show up. Next, the professional cleaners come over and clean your place for you. And lastly, just set back and relax and enjoy your sparkling clean home.

WASH. YOUR. HANDS. Your hands touch anything and everything. From food to putting on makeup. Anything going into your body or on and around your face should make you think twice about how clean your hands are before you tough anything. Washing your hands frequently will help prevent sickness and spreading dangerous germs and bacteria to neighboring surfaces and people.

In conclusion, currently with spreading illness it is best to keep n mind that you are responsible for how clean you are. Keep your surroundings to keep your house and home clean. It will minimize the risk of sickness and illness to those around you and for your own health.

Guest Contributor: Klaudia Schueler