Some Do’s and Don’ts While Bathroom Renovations!

Some Do’s and Don’ts While Bathroom Renovations!

Bathroom renovations are considered to be one of the smartest home enhancements. This is because such kind of renovations can help in gaining around 70% of returns on the investment made. Bathroom is not just an ordinary room and so proper care needs to be given. It involves a lot of complicated things which includes plumbing needs, special lighting and managing several things in restricted space. This makes renovation task as one of the challenging things and it is not as simple as a living room or bed room.

In case you want to make bathroom renovations simple for you then there are some of the top things that you need to keep in mind. When you know the dos and don’ts of this kind of renovations you will not face much complexity. It will also help you in making the renovation successful.

Some Do’s of Bathroom Renovations

• It is best to hire a builder for managing the renovation project. The builders have the experience of carrying out such work and so can properly manage the project considering every detail. Keep one thing in mind that a small mistake can prove to be expensive and so it is better to hire a builder. They are professionals and can make sure that you get the best results.
• Do choose a proper finish. Bathrooms are rooms that become outdated very soon. Hence, in case you want to have a long lasting design then make sure that you choose timeless finishes rather than going for trendy stuff. In order to have timeless look make sure that you select high end and neutral finishes.
• Do try maximizing your storage options in the bathroom. There are chances that you might be considering to keep linens, towels, cleaning supplies and toiletries in your bathroom. In such cases, you need to make sure that you consider having wall shelves or ceiling storage. When you consider having such options installed you will be able to maximize the storage space in the bathroom.

Some Don’ts of Bathroom Renovations

• Don’t think about doing it on your own. This project comprises of many complex things like waterproofing which is tough to handle on your own. There are lots of people who purchase waterproofing gears from the stores and do it on your own. However, down the line fixing the problem of leakage can prove to be expensive. Also, it involves installation of different appliances and if this is not done in the right manner then it can be a complete disaster and waste of money.
• Don’t fail to pay attention to the overall design of the home. It is crucial that your bathroom design compliments your overall design of the home. You should never consider expensive renovation ideas that are completely different from the rest part of the home. If the bathroom design is different, then your home becomes tough to sell. Rather than this, pay attention to safety, storage and functionality of the bathroom.
• Don’t consider changing ventilation and plumbing. These are actually the two significant aspects of the bathroom. You need to know that making drastic changes to the plumbing can prove to be expensive. Rather, if you are doing renovations near the already existing plumbing it can be economical. Also, ensure that you do not block the source of ventilation. In case there is already existing ventilation then make the best use of it as it helps in preventing mold.

These are some of the things that you need to take care of when you are considering to remodel your bathroom. If you would like to know more then click here and get some more useful information.

Author Bio:

Joseph Webb is an excellent blogger and philosopher, His keen observation to provide useful information which helps readers to get more idea. He can be found on Facebook, Google+ and on Twitter as @aussiesmag.

Ending Your Plumber Problems

Ending Your Plumber Problems

Everyone is aware about the importance of a plumber. Whenever you face any discrepancy in your drainage system or sewerage you immediately look for a plumber to get it sorted. Life without water is an unwanted condition which calls for emergency attention and to ease this pain, the person you need remember is a plumber.

Yes, apparently it seems that there are many plumbers available but at the same time you also need to understand the seriousness of the situation. You will come across many mechanics but you just cannot trust anyone. You need to be certain about the quality of their work. And there are similar other stuffs that need to be addressed while choosing a plumber.

We are living in an age of advanced electronics and technology and using them you can get hold of anything you want or anything you need. Thus, go through the points and prepare yourself for your future search for plumber that suits both your house and your pocket.

Quality expected for this job

You can always negotiate about the price but make sure to never compromise with the quality of the work because a bad work will result in problems that will lead to repeated visits of the mechanic. Hence, hire someone who can trace and treat the problem right from the roots. So, before handling over the responsibility, test the person, be sure and certain about his endeavors. There are a certain important factors that need to be followed, in order to examine the plumber you called for help. In order get a good plumber, keep these following words in your head.

These are the few words of caution.

·       Always hire an insured and licensed person because this will guard your property if anything goes wrong. It is recommended to make sure that the plumber is licensed because then you won’t worry about taking or getting legal help.

·       Look for a person or company which asks for fair price instead of demanding a huge sum because it is your hard earned money that you are going to spend.

·       Another key feature required is experience because with this he can handle many tricky situations.

·       Call someone who understands your problems and responds within a short span of time thereby easing your tension.

·       Look if the plumber uses proper tools and materials of great quality. The better the ingredients, the better the final product.

·       Finally, ensure that the plumber is providing guarantee over the work done and will also give an estimate of the entire work beforehand to maintain transparency in dealings.

Where to trace them?

Since now you know what you are looking for, you will face certain problem in understanding the real nature of the people and can make a just decision. Ask your friends for recommendations of some good plumber or search the website and zero in an organization who addresses your needs. You will have a huge collection to choose from but it is better to go for someone who lives nearby. This saves both time and money.

A good plumber is a skilled artist who can solve any plumbing, drainage and similar problems with ease. Thus, the next time when suddenly your kitchen skin is creating a scene or the bathroom pipe is leaking, have patience and call an efficient and experienced plumber who knows the job well. If left untreated this can cause more serious problems in future and will lead you to spend more in the repair and replacement. The above mentioned information will help you to find the perfect plumber!

Guest Contributor, Molly Crowe

Considering Something Different For Your Kitchen Worktop?

Considering Something Different For Your Kitchen Worktop?

Not everyone wants to go down the same route as everyone else, and if you are someone who likes to try something a little different every now and again, the good news is that there are many different kitchen worktop surfaces out there for you to consider, aside from the usual suspects.

When you are redecorating a kitchen space, you will want to think about your worktop as a matter of importance, because this is one of the most expensive and biggest parts of your revamp. Of course, you have the usual natural stone from Classicquartzstone, laminate, and wood options to go for, but there are a few different ones you could consider too.

Stainless Steel Worktops

While it is likely that the first thing to come into your mind is an industrial kitchen, stainless steel doesn’t have to look industrial and professional, when it is included in a design which softens it up a little.

There are many plus points to choosing stainless steel, not least the fact that it is very easy to clean, and it is very durable too. If you want a kitchen which isn’t going to take you too long to clean, and you know you can do it effectively in the time you do have, then this is a good option to go for. Of course, stainless steel is going to experience a little wear and tear as time goes on, as it may scratch and becoming ‘dinted’ but again, this can have its upsides, because it looks retro and ‘lived in’!

Copper Worktops

Another professional kitchen choice, but one which can look warm and effective in a home kitchen, copper has the advantage of looking extremely expensive and high-end, while also offering great durability. The warm appearance of a cooper worktop looks fantastic both in traditional style schemes, as well as modern ones too. Again, copper will experience wear and tear over time, so you will need to be mindful of this, and move with the changes a little.

Concrete Worktops

Yes, you read that right! Concrete is not the cold, soulless material you might think it is, and it can actually look very stylish, when it is incorporated the right way. Provided the material is sealed and finished correctly, concrete is durable and extremely hard-wearing. The fact concentrate is also very tactile means that it can be molded into many different shapes, and there are likely to be very few joints in the surface when it has been installed. For kitchens which have a certain something else, perhaps a quirky feel, concrete is a great choice.

Ceramic Worktops

This is a fairly new development, but we know that ceramic has been around in other guises for many years; only recently however has this become a kitchen worktop material. One of the main advantages is that ceramic can withstand huge temperatures, actually up to 1000 degrees, so you don’t have to worry about hot pans making marks on your work surface! This is a very durable material too in terms of scratch resistance, and is available in many different colors and patterns. If you want to go for a copper or concrete appearance, but you don’t want the actual material, then you can use ceramic to mimic its appearance!

Put simply, ceramic is a great choice because it is also low maintenance.

Dekton Worktops

What is Dekton? You’re probably asking that question right now, but this is a very new kid on the block, so you can be forgiven for not having the first clue what it is! This is a man-made material, and it is very durable too. While being resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, Dekton is also available in many different colors and patterns, so you can make your kitchen as individual as you want it to be, perhaps with a gloss or matte finish – the choice is yours!

These are a few different types of worktop materials that you might not have heard of, or perhaps not even thought of. If you want to go down a different route to the traditional choice, check out these suggestions and see if any fit into your idea of your ideal new kitchen space.

Guest Contributor, Florin Aldea

A Simple Guide to A Contemporary Bathroom Design

A Simple Guide to A Contemporary Bathroom Design

In the last couple of years, many people have decided to adopt the contemporary design and turn their homes in true modernistic havens. This style is praised for its simplicity, sleekness, as well as the utter minimalism which is characteristic of these types of spaces. Introducing the modern approach to the bathroom area is one of the most appealing ventures and can be done quite easily in a few simple steps. Although the contemporary approach doesn’t require too much decoration, achieving the desired look can be somewhat challenging. That being said, we’ve prepared this simple guide that’ll help you create the perfect modern bathroom in your home.

Shapes and Sizes

Even though it’s possible to achieve the modern design in a smaller-sized bathroom, this style usually requires a more spacious setting. Extensive settings are quite typical for contemporary styled bathrooms, which is why many people opt for an open-bathroom design in order to get more spacious surroundings. Aside from the size of the space, modern design is also characterized by the use of angular shapes, clean lines and straight edges. Curvy, round and elliptical shapes won’t find any use in the contemporary bathroom, so when choosing the perfect look, make sure to rely on acute-angled shapes.

The Color Palette

Another quite distinguishable feature of the modern design is that it doesn’t use much color in its approach. Neutral hues like black, white and grey are the most commonly used colors in contemporary design, while the absence of patterns and colorful details is quite desirable. Creating contrasts using black and white helps with achieving that elegant vibe, while implementing different shades of grey and sometimes even brown can be used to break the monotony of the space. Some individuals like to break the sequence and the gloomy ambience by placing greenery or a focal point in a specific color.

Illumination

Lighting plays a major role in contemporary design and is used excessively as a way of obtaining the desired look. Pendants lights, as well as recessed lighting is commonly used in modern bathrooms, while introducing natural light has become an attractive feature in bathroom settings. For this reason, skylights have gained a lot of popularity over the years, as an effective and stylish solution for opening up the bathroom to sunlight. Keeping in mind the importance of shapes and structure in modern design, it’s also quite important to follow a certain sequence when installing the lighting.

Simplicity Is the Key

When all is said and done, there’s only grand design and the use of decorations in the space to consider. Given the fact that modern design is closely related to the minimalistic design, which is known for its absence of ornamentation and a generally sleek and plain look, it’s easy to conclude that the contemporary bathroom doesn’t require too much attention in this sphere. A few plants in angular containers or a similarly styled laundry basket are sufficient, while you can always decide to leave the pipes exposed in order to achieve a more industrial or rough-lux look. According to a professional plumber from Melbourne, this can cause some piping problems, especially during winter, so it’s crucial to maintain the plumbing systems regularly and properly.

Introducing the contemporary design into your home will help you create a distinguished, sleek and glamorous setting. The desired look should be simple before anything, so make sure not to go overboard with excessive details. The goal is to create seemingly effortless surroundings with a somewhat sterile and impersonal ambience which will, at the same time, manage to capture the essence of your personality.

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith

The Harm of Hard Water

Hard water is a term that makes many people shudder. It brings up the hassle of dealing with a film on glasses, hard-to-clean tubs, and an odd taste when drinking. A U.S. geological study discovered that more than 85 percent of people have some degree of “hard” water in their homes. Before you can tackle your issues with hard water, it helps to understand what defines water as being hard. The hardness of water is measured in grains of mineral per gallon, with levels of 3.5 GPG or more qualifying the water source as hard.

What Is Hard Water?

Hard water is water that has absorbed minerals as it passes through rocks in high concentration. Elements such as copper, iron, and manganese are found in small amounts, while calcium and magnesium are found in higher concentrations. Hard water causes multiple concerns because it negatively affects plumbing, appliances, grooming, and taste.

Laundry

Hard water makes clothes feel scratchy and look dingy. The water can damage fibers in your clothes and cause them to wear out much faster than they should. People with hard water have to use more detergent to get it to create suds, which increases the amount of residue being left on your clothes.

Dishwashers

Minerals accumulate inside your dishwasher and leave behind a filmy residue on dishes. This residue, called lime scale, is a combination of what is left behind when magnesium and calcium are heated. It coats dishes and the interior components of your dishwasher. The extra heat given off by the hot dishwater releases the minerals faster and makes it harder to clean your dishes. It also reduces the visual appeal of your dishes.

Plumbing

Hard water is definitely rough on your entire home’s plumbing system. These minerals accumulate around plumbing fixtures, reduce the flow of water and create deposits that are difficult, if not impossible, to get rid of. The film places additional stress on the fixtures and plumbing. No matter how much elbow grease you apply, sometimes the deposits want to make themselves a permanent part of your fixture. They accumulate in the pipes, creating clogs and being a costly and large nuisance for maintenance.

Personal Hygiene

Minerals in the water also affect your hair and skin when bathing or showering. The residue accumulates on your skin and can leave it feeling dry, itchy and irritated. You also have to use more shampoo and body wash than normal. This creates a total nightmare for your hair and skin and leaves it looking dull and is harder to maintain than if your hair wasn’t exposed to the minerals on a regular basis.

Drinking Quality

Hard water isn’t harmful to drink, but it might not taste the best because the presence of the minerals can affect its taste. Coffee pots tend to have a significantly shorter lifespan in homes with hard water due to deposit accumulation.

Solutions for Hard Water

If you do have hard water you can use a water-conditioning product or install a softener for your home. You can also tackle residue by cleaning with plain white vinegar and running it through your appliances.

Hard water is not only an annoyance but also a huge financial burden. It affects clothes, appliances, plumbing and skin. If you think you’re suffering from issues related to hard water, there are options for you to remedy them.

Charlie Teschner started MESA Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling in 1982. Charlie has a journeyman and master plumber’s license. He was raised with a strong work ethic and he now applies those values to tasks such as Longmont, CO heating repair.

For a more in depth guide about hard water, check out this website!

Guest Contributor, Charlie Teschner

Why It’s Important to Respect the Bathroom of a Restaurant You’re Visiting?

Why It’s Important to Respect the Bathroom of a Business You’re Visiting?

Have you ever visited a restaurant and used their restroom? Most people treat the restroom with respect. Unfortunately, there are a couple people who don’t. It’s sad. Patrons who disrespect public restrooms aren’t thinking about the other guests who are about to use the facility. You’re a guest. You wouldn’t do that at your mother’s house, or a friend’s house, why would you disrespect a bathroom which you’re a guest in?

We go out to eat because we work hard and deserve a night out, or because we don’t have time to cook. Everyone has their own reason to visiting a restaurant. It’s great. You’re enjoying the food, you’re enjoying the company, the cocktails, and the ambiance usually makes everything better. You stop at the restroom after dinner and at times, the mess in the restroom can completely turn you off to the place. Yes, it’s not their fault. There are patrons who make giant messes and don’t care. How is it, that some restaurants invest so much time on the front of the house, but completely forget to maintain one of their biggest priorities? The restroom!

It is important to treat the bathroom with respect, because you are sharing it with everyone else. The person that follows after you’ve left the bathroom has to deal with the mess you’ve made. It’s not fair to them. What did they do to you? They have just as much right to a clean bathroom.

Let’s say you had a horrible experience with the establishment, does that grant you the right to mistreat the restroom? Of course not. Please speak with management if you have an issue that needs to be resolved.

Please respect the restaurant’s bathroom and other patrons. Remember, most people go out to eat to enjoy themselves and have a great time all around. They deserve to have a good experience. 

To Restaurant Owners/Managers:

Tips To Encourage Customers To Treat Your Bathroom With Respect

Supervision- Make sure you have a set schedule for staff to check the bathroom and quick clean up. Wipe down sink counter, pick up paper towels left behind, and make sure each stall has toilet paper. Have it posted on the wall in the bathroom to show you are maintaining the cleanliness of the bathroom.

Notice- Hang a sign that tells patrons to “Please Respect Our Bathroom”. It will remind patrons that they are guests. You could also have a sign that says to “Notify Management If Anything Is Missing”.

Amenities- Please provide soap, toilet paper, towels, hand towels, small garbage cans in each stall and a larger garbage can in the main bathroom area. If you’re feeling extra generous add a “Guest Basket” in the women’s bathroom that includes: feminine pads, tampons, tissues, baby wipes, and lotion. 

Create a Perfect Vintage-Style Bathroom

Create a Perfect Vintage-Style Bathroom

Vintage design can perfectly adorn small spaces. The amalgamation of classy colors and old-fashioned materials will create an excellent ambiance you’ll adore. Mix shabby chic with stylish to achieve a perfect contrast that’ll make your bathroom truly unique. In the sea of diverse flooring, colors, fixtures and accessories, combine those that’ll work best in your vintage bathroom.

Flooring

You can’t have a vintage design without hardwood flooring. It was one of the earliest and most popular choices for bathroom floors. When deciding on the wood floor, it’s recommended you go for a highly-polished wood, so you can clean it easily. It would be a great idea to oil, shellac, or wax the wooden floor, fill all the cracks, and keep it dry. For those who don’t find wood that appealing, a marble-print tile is the perfect alternative. Furthermore, hexagonal white tiles or a mixture of bright shades would look very chic in a vintage bathroom.

Colors

Ivory or pure white shade makes one of the best color choices for a vintage ambiance. Have towels, bath mats, shower curtains, and other accessories in either white, black, grey or some other neutral hue. If you want to achieve a clean and flawless look, consider combining light and neutral shades. 

If you want to bring more dynamics in the space, add complementary colors to the existing ones in your bathroom. The colors opposite from each other on the color wheel are complementary, so feel free to experiment and see which would work best for your space.

A vintage-inspired bathroom would look fabulous in a warm yellow shade. A deep rich shade of yellow is the perfect choice when you want to transform a small bathroom into a really elegant space. To create the more sophisticated look, incorporate a deep gold shade into an entire design. Finally, yellow ochre, mustard, or saffron shade will add an earthy feel to the entire bathroom.

Decoration

Vintage bathroom furniture is key if you want to achieve the vintage style. Turn a vintage dresser into a bathroom vanity and create a unique piece of furniture for your bathroom. Additionally, use vintage chairs to display towels and you’ll also get that retro look in a modern bathroom. Furthermore, a vintage ladder can also be a great place to put towels and it will be a one-of-a-kind piece of bathroom furniture. Finally, instead of using cabinets, store the bathroom supplies on polished wooden or marble shelves.

Fixtures

When you say vintage, we think claw-foot tub. With its classic design, it will quickly create the retro look in your home. Furthermore, a pedestal sink is the perfect match for a claw-foot tub, and an excellent alternative to a vanity unity. For a bit of extra vintage touch install bronze-colored towel rails and taps. An emergency plumber from Melbourne advises that if anything goes wrong during your work, you should ask for professional help.

Lighting fixtures play a major part in the bathroom, so choose wisely. Consider ceiling lights and recessed lighting fixtures. A wall sconce will provide the perfect amount of light for the vanity area. If you want to give your bathroom special charm, invest in vintage bath lighting sconces. Combine various lighting fixtures to reduce shadows and create as much light in the bathroom as possible. 

Vintage design can be a great upgrade for our bathroom. You can never go wrong with vintage, since it is timeless and easiest to modify. You can always find some old-fashioned piece of furniture in your home, or get it from your friends, so creating a vintage home wouldn’t require much effort. Incorporate some of these ideas into your bathroom design, and you can create the ultimate vintage oasis in your home in no time.

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith

9 Things In Your Crawl Space You Should Know About

How Homeowners Can Easily Maintain Their Crawl Space

Few of us have a desire to go exploring in the dark recesses of our crawl space. Why would we? Cobwebs, dirt, dust, and ductwork is all that there is to greet us — well, hopefully. Additionally, most crawl spaces leave little space to move around, much less walk.

Unfortunately, this lack of easy accessibility causes many homeowners to ignore their crawl space area entirely — a mistake that can sometimes cost them thousands of dollars later on.

There are 9 common things that every homeowner should know to keep an eye out for when it comes to maintaining their crawl space area. We’ve got a list of them for you — along with what you should do when you encounter each one.

1. Dirt

Most homeowners in the Greater Seattle area have bare dirt or exposed rock ground as the floor of their crawl space area. Sometimes homes may have had a vapor barrier or insulation installed years before, of which pieces still remain. While there isn’t much harm in dirt itself, there are issues that come along with exposed dirt floor in the crawl space.

What to do about dirt:

Install a vapor barrier. These help prevent moisture and condensation coming up out of the dirt and into the air of your crawl space. Thanks to the Stack Effect, the air of your crawl space is suctioned up into the rest of your home. In fact, up to 40% of your air circulating through your house has come from your crawl space!

Vapor barriers are comprised of thick plastic sheets laid across the floor and secured with stakes or tape. They contribute to lessened moisture build-up as well as helping your home air stay clean. If you can see dirt in your crawl space, it’s best that you have a professional come in to install a vapor barrier as soon as possible.

2. Ductwork

Many home appliances run through the crawl space area. The accompanying ductwork is usually exposed. Washers and dryer ducts are all commonly found running along the ceiling of the crawl space on their way to your home exterior or to external holding tanks. The ductwork for your homes HVAC system will also typically be found down here.

What to do about ductwork:

There’s nothing wrong with having ductwork running through your crawl space, but it does need to be properly insulated. If HVAC ductwork is not insulated, you run the risk of wasting energy and increasing the cost of heating and cooling your home. Additionally, the changes in temperature can encourage excess moisture and mold development. All this heat and moisture attracts pests, who in turn can damage your ductwork and insulation while diminishing the air quality of your home.

Yeah - big ramifications to such a simple issue.

If you’ve got uninsulated ductwork in your crawl space, the best thing to do is to call a professional crawl space team to come in and install insulation. Insulate the ductwork incorrectly, and you’ll have all the exact same issues as if you hadn’t insulated at all — possibly worse! Ductwork and pipe insulation isn’t a DIY job, so find a reliable, affordable local business to come in and help you out.

3. Plumbing Pipes

Just like ductwork, most homes have at least a few lines of plumbing that run through their crawl space on their way to the septic tank or sewer system. These pipes are usually heavy duty and seemingly impervious to threat — unless it’s from a clogged drain.

But plumbing lines can actually create a pretty poor crawl space environment very quickly. Changes in temperature thanks to water flowing through them and the seasonal temperature changes can cause condensation on the pipes, especially during the coldest and warmest months of the year. This condensation can easily lead to mold infestations if not dealt with properly.

What to do about plumbing:

Call in the experts! A good crawl space cleaning team will insulate and wrap your ductwork and plumbing pipes all in one go. This insulation has to be done carefully, however, as trapping moisture against the pipes can still lead to mold growth and possible damage to your pipes. Be sure you work with a crew who knows what to wrap, how, and when.

4. Electrical Wiring

Wiring sometimes dangles like spider webs from a poorly kept crawl space. These cables and wires usually run along beams as they supply energy to various areas of your home. All you need to do is make sure these wires are protected from the gnawing teeth of mice and rats.

What to do about wiring:

Tack electrical wiring snugly against the beams with nail-in cable clips. Ideally, these electrical cables would lay underneath your crawl space insulation. This keeps them out of easy reach from any crawl space invaders who have made it into your home.

5. Drain and Pumps

Some crawl spaces have been installed with a drain or pump system. In most cases, the pump is a sump pump, designed to carry excess water away from the home in the event of a flood. Drains would have been installed for the same purpose, usually draining the water to a culvert, septic tank, or sewer system.

What to do about a drain:

Do not ever cover a drain or pump! These devices should be left open so that when water does gather, it can be easily drained away. You should occasionally check on pumps and drains to ensure they are still in working order – after all, a plugged drain will not do you any good when a flood occurs. Sooner, in this case, is always better than later.

6. Vents

Most crawl spaces are equipped with multiple vents along the bottom or top of the walls. These vents allow air movement through your crawl space.

What to do about vents:

Do not block your crawl space vents! Many homeowners mistakenly think that by blocking these vents, they’ll help keep their crawl space warmer/cooler. These vents are actually very important in allowing proper ventilation. Check that the mesh of the vents is secure and without holes. The mesh should be fine enough to prevent insects from squeezing through, yet still allow for air movement.

7. Exposed Beams

The beams in your crawl space are what keep your home standing. These foundational beams run vertically and horizontally throughout your home. Ensuring that these are in good shape is a hugely important part of keeping your home safe.

What to do about exposed beams:

Leave them be! Do not ever cut out beams or boards that are ‘in your way’. However unimportant they may seem to you, these are actually vital in the stability of your home. What you can do is once a year or after a flood check these beams for any signs of decay, termite damage, or cracking.

8. Dirty or Damaged Insulation

Insulation is one of the most vital aspects of your crawl space. You can lose up to 45% of your home’s energy through non-insulated crawl spaces. If your crawl space features dirty, ragged or limited insulation, you’re probably wasting a lot of money each month on your heating bills. Additionally, crawl spaces with dirty insulation are more likely to encourage mold growth and attract insects, rodents, and other bothersome pests.

What to do about insulation:

Replace it. Ensuring your crawl space is well-insulated is definitely worth the investment. Not only will you be keeping your energy bills lower and your home more comfortable, you’ll also be deterring pests and lessening the chances of mold and mildew growth. Some homeowners see up to 30% reduction in energy bills following the installation of insulation in the crawl space. It’s easy to see how a crawl space cleanout can rapidly pay for itself.

9. Pests

Most crawl spaces will have some vermin — especially those that have not been maintained. The dark, warm area naturally attracts pests of all sorts, including mice, rats, squirrels, snakes, spiders, ants, beetles, termites, and many more types of pests.

What to do about crawl space pests:

Getting these pesky invaders out of your home can be challenging. For some DIY-ers, home remedies and traps will do the trick. (If that’s you, here are some handy resources on how to remove rodents and snakes from your crawl space). For large-scale, persistent invasions or for those homeowners who prefer to have the issue dealt with professionally.

After the pests are eradicated, it’s time to clean up the mess. Rodents and some types of insects can leave quite a mess behind. Chewed insulation, ripped vapor barriers, feces, and carcasses all need to be removed. In most cases, it’s better to leave the reparation job up to the professionals.

Featured images:

•   I'm the marketing manager for Clean Crawls, a Pacific Northwest crawl space cleaning & insulation company. At home I love to spend time with my wife, 4 children, and golf. At work, I help connect my clients to their customers through content that helps people solve problems. 

Guest Contributor, CleanCrawls.com

What Do You Do If You Run Out Of Toilet Paper In A Public Restroom?

What do you do if you run out of toilet paper in a public restroom? 

It’s not your day. Nothing seems to go right. Your boss is on your butt about God knows what. You couldn’t get any sleep last night, because your spouse’s snoring is so bad that you’re considering committing murder, something simple not too messy. So, you decide to run to Dunkin Donuts, because coffee just makes everything better, after catching your breath you ask the nice lady for a large coffee. She looks at you, she can tell this isn’t your day.

“Sir, we are making a fresh batch as we speak. Unfortunately, two of our machines are down”.

“Oh no, how could this happen? How does Dunkin Donuts actually run out of coffee?”

As I originally said, it’s not your day. You go on to work and get nothing done because you can’t function correctly. As you’re trying to wrap up your day you run into the bathroom and do your duty. You are in such a rush that you aren’t paying attention. Disastrously, there isn't any toilet paper. Ouch! You start to panic. 

What are you supposed to do? Look around, what would Macgyver do?

1.     Neighbor- if there's someone in the stall next to you, ask them to spare some toilet paper. If there's anybody in the bathroom, hopefully washing their hands, asked them to grab you a roll from the other stall. 

2.     Empty Bathroom- if the restroom is empty, get up, and hurry over to the next stall before someone sees you with your pants down. 

3.     Phone a Friend- if you're at a work/restaurant/bar, more than likely you're with someone. Use your life line, they might give you crap about it, but who cares. You need that toilet paper.

4.     Call the Establishment- If you’re at work, someone must be around to help. If you’re out at a restaurant, call the host and tell them what’s going on. They will come save the day. They might even feel bad for you and offer you a beer on the house. 

5.     Purse/Wallet- look inside your purse or wallet for napkins, tissues, receipts, business cards, if you're desperate use some singles. 

6.     Socks- use one sock to wipe and the other one to wrap and toss away. Don't you dare flush it. 

7.     Underwear- would you rather have underwear on or a clean bum? 

8.     Scarf/Gloves/Hat- this is a hit or miss. Depending on weather, if you’re wearing any of it.

9.     Extra Shirt- depending on the season, you might have an extra shirt on. Cut your losses and use it.

10.  Toilet Paper Cardboard- this will hurt, but it seems like you have no other option. I don't even think this will work, but you're obviously somewhere were you're not wearing socks, underwear, or have an extra shirt. For the first time in your life, you're using the bathroom without your phone. You don't have any friends and nothing is going your way. 

If you're a guest at someone's house, please just swallow your pride and ask for toilet paper. If they don't have any, ask for newspaper. No matter what, your day can’t get any worse.