How to Safely Store Your Items While Remodeling

How to Safely Store Your Items While Remodeling

Home renovation is a super fun yet hectic time in your life—there are so many people circulating in and out of your home, paint is getting dangerously near to your sofa and dust gets everywhere. So, don’t get surprised if some things get damaged, lost or in need of professional cleaning after you’re finished. But, there’s a way to avoid all of that and safely store your items. Here’s what to do.

Pay special attention to important documents

Do you happen to have a folder, a drawer or a shoebox filled with financial documents, birth certificates and legal papers? Even though most of us do it, keeping these important documents in such an unsafe place can cost you a lot of time and money. Identity theft is not a joke and it actually affects millions of people every year. So, it’s best to store these documents in a safe or a deposit box. This will ensure they are safe and secure until your home returns to its normal state.

Hire professional movers

Moving furniture and other big items out of your house or to another room can be very difficult, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. You can easily bump a corner of your mahogany dining table and damage both the table and the wall. These repairs will cost you more money and time than hiring professional movers. By hiring these guys, you’ll clear out your space in record time, end up with intact furniture and spare your back! 

Hire moving containers

If your entire house is getting a makeover, you have to remove everything from your home. So, unless you’re ready to keep your sofas and beds in the backyard, your safest bet is to hire a moving container. Companies such as Moving Containers are basically a one-stop shop for storage and can provide you with quality containers that will house your things during your renovation. Your items will be close to you at all times and right at your disposal. However, you can also arrange for transport of your moving container in case you don’t have any room to keep it on your property. A truck will transport your full container to a safe depot location and you’ll get it back when your renovation is done. This is the safest way to remove your property because it includes less handling and professional transport.

Use self-storage

If you don’t care whether your furniture is at your disposal during the renovation (or simply can’t keep a container on your property), you can rent a unit in a self-storage facility. You’ll need to hire a moving van for this task, but your furniture and other items will be safe while you renovate. If you choose a reputable storage facility, you can even ensure your property!

Designate a room

If you’re conducting your renovation in stages or if there are certain rooms that are not getting a makeover, you can use that space as storage. The usual areas that end up serving as storage are guest bedrooms or basements, so see if you can spare some space. This method is very cost-effective, but not very practical. The room that’s full of stuff can’t be used at all, so keep that in mind.

Store your things with friends

If you don’t have any room to spare in your home, ask your good friends and neighbors for a few square feet to use as storage. If there’s anyone who can help, make sure to do all the moving work yourself and be swift in removing your things after your renovation is done. Don’t let your things overstay their welcome—it’s rude and unneighborly. A nice thank-you gift is also a great idea.

Install motion sensors

Outdoor lighting is one of the cheapest ways to deter burglars, so you might want to install some motion sensor lights before your reno. This move also sends a message that you know your home is exposed and you’re taking precautions. Plus, when your renovation is finished, you’ll have new and practical motion-activated lighting for future use!

If you pick the right storage option for your things and protect your site like a boss, your renovation will go without any damage to your items. You’ll get to sleep soundly knowing all your precious possessions are safe and ready to make your home even more beautiful once the renovation is over.

 Guest Contributor, Mike Johnston

About the author: Mike Johnston is a home improvement blogger and DIY enthusiast from Sydney. He is a regular writer at Smooth Decorator and Divine Magazine. He has also contributed to numerous lifestyle, real estate and green living blogs. Mike’s goal is to create and share meaningful content that helps and inspires people.

9 TIPS TO BUYING A COUCH

9 TIPS TO BUYING A COUCH

The furniture is featured in the room. When it comes to choosing yours, pay attention to the details. So you avoid unpleasant surprises in the future. If you want to know more tips based on buying a couch, then Sishawa will help you at their best.

1. Do not get carried away by the appearance of the fabric. Good sofa needs to have firm structure and quality foam . The problem is that in the store, we can not see these internal elements.

2. Speaking of foam: The densities of the seat, backrest arms and cushions should be different , as the fatigue is not the same. The seller does not know how to report this? Be suspicious.

3. When the sofa is new, everything looks perfect. But how will it be after a year of use? Before you get a headache, look for companies that offer warranty and, if possible, technical assistance .

4. The difference between a couch to play and a sofa to the living room is the depth of the seat . Want to relax, sleep, watch movies? Sofa deep. Need something more formal like, for example, a waiting room? Lean seat.

5. There is a trick to knowing if the sofa is comfortable specifically for you. Sit on it with your legs crossed one over the other, like "Indian leg" . If you fit in the seat without your knees being out, the piece passed the test.

6. Are there children and pets in your home? Choose models with washable covers. The cotton, linen and twill are the most suitable. Just remember that they should be pre-shrunk. Dark coats disguise dirt better, but fade more. Light-colored coats resist better washing.

7. In the doubt between reforming the old sofa and buying a new one? What it commands is the quality of the structure . Ask the opinion of good upholsterers before disposing of an antique furniture.

8. Sofas of distinct models in the same environment work superbem. If they are from very different times - one more modern, another vintage, for example - better still. Do not be afraid to mix .

9. If you are buying a pouf to support your feet, choose a model of the same height as the sofa seat . The piece will support a tray and also as an extra seat when you need it

Guest Contributor, Sherry K

4 Effective Tips On Turning Your Basement Into A Chic Home Office

4 Effective Tips on Turning Your Basement into a Chic Home Office

The basement has the potential to become the favorite room in your household, instead of forever being that odd damp place you visit occasionally to check the water heater and if the mold is under control. Particularly, your basement has the potential to become the home office you always dreamed of, and skyrocket your at-home career in the process.

The possibilities here are endless, as you will be working with a blank canvas of sorts, a space where you are yet to bring a unique, personal setting to life. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the four key tips that will help you transform your basement into an elegant home office you won’t want to leave.

Inspect the space and make a detailed plan

First things first, you need to establish a foundation for your project based on meticulous research. You will need to conduct a thorough inspection of the available space, and most importantly, determine if there are any hazardous materials or air particles residing here. Typically, this will be mold, but you could also encounter asbestos from cracked walls if your house is old, so be sure to bring in a professional inspector such as Wise Asbestos & Mold Removal.

Next, you will need to brainstorm the layout of your office. Keep in mind that this is not simply a space where you will work – this is a space where you will spend the majority of your day, so it needs to be functional, inspirational, and fully optimized for top productivity.

Make it functional first

When it comes to layouts, there are three key areas you need to consider: the main work and lounge area, the bathroom, and the kitchen. Consider this office space as you would any other, and remember that these auxiliary spaces will prove vital for your productivity throughout the day.

Particularly, you shouldn’t have to go upstairs every time you need to go to the bathroom, so focus on allocating enough space for a small restroom, making sure to introduce the necessary plumbing features. Additionally, consider adding a small kitchen area or even just a mini-fridge to avoid lengthy trips upstairs in the middle of your work.

Pay special attention to lighting

The basement is an inherently dark place, so one of your priorities should be to illuminate the entire area for top productivity and day-long zeal. The basement-office trend has grown widely popular with Australian homeowners, so take note.

In the Land Down Under, homeowners will plan their lighting scheme with the help of an experienced level 2 electrician in Sydney and other remote-work hubs around the country, in order to light the room for minimal eye and mental strain. In the absence of adequate natural lighting, nailing your artificial lighting scheme should be your no.1 priority as well, so be sure to let your electrician in on the project early on.

Introduce your personal flair and brand

Designing a home office is a wonderful opportunity to make the space an extension of your personality, and a setting where your brand’s colors and stories can come to life. To that end, you want to choose a color scheme that will influence your mindset in a positive way, and introduce various decor elements on your desk, the shelves, and the walls that will speak to your heart and mind.

However, refrain from cluttering the space too much, as physical clutter can quickly become emotional stress. Stick with a couple of personal belongings on your desk, add vibrant artwork on the walls to give the room a sense of class, and allocate the rest of the space to storage – you are going to need it.

Transforming a basement into a home office is a unique project that requires careful planning, as there is plenty that can go wrong along the way. With these tips in mind, though, you will have no problem designing a basement office that is clutter free, functional, elegant, and a natural extension of your true self.

Guest Contributor, Chloe Taylor

General Hot Water Repairs Required at Home

General Hot Water Repairs Required at Home

Hot water is perpetually required in western countries where the temperature is mostly low throughout the year. In Asian countries as well, hot water is required when the winters set in and taking bath and other activities need hot or warm water. For this purpose, a hot water heater is required. Hot water heaters can function perfectly well for years, but there might be times when they break down. Under this situation, you will need to call professionals to carry out the needed hot water repairs on your water heating system. Let’s know more about these professionals and their services.

When to Call Professionals for Hot Water Repairs

Hot water problems are evident on their own. When you open the faucet and there is no hot water, there is something wrong with the water heater. You might also notice dripping near the water heater or the water heater making gurgling sounds. All these problems need troubleshooting to start functioning right again. You might need to look at certain things to understand the problem and resolve the issue at hand. Unless you are an expert yourself, you will need to call professionals to carry out your hot water repairs in a proficient manner. They will come to your place, identify the source of problem and fix it as needed.  A few common problems that may arise include:

If there is no hot water from your faucet, this means that the water heater is not working at all. Water heater can be of two types – gas or electric. If it is not working, it may be because the energy source is not supplying gas or electricity to run it. Repairing the problem will depend on the type of water heater. Though gas and electric water heaters look almost the same, they function differently. Water is heated in a different manner in gas and electric heaters. The first step would be to adjust the temperature dial in front of the water heater. You can now wait and check the water at the faucet. If it is still not hot, you might need to call a professional to carry out expert hot water repairs. They will diagnose the problem and fix it accordingly.

• If you suddenly find that there is not enough hot water for everyone, you need to check if your heater is too small. Maybe you have installed a bath tub which needs extra hot water. In such a situation, you will have to take an informed decision and purchase a bigger water heater even though your previous one is functioning just fine. There might be another situation when the temperatures have dropped considerably, and you need extra hot water. In this case, you must adjust the water heater’s dial to hotter temperature.

• In case your water heater is leaking, the professional might need to flush the water heater tank to remove the mineral deposits from the tank.

• If the water heater is giving you too much hot water, then again you need to check the thermostat and adjust it to a colder temperature.

• If you find steam or gurgling sounds coming out from your water heater, then probably the heater is not shutting off at the desired cutoff.

• In case hot water is discolored or smells bad, then you have to check whether the hot water problem is with the source water or the water heater. In case only the cold water is smelling, the problem is with the source water. It is a known fact that iron, copper, and some other minerals can cause discoloration in the water. To resolve these issues, try installing a water softener.

If any of these problems do not get solved with the steps mentioned, then you will need help of a professional to get the hot water repairs done.

Conclusion

Water heaters, though generally sturdy, can pose problems when something or the other goes wrong with them. You should have enough knowledge to fix these issues yourself, but if the troubleshooting doesn’t happen properly, call a reliable person to carry out hot water repairs in a professional manner.

 Guest Contributor, Lauren Bracy

10 Tips to Maintain a Clean Home with Dog

10 Tips to Maintain a Clean Home with Dog

We all dream of a picture perfect house with pets. However, it’s easier said than done. Keeping a house itself is challenging and in addition to pets, it can become a nightmare really fast. 

Can you count the number of furs the puppy is leaving at the couch by stretching? Or the little pooch’s accidents on the rug?

Worry not, with a few proper hacks and tips, life with your dog could be better than ever.

Strap in and let’s begin.

click here for tips to train your dog

1. Lint Roller Collections

As dog owners, it's never easy to tackle your fur baby’s loose hairs. Be it long hair or shorter strands. Lint rollers are made to remove hairs from clothes and furniture. If you are making a pooch your new family member, you should have a good collection of lint rollers.

All things considered, buy the suitable piece of lint rollers to remove the loose hairs. It is categorized for furniture or beds, couches or sofas, and different fabrics.

Don’t waste money on buying the wrong one. Scrutinize your house and pooch a bit then opt the right one. It’s best to have more than one piece for various spots.

Now you are safe! Your guests won’t be able to track out your pup by its hairs anymore.

2. Wash Their Beddings 

Just after a pup is becoming a part of your family, it automatically needs its private corner as well. Yes, I am talking about their cute little beddings.

Dog beddings are always full of furs and their smells. Covering the bedding with fabrics which catches less hair is wise.

Other than that, you have to wash their beddings regularly for keeping healthy and clean. Try to incorporate washable beddings.

3. Bathe Your Dog

Dogs are meant to be playful and getting dirty with muds and dust from outside. It would be cruel to keep them at home forever. And here comes bathing.

They don’t need daily scrubs like us for their delicate skin coats. But depending on other concerns, you have to determine how often they will need to bathe.

There are a few anti-water dog communities whilst there are others you can’t just keep away from waters.

Bathing your dog according to their daily routine is really necessary. A dirty pup could make your home very messy at times.

Have a good dog-time scrubbing your pup in lukewarm water with shampoos and other cleaning stuff. Bathing once a month is good to go.

4. Groom Your Pet Regularly

Our pups do a lot on their own to keep their coats clean. Still, they are gonna need your help sometimes. Grooming with a good fine brush is always a comfy time for your pup.

Sometimes they could also not like your interruption in their furs. But you should never give up doing this.

Brushing every day will reduce their loose hairs to spread everywhere at your house. It’s also best for your dogs keeping their fur and coat healthy and polished distributing natural oils through their skins.

Taking them outside while brushing is gonna cut down the messiness at home.

It may sound grooming is an easy task but it’s sensitive as well. Don’t go too hard or in the wrong way with brushing. Also, it’s different for each different type of breeds.

Brushing for Poodles and Bichon Frise will differ than the other breeds for their distinct fur types.

5. Odor Removal

Just after bringing your pup or at the time of their potty training, accidents could happen. Even after you clean them up, it leaves an odor with it.

Odors are not a healthy thing to live with. The more time will pass, it will become permanent. So it’s best to take some steps to remove these odors permanently.

A bit of spraying could primarily remove the smell but it comes back after a span. Try to opt for some effective odor removal hacks.

If chemicalized solutions work, it's good for you. But natural remedies are more suggested. Elements like baking soda are very effective.

Remember it’s not only accidents that could leave a smell, sometimes a few of their skin issues could produce unpleasant smells as well. For more serious issues, it's best to talk with the vet.

6. Pawdicure Your Pup

A clean pup means a clean home. For that, a good pedicure to your pup is mandatory. Who doesn’t recognize the mark of punctures in upholsterers and scratches on leathers done by the naughty pups?

It’s surely not a very welcoming thing for visitors at home.

Gently cut their nails off before causing a scratch war between their nails and your leathers. Do it time by time. Big nails also catch muds leading to dirty paws. Try to avoid that.

7. Carpet Cleaning

As a pet owner, I feel this is the most important task to do. Living with a pup will no doubt leave various stains in your carpets even though you stay super cautious. That’s why you need to keep backup carpet cleaning hacks ready always.

First of all, find a good squeegee to remove their loose hairs time by time from the carpet. It has rubber blades which help to get rid of hairs easily.

For more depth cleaning, a pet carpet cleaner can deal with most of the problems. There are different types of cleaners suitable for various types of rugs and carpets.

Dander, dirt, grime, pet hairs are other stains are easily removed by these carpet cleaners. Their various cleaning modes will no doubt cut your hard work to half.

8. Vacuum Vacuum Vacuum

Vacuum is something that will never leave your back. Every time I vacuum my house just to see more bunches of loose golden hairs again stuck right in the rug or couch.

But nothing to do! You just have to keep going on vacuuming everything.

Don’t ever dare to skip vacuuming your house if you have a dog. To maintain a clean house with a dog, there is no alternate of regular time to time vacuuming.

9. Clean Their Paws Regularly

The muddy paw signs at your floors could look very cute but dirty as well. This might be a very trivial issue we overlook but can make a mess at home.

Every time your pooch is going to play outside; their paws are gonna get dirty. So each time when they are coming back home, wipe their paws first. For muds and clingy dirt, wash four of their paws.

It’s not gonna take much time but will leave a good result for your floors.

10. Air Your House

A home needs to breathe to be clean and tidy. When you are adding a canine friend to your family, it’s more vigilant to keep your house aired.

With one more member to eat, breathe and play; it’s healthier to have a good air filter system at home. Whatever the weather is, try to exchange outside winds with the inside ones.

Also, plant different odor removal plants at home for fresh breathing. In this way, your pup and you, along with your lovely home is gonna remain healthy and clean always.

Final Thoughts

It’s not too hard to maintain a clean healthy house with one or a few pups. Just some nice routine and arrangements with cleanings and other hacks could make both your life easier and better!

Guest Contributor, Shawn Richards

Author Bio:

Shawn is a content writer at FeedFond. He’s a doting father not only to his two children but also to his two Golden Retrievers. Check out more of his articles at FeedFond.com.

Why Your Emergency Plumber Should Be a Professional?

Why Your Emergency Plumber Should Be a Professional?

Plumbing problems in homes or buildings often seek immediate attention. Many a time when emergency plumbers are called in they manage to rectify the problems but if they are not professional, the mess they leave behind is often a sordid affair. Thus, if you have a problem where you need to call an emergency plumber, then you need to make sure they are professional. There are plenty of reasons that you would need to call them for. Since, they are called during times of contingencies, they charge you extra. Thus it is essential to ensure that they are professional at their work.

Common Issues

Before you make the call to the emergency plumber you need to make sure that it is an issue that can’t wait. Here are some of the most common urgent issues that require you to make the call immediately, including:

·       Clogged toilet or sink

·       Clogged shower or bathroom drain

·       Leaky toilet or faucet

·       Leaking hose for washing machine or water heater

·       Water lines that are broken

·       Pipes bursting

·       Non-availability of hot water

If you have any of these issues, then you should immediately call for a professional emergency plumber.

Top of Line Equipment

The emergency plumber is usually well equipped the top of the line equipment such as high speed jets of water, augers and more, which means that they can take care of any of your issues. They can make any difficult task look simply.                                                               

Professional Training

Another benefit of hiring an emergency plumber to take care of your problems is that they have received professional training. They are trained to take care of everything that might come up, including clogged drains, leaking household appliances and much more. Not only can they help you to stop the leaks when they show up, but they can also assist you in finding some permanent solutions. You don’t have to worry about someone only knowing how to do a few things, rather if you hire an expert they will be able to take care of anything. Give them a call and consider your problem solved.

Insurance

Also, an emergency plumber would have the required insurance that would be able to cover any problems that might arise on your property. Those who are professional are required to have insurance, so ensure that they have enough coverage in case anything happens. If you don’t choose a professional, then there is a chance that you might have to pay for the damage out of your pocket. Ask them about this before you hire them so that you are aware in case of an unforeseen damage.

Manages Weather Conditions

When the weather conditions are freezing then however well your pipes are laid, the remote possibility of them breaking is always high on cards. An unskilled emergency plumber may be incapacitated to deal with such intricate pipe systems, but a professional emergency plumber is well versed with such delicate situations and would be able to easily manage the same.

For Remote Areas

There are various septic systems in remote areas that can cause severe issues and cause the inflow to water to the surrounding areas. A professional emergency plumber can read, access and repair the emergency without any hassle in comparison to an unskilled emergency plumber.

There are plenty of times when you will need the assistance of an emergency plumber, but you should know what is requires a call to them and what doesn’t. Make sure that you call them only if you have something that is leaking or pipes that have busted.

Guest Contributor, Lauren Bracy

Modern and Stylish Kitchen Ideas from the Covers of Vogue

Modern and Stylish Kitchen Ideas from the Covers of Vogue

Over the last couple of decades, people have started paying more attention to the design of their kitchens. Today, home owners invest a lot of money into this part of the house because they know that it represents their lifestyle and speaks volumes about their taste. However, aside from stressing the importance of kitchen style, more and more people are opting for smart solutions and are searching for the most practical options. So, if you want your kitchen to be one that deserves to appear on the covers of Vogue, you must follow the latest trends and make it both stylish and practical. Let’s take a look at some interesting ideas and get inspired.

Smart Kitchens

With the advancement of technology, our life habits changed as well. Nowadays we are surrounded by smart gadgets that can perform various tasks on our behalf and thus significantly make our lives easier. The same goes for appliances that are the main part of our kitchen. Therefore, if you want to have a modern and stylish kitchen that resembles those seen in Vogue, make sure to opt for high-tech appliances like smart refrigerators. They can perform numerous cool actions for you including writing shopping lists and even playing your favourite songs. On top of that, many of them are equipped with sensors that can alert you if some of your groceries are running low. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it!? Finally, don’t hesitate to invest in smart faucets that have motion sensors which turn on the flow automatically.

Green Kitchens

You simply can’t consider your kitchen to be modern if it’s not green. So, it’s high time you switched your old appliances for Energy Star ones which can significantly reduce the amount of energy you use on a monthly basis. Not only will this affect your bills, but it will be beneficial to the environment as well. Furthermore, once you have chosen a brand that sells high-quality and energy-efficient appliances, it is essential that you try to stick to it. If you, let’s say, opt for popular Bosch appliances and equip your whole kitchen with them, in case one of them breaks, you’ll know whom to call immediately. Finally, aside from buying green appliances, you should make sure to be a responsible user as well. After all, no matter how energy-efficient your refrigerator is, if you leave it open for 10 minutes every day when you’re cooking your lunch, everything will be in vain.

Clever Storage Ideas

Another important aspect of every kitchen design is its storage space, since we all need to store our cups, spices, pots and pans without turning the kitchen into a complete mess. Therefore, it’s essential to find a creative solution which is both practical and won’t disrupt the overall sophisticated atmosphere that you’re trying to achieve. For example, home improvement magazines are putting a lot of faith into vertical storage space. They are usually advising readers to install shelves instead of cupboards since they occupy much less space but can store a significant amount of items. On top of that, you can fill them with beautiful small woven boxes labelled with paper tags so that you always know which one to reach for. Finally, another great and stylish idea would be to hang a plate rack on the wall where you can display your valuable china collection.

Go Vintage, But Keep Your Pipes New

Another super-popular trend is vintage kitchen design. You can start by opting for rustic kitchen faucets that will create that warm, inviting atmosphere which will remind you of the weekends spent at your grandparents’. However, in order to make sure that they are properly installed, we advise you to contact a reliable plumbing service. Additionally, these professionals will make sure to check your plumbing system and do pipe relining if necessary in order to prevent any possible damage caused by moisture and mildew. Furthermore, vintage decor can be achieved by a fresh coat of pink or green paint, which will completely transform your place and add that final touch to it. Lastly, feel free to express your creativity and choose some beautiful vintage home accessories that will definitely tie the whole space together.

As you can see, turning your average-looking kitchen into the one seen on the covers of Vogue is not that hard after all. You just need to keep up with the latest trends and discover the most practical solutions in order to make your kitchen truly functional. Finally, if you feel that you can’t do all of this on your own, don’t shy away from contacting professionals. They will make sure that everything will run smoothly, so you’ll be able to relax and fully enjoy your new kitchen.

About the author:

Tracey Clayton is a working mom of three girls. She’s passionate about fashion, home décor, and healthy living. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.”

Guest Contributor, Tracery Clayton

Home Renovation Projects Worth The Investment

Home Renovation Projects Worth The Investment

Just as you deserve to live in a comfortable home, so does your home deserve a worthy makeover from time to time. When done properly, renovation projects can significantly increase the value of your property and make it more pleasant to live in, all in one stroke.

While certain investments focus on maximizing cosiness, others aim to improve appearance. More practical renovation projects even go as far as raising your level of security and reducing your energy losses.

Depending on your budget and ideas, there are always plenty of options available. Here are only some of the top home renovation projects that will take your home to the next level!

1. Upgrade Your Plumbing System

If you’re focused on staying in your home for good, upgrading an old or faulty plumbing system is highly advised. A fair number of homes experience leaks that result in dozens of gallons of water losses per day.

After investing in a new plumbing system, however, leaks and drainage blockages will be history. The new set of pipes will also ensure that you’re receiving a clean water supply, free of hazardous substances.

If you want to increase the safety and value of your home even further, you can also consider investing in monitoring devices that are remotely controlled and ensure that your plumbing system is operating at its max potential at all times.

For those trying to increase the value of their home before selling it, redoing the plumbing fixtures also pays off. As most potential buyers are looking forward to moving into a functional home that requires minimal adjustments, a faulty plumbing system can definitely be a deal breaker.

2. Exterior Cladding

If you're looking forward to giving your home a fresh and cozy look while enhancing its functionality, coating the exteriors of your house with timber cladding is a great solution.

Timber cladding is a popular construction method from the Middle Ages. With this eco-friendly technique, pieces of timber are installed over the interior or exterior walls.

While the solution is relatively cost-effective and quick to implement, it also comes with a set of numerous other benefits that might interest you or potential buyers.

It provides your home with outstanding thermal insulation, resulting in reduced use of energy for cooling or heating your home. Furthermore, your home will be protected by durable wood that provides an entirely new look.

3. Install a Porch

We all need to relax from time to time, and a porch happens to be the ideal place for that. Whether you intend to use it to host BBQ parties, sit under the sun, or simply increase the market value of your home, building a porch in your back or front yard can only benefit you.

If you already have one and aren’t sure what to do with it, consider repainting it and repairing any damaged sections. You are also advised to weather-proof your porch by installing an orangery and bi-folding doors. This will allow you to use the space at any time of the year.

4. Remodel Your Kitchen

Kitchen renovations come with a high return on investment for a good reason. Most people spend a fair amount of time in their kitchen; therefore they want it to be practical, modern, and good-looking.

Smaller kitchen renovation projects include painting the cabinets, replacing cabinet knobs, decorating the walls with moulding, and replacing curtains.

If you want to take on a kitchen renovation project of a higher scale, however, consider replacing out-dated appliances, cabinets, floors, and most importantly, the countertops, as well as the pipes.

5. Install a Surveillance System

In a world where crime is nothing out of the ordinary, making sure that your home is secure is crucial to your well-being. You can never be too safe.

As it happens, CCTV is one of the best ways to keep unwanted guests at bay. CCTV surveillance systems come in various shapes and provide different features that homeowners can use to make the most out of their security system. One such feature that most cameras offer is remote monitoring, which allows the user to see what’s going on inside or outside their house at any given time. An even better option would be to go for remote monitored CCTV that is hooked up to a control centre, where someone else will do the monitoring when you are not home.

Make sure to set cameras in locations that cover a lot of ground and represent primary points of entry. Some examples include balconies, backdoor, garage, and front door. Furthermore, to increase the efficiency of your security system, consider removing any vegetation around your house that is blocking the view of your cameras.

Final Words

Certain home renovation projects are bound to increase your comfort and add to the value of your home when done correctly. Before taking on any major quest, make sure to take your budget and needs into consideration. It is up to you to decide whether you want to increase the level of your security, make sure your plumbing is done right, or give your house an entirely new look. Hopefully, the solutions mentioned in this post will give you an idea of what you should do next and inspire you to step into action!

Guest Contributor, Kevin Jefferson

How to Prevent Clogs in Your Drains

How to Prevent Clogs in Your Drains

Have you ever watched helplessly as the water in your sink just won’t go away or do you often find yourself ankle-deep in water when having a shower? If yes, then you might have a blocked drain on your hands. People usually deal with this by grabbing a plunger, but there are things you can do to prevent this from ever happening. Here’s how you can get rid of clogged drains once and for all.

Keep them clean

The best way to fight clogged drains is to keep them clean. Since drains aren’t exactly super visible, we usually think about them only when there’s a draining problem. But, if you only take a few minutes a week and pay some attention to them, the whole issue of clogs can be completely avoided. First, be mindful of what you flush down the drains. If you don’t have a habit of flushing food or too much debris, you’ll be good, but otherwise, you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and start cleaning. The bathtub drain and kitchen sink are especially prone to clogging, so pay special attention to them. Regularly lift up the pop-up stopper in the bath or bathroom sink, pull out the hair and debris, rinse everything and voila!

Clean your garbage disposal

Once or twice a month you might want to peek into your garbage disposal. You can remove the grease and slime from the sides by getting a disposer brush or simply by grinding up some ice and table salt. After you think the coast is clear, flush everything with water and finish off with lemon for the fresh smell!

Employ a cleaner solution

A good bacterial cleaner will help you keep your drains clean and clog-free. Just make sure to opt for a brand that is 100% biodegradable and non-corrosive. Such drain cleaners are much safer and more eco-friendly than chemical ones, which means that they won’t damage your pipes.

Don’t neglect your outdoor drains

Your outdoor drains should also be kept clean. In Australia, most outdoor drains get blocked by tree roots and these are not so easy to remove unless you have a proper gear and experience. However, there are companies that can quickly and easily fix blocked drains in Sydney using high-pressure water jets. If you hire these pros every six to twelve months, you’ll never see your drains get blocked by annoying roots and there will be no more floods in your backyard.

Employ debris guards

Sink strainers can be annoying, but they actually serve a great purpose of protecting your drains from blockages. So, keep them in place and clean them regularly. There are also bath hair catchers that prevent hair clumps from going down the drain, and they are super cheap.

Change your bad habits

Most hair that gets caught in the drain was loose even before you stepped into the shower. So, try to comb your hair before you get in to prevent it from ending up in your drain. So, hair will still go down, but you’ll manage to reduce that amount.

Compost instead of disposing

One easy way to keep your garbage disposal drain clean is to decrease the number of times you use it. Instead of putting everything in the garbage disposal, create a composting bin. Once the compost is ready, use it in your garden or even sell it to your neighbors.

Once your drains are clean and debris-free, you should do your best to keep them that way. It might seem like a bother to check for clogs every week, but once it becomes a habit, you’ll never have to deal with another drain blockage again!

Guest Contributor, Cooper Klein

Home Maintenance List

Home Maintenance

Home ownership is one of the greatest feelings. Maintaining your home is another thing. You either like doing it or you don't. Only a handful of people genuinely enjoy it, the rest of the population looks at it as a chore. We understand why we need to maintain it. Your home is like a baby. If you take care of it and properly maintain it, it will grow up to make you proud. If you maintain your home things will last longer and when it’s time to sell it, you’ll hopefully get a good return on it. If you neglect it, everything starts falling a part and it will cost you more in the long run. Don't wait till the last minute to start taking care of things. Here’s a break down to make it easier on you:

Monthly

Replace HVAC filter

Flush toilets and run water in unused bathrooms

Clean garbage disposal

Clean kitchen drain

Quarterly

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors- at the beginning of each season

Check your sump pump

Check your ejector pump

Semi Annual

Clean gutters 

Deep clean your house at least twice a year to get rid of things you don’t need

Annual

Schedule HVAC maintenance

Schedule Plumbing maintenance

Replace smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries

Flush your water heater and remove sediment

This list should make it easier for you to maintain your home. Have your phone calendar remind you when to check certain things. Send yourself monthly notifications, this way you wont forget. If you have any questions regarding your home maintenance, don't hesitate to ask us. 

-Kevin Szabo Jr Plumbing