3 Tips For Creating a Useable Attic Room

Not everyone has an easily accessible attic, but those who do may decide to change the space from a dusty, neglected area of the house to an attractive, useable room. Before hauling up furniture and accessories, it is a good idea to make sure the structure is sound and that the room will be comfortable to be in all year long.

1. Consider Heating and Cooling

Attics are often hot in the summer and cold in the winter and tend to be rather dry. Evaluate the existing insulation and determine if adding spray foam insulation Maryland will even out the temperature. Examine the ductwork and see if it is feasible to extend the system into the attic. If that is not possible, portable heating and cooling options may need to be considered.

2. Seal Leaks

Leaky, drafty attics should be checked thoroughly to ensure all cracks are sealed. Some airflow is necessary, but holes in the wall, roof or vents can allow unwanted air to enter or escape and may even invite rodents or insects into the home. If water leaks are detected, they should be dealt with immediately, as water can seep into small areas and create big problems throughout a house.

3. Add Natural Light

Many attics have small windows that do not let in much light. Unless the darkness is appreciated for something like a home theater, add windows if possible. If that is not an option, then painting the room white or in other light colors can make the area seem larger and brighter, especially if mirrors are added to reflect available light into the rest of the room.

Remodeling a room takes time, money and hard work, but the end results can be worth the effort. An extra room may add value to the home and be enjoyed by the members of the household for years or decades to come.

4 Water Saving Tips for Businesses

Cutting back on water usage is important in today’s environmentally conscious society. Your business can cut back on water usage by adhering to one or more of the tips below.

Install Motion Activated Sinks and Toilets

Your office will save money on the water bill through the installation of motion activated faucets and toilets. These devices cut back on water waste and prevent excessive usage, saving the total amount used daily.

Fix Water Pressure Issues

If your office is located in a tall building, you may have already experienced water pressure issues on the top floors. You can easily solve this problem by installing a water pressure booster NYC. This machine gives the water located in pipes underground an energetic (and metaphorical) shove toward the top floors, keeping the water pressure equal on all of the floors. Your employees will waste less water with good pressure.

Use a Water Delivery Service

Instead of having your employees use a water fountain, you should sign up for a drinking water delivery service. A delivery of large water jugs will be delivered at your office however many times a week you need them, so your employees can still bring their reusable bottles to save on plastic use. The water service will pick up and reuse the empty jugs to help with that endeavor too.

Hire a Plumber for an Inspection

To make sure your plumbing is working efficiently, you should hire a licensed plumber to complete a full inspection annually. He or she will check for hidden leaks, make any necessary repairs, and give recommendations to make your plumbing work better. Well running plumbing equals a lower water bill.

All of these ideas will help your office save money on the water bill by cutting back on the amount of water used daily.

Keeping Every Part of Your Bathroom Clean

Whether you are a neat freak or not, there are likely certain areas of your home that you want to make sure are clean at all times. One of these areas is the bathroom. No one wants to take a shower or brush their teeth in a restroom that has not been cleaned in a long time, so consider these tips for keeping it in great shape.

Shower

If you have had glass doors installed by commercial & residential glass services Washington NJ, you may wonder how to keep them looking great. You will want to make sure that the glass is clean and does not look streaky; soap and hard water stains can be unsightly. Use a squeegee every day after using your shower to keep this at bay.

Bathtub

No matter how much you clean your bathtub, a ring around the tub will make it look dirty. If you are having trouble finding products that will remove stubborn stains, consider looking up a video online or researching products specifically for this purpose.

Sink

Sinks can get clogged if you do not clean the drains often enough. Set a reminder on your phone to do some monthly maintenance, and be sure to use a safe drain cleaner. This will keep your pipes running more smoothly and cause less plumbing problems for you in the future.

Toilet

Your toilet is probably one of the fixtures that you want to keep the cleanest and rightfully so. You can use products that release cleaners every time the toilet is flushed, or you can use a stronger cleaner as often as you deem necessary. Just be sure to replace your toilet cleaning brush often so that it does not harbor too much bacteria.

When you keep these cleaning tips in mind, your bathroom will sparkle every day of the week.

3 Great Ways to Prepare Your Home to Stand Out on the Housing Market

Are you preparing to sell your home? No matter what market you’re selling in, you need to be sure that your home is poised to make an excellent first impression on all who come through your door. Here are three tips to ensure that your home is ready to be competitive as soon as you list it.

1. Add Curb Appeal

Real estate experts always stress the importance of curb appeal when selling a home, and it’s easy to see why. Potential buyers know almost immediately whether a property is the right one for them. To give your home undeniable curb appeal, give your landscaping a refresher before your first open house. The experts in plantscape designs San Jose CA will bring your yard up to a high standard that potential buyers will love, generating more interest in your home and leading to a quick sale.

2. Remove Unnecessary Clutter

Clutter distracts potential buyers from getting a good look at the main features that your home has to offer. Reduce these distractions by decluttering your interior prior to listing. You should remove unnecessary personal items from each room, and don’t forget to clear out the clutter in the garage.

3. Perform a Thorough Cleaning

It’s no secret that a dirty house can be a huge turn off to potential buyers. Deep clean the interior and the exterior of the house. On the inside, be sure to focus on high-traffic areas like the kitchens and bathrooms. On the outside, use a pressure washer to clean dirt and grime from exterior walls and all paved surfaces and hardscape areas.

When it comes to selling a home, it’s all about making your property stand out from the rest. Keep these tips in mind as you prepare your home for sale and you’ll generate buyer interest from the very start.

Upgrading to a 3 Bedroom Apartment for Space and Convenience

There are several advantages to renting 3 bedroom apartments. It is a big deal to have your own spacious apartment; especially for first-time apartment renters. Many people rent three bedroom apartments specifically for the added space. This is true if it is a family moving in with children and if the person runs a home-based business. If a person wants to improve their quality of life, a three-bedroom would be an ideal upgrade. This would be the person who prefers to reside in a nice community or complex with a secured gate and security guard.

Making a Change

If you are going to rent the 3 bedroom apartment and this is for a family of four with two kids and a husband and wife, it would be perfect because both children would get their own rooms and the husband and wife would have their own privacy. This is a good decision because everyone would feel comfortable and safe. The decision to move into a 3 bedroom rental could be as a result of being crammed into a 1 or 2 bedroom and it got too much to bear and so the move was made for a bigger space. It makes sense and the family would be much happier.

 Convenient Location

There is nothing but positivity in renting a three-bedroom apartment, especially if it is in a convenient location. Most people choose their 3 bedroom apartments because of the space that it offers, but another factor to take into account is the location and its convenience. And so, while searching for an apartment, many families start their search by location first.

The Amenities

In addition to the location and environment, many of the apartments have excellent amenities that cater to families. This means that they may have a fitness center or gym, community center, car parking lot, and swimming pools. And so, the kids will have a lot of activities to do. If you want to rent one of the 3 bedroom apartments Forest Hills offer, you may start by doing online research or contacting an agent who can assist.

3 Ways for Cities To Be Safer

Larger urban areas offer their residents excitement, numerous entertainment options, and a vibrant feeling of activity that many find appealing. However, these advantages of urban life can come with additional risks if city officials have not made safe living a priority. Here are three ways cities can be safer.

Adequate and Involved Law Enforcement

Larger cities need active forces of adequate numbers of trained police officers who care about the communities in which they work. In an ideal situation that often proves most effective, residents and police work together to solve crime and create community-driven solutions.

Those who become police officers usually do so because they want to help others. They make the lives of city residents safer by offering protection, support, and help. There are some specific qualities that go a long way to determining individuals’ success in working as police officers.

Safer Driving Conditions

Getting behind the wheel of a vehicle is convenient and often quick, though in larger cities busy traffic conditions may make public transport a more attractive option. Some urban residents may not own personal vehicles. Whether individuals are driving, however, or using public transportation, officials can take steps to create and maintain safer roadway conditions for all. For example, an effective traffic control plan Washington makes getting from here to there less risky and more efficient.

Foster Inclusive Environments

Some particular groups often feel threatened in urban settings. They may face more harassment than others in the population. These at-risk people include women and ethnic groups. Safety has very real social dimensions, and residents of communities must be encouraged to work together to create secure environments for all.

Safer Living

Urban life can be exciting, but it also presents safety challenges. Officials and residents can work together to lessen and even possibly eliminate threats to city populations. When the community pulls together to make a better life for all, good things happen.

Prepare Your Long Island Home for Winter With These 4 Tasks

While many homeowners think of the summer as a great time to do renovations and improvements, there are some tasks that are best left for cooler weather. Now is the time to prepare for the upcoming cooler weather with a few basic home maintenance tasks like these.

1. Put the Gardens to Bed

You’ve enjoyed the outdoors all summer long, but now it’s time to get the landscape ready for winter. You can choose to remove spent plants or let them die back naturally, depending on your gardening preferences. Clean, service and store all outdoor equipment that won’t get used again until the spring. It’s also a good idea to schedule someone to winterize sprinkler system Manorville NY to avoid any broken heads or cracks.

2. Schedule a Furnace Tune Up

No matter how you heat your home, a pre-season inspection and tune up is a good idea. It will help you avoid some of the more common problems that can leave you stuck in the cold later one. If you rely on propane or oil to power the system, check to make sure fuel levels are sufficient. Have any chimneys or exhaust systems thoroughly inspected for cracks or clogs that could cause potentially dangerous fumes to come back into the house. Keeping extra filters on hand is a good idea, too.

3. Put Down Pest Prevention

When the weather turns cool, insects and other pests will try to find a warm place to nest. Unfortunately, that often means your house. Putting down preventative pest control measures will help keep them outside where they belong.

4. Clean the Gutters

Gutters serve an integral role in keeping rainwater away from the foundation of a house, but they can’t do that when they are clogged with leaves and debris. Take an afternoon to clean them out. You can also install special screens so you won’t have to do this every year.

Even if you prefer the warmth of summer to snowy winters, taking these preventative steps can ensure your home weathers the cold weather.

Tips for Saving on the Cost of Moving

Moving to a new place can bring a lot of excitement into your life, but it can also prove more expensive than expected. You want to unpack your old belongings and get settled once you move, not deal with a hole in your wallet. Here are a few tips for managing moving costs Hopkins MN.

Move During the Off-Season

If possible, delay your move to between October and April. That is the off-season, which is when moving companies often see a dip in business. You can take advantage of the lull and receive reduced prices from movers. Pushing your moving date back could result in substantial savings.

Donate, Sell or Throw Away Belongings

Moving is the perfect time to go through your belongings and divide items you want to keep, sell, donate or throw away. The less you have to move, the more time and money you save. Additionally, selling items puts money in your pocket, and donating can help you during the next tax season. You do not want to get to your new place and learn that you brought items with you that you do not want and do not plan to use.

Consider Using Moving Containers

While you may prefer to hire professionals to help with your move, your schedule may not work with theirs. For instance, you may only be able to move during the evening or nighttime, when most moving businesses close for the day. If this sounds similar to your situation, work with moving companies that offer moving containers. That way, you still have a space large enough to move your furniture and other belongings, but you do not have to rush or adjust your schedule more than what you feel comfortable with.

You do not have to take out a small loan for your move. Learn how to expedite the process without spending a dime more than necessary.

Understanding Closing Costs When Buying a Home

Few things are as exciting as buying your first home. That said, few things are more confusing than buying your first home. Selling and buying real estate Toms River comes with closing costs. Learn what such costs are to create a more realistic budget for your home purchase.

Defining Closing Costs

Paid when finalizing a home purchase, closing costs compensate professionals who help insure, fund and approve the sale. Buyers can add closing costs to their mortgage to cover them, and such costs usually total roughly 5% of a property’s purchase price. 

Lender Fees

Closing costs for lenders vary from company to company. Specifically, lender closing costs consist of discount points that help lower the interest rate on your mortgage. That is why you should shop around for an ideal loan that matches your financial resources. 

Homeowner Fees

When creating your home-buying budget, account for homeowner’s insurance, property tax and homeowners association fees. True, you must pay these fees every year, but when you buy a home, you store these homeowners fees in escrow. For that reason alone, include them in your budget. Do not forget to calculate for escrow account fees, which you must pay to set up the holding account.

Third-Party Fees

Along the way to becoming a homeowner, you may have to pay a credit report fee, appraisal fee or tax service fee. Separately, third-party fees may not make much of a dent in your bank account, but together, they can make you feel as if you need to take out a small loan to cover the total fee amount. Ensure that you know the difference between fixed fees and billed services that you can shop around for.

Do not let closing costs hit you with sticker shock. Determine which costs you must pay and how much they are.

Things You Need to Remember For Your Major Renovation Project

If you are considering a major renovation, the idea of building and altering your residence can be immensely exciting. Don’t let yourself get carried away, as there are important steps that you need to consider during the process. Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind to ensure that your project moves along smoothly.

Removing Trash and Debris

For a renovation project, you need a plan for debris removal Auburn. Your regular waste removal services will not transport the trash and debris from a large construction project, so you need to make sure that you have a plan in place before you break ground.

Sticking to Your Budget While Having Some Flexibility

You will need to designate a budget for your renovation; however, it is important that you also build in contingency funding. Remodels can often present unfortunate and hidden surprises and having some flexibility in your plan will help you be ready for this. It is critical that you not use this money for flashy additions or changes to your plan though, as this can lead to budgetary nightmares.

Remembering Additional Costs

When you are financing a remodel, you need to keep in mind that there are other expenses beyond the materials and workers. When you build your budget and as the project progresses, keep in mind that you need to consider additional expenses like inspections, interior design costs, moving expenses and furniture.

Avoiding Common Missteps

It can be hard to keep track of all of the steps within a renovation project. If you want to avoid a major headache of a project, make sure that you avoid common mistakes and missteps. Don’t let yourself get too caught up in the process and make sure that you have an organizational system and a clear plan.

Renovation projects can leave you with the home and space that you have always dreamed of; however, they can also be a major hassle if you aren’t careful. Keep in mind key steps, stay organized and plan carefully and you will be sure to be happy with the end result.

Four Ways Companies Conserve Energy and Natural Resources

These days the green movement is in vogue, and that is a good thing for all living beings. Making choices based on awareness of the delicacy of the environment involves many factors for individuals, corporations, and cities. Here are four ways companies can become more efficient with energy and natural resources.

Programmable Thermostats

Businesses with large facilities and campuses can use less energy and enjoy lower utility bills by installing programmable thermostats in buildings. With pre-set temperatures, employees can stay comfortable with wiser energy usage.

Wise Water Use

Companies can make smart choices that conserve one of the most valuable natural resources—water. From choosing low-flow toilets to suspended solid removal from cooling towers Boston MA, there are ways each day that businesses can use water more wisely.

Smart Lighting

By adopting smart ways to conserve electricity, companies get lower bills and contribute to a brighter future for the planet. Lighting is a big drain on power, but companies can save energy by replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps, or CFLs. Another easy way to save energy is to eliminate old, inefficient, and unnecessary lighting throughout all buildings.

Equipment Management

Office equipment is another big drain on power, but there are multiple ways to save energy and still have the equipment needed to get the job done.

  • Turn off everything during non-business hours.
  • Laptop computers are more efficient than desktop models.
  • When buying new equipment or even vending machines, look for ENERGY STAR

Companies and employees depend on office equipment, but using them with the mindset of saving energy helps the planet and the budget.

Energy for Business

Companies can do all the business needed and still save energy. Some changes may require new equipment or materials, but some simply require a fresh way of looking at things. Using energy and resources wisely benefits the entire planet for the long run and is worth any required effort.

 

What You Need To Know About Fires and Fire Extinguishers

They are a very recognizable item. Usually, fire extinguishers are bright red and may have a hose that projects the fire extinguishing solution. The average fire extinguisher puts out most fires, right? It turns out that there are several different classes of fires and types of fire extinguishers. Knowing which extinguishers to use for each class of fire could save lives and property.

Classes of Fires

Four different classes of fires exist, and they are denoted with the first four letters of the alphabet. When cloth, wood, paper, and some plastics and other ordinary solid combustibles burn, it is considered a Class A fire. Fires that are best put out by smothering, including flammable liquids such as grease, gasoline, alcohol, oil, and ether, are Class B fires. Class C fires include wiring, appliances, and electrical equipment, and the extinguishing agent protects against electrical shock. Some flammable metallic substances, including potassium and sodium, constitute Class D fires.

Types of Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers Staten Island NY come in four different types. To avoid personal injury or property damage, it is crucial to use the right type of fire extinguisher on the right class of fire. If the wrong type of extinguisher were used, it could spread the fire, cause an explosion or electric shock. Small, portable fire extinguishers can be useful for small fires but are no match for large, spreading fires.

Type A fire extinguishers are pressurized water and should be used on Class A fires only. Putting water on flammable liquids (Class B) or electrical fires (Class C) could cause electric shock and may spread the fire. The Type ABC fire extinguisher is a dry chemical that can be used on all classes of fires. A Type BC fire extinguisher can extinguish electrical and chemical fires with carbon dioxide as an extinguishing agent. A Type K fire extinguisher puts out grease fires in kitchens.

Not all fire extinguishers look alike, but many have the traditional red fire extinguisher look familiar. There should be a sticker on the fire extinguisher that identifies the type. It may be challenging to remember to read a label when a fire is burning, but the consequences of using the wrong one are significant. In any case, fire experts warn that a small Class A fire may be easily put out by a Type A fire extinguisher but large, electrical, chemical, or spreading fires are more dangerous. People should not try to put out these types of fires.