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Simple Home Improvement Tips That’ll Make A HUGE Difference

Your home as it is, is valued greatly but don’t you want to increase its value and quality?

Most home improvements are really great and effective, but sadly they are expensive. But don’t worry, there are still ways to improve your home. And that is why we are here to provide you the simple home improvement tips that will make a huge difference.

Save money

Before anything else, save up some money first. Have a budget so you can spend for your home, simple doesn’t mean very cheap, it could be pricey too but not as much as the others. So get ready and save up money to spend on your home.

Paint

Your house has multiple rooms and sometimes they might have been painted poorly. You can improve your home by applying new paint to each and every room. You have to designate first on what type of paint to use, what design, and what kind of vibe you want in a specific room. There should be a quality application of paint together with quality paint if you want to enjoy its radiant look for a longer period.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers are really convenient. You can buy them at a cheap price. They are really effective and not only that, you can also save a lot of water. Piled up dishes in the sink which makes your kitchen look bad, won’t be there anymore since you can just push the used dishes in the dishwasher and make it do its job, on the other hand, it also saves you a lot of time.

Kitchen tops

Give your kitchen countertops a clean, neat, and smooth finish. If you have a clean counter top it gives you positive energy when seeing the tops clear of any obstacle, it will give you positive energy to become productive.

Apply ventilation

Ventilation is important in a household for the air to circulate properly. You can install also one in your bathroom, too – it will help prevent the room from getting humid. When your bathroom is damp and humid most of the time, mold will grow and you don’t want that. Molds will not only damage your bathrooms’ appearance, it could also be harmful to your health.

Programmable thermostat

Purchase a programmable thermostat or a smart thermostat – those are really convenient. It automatically changes the temperature of your home or a certain room, which will save you time and energy, and also help in lowering your bill.

Light up your home

Purchase lights for your home, and install them in every corner. A brighter home gives a brighter attitude and draws positive energy. It is safe too, burglars don’t like to steal at home that is too bright and filled with lights.

Install security cameras

Purchase security cameras or a smart security system, it will really be beneficial when the time comes, it will add safety to your home.

 

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7 Effective Ways to Keep Your Garden Healthy

Gardening reduces stress by placing you in a positive mood, also improves your health because homegrown vegetables or fruits are much healthier than store-bought, and gives you the opportunity to save money the smart way. However these benefits will become hard to attain if your garden is not healthy. So here are a few ways to keep your garden healthy.

1. Get rid of stubborn weeds, leaves, and other debris

Weeds are unwanted additions in a lawn or garden, which adds competition for water and nutrients. Leaves and debris are accumulated by pruning or trimming your plants. Having them can lead to some problems. But instead of throwing them away, compost them to, later on. Add organic matter to your soil making your soil healthier for your plants.

2. Prune shrubs and trees

Pruning is often the most effective treatment when your shrubs or trees get sick, because it stops the spread of disease and helps them to heal more quickly. Although you do not want to over prune since it will stunt the growth of your plant and may even kill it. But if you carefully prune them you will ensure the health and growth of your plant.

3. Have the proper soil

A healthy soil is the basis of a healthy plant. When your garden soil is already healthy there is less need for fertilizers. Add organic matter in the form of compost to prepare your soil for gardening. Organic matters such as leaves, manures, and food waste will provide everything your plant needs.

4. Consider the plants spacing

Plants need light, water, and nutrients – and, crowding plants are making an arena in competition for these 3 essential needs. Some will lack the nutrients they need to grow and stay healthy, if one loses and becomes unhealthy it becomes prone to disease. A diseased plant or leaf can cause a chain reaction affecting the whole bundle of plants to get infected.

5. Keep an eye out for bugs

Insects or bugs damage the plants making a cavity where the virus and bacterias can enter and grow making the plant diseased and unhealthy. Most of the time these bugs or insects who damage the plant are the one also carrying the virus or bacteria which gives a rapid development of making the plant diseased.

6. Have the proper tools and equipments

Having the proper tools and equipments will make your gardening life much better and much easier. Acquire the most durable tools made from the toughest materials to ensure efficacy. But even if we have the most durable and toughest tools, everything disintegrates. But if you take good care of your tools by cleaning or sharpening them after every use they will live and last for longer.  

7. Water properly

Watering promotes root growth for the plant but too much water for your plant is not good, a swamped soil or pot makes your root rot giving greater opportunity for the rotting fungi to flower. Low water quantities often only cover the upper soil, ensure that the water reaches the roots. Additionally, keep your leaves dry to avoid diseases.

These tips and ways to keep your garden healthy will ensure you great outcomes and make your plants blossom and your garden bloom. When you have a healthier garden you will surely have a healthier you, this tips and ways may be time-consuming but remember gardening requires patience, labor, and attention. Plants do not grow purely to satisfy ambitions. They flower because someone expended effort on them.

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How to Become Financially Content With Kids

little girl and baby playing at the beach on the sand

Nowadays society may seem to never be happy without the latest innovations, technology, and other trending items. Is it still possible for us to be contented even if we don’t have these things? Or more so, be Financially contented? Of course, it is possible! Just remember the amount of money you have isn’t the answer. As parents, we also worry about our kids’ future and what attitude they will have towards money. It’s best to teach them at their early age to prepare them for a better future.

Show your love through time and not with the latest gadgets

Always make them feel your love through the time and attention you give them. Don’t ever count on buying them toys and gadgets to make them feel love. This may have a negative effect on the child and may develop an attitude of more expectations from you. Yes, you can get them gifts on occasions like birthday, Christmas, and such. Just don’t buy them everything they want every time they whine. Set dates with them, play with them, go out, watch movies, go to the park, or simply do activities that will give you and your kids a fun experience rather than spoiling them with material things.

Have what you need and be contented

Know your needs, stock up on them like food, water, essential clothing, supplies, basic appliances, and such. It’s not to purchase a few stuff that is beyond essential, just don’t go overboard and start upgrading once in awhile to the latest trends and technologies. It’s better to show your kids to live simply and appreciate the small stuff. In this stage, they will also be familiarized on what they really need.

Also read: 7 Easy and Cheap Ways to Vastly Improve Your Home

Be mindful of your purchases

Just like I mentioned above, always prioritize your needs and be content as much as possible. Just an example, always think of the toys you plan to buy for your kids. It’s better to buy them toys that can educate them and encourage critical thinking and especially creativity. Also, consider the time period they will enjoy this toys and don’t opt for those hot new characters that will just fall out in a few months.

Take care of your Investments

Partner your being mindfulness of your purchases with taking good care of them. Kids should know that everything you buy and invest in required your hard work and time which means they need to be valued. Even for small things like bicycles, put them in a shed so they won’t rust; clothes with simple rips can be mended; bond with them over DIY Projects from recycled items you have.

As parents, of course, what comes with your investment may be your home, kid’s education, insurance, and such valuable things. Always prioritize these in order to see yourself going through an organized and brighter future with your kids. Companies like Wisely Advised, work with individuals and families to develop strategies that will lead them to their financial goals.

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7 Easy and Cheap Ways to Vastly Improve Your Home

As homeowners, we want our humble home to always look beautiful and have a soothing and comfortable feel to it – this calls for a regular improvement of the home! But of course, we have the bills, groceries, and other essential expenses in hand – so I came up with the most basic and cheapest ways you can do to instantly give a boost to the look of your home without spending too much money and effort.

1.Paint Your Front Door

colored front doorsGet the bang for your back, instantly have a game-changing look and fall in love with your home all over again with this simple and inexpensive way. Painting the Front Door with a Vibrant Color can make your home pop up and ass some curb appeal.

2.Restuff Your Cushions and Give them Life Again!

red cushions on sofaEspecially the ones on our sofas – they tend to wear out before its frame or upholstery. Restuffing them will save you a lot more since you’ll obtain more service from it rather than buying a brand new one.

TIP: Make sure the edges of the foam are aligned to the seams of the cover.

3.Repaint Your Rusted HandRail

handrail with snowPainting can really do a LOT of difference despite it being cheap. A Handrail can add a valuable asset to any home. Keeping it looking polished and new can be so appealing to the eyes. Regularly maintaining them and doing light repairs, before it gets worse, can save you a lot of future expense. Repaint them once in a while – especially when there are signs of rust.

4.Change the Handles of Your Kitchen Cabinets

handles of kitchen cabinetsDon’t have the budget yet to have a full makeover for your kitchen? You can start with this and it will instantly make your Kitchen look like it has been in a makeover! Yoo can also have a modernized look by changing from knobs with modern handles that you can buy in any hardware for a cheap price.

5.Regrout the Bathroom Tiles and Walls

grout on bathroom tile wallsHaving mildew and grout stains can make the Bathroom look instantly dull, and well, not too clean. This can be done simply by using a grout cleaner – and for additional help, this video showing the best way to remove grout may help you.

 

6.Change Your Countertop

counter top of kitchenWho wouldn’t want  Fresh, Smooth countertops rather than those that are cracked, stained, and chipped? Changing your countertop can also give your home an instant boost on its value and overall look. There are affordable countertops that look like stones to give your kitchen a luxurious touch to it.

7.Install Complimenting Curtains

curtain and bed in bedrromA home usually won’t look complete without curtains. Change up your curtains regularly with designs that compliment your interior and furniture. Different colors and designs can give different look and vibes into the home.

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How To Remove Water Stains On Common Areas and Items in Your Home

No matter how hard we try to clean and maintain our homes, there will always be something that will catch our eyes. It can be a cracked floor tile, leaking faucets, malfunctioning sockets, or stuck windows, among others. One of the most common household annoyances you may encounter is a water stain. These stains may be caused by an unwanted leak or if someone accidentally splashed water in a particular area of your home. Whatever the case, these stains are an eyesore and they need to go. As such, there are several places in your house where these water stains may appear and how to solve them accordingly.

Water Stains on Walls

A house’s interior walls can look pretty messy if there are water stains on it. To remedy this predicament, you will need a bucket containing water and bleach. Get a sponge to wash off the areas damaged by the stain. Be careful in doing this because the paint might be affected. If this happens, better get some primer and a can of paint. You will use these items to repaint the damaged area and restore your wall back to its original condition.

Of course, you also need to tackle the root of the problem as well. You will need to locate the source of the leak on your wall and have it repaired right away. More often than not, these water leaks can be caused by a defective concealed plumbing pipe. In this case, the best thing to do is call on a professional plumber to take care of this specific problem.

Water Stains on Wood

Your home has a lot of furniture made of wood in it. Most of them are tables you use in the kitchen and the living room. These stains are mostly caused by glasses containing cold water or any other kind of refreshments placed on top of wooden furniture. This will result in ugly stain marks on wooden tables or other kinds of furniture.

If you want to eliminate any trace of stains caused by water on wood, you need some baking powder. Pour one teaspoon of baking powder of the affected area and add another teaspoon of water. Rub the mixture in a circular manner until the stain is gone.

Another ingredient you can use is petroleum jelly. Get just enough of this stuff and again, rub it on the area where the water stain is located. Leave it to dry overnight and when you wake up, you’ll find no trace of the stain.

Water Stains on Granite

Granite is mostly used in the construction of countertops due to its beautiful and tough nature. Even though this is the case, granite countertops are not impervious to water stains. The solution itself is simple enough for anyone to do. First off, you will need a little bit of detergent and water to clean stains on your granite countertop. If that doesn’t do the trick, you can create a paste consisting of water, baking soda, and a diluted amount of bleach. This mixture will eliminate stubborn water stains on your granite countertop and make it look new again.

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5 Preparations Before Selling Your House

So you have decided to sell your home. There are some things you can do to make your house more attractive. It will speed up the sale and will help you maximize what you sell your house for. Real estate brokers work harder when a house is prepared because it streamlines their job and leaves less to explain.

1.Purge Purge Purge

You must try to make your house look like nobody lives in it. That means you have to remove all nick-nacks, family pictures, souvenirs anything related to your family. You want the prospective buyers not to feel like it’s your house. They have to see themselves in it which means unconsciously the house must seem neutral. If you are so attached to “things” you can’t do it., hire someone to help you. If you absolutely refuse to get rid of certain items, get a storage locker to put them in. But the house has to be without them.

2.Freshen Things Up.

If the paint looks dingy, get a paint job. Get the floors polished and rugs, if any, cleaned. The basement especially and the attic should be as empty as possible. I’m sure you have things in both places that have followed you for years and served no purpose except that they are there. I know it’s difficult but people’s personal things turn prospective buyers off. If you have a piano and it’s played, make sure it’s closed and there is no music laying around.

Make sure the house is spotless. That means the refrigerator, stove and other appliances should look as new as possible. In some cases, it might be worth an investment to replace an appliance that looks like it’s seen better days. Windows should sparkle. I suggest you get a professional cleaning crew to do everything. It is a relatively small investment that can reap large rewards in selling price. Outside there should be no items that make your backyard look like a junkyard. Get rid of all of it. If you have a lawn and/or landscaping, make sure everything is mowed, trimmed and pretty. If you have a pet that poops outside, clean it up.

3.Function

Make sure everything works. You don’t want to have to make any explanations. Electric appliances should work properly. Garage doors, doorbells, sliding doors should all function properly. Buyers and brokers will try switches to see what they do. Frequently this is an indication to a buyer that the house is cared for. It gives them the impression that they aren’t going to encounter problems.

4.Staging

This is a worthwhile consideration. I know of houses that were on the market for months and sometimes even years with no bites. After getting a professional stager in to arrange the furniture, tell you what to add and what to discard, these houses sold in short order. I know of one house that sold in a day after staging. I know you are proud of the lived-in look your house has. It’s great to visit such a house, cozy and comfortable. But buyers are not interested. You want nothing that will give the feeling that the house is “used.” You want a house that seems new, even it if isn’t.

5.Give Space

Finally, when the house is shown, you should get out and stay away until the prospect buyer(s) are gone. You do not want to be there to answer questions or make friends. Lastly, good luck.

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Prevent Water Hammers From Harming Your Plumbing Pipes

Water is such an important resource that plays a big role in our everyday lives. It helps us bathe ourselves, prepare our meals, and act a form of nourishment for our bodies. Without the presence of a clean and reliable source of water, our daily routine will surely be endangered. That’s why you need to familiarize yourselves with various plumbing problems so you can act on them right away. One of the many plumbing-related concerns you should know is a water hammer.

What is a water hammer exactly?

Although the term sounds ominous or complicated, it’s actually a very common occurrence in plumbing systems. A water hammer happens when the direction of water inside the plumbing pipes suddenly change direction. This causes a change in momentum and creates additional pressure on plumbing pipes. If too much pressure is created, it can come to a point where your plumbing pipes will be severely damaged.

How to resolve this plumbing predicament?

Although the damage caused by a water hammer can be serious, the solution at hand is pretty simple. All you need to do to prevent a water hammer from occurring is to install an air chamber in your plumbing system. Basically, air chambers function by preventing the water inside your plumbing pipes from creating waves. Without the presence of these waves, additional water pressure won’t be produced and your pipes’ integrity will stay intact.

To install an air chamber, you need to locate a cavity inside your walls that are in close proximity to the water valves. Once you have found these wall cavities, you can then place the air chamber to help prevent water hammers from happening. These air chambers are pieces of vertical pipes and can be easily added to your existing plumbing system.

After the installation of an air chamber, the work isn’t done yet. You need to determine if this addition is compatible with your plumbing system. As such you will need to follow certain steps to make sure the installed air chamber works properly.

  • First and foremost, you need to shut off the aforementioned water valve. After you have accomplished that step, you will need to open your property’s faucet that’s located at the highest point. Meanwhile, you will need to drain water from all the pipelines in your residential property or commercial establishment. You can do this feat by opening the faucet that’s located at the lowest point in your property. Usually, this faucet can be found in the basement or in your backyard. This act will induce more air into your pipes and air chambers to replace the water that was drained.
  • After this process has been completed, you can now shut off the faucet at the lowest point and switch the main valve back on. Once the adequate amount of air has filled an air chamber, this plumbing fixture will eliminate any chance of water hammers from happening. Just make sure the air chamber you installed is bigger than your water supply line so it won’t cause any clogging problems.
  • In the event a clog has hindered the operation of an air chamber, all you need to do is remove its cap and clean any dirt inside it. Nevertheless, you won’t fear water hammers when there is an air chamber present in your plumbing system. The solution itself to this worrisome plumbing problem is very easy to do.

For more information, take a look here: elizabethdrainservice.com

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Why You Need A Drain Strainer In The Kitchen Sink

Ideally, every home should have a proper garbage disposal method. This is to ensure that all the waste from the kitchen is disposed of in the right places. It is because when such waste is left to get into the drains, it will lead to blockages. The result will be a sink that does not drain, and an odor that you cannot stand. If there is no garbage disposal, the best alternative is to install a drain strainer in the kitchen sink to avoid clogged drains.

Keeping Food Out of the Pipes

With a drain strainer, you will not have any problem keeping food particles out of the pipes. It sieves through the water to get out all the leftover foods. Sometimes, these particles may be small and could tempt you to let them pass. However, after some time, you will notice that these small particles pile up to become a huge mess that won’t let water to free flow through pipes.

Making Your Work Easier

Another reason why every plumber recommends a drain strainer in houses that do not have garbage disposal is that it makes things easy for everyone. For you in the kitchen, it makes it easy to separate dirt from water while for the plumber, the pipes will be clean for longer and therefore, they require minimal maintenance. It is one of the small things that make a huge difference in every home.

When installing a drain strainer in the kitchen sink, you should find a reliable plumber. They will recommend the one that best suits your kitchen based on how you use it. Since the main aim is to ensure that you do not have to end up with a clogged drain, you have to do everything right.

Additional topics on these can be examined here: http://www.elizabethdrainservice.com

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4 Drain Cleaning Options for Blocked Drains

cleaning blocked drainesNo matter how careful you may be while washing dishes and taking a shower, practically everyone ends up with a clogged drain every now and then. If you have a blocked drain at home, here are some drain cleaning tips worth trying out.

Plunger

A plunger is one of the fastest and easiest options you have for clearing your blocked drain if used properly. You have to create a seal by placing its rubber head against the drain. This prevents air from seeping through, which is when you need to push on the plunger till its head inverts.

Now release the pushing motion till the head returns to its original shape. Repeat a few times, till the water starts draining. If nothing happens, try another DIY drain cleaning method!

Snake Drain Auger

Your next option is a snake drain auger that reaches deep into the pipe to remove blockages. Though effective, it requires quite a lot of skill. You have to insert it into the drain while rotating its cable handle in a clockwise motion.

Grip the handle about 3 inches from the drain opening so that you can feel the clog as you push the cable further into the piping. Once you reach the clog, try to break and hook the blocked matter by slightly pulling and pushing the auger.

Keep turning the handle till the auger gets hits the blockage. This is when you have to slowly pull out the auger so that the blockage hands onto it, and doesn’t fall back into the drain. Now remove the auger and pour some hot water into the drain to ensure the drain is clear.

Chemical Drain Cleaners

If the plunger and auger don’t work, you can next try chemical drain cleaners to unclog the blockage. These cleaners usually contain sulfuric acid and lye that get through tough clogs and also prevent recurring blocks. It’s important that you flush out remaining chemicals by running enough water through the drain.

Natural Drain Cleaners

Natural drain cleaners can also unclog drains, without the smell, residue, and danger of chemicals. They are safer to use in a home with kids and pets as there’s no risk or danger of the kids or pets accidentally swallow or play with them.

Examples of natural drain cleaners are baking soda with vinegar or lemon juice, a mixture of borax, vinegar and salt or just running boiling hot water into the blocked drain.

Of course, if all this fails, or if you don’t have the time to unclog the drain yourself, you can always call drain cleaning professionals to do the job for you. Just make sure you choose the right company after checking their experience, license, and estimate for the job.  Where we live, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, our favorite plumber can be found here.  (Gotta give the guy a plug every now and then, he’s always really good to me…)

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22 Pest Control Strategies for Your Home

Taking control of your pest control means preventing bed bugs, cockroaches, ants, etc. before they get out of hand. Knowing what to do is half the battle, so here’s a list of twenty-two pest control strategies for every part of your home.

Outdoor pest control

  1. Keep grass cut short
  2. Ensure proper drainage
  3. Trim bushes and trees
  4. Remove standing water
  5. Level dirt/soil under outdoor structures
  6. Seal and/or paint outdoor structures
  7. Clear out outdoor debris
  8. Sweep outdoor spaces

Indoor pest control

  1. Store food in sealed containers
  2. No trash can under the sink
  3. Check for leaks around sinks
  4. Clean spilled food immediately
  5. Re-caulk cracks around sinks etc.
  6. Change sheets regularly
  7. Vacuum all areas often
  8. Clear out clutter like papers, cardboard
  9. Don’t leave pet food out
  10. Check screen and door seals
  11. Fix any leaks quickly
  12. Seal entry points in the attic and basement
  13. Use proper insulation
  14. Knockout cobwebs

These simple strategies for pest control will help to keep a wide variety of pests at bay in your Jersey City home. It doesn’t take a great deal of effort to prevent pests, but it does take a great deal of effort to get rid of them.

You might also consider calling a professional pest control expert to help you get ahead of the game. They can do an assessment of your home and help you find problem areas, getting out front of potential pest problems early.

If you are in the Jersey City area, we like Jersey City Exterminators, at www.jerseycityexterminators.com.