6 Things to Watch Out to Handle the Cold Weather At Home

‘Winter is coming’ but you don’t have to fear the freezing season! You can enjoy the snowfall outside by staying warm inside your home.

There are several tricks you can follow to keep your home and family warm. To minimize the discomfort of the approaching cold weather, we bring you six things that you should keep in mind to stay prepared for the cold weather in advance. Keep reading for snuggly-cozy cold evenings.

Use warmer curtains

Time to embellish your windows with warmer curtains for cold weather. You can use warm-toned or bright-coloured curtains. Bright curtains absorb the day heat, which helps in keeping the house warm. Moving ahead, swap your net curtains with thick cotton or woollen drapes. Warm curtains will help you maintain a constant temperature in the house and you won’t be affected by the cold weather. 

We usually overlook curtains during cold weather, but they play an important role in keeping the house warm. Plus, they will help you add a new touch to your decor.

Food that keeps you warm

We all are well-aware of the fact that eating healthy keeps us far from illnesses. However, you can pick certain foods that help in keeping the body warm too. For instance, you can drink hot coffee as the caffeine gives you a fresh start while also heating your body up. You should make dry fruits for your winter snacks. 

Walnuts and almonds increase the metabolism of your body. Other than this, you can enjoy eating dates as they boost your body’s energy levels. They keep you energized during sluggish cold days and keeps the body warm.

Check your drainage system

When you live in areas of extreme snowfall, your pipes could use some warmth too. In the cold weather, pipes usually crack or burst because of the frozen water in them. When water freezes, it expands, which leads to such losses. To avoid that, you can insulate the pipes that are directly exposed to the cold weather. You can maintain a constant warm temperature inside your house with a thermostat, which will prevent pipes from cracking. Keep the sink’s cabinet door open as it will allow the heat to reach the uninsulated pipes.

Hot water systems

Why make do with cold water in the already chilling winters. You should rather make arrangements to have access to hot water right when you need it. That can be done using a hot water system at your place. Hot water systems can be used for cooking, cleaning, and other domestic purposes as well. To know more about hot water systems, visit Same Day Hot Water Service

Workout

You should exercise for at least an hour every day and try not to sit still for long. Workout increases the blood circulation in your body which further helps in keeping the body warm. After a good hour of workout, you should give yourself the sufficient time needed to cool down as it helps regulate the body temperature. If you immediately head outside post heavy workout, you may end up catching a cold or worse, a high fever.

Avoid alcohol 

There’s a big myth that alcohol keeps your body warm during cold weather. Consuming alcohol in cold weather expands your skin vessels which is why your body feels warm. However, those expanded vessels drive the heat away from vital organs. When you consume too much alcohol during winters, there is a high risk of falling sick due to hypothermia, dehydration, and seasonal depression as well. So, swapping alcohol with carbohydrate-rich foods can be a good idea.

Get ready to welcome the cold weather with a warm hug by following these six tricks. They will not only keep you warm, but they will also protect you from falling ill.

The Best Flooring to Make Your Family Home Functional and Fashionable

Around on a carpeted floor, there’s a possibility they could have an allergic reaction or pick up a nasty bug. Obviously, this isn’t what you want for your family home. Instead, we recommend installing laminate flooring or oak wood flooring because both these materials have smooth surfaces which prevent pollen and dirt from collecting on them. Oak flooring is also non-allergenic by comparison to other wood floorings (such as pine) and an incredibly beautiful raw material. This means it’s perfect for a stylish and sensible family home.

Low Maintenance

Running a household is like juggling as there’s a lot of chaos, multi-tasking and you’re bound to drop something. Therefore, it’s important to install flooring in your home which makes cleaning up quick and easy. Avoid porous materials which stain easily and instead choose flooring with a water-resistant coating or polyurethane finish. This means you can sweep or mop away messes without breaking your back as you scrub baby food out of the carpet. Also, flooring which is low maintenance will look more attractive because it isn’t covered in stains.

Hard-Wearing

Children are always going to be running around, pulling their chairs in and out, causing all kinds of trouble. You’re going to need a heavy-duty material for your flooring to withstand the high level of activity going on. Carpet isn’t ideal because it can quickly look worn down and the fabric can be torn. Sturdier materials like laminate, vinyl or reinforced wood flooring are better in these circumstances as they’re able to withstand areas of high foot traffic without losing their appearance. These materials are usually coated with substances like polyurethane which help them become more scratch-resistant, while also giving them an attractive glossy finish. The more durable your flooring, the better your house looks and the more functional it becomes.

By looking for these qualities when choosing a new floor for your family home, you can find something gorgeous and feel reassured that it’s practical, too. 

 

All there is to know about home inspection

Receiving an offer for the house you have always wanted may look like a cause for celebration however, it is just the beginning. You will have to get the property assessed before you can do anything else, as there are a lot of issues that could be stowing away. This is not about something as insignificant as peeling paint, which will be clear and very simple to fix, but about expensive issues that can influence the liveability of the property.

Here are a few things that warrant special attention during your home inspection.

Pest control inspection – Pest control services can recognize mounds of dirt created by earthworms and crumbs from biting wood that termites leave behind. Inspectors analyse the outsides of homes, including foundations, and around windows and rooflines, including rafters. On the off chance that they locate a problem, they will jab an opening in the wood effectively with a probing gadget. This is a part of an examination and ought not to be a problem for the mortgage holders. If an investigator can jab an opening in the wood, that essentially fills in as proof of an issue far more noteworthy than one little gap. Boston wasp control is one of the best in the market – if you are looking.

Oil tank – If the house is heated with gas, it is a possibility that the home may have been heated using oil at one time. Check if there is an oil tank on the property. You have to check whether the tank has been loaded with sand or not. You have the option to leave it there however, certain regions may demand that it be displaced. Nevertheless, you will have to discover its status and ensure it hasn’t spilled into the ground. Tidying up a wreck like that can be a problem.

Air conditioning – “A standard home overseer will affirm that a home’s heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) is working at the hour of examination, however, will make sure that it will continue working once you buy the home,” Lynnette Bruno, Trulia’s previous VP of correspondences told Curbed in 2016. Your examiner should disclose to you to what extent your home cooling condenser (the unit outside) should last, just by checking the sequential number, as indicated by Nigel Turner of West Milford, New Jersey-based Total Home Inspection Services. He says most condensers will last 12 to 15 years before requiring a substitution.

Water seepage and dispensing – “Water is the greatest enemy of your home,” Turner says. There is the potential for harm to the foundation. In the event that water is seen in the vicinity of the house, you need the water to flow away from the house, not towards it. Outside, check the canals and spouts, in such a case that they aren’t working properly, it can harm the foundation as well. While external water damage is simple to spot with a visual inspection, potential harm covered up inside a home’s walls are hardest to identify, Bruno says. To guarantee that your house is protected from water damage that can prompt moldy walls, ensure your inspector takes extra precautions of using an infrared camera to discover water damage that exists beneath the surface of a home.

Power framework – Turner says there are a few frameworks to pay special attention to. One of them is referred to as knob and tube wiring, also called K&T, typically found in homes from around 1880 to the 1930s; this sort of electrical system is normally unground, which prompts potential for electric shocks. The other thing to pay special attention to is a Federal Pacific Electric panel – when circuit breakers are tripped on those frameworks, it leads to overheating and fire.

How to Keep Your Patio Pest-Free

While it is impossible to eliminate all pests from your patio, there are many strategies that you can employ to prevent these pesky invaders from becoming comfortable in your backyard. Aside from being annoying, these pests can also pose a huge health risk by spreading germs and diseases everywhere.

This is why it is critical to keep your outdoor area pest-free and you can take a look below to see the simple ways in which you can do just that.

 

Keep grass and plants trimmed

Pests rely on plants to stay hidden and if you have unmowed grass or untrimmed plants near your patio it can be impossible to get rid of pets ranging from ticks and ants to birds and rodents. By using the plants as hiding spots, the pests can venture to your patio, steal some food, and quickly go back to safety.

Thus, it is crucial to keep plants trimmed back so that these critters can’t use them to hide. It is also a good idea to plan a few herbs that are natural repellents such as rosemary, lemongrass, chives and garlic which can repel biting insects and other pests.

 

Avoid storing trash outside your home

Keeping an outdoor area is crucial if you don’t want to have problems with pests since trash is a prime attraction for pests who are looking for some easy food to eat. Thus, if you tend to leave trash outdoors right near your patio or yard, then you’re basically inviting in insects, rodents, and other wildlife.

Instead, you should focus on keeping any food waste or trash as far from your outdoor living area as possible. This means that you should sweep up any crumbs and wipe away spilled liquids every time you dine on your patio since even the smallest morsel or sticky stain can attract ants and other pesky insects.

Furthermore, you should make sure that any existing trash cans and dumpsters are sealed securely since if you remove this temptation you’ll see immediate results without having to use chemical repellents.

 

Find a good pest management strategy

Your patio is not a good place to use strong pest repellents but there are plenty of natural alternatives that you can use if you have a serious pest infestation. You can use a mix of essential oils such as lavender or eucalyptus and spray it around the patio to create a natural pest barrier. You can also spray it on you and other family members to keep the bugs away.

Citronella torches and citrus candles can also be used to drive away bothersome insects such as mosquitoes and flies and combining them will let you get better pest-fighting action. If you want to see instant results, you can take a look at this analysis.

 

Lighting is important

During the night, the lights on your patio will act as magnets for insects and there are a couple of things that you can do to make your outdoor eating experience more pleasant. First, you should replace white bulbs with sodium vapor lights or yellow bulbs since the orange or yellow glow will attract fewer insects.

Secondly, you should move your lighting further away from your outdoor living space either higher up on the wall or further away from the patio.

 

Avoid standing water

Mosquitoes, in particular, are attracted by standing water and they use it for breeding. To avoid an infestation you should never neglect your pool, birdbaths or water features. The pool should be maintained frequently and covered when you are not using it. For the other water sources, you should try to keep the water moving as much as possible.

7 Important Electrical Decisions You Need to Make When Renovating

You will be stuck with the changes you make while renovating for a long time. That’s why it’s essential to cover everything before you begin the project. One of the most important areas to consider is electricity. The following list includes things you should think about before finalizing your renovation plans.

What Type of Switches Will Your Renovation Need?

There are several types of switches available, including dimmer, toggle, 2-way, and 3-gang. Each serves a different purpose. A 2-way switch is often used to control standard lighting. Gang switches include a number that indicates how many circuits are present.

With a large number of homes switching to LED lighting it’s easier than ever to control the level of lighting each bulb emits so having a switch that can control this is beneficial.

Do You Need More Light Fixtures Installed?

This is an excellent opportunity to update your light fixtures. Older homes often have fewer fixtures, while others may have components that are outdated in both appearance and performance.

Consider what you plan to do in the space you are renovating. A space meant for work will require more illumination while one meant for relaxation or entertaining may require a lower level of lighting.

Are Your Power Points Safely Positioned?

Your power points are where your family will access electricity to use devices. These need to be placed according to building code requirements. A certified electrician can recommend useful instillation spots that are also compliant with the law.

Also, consider the surrounding area and what it will be used for. Is this a place where someone may want to plug in a laptop or party lighting? Make sure the power point is easily accessible but away from hazards like water sources.

Are You Upgrading Your Appliances?

Old appliances are not as efficient as today’s models. They also tend to have fewer safety features. Inspect the appliances you already own and consider upgrading. This is especially important for rooms with more devices or gadgets, like the kitchen or entertainment center.

Choose appliances that are Energy Star rated for better efficiency. They may add to the cost of your renovation but will save you money in future utility bills.

Do You Want Outlets with USB Ports?

If your family is tech-savvy, then they will appreciate better access to USB ports. New power outlets are available with USB ports built in. These are best placed in areas where your family uses the most devices or likes to charge phones and tablets.

Does Your Project Leave Room for More Devices?

Make sure you have some extra power outlets and capacity available to handle future additions to your home. 

Many families plug in seasonal devices, like Christmas lights and decorations. The kids may want their own computer someday, or you may add a TV to a room in your home where one wasn’t previously used. 

Each of these situations will increase the demand for power and outlet space in your home.

Can Your Electrical System Handle the Increased Capacity?

Once you know what you would like to add, make sure your home’s current electrical system can handle the increased demand. You may need to upgrade your service box to ensure that everything will work reliably and safely. 

An electrician can advise you on whether an upgrade or new wiring will be required.

What I Love In My Home

Today we are looking at the latest mattress comparison guide. What are the mattress should we get? Despite what the internet and other salesmen want you to believe, there is no superior material over the other. Each person has their own personal preferences.

 

By the guide, we have the latest innerspring mattress that is one of the beds that most of you have slept on at least one time in your life. In recent years, there is actually coil configuration in this bed system. Bonnell coils are common in mid-level beds and are like hourglasses. There are higher end beds where the coils use better contouring ability.

 

All foam mattresses are in a modern development and it can feel slightly different to sleepers that have been resting on springs most of the time. There are different densities as well, and different levels of firmness as well. It depends on what you are looking for.

 

These beds are made up with polyurethane foams.They are densely formulated and are a type of memory foams. Memory foam beds are an all in one foam construction and they have their own terms because of their own special properties. 

 

Memory foam beds were the bestsellers in 1970s and 80s when the material was created by NASA to bring astronauts to space.

 

Latex mattresses are made from the milky sap of the rubber tree from Asia. It has popular bedding materials and mattresses as it is made out of natural source. These latex brands are more expensive compared to their other competitors. 

 

Next, we are looking at natural latex mattress topper. Latex mattress toppers are not that common, but they have many upsides. If you like support of memory foam but want to sleep cool – then latex topper is the best for your cool sleep. Since latex is derived from the rubber tree, you can also get natural latex instead of synthetic materials. The best mattress toppers are below.

 

The first recommended latex is Sleep on Latex that sell high quality toppers made out of latex to consumers. Made from full natural latex, these toppers are bouncy and can support the body as well. It has different variants like soft, medium and firm. It is great for side sleepers that have body pain from firm mattresses.

 

Second, we have the visco pillow top latex. While latex offers more than pillow-topo toppers, some sleepers miss the feeling of more options. This selection offers more superior support of latex tops. Side sleepers should like this feature as it has pressure relief on the shoulder and hips. This latex toppers has a skirt that centers it in the mattress. 

 

Lastly, we have resident home design. At this brand, we are growing in our passion to provide everyone with better options of getting everyday home products. We have mattresses, rugs, furniture and we have high standards for quality and style. We make sure that searching for home products when you want it. We also give free trials and warranties because we want to offer you as much purchasing power as possible. Join us and look for our brands all the time. If you want to join us on a quest to create the house space that you always wanted.

 

We have several brands in resident home. The brands are Nectar Sleep, Awara Sleep, Level Sleep, Bundle, Dreamcloud, and Wovenly.

Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher @BOSCHHOMEUS #ad @BestBuy

Are you looking for a new dishwasher? The new Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher at Best Buy is a great option for anyone who is looking for an upgrade to their dishwasher or for the highest quality.  It’s not cheap, but it sounds like it will do the job better then your average dishwasher.

About the Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher at Best Buy

The CrystalDry™ (only available in 800 Series)|gives you the ultimate clean. The ultimate dry, including plastics. It delivers a sparkling clean and dry with advanced PrecisionWash technology and patented CrystalDry technology. With PrecisionWash, intelligent sensors continually scan and check the progress of dishes throughout the cycle, and powerful spray arms target every item of every load, for the ultimate clean.
best buy
Patented CrystalDry technology transforms moisture into heat up to 176F for the ultimate dry, even for plastics. Extremely quiet operation (42 dBA) incorporates 18 unique sound-reducing technologies such as multiple insulation layers, grindless food filtration, and a sound absorbing base. The large interior provides the loading flexibility to easily accommodate 16 place settings, and Bosch’s largest 3rd rack- the MyWay rack- provides additional loading space for cereal bowls and large utensils.
The Rackmatic® adjustable upper rack easily adjusts to 9 different positions, to allow taller items like stemware to fit in the middle rack while leaving room for bulky items below.  The flip tines make loading wide bowls easy and ball bearing wheels provide a smooth glide. Every Bosch dishwasher is ENERGY STAR qualified and meets or exceeds federal guidelines, for year-round energy savings.  The Sanitize Option reduces 99.9% of bacteria with Patented CrystalDry™ technology delivers 60% better drying results.*
 *Based on aggregate average drying performance of Bosch Dishwashers with CrystalDry on combined household load including plastics, glass, steel, and porcelain as compared to Bosch Dishwashers with PureDry.  Drying performance may vary by dish type.
dishwasher

Product Specs

24” width
There’s room for up to 16 place settings. Plus, choose from 6 wash cycles including five-level wash, 5 options like Extra Dry, and a concealed heating element.
Flexible 3rd rack
Accommodate the odd one out. Adding the 3rd rack with its adjustable tines can create the right fit for deep, tall, or uniquely-shaped items.
EasyGlide™ rack
Load and unload smoothly. It’s easy to adjust and move the racks, even while they’re full of dishes.
RackMatic®
Fit it all, every time. With 3 different height levels and up to 9 possible rack positions, you can customize each load for your needs.
24/7 Aquastop®
Protect your floors. This 4-part leak prevention system uses sensors to detect and stop leaks, and can even turn on by itself.
42-dBA noise level rating
Wash dishes in peace. Bosch dishwashers are so quiet, you have to check the exterior Infolight® to know they’re on.
Touch Control
Program a cycle quickly. The integrated controls make it easy with simple touch technology.
If you are in the market for a new dishwasher, stop by your local Best Buy and see which one best fits your home and needs. Good luck and enjoy your shopping.

Pro’s of Investing in a Condominium

Condominiums are the epitome of modern living. It has many perks that include modern facilities and amenities, great views, security, and some privacy. But if you are looking to buy a condo as an investment, you must consider the potential gains that you can get. 

 

Below are some of the reasons why investing in a condo would be a profitable choice: 

Market Value

The main criterion in determining that you are making a good investment is the property’s market value. Thus, if it’s market value is higher than the purchase price, you are in good hands. This remains applicable and true when it comes to condo investments. 

 

There is a higher appreciation rate for condo units. You should expect that its value grows from the moment you purchase it. It gives you plenty of opportunities to reap the benefits of your investment. You can opt to rent it out so you can have a sustainable source of monthly income from the rental. 

 

Also, you can choose to resell it later. The longer you hold on to your property, the higher its appreciation value. This will enable your money (investment) to multiply without working too hard. 

Profitability

Condos are easy to rent out. A lot of people who opt to live in cities would prefer to rent a condo unit because of its facilities and amenities. If you choose a condo that is within a prime location (such as within the business district or city center), the demand for your condo rental will grow even more. Therefore, it is important to consider the location of a condo unit by the time of your purchase. 

 

The initial investment required for a condominium can be easily afforded by potential investors. This makes it a better investment because the cost of acquisition is lower than the potential resale value. There are many condo developments that are in a pre-selling stage that offers lower prices. Make sure you take advantage of them if you have decided on investing in a condo.

Maintenance 

It is easier to maintain a condominium because there is your utility staff whose primary role is to help with the upkeep and maintenance. You can also rent out your condominium for business use. Who says that condominiums are only suitable for residential use? The ability to rent out your condo for commercial use will help expand the potential income of your investment. 

 

Investing in condominium units offer better liquidity as an investment (compared to apartment buildings). You can easily sell the unit when you want to (whereas it would be more difficult to find a buyer for an apartment building). 

 

If you would like to pursue the idea of buying a condo as your next investment, you need to see this. It is not just a matter of investing in a condo, but where you choose to invest in that truly matters. 

Con’s of Investing in a Condo

There are a few things you need to know about before investing in a condo unit. These are risk factors that you must be prepared for so that you can mitigate the risks:

Restrictions 

Depending on which condo you invest in, there might be certain restrictions. The homeowner’s association within a condominium building might impose a lot of rules and regulations for owners to live by. They might even put restrictions on when, how, and to whom you may rent out your condominium unit. Make sure you check out the rules in your specific condo before you pursue the investment.

Monthly Fees

The monthly fees on the homeowner’s association and any other maintenance fees can potentially lower your return of investment. Make sure you choose a condo that is centrally located so you can keep the rental prices up. This is how you can optimize the return of investment so you can cover other maintenance fees. 

Pro’s of Investing in an Apartment

Aside from a condo, an apartment is another good real estate investment. Learn about the advantages of this type of investment: 

Level of Demand

The level of demand for apartment rentals is steadily high, especially among families looking to rent a single-family home. It is a good investment because you can expect a low vacancy rate (especially if your apartment is in a central location).

Cost

The cost of maintenance in an apartment is considerably low. There is also no need to pay any monthly fees because you own the entire apartment building (whereas condos have multiple owners). 

Con’s of Investing in an Apartment

While there are many benefits to investing in an apartment, there are potential downsides. Here are some of them: 

Ownership Expenses

The cost of ownership for an apartment building is substantially higher than other real estate investments (such as condominium). Depending on where you live, not all individual investors can afford to purchase the apartment building. This puts a limit on your buying market for that property. 

Rental Income

It puts all of your income potential solely reliant on the rental income. It is, therefore, important to attract renters and lower the vacancy rate if you want to maintain you’re your profit. In this regard, it makes maintenance of an apartment building entail more work. You need to address the needs of your existing tenants to keep them happy. Otherwise, you could lose tenants if they are unsatisfied with the quality of living in your apartment. 

The Bottom Line

There are certain benefits and drawbacks with each option – condo or apartment as an investment. Use the information above so you can weigh the pros and cons of each option. In the end, your investment goals and strategy are different. 

 

If you want to make money through the rental income, then both condos and apartments are a suitable choice. But when it comes to the resale value, condos might have an edge as it is easier to liquidate than apartments. Either way, you need to match these investments with your long-term goals so you can make the right choice.