Home Maintenance Archives - Page 13 of 18 - Bruzzese Home Improvements

What Exactly is Making All Those Sounds in Your Home?

January 25, 2017adminHome Improvement Tips, Home Maintenancehome improvement, home maintenanceLeave a comment

Like your old uncle who enjoys good bean burritos before visiting, your home is also likely known for odd noises. Homes are actually an orchestra of sounds throughout the day and night that largely goes unnoticed, especially by those who are used to living there. New noises are noticed almost immediately as are changes to old familiar home noises. The quiet of night makes noises in your home more noticeable, and sometimes makes them even sound scary. Here are the likely noises your home is making and what to do about them.

Water Hammer

Pipes that carry pressurized hot and cold water traverse through the walls, ceilings and floors of your home. Water hammer causes a banging noise when a faucet is shut off quickly, the toilet valve shuts off, or when a dishwasher or clothes washer fill valve closes. It is a bang often followed by a rattle. Water is not compressible and can make a banging sound in pipes that is quite loud. Air in the pipes can do it too. If your water pressure control valve on the main line is working, the issue may be the need for installation of a water hammer arrester on the offending water line.

Scratching and Rubbing Noises

If your home has overhanging tree limbs or shrubbery close to it, the wind may cause movement of trees and shrubs against your roof or walls. If you do not have trees or shrubs that are close, then a loose service cable may be the cause. You likely have a power service cable along with phone, television and Internet cables outside your home that run down the walls. If they are not properly attached, they can make scratching and rubbing noises. If the cables are not loose, then you either have rodent visitors who are making your home their home or you are part of one of those cheesy scary movie plots where someone has been living in your attic. Either way, you need a professional to investigate and rid your home of the unwanted intruders.

Furnace Noises

If you have hot water heat, it can make all kinds of noises. If you have an old style iron radiator, they are famous for making creaking, hissing and groaning sounds. Most of the time the noises are normal, but an HVAC specialist should inspect your heating system annually anyway. If you hear noises at the boiler, you should call for service immediately. Forced-air heat naturally makes noises because of the blower. However, squeaks and whistles should be immediately investigated. Squeaking may be the bearing in the blower failing, and whistles could be duct leaks or a clogged filter.

Hot Water Heaters

Along with hot water heating systems, the other culprit that causes odd noises in your home is your hot water tank. It can be the noisiest appliance in your home that does not have any motors or fans. Water expands when it is heated, and so does the metal container, burner or heating elements of a hot water heater. You may hear slight popping and ticking noises as the water temperature rises. The noise from a natural gas water heater’s burner usually drowns out most of these sounds until it cycles off. Electric water heaters have no burner noise, and you may hear more creaks and pops from them.

Water heaters located inside living spaces, such as a bathroom closet designed for them, make noises more apparent. Your hot water heater may be turned up too high. A dangerous situation could be a missing or malfunctioning pressure relief valve. You may need a new water heater, but your old one just may be in need of some immediate service. An exploding hot water heater can be catastrophic and so this is most likely something that you shouldn’t try to fix on your own. Call up a professional, such as First Class Plumbing of Florida Inc, that specializes in water heaters.

There are many more sources and causes of creepy home noises, but these are the most common ones. Most are benign, but some are not. The problem is that you can get used to subtle changes in the noises over a long period of time and not know a problem is developing. Staying on schedule with appliance maintenance and having an annual inspection completed by a professional exterminator are both good ideas.

Keep It in the Bank: How to Save Money on Household Repairs

December 20, 2016adminDIY Projects, Home Improvement Tips, Home MaintenanceDIY projects, home improvement, home maintenanceLeave a comment

It’s always good to include household repairs in your monthly budget. If you make it through a few months or a year without having to dip into that portion of the budget, consider that a fortunate occurrence. However, you don’t want to delete that category from the budget because you never know when you’ll be faced with an expensive home repair job. While home repairs are a part of home ownership, there are some things you can do to save yourself some money on those repairs.

Fix Your Toilet Yourself

A toilet that runs constantly will cause an increase in your water bill. Many times, you can save yourself the cost of a service call from a plumber simply by making a trip to a home improvement store, purchasing a repair kit and doing the repair work yourself. Quite often, there are knowledgeable store employees that can answer questions you may have on how to make the repair.

Prevent Water Damage

Damaged flooring should be replaced promptly. A damaged floor can increase the risk of tripping. Also, if it’s water damage you’re dealing with, procrastinating about repairing it will likely increase the overall expense. Basic precautions and observation can prevent flooring damage around a tub or toilet.

Heating and Air Conditioning

Any type of service call costs money. Finding a heating and air conditioning service, such as Pacific Aire, Inc, can save you some money. Before sending someone out, they will talk with you to determine if your problem can be resolved without a service call. Whenever a service call is necessary, be sure to confirm the diagnosing fee and repair cost before the work begins so that you won’t be surprised when presented with the bill.

Roof Repair

One of the best ways to save money on home repairs is be observant. Checking your gutters and the condition of your roof is one way to catch a small problem before it becomes big problem that results in extensive damage and an expensive repair bill.

Repair Appliances

Take notice of any odd noises that an appliance starts making. Taking quick action to make a minor repair can be easier on the budget than waiting until a simple fix becomes a major repair or requires replacement of the appliance. Using appliances appropriately will result in less repair cost.

Sometimes, you can save money on small repairs by doing them yourself. However, you’re likely to save money in the long run by hiring a professional for major household repairs.

Residential Pest Control: The Basics

December 14, 2016adminDIY Projects, Home MaintenanceDIY projects, home maintenance, pest controlLeave a comment

If you’re like most home-owners, you want to keep pesky pests and creepy crawlies well away from your home. Coming in unannounced, these uninvited guests can do a lot of damage to your place of residence, and even your loved-ones. When looking to tackle this problem head on, you will need to run through the basics of keeping your home pest-free. To help you, here are the essential preventive measures and control methods you can employ.

Keep It Clean

Most animals we consider pests arrive to our homes for two reasons: food and warmth. By keeping your home clean you are denying pests the reason to enter your residence. When it comes to trash, always use trash containers with a lid, and make sure to rinse out excess food from plastic or glass jars and bottles. After cooking, wipe down countertops, stoves, ovens and sinks with kitchen solutions, and make sure to keep all dry goods in sealed containers.

Get Rid Of Damp and Moisture

Many insects, like cockroaches, millipedes and lice, are also attracted to damp conditions. To get rid of insects, you want to moisture-proof your residence, start at the kitchen and bathroom. Fix leaky faucets and make a DIY drain cleaner to clear clogs, since pests can thrive in the leftover particles found in pipes. Additionally, make sure to deal with mold in your home, since it too can provide a breeding ground for pests.

Set Traps

One of the safest methods to get rid of pests is setting efficient, non-toxic traps, claim the guys at Gold Coast Pest Control. While some traps use chemicals, these can also harm your pets or your loved ones. When it comes to rodents use glue or mouse traps, while for insects you could resort to flypaper or bug-zappers. Alternatively, you can make a trap, by mixing sugar and borax with water in jars, which can lure ants and fruit flies.

Use Natural Pesticides

When resorting to pesticides, always try to choose natural solutions. Essential oils of some plants, like lavender or lemongrass, mixed in with alcohol, can get rid of ticks, mosquitoes, fleas and flies. Use the solution to spray known infected areas of your home, or throughout your home, as they won’t harm your family and give out a fragrant scent.

Introduce Animals That Help with Pest Control

Welcoming pest control animals into your home can be yet another simple solution to your problem. While they may not be the complete answer to the question of pest control, they help in controlling pest populations, and serve as a preventive measure. As natural predators, cats and barn owls can be used to prey upon rodents and larger pests. Similarly, welcoming spiders, bats and sparrows into your home or garden helps keep insect populations away from your residence.

Plant Insect-Repelling Flora

When it comes to naturally repelling insects from your home, you can plant insect-repelling herbs and flowers. Outside, on your deck, in the garden, or near doors and windows, you can plant citronella, marigolds, or catnip. The fragrance they give off can repel insects from your home, as well as protect other plants in your garden. Inside, you can create an herb garden in your kitchen, and use basil or rosemary as your main bug repellent plants.

When All Else Fails…

Sometimes, none of the natural ways to get rid of pests are quick or powerful enough to get rid of pests. In those cases, it is best to seek professional help. Pest control experts can use appropriate pesticides to eliminate all the pests from your home. Remember to check into a hotel during that time, and, once you return, clean your home thoroughly.

Even though sometimes toxic chemicals are the only solution to pest control, they can be harmful to your family, so use it only as a back-up plan, trying basic natural pest control methods first. However, the best solution for pest control is always prevention, so make use of natural repellents and keep your residence clean. It will ensure unwanted guests stay where they belong – outside your home.

7 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for the Chilly Winter Season

December 12, 2016adminhome improvement, Home Maintenance, Winter Tipshome improvement, home maintenance, winterLeave a comment

The tell-tale signs of winter are here: you’re late to work because you can’t bring yourself to get out of the warm bed and your car has trouble starting because of the below-freezing temperatures.

As the cold weather moves in, you may be tempted to flee to a warmer climate. But for most of us, jobs, family and other responsibilities prevent us from becoming expats in the Caribbean.

Instead, it would be wise to focus on how we can make our lives more comfortable and warm with manageable home improvements. Let’s explore seven ways to prep your home for the chilly weather that winter inevitably brings.

Clean Your Chimney and Gather Firewood

There is nothing more quintessentially winter than curling up next to the fireplace. But a poorly maintained fireplace can cause damage to your home and your health. Hire a chimney sweep to clean and inspect your chimney, and ask him or her how to clean it yourself.

Check your chimney flue and cap to ensure they are operating correctly. A missing or loose cap could create water damage or encourage little critters to nest near the warmth of the fire. Store your firewood in a dry place and ready your shovel and poker so that you don’t have to touch the hot surfaces directly.

Check Windows and Doors for Leaks

You might remember your grandparents carrying on about drafts, but they were on to something. Check out the weather stripping around exterior doors, and install storm doors as an extra layer of protection if you’ve got them. Caulk around windows when you see gaps to keep cold air where it belongs.

Insulate Your Garage Door

Most people think to check windows and doors, but your garage door should also get some love. Consider an insulated garage door, which will keep energy costs down and cut down on noise pollution.

There is an added benefit to updating your garage door: since it is one of the largest exterior surfaces of your home, you can add a lot of curb appeal by updating its style. So this move makes sense economically and aesthetically in addition to warming you up this winter.

Inspect Your Furnace and Boiler

Many of us just assume our heating and hot water will come on when we want it to, no questions asked. If pressed, you might not even be able to say where your furnace and boiler are, or how they function.

The system of pipes and heating varies from home to home, but the one consistent is that they should be inspected every winter. If it is time to replace older systems, expect to gain some energy efficiency and lower your bills.

Purchase a Generator

Lots of people who lived through Snowmaggedon or the Polar Vortex remember living without power for days on end. At first the candlelight was charming, but that wore off quickly.

A generator would provide a backup power source should you lose power in your home. If you want a generator for convenience or for safety – say, if a family member needs refrigerated medication or an electric medical device – there are several factors to consider. Among them are installation, sound and cost. But if an alternate power source is a must for you, then purchasing a generator is an important part of getting your home ready for winter.

Drain the Outdoor Plumbing, Ready for Frozen Pipes

One of the most common winter mistakes first time homebuyers make is not draining the water from faucets and hoses that sit outside the home. Frozen pipes can burst and cause immense damage to the home. Disconnect hoses and store them inside to prevent freezing and cracking.

Once you’ve got the outdoor plumbing taken care of, be on the looking for indoor plumbing that might freeze, like pipes that sit against exterior walls. If your faucet produces just a drip of water, it’s a sign of a frozen pipe. Leave the faucet on, and apply heat using a hair dryer, towels soaked in hot water or an electric heating pad. As the pipe thaws, water will drip out of the open faucet. Continue until your regular water pressure is restored.

Prepare Your Pantry

The kitchen is probably the hub of activity in your home, and for that reason it should get a little winter preparation as well.

Stock the pantry with chicken broth, canned beans and crushed tomatoes so that you can pull together a quick chili in a pinch. Grab cocoa and marshmallow for the requisite hot chocolates. And update your recipe box with some popular winter recipes, so that you can keep your family warm inside and out.

Most of us look forward to the holidays, more time spent before the fire and cozy scarves and mittens. But the reality of a cold, harsh winter is anything but romantic. So prepare your home for winter weather before the snow men show up in your front yard.

Kacey is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts.

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What’s Clogging Your Drains – Infographic

December 2, 2016adminHome Improvement Tips, Home Maintenance, Plumbinghome maintenance, infographic, plumbingLeave a comment

Wondering why your drains are clogged? While some clogs are inevitable, most of the time many clogs can be prevented. The infographic below courtesy of Pipetech Plumbing will give you all the info you need in order to avoid a clog.

Follow These Steps to Keep Commercial Driveway Gates in Good Condition

November 19, 2016adminHome Improvement Tips, Home Maintenance, Home Securityhome improvement, home maintenance, SafetyLeave a comment

Having gates, automated or simple, is the best way to keep your residential as well as commercial property secure, safe and protected all the time. With properly maintained gates, you can rest in the knowledge that your commercial settings or residential possessions are going to be in safe hands. Different types of establishments need specific, purpose-oriented gates to ensure the property under your possession has firm, solid and lasting metal security standards.

Automated sliding gates, for instance, are often found in commercial settings especially just before the driveway. Commercial driveway gates, like all other types of gates, need perfect, regular maintenance. Gates are operated mechanically and involve many parts that drive its movements and operation. To ensure the security gates work consistently and with efficiency, you need to perform certain maintenance maneuvers so that it will remain operable and healthy for long period of time.

The bits of maintenance procedure depends on the type of automated gate you have installed for your commercial premises. It is essential to comply with regular maintenance standard which can be achievable through the help of a gate maintenance specialist. The following are the tips for commercial driveway gates maintenance:

Do thorough inspection

Some of the components of sliding automated gates that need your regular attention are gate opener, metal racks, drive belt (or chain belt), panel board, electrical connections, bearings, springs, and rollers. Check your sliding gates for any fault or malfunctioning of these parts.
Bolts often come loose, so inspect them to confirm if they are tightly fixed in the place. Don’t try to fix loose bolts yourself as the might damage something else in the effort. It is better to call a maintenance expert.
Check for the prominent signs of visible wear and tear in bushes, bearings and pivot points that often move and go through direct metallic friction.
Metal doors often catch the humidity of surrounding weather and foster the growth of corrosion and rust. So if you have found such rusty patches, it signals the need to apply the splatter of paint. Use high-quality paint that does not come off easily for a long time.

Kill the rust and take pre-emptive action

Don’t wait until you see rust running its regime all over your commercial driveway gates. As we all know, dirt and weather beatings affect the appearance of gates and form a coat of roast that does not look good. Notice the signs of metal parts getting the touch of rust.

You can simple wash it away with mild household detergent if it is not too extreme. But if the rust has got stubborn and deep, you can opt for scrubbing with sandpaper. But if the problem still persists, it is better to cease doing it all on your own and assign the task to professional automated gates specialist.

Keep the surface clean

Commercial settings need technical care and thorough maintenance for it to look clean. Make a promise to wash and wax your metal gates at least once a year. This way you will be able to see shine and gloss on gate surface for a long time. This is also not very expensive option compared to refurbishment. One thing to remember as caution is to never bring door opener in contact with water or it will damage the normal operation of commercial driveway gates.

Lubrication increases the life of its vital parts

Every mechanical parts that have to go through a lot of frictional movements need proper lubrication periodically. In case of automated commercial driveway gates, you should make a routine of lubricating chain, roller, pulley, screws and hinges. Use appropriate lubricant for the job. Gates won’t work smoothly if the surface is harsh. Lubrication also helps minimize the intensity of wear and tear, thus increasing their life.

Examine the reverse movement of automated gates

Check the strength of reverse functioning of automated sliding gates every month. You can test the accuracy of this function by placing an obstacle in the middle of the doorway. If the door opener senses the obstruction and stops the door from getting closed, it means the gates are working properly. If it swerves off this expected behavior and does not reverse, the door opener has to be inspected by a professional gate maintenance expert.

General care

Regular care and small maintenance efforts go a long way for keeping its longevity and performance up to expected standards. Commercial driveway gates require your proper care and general inspection so as to decide if they need high or medium scale maintenance. Also, it is wise to follow the maintenance guidelines provided by manufacturers and take help of their competent, qualified and trained service technicians in case the job is overwhelming.

Avoiding Broken Pipes: 5 Tips to Put Your Mind at Ease

November 18, 2016adminDIY Projects, Home Improvement Tips, Home MaintenanceDIY projects, home maintenance, plumbingLeave a comment

Winter is almost here, and for many homeowners that will mean dealing with frozen and bursting pipes. If a pipe breaks, you might have to call a service like First General Services to fix water damage or even remediate mold, so it’s important to avoid this problem in the first place. Here are just five solutions that will keep your pipes from breaking and leaking once the temperature starts to drop.

1. Turn On Your Faucet

In some cases, you can prevent your pipes from freezing simply by keeping water running through them. You shouldn’t turn on your faucets all the way of course, but all you need is a small trickle to prevent freezing in extremely cold weather.

2. Leave Cabinet Doors Open

Cabinets that are located underneath sinks often hide exposed pipes. If you want to keep these pipes from freezing, simply open up the cabinets so that the plumbing receives plenty of warmer air while you are out. This is especially important if your kitchen sink is against an outer wall, as is often the case.

3. Disconnect Your Hose from your Outdoor Faucet

If you’re the type to leave your garden hose connected to an outside faucet at all times, don’t forget to disconnect it before it gets too cold outside. Leaving a hose connected will prevent water from draining out of the hose bib, which can cause it to freeze. Disconnecting your hose and putting it away safely for the winter will also keep it in good shape once the next spring comes along.

4. Keep the Heat On

If your home is occupied during the winter, you most likely will have your heat turned on. If you’re going to be leaving town for an extended period of time, you should still keep your thermostat turned to above 32 degrees Fahrenheit at all times.

5. Insulate Exposed Pipes

Finally, you should take the time to insulate any exposed pipes in your basement or garage. These are especially vulnerable to the cold for obvious reasons. Plumbing insulation can be purchased at just about any hardware store, but if you don’t have any, some old blankets or towels held in place with duct tape will also do.

Broken pipes are a common problem in the winter, even in modern homes with plenty of insulation. As long as you follow these tips and keep an eye on your plumbing, your pipes should be safe this winter.

Important Aspects to Consider When Finding Affordable Plumbing & Roofing Service

November 16, 2016adminHome Maintenance, Plumbing, Roofinghome improvement, home maintenance, plumbing, roofingLeave a comment

There was a time when the local handyman would just take care of all your home requirements including affordable plumbing & roofing services. However, these days, it is difficult to find people of that experience and caliber. Today, most people prefer going via companies or established service providers due to their quality of service. However, finding such providers is not an easy task and there are tons of things to consider before hiring them. Doing so will help you in finding services that are not only affordable but also provide you with premium quality.

Check for licenses

Unlike just managing your plumbing needs, affordable plumbing & roofing services are more about taking care of technical details. In this reference, one must remember that you should always hire licensed professionals. First of all, they would be aware of the local or municipal guidelines of that area and thus adhere to these norms. The second aspect here is that with license comes credibility and authenticity. Not all those who are accredited or affiliated provide superior services but there is a reliability factor associated with the same.

Insurance

Another aspect that you must consider, when hiring affordable plumbing & roofing services, is insurance! It is true that most authentic providers would have license along with insurance, which is mandatory as per federal laws. However, one of the aspects that should not be undermined here is that if they don’t have insurance then you are at a higher risk. Roofing and plumbing jobs involve some risks, especially climbing up to heights and dealing with metal. So in case there is an accident or the handyman or serviceman gets hurt, then this should be taken care of by their insurance. In some cases, these independent workers may not have insurance so it poses a clear risk for you as you would have to pay for the damages caused to such people, if any.

Get quotes

Along with this, you should also get proper quotes from these affordable plumbing & roofing services. Doing so would help you to get an estimate or approximate cost involved. Before you start of with any kind of roofing or plumbing services it is best to compare and get quotes from different vendors because there can be a possibility the pricing may not fit your budget. Being aware of the approximate prices would put you in a better position to understand how much you need to invest to avail these services.

Other aspects

Besides the above, one should also take note of some other aspects when hiring or finding affordable plumbing & roofing services. These include:

Inquire whether the service providers would get all the required equipment and gear needed for the service or would they charge that separately. In this case, you are burdened with the task of getting replacements and fixtures yourself, which can be a daunting process. On the other hand if the service providers arrange for this, you can avoid this hassle.

Check for their maintenance and service agreements. What happens here is you will be able to reduce your overall costs by having regular checks and maintenance done. Doing so helps to identify smaller problems in roofing and plumbing, which in turn would help you in minimizing long-term damages. So find affordable plumbing & roofing services that can provide you with an annual maintenance contract to cover any damage or rectifications during the year, if required.

These are just some simple aspects that you must consider and evaluate for ensuring that you get premium services for your roofing and plumbing needs.

Carpets: A Source of Pollution in Our Homes?

November 2, 2016adminHome Maintenance, infographicDIY projects, health, home maintenance, infographicLeave a comment

Your home feels like home because it is safe and secure—you trust it and feel confident that it is a healthy, protected environment for you and your family.

But what if your home is making your family sick because of invisible toxins in your carpets that you’re not aware of?

Carpets act like giant sponges, absorbing all of the toxins, pollutants, and bacteria that we track in from the outside. They soak up the invisible pollutants that are found inside our house as well, like the ones found in mold or cleaning solutions. Because carpets are designed to hide things like dirt and grime and look cleaner than they actually are, we usually don’t realize all the harmful things they contain.

Not only do they soak up what we track onto them, but carpets themselves (especially new ones) often contain toxic chemicals. Very few carpets today are made using natural products or by natural processes. The adhesive glue, the carpet cleaners and shampoos, the loose fibers—they all contain harmful chemicals that can lead to health problems for your family.

Keep your family safe by keeping your carpets clean and toxin-free. Check out this infographic that illustrates how pollutants are spread to your carpets and shows you how to maintain them so that your family is kept healthy and safe from the harmful things that collect on your floors.

About the Author:

Emily Childers is an author for West Coast Restoration & Cleaning—a family-owned and operated company, located in the heart of San Diego. They have years of experience and research dealing with the elimination of harmful chemicals and toxins that pollute homes and threaten the health and safety of families.

How to Combat the Annoying Basement Smells and Odor?

October 31, 2016adminBasement renovation, Home Improvement Tips, Home Maintenancebasement, basement renovation, home improvement, home maintenance, home remodelingLeave a comment

Basements are great places for home improvement projects. They can act as a storage space, entertainment area, impromptu room, or serve some other purpose. However, basements are also damp locations that are one of the biggest domestic odor producers. Unpleasant smells are usually the result of mildew and mold growth, so you should aim your efforts at these. Fortunately, there are many ways to improve the conditions and maximize the comfort in your basement.

Root around

Basement remodeling is one of the most exciting upgrades, and it is best handled by professionals. Bruzzese Home Improvements can carry out basement renovation for you and allow you to expand the living area. This gives you a well-designed and clean space. However, the problems could occur later, as the installations deteriorate. Also, not everyone can afford quality services, and many people go DIY when assembling a basement space.

Hence, some uninvited guests come to spoil the party: the incommodious smell and odor. Basements that smell like sewers are one of the most widespread issues homeowners deal with. Some of them decide to utilize perfumed candles or incense, but this brings only the temporary relief. Moreover, these products can give rise to various health issues. If you want to address the root of the problem, you have to take another approach.

The culprit

It is advisable to first check the plumbing system and search for leaks and cracks. Even the tiniest fissures and crevices can cause severe damage over time and damp the walls. Repairing and sealing them should allow you to keep the basement dry, and a waterproof paint coat or sealant usually does the trick. Bear in mind, though, that the orientation of the terrain around the house could also cause rainwater puddles.

Also, if you have a water trap under the floor drain, there is a possibility that water evaporated and sewer gas came up through the drain. To combat this menace, you can pour the cooking oil down the drain. Furthermore, another source of the problem could be the ventilation system. The remedy for this situation is regular maintenance. So, sweep the vents and ducts annually and enjoy air which is odorless and pure.

War on clutter

The foul smells could also originate from the piled-up dirt or malodorous objects. Basements are often used as storages, and spaces that accommodate hoarding habits. Hence, it helps to de-clutter the space and get rid of items you do not really need, those that are only collecting dust and nasty smells. And it goes without saying that objects beyond repair have no place in your environment. Clothes that have been stored for a long time, upholstered furniture, and floor coverings should be washed and dried if you want to keep them.

Remember that it pays off to have tools ready in the store. Find the best air purifier for mold, which should be able to remove the very source of mildew and mold. Or, you can take advantage of homemade solutions, like undiluted vinegar or a mixture of water and bleach. Apply them to the trouble spots and just do a bit of scrubbing. Another DIY option is to use baking soda every few months to soak in the odor. So, choose your weapons and do not stop until the vile stench is dispelled from your home for good.

Home, savory home

It is of the utmost importance to identify the source of the smell and treat it accordingly. Odors and other nuisances thrive in a certain kind of interior climate, predominantly in spaces that have problems with moisture and dust accumulation. So, wash and dry furniture and clothes thoroughly, and do away with the clutter. Conduct maintenance on a regular basis, and check the plumbing installations. Learn how to eradicate the smells and odors and continue using the space without any discomfort.

This article was written by Zoe Clark. Zoe is an environmentalist, home decorator and DIY enthusiast. When not obsessing about designing perfect homes, she is spending time with her family.