5 Things You Could Do to Refresh Your Bathroom in 2020

5 Things You Could Do to Refresh Your Bathroom in 2020

It is that time of the year again – spring, and it also means the new beginning! It feels like we are getting an opportunity to start something new every year. Most of the people (and we are sure you are one of them too) get the desire to make some changes in their home. 

After all, is there a better place to make some refreshing improvements than your own home? Of course not! Sometimes we pay so much attention to our living room or bedroom that we totally forget to refresh our bathroom. As a matter of fact, the bathroom is the only place where you can feel completely relaxed and relieved. That is why we are bringing you five simple tips to refresh your gloomy bathroom. 

Ready, set, go!

1. CHANGE OLD SHOWER CURTAIN - Let us start with an easy, five-minute tip. It is so obvious, but admit it, you don't do this very often, right? This is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to change the spirit of your bathroom completely. You can choose any pattern you want because today's market is full of different designs: tropical, abstract, or simple, classy designs. Your decision depends on what effect you are trying to get because curtains should fit with the main idea of your bathrooms look. You could also get unique shower curtain hooks, and you will be pleasantly surprised by the whole picture at the end of the day.
   
   
   

2. BUY A PLANT – we have a habit of having plants all over the house – which is great – but why leaving bathroom out of that? Houseplants make bathrooms more pleasant places, and they definitely improve the décor. On the other side, bathrooms can also be a great environment for plants because of their warmth and humidity, but just if you make the right choice. Some plants do not enjoy humidity or low levels of sunlight. That is the reason why some plants are more recommended for bathrooms, for example, Aloe Vera, Asparagus Fern, Cast-Iron Plant, or even Orchid. Also, artificial plants could be the right choice if you do not want to put effort into taking care of them or if you can't provide enough light.
   
   
   

3. UNIQUE LAMPS AND LIGHTS – you would be surprised how many things you can do with different kinds of lights and lamps in your bathroom. The number of options is countless, and it is up to you to find something that you like and that fits in your bathroom. Do not limit yourself to standard lights and use your imagination in the best possible way. If you like the classical style and don't want to attract attention to something too markedly, your choice might be some unique ceiling lamp or chandelier. It will definitely make some difference. On the other side, if you would like to experiment with lights, get ready for a real adventure! There are so many ideas that your choice is not going to be easy at all. First of all, you can place a unique vintage lamp on one of your shelves, and that alone will make a big difference. Also, hanging lamps could create a very relaxed and romantic atmosphere. Besides this, mirror lights are a thing now! They can really breathe a new life into your bathroom and create a modern look. Lights and lamps, in general, can create a brand new atmosphere and make your bathroom an even more relaxing place.
   
   
   

4. CHANGE THE TOWELS – yes, it is that easy! We are ready to make some significant changes, invest a lot of money, and lose our nerves many times before we realize that some changes do not require so much effort. Over time we collect many different colors, sizes, and models of towels that it starts to look a little bit trashy, especially if they lost a quality because of overuse. You have an easy decision to make. First of all, you can buy a set of luxurious towels in one color. This will make you feel like you are in an expensive hotel every day! Secondly, if you want to keep your free spirit and you really like colors, towels in bright and funny colors are the right decision. But be careful. Towels have to be new, fresh, and made of similar material. This way, your bathroom will not look disorderly and untidy. Another pro of this tip is that you can find relatively cheap towels that look luxurious and expensive.
   
   
   

5. CANDLES – it is hard to imagine any space without these useful and lovely helpers. They change absolutely every room in the best possible way. They are small and practical, so you will easily find the place for them even in the narrowest spaces. Their affordable prices are another reason to love them. One more thing has to be mentioned. Scented candles can create a romantic, relaxing, and warm atmosphere better than anything else. Their stress-relief effect is something you will be thankful for after a long day at work. Choose the right shape and color for your bathroom and enjoy this brand new atmosphere you will get. 

Pieces of advice that are mentioned above could be very useful if you apply them to your bathroom. Just a few little changes, and you'll get a feeling that you have a completely new place to rest your mind at the end of the day. 

Another great thing is the possibility of buying personalized shower curtains or candles if you have some specific vision in your account. There are so many options if you just use your imagination and put some time and effort into making some positive changes. As we already said, there is no better time to make some changes than spring. 

Let the refreshment in your bathroom with our practical tricks and do something for yourself.  Free your mind, open it up for new ideas, and you will be surprised by how much better you feel. You can thank us later!

Guest Contributor: Nikolina

Tips For Disposer: Why is Food Waste Disposal a Must For Kitchens?

Tips For Disposer: Why is Food Waste Disposal a Must For Kitchens?

Most people today have a garbage disposal installed in their house. It has become one of the most essential parts of the kitchen. In many areas, garbage disposals are a must. By using the disposer in the right manner, you are already being a responsible citizen and protecting the environment too of the garbage and odour.

There are plenty of ways to use a disposer in the kitchen, but below are some of the essential tips that you must follow always.

Tips for Disposer:

1. Avoid Wrong Objects:

Check the right type of objects that go in your kitchen with this website.  Remember, the unit is designed specifically to dispose of your food scraps by grinding it. Thus, you must know what grinds easily. Avoid objects like glass pieces, wooden spoons, paper plates, and hard bones.

2. Divide into Small Portions:

No matter how much the quantity or size of the garbage is, you will have to divide it into smaller portions and pieces. You must be a helping hand to your disposer rather expecting it to take all the crap instead of scrap.

3. Cold Water Therapy:

Use cold water therapy i.e. you must always run cold water when you run your disposal. That supports the prevention of any grease or oil to stick to your drain. Cold water also helps in removing any sorts of clogs from your disposer’s drain pipe.

4. Keep it Simple and Clean:

Do not leave the food scraps to perform the grinding task the next day. Keep your disposer clear and clean always. Many people often overload it and do not realize the damage it can cause to the parts of the disposer.

5. Use Ice Cubes:

You must use ice cubes and grind it in the disposer for the unit to be maintained. Grinding ice cubes also helps in clearing the clogs and blockages that makes the process of disposal stuck on and around the walls of your unit.

Why is Waste Food Disposal a Must for the Kitchen?

As mentioned before, food wastage can not only harm your surrounding and house, but also affect the environment at large if no one adheres to it. Not only the restaurants and hotels, even the residents have installed food disposals to ensure the healthy living of the family and the society. Thus, to balance nature and health at home with the family, disposals are must! 

Safety is another reason why people go for disposals in their kitchen. For instance, sharp objects and other waste on the streets may be accidental as these can cut your feet and cause injuries. Stale food scraps can harm stray animals too. Thus, proper disposal strategies need to be applied. Government has made disposing of a mandate in various areas with the aim to protect not only the humans but also the animals and environment at large.

To find out the latest designs and models of disposals for your kitchen unit, find out more at your nearest store or make use of the web online.

Guest Contributor: Maninder Singh

Importance of a Plumber in Daily Life with Best Plumbing Services

Importance of a Plumber in Daily Life with Best Plumbing Services

You may have read a lot about plumbing services and benefits; have you ever wondered why? There are reasons why people are so dependent on plumbing services. Why is it that plumbing is so essential? In this article, we shall cover some of the best reasons to prove the importance of plumbing services. Once you finish reading, it would be great to find out the options between some of the best plumbing services. 

 The reasons stated here will make you understand the importance of plumbing services in day to day routine life. 

Reasons to Explain the Importance of Plumbing in Daily Life 

Plumbing on time helps you to protect your house from flooding, which is the most basic reason why people seek support from a skilled plumber. Plumbing should not be taken lightly. It must be included to save wasting of water and involvement of hygiene.

1. Plumbing helps the water resources to reach the right unit without any leakages and provide you sufficient levels of water without any disruption. Imagine the gallons of water wastage if the house becomes negligent to fix the rusted pipes and leakages.

2. Water saving is extremely crucial and important for the environment too. Timely plumbing services sustain the availability of water usage for all. High-efficiency and water supply in the commercial area needs more care of timely plumbing as the water usage is in larger amounts.

3. Water saving also leads to energy savings that can be further utilized in other uses. Less wastage and consumption of water means less heating of water and lesser water transportation. As a result, you are saving on energy and water wastage.

4. Go here for regular plumbing services by a professional plumbing agency helps in bringing better lifestyle and comfortable living. The kitchen and bathrooms get adequate supply of water without any disruption and help you to perform the household chores with no hassle.

5. Flooded water may lead to contamination that may further get stored and entered through the pipes. It may further lead to unhygienic scenarios of cooking, washing, and cleaning. This may result in ill health.

6. Plumbing is incredibly important for all households and commercial activities. List down the number of activities that you would perform with water. Life seems difficult without water, isn’t it? It is thus very important to get the pipes, connection, and water outlets checked timely.

7. Plumbers not only fix the issues with your water pipes, they also assist in techniques of rain water storage and usage at the right time. From the source water enters in your house inlet to the process where the water gets drained out into the soil, a plumber can guide you with everything related.

 Find out the skilled plumbing agencies and check your budget. Hire a plumber for a generic inspection of your house and ask him to let you know the kind of work needed in plumbing. All the details will help you to hire a plumber accordingly and decide the frequency of their visit to your property. 

Guest Contributor: Maninder Singh

Why Should you Consider a Sump Pump Before Flooding?

Why Should you Consider a Sump Pump Before Flooding?

We are already familiar with the features, advantages, and importance of sump pumps in households. However, why do you think there are still so many varieties of articles yet mentioning about sump pumps. It is because people have started taking it lightly and they often fail to make use of it during flooding situations. Ensuring that your sump pumps work efficiently during flood situation or bad weather conditions will prevent your property especially the basement from any bad damages.

Before we begin explaining to you why you must consider a sump pump during flood situations, let us quickly understand what a sump pump is in simple word. A sump pump is a small pump that flushes out any access water from the lowest part of your area or house such as the basement. As a result, these areas are saved from flooding saving your property’s exteriors and interiors.

A sump pump unit is usually installed in the basement of your house with a sump pit. Most sump pumps work automatically with the support of a float or a pressure sensor. As soon as the water fills in the sump pit, the sump pump motor turns on and starts removing excess water and prevents your property from flooding.

Consider a Sump Pump before flooding

We already know prevention of flooding is one of the major reasons why people fix sump pumps in their basements. There are various other reasons why sump pumps are installed in the houses. Let’s take a quick look at these too;

Sump pumps:

• Helps prevent corrosion and rusting of metal appliances that your house may have in the basement. It is because the flooded water may damage these appliances and that is what sump pump won’t allow.

• Prevents the wall coverings and paint from peeling off from the ceilings, roofs, and walls. You certainly don’t want the paint or interiors of your house to get wasted.

• Sump pumps keeps the area dry and clean helping your property to be safe from any sort of insect infestation.

• A sump pump unit in regular working condition helps to remove any sort of moisture which may lead to nesting of molds, fungus, and/or mildew. Take a look at the battery backups too in case of emergency flood conditions.

You may have never faced a flooding issue before but, can you guarantee your future that it may never happen? You are fortunate that flooding circumstances have never arrived before however; it is always wise and safe to be prepared for any unpleasant circumstances.

Check out in the market the different types of sump pump models and qualities available. These may have different features and benefits but, the objective is one – prevention of flooding. For maximum performance of the unit, it would be wise to keep a check regularly and follow basic maintenance tips. Protect your house by the basics of flooding prevention and understand the importance of sump pump installation. There are various articles speaking of the same.

Guest Contributor: Maninder Singh

Top 10 Money Saving Landscaping Tips

Top 10 Money Saving Landscaping Tips 

Even those of us who are interested in landscaping and gardening can be equally passionate about saving time and money doing it. Reducing effort and expense on your landscaping chores is all about knowing the best times to perform certain tasks around your gardens and lawn. Whether it’s maintenance or planning or installing – learning the seasons is key for making sure you time your work so that it’s cost- and time-effective.

Learn how to save money on landscaping. We have 10 money saving landscaping Tips that you will love. Tips to save money to have your yard looking amazing!

Buy Smaller Plants

If you’re not the impatient type, purchasing smaller plants – a 4-inch pot instead of 1 gallon or a 1 gallon instead of a 5 – will save you a pretty penny.

Use Seeds

There's the first investment of lights, trays and planting mix, it doesn’t take more money and starts saving dramatically. “You’ll get a lot more plants – some packets have 100 seeds, To save even more, and even you can reuse trays. If plants grown in a tray didn’t show symptoms of a disease, just clean them with soap and water. If there was any kind of disease, wash trays and then disinfect with a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. To save even more, sprout seeds in egg cartons, newspaper rolled into plastic or cylinders cartons with holes buying in the bottom for water drainage.

Make Your own Compost

This process takes more time, but it saves a lot of money, you can use your kitchen scraps and backyard waste and start making your own.

If you’ve got your own chicken or livestock or know someone who does, mix manure and covers into the compost pile for an even richer end result. Make sure you let the mixture decompose well. 

Shop sales

Search out-group plant sales, normally abundant in spring. Check newspaper calendars, ask friends, contact Landscapers in your area to see if they are holding a sale or know of any. At nurseries, shop during the days of summer or in late fall. 

Save seeds

Collecting seeds at the final season makes sense when you’re looking to save money or even if you’re not.

Make use of recycled materials

Garage sales, thrift shops and the classified sections in the newspapers and online shopping sites normally have gardening material, everything from used rock to pots and brick and old tools, at greatly minimizing prices or free. It’s also fun to forage for natural materials such as stones or interesting stems to make edging or bamboo poles for fences.

Hold a plant and seed swap

Dig up plant “babies” or divide larger plants. Set by some of those tomato plants you started from seed.

Make your plant collection with cuttings

Propagating by cuttings can be as difficult or easy as you want to make it.

Attract beneficial insects

Instead of using chemicals or even organic products, plant things that attract beneficial insects that will eat the bad bugs and balance your garden’s ecosystem. 

Split a load of mulch

Save on delivery costs by purchasing a load of mulch or compost with a neighbor. Save even more by keeping your eyes uncovered for arborists taking down trees. They’ll usually share wood chips that you can turn into mulch. 

Bottom Line

We hope that you would love the idea of landscapes being “cheap”, but here’s the truth: they aren’t. The way we save money is to be smart and plan your work to maximize wins while minimizing losses.

Guest Contributor: Sarah Sugden

Ideas on How to Create a Luxurious and Relaxing Bathroom

Ideas on How to Create a Luxurious and Relaxing Bathroom

There's no arguing how important a bathroom is for a home. It has a very specific function, which is to bring physical comfort and maintain the health of the family. This is why, for a lot of homeowners, it is crucial to create a bathroom that does not only have all the necessary functional features. The room should be beautiful and relaxing, as well.

Ideas for an Aesthetically Pleasing Bathroom

When it comes to making a bathroom a visual delight to anyone who uses it, there is an abundance of ideas to consider. Here are some that top interior designers, decorators, and remodelers highly recommend, which are certainly worth considering.

1. Contrast paint and tiles

If you want a standout bathroom, use decorative paint that will contrast with the tiles you'll be using. This will enhance the bathroom's texture and make it more eye-catching. 

There are so many decorative paints to choose from, and these can make your walls and ceilings quite interesting with the unique patina they impart.

2. Create a unifying element for the palette with art and fabric elements

The contrasting colors of the paint and tiles may look amazing. Still, you can elevate the visual appeal by using a unifying element connecting them, such as an art piece and choosing fabric accessories carefully.

For example, if your decorative paint is a soft, matte blue-grey, and your mosaic tiles are beige, cream, and white, you can use paisley curtains or border wallpaper and a framed painting that make use of these colors. This will make the bathroom look fancier and more cohesive. 

3. Combine metal finishes

Combined chrome and brushed finishes for metal hardware achieve the look of chic elegance. But a unique look is not the only advantage with this combination. 

Brush finished metals are much easier to maintain and offer a bit of friction to make handles easier to grip. Therefore, it's a good idea to use brushed metal for handles and bars, and use chrome faucets, showerheads, and knobs. 

When combining metal finishes, keep in mind a sense of balance; for example, if the bars have a brushed finish, attach these to chrome plates. Or, if the faucet or tap is chrome, use a brushed metal tissue holder and soap pump. These two are simple strategies to prevent the metal finish combination from looking unintentional.

4. Ditch tile flooring for concrete floor coating

Take into consideration how a concrete floor is more durable than a tiled bathroom floor. It's less prone to cracking, and it doesn't have grout that discolors over time. However, many find concrete floors too industrial. This is not the case if you use decorative concrete floor coating. 

If you like the look of the floors in high-end stores and hotels, they're typically coated with liquid crystal. You can use this coating for your bathroom and create a gorgeous sheen. But, beauty is not the only benefit to this option; the coating will make your bathroom floor much easier to clean, as well.

5. Add decorative lighting

It's always a yes to decorative lighting in the bathroom, and you can never go wrong with sconces, especially on both sides of a vanity mirror or the door frame. You can even install these in the shower.

Another type of lighting to include is art lighting. This will bring attention to framed paintings that are always a good idea for bathrooms. And, consider incorporating downlights as well. These help in making attractive and functional geometric decor elevate the style of bathrooms.

6. Decorate the bathroom with a piece of art

Framed art, as mentioned earlier, can tie in contrasting colors. But along with that, it can provide perspective to a windowless bathroom. Since a bathroom also doubles as a space for relaxation, why not bring in wall art that will give you something to think about as you relax in your private sanctuary?

Ideas for Improving Bathroom Functionality

An improvement in the functional elements of the bathroom can also make it an even better place to luxuriate in and relax. Here are some of the upgrades to consider.

1. A high-tech bathtub

When you have a generous budget for the bathroom remodel, consider a technologically advanced bathtub with all the fancy features to make soaking not only more relaxing but beneficial to your health, as well.

Bathtubs manufactured in Japan usually have the best features. They come with smart technology that maintains the temperature of the water. They have strategically placed bubble jets that can provide you with a water massage every time you soak. Some even have color-changing lights for a relaxing ambiance, and timers so you do not soak for longer than is necessary.

2. A smart toilet

Smart toilets have a lot of technological features, from heated seats to temperature-controlled bidets, a music player to drown out the sound of official bathroom business, and even a urine tracker that assesses sugar levels. These are worth integrating into a remodeled bathroom, especially if you have elderly family members.

3. A smart shower system

There are smart shower systems that come with various controls for water power, temperature, spray setting, time, and others. These systems can even be connected to other technological devices to make showering a truly enjoyable experience.

4. Sensor taps

If you are a stickler for hygiene, sensor taps are definitely a worthy investment for your new bathroom. With these hands-free taps, you can minimize the transmission of germs, which can lead to illnesses. On top of that, you can avoid water wastage because the valve automatically stops releasing water when you do not have your hand under it.

Another advantage with sensor taps is it makes washing so much more convenient for people with mobility issues. And, if you want a really senior-friendly bathroom, throw in a sensor-activated soap dispenser as well, which fancy hotels and restaurants already have.

A True Place of Comfort

When you combine luxurious style and impressive function effectively, there's no doubt that your bathroom will be a true place of comfort. Hopefully, the ideas shared above will help you launch into a bathroom remodel or makeover in a thoroughly organized way.

AUTHOR BIO

Ralph El Eid is the Business Development Manager at COLORTEK - Wall & Floor Fashion. EQUIPAINT is the franchise owner of COLORTEK in Dubai (U.A.E.) and Doha (Qatar); an international paints manufacturer specializing in the widest range of decorative paints and seamless concrete & resin flooring, with a unique showroom concept, and thus an ideal destination for homeowners, consultants, architects, interior designers and paint applicators.

Guest Contributor: Ralph El Eid

Ways to Protect Your Home from Water Damage

Ways to Protect Your Home from Water Damage

We know about the kind of physical destruction that water damage can inflict on our homes. Our appliances and furniture will be ruined, our carpets will be soaked and rendered useless, and our home itself will be at risk of sustaining structural damage. All this can happen even when the water that intrudes into our homes is only an inch or so deep.

However, the one thing that we all should be concerned so much about is the danger it poses to our health and well-being, especially if we don’t contact a water damage restoration company immediately.

All that moisture collecting inside your home will likely trigger the formation of mold. If the water that inundated your home is from sewage or worse, all the contaminants in it are going to make you and your family sick.

Water damage is bad, but it’s a good thing that we can actually do something to protect our homes—and our families—from all the dangers it brings. Here are some ways to protect your home from water damage.

Shut Off the Main Water Valve When Out of Town

Are you going out of town for a few weeks or even months? If so, you have probably made arrangements for a friend or a relative to house sit the entire time you’re away.

If you haven’t, or if you couldn’t find anyone you can trust to watch your home for you, then you should shut the main water valve off before you leave. Doing so will minimize the risk of a water pipe leaking or bursting. It will ensure that you won’t be coming home to a flooded home in a few weeks.

Check Your Plumbing

As mentioned above, pipes could leak or explode and cause flooding. Drains and sewers could also clog up and cause water to back up and mess up your home.

You will need to check your plumbing from time to time and make sure there are no leaks, loose water pipes, or blockages to worry about. If you’re not that confident about your plumbing skills, call a professional plumber for the job.

Keep Your Rain Gutters Clean

Your rain gutters should always be clear of leaves, branches, and all kinds of debris, so check them periodically.

You wouldn’t want blocked rain gutters, because that means they won’t be able to reroute rainwater properly. Instead of bringing them away from your house, the rainwater will simply spill over the gutters and cascade down the siding of your home and eventually damage the walls and foundation.

Check Your Water Heater.

You should inspect your water heater every year to make sure the tank isn’t leaking due to rust or corrosion. Watch out for signs of a leak like badly corroded parts of the tank and small puddles of water on the floor. If you notice signs of a leak, call water heater professionals to address the problem immediately.

Seal Your Windows

Sometimes, it rains so hard, but the water just goes straight down. There are times, however, when the downpour comes with strong winds, causing rain to go sideways and enter your home through the windows. However, if you caulk and seal your windows from time to time, sideways sheets of rain shouldn’t be a problem.

Get Rid of Snow and Ice

Snow and ice are going to accumulate on your property if you live in a region where winters are incredibly cold. They will melt away eventually when spring comes, but it’s better to remove all that snow and ice right away, especially from elevated areas. You don’t want all the water the spring melt will produce to cascade down your house and cause some trouble.

Plant Trees to Fend Off Flooding.

We’ve all learned in school that trees help prevent flooding, so let’s put that into practice and plant trees around and within our property.

However, you need to be careful about the types of trees you plant and avoid those with aggressive root systems that could damage foundations. You should also plant trees at least 10 feet from your house for good measure.

Put Up Water Detectors

Water detectors are designed to pick up elevated levels of moisture and even slow leaks and sound off an alarm. You would do well to install some in your home, especially near washing machines, sump pumps, and toilets.

There are many other ways of protecting your home from water damage, but the tips above are a good place to start.

Guest Contributor: Rachel Anderson

10 Plumbing Tips for New Home Buyers

10 Plumbing Tips for New Home Buyers

Plumbing is essential to a home. Old or damaged pipes can turn a beautiful place into a flooded mess. That’s why it’s so important for new home buyers to make sure their property’s plumbing is in good condition. We wanted to share some tips that can help you fix minor issues and keep your plumbing system flowing.

• Look for Corroded or Rusted Pipes – Inspect the pipes in your new home and look for signs of corrosion or rust. Properties with copper piping may have corrosion from exposure to water damage or bacteria. If you notice blue stains or rust, you need to replace the pipe.

• Avoid Unqualified Handymen – A incorrectly installed plug can cause fires and a poorly installed pipe can flood a room causing thousands in damages. Use certified electricians, plumbers and builders with good reputations and it will save you money in the long run.

• Unclog Drains with a Plunger – If a drain gets backed up, you may be able to clear it with a plunger. Place it over the drain opening and use just like you would in a toilet. If you experience chronic backing up or slow drain problems, it may be time to talk to a plumber.

• Get Acquainted with Your Main Valve – Make sure you know where your new home’s gas and water valves are before you move in. This is important in case of an emergency. If you notice flooding or a gas leak, shut off the valve immediately and call a professional.

• Have a Plumbing Kit Ready – Put together a home plumbing kit. This should include duct tape, a plunger, paper towels, and a screwdriver.

• Never Ignore a Leak or Moisture – If you notice a leak or unexplained moisture in your home, do not ignore it. This is usually a sign that water is coming from a pipe or entering from outside. A plumber can inspect your property and find the cause so you can fix it before it causes extensive damage.

• Avoid Dumping in Chemicals – Avoid using chemicals in your plumbing system. That includes chemical drain cleaners. These products can harm pipes, which will lead to bigger problems later. The first step should be to try a plunger or drain snake. A professional may be needed for tough clogs.

• Keep Hex Keys on Hand – Also known as an Allen wrench, the hex key is an L-shaped tool that can be used to screw anything with a hexagonal socket. These are commonly used by plumbers. Keep a set on hand so you can handle smaller jobs.

• Use a Bucket of Water to Flush – If your toilet won’t flush, you may be able to temporarily deal with it using a bucket of water. Fill the bucket halfway and then dump into the toilet bowl to remove waste in place of a flush. This isn’t a long-term fix but can make life easier until a plumber can get there.

• Check Out Strange Plumbing Sounds – If you notice strange sounds in your plumbing system, have it checked out. Unusual gurgling or sloshing could be a sign of a backup. You may also hear a banging sound called a water hammer. This occurs when pipes hit the wall after pressure changes. Have these problems investigated before they cause a leak.

• Update the Water Heater – If your new home has an old water heater, now is the time to replace it. The life span for the average water heater is about 10 years or less. Anything older should be replaced to ensure efficiency and to avoid a sudden breakdown later.

Being proactive and addressing problems as soon as you notice them can save you a lot of headaches and money later. A good home needs a solid plumbing system to stay clean and comfortable for those who live there.

Guest Contributor: Robert Lawler

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