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Home Electrical Tips: Common Causes of Flickering Lights

Do you worry when your lights flicker? Or do you just accept that it is normal for that to happen on a regular basis? Sometimes flickering lights are harmless and are a normal occurrence as part of the electrical system and cannot be entirely eliminated. But if they happen too often, it is time to call an electrician to come in for some testing and resolution if there is a serious electrical problem that could possibly start a fire. 

Try to Figure Out the Cause 

Flickering lights are from a fluctuation or reduction in the household voltage that makes the lights dim for a moment. Pay attention the next time that happens so that you can try to narrow down the underlying cause. A simple solution is to change or tighten the bulb. If that is not the answer, and you fear that it may be another issue, do not attempt to fix it yourself. It is important to have a professional electrician determine the cause and use the correct equipment and expertise to fix it. 

Large Appliances

If your lights flicker when your air conditioner or clothes washer or dryer or the refrigerator or another large appliance goes on, that is usually because a heavy demand is put on the electrical service. This may be more than a nuisance if the increased current draw causes wiring, breakers, connectors, or other electrical equipment to overheat, which presents a possible risk of fire. 

Wiring Can be At Fault 

Defective wiring is another possible cause. Loose connectors, undersized breakers, or damaged wires can cause intermittent current losses. If there is a mixture of aluminum and copper wires, special connectors have to be used where the two types meet. The wrong connectors can corrode and cause problems. Having an electrician examine your wiring can quickly reveal if this is the problem and may only need an initial estimate to determine.

Overloaded Circuits

Be warned against plugging wall air conditioners, microwaves, washing machines, or dryers into extension cords or power strips. These appliances must be plugged directly into their own outlets. If there aren’t enough outlets, an electrician can add extra ones. Be aware that this is not a DIY project, and that you should let a professional install any new circuits or outlets.

Any electrical work in your home should be done by a certified electrician to reduce the risk of electrocution. Professionals have the tools and training they need to handle your wiring safely. Take the time to compare different services and electricians in your area and focus on ones that offer free initial estimates.

Door Locks: Rekey or Replace?

door

Most homeowners have never heard of the term rekeying a lock, and at the mention of it, they look confused. It’s not surprising as commonly everybody jumps to the quickest solution without thinking too much and opt for replacing the entire lock. Not that it’s the wrong option, but it may not always be necessary. Rekeying door locks might just be a better choice than changing all locks, and if you’re still torn about what to do, here are some pointers to help you make your decision.

Rekeying the locks

Rekeying the lock essentially means readjusting the internal workings of the lock so that it can function with different keys, without putting your home security at risk. You get to keep your old lock, but the keys you had been using up until then, will not work any longer. For this exact reason, the whole process is very cost-effective since it keeps the existing lock body, with only a few things reworked and upgraded. You end up paying only for the labour cost when you hire a locksmith, who will get the job done quickly, hassle-free and with only a few tools.

In the rekeying process, the locksmith will remove the springs and pins from the lock cylinder and replace them with new ones that will work with a different key. Unless the lock is broken or malfunctioning, most locks can be rekeyed in this manner and still kept in service, often operating even better than before.

As a safety option, rekeying is much preferred by new homeowners as it boost the overall sense of security. It gives them the chance to reset their key control and eliminate the risk all the other keys that were once in function pose. This helps prevent previous homeowners, or anyone with a key copy, from simply walking into a home that no longer belongs to them.

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Replacing the locks

The main difference between rekeying and replacing the lock is that you will now have an entirely new and different lock body. It is more expensive since you are getting a whole new lockset and you still have to pay for the labour, but it comes with its own benefits.

Installing completely new locks provides you with the option of customizing your home security. You can choose longer screws in the lock or additional security pins as well. You also have the luxury of upgrading your locks, which also means upgrading your overall home protection. Another choice is even to abandon traditional locks entirely and go for the smart locks. This may not be an easy decision to make, and whether you’re doing it as a part of a renovation project or in a case of an emergency, it’s recommended you get professional advice and help from a reliable 24-hour locksmith, who can assist you in making the best choice possible.

Certain circumstances will require locks to be replaced, as they do wear from use, sometimes beyond the point where rekeying might help. Or, it could be for aesthetic reasons or to accommodate disabilities. For instance, lever handle locks are much easier to use than door knobs and they are much more attractive. On the other hand, electronic smart locks are a new popular trend and can be conveniently operated using an app on your phone.

Essentially, it’s never a bad idea to upgrade your locks. When you consider what you are protecting inside your home, an investment in high quality locking hardware will pay off long term.

Unfortunately, there is no “one-solution-fits-all” in this case. Every home is different and each family has different demands, so in order to make the best decision that will work for you and your home, you need to consider all aspects, re-examine your needs and weigh out the pros and cons. Possibly the best solution is consulting a professional locksmith to help you determine what is your most suitable and affordable choice.

 

 

 

 

 

Is Your House Unfit to Live in? Top Remodeling Tips to Make Your Home Safer

Is Your House Unfit to Live in Top Remodeling Tips to Make Your Home Safer

A dirty and disorganized house is more than just an eyesore: It can also be a legitimate health hazard to you and your kids. The good news is that it’s possible to beat back these perils if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and take action, so here are just four ways to remodel and revamp your home into something a little more livable.

Tend To Your Chimney

Many people don’t even think about their chimneys unless they hear birds chirping in there, but animals are only one of the concerns that you should have about a disused fireplace and flue. If your chimney cap is falling apart, you might be exposing your roof to dangerous sparks. If your interior chimney walls haven’t been cleaned in a while, you could be breathing in hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) or volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Raise Your Cupboards and Cabinets

According to Poison Control, 99 percent of child poisonings are unintentional. This means that kids are getting under the sink and into the medicine cabinet to ingest things that they shouldn’t be ingesting. One option is locking your cupboards from curious fingers, but if you already know that you’ll be terrible about remembering that kind of thing, consider raising your cupboards off the ground entirely. This will protect your pets from an accident poisoning, too.

Get Smart

Smart technology is controlled by wireless signals that send information from one device to another. It’s available in everything from baby monitors to home security alarms, and it can be a real help in making your home a safer place to live. You’ll no longer have to worry about locking your doors, turning off your appliances or shutting the dog gates. Your smartphone can do it all for you even if you’ve already left the premises.

Repair Your Roof

You’ve been meaning to fix those shingles for years, but little did you know that water damage is creeping into your entire attic space and compromising the structural integrity of the ceiling. It’s quite common for small roofing problems to become big disasters over time, so do yourself a favor and call some roofing contractors, like those at Select Exteriors, when you first notice that something is amiss. Your future self will thank you.

These are just a few ways to remodel your home with safety in mind. While you shouldn’t live in fear of things like dirty chimneys and unlocked cupboards, you shouldn’t brush them off, either. An important part of protecting your family is dealing with household issues even when they’re annoying.

House in Flames: How to Restore and Rejuvenate Your Home after a Fire

House in Flames

Local fire departments respond to over 358,000 residential fires every year, and these disasters can change your life forever. In addition to structural damage, you might find yourself struggling to find important documents and prized personal possessions. While you will no doubt be in a state of shock for at least a short period of time, you need to immediately begin taking steps to restore your home as soon as the fire has been put out.

Contact Your Insurance Provider

Almost all home insurance providers require their clients to notify them of residential fires as soon as reasonably possible. Even if you are not ready to begin dealing with a claims adjuster, you should still speak with your insurance company about getting an advance. An advance can help you cover some of the initial costs such as replacing your clothing and toiletries. You must also track your living expenses during that time if you have a “loss of use” clause in your insurance policy.

Assess the Damage

Assessing the damage is one of the most difficult steps in this process, and making any mistakes on your claim could end up costing you quite a bit of money. That is why all homeowners should immediately invest in a binder or folder to store all of the information regarding the fire. As you remember new possessions that were in the home or the fire department notifies you of specific damage, that information must immediately go into the folder.

Account for Personal Belongings

Your home insurance most likely includes a clause regarding personal possessions that are damaged in a fire. Unlike the structural damage that will be assessed by the claims adjuster or an inspector, you will most likely need to estimate the price of your personal possessions that were lost. You should begin with some of the more expensive items that you had in your home including your furniture and appliances. Many of the smaller items like your clothing and decorations will most likely be lumped into a single payment from the insurance company.

Speak With a Fire Restoration Specialist

Depending on the severity of the fire, you might prefer to work with a fire restoration specialist instead of having your home completely rebuilt. Some companies, like Icon Property, know that many homeowners must speak with a variety of contractors to determine if it will be more economical to rebuild or restore. Most homes can be restored if the fire didn’t damage any of the key structural components such as the foundation or load-bearing walls.

Once you are finally able to move back into your home, you want to be absolutely sure that your family will remain safe in the coming years. You must install new smoke alarms and fire detectors throughout your home and then test them as often as possible. You should also have an escape plan in place so that your family knows exactly what to do in the event of an emergency.

Be Prepared: 4 Essential Plans For Facing A Natural Disaster

Be Prepared 4 Essential Plans For Facing A Natural Disaster

There are many different types of natural disasters so try to prepare a general plan for emergencies, and think of different ways to use it. For example, take into account that you may be at work or traveling when the natural disaster occurs. Grabbing your family photo albums won’t be possible in that scenario. Use these tips as a guideline to create a customized plan for your own home and situation.

Windstorms and Tornadoes

If you have time to evacuate, do so quickly. As a backup plan, your home should have a safe room, or at least a safe area, where you can quickly take shelter. Tornadoes may be the hardest natural disaster to prepare for because, after they pass you may find that nothing you own is where you left it. If you can create a safe room be sure to keep your emergency kit there too.

Floods

If you wake up in the middle of the night to a flooded bedroom what would you do? If you live in a flood plain know the location of the nearest high-water shelter. Put together a waterproof bin with essentials items in it. If a bin is too unwieldy, pack everything into a backpack, which you can carry safely, and stay hands-free. Whatever is left behind can be cleaned up with a service, such as NiteOwl Restoration.

Earthquakes

Until the weather service better discovers how to predict these people will be surprised by them. Often an earthquake is the precursor to other dangers, like mudslides and fires. A good emergency plan would be to keep a backpack with essentials in it, such as a first aid kit, water, snacks, a flashlight, some cash or a debit card, and pet food. Keep one at home and one in your car. Expect that cell phone services and emergency providers will be overloaded after an earthquake, or other natural disasters, so try to be self-reliant.

Fires

Like tornadoes, a wildfire may leave you with nothing to return to. And you may need to evacuate at a moment’s notice. The important thing is to get the whole family to safety. Focus on having evacuation-backpacks, or bins, already packed up with important items. If these are ready to go, it will help to reduce panic and stress. Once you reach safety contact friends and family with your status and location.

Don’t count on a stash of supplies as a solution. Depending on the natural disaster it may all go to waste. Rather, put together an evacuation kit that will help you recover from a disaster. Be sure to practice executing your disaster plan with your family. Also, make a backup plan because your vehicle may break down, or your escape route may be blocked. These are the important things to consider when facing a natural disaster.

How To Prevent Your Property From Being Vandalized

When it comes to your home, one of the biggest ways to feel comfortable is to feel safe. But at times this can be difficult because of the threat of vandalism to your property. Statistics say that 77% of all crimes are property crimes, which means no matter the community or neighborhood you live in, the possibility of your home being burglarized or vandalized will always be present. Even if the damage is relatively minor, vandalism can shake a homeowner’s confidence to its core. What’s more, vandalism can depress a neighborhood’s spirit as well as property values. The following slides represent some common-sense approaches to help you protect your property, neighborhood and peace of mind.

 

How To Prevent Your Property From Being Vandalized slideshow create by Gate Options

Author Bio

Dean White is the owner of Gate Options, the premier automated gate company in northern Illinois. He has over 30 years of experience in the industry.

 

4 Safety Hazards That Your Home Might Have & You Don’t Even Know It

Even if you have a relatively new home, there might be more dangers lurking on your property than you realize. Everything from contaminants in the air to damaged appliances can pose a major risk to you and your family, and that is why it is so important to be vigilant around the home. Here is a closer look at four common dangers and what you can do to take care of them.

4 Safety Hazards That Your Home Might Have and You Don't Even Know It

Damaged Pipes

Not only will a small leak cause an incredible amount of damage in a short period of time, but it can also be a major health risk to all residents. Within just a few days, standing water creates problems such as mold, mildew, and pest infestations. Anyone who believes that they may have broken pipes in their home should keep a close eye on their water bill to see if there are any fluctuations. They should also have a professional, like those at HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric, come check the situation out. Many plumbers offer affordable inspections to test pipes for leaks or other forms of damage.

Dirty Ducts

Dirty air ducts can cause a wide variety of serious health complications including chronic congestion, severe allergies, and respiratory infections. That is why most specialists suggest that families should have their ducts professionally cleaned at least once or twice a year to dislodge any lingering debris. It is also important to change one’s air filters at least a few times a year to improve the efficiency of the system and prevent dust from getting into one’s home.

Old Water Heaters

Modern water heaters have many different safety features, but they can still become dangerous when they are not properly cared for. Issues such as sediment collecting in the bottom of the reservoir or the pilot light going out can put a family in danger. Much like your HVAC system, you should consider having your water heater serviced by an experienced plumber once a year. Servicing the water heater will also improve its efficiency and extend its lifespan.

Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that can eventually cause lung cancer if an individual is exposed to it for a long period of time. Radon is completely invisible and odorless, and that is why all homeowners should install radon detectors throughout their property. The easiest way to clear radon out of a home is to make sure that all rooms have good ventilation.

Those who are considering carrying out major home renovations to mitigate these risks should speak with experienced contractors to explore their options. Trying to complete these projects on your own could impact your home insurance policy and potentially violate local safety regulations.

Reasons for Choosing Aluminum Security Screens

People choose aluminum security screens because they are less prone to rusting. These screens keep the bugs on the outside and ensure that only the breeze gets in. Materials used in aluminum security screens are important. These screens are manufactured using aluminum and the mesh is made with the help of structural alloy or stainless steel that is of the marine grade. The mesh is very strong. Hence, it does not let any intruders inside.

aluminium-screen-doors

Apart from that, you can install these screens as an additional security measurement in your home and commercial places. People now install these screens at their main entrance and windows to protect their family from intruders. On the other part, when you install these security screens at your window and door, you can keep open your doors and windows during daytime hours and enjoy your garden views. Natural lights and airflow will enter through these meshes and it will help to prevent germ and bacteria from affecting your house.

  • Safety standards for aluminum security screens – aluminum is a sturdy material and it is difficult to break these security screen door and windows by any intruder. So, when you install these, you will stay protected in your house.
  • Aesthetics provided by the security screens – These screens are of the narrow sightline and can easily blend with the design of the building and overall it looks like a regular window screen made of cloth or a door for storms.
  • Corrosion free – The frame is made up of aluminum and hence it is free of any kind of corrosion. These screens can provide you the best longevity and you do not need to pay any additional amount for the maintenance purpose of these security screens.

Other benefits of aluminum security screens are

  • Privacy: These screens are very popular because of their ability to give better privacy to. The angle and thickness of the mesh ensure that it is very hard for the folks passing by to see what is inside the property. This ensures that the users get a total view of the outside while eyes from the outside can be completely blocked. The mesh for security can be customized based on the needs of the household.
  • Decoration: Security screen doors can add a level of style and sophistication to the entire property. This is not the reason why people usually buy this, but it certainly adds a level of style when the user decides to make the investment. Improving the first impression in the home is very important for most people; and the front door is something that is noticed at the first time.

Aluminum security screens can save your power consumption cost:

The other type of benefit added by these screens is that they help in reducing the entire energy cost of the home. This is done with two methods: one by providing protection against solar energy loss and the other is by blocking the penetration of UV rays. Aluminum security screens also add another layer between the home and the outside natural environment. This additional layer traps the heat from the sun and ensures that the rays do not penetrate the house. So, it will help you to keep your rooms cool all the time. Similarly, during winter, huge amount of natural lights can enter through these screens, and it will provide you with more warmth. So, in both ways, this screen will minimize your electric consumption bill.

aluminium-security-screens

These factors allow the individual to understand how important these security screens and the level of functional stability they provide to users using this. There are many companies in the world that provide good screens and once all the areas fall into place the user should take the plunge and purchase the screen.

Author Bio:

Zoe Sewell is a passionate writer to write about Home improvement, Business and Automotive with have some helpful information for his readers. View the social networks of website at Google+, Twitter and Facebook.

5 Ways To Improve the Security Of Your Front Door

exterior-door

The front door is the most likely point of entry for any home break-in. That means this needs to be the strongest part of your home security. There are many ways to increase the security of your front door, some of which are almost imperceptible. Other protections are costly and may affect the look and feel of the home. With such a wide range of options, there is no excuse to leave your home exposed, and there is no reason to spend a fortune making improvements. If you are renting, make sure to speak with your landlord before making any changes, no matter how small you think they are.

  1. Longer Screws

One of the simplest and most noninvasive ways to improve the security of your front door is to use longer screws to fasten your door hinges and strike plates. Most standard locks are installed with screws that are an inch, or maybe even an inch and a half, in length. This bites into the wood enough for alignment and functionality purposes, but it does not offer much security.

With just a three-inch screw, you are securing the strike and hinges to the wall stud. A screw that is biting into a stud will stand up to a significant amount of force beyond a simple set screw. This helps to prevent against kicking attacks on both the hinge and doorjamb sides of the door.

  1. Use the Right Lock

A front door should always use at least one deadbolt in addition to a keyed knob or handle. The deadbolt is immune to the widely known credit card method of surreptitious entry. When the bolt is thrown, it is not retractable without a key or a thumbturn on the interior of the door. This is different from the spring latch in a keyed doorknob, which can be depressed even while in the locked position.

If there is any glass on or around the door, it is very important to use a double-sided deadbolt. These deadbolts do not have a thumbturn, and require the use of a key when locking and unlocking from both inside and outside the home. Even if a criminal were to smash the glass near a double-sided deadbolt, they could not gain entry any easier. High-security locks are also necessary to prevent against more advanced forms of illegal entry, such as lock picking and bump keys. Make sure that lock installation is done correctly or the security of the lock will be diminished. In lieu of installing new locks, homeowners can also rekey locks (if they already have a deadbolt in place) to maximize their home security.

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  1. Add Metal

In order to install a door lock, several holes must be cut into the wood of the door. These holes are not completely filled by metal, and therefore leave vulnerable areas, which a susceptible to violent entry attacks. This means the area of your door that holds the lock hardware is actually a weak point in the door. By placing metal sleeves around that area, these points cannot be as easily compromised.

The same is true for the doorjamb, which will almost always have a simple small metal strike plate to hold the latch and/or bolt of your locks. By having this strike plate be longer, and secured throughout the length of the jamb, the door is secured against forced entry. Some of these products are hidden by the closed door, so these measures do not need to change the look of your home.

  1. Better Door Composition

If you secure your hinges, hardware, and the doorjamb, then there is still the concern of the door itself breaking. All doors are not created equal. For exterior doors, and especially front doors, you need a product with a solid core. These doors are heavier, as they use more material and stronger wood in their construction.

For additional security, there are steel core doors, and even iron core doors, which add metal content to the door itself. The addition of a new door would be the most costly and visually dramatic change proposed so far, but it is a must if the wrong type of door has already been installed.

house-exterior

  1. Security Screens

A security screen changes the look of your home from the exterior, but it provides a vast range of protection. Firstly, it will have more locks installed, which is an obstacle for anyone trying to bump or pick the locks. There is also another door, which is made out of metal, so forced entry is going to take at least twice as long as it would with just a standard door.

Residents can also open their door to see who is outside, without exposing themselves to a threat. And opposed to traditional woven screen doors, there is still a layer of security if you would like to leave your front door open for some fresh air.

Tips for Renters:

If you are renting, it is not so simple to make changes to the home. Often you will need to suggest your ideas to the landlord, who will then make the final decision. So it is important that you have been acting in compliance with what your landlord wants. Try not to be difficult or demanding. You are trying to present a solution, not a problem. So find a solution that works for your needs, and that you believe your landlord would be open to. For example, you may know that they do not like changes that alter the look of the home. So you would not suggest overly visible changes such as a security screen or new door.

Come to them with a full proposal. If you force them to come up with their own answers, the process will be much slower. The less work you make for them, the better chances of a quick and positive response. Who you want to pay for the changes will also affect your success. If you are looking to pass the cost onto the landlord, the offer to only charge the cost of materials will be more appealing than including the cost of labor. Try to anticipate their issues, and appeal to them on matters they care about. For example, even attempted burglary would result in many replacement costs as well as insurance issues, and general repairs. Be personable, and try to be positive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home Safety: Tips To Consider When Picking Your Windows And Doors

Home Safety Tips To Consider When Picking Your Windows And Doors

A home’s doors and windows are the first lines of defense against burglars and intruders. Doors are by far the most important because they are the main entrance to the house and logically where the burglars will try first. While taking simple steps, such as always securing the locks and repairing broken doors and windows is certainly important, there are a few ways that homeowners can go beyond the basics when choosing new doors and windows for the home.

Go Solid

Doors that lead to the outdoors should always be solid. While hollow doors are often used indoors for improved cost as well as a lightweight feel, front and back doors as well as doors leading to the garage should be made of solid wood or metal with inner reinforcements. Other good options include fiberglass and reinforced steel. Consider options like these attractive and inviting New Jersey doors that look beautiful and are sturdy as well.

Consider Windowless

Numerous doors come with decorative windows to let in light and to provide a curbside statement. However, these same windows also provide easy ways for predators to peep indoors or for intruders to reach into the home to unlock the door. Homeowners that must have windows in their doors should consider choosing ones with metal reinforcements or smaller windows that are quite far from the door’s lock.

Always Include Deadbolts

Instead of using only the small locks that are part of the doorknob, all homeowners should have deadbolts installed with their new doors. Deadbolts extend far into the doorframe, creating another layer of protection for the household. In addition, homeowners should ensure that the doorframe is sturdy to protect it from being kicked out by an intruder.

Choose Reliable Brands And Companies

Of course, any door or window is only as reliable as the company that sells it is. Homeowners should choose reputable companies to buy from. A reputable firm will be able to direct homeowners to the sturdiest doors and to the most secure windows for the home. A good installer will be able to make these recommendations without sacrificing the style of the home.

sliding doors

Beware Of Sliding Doors

Sliding glass patio doors are some of the easiest options for intruders looking to break into a home. Not only are these typically solid glass, but also many of them can be easily forced open. Homeowners that have these patio or balcony doors should only choose options made from reinforced glass or polycarbonate and should always install a sturdy, solid metal or wooden dowel in the track in addition to the door’s traditional lock.

Choose Reinforced Glass

Windows should be made from reinforced glass, such as laminated glass, or from polycarbonate or Plexiglas, which are quite difficult and time-consuming to break. All homeowners should consider installing reflective coatings on the glass to ensure that potential intruders cannot see into the house even if the curtains are open.

Add Window Bars

Homes that are built along the street or that have windows that are very low to the ground are at particular risk from intruders. Window bars can protect the home even if the glass is broken. Homeowners need not worry that these bars will ruin the look of the home. Many options are quite decorative with scrollwork and even shapes that can extend over window boxes.

Homeowners who do not know too much about the windows and doors that are currently on the market today should check with professional installers to determine what the most secure options are. While safe, solid doors and windows almost always cost more than the baseline models do, they are certainly worth it for peace of mind as well as for home and personal safety.

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