General Hot Water Repairs Required at Home

General Hot Water Repairs Required at Home

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

When to Call Professionals for Hot Water Repairs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

 Guest Contributor, Lauren Bracy

10 Tips to Maintain a Clean Home with Dog

10 Tips to Maintain a Clean Home with Dog

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

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

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

Strap in and let’s begin.

click here for tips to train your dog

1. Lint Roller Collections

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

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

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

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

2. Wash Their Beddings 

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

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

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

3. Bathe Your Dog

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

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

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

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

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

4. Groom Your Pet Regularly

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. Odor Removal

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

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

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

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

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

6. Pawdicure Your Pup

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

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

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

7. Carpet Cleaning

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

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

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

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

8. Vacuum Vacuum Vacuum

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

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

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

9. Clean Their Paws Regularly

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

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

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

10. Air Your House

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

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

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

Final Thoughts

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

Guest Contributor, Shawn Richards

Author Bio:

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

The Most Reliable Water Heater Brands on the Market

The Most Reliable Water Heater Brands on the Market

The water heater is an essential part of every modern household. We depend on it night and day, all year long. Typically, the water heater is responsible for almost 20% of your energy bill. Those are the two prevailing reasons why everyone is interested in the most reliable water heater brands on the market. These reliable water heaters have fewer problems, recover quickly, and also require low maintenance.

The following list consists of some of the most reputable brands currently. They have been recognized as the leaders in their industry not just by the buyers, but by independent market researchers as well.

Rheem Water Heaters

Rheem is an American manufacturer that has been in business since 1925. They manufacture both commercial and residential water heaters. For almost a decade they have been considered as the largest manufacturer of water heating products in North America. They are present not just in Canada and the US, but in another 14 countries as well.

Their water heaters are available in various sizes and come with multiple warranties. Their tankless water heaters are their most popular product in the US. They are known to recover quickly and that they require minimum maintenance, like the RTEX-18. When it comes to on-demand water heaters, they are at the very top. Their energy efficiency is another of their trademarks. All in all, it is a brand that is well-known to the American consumer and one that will remain on top in the foreseeable future.

A.O Smith

A.O. Smith is a brand known not just in the US, but worldwide as well. The company is in business since 1874. They started operating in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and kept headquarter there till present day. Their water heaters are sold only by authorized dealers and contractors. Their main trait is their energy efficiency. As a result, many of their water heaters qualify for utility rebate and state tax credits.

Bradford White Water Heater

This is an American product, designed and produced on American soil. They are at the very top of most wanted water heater brands in the US. They are known for their outstanding quality and durability. They give a 10-year warranty for each of their water heaters installed by some of their authorized representatives. They are one of the most expensive brands on the market, but that’s the price of exceptional quality.

Ecosmart

Price, quality, and efficiency. That’s what Ecosmart water heaters are all about. Their patented technology can generate 60% savings. That’s 60% saving on the water heating bill. On top of that, they come with a limited lifetime warranty. All that for an unbeatable price. As a result, there is a constant flow of positive reviews on Amazon.   

Rinnai

Rinnai is a Japanese brand that has been around since 1920. They first started producing water heaters in 1964 and has been going strong since then. Today, by some industry experts, they are considered as the top-selling tankless water-heating brand in both the US and Canada. The fact that their water heaters come with a 12 years warranty speaks tons about the quality of their products. Also, there are thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon that play in their favor. According to their data, so far they have installed over 20 million water heaters worldwide.

Guest Contributor, Verner Ellen

What Are The Major Reasons For A Drain Blockage At Home?

What Are The Major Reasons For A Drain Blockage At Home?

Majority of the homeowners very frequently experience problems which are related to the blocked drains. This specific problem is absolutely time-consuming as well as expensive. We should be always aware of the various common causes of the blocked drains and along with the same you should take some very necessary preventive measures. You should hire experts who can give you an idea about how to get rid of debris and sediments from blocking the sewers and you can also ask them to build specific inlets in your home, to allow the smooth passage of water. This can be an inlet outlet or a small channel or gully.

Major Causes Of Drain Blockage

The various common causes of drain blockage are as follows:

Unknown objects

The issue of the blocked drains usually occur when the foreign materials like hair, soap, fats and food build up in between the drain pipes as well as the other pipes which flow at the bottom. In the beginning, the materials star building up inside the pipe in a small amount or thin layer. With the passage of time, the amount of the objects gradually increases and this eventually stops the flow of the water. This causes the blockage of the drainage system. Small toys, paper and sanitary napkins, hard objects, plastic objects and multiple other things like shampoo and soap pouches also lead to major drain and sewer blockages and the matter might get worse during monsoons.

Heavy rain & storms

At times of heavy storms and rain, the outdoor drains are usually blocked with the dirt and leaves. This majorly causes the drains to block very fast. This kind of a blockage in the drainage systems is a very common issue and is being faced by the several homeowners across Australia. This majorly leads to flooding around the property in a messy way.

Damaged or dilapidated pipes

Another very major cause of the drain blockage is partially or fully broken pipes. For the water to flow without any obstruction the pipes should be in the perfect condition or else it will collapse badly. Thus, the detection and the repair of the drain blockages in such cases can be quite troublesome and costly.

Pipe installation

If the drain pipes are not installed properly, then this may give rise to a number of problems and can also lead to the drain blockage. The incorrect installation of any of the pipes can damage them big time. In case you install the pipes incorrectly, this might eventually damage the certain other parts of the property. This can lead to heavy financial loses.

Water flow issues

This is obvious that the drainage depends on the gravity to a large extent. You may certainly make inadequate falls which would eventually lead to the build-up of the debris and dirt in the drainage pipes. This leads to the obstruction of the drain pipes. You should necessarily make sure that the installation of the pipes should be done correctly. Certainly, this is not the only cause of the blocked drains. There are a variety of different reasons which lead to clogged drains.

Before a major problem arises, you would certainly witness some of the warning signs of the drain blockage and this would include the gurgling sound in the flush, water left in the kitchen sink, foul odor from the drains etc. in case of constructing storm water drains as part of your household drainage project, you can install the combined sewers and detention tanks in order to know about the water surface level and the extension that can carry off the rainwater.

Guest Contributor, Anna Wrench

Tips For Preventing Mold In Your Home

Tips For Preventing Mold In Your Home

If your home is prone to damp and condensation, there’s a good chance that you also have a mold problem. While mold is unsightly it can also be damaging too. Not only to your home, where it can rot and damage the structures, but also to your health. Mold is known to cause respiratory problems, asthma and allergic reactions, none of which are pleasant to live with and, in the case of those with a compromised immune system, could actually be dangerous.

Mold spores easily spread and are hard to get rid of, so preventing its growth in your home couldn’t be more important. Since mold can grow all over your home – on your flooring, your walls, your basement and ceiling – you need to be vigilant at all times.

If you’re worried about mold, here are some top tips to help prevent it from taking hold in your home.

1. Identify The Problem Zones

It’s impossible to fully mold-proof any property, but it is possible to make it more mold-resistant. Go around your home carrying out a full audit of all the problem zones. Do you have issues with flooding in your basement? Is there condensation on your windows? Do you have water stains on your ceiling from a leak? Take steps to address those problem areas. Rip up the carpet in your damp basement. Install mold-resistant products. Repair damaged guttering. Waterproof your basement. This is the first step to getting rid of the problem.

2. Dry Any Wet Areas

Mold is unable to grow if there’s no moisture so make sure you dry any wet areas immediately you notice them. If there has been a flood after rainfall, leaking from a pipe or just a spill on your carpet, drying it within the first 48 hours is vital. Remove any water damaged furniture, bedding and carpets following a flood if it’s impossible to dry them completely. Also, don’t leave any wet items around your home and wipe down walls and flows following showers and bathing. Avoid leaving wet clothing in your washing machine too – hang them outdoors to dry.

3. Have Proper Ventilation

Whenever you bathe, shower, do laundry or cook food, make sure there is sufficient ventilation in the rooms you’re using. Vent any appliance which produces moisture to the outside and also ways use a dehumidifier as this will also help to solve your mold problems.

4. Use Mold-Resistant Products

Whether you’re building a brand new property or renovating your existing one, choose mold-resistant Sheetrock and drywall as well as paints with mold-inhibitors built in. This will guard against problems developing in the first place.

5. Monitor Your Indoor Humidity

You should maintain an indoor humidity level of 30-60%. This can be measured with a moisture meter that you can buy at any hardware store. Look also for any signs that your rooms are too humid. Condensation on walls, pipes and windows is a sign that you need to address the moisture source.

6. Direct Any Water Away From Your Property

If the area surrounding your property isn’t sloped sufficiently away from its foundations, you may find rainwater collects there and can seep into the basement. Call in professionals if necessary to adjust the ground so this no longer happens. Also repair your roof gutters if they are damaged or clean them out if they are blocked.

7. Keep Mold Away From Your Plants

Having plants inside your home is a great way to keep the indoor air clean and fresh, however they can also attract mold. The soil used for potting indoor plants is moist and helps mold to breed and thrive. It can then spread around your home exacerbating your mold problem. Luckily, you don’t have to throw away your plants. Instead, add Taheebo tea to your plants’ water and this will help to guard against mold naturally without chemicals.

Wherever you live, your region will respond different to moisture and there isn’t a single solution to preventing mold. However, if you follow these steps, you’ll find your home is better protected than ever before.

Guest Contributor, Emma Parker

5 Good Reasons For Renovating and Remodelling Your Home

5 Good Reasons for Renovating and Remodelling Your Home

Home renovations can be pretty difficult and challenging, especially if you feel like all the other kitchens and bathrooms you see are perfect, whereas yours are outdated. Sometimes, people remodel their homes because they need to update something, but there are also cases when they only want their homes to be modern and in pristine condition. If you’re not sure whether you should renovate and remodel your home, we give you a list of 5 reasons why you should do so:

It will increase your home’s value

In case you decide one day to sell your home, potential buyers will appreciate the effort you’ve put into remodelling as well as the upgrades you've made. Work well-done means you took care of your home, and kitchens and bathrooms with modern appliances and fixtures will make people understand that you’ve invested plenty of time and money to get the desired results.

Keeping up with trends

You might have been admiring photos of beautiful homes for a long time, but who is to say that you can’t make your home look that way? You can easily add not only a scullery, but standout alfresco areas too, and have your home resemble a miniature palace or a minimalist Japanese home. If you follow trends, it’s easy to find inspiration there and invest your time and money into making your dream home reality.

Your energy bills will be lower

If you live in an old home, chances are that it is not very energy-efficient, which means that you’re probably spending more money on bills than you expect. By renovating and upgrading your home, you can make it more energy efficient, thus saving money in the long run. Great roof restoration services will save you the trouble of having to do minor repairs every few weeks; LED lights will save electricity, and water saving faucets and shower heads will significantly lower your water consumption. Upgraded kitchen appliances will also help you save money on electricity and reduce your carbon footprint.

Restoring a character home

A number of old and neglected homes are actually hidden gems whose glow you can restore with a little bit of careful planning and a few well-timed projects. Renovating such homes is a real challenge but it definitely brings a reward because you will end up with a character home that looks like it travelled back in time. Of course, it’s necessary to do your research first, so that you can focus on features that are specific to a particular historic style. Uneven floors, old plumbing, and poor structural support are common problems that contractors have to face when restoring such homes. For this reason,  you should leave a bit more room in your budget than you first thought.

You won’t have to wait long

Just a few years ago, if you had had the need to call a contractor, you would have waited months at a time before they came over. This was because good contractors used to be very scarce and they were very busy, but today you can easily find available contractors. This means that your projects won’t have to wait long and you can rest assured that it will only take a few days after you’ve signed a contract for people to show up at your doorstep with tools.

If you love your home, you will also embrace every opportunity to improve and upgrade it. You can think about redecorating, upgrading, renovating, remodelling, and even extending your home so that the result is precisely what you hoped it would be. Your lifestyle will be improved, you will be content, and in case you want to sell your home some day, you will be able to get a better price.

Check out A+ Construction & Remodeling for more details on remodeling.

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith

How Your Garage Became So Cluttered

How Your Garage Became So Cluttered

To understand how the garage came to play such a significant role in the average American acquisition, it’s easier if you have a bit of background on how architecture and the building industry affected the placement and use of the garage.

Housing developments

The first carriage houses and later, garages, were built behind the home. When housing developments became popular in the seventies and eighties, the architecture of homes changed to streamline traffic. The family garage was relocated to the front of the home and attached to the house. The average family now uses the automatic garage door as a primary means of entering their home rather than the front or back door.

Ebb and flow

Today, the garage door is also often the most significant architectural element in the front of many homes. For this reason, a new garage door can transform the look of a home. At the same time, the ease with which we enter and depart from our homes via the garage has given us the opportunity to use the garage as a holding area of sorts. Most of our purchases enter through the garage via the family car.

Much of our garbage exits through the garage door when we take out the trash cans. If items are too good to throw away but not good enough to keep in the home, they often become stuck in a holding pattern. After all, a garage isn’t a room in the house where cleanliness and comfort are required. As a result, we often allow the space to become so cluttered it becomes a safety hazard. We’ve all managed to trip over a bicycle or carelessly placed box at some point. Also, the automatic garage door can break, or its function is threatened if overstacked boxes or other items fall on the mechanisms.

Storage

As the middle class expanded, advertising told people to buy more stuff.  Even if you already had a coat, for example, advertising reminded us that the styles had changed and for a relatively reasonable price, you could own a brand-new stylish one. Since the old coat wasn’t worn out, you kept that one, too. Soon, we all had a mountain of old outerwear, dishes, knick-knacks, and kitchen appliances. It seemed reasonable to store the old stuff in the garage until the next garage sale, drop-off at the thrift store, until someone needed it, or until some mishap befell the new one.

Municipalities and HOA’s have added to the temptation to store items in the garage because many of these governing entities stopped issuing permits for sheds and other structures, or banned them altogether.

Hobbies and sports

Since the middle class is no longer required to work long hours to keep families from starving, there are new opportunities for leisure activities such as hobbies and sports activities. The tools and equipment from these activities are often stored in the garage as a matter of convenience.

Looking forward

In light of our new understanding of how the garage came to be a kind of private loading dock, we no longer have to be victims of an architectural decision from years ago. By rethinking the garage as a living space specifically for the car will help us become more respectful of the area.

Just as warehouses use floor tape to designate areas which are to remain clear at all times, a family can create a mental ‘safe zone’ in their garage, one in which walkways are clear, and boxes or other items aren’t abandoned: they ’re either appropriately stored or hauled away. If the project is overwhelming, asking for help is reasonable. Garage storage units can also be helpful.

Guest Contributor, Danny Cappello

About the author: Danny Cappello is a co-founder of Quick Response Garage Doors and Quick Response Garage Cabinets. When not busy with work Danny enjoys playing tennis, and spending time with his family.

Deciding On The Best Flooring For Your Bathroom

Deciding on the Best Flooring for Your Bathroom

Some home trends in bathroom floors are much more practical than others. Although some interior design professionals recommend high-end flooring materials such as marble, recycled glass and encaustic cement for the bathroom, this article will outline a number of durable options that are substantially more affordable.

As you conceptualize your well-outfitted bath, you're the interior design person, at least in the beginning stages. There is much to consider. Of course, you'll want to invest in a material that matches your existing design, isn't easily damaged, and doesn't require a lot of maintenance. You're sure to gain valuable insight as you go over the following flooring home trends. If you're ready to decide upon the ideal material, remember to enjoy the process—this is going to be fun!

Hardwood

Although you may love the look of solid hardwood, and have it installed in other areas of your home, you'll want to be careful about choosing this material for your sanctuary room. Let's face it -- hardwood is beautiful, warm, and rich-looking, yes. But rooms with plumbing are much more prone to moisture and standing water than other rooms in the house. For this reason, genuine hardwood isn't generally recommended for use in kitchens and restrooms.

Should you choose to go ahead and install it anyway, the hardwood is likely to expand and contract due to high humidity levels. Eventually, the wood will begin to crack and warp. Having gone to all of the trouble of having the hardwood installed in the first place, you surely wouldn't want to have it all demolished in a few short years and replaced with a more suitable material. A well-ventilated and rarely used half bath or guest bath is an exception, but if your lavatory gets a lot of use or contains a shower or bathtub, you might consider some of the other home trends in floors for the powder room.

If you must have hardwood in your powder room, however, you could go for engineered hardwood planks. It's made from a plywood base that is overlaid with real wood. This material tolerates moisture better than natural hardwood. Even so, a busy loo is probably not the best place for this material.

Porcelain Tile

Now if you're still stuck on wood but don't want to deal with all of the moisture-related problems, take heart. Home building materials have come a long way, and now science has come up with wood-look tiles. And guess what? You will find that a wide selection of these are made out of the title material.

You might be surprised at porcelain's resemblance to real wood, especially when the floor has been completely installed. And you'll be happy to know that these tiles are completely waterproof and resistant to scratches and other potential day-to-day damage. Given all of these advantages, you'll still want to be careful about dropping anything heavy on these types of tiles. The impact could seriously damage a tile or two to the point that they would need replacing. Think about it: if you drop a plate, the impact shatters it.

These tiles come in all designs and sizes, however, not just wood-look planks. You can find them in a plethora of hues, including earth tones, white and gray, and popular square sizes range from 12” x 12” to 24” x 24” and beyond. If slightly rectangular or glazed tiles are your thing, you'll find much to choose from there, too.

And don't forget that the tiles can be laid in patterns that give a more upscale look to your floors. Having the tiles installed in, say, a herringbone or stacked pattern can cost more at the outset, but the end result could be well worth it. Maintenance will be a breeze with just a soft mop or vacuum. This material continues to be a popular option because of its durability, style and cost-effectiveness.

Ceramic Tile

Another viable option is ceramic tile. It's important to note here that there are only slight differences between the two tiles, including the price. Porcelain tile is higher-priced than its counterpart, and there is also the fact that the tiles are considered to be more water-resistant than ceramic tiles are because of their density. These tiles are, therefore, thought to be more durable as well. Do remember that both kinds of tile are included in the same broad category.

With all of that in mind, you might give serious consideration to adding this type of tile to your space. This tile resists stains and scratches, especially when topped with a protective glaze, and it comes in a beautiful array of designs and colors.

Laminate

Laminate consists of four layers that are fused together: wear, decorative, core, and balancing. Some of the advantages of laminate are that it resists dings and scratches, and it's easy to clean and install. You may even choose laminate pieces that look like tiles. Laminate is also budget-friendly.

Now for the downside of using laminate on your floor. Laminate will warp if exposed to excessive moisture, so standing water can be a costly hazard. The material can also be slippery, so care must be taken to quickly clean up those occasional spills.

If you choose laminate for your floors, however, you'll want to avoid the kind of laminate that just snaps into place. Unfortunately, it will do nothing to prevent the seepage of water into the seams. Once it reaches the floor's sub layer, the end result is the dreaded warping. Instead, invest in laminate material that has seams that are glued down. The glue will act as a deterrent to water seepage.

You'll find laminate in various shapes, finishes, and textures. You might even be able to install this particular flooring yourself if you're handy.

As you can see, each of the materials above can be a great choice, and you're sure to find something that fits your design tastes as well as your overall budget. Once you decide what you want, the process should go very quickly. Good luck and have fun redesigning your bathroom floors!

Guest Contributor, Julia Ellison

Seven Home Improvements That Do Not Increase Your Home Value

Seven home improvements that do not increase your home value.

A survey by the Homeowner Protection found that fifty-eight percent of homeowners in the U.S intend to carry out some kind of home remodeling in the next twelve months.

Most of the proprietors surveyed said that they wanted to renovate their homes so as to increase the value of the house when they do eventually sell it.

Not all home enhancements add value to your house. Some home renovations do not add value worst still various improvements can detract from the value of your house.

Here are eight home renovations that can lower the value of your house:

1.   Bright and Bold Paint Colors.

Trendy homeowners might feel the need to invest in painting the exterior of the home in bright colors. However, bright paint colors may not add to the value of your house especially if the house is ultimately sold to someone who does not like bright colors.

Instead, homeowners should paint both the interior and exterior of their house neutral colors before placing the house on the market.

Neutral colors can help the new homeowner to easily envision themselves in your home.

2.   Extreme High-end Kitchen renovations.

The kitchen is one of the rooms that most homeowners invest huge sums of money. However, homeowners do not recoup the full amount spent in the kitchen remodel as kitchen’s resale values are below the actual remodeling costs.

To avoid making this mistake, buy middle range kitchen appliances in place of high-end kitchen appliances.

3.     Luxury Bathroom.

Luxury bathrooms increase the value to your home, but over personalized finishes and over-the-top whirlpool tubs may not be too attractive to would-be buyers with a different bathroom preference.

To ensure that your house is desirable to many people install a walk-in shower and avoid extremely luxurious bathroom finishes.

4.   Combining two bedrooms to create a bigger room.

Knocking down walls to create one big bedroom might seem like a good idea to a young couple or to a retired couple whose children have moved away from the house. But this is a bad idea for homeowners who want to sell their home in the future.

Young families with children, want their children to have separate bedrooms, and they, do not mind if the rooms are small.

Each separate bedroom adds about fifteen percent value to the home, so try and implement simple décor tricks in the small bedrooms to make them seem bigger instead of taking down the wall.

5.   A swimming pool.

Families with kids and people who live in places with high temperatures at least six months in a year, may opt to buy a house with a swimming pool.

However, if the home is located in a place that is quite cold throughout the year a swimming pool will not add any value to your house.

6.   A hot tub.

For families with young children, a hot tub is a safety hazard in the home. Hence such families might offer to buy the home a certain price, less the cost of uninstalling the hot tub from the house.

If you have to install a hot tub to your home, consider installing a moveable hot tub that you can carry with you once you sell the house.

7.   Costly landscaping.

Lavish landscaping decorations may increase the curb appeal of your home, but they will not raise the value of your home.

Prospective buyers will only see the high maintenance costs required for the decorations and this may make them fearful of buying the home.

Homeowners should install simple easy to maintain garden décor which can be removed easily should the need arise.

8.   Creative interior décor.

Unusual wall colors, too much wallpaper, and quirky wall-to-wall carpets are some of the creative décor installations that detract from your home.

If the prospective buyer dislikes the décor installations in your home, they will most likely be calculating how much it will cost them to remove such items. Accordingly, they will offer to buy your house for a low price taking into consideration that they will incur additional uninstalling costs in the home.

When decorating your home avoid over personalizing your home as most probable buyers may not share similar décor preferences with you.

Avoid all the mistakes discussed above, for you to get the best possible price for your house when you do decide to sell it.

 Guest Contributor, Danny “Wheels“  Margagliano

Get A Living Room Of Your Dreams

Get A Living Room Of Your Dreams

Living room is a place where people spend most of their time at home. You relax in front of TV, chat with your family, entertain guests and make precious memories. Therefore, renovating it can look like a big challenge to you and it can easily go awry if you don’t have a plan.

Define budget

Once you start with renovation, it can easily happen that you’ll need more money than you planned to spend. Sometimes, construction work in your home will lead to unexpected expenses. For example, if you want to tear down a wall, you have to consider a possibility of electrical or plumbing problems. Therefore, you should also create a contingency budget, so that you are be able to deal with all the unforeseen issues that may arise when you are already in the middle of renovation.

Paint the walls

The fastest way to give your living room a brand new look is to get some paint on the walls. However, who says that you have to paint the entire room? Why not create a focal wall with a splash of different color? If you have dado rails in your living room, use darker shade of a certain color below it and lighter one above the rail. In case you want to get the same visual effect, but don’t have dado rails, make a line with a painter’s tape. You can even play with a shape of line and create your own two-tone wall!

Rearrange the furniture

Living room may have all the necessary elements, but still you yearn for some changes. That can be easily remedied if you decide to change a layout by moving your furniture around. Move that bulky closet away from your window so it doesn’t hide half of it. Let the sunshine in! Turn your beautiful leather lounge suites toward television so you can watch your favorite series in a comfortable position. Put a desk by a window so you can get enough daylight while you are sitting behind it and helping your kids with homework.

Decorate with style

Decorations are a beautiful thing, but if you bring too much of them, your living room will look tacky. Therefore, add a touch of elegance with a few carefully chosen accessories. A floor lamp will bring more light and create a calming, relaxed atmosphere with its warm glow. Put family photos or art-posters on the walls and you can be sure that they will always bring a smile on your face whenever you glance at them.

A touch of nature

If you want to brighten up your living room even more, then it’s time to bring in some houseplants. Believe it or not, there are some plants that can reduce stress levels and purify the air that you breathe while you are relaxing in your living room. Peace lilies, snake plants, philodendron and bamboo palm are only a few of plants that will do wonders in your living room. The best thing about them is that they don’t need much attention and maintaining them is a piece of cake.

A little exhibition

All people love to collect various things in certain parts of their lives. Sadly, most of those things end up in a store room or a basement. Bring them out right now! Choose one corner in your living room and make your personal little exhibition! Place a charming, old, leather suitcase on the floor and put your collection of cowboy-boots on it. Put a little bookshelf or a table in that corner and display all those cute teddy bears and other stuffed toys on it.

Your living room can get a brand new look without you spending a fortune. Some clever ideas combined with a bit of creativity will make your living room from dreams become a reality!

 Guest Contributor, Diana Smith