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How Air Duct Cleaning Can Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

February 21, 2017adminHome Improvement Tips, Home Maintenancehealth, home improvement, home maintenanceLeave a comment

In today’s world technology is constantly expanding. Some of the technology can be seen in the latest phones and some of this technology can even been seen in home products. Today’s homes and home products are built so much different than what they used to be. This basically means that homes are sealed tighter than they ever have been before. However, with these airtight homes this can lead to concerns with indoor air quality. Due to this revelation, more and more people are considering air duct cleaning services to improve indoor air quality.

Every home regardless of how clean it is will contain a certain amount of dust. Dust can be a major contributor to allergies. Every time the heating and air unit comes on it causes this dust to be circulated throughout the home. Your unit sucks and blows air, so most of this dust is sucked back into your vents where it will be stored unit the unit kicks back on again. Of course, the filter catches a lot of this dust, but the truth is that it can’t catch all of it. This is where a duct cleaning services can come in handy.

Exploring Other Indoor Air Quality Products

When air duct cleaners come out to your home and clean your ducts, this is not the end of the process. Sure, a home air duct cleaning will improve the indoor air quality, but there might be other steps that you need to take. For instance, if your home is particularly dirty or dusty then you might need to do an overhaul on the home or the vent cleaning will just be a huge waste of time. Air duct cleaning companies also offer a wide variety of other products like UV light and MERV filters that can be installed on your system to greatly improve the indoor air quality.

Vent Cleaning Service

When you hire professional air duct cleaners to perform a vent cleaning service, you will need to inquire about how the task is completed. Vent cleaners will gladly sit down with you to go over this process, which involves utilizing powerful vacuums and rotary brushes. The rotary brushes utilized air in duct cleaning services will break the debris loose from the interior walls of the ductwork. The vacuum will then suction up the debris and place it into a collection container. The home air duct cleaning team will dispose of the debris in the proper manner when they return back to company.

Improves Air Quality

Duct cleaning services is a necessity for improving indoor air quality. This process will remove all the debris out of the air duct system and eradicate fungus and bacteria. Once the vent cleaning process is complete, you will immediately notice a difference in the indoor air quality. You may also notice that you home smells better because bacteria and fungus emits a pendant odor that is very noticeable. Poor indoor air quality will lead to upper respiratory ailments, which is something that you will want to avoid at all cost.

Removes Dirt and Debris

Air duct cleaning services can undeniably improve your home’s air quality. This is the case because this specific service will remove dirt and debris from your duct system. If you leave the dirt and debris in the ducts, it will be blown into your home when the HVAC unit turns on. Venting cleaning is capable of removing the dirt and debris. Once these contaminants are removed, they cannot be pushed into your home’s atmosphere. Home air duct cleaning can be an excellent way to maintain immaculate air quality and also decrease your allergy outbreaks.

A Professional Will Seal Off Rooms

If air vent cleaning is not performed correctly, it will actually create more problems. It is absolutely essential to choose vent cleaners that will take additional steps and prevent the dust and debris from spreading during the cleaning process. Professional air duct cleaning companies should use tape and plastic to seal off the vents in most rooms so the dirt and debris will not enter the atmosphere. This will give the air duct cleaners the ability to clean the duct system, without contaminating your home.

When attempting to invest in a vent cleaning service, you should make sure you choose a company that takes these precautions.

Additional Benefits

It is undeniably true that air vent cleaning can improve your home’s air quality. Of course, this isn’t the only thing that vent cleaners can do for you. When you agree to pay for home air vent cleaning, you will be able to improve your health, decrease your electricity bill, eliminate clogs, and prolong the lifespan of your HVAC unit. It is true that air duct cleaning companies will be able to help you maintain pristine air quality. However, you should never overlook the other benefits that they’ll be able to provide.

Author Bio

Pure Airways is a leading provider of air duct cleaning services. The company has been in business for countless years and has truly revolutionized the art of duct cleaning.

More Than Average: How to Make Your Driveway Better Than Your Neighbor’s

February 17, 2017adminHome Improvement Tips, Home Maintenance, Tips to sell your homehome improvement, home maintenance, real estateLeave a comment

Your driveway is more than just an entrance to your property; it’s part of your home’s curb appeal. If your driveway is in less than pristine condition or mundane in appearance, there are steps you can take to make it the most impressive driveway in the neighborhood.

Repair Unsightly Cracks

Cracks in a driveway are detrimental to your home’s curb appeal. Home improvement stores and online sites can guide you through the process of repairing cracks in a driveway. One of the first steps you’ll need to take is to determine the size of the cracks in your driveway and what is causing them. This can be done through testing with special tools, such as those that Certified Material Testing Products provides. The type of product you’ll need to make the repair and the physical steps required to complete the project vary according to the size of the cracks in the concrete.

Staining Your Driveway

You can elevate the aesthetic value of your driveway by staining it in a color that complements your home’s exterior. You might want to stain it to match the walkway leading to your front door. An attractive driveway can make your home more appealing to potential buyers. It can also increase the value of your home. To create a driveway that is unique among the driveways of nearby houses, you may want to stencil a design on your driveway or add a stained border in a contrasting color. Be conservative with the decorative aspects so that your driveway looks sophisticated.

Driveway Covers

Driveway covers serve a practical purpose such as protecting your car from the outdoor elements. A driveway cover can also be a contributing factor to the curb appeal of your home. When selecting a driveway cover, keep the material and design cohesive with your home’s exterior style. A driveway cover can be an eye-catching architectural feature in your landscape.

Enhancing the Driveway

Adding a driveway to your property gives you the perfect opportunity to elevate the curb appeal of your home with plants and flowers. If you have a circle or semi-circle driveway, the interior space of the driveway is an ideal place to create an impressive flower garden. A straight driveway can be made more visually exciting when trees are planted along its edge. Flowering trees make your driveway a spectacular attraction during peak blooming time.

With a little attention to detail, your driveway can be the most impressive in the neighborhood. A well-maintained driveway is an impressive landscape feature.

Plumbing Issues to Watch Out for When Renovating an Old Home

February 15, 2017adminHome Improvement Tips, Home Maintenance, Plumbinghome improvement, home maintenance, plumbingLeave a comment

Home Renovation

Generally speaking, your home will probably need some renovations after 10-15 years. In order to make your home look good, you will need to make sure that you take care of every aspect of your home. After so many years of usage, your plumbing system will also need to be upgraded and changed in order to get a modern and functional plumbing system at place. Most homeowners will only replace and repair the plumbing system that is visible but when renovating your old plumbing system, you need to make sure that you take care of every aspect in order to get the best results. Mentioned below are some of the plumbing issues that you need to watch out for while renovating your old home and call for drain cleaning services immediately.

Sewer Line in Your Home

Most home owners only take care of the 4 walls in their home when renovating their old home. However, you need to remember that you are the owner of the sewer line from your home until the end of the street as well. In old homes the sewer lines may be problematic and since you have already taken up your home for renovation, make sure that you change this line with the help of drain cleaning services as well in order to experience smooth drainage for the future years. There could be various problems like roots, cracks in the pipe and so on. When you take care of this aspect, you can be sure of efficient results in the long run as well.

Galvanized Pipes in Home

In older constructions, most of the homes have galvanized pipes installed. Some of them may have changes in some parts of the pipe and not only the pipes that have a problem. This means that your home will still be having pipes that are rusted and corroded and you will need to replace these with time. Make sure to check out all the pipes in your home and replace these at the time of renovation if you want a smooth plumbing system. The money that you invest here will go a long way in saving money for you.

Plumber

Old and Inefficient Plumbing System

In some setups, you have the old plumbing system and they look good as well. However, you need to realize there is a lifespan with everything and it is true with the pipes as well. With constant use, these fixtures will have some or the other problems in them and this may lead to leaks and inefficient water flow as well. So when you go for renovating your home it is best to change these fixtures in order to conserve water.

Invisible Leaks In The Plumbing System

The pipe from the water meter to your home is your responsibility. If you identify leakage in these pipes while going for renovation, make sure that you get these changed with the assistance of drain cleaning services in order to stop the problem causing further damages to your property.

Renovating your old home is a major project and you are going to invest a lot of time and money for this. In order to get efficient results, make sure to call drain cleaning services to identify the problems in your plumbing system. They will help you to identify plumbing related problems in your old home and help you understand the areas that you need to take care of when you go in for renovation. When you take care of the plumbing in your home you can be sure to get the best results in the long run and need not worry about plumbing problems after years of service.

Painful at a Glance: 4 Eyesores That Ruin Your Curb Appeal

February 14, 2017adminHome Improvement Tips, Home Maintenance, Tips to sell your homecurb appeal, home improvement, home maintenance, real estateLeave a comment

If you’re planning to put your home on the market, you most definitely want the curb appeal to generate a favorable impression. If you’re simply looking for a way to make your home more attractive, improving its curb appeal is an ideal place to start. There are some specific areas that can be considered definite eyesores. Improving those aspects is a good place to begin your beautification project.

Clean Up and Spruce Up

Overgrown trees and shrubs and dead plants left in a neglected flower bed are definite eyesores. Do some trimming and replanting and you’ll make a noticeable difference with the landscaping. Little details matter when you’re trying to improve your curb appeal. Straighten your crooked house numbers or mailbox. Paint or buy new ones if the ones you have are faded or damaged.

Driveways Get Noticed

Cracks in a driveway are an eye-catching feature that you’d rather people not notice. Cracks in a driveway can be a tripping hazard for you and for visitors to your home. Driveways that are sinking and cracking are also detrimental to your curb appeal. Lakeridge Paving Company or a similar business in your particular area that specializes in residential driveway repair or installation can make your driveway a safe and attractive part of your home’s curb appeal.

Doors

Doors with peeling paint, dents or those that are outdated in design can be an eyesore. According to the information provided by Realty Times, replacing your garage door and entry door will increase the value of your home. With the multitude of exterior door designs available, you can replace outdated doors with doors that complement the exterior of your home and doors that attract attention because of their beauty.

Lighting

Sometimes, it’s what you don’t see that can be a negative aspect of your home’s curb appeal. A home that has insufficient exterior illumination, broken or non-working exterior lighting or outdated lighting fixtures can look forlorn in the evening hours. Exterior lighting can be a safety feature and a decorative aspect of your home at night. During the daylight hours, the style of lighting can enhance the curb appeal of your home.

The curb appeal of your home is often the basis for a potential buyer’s first impression and a feature that heavily influences the opinions that guests form of your home. By eliminating the eyesores, you can immediately create a more impressive curb appeal and quite possibly increase the value of your home.

Guest Post By:
Anica Oaks

Freelance writer and web enthusiast
Read some of my published work on my Google+ page.

Caring For Your Siding

February 13, 2017adminhome improvement, Home Improvement Tips, Home MaintenanceDIY projects, home improvement, home maintenanceLeave a comment

The exterior of your house does more than give visitors their first impression of your home — it serves as the first line of defense against the elements. When properly cleaned and cared for, your home’s siding protects you and the investment you’ve made in the property. Over time, however, wear and weather can take their toll on siding, no matter what it’s made of. Taking the time to properly clean and care for your siding can significantly extend its lifespan, help protect the value of your home and save you thousands in repair and replacement costs.

General Cleaning Tips

Cleaning any type of siding can be as easy as using soap and water. Experts recommend using a half cup of trisodium phosphate — which can be found at most grocery stores and home improvement stores — in a gallon of warm water. However, trisodium phosphate is banned in some states, such as California, so a general cleaner can be used as well. Using a soft-bristled, long-handled brush, work in 10-foot sections and scrub your siding from bottom to top, being sure to rinse often with a garden hose. Be careful on ladders when cleaning the upper story of your house.

If preferable, you can use a power washer to save time and elbow grease, but exercise caution if you do. If you’re not careful, the intensity of a power washer can strip paint, rip caulk out of seams, blast mortar from between bricks, damage soft-wood siding and send water under joints that can lead to irreversible damage later.

You may notice black, spotty-looking stains on your siding even after you clean it. These spots are most likely mildew, but to be sure dab the area with a cloth soaked in diluted bleach. If the spot goes away, it’s mildew, and you can clean the rest of your mildew spots with a solution of one part bleach in four parts water, rinsing with clean water. You also can try using a solution of 30 percent vinegar and 70 percent water to remove mildew spots.

Caring For Wood Siding

Wood siding gives your home a classic look that other types of siding can’t equal, but it is by far the most difficult to care for. The experts recommend washing wood siding at least once a year, and they also recommend painting or staining it every five years to keep it protected. Because wood expands and contracts in response to weather conditions, you also should keep an eye on areas around windows and doors to make sure all seams are caulked and sealed.

Caring For Vinyl Siding

The durability of vinyl siding has made it the most popular type of siding sold in the United States, and for the most part, washing it once a year is all the maintenance you can expect it to need. However, you should double-check the type of cleanser you use on your vinyl siding before doing any spot cleaning. Cleansers containing organic solvents, furniture polish, de-greasers and nail polish removers can cause severe damage to vinyl siding.

Caring For Brick Siding

Brick is one of the strongest materials for home exteriors, and maintenance generally involves inspecting to ensure it is not flaking or cracking, and that mortar remains in place. When cleaning mildew spots on brick, be sure to soak it thoroughly to make it more absorptive before applying a bleach solution.

Caring for Stucco Siding

The main consideration for taking care of stucco is watching for chipping or cracking. Although it is possible for homeowners to make small repairs using store-bought fillers, large-scale repairs should be left to professionals. Work from the foundation up when cleaning stucco, as the material is likely to absorb dirty water otherwise.

Caring for your siding can go a long way to ensure your home not only looks good but also lasts a long time. A thorough inspection along with a little bit of soap and a little bit of hard work once or twice a year can save you a lot of money and strife down the road.

How Do You Know When It’s Time To Replace Siding?

Since siding is your homes number one defense against the elements, there are times when simple cleaning and care won’t cut it and your siding will need to be replaced. Replacement frequency often depends on where you live and whether any type of damage has occurred. When siding is damaged due to weather and age, it can no longer do its job and you might feel the effects in your energy costs and overall home value. Some telltale signs of damage include fading, rotting, cracking, peeling bubbling or sections of your siding can come loose. You may even see signs of mold or mildew. Aside from damage, many homeowners choose to replace siding for personal aesthetic reasons, or to increase the value of their home by updating the look. Whatever the reason, it’s always wise to ensure that you choose a reputable company that is fully insured and uses premium products.

Author bio: Richard Watkins is the founder of Aerotech Gutter Service. He has been a contractor and home remodeler for over 50 years. Watkins has completed a number of home remodeling jobs and has seen pretty much everything that can go wrong with your home.

The Best Ways To Prepare When Planning For The Future

January 30, 2017adminFinances, Home Maintenancefinance, home maintenanceLeave a comment

Few of us want to think about planning years down the road, especially when the world around us seems so unstable. It’s hard to imagine what we’ll need or want a decade from now, or what the best thing will be for our children in later years. However, taking the time now to sit down and prepare for the future is imperative, as you don’t want to be stuck in a hard situation when an emergency comes up or when it’s time to send your child off to college and the money just isn’t there.

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to ensure that your family’s future is taken care of, and it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. Taking care of these small things now will help you plan better for the years ahead and give you peace of mind. Here are some of the best ways to go about it.

Consider a college account

Higher education doesn’t come cheap; between tuition, books, supplies, transportation, parking passes, and housing, even smaller colleges will cost the average student thousands of dollars per year. Get a head start on the bill by opening up a savings account specifically for your child’s education. With a 529 college savings account, you’ll receive special tax benefits and the money will grow tax-free until your child is ready for school. The only drawback is that if he or she decides not to go to college or receives a scholarship, the money may not be available to you. If you’re unsure at this point whether your child will want to attend school, open up a basic savings account at your bank in his or her name. It won’t garner much interest, but the money will be safe and can be used for anything your child wants when the time comes.

Plan for your estate

No one likes to think about not being here, but planning for your estate now will save your family from being involved in a lengthy legal battle. Sit down with legal counsel and work out the details of your finances, your home and other assets, and your will. This way, should something unforeseen happen, your children will be taken care of and your estate will be settled easily.

Save now, reap the benefits later

Saving money isn’t always easy, especially if you’re one of many Americans who lives paycheck to paycheck. However, it’s important to do what you can now to save anywhere you can. This can include utilizing coupons as much as possible, taking your lunch to work or school instead of eating out, carpooling to save on gas and wear-and-tear on your car, cutting back on expenses such as cable television and fancy phone plans, and only buying things when they’re on sale. Pinching pennies now can really add up at the end of the month, and anything you save can go directly into a savings account.

Prepare a 401K

Most employers will offer a 401K plan, so if you don’t already have one, ask your HR rep about it. These plans don’t require much from you–the money is taken directly from your paycheck and put into an account–and you’ll receive statements now and then that show how much money your retirement fund has accrued.

Upgrade when you can

If you own a home, spending can get out of control when appliances, furnaces and A/C units, and hot water heaters reach a certain age. It’s never fun to think about, but it’s much easier to save up and upgrade when possible so you won’t have to worry about an emergency down the road. If you have older appliances in your home, consider replacing them even if they still work; this will save you a lot of grief down the road when something breaks down in between paydays.

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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