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The Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist

From leaky faucets to broken water heaters, homeowners have to deal with many broken home appliances every year. These problems can be expensive to fix and lead to costly wear and tear on the rest of the house. That’s why homeowners need to stay on top of home maintenance. The last thing you want is to spend thousands of dollars fixing an otherwise minor problem that could have been avoided with a simple home maintenance checkup.

Your home is probably your most valuable asset, and with that comes a lot of responsibility. After all, your home provides shelter and serves as a home base for family and friends. Keeping your home in good shape, therefore, is essential. We’ve created the ultimate home maintenance guide to help you keep your home in great condition. The following are the ultimate checklist maintenance that you can do.

Spring

Inspect your trees

Trees add beauty to a home, but when trees start showing problems, they can be quite costly. Follow this ultimate home maintenance checklist of things to do to avoid tree problems, such as dead trees, dead branches, and damaged roots. This checklist was created to help you protect your trees throughout the year.

Check and clean your gutters.

Gutters play a very important role in a home’s success. They collect rainwater and channel it away from the home to prevent damage caused by water seeping under the shingles and framing. This can also lead to moisture-related problems like mold and rot. To ensure that your gutters are functioning correctly, you should regularly check and clean them. If you live in a part of the country prone to high winds, debris buildups, and falling debris, you should perform this task twice or thrice a year.

Inspect the inside of your house

The inside of your home is just as important as the outside. Check for any mold or infestations in the hidden corners of your house. Inspect your furniture and cabinetry for termites or rot. If there are any, then it’s best to get them repaired or replaced as soon as possible. A store similar to Superior Stone & Cabinet could help you in that regard. Maybe you could get replacements that require less maintenance than the older pieces. Also, remember to check for the efficiency of home appliances. Regular tune-ups are necessary.

Remove creeping plants

Creeping is a woody vine that likes to tear through other plants. It produces tendrils, which it uses to latch onto other plants and pull itself along. The tendrils can tear through the fibers of other plants and roots. Creeping plants grow very quickly, and they can cover large areas in a very short time. They can cause soil erosion by covering and covering pathways if left alone.

Check your sump pump.

In order to safeguard your residence, it is essential to inspect your sump pump. This pump assists in removing excess water from the base of the property and helps ward off flooding. Therefore, if you notice any faults, it is advisable to contact a reputed plumbing company in Kamloops BC (or wherever you live) to resolve the issue promptly.

Summer

Prepare for heat

One way to do this is to outfit your home with a programmable thermostat and have your heating system looked at. If your home does not have a proper system for heating and cooling, consider reaching out to a heating and air contractor Greensboro, or one closer to you. That way, you to regulate your home’s temperature, and lower your heating bills while still maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home.

Clean window wells

Cleaning window wells is an often-overlooked home maintenance task, but it can make a big difference in the appearance of your home. Gutters, downspouts, and window wells collect debris from rain, melting snow, and the wind. Over time, this debris can build up and cause serious problems, including roof leaks and foundation issues.

Point your ceiling fan blades the right way

The blades on a ceiling fan spin to direct air around the room so that you can cool it down. These blades shouldn’t point straight up, though, because they’ll just send warm air back around your room. Kitchen ceiling fans should be pointing down, while bedroom ceiling fans should be pointing up.

Take care of exterior repairs and upgrades

The ways to protect your home, both inside and out, are never-ending when it comes to a maintenance list. In addition to protecting your home with the right insurance, you also need to regularly care for all interior and exterior surfaces. This includes cleaning your windows, washing your siding, maintaining the outside of your home’s roof, and replacing your siding after any damage. In some cases, it may also extend to your garage doors and any outbuildings you have too. Take the time to look over their condition, and be sure to contact a professional Garage door repair and installation company if they are in need of a makeover.

Check and clean the dryer vent.

The truth is, the lint trap in your dryer can quickly become clogged with dryer sheets, fabric softener, lint balls, pet hair, and more. As soon as a clog forms, it will prevent your dryer from working efficiently and could even start a fire. If your home has small children or pets, it is especially important to make sure your dryer vent is clean.

The importance of a good home maintenance checklist cannot be overstated. A well-maintained home requires less money spent on repairs, and a comfortable, safe and clean home means a more pleasant place to live.

DIY storage solution 101: Store your belonging without spending a dime

There are many DIY ways to store your belongings without spending a dime. In this article, learn how you can get creative with what you already have and save both money and space!

Materials Needed to Make DIY Storage Solutions

Materials you’ll need to make your own storage solutions:

  • Tape measure
  • Paint or a sealant
  • Cordless drill
  • 1 1/4″ hole saw
  • 1 1/2″ hole saw
  • Plywood or particle board
  • Lumber screws (if using plywood)
  • Hinges, latches, or clamps
  • Ruler or a level (optional)

Types of DIY Storage Solutions

If you’re looking for ways to save money on storage solutions, you’ve come to the right place! Here are four different DIY storage solutions that will help you organize and store your belongings without spending a dime.

1. Use an Ikea hack

If you’re looking for a quick, cheap solution, try using an Ikea hack! This technique involves taking apart some of the furniture in your room and using the space inside to store your belongings. You can use this method to create small, organized spaces for everything from clothes to books.

2. Create a makeshift DIY storage unit

If Ikea hacks aren’t your thing, you can also try creating a makeshift storage unit using boxes, racks, and shelving. This approach is great if you have limited space or don’t want to invest in any special equipment. Just be sure to pre-plan your layout so that everything is easy to access. Some people may also use their crawl spaces for storage. After undertaking a crawl space encapsulation project, they can use this newly clean, dry, and insulated space for storage.

3. Store items in the attic

If all else fails and you still don’t have enough space, consider storing items in the attic. First, however, make sure the attic is cleaned out and there’s no damage in the roof that makes the space vulnerable to weather and other elements. If there is damage, best to get it repaired by a Roofing contractor in Austin, TX, or somewhere near you, so that you have a usable room again. Depending on how big your home is, an attic can provide ample storage for your belongings. To ensure a safe and organized attic storage solution, you may want to consider enlisting the help of local handyman services that can assist you in optimizing your attic space, installing shelves, and creating a functional storage system that maximizes the available area.
Consider hiring specialized storage solution experts (look at local handyman services in Granite Bay offering attic storage solutions, if interested) as they can also address any necessary repairs or improvements to make your attic a secure and reliable storage space. That way, you can efficiently utilize your attic and keep your belongings organized and easily accessible.

4. Rent a storage unit

If none of the above options work for you, it may be time to consider renting a storage unit. This option is generally more expensive than the other options listed here, but it may be worth it if you need more space than you can currently accommodate.

Whatever storage solution you choose, be sure to take into account your personal needs and preferences. You must select a unit that is of a sufficient size to store all your items, as well as one that offers a secure self storage gate access system to ensure that everything you store is protected at all times. Whichever route you go down, organizing your belongings will make life a lot easier.

How to Make Your Own DIY Storage Solution

You can create your own DIY storage solution without spending a dime. Here are three easy tips to get started:

  • Clear out any excess clutter from your living space. This will make it easier to organize and store your belongings.
  • Use an inexpensive storage container to store larger items. You can find these containers at hardware or home improvement stores.
  • Use a DIY hanging system to store smaller items. This way, you’ll have quick and easy access to your belongings no matter where you are in the room.

If you’re looking for affordable and creative ways to organize your space, these tips are perfect for you.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to store your belongings, you may want to consider creating your own DIY storage solution. Here are three tips for crafting a space-saving storage system that fits your needs:

1. Choose a versatile storage container

Rather than investing in one specific type of storage container, think about what types of items you’ll be storing. For example, if you have a lot of clothes, choose a large laundry basket or drawer organizer. If you have a lot of books, go for a bookcase or cabinet with plenty of shelves. The key is to find something that will hold a variety of items and can be moved around easily.

2. Incorporate organizational features

If you don’t already have one, add some simple organizational features to your storage container-like hooks and shelves-to make it easier to access your belongings. This will not only make your space more functional and organized, but it will also reduce the amount of time you need to search for what you need.

3. Think about how to maximize floor space

When choosing where to place your storage system, take into account how much floor space you have available. Putting your storage away vertically instead of horizontally can save valuable floor space in the long run. And if there’s not enough room on one side of the room to store everything vertically, consider using DIY floating shelves or wall-mounted racks instead!

Storing your belongings can be a pain, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. In this article, we’ve shared with you some easy and affordable ways to store your belongings without breaking the bank. From using DIY Ikea hackable to building your own storage solution, there is sure to be something on this list that suits your needs.

The Best Rat Traps for Your Money

Rats are gross, and they eat expensive things. But it’s not just their eating habits that make them so dangerous. Rats are responsible for all kinds of property damage, from chewing through copper wiring to gnawing on brake lines, nesting in insulation, and (in the worst case) eating your food.

So, if you live in a densely packed apartment building or live in an area that has a problem with rats, it would be a good idea to keep them away physically. Now there are different ways of doing this. For starters, you can consider getting rid of them with the help of Pest Control service providers near you. Since they would have years of experience in this field and own specialized equipment, it would be easier for them to accomplish the task. Nevertheless, if you want to exterminate them yourself, without external help, then consider using one of the rat trap options mentioned below.

Here is the list:

Snap Trap

Rats and mice are unavoidable in the urban jungle and can be a big problem for homeowners. Luckily, several traps can kill rodents humanely and make it easier to get rid of them. The most common traps tend to be spring-loaded death traps or snap traps, designed to kill rodents by snapping shut on their legs and neck.

Glue Trap

If you’re looking for a rat trap that will not only catch your rat but also save you money in the process, look no further than the glue trap. These traps are inexpensive, easy to use, and work great. They also catch rats fast, so you don’t have to waste hours and days on your vacation or time at work trying to catch a rat.

Cardboard Trap

Rodents are no bargain, but getting rid of them doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, one of the best rat traps you can buy for your money is a cardboard trap. While it’s simple, this trap is very effective, inexpensive, and easy to make.

Live Trap

Rats are among the most common household pests, but why use poison when you can catch them with live traps? Using live traps to catch rats is way less stressful than having rats in your home, but live traps that are left out too long may attract more unwanted guests like cats-so be sure to find a trap that fits your budget.

Rat Poison

While every house has rodents, luckily, there are many ways to get rid of them. One way, which many people do use, is rat poison. Using rat poison isn’t recommended, however, since it can be harmful to the environment and the pets and children who inhabit it.

Electronic Rodent Trap

While the snap trap is still a popular method for hunting rodents, there are better options, like electronic traps-and if you’re on a budget, you’ll want to consider going the cheaper route. To help you determine the best rat trap for your money, we’ve gathered six electronic rat traps and compared them.

Gingbau Humane Rat Trap

For individual use, the best rat trap for the money is, without a doubt, the Gingbauhero Humane Rat Trap. This humane trap utilizes a spring-loaded, door-operated trap that snaps shut on rats when they step over the rat trap’s trigger plate. The trap’s door releases the trapped animal without trapping them, and the door lining is padded to absorb the rat’s impact.

Humane Rat Trap

Rats are a common pest that invades people’s homes and yards, and nobody wants to have to deal with them. Luckily, we have a variety of rat traps available to get rid of these pests. But which trap is the best? The humane rat trap is a popular choice, and here are five of the best humane rat traps to buy for your home and garden.

Rats are one of the most hated pests that infest homes all over the world. They are destructive, dirty, and can carry diseases that make people sick. Many people turn to poisons to get rid of them, but for many, this is not an option. Not only do poisons not work, but they are also illegal to use.

But how can you get rid of rats that are inside your home or in your yard in a legal manner? Simply by setting up some rat traps. If the number of rats is a little too much, however, and they are wreaking havoc in your household, it is best to call Apex Pest Control experts or ones like them to get rid of this problem from its root.

Rat traps do work but compared to pest exterminators who have sophisticated industrial-grade equipment to exterminate these nuisances effectively, traps bear less fruitful results — it can take several weeks before the traps kill any rats. On the other hand, specialists like those at stellar pest control or similar firms make use of fumigation. This method of pest control involves specialists filling an area with gaseous pesticides, also known as fumigants in order to suffocate or poison the pests within.

Simply put, rat traps will only work if you have just one or two rats in your yard. But if they have multiplied like crazy, catching one at a time with a rat trap will only be a waste of time. Remember that as rats multiply, they can spread diseases, damage property, and attack people, pets, livestock, and other animals. To protect against rat infestations, it’s important to choose the right kind of solution. In this regard, you can check out online articles about pest control methods available on sites (like Legit Local, find top-rated businesses in your area) where you can get the best solution for your rat problem.

The best rat traps out there depend on what kind of rat you’re dealing with. The rats in your basement are dangerous, and you might have to use poison or traps for a while. But you can keep those rats out of your kitchen and living room by getting rid of food scraps. After that, the rats you see outside are harmless, and you can handle them merely with traps. Are you dealing with rats inside your house? Then you need a poison bait that kills the rats quickly.

10 Top Tips for Control of Firewood Pests 

It’s easy to forget that firewood can be more than just a source of warmth. It can also be a big health hazard, especially in the summer. Most people don’t think much about firewood in the winter, but during the spring and summer months, the bugs that reside inside the wood can reach inside to warm themselves.

Here Are the Ten Top List to Control the Firewood Pests

  1. Keep firewood covered– These pests can infest most types of firewood, including oak, pine, cedar, hemlock, redwood, spruce, fir, tamarack, and juniper. The pests can damage your firewood by boring holes and making tunnels inside the wood, and they can also carry diseases. To prevent these pests from infesting your firewood, keep the wood covered.
  2. Keep firewood away from your home– Firewood is a precious commodity during wintertime. As you prepare for the winter, keeping firewood away from your home is an important safety measure. In this article, we will list the best methods you can use to control firewood pests.
  3. Store firewood off the ground– Getting rid of the pesky pests that riddle your yard with annoying insects? One of the best things you can do is store firewood off the ground. By doing this, you will keep the pests away.
  4. Stack firewood in blocks– If you need firewood for heating in winter or cooking in summer, then you probably need to store it somewhere. But storing firewood is not as simple as stacking it on the floor. You need to protect it from bugs, burning issues, and other problems. Stacking it in blocks is one effective way to do this.
  5. Never burn trash near your fireplace– Firewood pests are microorganisms that live inside firewood and are able to multiply quickly. These pests are the reason why your firewood never burns completely. Besides making it unclean and foul smelling, these pests may also cause a fire if they enter the chimney.
  6. Avoid wood piles– If you’re experiencing pest problems like mosquitoes, ants, or termites, you may want to clear infested wood piles away from your property using the services of Pest Authority of Charlottesville (or another pest control firm). Piles of wood are a favorite place for termites to nest, and ants love to build their nests there, too.
  7. Store firewood in metal containers– Firewood pests are the most common cause of firewood processing problems, and these pests include ants, beetles, termites, woodworm, earwigs, slugs, spiders, and fungi. To protect your firewood from pests, store it in metal containers.
  8. Use treated wood– To help keep your wood dry and bug-free, transport firewood in a covered wagon or trailer and store it off the ground. Use deadwood rather than green, damp, or wet wood to avoid fire hazards.
  9. Keep your house clean– Firewood pests prefer to live where there is heat and moisture – and where there is wood. A clean home free of wood debris offers little to these pests. Therefore, it is suggested that you keep your home neat by getting rid of wood debris such as old furniture, damaged doors, and piles of wood regularly. This can be done with the help of a nearby Junk Removal company.
  10. Replace old wood– Let’s imagine you often buy firewood for a warm and convenient fire. But after a while, you will find the existence of many wood pests such as burrowing beetles, weevil, and carpenter bees. Then you should replace old wood.

Firewood pests are something that can pop up and ruin your whole lodge very quickly. They can show up anywhere, so always be cautious. These pests can invade your firewood without you even noticing it, and before you know it, you are left with no firewood and no lodge since firewood pests are incredibly difficult to get rid of. Luckily, there are ways to combat these pests yourself– you could mix or purchase pest-deterrent liquids and powders and insert/ apply them on areas where they move around most. You might find them most active at night, so it would be more effective if you spread pest-control sprays or powders before you sleep.
However, with sprays and chalks, you could only get rid of so much. Should the infestation spiral out of control, it would be sensible to call in seattle pest control services (or wherever you’re based) at the earliest so as to prevent further damage to your property.

Wood is an abundant natural resource that is important for human survival. It is mostly used for constructing houses, furniture, ships, heating, and cooking food. Many different pests can attack wood, such as termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, springtail ants, etc. These pests are the main issues for firewood owners.

This is why many homeowners tend to rely on a furnace instead of firewood for their home heating needs. It certainly has many benefits and the most important being no wood pests at home. Apart from this, the furnace can last for years with timely Furnace tune up through experts. This means a complete win-win situation.

However, if you are someone who is too comfortable with using firewood, then with a few tips, you can avoid pests. Try to avoid firewood that contains sawdust or chips from untreated lumber, and if possible, buy wood from a store rather than purchasing from individuals. There are many inexpensive ways to protect firewood from pests. Examples include repellents, mechanical barriers, soil barriers, and biological control.

10 Ways to Keep Your House Pest Free

Most people think of pests as soon as they think about insects. Termites, ants, roaches, and the like, often come to their mind. One such pest is the spider. Spiders, whether black widow, brown recluse, or daddy long legs, are creepy, crawly, and often very poisonous. Unfortunately, they are very hard to get rid of just like termites.

Dealing with any pests is a challenge. But more so is the case with termite as it starts eating up the item and in no time makes it equivalent to dust. This is why many homeowners tend to sell their houses to firms providing we buy houses oklahoma city and elsewhere, as soon as they witness termite breeding in their homes. This is because companies of this kind generally buy a home in any condition it is offered in.

Besides, homeowners can take all the necessary steps to prevent the same thing from happening again in their new home. Let’s face it; summertime means insects. But rather than obsessing over the threat of bugs, try to keep them out of your home. There are various ways you can keep them from entering your home, so get started today!

Ants, bees, spiders, cockroaches, fleas, mosquitoes, mice, and flies-are all pests that can cause trouble around your home. So, what can you do to keep pests away?

Here are the ways to keep your house pest free:

Seal All Cracks and Openings

Pests can get into your house through cracks, holes, and openings in your foundation, basement, and roof. Seal any openings you find with caulk, expandable foam, or expanding spray foam. With this step, you can easily keep all those unwanted creatures at bay. Besides that, cracks like this can lead to water seepage and eventual water damage, which can also cause pests (they love damp places). So, if there does seem to be water damage in your basement, then get in touch with companies like Eastern Water Restorations to have it remedied and keep your home pest-free.

Clean the Ductwork

One of the most common infestation sites for rodents and cockroaches and other pests is the air ducts in your home. Because these spaces are often small and neglected, they form the perfect breeding grounds for pests. Therefore, to ensure your home remains pest-free, it is prudent to get your home’s ducts and crawl space cleaned by a professional Air Duct Cleaning Minneapolis service or a similar service closer to you. Clean ducts would also give you purified and clear air supply inside your home.

Disinfect Surfaces

Pests are no small matter-they can do serious damage to your house, and they can also carry diseases that can be harmful to humans. So, it’s important to take steps to make sure that your house stays pest-free. To help keep your house free from pests, disinfect your countertops, tables, sinks, and other surfaces frequently. It’s as simple as using a disinfectant spray.

Keep Food in Sealed Containers.

Those pesky pests love natural food sources, such as garbage, pet food, compost, and even crumbs from the kitchen. Keeping food in sealed containers is one of the best ways to keep pests out of your house. Besides, wash all pet bowls and water dishes in the dishwasher. Certainly, nobody likes pest infestation, so keep your food sealed and your household protected.

Keep Trash Sealed

The last thing you want to encounter while unpacking is an army of ants, roaches, or rodents. But be careful to keep trash sealed, and not letting pests breed in your home can help keep your home free of unwanted pests.

Clean Up Spills

We’ve all heard that prevention is better than cure, which couldn’t be more accurate when it comes to keeping pests out of your home. It may seem like an obvious step, but you must clean any spills up right away.

Keep Floors Clean

Pests are almost always unwelcome guests in our homes. Unfortunately, getting rid of pests can be a full-time job that never ends. As a pet owner, you may not even want to think about the possibility of fleas and ticks in your home, but such unwelcome guests are all around us. The best way to prevent them is to keep your floors clean.

Keep Windows Shut

If you’re a homeowner, you probably already had to deal with a pest problem. Luckily, you can do many simple things to keep pests out of your home, and many of them are as simple as keeping the windows shut.

Keep Drains Clean

Keeping drains clean is one of the simplest ways to keep pests out of your home. Do a quick check of your sinks, tubs, and shower drains throughout your home, and take note of the condition of your drains. If required, hire experts to get it unclogged or cleaned properly. Cleaning them regularly will help you prevent any unwanted pests from venturing into your home.

With summer almost here, many insects will be entering your home. Bugs can enter your home for a number of different reasons, including your home is dirty and the availability of an easy food source. To keep your home pest free, you need to stay on top of your cleaning game. Seal cracks and crevices, and clean out your trash cans, to prevent outdoor pests such as mice and rats from entering your home. You can also consider hiring Pest Control service from your neighborhood to do the treatment and completely remove pest infestation.

It’s important to have preventive measures to avoid an infestation. Never leave food out, like pet food or bird seed. Take any step you can to make it as difficult as possible for pests to enter your home.

Common Winter Pests and How to Control Them

While winter is known for being cold and dreary, at least one thing that comes with the season that many people are happy about: no bugs, the honeybees have finished their summer labor, the mosquitoes have flown south, and the pests that can ruin your lawn, food, and picnic are hibernating. But just because the above-mentioned bugs are hibernating doesn’t mean you can relax, since the appearance of other pests like cockroaches, ants, and spiders seems to ensure that winter is coming.

That is why many people wait for the winter to end. The notoriety of the pests that are already getting ready to come out is infamous, which is why you can take action now if you’re sick of them. However, for that, you need to learn what these pests are and how to control them.

You may have another option of selling your house if you think pest control will be too much work, especially due to termites. Termites can eat up wood and furniture as well as can damage walls and foundations. So in that case, it could be better to look for an estate agent by searching for sell my house fast Bellingham or wherever you are situated and get the best deal on your house.

Anyways, if your house is still salvageable, you can learn more about how to deal with different pests.

Mice and Rats

During the cold winter months, mice and rats will seek shelter and warmth. They can fit through very small openings, so removing entry points is an effective way to keep them out of your home. It is also effective to remove food and water sources. Replace any damaged roof tiles and repair any cracked roofing cement. Maintain a clean and clutter-free attic and garage. Instead of cardboard, store your items in plastic containers. If you have a lot of items stored that are not regularly used, you can consider renting a self storage unit in the Bronx or near your location to declutter the basement and attic space. You can also install chimney caps to keep mice and rats out of your chimney. Use wire mesh to cover your air vents. Food should be stored in airtight containers, and dirty dishes should not be left in the sink. Empty your trash cans on a regular basis and make sure the lids are secure. Do not leave trash bags lying around.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants love the cold winter months like most winter pests, and they can ruin your home. Wondering how? With the cold weather comes less activity, meaning less food for termites. So, they would feast on almost anything they find in your dwelling. Mostly, carpenter ants are attracted to moisture, so keep an eye out for dripping faucets, leaky pipes, or even leaking roofs.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are drawn to moisture and standing water. So, they can enter your home looking for food under any circumstance. Check your bathroom pipes for leaks on a regular basis and repair them as soon as possible. Remove any obstructions in the pipes to avoid bursting and leaks. Seal all pipe entry points into your home. You can also look for a bathroom remodeling contractor for plumbing and other repairs that can obstruct cockroaches from getting into the house. As for the kitchen, keep items off the floor by using plastic storage containers. Food (including pet food) should be stored in airtight containers. Keep dirty dishes out of the sink. Wipe down countertops, sweep, and vacuum regularly. Regularly clean under sinks, inside stoves, and behind appliances. Regularly empty the trash.

Bedbugs

Bed bugs can enter your home through luggage (be cautious of bed bugs when traveling!) or through furniture, boxes, bedding, and clothing. Therefore, inspect luggage, bedding, furniture, as well as other items prior to bringing them anywhere in your home. Use a mattress cover that completely encases the mattress and box springs. Vacuum regularly. Wash and dry bedding on high heat on a regular basis. After traveling, do the same with your clothes.
That said, even though bed bugs prefer to hide in mattresses, when in large numbers, they tend to hide in carpets and rugs too. This could be a sign of a severe bed bug infestation at home. If this is the case at your home, you may want to consider contacting companies similar to Starr Cleaning, who seem to offer Carpet Cleaning Gilbert AZ to help keep your rugs or carpets clean and pest-free.

Fleas

Fleas will enter your home on the backs of your pets. The first step in flea prevention is to treat your pets with a flea preventative measure, which can be administered via medicine, shampoo, or both. Also, look for fleas in your rugs, carpets, pet bedding, and furniture. Wash items, including pet bedding, with hot water regularly. Vacuum on a regular basis, and make sure to empty the vacuum after each use. Keep your grass mowed and shrubs trimmed to give fleas less space to hide. Keep in mind that fleas can enter your yard through wild animals as well, so don’t leave pet food out overnight to tempt them. Seal any entry points into the house or under porches to keep them out.

Spiders

Spiders prefer to hide in unused areas of the home. Store rarely used items in sealed containers made of plastic. Seal cracks and holes on the exterior of your home to prevent water from entering. Turn off your outdoor lights and use blinds or curtains to block out the light inside. Spiders are not attracted to lights, but other insects that the spiders feed on are. This takes away a food source for spiders. Keep shrubbery away from your house. Keep the grass mowed and debris away from your home. Regularly sweep and vacuum. Remove as much clutter as you can. Spiders and spider webs should be vacuumed.

Winter is a challenging time for homeowners, primarily because of pests. However, with a few tips and tricks, homeowners can successfully battle the tiny buggers that attack their homes during the cold season.

How to Maximize your New Furnace

If you have a new furnace installed in your home, you’ll be happy to know that they are more efficient than ever before. That could be a piece of great news for you because an efficient furnace means lower energy bills, greenhouse gas emissions, and maintenance costs.

However, since a newly-bought HVAC device for your home is a major investment, making the most of your purchase is crucial. Over time, your furnace can encounter a variety of situations and conditions, which is why it is prudent to maximize its efficiency. There are a few things that you can do to improve the functionality of your furnace–if you go through this blog post, then you can learn about them.

Get fall furnace maintenance

Fall is the time when the temperature drops, and so should your heating costs. By scheduling your fall furnace maintenance, you can stay comfortable without worrying about rising heating bills. Your furnace is your home’s main heating system, so having it serviced annually will give you peace of mind. Additionally, if you have a furnace that runs on heating oil, consider getting a tank installed and refilled before the winter hits so that you are prepared in advance to deal with winter blues. Moreover, tank installations and fuel oil furnaces can be cheaper than using electric furnaces since they can increase monthly bills.

Change filters regularly

When spring approaches, summer comes knocking. This means that you would not be using the device anymore, at least not like you would in the colder months. Hence, your furnace would be sitting idly. This could lead the filters to be filled with dirt, cobwebs, and whatnot! The clogged filters, when not cleaned during the warmer months, could, therefore, lead to a malfunction of the device when you start operating it again during the winter. Not only would that cost you money on sudden repairs but also reduce the system’s efficiency. That is why it is prudent to change the filters at regular intervals, even when you are not using the appliance.

Have ductwork cleaned and sealed

Now’s the time to do something about your ductwork. Air ducts are hollow tubes that carry air from your heating and cooling system throughout your home. Over time, condensation and debris can collect and build up inside the ducts, causing a bad smell. But did you know this buildup is associated with health problems, including skin rashes and asthma? These buildups can pollute the indoors with small dust particles that can damage your lungs. This can cause uneasiness while sleeping and can even give rise to other pulmonary problems. You may then have to look for pulmonary experts like the ones available at Gwinnett Pulmonary & Sleep (https://gwinnettlung.com/) and get the appropriate treatments to recover from such health problems. Therefore, it might be essential to have your air ducts thoroughly cleaned by a duct cleaning service. To locate a service provider, you can do a quick web search using keywords such as “Duct Cleaning Willmar MN” (or whatever your location is).

Install an energy-efficient thermostat

January is time for everyone to pay more attention to their electricity. Hence, it is time to adopt a thermostat that could be smart and intelligent enough to adapt to human surroundings. Those devices can help you save money by automatically adjusting throughout different hours of the day instead of just monitoring the temperature. Some can even detect when you’re away from home, so the system won’t run unnecessarily, reducing wear and tear on your HVAC unit.

Balance indoor humidity levels

Humidity is an essential component of creating a healthy indoor environment in your home. The indoor humidity level should be around 40% to 60%. However, it’s usually best to have a humidity level of 40% to 50% (and not 60 %) to feel most comfortable and to help you avoid allergies and respiratory illnesses.

Consider a new furnace installation

When your old furnace stops working and appears to be beyond repair, it is time to think about replacing it with the help of professionals from firms like River City Heating & Air. However, before jumping into the process, it is crucial for you to understand the different types of furnaces available in the market. Additionally, it is important to know about the type of fuel a furnace uses. A natural gas furnace uses natural gas, while a propane furnace uses propane gas. Also, you should know that furnaces use a heat exchanger to heat the air that circulates through the home, which is provided by either a gas burner or an electric coil.

When you buy an appliance for your dwelling, you invest a lot of money in it, meaning that you would want the device to work as long as possible. However, the proper functioning of an HVAC device does not solely depend on the manufacturing process, it also relies on how good you are taking care of it when you bring it home. Remember that appliances are like babies, they need care, attention, and love to maximize their productivity.

How to Remove Tough Grease from your Kitchenware

It must be a great time savoring a meal that is made with your favorite ingredients. Eating then becomes more enjoyable. However, cooking up your favorite dish might sometimes not turn out to be as great as it should have been. Regardless of whether your oven isn’t working as it should and you haven’t had time to book an oven repair yet, or if the ingredients didn’t work like you thought they would, there could be many reasons why you haven’t enjoyed it. But have you ever thought about if the grease from your meal ends up on your pots and pans? This can be particularly annoying when cooking up a meatloaf or fried chicken as it could hinder the process of washing your cookware.

To be really honest, grease is inevitable when cooking. Most recipes call for greasing pans and skillets, which highlights the fact that grease is necessary for cooking. There is no denying, however, that grease can also create some pretty nasty messes. Unfortunately, grease traps won’t always work; even if they do, some grease from your meal can slip through the cracks and wind up on your pots and pans. For removing sticky grease from your utensils, you may need kitchen Cleaners Supplies. If not cleaned properly, it may cause stains on the countertop and carpets.

When handling grease, you may need to be careful because it can stain the carpet. As well, the carpet appears to be difficult to clean easily. If this happens, the dirt and oily grease on the carpet may need to be removed by a Carpet Cleaning service. Regarding how to remove grease from kitchenware, there are a few simple methods you can use. If you are interested to learn about them, you can go through this article.

Baking soda

Although baking soda is typically thought of as a baking ingredient, it can also be used as a household cleaning agent. A buildup of tough grease on cookware, for example, can easily be removed with a solution of warm water and baking soda. It can create a chemical reaction with water that releases the particles of grease stuck to the surface. Simply scrub the cookware with a scrub brush and rinse under warm water. And you are done!

Lemon

There aren’t many things more annoying than having to deal with stubborn food grease splatters all over your home, whether on your kitchen countertops or the stovetop. But thanks to lemon juice, you can clean everything pretty easily. Mix a measured amount of the juice with an equal amount of water and let sit for a few minutes. Then, use a sponge to scrub the greasy spots. The acidic lemon juice will cut through the grease, and you can then proceed to wash it away with just water.

Vegetable oil

Vegetable oil is one of the effective ingredients that can be used to completely remove tough grease from your kitchenware. The healthy oils which are often used in cooking and help human bodies burn energy have numerous benefits. As said earlier, they can be used to remove grease. Put that on the surface and let it sit for a while. The enzymes in it will break down the grease, after which you can wipe it away with a clean rag.

Cornstarch and water

Cornstarch is an optional ingredient, although knowing how it works is helpful. When cornstarch is mixed with water, the mixture forms a paste. This paste can be brushed onto cookware, and as it dries, it absorbs grease. Therefore, you can clear tough grease from your cookware with cornstarch and water.

Hot water

Hot water can do miracles. And if you did not know this yet, then it is time you do. It is the next best solution if cleaners such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice don’t do the trick. Pour a cup or two of boiling water and a few drops of dish soap on the troublesome utensil; the grease should disappear instantly.

Rice water

Rice water has many benefits; it is an all-natural cleaning agent and is easy to use. Usually, people use white rice for rice water. However, you can also go with brown rice. If you want to clean out the grease in your stainless-steel cookware, simply use the residual water on the spots. Leave it for a few minutes and wipe it off.

When cooking a meal, there is the possibility that some of your ingredients may include some meats, vegetables, and sauces, which can leave behind stubborn marks and spots on the utensils and can be hard to remove. This could prove to be a problem because once the spots harden, they turn into grease sticks and can be impossible to get rid of. While most people, try using liquid soap, they do not know that these stains can be removed easily by following the above-mentioned tips.

Welcome

Hey there I’m Matt Jenson and I would proudly call myself the tidiest person in the world! I am obsessed with making my home clean and a place that I can feel comfortable within. I want this blog to be a go-to page for cleaning and home renovation advice, I really want to share everything I have learned over the years to help people who may be overwhelmed by the clutter collecting within their homes.