How to Mold Proof Your Bathroom

April 23, 2020 by 1 Comment

The bathroom among most rooms in the home has a lot of moisture present and also lacks ventilation. This makes the bathroom a convenient place for mold to grow. You can see fungus appear in bathroom walls, tile grout, and it causes several health problems. Such as respiratory and allergy issues that can persist to other more chronic health issues if not treated early. Therefore, it is vital to find ways on how to mold-proof your bathroom as some of the tips in the article below. 

Opt for mold-resistant paint 

As you enjoy a steamy shower, the walls of your bathroom absorb the moisture. Therefore, through this, it is easy for mold to grow easily as the conditions present are supportive. So, it is vital to choose mold-resistant paint or one with mold-resistant additives added to it. This will give your wall an extra measure of protection that is necessary against harboring any mold. However, if you already have mold on your bathroom walls. Do not use the mold-resistant paint to cover up as it will not help. First, you need to call a mold removal company https://awamoldinspections.com/location_states/new-york/ to remove the mold. Then, you can paint with mold-resistant paint afterward. 

Let in the light 

One of the perfect conditions for mold is where there is darkness and when there is moisture present. Like in this case, the bathroom conditions can promote faster growth of mold. Ensure you find a way to let light in, either it is through having bathroom lights on or it is from natural light. Any of this will help you ward off the pesky fungus. So, leave the curtains open after showering, to give the bathroom some light and also, if there is no natural light avoid shutting the bathroom lights after showering. 

Maintain clean items around the shower

The shower has a lot of items that are kept there for convenience as you shower and freshen up. Therefore, as you maintain a clean shower by scrubbing the tiles and the floor as well. Any items that are kept in the shower must be kept clean. Remember mold hides best in neglected places such as your loofah, underneath your shampoo bottle, among others. Importantly, wash your hand towels and shower curtains often and through this, you can keep off mold from the bathroom. The windows, bathtub, and sink corners are among other areas that you can try clean as people avoid them since they are hard to reach areas. 

Proper ventilation 

A wet bathroom is a perfect breeding ground for mold to grow. Yet, such damp conditions are where it thrives best. Therefore, you need to ensure your bathroom has proper ventilation to make the bathroom a safe place that has no mold by eliminating excess moisture. One way to improve this is to ensure that as you shower, your exhaust fan is on to remove the moisture from the steam and you can also leave it on for another 30 minutes after you are done taking a shower. In this way, your ceilings and walls will dry well. Optionally, you can open a bathroom window if you have one to air out the room. 

Fix leaks 

Depending on how your bathroom design looks like. You must observe if you have any leaks on any pipes or at the taps. Since you can clean with ease the obvious pools of water by the shower and the sink. Consider how you can deal with smaller drips as well from leaks. Fix leaks that are by the toilet, under the sink, or from the bathroom ceiling immediately you notice any. It is important as procrastinating repairs will allow moisture into the room and with time it will turn into a small mold problem that is another issue you will have to solve. 

Maintain cleanliness 

Keeping your bathroom clean is important if you need to mold-proof your bathroom. Do this regularly to ensure that you create a safe environment for you to live in. Also, choose one day to have a thorough clean up where you clean the grout, showerheads, and other places that many people tend to assume. Assuming the proper cleaning of the bathroom will create more work for you down the road. As you will have to deal with removing mold that is a dangerous fungus to have in your home as it spreads easily. 

Seal grout lines 

Grout lines are a part of the bathroom either on the wall or floor that get water easily. Since grout is porous it is a perfectly hospitable place for mold to grow. Therefore, ensure that you seal the grout lines to avoid moisture being trapped in and also it will help keep the mold at bay. Alternatively, ensure you scrub your grout lines if you have not yet sealed them and wipe them to ensure they remain dry. However, it is best to seal and you can repeat this once every year to ensure you stand up to water and possible mold. 

Get rid of excess water 

Nip mold in the bud by mopping up any water in the bathroom. This should be done as soon as possible after you have had a shower. Also as discussed above, take care of drips and slow-moving water that can cause excess water to be present continuously in your bathroom. In this way, your bathroom remains dry and it becomes easy to have your bathroom staying mold-free. 

To sum up, having a mold-free bathroom is easy if you put to practice the above methods. This notorious fungus can do a lot of harm not only to your bathroom but also to your health. Also, having to clean it up is such an icky job that most people will not like. So, ensure that you eradicate any possibility that supports the growth of mold. In case you discover mold late, you can also have a mold-free bathroom by having mold removal companies getting rid of the mold and after you can implement the above ways to live mold-free.

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Why Your Furnace Needs Regular Maintenance

April 22, 2020 by Leave a Comment

While many may not think much about their HVAC unit until something goes wrong with it, the reality is that being proactive when it comes to taking care of your unit can have its share of benefits. From saving yourself some hassle, to keeping your utility bills low, there can be many reasons to keep up with regular maintenance for your unit. If you think that you could use an HVAC air filter housing here are a few things to keep in mind.

It Can Save You Stress

Whether you check it yourself, or seek the help of a professional, getting regular maintenance for your unit can save you lots of hassle in the long run. This is because performing tasks like changing the air filter and other kinds of general maintenance can help you to ensure not only that your furnace is functioning properly, but also that you catch small issues before they turn in to large ones. Additionally, regular check ups can help lengthen the life of your unit. By making sure you keep up with regular maintenance, you are less likely to have your unit break down on you unexpectedly, and may even be able to extend the life of your unit, by several years, too.

It Can Save You Money Over Time

Although it may not seem like it initially, getting regular maintenance on your HVAC unit can actually save you money over time. This is in part because it is often much cheaper to perform preventative maintenance than to fix your unit after a major break down. However, it can also save you money because when your unit is not cleaned or maintained regularly, it often has to work harder to heat or cool your home. This extra work not only translates to more stress on your unit, but often to higher utility bills as well. By caring for your unit properly, you can help to keep your utility bills low, which could save you a significant amount of money over time.

The Bottom Line

Many may not think about their HVAC unit much until it breaks down, however, by the time that happens, they may be stuck with a lot of stress, as well as costly repairs. The good news is, this can often be avoided.

By taking some time to perform regular maintenance on your unit, or having a professional do it, you can help to save yourself time and stress, and may even lengthen the life of your unit, too.

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Creating Our Own DIY Trendy Home Projects

April 6, 2020 by 1 Comment

Spring is finally here. I can hear the birds chirping outside and it is a reminder that even though we are going through some challenging times, we are still alive and we will get through this. For those that live in wintery climates, we are all ready to do some spring cleaning and decorating and get outside a bit. It’s all about perspective.

Ideas From a Home Show

Home shows in the spring are popular. They let us see some ideas that maybe we hadn’t thought of. If you want to spend a little more, there are always flooring concepts, new faucet ideas, and decorating tips galore. 

Unfortunately, some of these home shows have been canceled due to the global pandemic, but that should not stop you from being creative and refreshing your home with trendy ideas that won’t cost you too much. You can get online and search to your heart’s content for easy and creative ways to add some trendy projects to your home. It doesn’t matter whether you live in a large home or a small apartment. You can always find something that you can do to give your place a little something extra.

Even if you are not working now and have a limited income, you can still create a gorgeous home that will resemble that of one which you will see in a luxury home magazine. You might want to recycle something and give it a new life. There are plenty of ideas to turn items no longer wanted into great conversation pieces. Find an area in your home that is in need of a little something extra and go to work. Don’t be afraid to be bold with some of your ideas. Since what you’re doing won’t cost a lot, you can always start over if you don’t like it. 

Think of a Barn Door

There are many tips and simple secrets to turn your home from a generic cookie cutter to a fabulous Hollywood style home on the hills! Something simple like a new barn door will not only add uniqueness to your home but is also a very trendy look now. Why a new barn door? They are beautiful and unique. They are also practical and functional. Today’s barn doors are easy to install and aesthetically interesting and appealing, and they are also customizable to fit any room or entrance.

These doors are so sturdy that they will last a lifetime. You can always paint it with your desired color palate to match the walls. It is also very charming and homey that you will feel like you are having mom’s homemade apple pie, especially when you have family over for big holidays such as Thanksgiving or Easter. The barn door has a simple rustic texture and will never go out of style. It may also increase the value of your home if you choose to sell.

These barn doors are trendy and there are other decorating solutions as well if your budget is limited. The sky is the limit. Now that spring is in full bloom and the bunnies are hopping around, you can do interior as well as exterior DIY home decorating jobs. How about trying a trendy garden? Don’t worry if you don’t have a green thumb. You can always grow things like tomatoes or zucchini. They don’t need a lot of attention and you will probably grow more than you need. Give some to the neighbors. They will appreciate it.  

DIY Vertical Gardening

There are many ways to approach this:

  • Create a vertical herb garden with landscape fabric
  • Vertical hanging planters that you can get cheap from the dollar store
  • Use those empty plastic containers for seeds and soil
  • Grow some herbs like rosemary or thyme right in your kitchen

Not only will that make your home smell amazing, but it will also look stunning. By simply using your creativity, you can DIY any project with simple instruction and dedication.

You can make an impressive impact even on a low budget. It just takes a few clever ideas and the desire to get up and do it. I hope this inspires you!

 

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Getting Rid of Unwanted Wildlife in the Garden and Yard

March 12, 2020 by 3 Comments

For most homeowners the sight of small animals and birds in their garden is a delight, it helps you to feel at one with nature and that you’re doing your bit to help the environment.

But, there are plenty of wild animals that can cause issues in your garden. The most common problems arise from animals digging, this damages plants and even the foundations of structures. If you like growing vegetables you’ll find that some animals are attracted to your garden simply to eat them.

That’s the biggest issue, your garden is full of water and food for animals, making it an attractive place to stay.  That’s why you need to adopt the right approach to getting rid of problem wildlife.

Step 1 – Professional Help

If you have a problem with wildlife you should call the local exterminators. They can help to eradicate the issue or simply assist you in preventing wildlife from getting into your garden.

Their specialist knowledge of your area will help identify the issue and give you the best suggestions to eliminate the problem.

It’s definitely time to find out more about their services.

Step 2 – Fencing

Fencing your garden is a great way to keep many animals out, although this won’t work for all of them. Cats and rodents are very good at finding a way over, or even through a fence. Animals that bury through the earth can simply go under the fences. 

You can bury fencing to help prevent this from happening but even above ground fences will help to keep some animals out.

Step 3 – Eliminate Food Sources

Bird feeders and waste food are the two biggest attractions for wildlife, they represent a free meal. Hang your birdfeeders where only birds can reach them and ensure all waste, garden or household, is inside a sealed bin. 

The tighter the lid the less likely it is that this waste will attract wildlife.

Step 4 – Be Vigilant

Night cameras are a great way to spot what animals are doing when you’re not present. But, even if you don’t want to invest in these you’ll find that simply being vigilant will allow you to identify an issue earlier and take steps to deal with it.

Step 5 – Planting

Once you know what wildlife you’re dealing with you’ll be able to confirm which plants they are not keen on. There are plenty of herbs that are effective at keeping most animals away. Plant these around the perimeter of your garden and in key areas to reduce the attraction of your garden to animals.

Again, the professionals can help advise you which plants work best.

Step 6 – Repellent

There are a variety of repellant sprays on the market which can be used along the perimeter of your garden. You’ll need to know which animals you’re dealing with in order to ensure you’re using the right repellant.  Use the right one and the wildlife won’t be interested in coming into your garden, there are much easier targets around. 

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Safety Features You Need In Your Home

March 11, 2020 by 1 Comment

Homes are the most important place to go to. Our home is where we go to lay our heads at night and where you find solace after a long day at work. Since our homes are where we are supposed to go to feel the most relaxed and at ease, it means that it should also be the place that makes us feel safe and keeps all of our belongings safe. There are so many accidents that can happen in the home that can be completely avoidable with a few safety features like the standard door size installed in the home. 

Below are a few basic safety features that every home should have to make sure that it is as safe a home as possible for everyone living there.

Get covered by insurance 

It is impossible to express just how important it is to get covered by a home insurance plan as soon as you move into your home. This insurance will protect you and your home if, forbid, there was something disastrous that occurred such as someone breaking into your home and stealing your valuables, your roof caving in, or someone getting hurt on your property and trying to sue you. This is the number one thing to get for your home before you even move in so that you are safe should any of these or other disasters occur.

A well-packed first aid kit

You more than likely already have a well-stocked medicine cabinet in your home with cold medicines and pain relievers and probably a few band-aids, However, you never know what might happen one day that could cause you to get really hurt. It is always smart to be prepared for any emergency by having a first-aid kit that has all of the medical things you could need. Make sure it includes wound cleaners, gauze, burn care, tweezers, medical tape, ointment, an aluminum blanket, etc.

Carbon monoxide detectors

Before you move into a new home, make sure that during the initial inspection they find a carbon monoxide detector and that it works. Carbon monoxide is extremely dangerous and can kill you quickly. It is important to have a detector to tell you if there is a leak in your home so you can get it fixed as quickly as possible.

Fire extinguisher

Grease fires and fires that are caused by a fireplace, a candle knocked over, or electric sockets sparking happen in the home more often than you would think. Fires like this can happen at any time and can spread very rapidly once they get going. It is extremely important to have a fire extinguisher in different parts of the home and to make sure that it is not expired. You should make sure everyone in the home knows how to use it. It is usually recommended to have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and close to the fireplace if you have one.

Smoke detectors

Speaking of fires, you do not always know when there is a fire in your home. You could be sleeping at night and have no idea that there is a fire happening in your kitchen. You could be in a different room and not realize that there is a fire happening after you started something in the fireplace. It is essential that you have a smoke detector in your home which will detect smoke that you may not detect. It will chirp loudly in order to let you know of a fire. You would then be able to get your family to safety and get the fire out before there is too much damage done to your home.

An exit plan

Exit plans are important for adults in the house, but they are especially important if you have children. Should something happen like a fire, tornado, break-in, earthquakes, etc., you and your kids need to know where to go or how to get to safety. You also need to know where to meet after evacuating the house so you can all find one another easily.

Having to think through things like this can be scary, but it is absolutely vital to be prepared so that you can handle anything that life throws at you!

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6 Bathroom Hacks to Help in Reducing the Carbon Footprint

March 9, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Bathroom Hacks That Will Cut Down on Your Carbon Footprint

Carbon footprint is defined as the amount of carbon dioxide freed into the air as a result of human activities. Carbon dioxide is known to be the foremost contaminant and leading cause of global warming. It leads to a destructive effect that pollutes the planet.

First, let’s explain what global warming is. Pollution from carbon footprint has caused the surface of the Earth to endure high temperatures. In scientific terminology, it is referred to as global warming. More so, the oceans become acidic, and we experience harsh weather conditions. 

Due to the change in the ecosystem, we all must intercede with climate change and adjust our lives. No more than simple hacks will reduce our carbon influence noticeably. The strategies that will lead us to reducing carbon emission should start with how we live our daily lives. That is why we have committed the rest of this article to covering 6 simple bathroom hacks that you can apply to reduce your carbon footprint.

Use of Refillable Soap Dispensers

The first bathroom hack to reduce carbon footprint involves using refillable liquid soap dispensers. This will manage soap spillage, hence saving you some cash and conserving the environment. However, you can cut carbon footprint by using a non-disposable soap dispenser.

It is more beneficial and eco-friendly to use glass as opposed to plastic. There are also health benefits to using glass soap dispensers. You can buy them online or in shops near you. Learn more about different soap dispensers recommended by GiftWits and pick one that best suits you.

Use of Low-Flow Shower Heads

According to the New York Times, we need to drastically change our lifestyles if we want to lessen the carbon footprint. One way to do this is through the use of low-flow showerheads while taking a bath. Showering for a long time using standard showerheads will waste a lot of water. What is more, the low-flow option will save you some cash too.

It is a good idea to purchase a low-flow showerhead that will save water while minimizing your water bills. It’s advised that you also shorten the showering time, making it no longer than 5 minutes. Make sure to purchase the best low-shower heads from the best dealers.

Avoid Bathroom Leaks

Another idea would be replacing your old fittings through renovating your bathroom and using greener eco-friendly fittings. Here, the plumbers’ work will be to overhaul and check the broken or aged fittings to make sure your bathroom water pipes are not leaking. Also, check for any old or broken fittings, valves, shower pipes, bathtub, and sinks.

Calling plumbing and remodeling services regularly will save water and energy, hence reducing the carbon footprint. It will also reduce the cost of replacing fittings with brand new ones repeatedly. Apart from that, it will minimize carbon footprint in the form of car emission that would be necessary to deliver new fittings for your bathroom.

Use of Energy-Efficient Products

Refining your home is a good way to save money, and more so, shield the environment by reducing the carbon footprint effects. This is an easy and simple task that you can do yourself by changing your bathroom appliances with energy-efficient counterparts.

These electric devices include the LED lighting and energy-efficient water heater. To learn more about energy-saving products, make a point of reading this review from Forbes. By using energy-efficient products, you will be reducing your electricity bills, improving the environment, and reducing the carbon footprint in an effective way.

Recycling in the Bathroom

Another effective and efficient hack for reducing carbon footprint in your bathroom is through recycling and reusing bathroom items. If you are not using certain items again, especially when remodeling your bathroom, you can opt to sell or donate them to other people.

Fittings such as sinks and taps can be resold or donated as opposed to being disposed of. This will help reduce the amount of waste in the environment. The use of eco-friendly bins for waste is also a brilliant way because almost any trash can be used in a reusable manner, as opposed to disposing of it carelessly.

Use of Eco-Friendly Bathing Soaps

The use of bar soap compared to liquid soap is more eco-friendly and will reduce carbon footprint. Moreover, it is very pocket-friendly. And remember: those tiny bar soap leftovers shouldn’t be thrown away.

You are supposed to store those little bits in a container. You can choose to make a liquid bathing soap, or just mold the leftovers together and get a reusable bar of soap. By doing that, you will reduce the carbon footprint impact.

Final Remarks

The above hacks are just a few of go-green tips that will help in reducing the carbon footprint by a wide margin. We must save our environment starting with the homes we live in. There are many ways to do that, and your bathroom is just the start of the journey.

There are other energy-saving methods like fitting special heat-recovery systems, using dual flush and fixing eco taps. These too are very efficient bathroom tips that will help you do away with the carbon footprint.

Radically changing the status quo of your bathroom may be too much for most of us. So take your time and implement one hack at a time. Trying to do everything at once may actually lead to the opposite effect – giving up on this eco-venture entirely.

It is our responsibility to involve ourselves in activities and lifestyles that will reduce the carbon footprint. As mentioned above, you shouldn’t stop at your bathroom. Spread your new eco-friendly ways to other rooms in your home and beyond. There’s plenty of work to be done if we want to save our planet, and there’s no better way than starting with yourself.

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Reasons Why Animals Become Pests In Your Home

March 9, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Animals like rodents, arachnids, ants, and termites often invade human settlement areas. They are classified as pests. When they are out in their natural environment, they form a vital part of the natural ecosystem. They form part of the natural food chain. For example, rodents like rats and mice are food for birds like small eagles, owls, as well as foxes, wolves and other larger predators. They, in turn, eat grass seeds and fruits that have fallen off the trees in the forests. 

Arachnids like scorpions fulfill a similar role in the natural world. They eat insects like spiders, flies, locusts and other insects. Several of the larger species of scorpions will also eat small lizards, mice, and even other scorpions.  

The challenge comes when these animals’ natural environments are destroyed, and they are forced to move into human settlement areas to find food. This is when they become pests and need to be exterminated by a professional pest removal company like Responsible Pest Control Exterminators.

Therefore, the question that must be asked and answered is: Why are these animals moving out of their natural environment and into human settlement areas? There is no easy answer to this question. Therefore, by way of attempting to answer it, let’s consider the following points: 

The destruction of natural habitats due to the expansion of human settlements 

The global population numbers are increasing. Statistics show that an estimated 7.7 billion people were living on the earth in April 2019. 

Wikipedia.com states that the “world population has experienced continuous growth following the Great Famine of 1315-1317 and the end of the Black Death in 1350.” 

Additionally, there have been periods where the growth rate has been over 1.8% per year, and other periods where the global population growth rate has decreased to 1.2% per annum. However, irrespective of these figures, the global population figures are expected to reach 10 billion people by 2050. 

Thus, it stands to reason that, in order to build homes for all these people to live in, humankind is encroaching on the natural habitats where these animals would generally live. Consequently, to survive, they are forced to move into these new human settlement areas.

The destruction of natural habitats due to severe weather events 

There is an increase in the number of severe weather events as a result of climate change due to global warming. The most recent example and the most devastating is the latest Australian bush fires. 

Succinctly stated, they burnt so hotly that they ended up causing their own severe weather in the nature of Pyrocumulonimbus storm clouds. These clouds were caused by the extreme heat generated by the burning fires. And, in turn, they helped spread the fires by creating dry thunderstorms with severe lightning that resulted in new fires being started.

There was so much smoke from all of these fires that it reached New Zealand, circa 1000 miles away from the fires. And, it is estimated that more than 1 billion mammals, birds, and reptiles lost their lives in the fires. No one will ever be able to quantify the number of animals lost in the fires accurately. 

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Mistakes You Should Avoid When Relocating Your House

February 3, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Stress situations often push us into paranoia and we end up making mistakes. One of the most stressful feats that we have to pull off often is relocating to a new house. The entire process from winding up the house to moving and resettling is draining. However, you can ease up the pressure by avoiding a few common mistakes.

Last Moment Pack Up

One of the gravest mistakes that most people make is procrastinating and delaying their preparations. At times they are just lazy because it is still a few months before they finally have to leave, and at times the daily hectic schedules do not allow them much time. However, sooner or later you will have to get on to work, and the later you do it, the more stressful and exhausting it will be. You can ease up the pressure by starting as early as possible. Take out a little time every day to do some research, making plans, lists, sorting clutter, etc. As a result, a major chunk of your work will already be done by the time you will finally start to wind up. 

No Notes

As easy and simple as it may sound, moving is a complex process. There are dozens of little things that you need to focus on at the same time and it is very easy to forget or overlook a few important things. However, if you go to the old school way and keep notes and lists, it will be much easier to keep a track of things. Regardless of how sharp your memory is, do not rely on your mental notes and do take physical notes.

Not Hiring Professionals

One of the most common and major blunders that people make is to try and DIY their moving process. Even if they do hire any help, they tend to rely on random unskilled freelance labor and van services. This is usually done in a bid to cut down on costs since it is a general perception that professional services are expensive and the costs can be cut down by avoiding them. What you fail to factor in is the fact that professional movers in Los Angeles offer you a lot more security and coverage with professional labor. As a result, there is a negligible risk of loss, theft or damage to your inventory. A bit of research will also help you find movers that can give you plans to fit your budget. 

Taking Everything Along

Whatever logistic service you will hire, they will charge you according to the volumetric weight of your packages. That means that the weight will also factor in the dimensions of your boxes. You can cut down this cost by leaving behind as many bulkier items as possible. For example, you can check local flea markets or garage sales for the prices of a bed set. If purchasing a new bed set at your new location is cheaper than transporting your current one, you should consider buying a new one. You can sell off the inventory that you are not taking along in a garage sale and add to your liquid funds. This will ease your financial pressure significantly.

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