Points Which Underlines The Importance Of House Leveling

Points Which Underlines the Importance of House Leveling 

Any structure whether it’s a house or a commercial building stands tall and strong on its foundation. Foundation of any structure bares all the weight of the house and thus it is very important that it remains strong. If anything happens to foundation, then it affects the entire structure whether big or small. Thus, it is very important to deal with any problems related foundation carefully. The most common problem related to house foundation is damage caused to its leveling. And if you are not careful enough and tend to keep on ignoring the issue, then it can cost a fortune.

As soon as you encounter any issue related to foundation, immediately call for house leveling experts. They will help you with the whole process and will correct it. So, to make sure that these signs do not go ignores leading to the house rumbling down, here are some the signs which showcases the importance of house leveling.

Jamming of Doors and Windows

No one likes jamming of doors and windows and sometimes they often get stuck due to various reasons. This happens especially with wooden doors and windows, as due to moisture they swell and thus becomes stuck at times during rainy season. One of the reasons of jamming can be loose hinges causing jamming of doors and windows. If these reasons are not the cause of jamming, then it is definitely the case of problem in house leveling. As when the roots of any house start to change then its signs are visible in the doors and windows as they are moving parts attached to the house structure. Uneven base of the house causes the nonalignment of doors and windows thus if that’s the case you need house leveling.

Gaps between Seams and Ceilings

If we define a house leveling then it is a process of making the base of the house stable, so that everything build upon it remains stable in a straight level. But sometimes due some reasons, the base gets uneven and thus the first signs that one can get is by observing the gaps between seams and ceilings. This cracks or gaps created overtime can turn bigger over the period causing a damage to its foundation. Thus, when you spot a crack, it is sure sign that you need a house leveling done to your home before it’s too late.

Bent basement

The best way to know whether your house needs a leveling or not is by checking the basement. Basement is the closest to the foundation thus it shows the signs. When you start observing that the basement walls have started bending, then it is a result of shifting the foundation and due to which the entire structures are jeopardized. To overcome this situation, one must consult house levelling experts as soon as possible.

Water Damage

When the foundation of your house start losing its ground then it creates some unprecedented situations which can directly affect your house. For instance, when the foundation has shifted it creates space for rain water to sip in and accumulate in those gaps. Drainage system can also get affected with uneven foundation. Another sign which ensures that you need a house levelling done is the constant repairs needed to drainage system.

Crooked Floors

Crooked floors occur when you observe that the flooring is not levelled as before. When things start to roll on its own then its time to correct the foundation of house. Thus, house levelling is required to be done to correct the mess.

All these points when kept in mind properly will help you out in getting the idea that you need a house leveling.

 Guest Contributor, Amelie Lawrence

A Practical Guide To The Home Building Process

A Practical Guide to the Home Building Process

Choosing your new home is certainly one of the most important decision you’ll be making in the course of your life. However, it’s not an easy and quick decision to make, as you’ll want a home that is filled with character, matches your lifestyle and offers all the desirable amenities.

The whole idea becomes instantly more serious when you decide on building your home instead of buying a finished one. It can be a quite stressful and overwhelming process, so to make sure it all goes smoothly, you need to understand how it works.

Here are all the essential phases a typical builder will undertake in building your dream home.

Planning and professional help

While still in the planning stages, consult a professional, such as an architect and a project manager, as they will walk you through the design ideas and building phases. In this way, you’ll have the chance to address any safety concerns, costs, permits and various ways of turning your desires of a dream home into reality.

Building a home is not simple so without professional help of experienced project builders and designers, you’ll hardly be able to make any substantial progress. The construction market in Australia is growing rapidly and whether you’re looking for new apartments in Sydney or houses that will satisfy all your needs and grow with you, turn to the best property developers you can find to ensure the highest quality service, and attractive and innovative design.

Phase 1: preparation and foundation

With the exception of a wooded lot, one crew usually does all site preparation and foundation work. The work starts with clearing the lot of debris, rocks and trees, which is then levelled out, wooden forms are placed, holes are dug and the footing positioned. If the plans include a well and a basement, it will be done in this phase as well. Only after all that can the foundation be poured. After it cures for some time, foundation walls are built up, drains, sewer and plumbing are installed.

This is when you can expect the first visit from a city inspector who will ensure everything is properly installed and up to code.

Phase 2: the rough works

Phase two sees all walls, floors and roof systems completed. OSB sheathing or plywood is put up on exterior walls, doors and windows are built in, and the roof and walls are covered with house wrap, a protective layer that reduces risks of mold and wood rot.

After the siding and roof have been installed, electrical and plumbing work is done through the ceiling, floors and interior walls followed by HVAC system installation.

Phase 3: insulation

An essential element in creating a comfortable and cozy interior and improving the energy efficiency of your home is proper insulation. The most common types of insulation are fiberglass, foam, cellulose, mineral wool, concrete blocks and rigid boards that will insulate exterior walls, basement, attic and floors.

Phase 4: completion

At this point, construction works are coming to an end and usually include finishing drywall, interior textures and trims, flooring, cabinets, countertops and finally exterior landscaping, pathways and the driveway.

Phase 5: the final inspection

The last phase calls for the final inspection so you can get familiar with all the new features, future maintenance and warranty coverage. It’s also a valuable chance to spot any details or imperfections that need a touch-up or adjustment.

Regardless of how long and meticulous the home construction process is, it’s necessary to ensure your home is properly built, and safe for you to enjoy in the following years.

Guest Contributor, Amelia Atkins

Guide For New Apartment Owners: Do’s and Don’ts of Moving

Guide for New Apartment Owners: Do’s and Don’ts of Moving

Wohooo, you’ve got yourself a new place! This is super exciting time and a new beginning for you and your family, but it can also be a pain in the back (literal and figurative). However, if you get familiar with all do’s and don’ts of moving, you’ll settle in your new apartment in no time!

Don’t leave everything for the last moment

Sure, no one likes packing and unpacking, but it’s absolutely necessary if you want to start your new life. So, don’t procrastinate, but start packing as early as you can. A few weeks before the actual move will leave you enough time to make a good schedule, divide tasks and book removalists. Also, on the day of the move, try to get it completely done, even if you’re moving just a few blocks away. Many people decide to leave a few things behind and go pick them up in the next few days, but that’s not a great approach. Once you’re in your new place, you want to focus on settling down and leaving your old apartment completely behind!

Do learn the house rules

Every building has house rules that you must respect, otherwise you might be facing fines and strikes. For instance, some buildings in Australia require elevator bookings for moving, while others have a moving fee that you have to prepay. Speak to your landlord or building superintendent about the rules and stick to them. You don’t need any extra expenses during this time!

Don’t move at weekends

Most people choose to move at weekends when they don’t have to work, but moving often takes longer than expected and most removalist companies are super booked during that time. But, if you opt for a weekday move, you can easily extend your moving truck lease with no additional charges or stress. Speaking of moving truck services, most of them also offer dolly renting. So, if you don’t own one yourself, make sure to rent it together with your truck. They will make moving the boxes much quicker and easier!

Do ask for help

Of course, moving your entire apartment isn’t a two-people job. That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to ask your family and friends for a helping hand (just make sure to repay the favor or organize a great housewarming party). If you’re moving to another city, like from Sydney to Brisbane, hiring professional movers might be your best bet.

When it comes to moving large furniture items, like these 3 seater sofas, it is highly recommended to seek assistance from professionals or at least a few strong friends. Attempting to move such items alone can be both physically demanding and potentially dangerous, as there is a risk of injury or damaging the furniture or your home. To minimize the strain and costs of the move, consider finding a reputable moving company in Australia that offers affordable rates for their services.

Don’t leave anything broken

Before you even start bringing in your stuff, make sure to thoroughly inspect the place and contact professionals to take care of everything that is not in top shape. For instance, many Australians, especially those living in Brisbane, have issues with electrical installations and electricity supply systems during heat waves. So, if you notice any exposed wires, malfunctioning switches or dead outlets, don’t hesitate to ring up an experienced electrician in Brisbane to handle your problems. It’s much easier to deal with these shortcomings while the apartment is still empty!

Don’t wing it

Making even a loose plan of where you want your things to go is better than just dumping them all inside without any particular floor plan idea. For instance, if you know where the couch or bookcases will go, it will be much easier to finish your unpacking!

Do pre-stock the fridge

Get some refreshing drinks, snacks and precooked meals and store them in your new fridge. This way, you’ll always have cold beverages and revitalizing food to give you new energy for unloading that truck!

As you can see, as long as you have a good plan and know your do’s and don’ts of moving, you’ll have a smooth and stress-free relocation. Just remember to have some fun in the process—it will definitely make things even easier!

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith

The Damage Is Done: What to Do When Builders Damage Your House During Renovations

The Damage Is Done: What to Do When Builders Damage Your House During Renovations

Things are going smoothly with your home reno.  You had great referrals for your contractors which has proven successful, the job is on schedule and the work looks amazing.  Then, it happens.  You come home to hear that there has been an accident.  Thankfully, there were no injuries and everyone is okay, but the same can’t be said for your house. 

When the contractors were lifting a new beam, it slipped and fell from the top floor where the renovation is underway, and now there’s a gaping hole in the new floor and the ceiling of the next floor just below.  What now?

This is just one of many scenarios that can unfold whether you are making minor changes or major changes to your home.  Builders can do some amazing things, but the fact is, accidents happen, so you need to be prepared for a worst-case scenario.   Typically, the work starts long before an accident occurs.

Start with Your Home Owners Insurance Policy

Many insurance companies cover the cost when a builder damages a home, but there are some cases where it is not bound to do so.  For example, if you move out of the home while the renovations are underway, coverage may be in question.  The same may also apply if the damage occurred in an addition being built on to the home. 

The safest move you can make is to reach out to your insurance company before the renovations begin so your agent can explain what is and is not covered.   In many cases, your insurance company will recommend builder's risk insurance or home remodelling insurance.  

If you don't have either of those, you still have options, one if which is to look at the coverages in your current home owner’s policy. The other option is to pursue the contractor’s insurance company to cover the cost of the damages.

The Contractor’s Insurance Policy

Along with getting referrals, you were also hopefully savvy enough in your research to make sure your contractor has proper insurance coverage. 

All contractors should have general contractor liability insurance.  If you don’t already have a copy of the insurance information on hand, ask your contractor and give that information to your insurance company. This will be used to cover the cost of the property damage.   The same applies to sub-contractors.  If they don’t have insurance, you could be on the hook for any damage they caused to your property.

It isn’t common, but in some cases, both insurance companies will deny coverage and refuse to pay for the damages.  This is a worst-case scenario for any homeowner because you not only have the cost of your renovations but now you have the unexpected cost of damages that come out of your pocket.  If you find yourself in this situation, you’ll need to take more drastic measures. 

Do You Need a Lawyer for Property Damage During House Renovations?

Legal experts agree that suing your contractor is not ideal.  The time, costs and delays to your home reno project are all major factors, so if you can solve the dispute out court, everyone involved will fare better.   You have few options before calling in the reinforcements of a legal team. 

Reach out to your contractor’s county or state licensing agency. They may be able to step in and handle the dispute with a call in your favour.  Also, consider mediation or arbitration.  Both most likely come with a shared cost between you and your contractor.  Small claims court is an option as well if your claim it within the small claims guidelines.  All those options are viable and will be much less in cost than your last resort.

If you’ve exhausted all avenues to no avail, you may need to hire an attorney.  You’ll need a lawyer who has vast experience in contractor litigation. 

The Road Ahead

The idea of the home reno project was to improve your home.   Never did you imagine the damage that would incur, and know that you are not alone when it comes to the woes of home improvement projects.  If you have it to do all over again, make sure you check in with your own insurance company.  The right coverages – and the right contractor can mean the difference between a home reno gone way off kilter, or one that goes perfectly according to plan – even in the case of an unexpected accident.

About the author

Luke Oleenik serves as the Managing Director of XL Building, a trusted building company specializing in second storey additions and custom home construction across Melbourne. Prevent your dream home from turning into a nightmare with his free ultimate building guide.

Fresh Trends in Contemporary Kitchen Renovations

Fresh Trends in Contemporary Kitchen Renovations 

There is nothing that portrays a family home imbued with love and happiness like a beautifully-designed kitchen space where everyone can gather in the morning before the day begins, and share their experiences in the evening. Arguably one of the busiest rooms in the entire household, the kitchen needs to be designed for aesthetics and pure functionality.

If you’re considering renovating your kitchen, you need to keep in mind that form should always follow function, but that there needs to be balance rather than compromise. So, let’s take a look at some fresh trends in contemporary kitchen renovations and how you can create a beautiful, multi-functional space the entire family will love.

Discover Your Perfect Layout

People will often advise you to work with what you’ve got, and to leave the layout as is to avoid costly renovations, structural issues, and other problems down the road. While it is true that it’s easier and more affordable to simply renovate around the existing pipeline and electrical systems, you should never settle for something you’re not completely satisfied with.

Nowadays, you can find amazing kitchen contractors that can completely transform the setting without you ever noticing that the appliances were in a completely different place in the room, so if money is no object, you should definitely work with your designer to rearrange the layout to your liking. Remember, simply utilizing the space in a different way can have a profound impact on the aesthetics of the entire room while creating a functional setting you can fully appreciate.

Invest in Lighting, Air Flow, and Ventilation

Proper lighting is essential in a kitchen, not only for safety reasons, but in order to introduce that homey vibe every household needs as well. Start by layering the lighting strategically, introducing overhead lights first above key areas such as the island, the dining area, and the stove. After that, you can position complementary lights on the walls.

When it comes to air flow, keep in mind that it should not be synonymous with ventilation. You want to use your windows to bring fresh air into the room throughout the day, but your ventilation system to quickly air out the space and eliminate cooking smells, especially in the stove area during the cooking process. The best part is that ventilation systems can serve an aesthetic purpose as well!

Give the Floor a Durable and Aesthetic Coating

When it comes to renovating a kitchen, most homeowners think about the floors at the end when in fact flooring should hold top priority on your list. And it’s not just about form, it’s also about function and how your kitchen floors will be able to withstand the test of time and constant use.

To that end, you want to consider polyurethane coating regardless of the type of surface you have, in order to protect the surface from bumps, drops, spills, and all kinds of corrosive agents that might find their way into the pores. This is especially important for stone, marble, and hardwood surfaces – which will retain their aesthetic appeal with the use of the right kind of coating.

Complement the Color Scheme with a Beautiful Back Splash

Another primary consideration for every homeowner should be the color scheme, how it works with other elements in the room, and how accommodating it is for accentuating features such as the backsplash. To come up with the ideal color arrangement, consider the theme of the room, with your primary colors acting as the foundation for all future work.

This can be something as simple and timeless as a pure white palette, or something as chic and sophisticated as dark charcoal, or you can be playful with a pastel arrangement. Regardless, a great aesthetic and functional addition would be to invest in a striking back splash that will not only protect your wall from spills, but also take the look of the room to a whole new level.

Accentuate the Setting with Natural Materials

Lastly, contemporary kitchen designs cherish a deep connection with nature, as attested by the popular Scandi approach. To keep positive energy flowing through the setting at all times, consider introducing strategic greenery on the windowsills, potted plants in the corners, and standalone flower arrangements on select surfaces such as the dining table or the corner of the fridge.

Renovating a kitchen, however time-consuming and costly it might be, shouldn’t be a stressful or daunting task. Rather, it should be an exciting and enjoyable experience that will set the stage for a lifetime of happiness surrounded by family, friends, and an aesthetic setting that breathes positivity and well-being.

 Guest Contributor, Lillian Connors

Best Luxury Home Remodeling Ideas For An Elegant Vibe

Best Luxury Home Remodeling Ideas for an Elegant Vibe

Let’s make one thing clear—you don’t have to have a beach side villa or a two-story mansion to get some luxury into your life! Every home can benefit from a few luxurious remodeling ideas that will increase its elegance and comfort. Here are our best picks from tiny decorative changes to home additions and health boosts! Choose your favorite and give your home a fresh and rich vibe this year.

Improve your kitchen

The living room is the center of every household, right? Well, not anymore! A modern and up-to-date kitchen replaced the living room as the heart of the home, so make sure to give your 80's kitchen a little makeover. If you want to achieve an elegant look, go for smooth surfaces with defined lines. Metallic accents will also leave a great impression for very little money!

Image credit to Festoon House Lighting

Light it up

Not many people pay attention to lighting even though it makes all the difference in a space. It can help highlight all that is good and hide all that is bad in your home! So, make sure to replace your outdated bulb lights with something modern and sleek. Today, you can find elegant hanging pendants, sculpture-like ceiling fixtures and futuristic under-cabinet lights that will all give your home a fresh and elegant vibe.

Boost comfort

In today’s hectic and busy world, comfort is often the biggest luxury. So, don’t hesitate to improve the look and feel of your living spaces, especially your bedroom. After all, this is where you spend one-third of your day—you deserve to make it comfy and pleasant. Feel free to splurge on a good mattress that will provide your body with good support and ensure you get enough quality sleep!

Invest in health

Remodeling isn’t all about the looks! A complete luxury home remodel should also do something beneficial for your health and the health of your loved ones. The best way to start making your home a healthier space is to invest in a good HVAC system with a high-tech electrostatic filtration that will clean your air. If that’s a bit too much of a change for you, you can invest in practical and less expensive air purifiers. Manufacturers like Oransi offer all sorts of HEPA air purifiers that can filter out allergens, smoke, dust, dander, mold and even some odors that can disturb the comfort of your home. This way you’ll not only have an elegant, but also a healthy and cozy home!

Go green

Another way to improve the look of your home and do something good for your health and the well being of our planet is to boost eco-friendliness! Choosing green materials, eco-friendly building techniques and energy-saving appliances will reduce your carbon footprint and make your home a safer and healthier environment. Plus, going green today is very popular, so your house will be trendy!

Treat yourself to some extra space

If you have some space and money to burn, why not invest it into building a dream addition to your home? Sure, gyms, game rooms and media rooms are amazing, but there are other, more original things you can do to boost luxury. If you love to be mindful, create a Zen meditation room as an extension to your outdoor space. On the other hand, if you’re a die-hard bohemian, treat yourself to a private wine tasting room or an elegant cigar lounge! All of these rooms can be designed to fit your specific tastes and they can even add some serious value to your home.

Don’t neglect your outdoor space

An elegant home treats its outdoors spaces with the same care and attention as its indoor spaces. So, make sure to give your backyard, patio or deck a new and fresh vibe that will tempt you to go out, get some sun and fresh air. Building a nice pergola will instantly improve the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space and make it look elegant and timeless. Are you into technology and gadgets? Don’t worry, you don’t have to opt for a traditional pergola! Check out some new models with automated roofs you can control with your smartphone!

These updates will definitely reward you with some well-earned luxury, but also boost your property’s value if you ever decide to sell! It’s a truly win-win situation!

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith

Fall 2018 Decoration Trends

Labor Day Weekend is over, which means Fall will be here in no time. Most of us love to decorate for Fall. Here are my Top 2018 Fall Decoration Trends. 

Pumpkins falling out of the fireplace and spiders hanging off the fireplace, genius. 

​Yes, it’ll take this extra cool Halloween dessert table for my house. Plus, you have to admit those lights look pretty cool. 

simplicity goes a long way in this porch, beautiful colors.

Fall is the perfect season to decorate inside your house. I love the entire thing, I'm just not sure if I could live without being able to use my kitchen island. 

You can either have a pre Thanksgiving dinner with this table or use this table for Thanksgiving. Which ever dinner you go with, it will be a hit with everyone. Just make sure to invite us.

So simple, but it came out great. The red door adds to the decor. Great job. 

This makes me want to paint my door orange for Halloween. 

I love real flowers, but if you’re going to get fake flowers make sure they look real. This is a winner. 

What are your favorite trends for this Fall?  

Do you have anything special in mind?  

Share your pictures with us, we love hearing from you. 

-Kevin Szabo Jr Plumbing  

Tips on How to Create a Shade for Your Patio

Tips on How to Create a Shade for Your Patio

Smoldering hot weather used to be reserved for summers, but these days it is quite normal to see temperatures that are typical for the peak of the warmest season extended well into autumn and as early as spring. This is why, if you own a household with a backyard, it is important to take the necessary precautions and create convenient shading. If your backyard seating area still doesn’t have a necessary cover, here are some tips on how to create a shade for your patio. 

Umbrella always works

If you are wary of fixed elements, you can always purchase a stylish, convenient umbrella and see how it fits. At the end of the day, if the shading becomes the integral part of your setup and you cannot imagine how your yard had looked before you brought it in, you can always replace the umbrella with a pergola or something more, for the lack of a better word, permanent. Furthermore, the benefit of installing an umbrella (or two) as shading is that there is simply an endless palette of aesthetic choices to pick and choose from.

Curtains for elegance

While you can find some truly elegant umbrellas on the market, hardly anything beats curtains in that department. What’s more, curtains are both easy to install, they add a sense of glamour and sophistication to the outdoor space, and they are cheap. Out of all the ways to create a shade for your patio, curtains have the most opportune price-to-utility ratio. They are especially useful if you already have some sort of structural elements that can easily support them, but be forewarned – by themselves, they are a temporary solution.

Consider modular roofing

Maybe the shading does not necessarily mesh well with the stylistic setup of your backyard. Maybe the entire space simply works better without an additional element that makes the entire space appear a bit more cramped. In this case, it’s best to consider modular roofing, the convenient retractable roof systems which can be arranged according to your wishes and depending on the intensity of the sun during the day. These days, the technology of automation when it comes to these retractable roof systems has become standard, so you won’t have to break your arm in order to retract it. In a way, this type of aluminum awning offers the best of all worlds.

The astounding pergolas for a rustic appearance

Pergolas, as a type of shading, are in a category of their own. Most people associate this absolutely astounding backyard element with coastline towns, as well as Mediterranean retreats and vineyards that have a luxurious, rustic note. When one considers that both the name and the concept of the pergola as we know it came from Italy, everything begins to make sense. Pergolas are a solid and permanent structural addition to your backyard which you can choose if you truly want to commit to this type of shading. They strongly define space, and create both a sense of privacy and shade, especially if you decide to grow a freestanding garden all over it.

The lightweight shade sails

Shade sails are something between the aforementioned retractable awning and a curtain. Everything you need to know about them is already in the name – they appear much like ship sails and they serve as a sort of retractable canopy that is easy to install and even easier to maneuver, if you play your cards right during the installation. They can make your yard space look even more impressive and elegant as they flutter in the hot summer wind, but make sure to choose one in bright color in order to stay protected from sunrays. If you are opting for shade sails, you need to make sure that they are thick enough so they provide solid, reliable protection.

With convenient shading above your head, you can comfortably enjoy your private lush oasis. Just make sure that you are not only concealed from the scorching sunrays but also from the inquisitive gaze from nosy neighbors, and you practically have a perfect outdoor space on your hands. After a hard day at work, you can enjoy a freshly squeezed glass of lemonade below your shade, and nobody would blame you if you dozed off for a bit.

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith

The Various Ways to Prevent An Air Conditioner Breakdown

The Various Ways to Prevent An Air Conditioner Breakdown 

In this economic tough time, no one wants to bear unnecessary expenses in the form of repairs. You never know when the air conditioner breaks down or when there is a plumbing failure at home to give you surprise. It is important for every homeowner to be prepared for such occurrences but still you may take necessary steps to avoid air conditioning break down. Mechanical parts of an AC unit need to be serviced from time to time but you may prevent such repairs in the first place. Besides the cost of repair, you need to bear a lot of inconvenience, associated with AC breakdown. Repairing air conditioning unit is a daunting task and the fact that it offers comfort, we cannot stay without it even for a day. Some of the most common problems regarding to the air conditioner may be avoided if you follow some tips.

The thermostat of the air conditioner is important component which needs to be calibrated well to ensure proper temperature control. It will save money on the operating cost and also assure comfort level. The condenser coil must be maintained properly and cleaned on a regular basis. A dirty condenser coil will not be able to cool the surrounding. So, the system has to run for a long time while you incur more and more energy bills. It is also important to maintain evaporator coil to ensure efficient air flow in the areas of the home.

Do Away With The Dirty Air Conditioner Filter  

Are you using a disposable air filter? If so, it needs to be replaced on a monthly basis. You cannot forget this part of the work. If the task of replacement moves out of sight, there will be restricted air flow resulting from a dirty filter. The air quality inside the home will be poor and the house will be less comfortable. Once the indoor coils freeze, you will have to bear very costly repairs.

Tripped Breaker Leads to Inefficient Cooling  

Tripped breaker results to no-cool calls and you may reset the breaker if you want. There is something which causes the AC breaker to trip. In fact, it may be the result of loose wire, bad breaker or a bad capacitor. This issue of tripped breaker needs to be repaired immediately.

What To Do When There Is Refrigerant Leak?  

You already know that the AC unit is sealed and so there is no chance of refrigerant leakage. But, if this happens, the efficiency of the AC unit falls, and the energy consumption also rises. There can be variety of issues resulting from refrigerant leakage and they are, compressor getting damaged, freezing coil or the AC unit fails to cool. If there is refrigerant leakage, you must summon a professional for inspection. The technician will use a range of tools for tracking refrigerant leakage.

The Event of Clogged Drain Lines

To cool the surrounding or reduce the temperature of your home, an air conditioner pulls humid air. Through the home plumbing system, the liquid is drained out. Use the drain pan as backup or else algae can grow in the drain lines to clog the line if there is no secondary condensate drain. There may be serious water damage in the home resulting from it. When taking up AC repair and servicing, do not forget to include AC tune-up and clear the drain lines. Regular cleaning of drain line is important for the efficient functioning of the AC.

There may be various issues in the air conditioning unit to deteriorate its functioning like the dirty evaporator coil, dirty condenser unit or duct leaks. Call an HVAC professional if you think the AC is not functioning well.

Guest Contributor, Amelie Lawrence

5 Smart Updates For Your High-Tech Bathroom

5 Smart Updates for Your High-Tech Bathroom

The bathroom has always been one of the most functional rooms in your home. After all, you can do without a living room, a reading nook or even a bedroom, if need be. However, a home without a bathroom is impossible to even imagine. Still, for the bathroom of 2018, it takes more than just plumbing work. In fact, you need to start introducing smart technology as soon as possible. With that in mind and without further ado, here are top five smart updates for your high-tech bathroom.

1.     Water-Saving Sink and Faucet

By installing a high-end technological marvel of a faucet, you can reduce the tap flow and set the temperature of the water digitally. On the annual basis, this one degree of a difference in temperature and the amount of water wasted can mean a massive budget difference. Furthermore, the fact that this technology works on the basis of sensors and not touch, means that it’s much more hygienic. At the very end, most of these taps come with many programmable features, which means that you can set up different programs for different tasks. In this way, you could make massive savings while brushing teeth, for instance.

2.     Warm Drawers

One of the most amazing things about innovation is how the simplest of upgrades can make a huge difference. With the help of warm drawers (which some also like to call towel warmers), you’ll raise your overall bathing experience to a whole new level. Imagine walking out from the shower in the morning knowing full well that there are clean warm towels waiting for you in the drawer. It really doesn’t get any better than that. When compared to some other items on this list, this innovation doesn’t even make that much of a difference.

3.     A Toilet and a Bidet

The next step in your bathroom innovation should be the issue of a smart toilet and bidet. Namely, in this field you stand to make some massive savings, seeing as how a low-flow toilet wastes almost one-third of the water on flushing while achieving the same effect. A smart programmable toilet can go even further, especially when coupled with the automatic, self-flushing option. As for your bidet, you can do pretty much the same thing and further maximize its pragmatism by getting bidet toilet seats that can be controlled by a remote. What is more, some of these models even offer advanced drying capabilities.

4.     Waterproof TV

Now, it’s time to erase the boundary between your living room and your bathroom by installing a waterproof TV on the wall opposite of your bathtub. Like most other items on this list, this feature can hardly be considered mandatory, yet, it can drastically improve the quality of time you spend in your bathroom. Even though you definitely do not intend to splash any water at your TV, keep in mind that these things do happen. Moreover, a leak is more likely to occur in the bathroom than in any other place in your home. Getting a great outdoor TV is a suitable solution.

5.     Sensor Mirror

The last great idea worth looking into is the sensor mirror you can place on any available surface in your bathroom in order to ensure that you never walk into a dark bathroom again. Due to the fact that most of these sensor mirrors are equipped with the LED technology, they are expected to last for over 100 years. By the time this expires, you’ll doubtlessly find a suitable alternative. This is a minor investment that could make a great difference when it comes to your day-to-day bathroom interactions.

At the end of the day, these smart updates are just the tip of the iceberg of all that you have available. Some honorable mentions are smart showers and high-tech standing bathtubs. Moreover, the issue of smart illumination (not the one we’ve discussed in the sensor mirror section) is also viable, yet, we failed to mention it due to the fact that it’s not exclusive to the bathroom or even primarily targeted at it.

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith