Wednesday, April 24
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Home Improvement

How Dangerous Is Plumbing?

How Dangerous Is Plumbing?

Home Improvement
People tend not to associate most professions with danger; however, as with any job there are inherent risks attached - plumbers being no different! They frequently must work in environments with limited oxygen, such as ducts, boilers, pits and water tanks; they could also be exposed to disease-spreading rodents and polluted water sources. Slips & Falls Plumbers working at heights face an immense danger in wet environments and working at heights. Slipping and falling can result in serious sprains, strains, back injuries or broken bones - one of the primary causes of workplace injuries. Plumbers work in tight spaces such as crawl spaces, industrial boilers, and trenches where there may be toxic leaks or not enough oxygen for breathing - potentially leading to suffocation or...
Benefits of Heated Floors in Cold Climates

Benefits of Heated Floors in Cold Climates

Home Improvement
Warm up your feet and your entire home with radiant floor heating. The system can be a DIY project or installed by professionals. Heated floors use either electric cables or PEX tubing that is pumped with hot water to deliver heat to the floor surface. It is a more efficient and comfortable alternative to forced air heating. Improved Circulation Unlike forced-air systems that rely on vents, floor-heating systems uniformly warm the floor and room. This eliminates cold spots and avoids drafts that make you feel uncomfortable. Moreover, heated floors can directly heat people and objects without heating the air, which helps reduce energy consumption and bills. This heating method also doesn’t pick up and circulate dust or allergens in the same way that traditional systems do, maki...
Essential Home Maintenance Checklists for Each Season

Essential Home Maintenance Checklists for Each Season

Home Improvement
Maintaining your home year-round can be a monumental undertaking, so having an organized checklist and schedule in place is invaluable in terms of saving time, avoiding expensive repairs, and protecting the safety of both yourself and your family. Change smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries as necessary; typically twice annually). Also clean ceiling fans to help cool your house down while also reducing dust build-up. Spring Home ownership is your largest investment, and maintaining it properly can save time, money and headaches in the long run. According to estimates, every dollar spent on maintenance saves $100 in repairs later. Spring brings melting snow and torrential downpours, so it is crucial that any cracks in your foundation that could allow water into your hom...
The Basics of Home Security Systems

The Basics of Home Security Systems

Home Design, Home Improvement
Home security systems are networks of sensors and equipment linked to a central control panel for monitoring purposes. Common components include door/window sensors, alarm sirens, security cameras, home automation controls, floodlights, keychain fobs and more. Professional monitoring systems offer professional monitoring that can contact emergency services when something goes amiss, whether that is at home or somewhere else. In addition, these devices can detect smoke, fire and carbon monoxide poisoning as well. Cost Security systems range in cost from $280 for basic wireless systems up to over $2,000 in large homes for advanced security solutions with sirens, sirens, motion detectors, door/window sensors (wired or wireless), keypads and more. Many homeowners find that home secur...
Quick and Easy Home Repairs You Can Do Yourself

Quick and Easy Home Repairs You Can Do Yourself

Home Improvement
Home ownership requires more than just enjoying lazy weekends on the deck and romantic evenings in front of the fireplace - it also involves performing necessary maintenance and repairs on your private oasis to keep it looking its best. Though certain tasks might appear beyond your abilities, there are plenty of quick and simple solutions you can tackle on your own. Fix a Wobbly Showerhead An out of place showerhead might seem harmless at first, but it can have serious repercussions for both water pressure and bill costs. Furthermore, it creates an ideal environment for grime and mold to grow that's both unsightly and unhealthy to breathe in. At home, expansion foam may be all it takes to fix this issue. Available at most hardware stores in a tube form, apply the foam directly...
Importance of Good Lighting and Ambiance

Importance of Good Lighting and Ambiance

Home Improvement
Lighting plays a huge role in setting the right atmosphere in any given space, which is why it's essential that it be designed properly. Lighting options to create the desired ambiance in your home include ambient, task, and accent lighting. Ambient or General Lighting Lighting can make any space feel more welcoming. From romantic dates to family game night events, finding the right light can set the right atmosphere. Ambient or general lighting provides a steady source of illumination throughout a room. This may be achieved using track lights, wall sconces, table lamps or any number of fixtures that provide ambient illumination. Ambient lighting has an enormous effect on our moods, so selecting a color and style that suit both you and your space is vitally important. Also ...
Home Staging Advice For Selling a House

Home Staging Advice For Selling a House

Home Improvement
Home staging is one of the most effective methods for drawing in more buyers and achieving your property's highest price. Unfortunately, many homeowners lack knowledge on how to stage their own homes effectively or what should be done with furniture after staging. The initial step in selling your home is to clear away clutter. Clutter can make your space appear smaller and untidy to potential buyers, thus creating a disorienting feeling. 1. Declutter If you are selling your home, it is essential to clear away clutter and stage it for sale. Doing this will make the space appear more inviting and enable potential buyers to envision themselves living in it. Many people tend to accumulate items they don't need but think they might need in the future. Additionally, having too much ...
Home Bathrooms and Powder Rooms

Home Bathrooms and Powder Rooms

Home Improvement
Powder rooms can be an excellent opportunity to experiment with design without breaking the bank. Their small size makes them perfect for trying out wallpaper or making a bold statement with paint. For a country-inspired bathroom, try decorating it with bare wood siding and unique wood-patterned counters. Don't forget about classic farm lamps and wicker baskets to complete the charm. 1. It’s a convenient place to store toiletries Powder rooms, also referred to as half-baths or guest bathrooms, are smaller than full bathroom spaces and usually don't include a bathtub or shower. Typically used only when guests visit the home, these spaces can serve as convenient storage locations for toiletries and other essentials. Save space by using a mirrored medicine cabinet to organize toi...
Indoor Plants and Wellness: A Guide to Enhancing Your Health and Happiness at Home

Indoor Plants and Wellness: A Guide to Enhancing Your Health and Happiness at Home

Home Improvement
Bringing plants into our homes isn't just about aesthetics, it's a great way to promote wellness. Not only do they improve air quality, lower stress and boost mood, but some have even been proven to heal the body and mind! A new study suggests that looking at greenery can help people recover from surgery, reducing their need for pain medication and speeding up healing. In addition, plants can be used as a tool to treat mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Improved Air Quality Plants improve the air quality of an area in several ways. For example, they can absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air through photosynthesis and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. They can also increase humidity by transpiring water vapor through microscopic pores on the leaves. ...
Ideas For Creating a Home Library on a Budget

Ideas For Creating a Home Library on a Budget

Home Improvement
If you're looking for ideas for creating a home library on a budget, you've come to the right place. With the help of this article, you'll discover tips on how to repurpose items you already have, as well as new ideas on how to make your space more aesthetically pleasing. Turn your books around to create a monochromatic color scheme If you're tired of your home library's drab color scheme, you can create a monochromatic space with just a few simple changes. You can paint the walls a dark color, like black, and add off-white trim to balance out the hue. For more color, paint the ceiling and shelves a deep green, which will create a soothing, restful atmosphere. Another easy way to create a monochromatic scheme for your home library is to turn the books around. This makes them seem...