How to Protect Your Home from Spring Flooding

Spring is nearly here, and it’s time to put away our winter jackets. But it’s also time to inspect our homes for any plumbing issues or cracks in the foundation.

In the next few months, we’ll see frequent storms and heavy rainfalls. Anyone who’s dealt with a flood before knows how time-consuming, expensive, and stressful it is.

Homes that have had leaks in the past are more likely to leak again in the future. It’s important to protect your home from potential water damage. We’ve put together these tips that can fortify your house against floods:

The Dangers of Flooding

If your home floods, what’s the worst that could happen? 

Quite a lot, actually. You could be dealing with any of the following issues:

Water damage

The structure of your home can be weakened by water exposure. Floors aren’t built to withstand floods; any hardwoods will warp and may be unrepairable. The same is true of laminate flooring.

Mold growth

Finding mold is unnerving for any homeowner; it is very unhealthy to live with. It grows rapidly in humid areas like shower curtains, beneath the sink, and—most importantly—flooded basements.

Destroyed furniture

Some fabrics and most wooden pieces can’t hold up to water damage. A flood can ruin furniture that’s difficult and expensive to replace. If you’re worried about spring flooding, avoid installing carpeting in a basement or using it for storing antique furniture.

There’s no question that a flood will create major issues for your home. How can you prevent one?

Repair Cracks

If your coffee thermos has ever leaked, then you know how quickly liquid finds its way in and out of cracks. Imagine what will happen if water pools up around your home near a gap in the foundation—it won’t be long before there’s an indoor puddle.

Cracks are frequently found in broken roofing materials, worn down skylights, and/or chipped stucco. Identify and fill any cracks before the rain starts pouring.

Inspect the Plumbing

You can install a few preventative valves and pumps that stop leaks from happening. If your home lacks these systems, a flood becomes much more likely. Ask your local plumber about the following:

Sump pump

Located in the basement, a sump pump redirects water away from the foundation of your home. It kicks on as soon as the water in the pit reaches a certain level.

Here’s another tip: get a backup battery for your sump pump. During a major storm, the power might go out, rendering the system entirely useless. 

If you already have a sump pump, it’s a good idea to get it inspected before spring arrives. A professional plumber can clear away debris and repair any issues.

Backwater valve

Sewer backups can turn a beautiful home into an unsanitary health hazard. Backwater valves (or backflow valves) prevent sewage waste from entering your home. Sometimes, your main sewer line can’t keep up. That’s when the backwater valve kicks in. Since it only allows water to move in one direction, it prevents sewage from seeping into your home.

Schedule drain cleaning services

Have your sinks been draining slowly? A clogged drain mixed with heavy rainfall is a recipe for a flood.

Over time, your home’s sewer line gets obstructed by grease, hair, and more. If you lose a piece of jewelry in the drain, that can also cause a backup. A slow drain might not seem like a major issue, but it can lead to an indoor flood.

If sewage leaks into your home, it can be dangerous. You could be exposed to viruses like E. coli or hepatitis A. When you notice signs of a clogged drain, call a plumber ASAP. 

Invest in Flood Insurance

Did you know that most standard home insurance policies don’t provide coverage for floods?

The only thing worse than a flooded basement is finding out that the damages won’t be covered. 

Call your insurance provider and ask about flood protection. You might be covered for one type of water damage (a severe rainstorm), but not another (a sewer backup). You may need to increase the cost of your plan, but it will be worth it if you’re worried about floods.

Check the Eavestroughs

The gutters or downspouts on your home redirect water away from its foundation. But if they are clogged or misaligned, they can’t do this job effectively. This can result in water pooling up near the edges of your home, damaging the siding and foundation. Call a professional to clear the eavestroughs, since this can be dangerous to do on your own.

Store Belongings in Plastic Containers

If your home floods, it often happens in the basement. Unfortunately, this is also where most of your utilities are housed, like your HVAC system or boiler. Water damage can lead to common boiler problems. In other words: expensive repairs.

You can’t lift these machines off the ground, but you can take measures to protect your other belongings. Store anything that you can in plastic containers. If the basement floods, most of your items will then be protected by waterproof storage bins. 

The warmer weather is finally upon us, and that means one thing: the snow is melting, and the rain is coming! Before it’s too late, make sure that your home is protected against spring flooding. 

Guest Contributor: Christie Simon

Tips for Making Your Home Energy-Efficient

Ever wish you could use less energy to do the same job? You may not be able to, but your home can. There are certain steps you can take to make your house more energy-efficient to reduce costs and waste. 

Technological innovation has made it easier than ever to reduce power usage and live a more sustainable life. Here are some tips for making your house energy-efficient, whether you spend a little or a lot.

1. Turn Down Your Thermostat

A quick and cost-effective way to make your house more energy-efficient is by turning down your thermostat. There’s no point in having the heat turned up when you’re not at home. Drop the temperature by a few degrees, and you’ll save energy and money on heating bills. 

If you’re not the best at remembering to turn down the thermostat every day, you can opt for a programmable version. You can control these from your phone or program them to turn down the temperature during certain hours. 

2. Seal Windows and Entryways

You don’t want warm or cool air escaping in the dead of winter or the midst of summer. If you feel drafts in your home, you might want to check your windows and doors for minute gaps that could be letting air in and out. 

You can simply add weatherstripping or caulk around window and door frames to prevent wasted energy.

3. Get Rid of Incandescent Lightbulbs

Upgrading your lightbulbs from incandescent to light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is another inexpensive way to make your home energy-efficient. LEDs are longer lasting and do not require as much energy usage. 

LED lightbulbs use about 75% less energy than incandescent and last 25% longer. Over the years, that means you would save a ton of money and power.

Another great option is to use renewable light fixtures for your exterior. The market now has a variety of solar lamps and lights that will fit any type of home. Aside from saving you a few bucks on the electricity bill, you’ll be doing the environment some good too.

4. Insulate Your Garage

Don’t forget your garage when making your house more energy-efficient. In the typical U.S. home, 50% of home energy goes toward heating and cooling. If you heat or cool your garage and have ineffective or zero insulation, that’s like using a space heater outside in a snowstorm. 

You should consider adding insulation to your garage to lower energy consumption and costs. An insulated garage door can reduce your energy usage by 71%. 

5. Install Renewable Energy Sources

Whether it’s solar panels or a wind turbine, installing a renewable energy source can boost efficiency and save a lot of money in the long run. The savings over the years make up for the initial cost.

You can add solar panels to your roof or a wind turbine to your backyard. You will no longer have to rely on the energy grid for power and can use what you need. 

6. Save on Water in the Bathroom

Save water and energy in the bathroom by making a few upgrades. One way to do this is by installing an efficient showerhead. Average models use about 2.5 gallons of water every minute, while an efficient one uses around 2 gallons per minute. 

You can also conserve water in your toilet. Graywater systems use the water from sinks and showers, leading to savings. 

7. Swap Appliances for Energy Star Products

Although it’s unrealistic to swap out every single one of your appliances for newer, energy-efficient ones, you can start with one. Go for major items like an oven or washing machine. This will make your house energy-efficient. Energy Star products meet conservation regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency. 

You’ll save money on electric bills by making the switch, and the appliances will do the same work with less energy. 

8. Use Natural Lighting

Instead of turning on the light switch, open your curtains and blinds. Letting in natural sunlight throughout the day gives you a boost of energy, and it cuts back on your home’s energy usage. 

One way to let in even more light is by adding additional windows throughout your home. Plus, the sun can help warm your house on colder winter days.  

Save on Energy and Costs

Use these tips to make your home more energy-efficient than ever. You’ll help the environment and notice a decrease in your energy bills. What more could you want?

Guest Contributor: Rose Morrison

5 renovations that can impact your home insurance

Planning a home renovation can involve fun activities, such as designing a new floor plan or picking fixtures and paint colors. Having a heart-to-heart with your home insurance carrier may not be part of your preparations, but it should be.

Many house improvements that boost your home’s value could render your home insurance coverage inadequate and leave you vulnerable to losses. Other upgrades may trigger lower premiums — savings you do not want to miss simply because you did not think about your home insurance during renovation.

Renovations that increase home insurance rates

Some home renovations greatly increase the value of your home and the cost of your home insurance, while others do not have much of an effect. You should know what you can expect if you plan to proceed with one of the more popular home renovations.

Building a pool

A pool may make you the most popular house on the block, but it means your home is riskier from an insurance standpoint.

A standard homeowners insurance policy usually includes liability coverage, which is designed to cover medical costs for a person injured on your property and legal expenses if you are sued. However, an insurer may recommend that a pool owner opt for higher liability coverage than what is standard.

The insurer also may require a locking fence around the pool or a locking cover to go over the water when the pool is not in use. If the pool has a diving board or slide, it will likely be considered a greater potential hazard.

Adding an office for a home business

Most homeowners policies protect equipment for home-based businesses up to about $2,500. That might not be enough for a business owner who uses specialized machinery or stores large amounts of supplies or inventory. Additionally, homeowners policies might not cover liability related to the business. You may need to bolster your existing policy or purchase an additional business policy. This is particularly true if your business is the type that creates heavier foot traffic in your home, such as piano lessons or private yoga sessions.

If you do need to bolster your business coverage, you may have a few options, depending on your provider:

• Endorsement to your existing homeowners policy: This option would increase the existing limit on business property included in your homeowners policy.

• Businessowners policy: This is a separate policy designed specifically for insuring a business, and it includes an array of coverages.

• In-home Business Insurance: This type of insurance features the same protection you would get if you were a larger company with smaller policy limits and premiums.

Regardless of the scope of your business, you should let your agent know if you have any business risk in your home, to make sure that you are covered properly.

Expanding your space

Sometimes a home needs to grow to accommodate an expanding family. That can mean adding more livable square footage, such as in a basement or attic. In other instances, a new addition may be in order.

You might need more post-renovation insurance even if the added space is not inside your house. Adding a large finished deck could increase the value of your home, for example, and consequently require an insurance reevaluation. 

You may need to consider other types of coverage for the newly built areas of your home. A finished basement with new carpet, drywall and insulation may need water backup coverage if the sump pump is located there, for example.

Ultimately, if you build to expand your usable square footage indoors or out, your insurance will need to be altered to account for the value of the new space.

Upgrading your kitchen or bath

Nothing can give a house a boost quite like making over a kitchen into a chef’s dream or a master bathroom into a spa sanctuary. But unless you give your home insurance a makeover as well, the renovation may be at risk.

To protect the full value of your home, you will need to update your home insurance after a renovation. To be on the safe side, you should let your insurer know before you make the renovations in case something goes wrong during the process.

For example, say your insurer based your coverage on a kitchen with laminate countertops and generic cabinets. If you spend $40,000 on granite countertops, custom cabinets and top-of-the-line appliances, your existing coverage may not be sufficient to rebuild your remodeled kitchen after a disaster.

Call your insurer about the renovation and provide records and photos to validate what you have done. Your premium may increase because your home is now worth more.

If your contractor upgrades the home’s electrical or plumbing systems during a kitchen or bath renovation, you could qualify for an insurance discount. However, you will need to advise your insurance provider of the changes to the home and ask if you qualify for a discount.

Your home renovation insurance needs can adjust either way. Not all improvements mean paying more for your coverage. In fact, some changes — like those plumbing or electrical updates — can mean paying less. 

Renovations that lower home insurance rates

If you are making changes that make your home safer, like updated electrical or plumbing systems, you could see lower rates after you and your provider evaluate your home renovation insurance needs. 

Renovating or replacing your roof

A new roof may not be the most exciting home improvement, but it can save you money when it comes to homeowners insurance.

Some homeowners can get even bigger discounts if they live in hurricane-, wind- or hail-prone states and their new roof employs special loss-mitigation measures, such as hurricane straps, waterproofing or the impact resistant shingles.

While most home policies cover roofs, some insurers use depreciation schedules based on the age of the roof to determine how much protection you get. The newer the roof, the more coverage you are likely to have from insurance.

Do I need to increase my homeowners insurance after renovating?

Even though experts estimate that remodeling projects increase home values by at least 25 percent, many homeowners do not increase their coverage. That essentially means you do not have the proper coverage for your home update. 

When you chose your insurance provider, part of your premium was established by your home’s square footage and the cost that would be required to fix or rebuild it. This means that when you increase the value of your home, you also need to increase your coverage, which may increase the cost of your policy. Without increased coverage, should a disastrous event occur, any improvements you have made will not be covered.

Another thing you need to consider is that if you make significant improvements outside of your home, meaning you add structures like a high-end shed or pool, they will not be covered unless your other structures coverage is sufficient. 

Be sure to let your insurance provider know when you have done any type of work to your home, so that they can perform a post-renovation inspection to accurately determine your new coverage needs.

Adding additional home renovation coverage

There’s another piece to consider. Do you need homeowners insurance during remodeling?

Short answer: Yes.

During renovations, you need to protect items in your home that are not covered with the typical homeowners insurance policy, so speak to your insurance provider about purchasing the following home renovation insurance:

Construction Material Coverage

This coverage protects any material you have purchased, whether it is on your property or en route to your property. If it is damaged or stolen, construction material coverage will cover the costs of replacement.

Foundation Collapse

Should your home’s foundation be damaged during construction, foundation collapse will cover the cost of its repair.

Vacant home insurance

If you need to live outside of your home while renovations or remodeling is being done, you should purchase vacant home insurance. This key home improvement insurance will protect your home should any damage occur to it and you do not notice it until you are back home.

Do not forget to make copies of your contractor’s insurance

Contractors normally have insurance to protect them and you while they are on the job. To work on your home, they will need liability, property and worker’s compensation. Get copies of each before signing any type of agreement with them.

Guest Contributor: bankrate.com

How to Know When Old Furniture Needs a Removal

How to Know When Old Furniture Needs a Removal

Have you considered replacing your old furniture but is unsure whether or not you should invest in new furniture at this time? Examine your contemporary decor, house, and lifestyle to see if it's time to let go of your old junk through furniture removal.

Going to the furniture store with a good conscience would help you make the right decision for you and your family. For sure, it’s difficult to tell when to have a furniture removal project. But take a look at these signals on when it's time to refresh your furniture and get rid of the old ones:

When the Furniture Looks Worn Out

Your whole home will look old and out of date if your furniture is worn out. Take a close look at your belongings. Is there a sag in the middle of your couch or chair? Are there any stains or tears in the cushions of your chairs and sofas that you tend to cover with sheets and throws?

Furniture exposed to a lot of natural light may fade in certain areas, making it unattractive and dull. Look for thin or weak spots in the upholstery as well. If snagged by a pet's paw or a child's toy, these narrow areas will likely break quickly. And when they do, you have no other option than to organize a furniture removal project.

The Pieces of Furniture in Your House Are No Longer Comfortable

It's easy to be fooled by appearances. It doesn't mean your furniture isn't worn out on the inside just because it isn't broken or stained. If you've had the furniture for a long time, you should evaluate its comfort factor. A decent couch or chair would be easy to get into and out of and provide good back support.

Pay attention to your body to see if it indicates something is wrong with your furniture. Perhaps you have a stiff back that you wake up with every morning. When you sit on the couch for too long, you can have pain in your hips or back. If this is the case, your worn mattresses, sofa, or chair may not be providing enough support.

So, it would be a great time to start thinking of that furniture removal project you’ve been postponing all along. It doesn’t take long before you start having a real back and body complications that could distort you. What’s cheaper, furniture removal or paying expensive hospital bills due to straining? You be the judge.

You Start to Hear Creaking Noises

If you hear squeaking, cracking, or creaking any time someone sits down, it's an indication that the sofa requires replacement. The sounds may be due to a fault with the joints on a wooden or metal frame or by a weak metal spring. Hardwoods and screws were common in the construction of older furniture. Manufactured timber, staples, and epoxy assemble today's less costly furniture.

Repairing internal damage and removing the upholstery may be just as expensive as buying a new sofa, whether the couch is older or a prized family heirloom. It would make more sense to have a furniture removal project instead and just get rid of the piece of furniture rather than bring it back to normalcy.

The Upholstery Begins to Have a Terrible Look

A variation in furniture colors and preferences is not the same as frayed upholstery, fading, or deeply scratched pieces. Any fabrics will inevitably wear out due to daily use, jumping, children, and pets. Some frayed areas undergo repair even on leather, but the cloth can gradually wear away, revealing the padding underneath.

When a couch is directly in front of a window that absorbs direct sunshine, it fades. Not only can the hue fade, but the sun's ultraviolet radiation will damage the fibers to the point of tearing them.

And here’s the thing, you just can’t stand having a piece of furniture that’s looking this terrible in the house. Well, unless style and decency don’t feature anywhere in your home description.

An Overwhelming Odor, Itchiness, and Pungent Smell Necessitates Furniture Removal

If you haven't been vigilant about holding cats, children with leaky diapers, and oily bodies and feet off the sofa, odors will build up in the upholstery and stuffing underneath it. Vacuuming and steam cleaning regularly will help, but the odors may finally prevail. It could be time for a new sofa if a room still smells odd, even after cleaning.

You didn't want a scratchy cloth when you purchased the sofa, so now you're itchy and have red welts on your legs after a nap. You may have bed bugs. Never is a better time to replace the sofa than now. Have that furniture removal company knock on your door right away.

Final Thoughts

So, that’s how you handle a furniture removal project and know if you need one instantly. Don’t ignore the signs above that necessitate a furniture removal project. You can do it yourself or have a company come and lend a hand.

Guest Contributor: Zachary Weiner

Why Regular Plumbing Maintenance is Necessary

Many homeowners neglect regular plumbing maintenance because they either want to save money or they deem it unnecessary. While unfortunate to note, many people don't understand the importance of plumbing maintenance until it's too late. 

If truth be told, having a professional check your plumbing and pipes at least twice yearly should be considered mandatory and not optional. The importance of regular plumbing maintenance cannot be overstated. 

Even owners of commercial properties make commercial leak detection and routine plumbing maintenance a top priority. Without it, they will be putting their properties in serious jeopardy.

The Importance of Routine Plumbing Maintenance

Many are unaware of the damage they can stack up when they put plumbing maintenance on the back burner. Below are some of the most practical reasons why regular plumbing maintenance should rank high in your list of priorities:

It can help you save money

If you are like most homeowners, here's something you most likely have not realized yet: the money you "save" by foregoing regular plumbing maintenance will often end up paying for costly replacements and repairs and your exorbitant utility bill. 

Keep in mind that the longer you leave any plumbing issues to fester, the more significant damage it can cause. In other words, if you don't get to detect and address any plumbing issues early, you might need to replace them when a simple repair a month earlier would have sufficed.

It can prevent time-consuming repairs and replacements

If damage to your plumbing or pipes is so extensive because of your negligence, you will not only be wasting money, you will also be squandering another precious resource—time. If anything, resolving a plumbing problem is not as straightforward as it seems.

ay your basement pipes have a crack that led to minor flooding. More often than not, the pipes are beyond repair at that point. To put a stop to the flooding, you need to buy new pipes and have them installed.

Unfortunately, it's not as simple as buying replacement furniture. You need to know the type of pipes to purchase and find a licensed professional to carry out the installation for starters.

That means you will also need to set an appointment and shut off the primary water source during the installation process. Long story short, the whole process can be tedious and time-consuming and could have been easily avoided if any problems were detected and resolved early.

It can keep the quality of your water clean

Many homeowners don't realize that the state of their plumbing can have a notable impact on their water quality. So even if your water is not potable, you can rest assured it is filtered and clean to use for other basics like washing your clothes, taking a bath, and brushing your teeth.

Regular plumbing maintenance can also help warrant your pipes are clean and the water you are using is free from lead or rust. Routine plumbing maintenance can also help extend the lifespan of your pipes.

It can improve air quality

Here's another thing that might surprise homeowners: plumbing can directly affect their air indoors. Pressure issues, valve problems, and cracked pipes can all lead to water leaks. Left undetected (and unattended), it can create breeding grounds for bacteria, mold, and mildew.

As you may already know, mold, mildew, and bacteria can substantially affect your indoor air quality. Fortunately, routine plumbing maintenance can help catch any potential plumbing issues before they cause damage that can affect your health.

It can ensure any potential disasters are kept at bay

Many homes have experienced minor and significant flooding attributed to faulty plumbing or plumbing issues that have been left undetected. However, indoor flooding is not the only potential disaster that undetected plumbing issues can cause.

Contaminated water, water shortage, overflowing toilets, backed-up sewage disposal, and water heater malfunction are just some of the possible indoor catastrophes that can be attributed to faulty plumbing.

Conclusion

To keep distressing and costly problems caused by plumbing problems at bay, ensure regular plumbing maintenance ranks high on your list of priorities. Fortunately, plumbing check-ups done once or twice yearly can already help warrant your pipes, plumbing, and faucets are in perfect working order. 

Guest Contributor: Anthony Jamison

How to Prevent Mold and Mildew in Your House

Molds are fungi that grow naturally in moist and humid places. When they grow inside the house, they can negatively affect air quality and pose other health risks. So, it is essential to prevent their growth in your home. 

Mildew and molds are the same organisms in different stages of their lifecycle. They can be useful in the outer environment to compose a lead to enrich the soil with nutrients. However, they are detrimental when they grow indoors. It can cause respiratory problems, headaches, sinus congestion, throat, and eye irritation. Infants, children, older people, pregnant women, and others have respiratory issues. 

In dealing with molds or preventing them in your house, here are some things that you should try out. 

A correct possible point of growth in your house

It is no secret that molds and mildew need a moist environment to grow in. Their presence in your house means that you have a breeding ground. What you should do is check your home. Look for a possible breeding ground and remove it. It might be that your basement is flooded or a persistent leak has led to water stains on your ceiling. There are many other possibilities, but the point is, it’s impossible to stop the growth and spread of mold in your house if you don’t find that breeding ground and correct it. 

Addressing this problem might mean that you have to rip up old products and buy new mold-resistant ones. You might have to excavate or waterproof. The solution might be expensive, but it will help to prevent molds from growing in your house, which might be more costly in the future if left unchecked. 

Keep your home’s humidity level in check.

Molds won’t grow if the humidity level in your house is not high enough. So an ideal first step to preventing their growth is to keep the humidity level in check. Make sure that your home is dry. It might mean that you have to install a hydrometer to check your house’s moisture and humidity level. According to professional essay writers, your house must not have a humidity level that is higher than 60 percent if you are to prevent the growth of molds. 

If you live in an area likely to have excessive moisture quickly, you must ventilate. Make sure the vent fans are turned on when you use the bathroom, kitchen, or basement. If you don’t have vent fans, install them in those places and if they are faulty, repair them. 

Natural ventilation and fresh air

A natural way to prevent moisture from building up and creating an ideal environment for molds to grow is ventilation. Keep your home always ventilated by opening your windows. When the levels of carbon dioxide are too high, it will reduce the body’s oxygen level. When this happens, oxygen flow to the brain is hampered. If you have closed up your house for months (probably because you traveled), carbon dioxide would have built up inside, especially in the most used rooms in the house. So, open your house up to fresh air first before entering. Fresh air also helps dry out musty and damp areas in your home and reduces stiffness and odors. Make sure that your windows are opened every day, even if it’s for only 5 - 15 minutes, to allow natural ventilation in your house. 

Use mold-resistant products in your house.

If you are renovating your old house or you’re just building a new one, you should seek to use mold-resistant products. Common examples of products that you can use are mold inhibitors, mold-resistant Sheetrock, and mold-resistant drywall. Drywall is traditionally made of gypsum plaster that is pressed to the core by two plies of paper. In comparison, mold-resistant drywall doesn’t have paper. Fiberglass covers the gypsum core, and this makes the surface resistant to water. Drywalls that are moisture-resistant will be valuable for you in areas prone to getting wet, such as the kitchen, basements, laundry rooms, and bathrooms.

The problem with traditional drywall is that they are more susceptible to mold than paperless ones. Worse still, it’s challenging to get rid of molds when they start to grow on the wall, and if you have to remove them and replace them, it will be costly. You can also get a mold-resistant gypsum board in which the drywall is built to prevent absorption of moisture and prevent mold growth. 

The green cleaning product is helpful.

In one article by a college paper writer, he states that the largest source of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in a house are cleaning products that have a severe odor. Lemon and artificial pine products are especially notorious for this. When you clean your house with these products, especially if you are cleaning areas where mold is present, you’re trading a problem for the other. During your home cleaning or when you have to deal with mold, make sure you use water-based cleaners that are non-aerosol and non-toxic. 

Introduce household plants

Household plants are not just beautiful, they also help to improve the quality of your indoor air. These plants can remove VOCs such as benzene, paints, and formaldehyde. Although they have moist soil that is a good ground for mold to breed, you can ensure that molds don’t grow by adding some Taheebo tea when watering the plant. The oil can withstand fungi, so molds are unable to grow in the plant's soil. 

Conclusion

In dealing with molds and mildew in your house, an excellent first step is to know your region’s climate. Southwest is hot and dry, Northeast is cold and wet, West is cold and dry, and South is hot and wet. Knowing this little detail and how it affects moisture is essential. You should know that there’s no one solution to this problem. So, find out what works for your house and your climate for a start. 

Author Bio

Leon Collier is a blogger from Edinburgh. He's one of those providing service with professional coursework writers at essay writing service UK, and he also writes custom essay papers. He loves to write about everything: house renovation, history, travel, self-development, education, and marketing. When not writing, you can find him behind a book or playing tabletop games with his friends. Follow him on Twitter @LeonCollier12.

Photo by Adam Nieścioruk on Unsplash 

5 Mold Removal Tips for Every Homeowner

When there is water damage, the presence of mold is inevitable because these two things go hand in hand. In certain parts of the home, such as basements or bathrooms, mold growth has a higher chance of happening due to their moist environments and lack of ventilation.

Kitchens can also fall victim to mold growth due to the high levels of moisture and humidity in the area. Mold can often be found under the sink or even behind appliances.

For mold to grow, it needs two things— moisture and material to grow on. Once the material is exposed to water, mold will start to grow in less than two days.

If you happen to spot any wet spots in less than two days, then you might have saved your home from mold growth. However, sometimes leaks or puddles can go unseen for more than a couple of days. Most homeowners might notice mold growth when they smell something musty or spot dark spots on walls or furniture.

So, what’s a homeowner to do when specks of mold start showing up? 

If the mold growth in your home is extensive, then professional help might be the answer. However, if it’s just a couple of small spots, you might be able to remove it on your own without any professional assistance.

Here are five tips for every homeowner to help them remove mold effectively.

Get Rid of the Source of Moisture

Mold thrives on moisture. Water is what fuels mold growth, so the first step is to remove any source of moisture in your home. This might include leaks, cracks, or malfunctioning appliances. In some cases, it could be laundry that you didn’t appropriately dry or a puddle of water somewhere in your home.

In most cases, patching up any leaks or cracks in your home will get rid of the source of moisture and prevent mold growth from worsening. 

Dry The Area Thoroughly

A mistake homeowners often make is not drying areas of the home or furniture thoroughly. When items aren’t dried properly, you can expect mold to grow soon. This also applies to areas in your home. As long as the site or object is still wet, mold will definitely survive and continue to grow.

So, keep in mind to dry any wet spots thoroughly and make sure that you dry your items properly to keep mold from growing.

Clean With Soap and Water

If you’re dealing with a mild mold problem, soap and water will be enough to kill it. Non-porous surfaces such as metal and tile are way easier to clean because mold can’t dig into the material like they would with carpets or fabrics.

When dealing with hard surfaces, soap and water is sufficient for killing any mold. For porous materials such as fabrics or carpets, a HEPA vacuum would be needed to really pick up any mold spores.

Dispose Of Cleaning Materials

Once you’ve finished cleaning up mold, you must dispose of the materials you’ve used, such as sponges and wipes, since they are now covered with active mold spores. If you keep them and continue using them to clean other areas, it might contaminate your home and cause more mold problems.

Regularly Observe the Area

The last tip would be to continue checking spots that you’ve cleaned to monitor whether or not the mold has come back. Also, make time to go around your home and check for any leaks, cracks, or signs of water damage. 

If your home is fairly new or you’ve decided to renovate it, then this would be an excellent time to check the house for any signs of mold growth or damages. 

Wrapping Up

Mold problems cause a lot of trouble but removing them doesn’t have to be difficult. Merely getting rid of the source of moisture is already a step in the right direction. Although some leaks and damages might require professional help, cleaning specks of mold will only need soap and water. 

Also, remember to monitor your home and look out for signs of mold growth. The best mold removal tip is to prevent mold growth in the first place.

Guest Contributor: Diana R.

7 Ways To Unclog A Toilet Without A Plunger Or A Snake

Nothing ruins your pleasant stay in the lavatory more than the picture of the water not flushing down the drain. Sounds familiar to you? It happens to everyone, but a clogged toilet is more than a mere discomfort, calling for urgent attention. 

“But, how did that happen?”, we hear your voice.

If you are like most people, you probably cram your toilet with everything from tangles of hair tumbleweed rolls to leftover cooking oil and tiny useless objects. Remember, no toilet U-bend is designed for them. Stop blaming yourself, though, if the toilet-clogging culprit roots in the type of your drainage system, low domestic water pressure, or the thickness of your toilet tissue. 

Now what?

Well, the best thing you can do is grab a plunger or a snake and tackle this nasty toilet blockage. But what if you don’t own any specialized plumbing tools? 

We, at Kevin Szabo Jr Plumbing, will walk you through 7 tried-and-tested tips to clear the toilet clog quickly without plumber’s equipment. 

#1. Flush Once (Not More)

You may think that flushing the toilet multiple times should be your first port of call. Think twice. By doing this, you risk stumbling in a situation of toilet water gushing from the bowl and nasty puddles of gunk on the floor. 

The rule is: flush the toilet [only] once to clear the line with the force of gravity. But if this method didn’t work in your situation, be ready to get your hands dirty.

#2. Add a Soap Solution

“While toilet detergents - like Drano - offer fast cleaning and deodorizing results, they can also push the clog down the pipeline, causing an even more stubborn obstruction to deal with. This is a lose-lose situation.”, commented Harry H. Knowles, a qualified toilet plumbing expert from the London-based My Plumber, part of Fantastic Services - a home maintenance franchise company operating across the UK and Australia. 

“If an overly full toilet bowl is a pesky consequence of your habit to dump oil leftovers in it, squirt in an eco-friendly mixture of 5-6 tsp liquid dish/hand soap and hot water. Then, let it sit for half an hour. ”, added the expert.

Note: It’s crucial to take out as much water as possible from the toilet bowl. That’s how you can get fast grime-loosening results and avoid a water damage situation.

#3. Clear It Up With a Homemade “Soda-Vinegar-Water” Mixture

Is your toilet resistant to soap cleaning? Borrow some kitchen cupboard contents like vinegar and baking soda and be prepared with the following steps:

• Sprinkle a ½ cup of baking soda down the drain. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes.

• Next, pour a ½ cup of white distilled vinegar into the toilet bowl opening. When you combine these, you’ll see bubbles and hear a “fizzing” sound because of the chemical reaction.

• Put the toilet lid down until you stop hearing the noise from the inside. The reaction will help the clog move along.

• If the water level decreases, flush hot (not boiling!) water down the drain. 

#4. Empty the Drain With the Help Of a Toilet Brush

An unattended toilet can quickly turn into a non-dissolving and foul-smelling mass of dirt and debris, preventing your plumbing from functioning as it should. Not to mention that drainage issues are another coronavirus danger lurking around your toilet. So, you need to get it sanitized ASAP.

If you are dealing with a slow-draining toilet, chances are the clog is shallow. Usually, this is a benign problem, easily fixed with a toilet brush.

Put your gloves on and get the mess out when you plunge the toilet brush down the drain. It is wholly unglamorous but essential to rotate it slowly in order to score everything - debris, dirt, and sediments. The toilet brush is not quite the same as the plunger method, but it can do an excellent drain cleaning job in just a few minutes. 

#5. Re-use a Wire Hanger

Have a wire hanger from the old millennium that causes awkward stretch marks on clothes? Rather than taking your wardrobe accessory to the scrap metal depot, use it to reach whatever’s clogging the nooks and crannies of your bathroom fixture. Strange but surprisingly effective, an old hanger can be a problem-solver for any tricky-to-dislodge mass of toilet gunk. How? 

• Simply uncoil the wire neck and transform it into a slim, straight line with a hook for gunk “fishing”;

• Preserve the shape of the hook at the hanger's end and wrap a cloth around it to avoid ruining the toilet porcelain and pipes;

• Remove the blockage manually, being sure not to push it further into the system; 

• Finally, flush the rest of the sludge away. 

Clog begone!

#6. Make Use Of Epsom Salt

Soap or vinegar solutions take hours to dissolve the clog, sometimes even overnight. When you want a clog-free toilet much faster, a pinch of Epsom salt acts like a powerful wizard that breaks the clog in a matter of 15-20 minutes. 

The trick is to mix a cup of Epsom salt, 30 ml of liquid dish soap, and a couple of cups of white vinegar. Then, all you have to do is to blend the mixture and pour it down the drain. You’ll notice a lot of fizzy bubbles, which is exactly what you want to achieve. Once it’s over, scrub the toilet thoroughly and flush to make sure no residue is left inside.

#7. Deal With a Weak Water Spout

Does your toilet lack flushing power? Toilet clogs do not occur only because of the U-bend, but also the amount of water gushing into the bowl. One way to solve this plumbing problem is to access the inside of the toilet tank and adjust the float’s height with the help of an adjustment screw. 

Another common reason for weak flushing power is a partially closed water valve. Fortunately, it’s an easy fix - simply open the valve fully. But if your water pressure gauge has been giving low readings on a regular basis (below 40 PSI), you may want to consider installing a water pressure booster system. 

Stuck with a toilet clog that just doesn't go away? If the above clog-defying tips don’t do the trick, you may need tocontact a local plumber to save you serious time and hassle.

Guest Contributor: Katie Hentschel

The Most Forgotten Spring Maintenance Tasks

Even though that rascally groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow, spring will arrive before you know it. When it comes, it’s time to prep your home for the new season.

What do you need to do to get your homestead ready for warmer weather? Tackle these five most forgotten spring maintenance tasks, and you will successfully prepare your home for fun in the sun.

1. Cleaning Your Gutters

You don’t want to let leaves and other debris accumulate in your gutters. If they do, water could seep between your interior and exterior walls. The moisture can allow toxic mold to flourish and may spark electrical fires.

Please make sure you protect your head with a hard hat and take time to inspect your roof while you have the ladder out. Water can creep into small cracks in your shingles or tile. The freeze and thaw cycle causes this moisture to expand and create large holes.

2. Prepping Your Gardens

You might think there’s no point in starting yard work while frost still threatens to kill new plants. However, there’s nothing to keep you from prepping your beds so you’re ready to go when planting season arrives.

Weeds are so insidious that they have a nasty way of popping up even over the winter. Rake and hoe your beds to remove unwanted species. Discourage new growth from wrecking your hard labor by smothering your beds with a layer of cardboard covered by a fresh coat of mulch.

3. Inspecting Your Foundation

The same freeze and thaw cycle that sometimes spells disaster for your roof can also create problems with your home’s foundation.

If this part of your home starts to crack or crumble, you might face tens of thousands of dollars in repairs — or even have to consider abandoning the structure.

Tour your property’s perimeter and look for any cracks. Small, vertical cracks are normal, but pay attention to any that are horizontal, around corners, or wider than a dime’s width. Even slightly bulged masonry bricks can indicate a building collapse risk — so contact a qualified contractor immediately if you spy anything that looks concerning.

4. Touching Up Your Paint

Painting is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase your property’s value. If you do it yourself, you don’t have to worry about labor costs, and the materials aren’t expensive.

It’s best to paint your home’s exterior in the spring or fall, as the ideal temperature range is approximately 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s too hot or too cold, the paint might not set properly. Of course, if a sudden March squall arises on your planned work weekend, you can always tackle the interior instead.

5. Changing Your Filters

Far too many homeowners end up with costly HVAC repairs they could have prevented if they performed the simple maintenance task of regularly changing their filters. How frequently you need to do so depends on the quality of the filter you buy and the conditions inside your home.

If you live alone and don’t smoke, you might get away with changeouts as infrequent as every three to six months. However, if you smoke or have pets, you should swap them out every two months, or even sooner if you select an inexpensive fiberglass filter.

Tackle These 5 Most Forgotten Spring Maintenance Tasks

With the change of seasons, it’s time to do some work around the homestead. Tackle these five most forgotten spring maintenance tasks and get ready to enjoy the warmer weather.

Guest Contributor: Rose Morrison

Ways To Boost Your Home Value

If you’re a homeowner and you plan to put your house on the market soon, taking steps to increase its value should be your priority.

While external factors like interest rates, the real estate market, and the current state of the economy affect your home’s resale value, the very look and condition of your property itself can mean the difference between making and losing money.

If you want your home to command a good price when the time comes, here are some things you need to do to boost your home value.

Replace Your Garage Door

A new garage door installation is one of the best things you can do to boost your home’s value.

Installing a new garage door is among the top home improvements that increase home value, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2020 Cost Vs. Value Report.

The report found that homeowners who replace their garage door recoup 94.5% of their cost.

Then again, that figure isn’t surprising, as garage doors don’t just make a home more attractive. They also offer safety and security. If the garage door you choose to install is insulated, you’d also be increasing your home’s energy efficiency, which many homebuyers look for when house-hunting.

Increase Curb Appeal

Installing a new garage door is just one of many ways of boosting curb appeal, which has a bearing on your home value.

Some of the things you can do to make your home more appealing to people on the street include:

• Planting a tree or two

• Maintaining your lawn

• Painting your front door

• Power washing your driveway, walkway, siding, and porch

• Updating front door light fixtures

• Adding an elegant door knocker

• Painting the exterior

• Cleaning the roof and gutters

• Upgrading your house number

Add More Living Space

More often than not, homes with more living space command better prices.

If your property still has considerable space for additions, consider adding a room or two.

If you have a basement, make sure it’s finished to make it more energy-efficient and good enough to use as a spare bedroom.

You can also build a patio or a deck, which will attract more interest from homebuyers who look forward to days and nights entertaining guests or simply spending time outdoors without leaving the property.

Spruce Up the Bathroom

A full bathroom remodel would be great as it adds plenty of value to your home, but it’s going to cost a lot, and there’s no guarantee that you would be able to recoup your expenses fully when you sell the house.

If a complete bathroom remodel is out of the question, you can still make minor changes that won’t break the bank but still enhance the value of your home.

Small repairs like replacing tile grout and painting the walls can go a long way in boosting your home’s value. The same goes for a new toilet seat, rugs, and shower curtain.

You can make fixtures like faucets and showerheads look like new by removing gunk using household items like vinegar and baking soda.

Updating your bathroom light fixtures to more energy-efficient models would be worth your while, too.

Upgrade Your Kitchen

As with a complete bathroom remodel, overhauling your kitchen is also an expensive proposition, especially if it involves moving plumbing and drain pipes.

You can still upgrade your kitchen to add to your home’s value without spending a fortune.

You can hang a new decorative light fixture that perfectly matches your kitchen’s color and existing décor.

You can give your kitchen cabinets a fresh coat of paint. You might also want to consider replacing their handles as well.

Granite countertops are great, but they’re so pricey homebuyers might think it’s the sole reason for your home’s high value on the market. 

If you’re planning on replacing your existing kitchen countertop, go for more affordable materials like ceramic tile and laminate.

Deep Clean Your Home

Sometimes, all a beautiful and highly-functioning home needs to increase its value is a heavy, thorough cleaning.

Homebuyers put a premium on the cleanliness of properties they’re eyeing. 

A home with visible grime, scummy showers, and marred walls is a turnoff since it means more work and expense for them should they decide to buy the property.

When you finally decide to put your home on the market, give it a deep cleaning first before showing it off to potential buyers. 

Clean every inch of the house thoroughly, from the spots you can readily see to hidden areas like behind the stove, refrigerator, and underneath furniture.

These are just a few of the things you can do to increase your home value, but they’re a good enough place to start. 

You might also consider talking to your real estate agent, as they’re completely in the know when it comes to what people are willing to pay top dollar for when going house-hunting.

Guest Contributor: Irene Trentham