Sump Pump Advisor – A One-Stop Solution

Sump Pump Advisor – A One-Stop Solution

Looking for ways to defend your basement against flooding? 

If you live in a climate that suffers from heavy rainfall or snow or you’ve had water problems before, you need all the help you can get to prevent your basement from flooding and causing myriad issues for your home. 

That’s where the sump pump comes into play. It’s a submersible device that’s installed in the lowest point of your home, such as your basement, and keeps the groundwater level from rising all the way up to your basement floor. 

When it rains, the soil around your house gets oversaturated and the sump pit fills up with water. This activates the sump pump float switch that triggers the sump pump to drain the excess water into a dry well or a storm drain away from your house.  

Why You Need to Invest in a Sump Pump

Considering investing in a sump pump?

There’s no time to wait as the weather can be fairly unpredictable. It’s a small investment that will yield great benefits for your house in the years to come. 

Here are some advantages that are worth mentioning:

• Moisture leads to the growth of mold and mildew. Since sump pumps keep the groundwater and moisture levels in check, it significantly reduces the risk of fungus growth in your basement. 

• Moisture makes your house a termite magnet. A sump pump is just what you need to make sure your house stays protected against all kinds of pest infestations.

• Standing water in your basement can create humidity and cause difficulty in breathing, especially for asthma patients. Installing a sump pump will allow you to keep the humidity levels under control and improve the indoor air quality of your home.

• Electrical fires can occur due to flooding. Excessive water can cause the appliances in your basement to short-circuit. With a sump pump, you can prevent the water from ruining your appliances and reduce the risk of a household fire. 

Installing Your Sump Pump the Right Way

There’s so much you need to know when it comes to installing a sump pump in your house, whether you’re doing it yourself or getting a professional to do it for you. 

You may not know this but neither a homeowner’s policy nor your flood insurance will provide coverage for your sump pump failure. You’ll have to purchase targeted pump failure insurance coverage to minimize your losses.

Looking for ways to get the most out of your sump pump?

Sump Pump Advisor is here to save the day. It’s a one-stop solution where you can find answers to all the questions you may have about sump pump maintenance and picking out the right model for your home. 

With a host of informational guides to choose from and comparison tables that narrow down your options for you, Sump Pump Advisor has everything you’re looking for and more.

So what are you waiting for?

Head over to our website and learn everything you need to know about sump pumps in just a few clicks!

Guest Contributor: John Fred

Simple Tips to Keep Your Home Clean

Simple Tips to Keep Your Home Clean

Wipe down areas that are frequently touched or soaked with water. Such as sinks, fridges, toilets and floors. Sitting water can harbor bacteria harmful to your health. Frequently keeping them clean will prevent anything from building up.

Wipe down highly touched surfaces. Anything that gets constant hand contact. Doorknobs, cell phones, keyboards and handles areas that can easily spread germs. With the rise of sickness recently it is best to do it on a daily basis or practice.

Keeping food surfaces clean. Tables and counters should be cleaned and sanitized before and after food touches them. Raw meat, eggs and especially old stale food can get you sick if you’re not careful. Take precautions and use disinfectant or warm water and soap to keep these areas clean and to keep any harmful substances away from your body.

Taking out garbage. Trash bins can hold tons of disgusting things and leftover. Not only that but they can carry germs that can get you sick. Waste bins that carry used tissues and anything that could have bodily fluids on it should be taken out right away.

Also, with just 3 easy steps, Rain City Maids will help you clean your home. First, you need to book and select the date and time you would like your cleaning professional to show up. Next, the professional cleaners come over and clean your place for you. And lastly, just set back and relax and enjoy your sparkling clean home.

WASH. YOUR. HANDS. Your hands touch anything and everything. From food to putting on makeup. Anything going into your body or on and around your face should make you think twice about how clean your hands are before you tough anything. Washing your hands frequently will help prevent sickness and spreading dangerous germs and bacteria to neighboring surfaces and people.

In conclusion, currently with spreading illness it is best to keep n mind that you are responsible for how clean you are. Keep your surroundings to keep your house and home clean. It will minimize the risk of sickness and illness to those around you and for your own health.

Guest Contributor: Klaudia Schueler

The Most Common Causes of Water Damage

The Most Common Causes of Water Damage

Of all the disasters that could hit your property, water damage is perhaps the worst for so many reasons.

An inch of water flooding your home or place of business may not seem like much, but it can already set you back a few thousand dollars or even more.

Without prompt water damage restoration, that much water can already damage your floor as well as any furniture and appliances soaked in it. All that moisture can also cause mold to form inside your property. The dampness also makes the place an attractive environment for ants, rats, termites, cockroaches, and other critters that love moisture.

All that, however, doesn’t compare to the way water damage could weaken a building’s foundation. Water from rain, snow, or leaky plumbing saturates the soil around your property. Once the soil expands and shifts, it will put pressure on the foundation walls, and eventually cause cracks that compromise the entire structure.

You can prevent water damage from happening, but to do that, you need to know its most common causes. And it’s not just thunderstorms and other types of severe weather that cause water damage. Some of the most common causes of water damage are things that happen within your property. Here are some of them.

Blocked gutters

Leaves, branches, bird’s nests, and all kinds of debris can clog your gutter system, which is going to be a problem when it rains. Because all that debris prevents water from flowing away from your house through downspouts like it’s supposed to, rainwater will instead flow over the edges of your gutter and straight down the side of your property. Your ceiling and walls will be prone to water damage when that happens.

Plumbing problems

Loose pipes and broken plumbing are a prime source of water leaks that damage everything they touch over time. It would be even worse if the leaking pipes are inside a wall, especially if it took you a long time to notice the problem. By then, the water-damaged wall would already make for an ideal breeding ground for mold.

Clogged drains and toilets

One of the more disgusting causes of water damage is blocked drains and toilets. Grease buildup, hair, or any foreign object can clog drains and toilets and cause water to flow back up. When more than enough water flows back up your drains and toilets, your home could end up flooded with extremely filthy water that won’t just cause water damage, but also make you sick.

Water heater leak

Old, poorly-maintained, and incorrectly-installed water heaters are prone to leaking, especially when the water pressure is high, out of loose drain valves and cracks in the tank.

Faulty sprinkler systems

Sprinkler systems are great when they arrest the spread of fire inside a building but can be quite damaging when they turn on for no reason at all. Malfunctioning sprinkler systems have been known to cause considerable water damage, especially when the affected area has furniture, appliances, and other stuff that aren’t supposed to get wet.

Leaking washing machines

If your washing machine has a water supply line made of rubber or PVC, the constant water pressure will eventually wear it out and cause it to rupture, which will flood your laundry room fast. This won't be a problem if your washing machine is fed by a braided stainless steel water supply line.

Condensation from AC unit

When your AC unit is functioning properly, the condensation it produces drips down from its evaporator coil into a condensate pan then exits the unit through a condensate drain line or tube. However, when the drain pan is already damaged, or the condensate drain line is dirty, all that moisture will exit straight from your air conditioning unit into your property’s wall and floor and cause damage.

When you think about it, all the causes of water damage mentioned above are preventable ones. Your gutters, for example, won’t overflow as long as you clean them regularly. Drain screens can prevent hair and other objects from passing through. Regular AC maintenance will keep condensate drain lines clean.

Flooding caused by severe weather may be hard to prevent, especially if your property is in a flood-prone area, but a little effort on your part can help you avoid having to deal with water damage caused by things around the house or place of business.

Guest Contributor: Rachel Anderson

How to Turn Your Talent for Remodeling into a Thriving Home Renovation Business

How to Turn Your Talent for Remodeling into a Thriving Home Renovation Business

If you love nothing more to go over furniture catalogs and look at HGTV, you might want to consider turning your talent and passion for remodeling into a lucrative career. However, opening a thriving renovation business requires more than just good will and money! You need to find your niche, get permits and form various connections. So, before you step out on the market, here are a few things to know about starting your home reno business. 

Find your specialty

Biting off more than you can chew will eventually land you various bad situations with clients. It’s always better to find your specialty field where you can deliver what you promise. Ask yourself how many things are you willing to take on yourself, how large your jobs will be and what type of renovations will you perform( period house reno, lux house reno, apartment renovation…)What can you actually offer to the market? While many contractors know how to do a lot of things, it doesn’t mean they should do all of them. Find something you truly excel in, something that separates you from the competition, and concentrate on putting that skill on the market. 

Form a business

Before you start seeing clients, you must choose a particular business structure that will suit your needs. There are four main types of businesses: Sole proprietorship (ideal for solo workers or couples), general partnership (ideal for two people in business), Limited Liability Corporations (for one or several parties) and C Corporations (if you want to grow and go public). Learn more closely about each type, but be sure to choose the right one, since changing your business structure later can be hard. 

Get licenses and insurance

Having all the necessary licenses and insurance is the key to successful business. You’ll need all required contractor’s licenses and necessary certificates for your special niche, as well as business licenses for the city. 

Also, don’t start working until you’re insured. Good general liability insurance will come in handy if someone gets injured at the site or someone damages a piece of property. These are both required by law, especially worker compensation should they get hurt. It’s also good to have commercial property insurance that covers your property (equipment and furniture) and cyber insurance to protect all your sensitive customer data.

Purchase a vehicle

There’s no way you’ll be able to be a successful contractor without a truck. You don’t have to go super big, but a medium-size trick will help you haul lumber, brick, kitchen counters and even appliances. And you might be worried about the price, sure. Luckily, there are many affordable dealerships that have quality trucks for sale and offer great prices. You can even go used and choose from a wide variety of affordable trucks in great condition. And if you decide to sell your vehicle, you’ll surely get a good price, especially if you pick something used (their price depreciates less over the years). 

Establish connections with suppliers

Your contact list should be full of reliable contractors. Having plenty of good people around can make or break a job and make a difference between a profit and a loss. Knowing your materials will arrive on time and that your order will be perfect is crucial to finishing your job on deadline or even ahead of it. A firm relationship with everyone from suppliers and vendors to subcontractors is very important. The finished product will carry your name, so don’t let it be dirtied by unreliable business partners. 

Prepare for the slow periods

The home remodeling industry is usually connected very closely to the real estate market and the local economy. But, living in an area with four distinct seasons can also leave a mark on your business. Usually, your summers will be more productive than your winters. This phenomenon is not so visible in places like Australia or Southern USA, but places with cold winters might notice it more. In general, winters are slower, because most people choose to direct money into holidays instead of renovations. But, you can ask customers with a tight budget whether they are willing to postpone their old house renovation until winter. Offer them better prices and you’ll stay busy during this uneventful period of the year. 

Of course, you are expected to make a profit but don’t cut too many corners or you will end up with bad reviews and zero customers. All in all, as long as you offer reliable, affordable and effective services, your home renovation business will provide you with a steady income and plenty of customers looking to get a taste of your product. 

About the author:  Mike Johnston is an avid blogger and content writer with a focus in real estate, home improvement, and the construction industry.

Guest Contributor: Mike Johnston

Image Credit to Trusty Joe

5 Budget-Friendly Ways To Remodel Your Bedroom Space

Your bedroom isn’t just a place where you sleep – it’s an environment where you and your partner can relax, eliminate the stresses of the day, and rejuvenate yourselves. Unfortunately, an out-of-date bedroom that’s lacking in style or functionality also might not give you the sensational experience that you’ve been looking for.

While some bedroom redesign projects can take a lot of time and money to implement like changing the type of your mattress, there are also several small steps that you can take to remodel your bedroom without spending a fortune. Here we’re going to look at five budget-friendly ways you can transform your room.

1.    Improve Your Air Quality

The air quality in your bedroom can make a huge difference to how the space feels. Making sure that you have plenty of ventilation, as well as a fan that can circulate the air around the home, stops your bedroom from smelling stale and unappealing.

Improving your air quality can also help you to sleep better at night, by ensuring that you have everything you need to breathe easy. As well as improving the ventilation, think about adding diffusers to your room for a touch of luxurious scent, a ceiling fan, and even a dehumidifier.

2.    Install Floating Shelves

Clutter is the enemy of a beautiful bedroom space. Unfortunately, once you run out of room on your nightstand, you can end up leaving your belongings sitting on the floor around your bed. A set of floating shelves in the right places around your room give you more space to work with when it comes to storing things like books, perfume, and even makeup.

You can also use your floating shelves as a chance to show off your signature style with knickknacks that are special to you.

3.    Let there be Light

Nothing revives a bedroom space quite like the right lighting. Start by making sure that you can get plenty of natural light into your room by choosing the right blinds or curtains. You’ll need something that blocks the moonlight out in the evening but lets plenty of illumination stream in during the day.

After you’ve figured out the natural lighting, you can add some finishing touches with things like custom candles, or quirky lamps for your bedside table.

4.    Repaint your Bedroom Walls

Did you know that the colour of your bedroom can actually affect how you feel every day? Human beings have a unique relationship with colors. Blue on your bedroom walls might make you feel calmer, but it can also cause the room to feel colder too. On the other hand, while red is exciting and passionate, it’s also a harsh and dangerous shade that makes it hard to relax.

To get the best results from your bedroom, experiment with how different hues make you feel. Most people find that soft pastel colors are great for bedrooms. What’s more neutral colors will help you to sell your home when you’re done with it too.

5.    Update your Heating

Finally, if you want a quick and easy way to update your bedroom and make the whole space feel more appealing, why not update your heating and cooling strategy? Adding a new heating unit or AC product to your bedroom ensures that you can maintain the ideal temperature for a good night’s sleep, without having to worry about leaving your windows open.

Remember, if you’re installing new heating systems, make sure that there’s plenty of open space around them. Blocking your radiators with beds and other furniture can make it difficult for you to feel a change in the temperature.

Ready to Update your Bedroom?

Improving your bedroom doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The tips above, combined with a few finishing touches like the right bedding or a few throw pillows will make your bedroom look and feel amazing in no time. 

Guest Contributor: Emma Carter

“How to Avoid Rookie Plumbing Mistakes”

“How to Avoid Rookie Plumbing Mistakes”

When you finally have your own home and a minor plumbing problem happens, you might start to feel one of the following: your home is brand new and it’s impossible to have major issues already; your bank account was drained by the purchase of your house and you really don’t feel like spending more money at the moment; you have a hands-on approach to everything and you feel like there’s no problem you can’t fix if you just set your mind on it; all of the above at the same time.

While your enthusiasm and self-reliance surely might help your finances in some situations as well as making your life easier, it might also make it considerably harder when you don’t know what you’re dealing with. Most experienced plumbers report that half of the repairs they’re called to do are caused by people trying to fix the original problem and turning it into a bigger nightmare in the process.

It’s important to remember that while some plumbing repairs are pretty much intuitive, not all plumbing problems are easily fixed with common-sense alone. The golden rule in this case (as well as in regards to any other task you’re not familiar with) would be to face the matter with a “when in doubt, ask a professional” attitude.

In the meantime, there are a few helpful tips you can follow to avoid turning a minor problem into a disaster and to keep your hydraulic system in good health.

10 Tips To Avoid Most Common Plumbing Mistakes We’re not talking rocket science of course, but approaching plumbing with little to no knowledge can still cause considerable damage both to your house and your wallet, so you might want to be careful and keep in mind a few of these tips below.

1. Use the Right tools

When you’re not familiar with the world of plumbing, you might think whatever tool you already have at home is as good as any. Unfortunately, that’s a very common mistake and one of the most dangerous, because 99 out of 100 times using the wrong tools will either cause a bigger problem or ruin your fixtures. It is recommended to use the right tools and proper fitting like parker hydraulic fittings.

Especially when dealing with chrome, for example, you might want to avoid using just any adjustable wrench you have lying around and invested in a strap wrench instead. This way, you’re going to kill two birds with one stone: you’ll avoid over-tightening and scratches on your brand new fixture. Awesome!

2. Drain Cleaner is NOT your friend

When dealing with a clogged pipe, your first instinct will be that of using a drain cleaner. It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s cheap so it’s understandable. What you don’t know is that using a drain cleaner does not guarantee your pipe is completely free from obstructions, which might cause a bigger clog in the future. Also, if used too often the chemicals of the drain cleaner will end up ruining your pipes.

3. The Plunger, On the Other Hand, is Your Best Friend

There should always be a plunger in your house. In most cases, it’s the tool-to-go for problems like toilet clogging or too much hair down the shower drain. It’s cheap and it does the job without ruining your fixtures. Owning more than one plunger at a time might be a good idea, too.

4. Don’t Become an Outlaw

A common mistake is thinking that as long as you do work in your own house, you’re not overstepping any line, but this way of thinking can quickly put you into trouble with the law. No matter what you decide to do within your four walls, there is a code to follow. Before replacing your piping or installing a new fixture, you will have to get a permit from local authorities. This is very important because otherwise you might get fined and your house might lose value on the market. It might also become impossible to sell it altogether.

5. Sweater Weather

This is important for everyone but essential for those who live in places with very frigid winters.

When the cold season hits, any exposed water pipe you might have in your house is at risk of freezing and frozen pipes can more easily break or burst. The solution to this problem is to insulate any pipe outside of your house, but also in your garage and in your basement.

Wrapping your pipes is more than a safety measure: it will effectively “isolate” them, leading to a more stable transfer of heat/cold. This means that during warmer seasons your water won’t be too hot, while during cold seasons it won’t take as long for the hot water to reach your faucet.

6. Your Toilet is Not a Trash Can…

If you have the habit of flushing anything that isn’t toilet paper down the toilet, you might want to stop doing so. Solid food waste, diapers, pads — these things belong in their respective bins and should not be flushed down the toilet because you might cause huge clogs that might eventually break your toilet.

7. ...and Neither is Your Garbage Disposal

For the same reason, you need to becareful when disposing of your food waste down your garbage disposal. Things like coffee grounds and food wrapping should not be going down the drain and doing so will only come back to bite you in the future.

8. Some Pipes Are Not Meant for Each Other

When changing or installing new pipes most people will probably consult a professional, but if you resolved to embark on this adventure on your own, please remember not all pipes work well together. For example, copper and galvanized pipes will only end up corroding each other when connected.

9. Turn Off the Water

This might sound obvious, but it’s actually a very easy step to forget. Before attempting any work on your piping remember to turn off your water supply unless you want to turn your house into a waterpark.

10. Small problems = Future Big Problems

No matter if you’re planning on fixing a problem yourself or calling a plumber, never ever put off repairs. You don’t know when and how quickly a small problem can escalate into an emergency that will be way more expensive to fix in terms of time and money.

Conclusion

In conclusion, everyone has attempted to fix a plumbing problem on their own at one point in their lives, so don’t feel too bad if you made any of these mistakes. Keep these tips in mind next time and remember: the safest option will always be to rely on a professional.

Guest Contributor: Mark William

Top 7 Tips for Great Air Quality in Your Working Area

Top 7 Tips for Great Air Quality in Your Working Area

Poor air quality can lead to a multitude of different health problems. It can trigger allergies, irritate eyes, aggravate asthma and if there’s long-term exposure, it can cause serious health issues. Good quality air is vital for a healthy work environment. Here we look at 7 top tips that are going to keep you healthy.

1.) Ventilation

Workspaces can often get very stuffy. You can have the likes of odors, dust and chemical smell from cleaners. One of the easiest ways to get better quality air is simply by opening up the workspace and letting air flow through it.

This isn’t just about getting the clean air from outside, it’s also about getting rid of the air in your office, which can often be quite humid. There is a word of warning, however. If you work in a city center then the air outside may not be the cleanest.

2.) Use an Air Purifier

If you want the highest quality air, get an air purifier . They work to remove dust and other small pieces of debris from the air. This is perfect for anyone with allergies especially but everyone is going to benefit from not having those pollutants in the air.

They work by sucking the surrounding air and running it through various types of filters. The air then comes out of the other side much nicer and easier to breathe. Even a highly-effective air filter is quite affordable and would be a great option.

3.) Clean your AC

While an air conditioning unit can help to clear the air to some extent, their primary use is to keep you comfortable, and not healthy. It can be easy to forget about them and let them do their job without ever thinking about maintaining them.

In reality, it’s vital that you clean and maintain air conditioning units. They accumulate dust and dirt over time and you don’t want them sitting there. There is also the threat of Legionnaire’s disease that is caused by breathing in a mist that can contain bacteria. This can potentially be from unclean AC’s.

4.) Clean the Area of Dust

It is not just the dust in the air that needs purifying, it’s dust everywhere. Clearing your workspace of as much dust as possible will improve air quality. The most obvious culprit here is from the carpets as they need to be vacuum cleaned regularly.

Aside from that, there are also blinds, computers, work areas and any other exposed surfaces that will need to be cleaned. Sometimes a little hard work is needed to get your air quality the highest it could possibly be.

5.) Bring in Some Plants

Everyone knows that plants use up carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. It makes them great for preventing an office space from feeling stuffy and humid. This is especially a great option in those city areas where the air outside isn’t the healthiest.

You do want to be careful about what type of plants you’re going to use. Any that produce pollen is a no-go and you want them to be as easy to maintain as possible. Not only will they improve air quality but they will also make your working area a lot nicer.

6.) Don’t use Industrial Cleaners

Ever been into a kitchen or any other area that has just been bleached? For some, it will instantly give them a headache or make them light-headed. Any use of chemicals in a working area should be limited to only when absolutely necessary.

There are plenty of more friendly cleaners out there on the market that will also kill off bacteria. Using chemicals in a confined space can often do more harm than good. It’s best to avoid them when you can and the air quality will improve because of it.

7.) Check your Appliances

In a working area, there can be numerous types of devices, products, and appliances that can cause air quality to worsen. This could be exposed chemicals, a small gas leak or an inefficient heating system that hasn’t been maintained for years.

It’s important to check appliances regularly and get a professional to give them the green light. Some issues aren’t always that obvious and could be causing illness and headaches etc. Checking them will not only keep air quality high but it’ll also give you peace of mind.

The Importance of Air Quality

The negative effects of air quality aren’t always apparent. Health issues such as headaches can be caused by a wide range of factors and they could be blamed on another issue when, in fact, it was due to the poor air quality.

Longer-term, the effects can be very serious. Respiratory and lung issues have long been linked to air pollution. It’s important to take steps as soon as possible to improve your working area and you’ll soon notice a cleaner, more productive and healthier environment.

Author Bio: Steve Brian is a blogger and writer lived in Los Angeles. He likes swimming, traveling and hiking. He contributes articles about indoor air at airbetter.org.

Guest Contributor: Steve Brian

Common Bad Roofing Decisions You Should Avoid

Common Bad Roofing Decisions You Should Avoid

Buying a home should be seen as a long-term investment, which means that people should have no reservations when it comes to making sure that the structure is sturdy. Homeowners should include getting a sturdy roof to protect themselves from the elements.

Getting a sturdy roof to protect the home is only the first step since homeowners must also check on their roofs to ensure that they will stay protected from the harsh elements without complication. However, most homeowners neglect their roofing and make bad decisions when it comes to maintaining them.

Neglecting to Inspect the Roof

Many homeowners are content to know that they have a roof covering their heads and neglect to check on its current status. Our roofs will sustain damages throughout their service lives, and inspecting them is a must before any problems with them become worse enough to cause inconveniences.

Not Remedying the Problems Immediately

Inspecting the roof is one thing, but taking steps to fix the problems spotted during an inspection is another. Some homeowners deliberately neglect to fix the issues since they believe that their roofs can still withstand the weather and offer adequate protection. Due to their neglect, many minor issues tend to worsen and cause significant damages to the roof. Homeowners will also likely see whether their gutters are clogged or not when inspecting the roof, which is why cleaning them is a must. Gutters clogged with dead leaves, twigs, and other debris won’t be able to drain water through the downspout, resulting in water damage on the roof and other parts of the house. Roofs damaged due to curling or missing shingles will need to be replaced as soon as possible. Poorly maintained roofs will also need to be replaced when they’re past their service lives. When the roof has curling or missing shingles, it iss wise to replace them as soon as possible. Roofs that are past their service lives must also be replaced, primarily when they are poorly maintained.

Settling with Low-Quality Roofing Materials

Roof replacements are expensive, which is why homeowners must properly maintain the roofs that they have to ensure that it can stand up to the harsh elements. However, a time may come when homeowners have no choice but to replace their roofs. Some homeowners might look for ways to save money during the initial purchase, which can mean getting a roof with low-grade materials. People can indeed save money now when they settle for the cheapest option, but the level of protection such roofing can give is never assured. Relying on the cheapest roofing contractors. Another mistake that homeowners commit in their bid to save money is relying on the cheapest roofing contractor to install their roofs. Having a reputable roofer handle the roof’s installation should be a homeowner’s priority, but due to how costly it can be, some are forced to look for alternatives. An experienced and reliable roofing contractor may be rather pricey, but their services are guaranteed to be of high quality. There is no guarantee that a cheap contractor can do the job well, and there is also the possibility that the installation will be done poorly.

Conclusion

Roofs are expensive, which is why people should invest in them to ensure that they will receive the best protection from the elements. When the homeowners have already decided on the roofing material for their homes, then they should rely on the best residential roofing contractor to install the roof for them. After having a durable roof, homeowners should conduct regular maintenance checks to make sure that they won’t fail at a crucial time.

Guest Contributor: Jeremy Kinsworthy

Farm House Inspired Bathrooms

Farm House Inspired Bathrooms

Currently, the “farm house” style has been a significantly popular theme when decorating or tieing together a home. Not to mention that you can turn any room or space into this look with using simple ideas that can come at a reasonable cost. The main focus of the style is keeping it modern with a cozy feel. Making any room or space welcoming with its warm and “homey” feel.

 Besides practicality and simplicity, the farmhouse style also combines the beauty of rural architecture and the comfort of modern structures. Place comfortable pieces of furniture, use warm or cool neutrals or earth tones, add metal accents, and get yourself a farmhouse-themed home. The coziness promises a “home sweet home” vibe and relaxation and fun at the same time for you and your guests.

What makes the farmhouse style attractive to homeowners is that it doesn’t limit creativity. There are no hard rules in sporting a farmhouse style. You can use different textures, such as metal, stone, and wood, and mix and match your favorite pieces in a unique but appealing way. If you plan on buying farmhouse decors, consider sourcing them out from one store.

Barn Doors

Not only just a functional, the barn door style make a great statement to any home. Different styles or worn wood and colors of stain are used to match or mix match complemetnign colors in a home. Doors are typically large, heavy wood held up on a track to slide the panel for entry.  Bold brass handeles or knobs are picked and attached if the door didn’t come with them already.

Colors

Tradionally colors are kept simple and basic. For example walls are usually left a fresh clean whites, greys and even light blues. This way accessories or acomaning wall art or furniture stands out against the blank slate. Statement pieces are usually bold primary colors. Such as blacks, blues, and different shades of brown depending on the wood furnishings.

Staple Pieces

The farm house theme usually has a few things come to mind immideatly; shiplap, hardwood, and the wash tub style sink. All once considered old fashioned at one point but are now being treated as back in style with a modern facelift. Utilities most commonly are porciline or stainless steel. Big washtub style sinks held in a warn wood utility cabinet. Yiu can dress these up with mix and match knobs or handles to give them a unique and personal characteristic.

Keep it Simple

Simple and clean are the guidelines to live by in this case. No over crowding with knickknacks, busy colors, or clutter. A clean space for a clean mind. The farmhouse theme is a simple design to welcome you to your home and keep it inviting to guests. Decorating should include, simple but rustic pieces. Examples of pieces could be antique objects, woven baskets, worn wood furnihsings, and even that looks weathered and tarnished. Old is new in this case.

Guest Contributor, Klaudia Schueler

7 Ways a Nebulizing Diffuser Can Improve Your Home

7 Ways a Nebulizing Diffuser Can Improve Your Home   

A nebulizing diffuser can greatly improve your home. From the wonderful supply of savory scents, to microbe-fighting power, there is so much to look forward to. Before diving into the many benefits, let us consider what a nebulizing diffuser is. The market provides a host of diffusers to choose from; among them being nebulizing diffusers. A nebulizing diffuser works in a superior way to give you optimal aromatherapy benefits.

The Nebulizing Diffuser and How it Works

The nebulizing diffuser achieves the highest rate of essential oil dispersal into the air. This optimized rendering makes it possible to enjoy all the wonderful therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy. In addition, this diffuser is quiet, safe and does not need any heat or water to function. The Nebulizing Diffuser by Organic Aromas is also aesthetically pleasing; it is a piece of inspired art in your space. This aromatherapy tool works by using pressurized air employing a fluid dynamics formula known as the Bernoulli principle. When you get the nebulizing diffuser, you can improve your home in the following ways;

1. Fight Odors Effectively

Garbage disposal mechanisms in your home can present with many challenges. Blocked drainages are prone to unpleasant smells as well. Even after drainages are cleared, dealing with foul smell can be an issue. A nebulizing diffuser can help you transform bad smells into pleasant scents. Essential oils are highly aromatic and incorporating them into your garbage disposal and drainage management can improve your home drastically. You can play around with many aromas to keep your home crisp. Citrusy scents as well as lavender or rose are popular when it comes to adding freshness into your home. Choose the scent that fits your home best.

1. Fight odors effectively

Garbage disposal mechanisms in your home can present you with many challenges. Blocked drainages are prone to unpleasant smells as well. Even after drains are cleared, dealing with foul smell can be an issue. A nebulizing diffuser can help you transform bad smells into pleasant scents. Essential oils are highly aromatic and incorporating them into your garbage disposal and drainage management can improve your home drastically. You can play around with many aromas to keep your home crisp. Citrusy scents as well as lavender or rose are popular when it comes to adding freshness into your home. Choose the scent that fits your home best.

2. Fight Disease-causing Microbes

Viruses, fungi and bacteria always pose a threat to your health. In your home, getting rid of these dangerous microbes can reduce flus, colds and other illnesses. A nebulizing diffuser will disperse essential oils into your home to kill these microbes. In fact, dangerous airborne microbes are greatly reduced by the oils. Most oils are potent antimicrobial agents that cleanse the air and surfaces of your home to keep your family protected. Dangerous microbes are able to conveniently hide in carpets and other conducive areas in the home.  A nebulizing diffuser action reaches every inch of the home for optimal cleansing. Keep in mind that studies have shown that some essential oils are more effective in killing microbes than most conventional cleaning agents. Diffusing fights germs without causing any harm to your health. It is therefore a safe way to cleanse your home. A diffuser also improves the air in your home; keeping your airways moist; this also prevents flus and colds. Some of the best essential oils to diffuse for the ultimate antimicrobial effect include lemon, thyme, sage, tea tree, rosemary and grapefruit.  

3. Repel Bugs Naturally

Bugs are always bothersome; and if you are grappling with insects such as mosquitoes and ants in your home, a nebulizing diffuser is what you need. Studies have confirmed that using essential oils in your home can repel bugs like mosquitoes and ants effectively. You don’t have to buy expensive harmful chemicals to achieve good results. In fact, mosquitoes carrying the notorious Zika virus have been effectively repelled using essential oils. Modern bug repellants indeed come with a host of ill effects and to this end, a diffuser is the best way to protect your home. Some of the best oils for this application include lemongrass and clove essential oils. Bugs do not only cause serious diseases; but they also affect the hygiene standards of your home.

4. Inject Positive Energy into Your Home

It is no secret that essential oils have mood-lifting power. When you are feeling low, diffusing some oil can transform your outlook and leave you feeling much better. These oils can also cultivate a romantic atmosphere as needed. A nebulizing diffuser works best to deliver the perfect aromatic balance in your home. Some of the best mood elevating oils to diffuse include vanilla, rose, jasmine, sweet orange, sandalwood; the list goes on. A positive inviting mood in your home is invaluable.

5. Control your Appetite Naturally

With a new realization on healthy living, more and more people are considering adopting healthy habits. If your appetite is over the roof, a nebulizing diffuser can actually help you. New studies are now revealing that some essential oils such as peppermint oil can curb appetite naturally. The oil works by helping you feel full when you are craving for your favorite unhealthy snack. The new research also revealed that peppermint oil triggers more energy in the body and this helps control appetite. A healthy you makes a healthy home.

6. Save money

As hinted to above, a nebulizing diffuser helps control microbes, repel bugs, fights stress among many others. In the long term, you save money because you do not have to buy expensive pesticides, antibacterial agents, sleeping pills and so on. Investing in a diffuser means investing in better health; and this saves you money. You will be delighted to learn that a nebulizing diffuser does not cost an arm. This aromatherapy tool is affordable and available in the market.  

7. Add a Beautiful Centerpiece in Your Space

    Nebulizing diffusers such as the ones made by Organic Aromas are not just functional; they also make for artistic additions to your space. Carefully crafted with plantation hardwood bases and hand blown pyrex glass, these diffusers are designed for display. Choose a design that appeals to you most. As you can see, your home has  a lot to gain when you choose a nebulizing diffuser. Keep in mind that some diffusers such as ultrasonic types use water to diffuse oils. This affects the potency and efficacy of the oil. When it comes to oil lamps, they are not just messy but they are highly flammable and dangerous. Candle diffusers use heat and heat will denature essential oils leading to less effective results. Therefore, a quality nebulizing diffuser will make all the difference in any home.

Guest Contributor, Gayle