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How to Find the Best Freezer Repair Company?

Did you know ancient cultures living in cold climates used to preserve their food by burying it underground or in the snow? Modern methods of keeping food cold have come a long way, but this doesn’t mean your freezer won’t break down. This can lead to costly food spoilage and a hefty repair bill.

But, in this scenario, how can you find the best freezer repair company in your local area? Getting a qualified and reliable contractor to your property as soon as possible could save you a significant amount of money and maintain the quality of your food. 

The good news is it’s easy to find a high-quality freezer repair specialist by looking for a few key qualities. 

Read on to learn more.

Local Referrals

One of the best ways to find a freezer repair service is to look for recommendations from people who live in your vicinity. You could ask friends or family members who have already used a local freezer contractor’s services, or you could look up online review sites. 

This can give you the reassurance that a business provides a top-quality freezer repair service for its customers. 

Freezer Repair Experience

You may feel more comfortable if the contractor who comes out to repair your freezer has been working in the industry for many years. They will likely already know how to solve most of the most common issues in the most cost-effective and quickest way. 

Experienced professionals may even be able to give you advice on what to look out for in the future to ensure your freezer is operating correctly. In the meantime, you can learn more on freezer troubleshooting to keep your freezer working properly.

Location and Availability

You may want to search for terms such as ‘freezer repair near me’, to find a local contractor as companies that are based further away may be reluctant to travel to your location.

However, you should also ask a business how soon a freezer repair professional will be able to attend. If you learn that a company may take several days to attend, you can then call another firm that has staff available.

Pricing

You’ll expect it to cost less to fix a small home freezer than to perform a larger commercial freezer repair, and you’ll want to make sure you are not overcharged. It can help to obtain quotes from at least three contractors and compare their rates to ensure you are paying a reasonable rate. 

You can also ask if there are any discounts or special offers available to bring the price down even further.

Hire the Best Freezer Repair Company in Your Locality

Finding the best freezer repair business in your area can be straightforward when you know what to look for. It’s a good idea to check a business has enough staff to cope with demand, and that they aren’t located too far away from your home. 

You may also want to inquire about a contractor’s industry experience and ensure their prices are fair and transparent. 

This can give you peace of mind you’ll receive a quick and dependable service should your freezer ever break down.

For more helpful tips, check out our Resources section before you go.

5 Dangers of Cockroaches Living In Your Home

Are you aware that over 14 million households in America have reported seeing cockroaches within the last year?

There used to be a lot of stigma surrounding cockroach invasions, but it’s important to know that it can happen to anyone. While roaches do prefer dirtier homes where they have access to more resources, they can still seek shelter during bad weather or travel from apartments.

Although cockroach sightings are common throughout the country, this pest needs to be eliminated right away. Keep reading this article so you can understand the top five dangers of cockroaches in your home.

1. A Cockroach Infestation Can Contaminate Your Food

Cockroaches crawl all over the place and bring their germs with them. This means that a roach could hang out in your dirty bathroom and then go crawl all over your kitchen.

Not only is it important to keep your food in closed containers, but you should also wipe down surfaces you use to prepare your food. If food comes in contact with roach feces or other germs, you could get symptoms of food poisoning.

2. Roaches Can Trigger Allergies

Roaches shed parts of their exoskeleton like all other insects. The main problem is that this debris can trigger allergies if you inhale it.

External contact can also cause you to develop unpleasant symptoms, such as watery eyes, skin irritations, sneezing, and more.

3. Living With Cockroaches Puts You at Risk for Health Conditions

As if allergies and food poising aren’t bad enough, there are still plenty of other health conditions that cockroaches can cause. Instead of focusing on your kitchen, you need to have an entirely clean home since you can still touch other surfaces that cockroaches have been on.

Cockroaches can carry an impressive number of bacteria, mold, parasites, viruses, and other harmful materials. Coming in contact with them increases the risk of dysentery, giardiasis, and even polio in unvaccinated people.

4. Cockroaches Can Bite, Scratch, and Burrow

As scary as it is to imagine, everyone should know that cockroaches can physically harm you if they choose. They’d most likely attack during the night when they’re most active and you’re sleeping.

If cockroaches have easy access to food, then they may never be interested in biting you. However, their spiked legs can create scratches that get infected by the germs they carry. Roaches have even been known to lodge themselves in people’s ears and noses.

5. Your Mental Health Will Suffer Until You Get Rid of Cockroaches

Spotting a cockroach can cause even the bravest person to scream. Once you know you’re sharing your home with roaches, you’ll never be at peace until you address the issue.

This is why you should visit this helpful link to get professional pest control services right away.

We Should Never Underestimate the Dangers of Cockroaches

There are many alarming dangers of cockroaches living in your home. Since roaches reproduce quickly, it’s crucial to address the problem before things get out of control.

Could you use some help keeping your home as tidy and safe as possible? Explore our blog.

How to Handle a Water Damage Emergency in 8 Simple Steps

Your home could be a potential risk for a water emergency. A water emergency means damage to property and monetary costs. Nationwide, water damage repair costs up to $20 billion annually.

A water damage emergency requires immediate attention. The longer you wait to act, the more severe the damage becomes. Save your structure, save money, and act fast.

A good idea is to have a proper action plan in place. Consider following these eight steps if you must face a water damage emergency.

1. Identify the Source

By finding the source of the water intrusion, you can prevent future damage by stopping the water flow. Carefully search the property for evidence of water leaking or entering.

Check the most common culprits:

  • Water supply lines
  • Compromised roof
  • Plumbing malfunction
  • AC unit fault
  • Appliance leaks

Once you have determined the water source, carry out measures like shutting off the main water supply, placing tarps on a damaged roof, or employing sandbags to secure the perimeter of the area.

By quickly identifying and stopping the source, you will lessen the amount of water entering the property and mitigate the damage.

2. Alert Your Insurer

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after sustaining water damage. They will be a vital asset in helping you navigate the next steps, and your agent will assist you in filing a claim.

When it comes to your insurance company, a part of your emergency plan should be:

  • Having your policy information readily available
  • Taking photos to document the damage
  • Scheduling an appointment with your claims adjuster

Since they are the experts on your policy, communicating with your insurance provider is the best way to secure compensation for damages. 

3. Salvage Valuables

There may be items on the property that you want to rescue. Electronic items are most susceptible to water damage, but sentimental or antique items may be a priority for you to retrieve. 

Those items are important to you, but your safety must come first. If you plan to enter an area with standing water, be sure you first shut off the main electrical supply. It’s also a good idea to wear protective clothing like rubber boots and gloves.

4. Dry What You Can

You can begin the drying process yourself. If standing water is abundant, you can use buckets to remove it from the area. Make use of mops or a wet/dry vac as well.

If the water damage is in the area with rugs or furniture, it’s best to remove those items. Place them in a dry area and hang rugs if possible.

Fans, dehumidifiers, and your AC set to on can help accelerate the drying process.

5. Mind Mold

Mold can develop as quickly as 24 hours of water intrusion. The longer water remains in the area, the higher the chances of mold growing and spreading. 

There are signs of mold you can look for, such as:

  • Rotten or musty smell
  • Discolorations on walls or ceilings
  • Green, brown, or black patches
  • Discolored areas that have a velvety texture
  • Discomfort to the eyes or throat
  • Sneezing, coughing

If mold damage is severe enough, it can cause major structural issues and health hazards. Water damage restoration services are the best ally in fighting and eliminating mold.

Make a restoration service part of your emergency plan if you fear mold may be an issue after a water incident.

6. Determine the Damage

Floors, walls, ceilings, and appliances are all vulnerable to significant water damage, and each will require its own process for cleaning or repair. In some cases, an entire restoration or replacement will be in order.

Depending on the source of the water intrusion, there could be different types of water damage which can mean different levels of clean up.

Clean Water Damage

This term refers to water from internal clean water pipes or rain. It is considered “clean” because it is unlikely to contain dangerous materials.

Clean up for this type of water can be laborious but doesn’t need an abundance of safety precautions.

Grey Water Damage

Grey water refers to slightly dirty water that comes from dishwashers, toilets, or washing machines. 

This type of water may be contaminated, which means it’s necessary to use protective safety wear for cleaning.

Black Water Damage

Flooding from nearby lakes, rivers, or lines that contain sewage results in black water. This type of damage has a high concentration of bacteria, waste, and other contaminants. 

In the case of a black water incident, you should employ a professional water damage restoration service.

7. Repair and Restore

Repairs and restoration can begin once you have collaborated with a water remediation company to mitigate mold and assess the damage. 

In some cases, drywall, flooring, insulation, woodwork, and more need to be replaced to prevent mold and mildew.

8. Plan a Safe Return

Work with your insurance company, water damage restoration company, and subcontractors to determine whether it is safe to occupy your property again.

If a natural disaster is the cause of the water damage, pay attention to emergency announcements from your local government and heed any warnings or precautions they have issued.

Be Prepared for a Water Damage Emergency

Don’t let a water damage emergency intensify; have a plan to handle the situation efficiently. Acting fast and following specific steps will allow you to save your property and your money.

Your home is your greatest asset. Protecting it by preparing for emergencies should be a priority.

Browse our blog to gain more homeowner tips on maintaining, protecting, and enjoying your property.

9 Things That Can Cause a Flood in the Home

When you think of flooding, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Let’s say torrential downpours, hurricanes, and maybe a tsunami (hopefully not).

These natural disasters are the causes of home flooding. Furthermore, a recent study states that 15 million U.S. homes are at risk of flooding.

However, flooding doesn’t always happen because of outside influence. It can also occur due to problems in the house.

If you’ve ever dealt with a flood in the home, you can understand the pain of navigating the situation. For those of you lucky enough not to experience that phenomenon yet, nine factors can cause a home flood.

1. Broken Pipes

When you walk past a wall in your home and hear a dripping noise or flowing water, that’s never a good sign. It means you have a broken pipe on your hands, and it needs to get repaired ASAP.

Broken pipes can happen due to various reasons, such as:

  • Freezing in colder conditions
  • Clogs in your pipes
  • Age—rusting can occur if not checked regularly

Home flooding is likely if you don’t repair those cracked or broken pipes. Don’t wait too long, or you’ll deal with significant water damage and a hefty repair bill from your plumber.

2. Faulty Appliances

Appliances like washing machines and dishwashers make life easier for everyone in your household. However, they can malfunction at any time, causing your home to flood in a heartbeat.

Sometimes it has to do with the appliance’s age or that it’s being overworked. Either way, keep an eye on your water lines as you continue to use the machines over time. By doing so, you’ll be able to avoid a plumbing emergency.

3. Clogged Gutters

Gutter cleaning is one of those tasks you shouldn’t put off too long. Understandably, you keep delaying it because gutters get filled with a lot of gunk from the outside.

However, continued neglect of your gutters will lead to clogging. When gutters get backed up, they can’t divert water away from your home like they’re supposed to. 

As a result, water will seep into your home and cause flooding. Furthermore, the water may go unnoticed, creating mold and mildew growth in your home. 

4. Incorrect Drainage

Your home’s drainage system makes sure that all water waste—showers, toilets, and sinks—gets diverted away from your home. However, improper installation can cause home flooding.

If you spot anything wrong with your drainage system, it’s best to repair your sewer line. However, if you don’t, everything will be backed up into your yard or that of your neighbors, which will be an even bigger headache.

5. Terrible Weather

Weather is one of the most common home flooding causes. As we mentioned above, torrential downpours can cause water to creep into your home, destroying everything.

If you live in an area prone to flooding, there’s not much you can do except having a great contingency plan. You can protect your family and limit flooding damage to your home.

6. Damaged Home Foundation

Your home’s foundation is essential for keeping most of nature’s forces at bay. There’s generally nothing to worry about when it’s resting on a solid foundation, even when the weather is terrible.

But when there’s damage to the foundation, water can get into your home and cause significant flooding. If you suspect that your home’s foundation is damaged, call a professional to assess the damage and repair it.

7. Melted Snow and Ice

Snow is a beautiful sight when it falls initially. It’s clean, and you can have a lot of fun with it. 

But when it piles up, that’s where the problems begin. Sometimes you’re not aware of the amount of snow and ice on your home’s roof.

However, as temperatures get warmer, they start melting, and the water can get into your home. Try your best to clean the snow and ice before too much accumulates. But if the job is too big, you can always call a professional service.

8. Burst Water Tanks

Hot water tanks are something that probably doesn’t cross your mind often. However, they are a significant source of flooding in the home.

Any damage or crack in the water tank can send water rushing through your home. That’s why it’s essential to schedule an annual inspection to ensure your hot water tank is safe and working efficiently.

9. Forgetfulness

As humans, we tend to forget things all the time. It could be our lunch, putting gas in the car, and sometimes even turning the water off.

You could be running a hot bath and get a distracting phone call that causes water to overflow. Or, if you’re washing dishes, you might take a quick trip to the bathroom and be there longer than expected, causing slight flooding.

While it can be challenging to remember simple things, do your best to turn the water off when using certain fixtures. You don’t want to spend the day cleaning up water damage from a fundamental mistake.

These Are Common Reasons for a Flood in the Home

No one wants to have a flood in the home. It means large repair bills and the possibility of having to move entirely if the damage is too significant.

However, you’re now aware of factors linked to flooding in the home. Schedule appliance maintenance, clean your gutters and create a plan if you live in flooding hotspots. That way, you’ll be more than prepared for what comes next.

Hopefully, you’ve gained some insight on how to tackle this issue. Feel free to read our other blog posts for more home improvement content.

4 Home Cleaning Tips You Need to Remember

The average person spends 6 hours a week cleaning their home. Often, it’s not about the quantity of cleaning you do, but the quality.

Cleaning is no one’s favorite job (Monica from Friends is the exception). So you want to clean as well as possible, but in the least time possible. That’s why you need some fresh new home cleaning tips to ensure you’re being efficient when cleaning a home. 

Lucky for you, these house cleaning hacks will revolutionize your cleaning routine so your home always sparkles!

1. Keep Your Supplies in a Caddy

When you decide to clean for an hour or two, you likely focus on one type of room (e.g. your bathrooms or bedrooms). You open your cleaning cupboard and pull out a few tools and take them to the rooms. But then you forget some items or you can’t carry them all at once, so you have to go back and forth.

Cleaning a house this way is slow and inefficient. Instead, keep your cleaning products in caddies and have one for each type of room. This will make it so easy to grab the products you need without thinking.

2. Clean Your Home as You Go

Does cleaning seem to take you hours at a time? That might be because you let the dirt and mess build without cleaning as you go.

Here are some cleaning tasks you should take care of straight away:

  • Washing, drying, and putting away dishes
  • Wiping or mopping up spills
  • Making your bed
  • Taking out the trash
  • Tidying away clutter

If you follow these home cleaning tips, you’ll find that your house stays cleaner for longer.

3. Outsource the Tough Jobs

One of the best deep cleaning tips anyone can give you is to outsource as many of these tasks as possible. Why give up an entire Sunday cleaning your living room rug when you can spend a few dollars for someone to do it for you? Contact a professional service like Boss Systems, who will be able to do a much better job than you, and in half the time.

These are some other deep-cleaning tasks you can outsource:

  • Laundering upholstery and other soft furnishings
  • Cleaning your oven
  • Cleaning your carpets
  • Defrosting and cleaning your freezer
  • Cleaning your exterior windows

Now you can spend more of your precious time doing things you like instead.

4. Baking Soda Is Your Secret Weapon

Have you got a stubborn red wine, mud, or chocolate stain on your carpet? Scrub it with 1 part baking soda and 6 parts water.

Do you have spaghetti, coffee, or a lipstick stain on your sweater? Soak it with baking soda and water.

It’s by far the best and most versatile cleaning product. You’re welcome!

Use These Home Cleaning Tips to Help Your Castle Sparkle

Cleaning is a necessary but often draining task. But with these home cleaning tips, you should find figuring out how to clean a house much more enjoyable and efficient.

Cleaning will only get you so far in improving the appearance of your home. Browse our website for tons of home decor and renovation inspiration!

Inexpensive ways to increase the value of your home

Homeownership doesn’t end when you pay off the mortgage, claiming full ownership of your home. It continues for as long as you reside within the property, working on adding value to its market valuation and structural integrity. It’s a continual process of property preservation and value-added renovations based on market research.

Like a business, a residential property also has a market reputation and profile, with several factors determining its value. Major defects, structural damages, an unkempt lawn, roof destruction, and even chipped exterior paint can undermine your property’s value. In contrast, minor upgrades like planting flowerbeds, pruning the trees, and repainting the walls can boost market value.

Keep reading to explore inexpensive ways to boost the market value of your home.

Renovation Planning & Market Research

It’s wise to map out your strategy and assess your renovation needs by scrutinizing the underlying purpose.

Why are you renovating your home? Do you want to sell your house and make a substantial profit with value-enhancing renovations? Do you want to enhance your comfort and appease the homeowner’s association with budget-friendly yet quality enhancements? Or perhaps, you want to rent out some rooms or the attic to create a passive income from your residential property?

Suppose the goal is renting or selling after making some inexpensive value-enhancing renovations. In that case, we advise consulting a reputable realty firm specializing in your residential market. For instance, Orlando-based homeowners should consult The Realty Medics, as they specialize in central Florida and Orlando neighborhoods.

We stress the need to consult experienced and skilled experts and engage with a realty firm to benefit from their market insights. Realty firms maintain extensive market data around property valuations and ROIs of specific upgrades and renovations. They can offer valuable insight into the best upgrades that will guarantee increments in your home’s market value. Most importantly, experts will suggest upgrades based on your underlying goal, for instance, attracting potential buyers or tenants.

Once you’ve decided to undertake the effort of property enhancements, it’s wise to prioritize upgrades that guarantee high ROIs. There’s no point in spending money on upgrades that don’t serve your purpose, no matter how less the amount.

Throw a House Painting Party

Painting the walls from the interior to exterior spaces is the most cost-effective trick to breathe new life into your property. A fresh coat of paint will eliminate all signs of glaring and minor defects, creating a powerful energy burst. This DIY trick doesn’t require much, and all you need is several gallons of paint, rollers, tapes, brushes, and a few helping hands. We suggest throwing a house painting party to rope in your family members and friends into a fun evening.

It’s time to get rid of the crusty old, debris-ridden wallpaper and experiment with trendy new colors.

Painting the interior walls in shades you’ve never explored before can set the stage for a bold aesthetic transformation. Most homeowners prefer neutral tones, while others adore dark and rich colors. We advise allowing everyone to personalize the color palettes of their room and vote on the color schemes for shared spaces.

Homeowners should also consider painting built-in fixtures and cabinets to spruce them with a splendid color transformation.

Fixing Repairs around the House

Many homeowners make the awful mistake of prioritizing cosmetic beauty over structural integrity. If the floors are creaking and the roof is leaking, painting the walls isn’t going to help much. How can you spend money on cosmetic enhancements with structural and functional defects reducing property value drastically?

It’s time to make a checklist of all the leaking faucets, plumbing issues, garbage disposal defects, roof leaks, and electric hazards. You don’t need to fix them at all once, but you need to tackle them systematically, based on the urgency. For instance, electric repairs and switchboard issues are triggers for fire hazards. These repairs demand urgent handling to prevent damages from escalating, so avoid delaying them. Plumbing issues can also set the stage for water damage and fire hazards.

You can explore other inexpensive strategies once you’ve replaced all the faulty doorknobs, fixed the loose wires, and upgraded the faulty outlets. Remember, aesthetic charm cannot cover up the glaring discomfort of unfunctional bathrooms and leaking faucets.

Revitalize your Curb Appeal

The curb appeal sets the first impression of your home, and if the first impression is unpleasant, who would want to explore further? An unkempt and cluttered lawn gives the image of a poorly maintained property, resulting in low market value. In contrast, neatly potted plants, beautiful flower beds, nicely pruned trees, a wooden garden arbor, and elaborate outdoor settings boost property value.

Suppose you’re a passionate gardener or an aspiring enthusiast. In that case, you can channel your creative energies and gardening skills into revitalizing your garden. Potential homebuyers and tenants love homes with outdoor spaces, seating areas, decks, and patios. If that’s too much, essential pruning and lawn maintenance will also do the trick!

Final Thoughts

Increasing the value of your home isn’t as challenging as most homeowners believe. It’s not about how much you spend but where you spend and how you plan the upgrades. We strongly advise consulting realtors and benefitting from their insight into property valuations and renovation ROIs.

Six Ways To Get Your Home Ready For Summer

Summer is fast approaching – the days are getting longer, and the temperature is getting hotter. People are excited to dress up in seasonal wear and hit the beach to get toned and tanned. While people are shaping up their bodies for the season, they shouldn’t forget to prepare their houses for the summer heat.

With summer just around the corner, the house needs maintenance and updates to continue functioning in the new season. Starting preparations early on can help people save big on energy bills, safeguard their place, and significantly improve their living experience. Here are a few things families can start doing today to get their home summer-ready to enjoy the season to its fullest:

1. Clear extra stuff from the house

How can someone be okay if their house is a mess? To fully prepare for a new season, people must bid farewell to last season’s things and belongings. People must pack up all blankets, rugs, warm clothes, heaters, and other items crowding the place. Storing them in the house will make the space look unorganized and cluttered.

It’s best to explore nearby storage rentals to start stashing your winter belongings and unneeded items. A quick search on the internet can help. For example, homeowners in Greater Houston can run a customized search query for ‘storage Houston near me’ to identify good options. Repeat the same for any US city or county you live in. Doing so will help clean the house.

2. Clean gutters and drains

Before stepping into a new season, it’s best to unclog all gutters and drains. During the winter and fall, leaves and mud accumulate in the drainage system. The debris piles up until it clogs the drains, causing several leaks in the walls and the roof. People must acknowledge this obstruction and clean it before it causes severe water damage all over the house. Ignoring this problem will only result in excessive build-up and house damage in the future. It’s also good to check the trenches and underground pipes to ensure they drain water away from the house and not push it back into the property.

3. Spruce up the yard and garden

Summer is all about nature – trees, plants, shrubs, bushes, flowers, and more. Individuals must hire gardeners to tidy up their yards by cutting or curing the rotten plantation and planting more flowers and greens around the property. People interested in creating a fruit and vegetable garden must plant the seeds of their desired crop and prepare the soil to give the yield time to grow. Lush gardens require effort and the start of the summer season is the right time to work for it.

4. Decorate the interior and exterior

Winter coziness is now ending, and the summer airiness is beginning. It calls for a complete up-gradation of the house’s interior and exterior structure. People can refresh the inside of their homes by switching dull dark curtains with light ones, adding indoor plants, changing furniture setting to create more space, touching up the floor, etc. A fresh coat of paint can also never go wrong. Welcome the summer vibe by painting the house’s interior and exterior in bright pastel colors that reflect more light, making the house look spacious and cooler.

5. Insulate the doors and windows

Insulating the right areas around the house can keep cool air inside and annoying bugs and insects outside. Windows and doors are the ideal insulation points as air and creepy crawlies escape and enter massively from these locations. People are advised to invest in high-quality insulation that works well during the summer months. It will also help homeowners save energy as HAVC systems won’t have to work harder to cool the space because of poor insulation.

6. Prepare the air conditioner

The first scorching day of summer creeps into people’s lives slowly and unveils itself suddenly. People don’t get time to prepare to deal with the heat until it makes its presence felt. Therefore, people must always anticipate the worst and get their ACs checked before time. This way, they have their filter changed, system in working order, and everything settled before the warm weather develops into endless sweating. Moreover, people escape the torture of getting their appliances fixed in the peak summer season when the prices are too high and workers are unavailable.

Conclusion

Preparing the house for summer sounds like a bothersome and tedious task, but it is incredibly therapeutic and can help save a lot of money needed to fix avoidable damage in the future. Moreover, it’s great to be prepared to enjoy the new season in full swing. Stop delaying summer season preps and get hustling to make the most of the time you have before the heat hits hard.

4 Sure Signs Your Home Has Water Damage

Plumbing issues can be a pain to fix at times. They may not seem like a big deal but can lead to more significant issues if not taken care of quickly.

One of the most prominent is water damage. It can stem from plumbing issues and other problem areas in your home.

Is it possible to detect early signs of water damage? Of course, and we’ll tell you how below.

1. Visible Stains

A telltale sign you have water damage in your home is stains on your wall or ceiling. You’ll usually see a yellowish-brown color expanding in whichever way the water goes.

First, check for leaks in areas of your home that frequently use water, such as:

  • Kitchen
  • Bathroom
  • Laundry rooms

While inspecting these areas, take the time to examine the floors. Water can travel into floor crevices and cause visible damage their too.

2. Growing Mold 

Another sign you may have a water damage problem is mold spots popping up around your house. Mold grows when areas in your home remain damp. You’ll likely see black and brown spots growing from the water-damaged areas.

When you’re exposed to mold for lengthy periods, you’ll start to develop allergy-like symptoms such as:

  • Lung irritation
  • Itchy eyes
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing

If you spot any mold around your home, make a plan to get rid of it right away. You can clean it up with mold remover or use DIY cleaning solutions, like combining water and vinegar.

3. Musty Odors

Have you walked into your home recently and caught a musty smell in the air? Rain could have gotten into your home, which could cause a musty smell. Or, you may have an older home, which will create its own odor.

But it could also be a sign of water damage to your property. Damp areas left without oxygen can create mold, which contributes to the musty smell around your home.

4. Damaged Floors

As previously mentioned, it’s essential to inspect your floors for water damage when water leaks from other areas. If you see cracks in your tiles or wood flooring, that could signal water damage.

Yes, the sign is obvious, but most homeowners overlook it because there’s no standing water nearby. But further delay could deteriorate your flooring even more. 

Do regular checks to ensure none of your flooring materials has any present cracks. You can also use this helpful link to learn how water restoration companies take care of water damage issues around the home.

Know Signs of Water Damage in Your Home

Sometimes water damage signs can be evident, while other situations may call for a more in-depth analysis of your home. However, if you think you have a water damage problem, it would be better to fix it before it worsens.

Smaller issues can be dealt with through DIY means. But if you think the damage is more extensive, find a local professional to assess the situation and help with repairs.

If you’ve enjoyed our article, feel free to check out our blog. Hopefully, you’ll find related content that interests you.

5 Dishwasher Problems Homeowners May Encounter

Depending on the cycle and settings of your dishwasher, doing your dishes can take anywhere from 1.5 hours to 4 hours, and use 3-10+ gallons of water per load. If you’ve experienced the luxury of doing your dishes this way–by not doing your dishes–you may feel a little silly returning back to handwashing your dishes, especially when you are experiencing dishwasher problems.

Don’t fret. Dishwasher problems are common yet easy to fix. Here are five of the most common dishwasher issues you may experience with your handy kitchen appliance, and how to fix them.

1. Improper Water Drainage

When you pull out the bottom rack of your dishwasher after a completed cycle, is there water at the bottom of the dishwasher? This is also known as standing water.

Now, there are many reasons why you may find standing water in dishwasher. Two of the main culprits for this are a blockage in your garbage disposal or a dirty filter and trap that needs cleaning.

Repairing a dishwasher for proper water drainage may be as simple as clearing the filter or clearing the drains.

2. Dirty Dishes

If your dishwasher does not do its job of removing any remaining food and crumbs from your dishes, it’s not a broken dishwasher. It just needs maintenance. In particular, the filter needs cleaning.

A simple fix for a dishwasher producing half-cleaned dishes is to clean and unclog collected food and debris from the dishwasher filter.

3. Wet Dishes

Most dishwashers have a drying function in addition to cleaning and sanitizing. Is your dishwasher leaving you with dishes that are still wet?

The quick fix is to add a little bit of rinse aid with your dishwasher detergent. Rinse aid helps to reduce water spots and leave your dishes dryer and streak-free.

You can DIY your rinse aid by combining citric acid, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol. This is a safer alternative to your store-bought rinse aids.

4. Stuck Racks

Your dishwashing racks should roll in and out with ease. If you have a hard time pulling your racks out, switch out the rack wheels. This fix is as easy as unclasping the wheels, removing them, and replacing them with new wheels.

You can usually find rack wheels on Amazon. Alternatively, contact your dishwasher brand for replacement wheels.

5. Foul Smells

If your dishwasher starts to smell bad, check the bottom of the dishwasher for any leftover food that the filter hasn’t caught. Clear the bottom of the dishwasher and then, clean the filter! That’s where trapped food may live.

Avoid These Common Dishwasher Problems 

Having a dishwasher makes life a lot more efficient but, like everything else in life, it requires maintenance. This helps extend the life of your kitchen appliance to keep it working well. However, life happens and you have to roll with the punches.

If you’re experiencing any of these dishwasher problems at home and you can’t seem to fix it, consider hiring dishwasher services. A simple call and maintenance repair could get your life back on track in no time.

If home improvement tickles your fancy, do check out more from our blog.

Important Questions to Ask a Pest Control Company Before Hiring Them

Dealing with an infestation in your home? Maybe you have a mouse running around? Whatever the case may be, you’re on the search for a pest control company. 

What you’re wondering is how to find the right one. That’s where this article comes in. Here are the questions to ask a residential pest removal company before hiring them. 

How Long Have You Been Doing Pest Control?

The first question to ask your prospective pest control company is how long they’ve been doing pest control. You want to make sure that your chosen company has some experience removing pests from properties. 

We advise choosing a company with a minimum of two years of experience. A company that has maintained a positive reputation over this length of time is likely a safe bet. 

Are You Insured?

Next, you’ll want to ask whether the company has insurance. Insurance coverage is vital, as it protects you, the customer, from having to pay for damage that the company does to your home. It also protects you from having to pay workers’ compensation in the event that one of the company’s workers is injured on your property. 

Before signing any contracts, ask to see proof of both general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. As long as the company has these two insurances, you should be good to go. 

What Kind of Chemicals Do You Use?

One of the most important questions to ask is what type of chemicals the company uses. You want to make sure that nothing harmful (to you or your pets) is being sprayed on your property. 

Once you get an answer, take to the internet and research the chemicals that the company named. Then, once you’re sure that the chemicals won’t hurt you, consider hiring that specific pest control company for the job. 

What Pest Do You Remove?

Not all pest control companies deal with all pests. The specifics will vary from company to company. Whereas some specialize in, say, bedbugs, others will remove all types of pests, from mice to rats to centipedes to spiders and more. 

You can usually find this information on the pest control company’s website, generally under the ‘Services’ tab. If you can’t find it under the ‘Services’ tab, just make a call and ask the company yourself. You’re sure to get all the information that you need. 

Note, if you’re dealing with several different types of pests, it’s best to hire a company that can deal with all of them, as opposed to hiring different companies for different pests. It will likely be cheaper this way. 

Ask These Questions to Find the Best Pest Control Company in Your Area

If you’re looking to hire the best pest control company in your area, you need only ask these questions. Doing so should give you all the information you need, and enable you to make an informed choice. 

Looking for similar information? Our website is the place to be. Check out some of our other articles right now! 

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