4 Upgrades You'll Likely Need to Make to an Older Home

Depending on your point of view, upgrading an older home can be an exciting venture or a bad dream. If you have the right tools to maximize the positive, upgrades become much friendlier. All homes have one thing in common; functionality. A home worthy of inhabiting should have the bare basics of a safe structure, decent air quality, and clean running water. If a home's structure and overall integrity lacks attention, health risks increase, and home values decrease.

Foundation, Structural, and Air Quality Attention

Foundation problems will encourage further stresses on walls, windows, and doors. It can allow expensive insulation problems to occur as air escapes due to constitutional shifting. Where cracks are viewed inside or outside, the home should be considered under significant stress. A professional estimate for damage is needed to assure the integrity of the home's structural components.

If mold and mildew are an issue, an HVAC company should be contacted immediately to correct the battle between cold and hot air intruding within the home's bones. Heating and cooling a home are more than just about comfort. It is a significant support system for assisting in a home's building materials and interior possessions from degrading. Air-conditioning vents also should be clean, free of condensation and algae to protect against water damage and poor air-quality.

Kitchen Duty

The kitchen is one of the most popular hot spots of the home. It is also a very specific area where safety is a high priority. That means keeping appliances, plumbing and moisture in check. If leaks are an issue, check behind walls where faucet and refrigerator connections are. Often, refrigerators require filter changes. When left unchecked, minor flooding capable of destroying flooring can happen.

Bathroom Duty

Refreshing a bathroom doesn't have to be expensive. Replacing an old toilet, sink bowl, faucet, and flooring can instantly spruce up an older home's atmosphere without breaking the bank. Need a little bathtub TLC? DIY bathtub refinishing won't cost an arm and a leg., while giving a cleaner, more updated look.

Curb Appeal

If you're wondering whether your home needs an outdoor facelift, it probably does. Focus on one thing at a time. Check the latest trends in easy gardening or paint colors. Will that sidewalk put others at risk from uneven stepping? What about addressing old mailboxes, bare grass patches, and dead tree limbs?

Smart home upgrades matter. Spend a little or a lot. Either way, that valued older home will thank you!

How to Get the Most Out of Your Kitchen

During this past year, many restaurants were closed or forced to run at minimum capacity, and a lot of people were forced to cook at home. Parents with children were spending more time in their kitchen than they had ever anticipated. Kitchens come in all different shapes and sizes, and it’s important to make the most of the space you have. Whether small or large, a kitchen is a space where organization and continuity should be a priority to aid in reaching the room’s full potential. Here are a few tips to help your kitchen function as smoothly as possible, and cut down on any wasted space.

Take Advantage of Wall Space

Usually when homeowners start searching for storage space, they only identify the space that’s right in front of them. Wall space can often be an untapped resource for creating storage space within your home and especially your kitchen. When considering using wall space, it’s important to recognize that certain spots within your home are harder to manipulate. Often, interior walls are perfect candidates, so this depends on what you want to use the storage space for. 

In your kitchen, a great start to creating storage space is building shelving within the walls. Open shelves in your kitchen can store almost anything you can think of such as spices, ingredients, plates, and other kitchen items. To get even more use out of your wall space, consider creative ways to use wall racks and hooks. For example, a pegboard is a great way to hang utensils and other kitchen tools. In addition, containers like baskets or trays don’t have to sit on the floor or countertops. Instead, rotate them around and strategically mount them to the wall where deemed fit. You can use these accessories for storage or décor purposes while adding new elements to your home.

Pick the Right Appliances

Regardless of the size of your kitchen, the most essential features are your appliances. It’s crucial to make the most of the space you have and choose the proper appliances, as cooking can become extremely difficult and taxing without them. Homeowners with a smaller kitchen might invest in smaller appliances to save room and make space for other items they might need. In other cases, some homeowners might want to consider appliances that are more sustainable or energy-efficient, which can lead to a drastic reduction in your electricity bills. In fact, investing in energy-efficient appliances can be more cost effective over time, as appliances account for approximately 20% of a homeowner’s electricity bills.

Either way, before purchasing appliances, homeowners must review their budget and how much they are willing to spend. Prior to purchasing, it’s important to plan the layout of your kitchen and measure the spaces where these appliances will be placed. Once you’re ready to make the purchase, homeowners should consider utilizing a home warranty to ensure these often-costly investments stand the test of time. This can create peace of mind for homeowners who are just moving into a new home or are looking for a fresh start.

Consider a Kitchen Renovation

At times, a kitchen can be a make-or-break aspect for people house hunting or looking to buy a new home. Similar to picking the right appliances, starting a kitchen renovation can take a lot of planning and budgeting. It’s imperative to accurately plan out a budget and clearly understand your wants and needs to make your kitchen the best space for you.

When it comes to the actual renovation aspect of the project, leave it up to the professionals. Hiring a contractor will help legitimize the process while saving homeowners from danger and time-consuming labor. Although it may seem like you have to go backward to move forwards, leaving tasks in trustworthy hands will save you a great deal of trouble in the future. In the long run, you will be happy you did the renovation as your kitchen will take on a more personalized and comfortable feel.

Utilize Extra Storage Space 

In order to create more space, take advantage of the often forgotten spaces that a kitchen can provide. Kitchen storage is one thing that some homeowners often overlook and can cause frustration down the line. Utilize the space you have by maximizing your counter space and organizing your pantry. Take inventory or use baskets to label each item, so you know exactly where it is and how much space you need. Try using a pegboard or even wall hangers for items like pots and pans to provide excess room in your cabinets.

You should also consider purchasing a stainless steel drying rack for easy access after washing and drying certain utensils and other commonly used items. For essential cleaning supplies often located under the sink, place a rod underneath where you can hang spray bottles leaving room on the bottom of the sink for other supplies. Though there are plenty of other DIY items that can make your kitchen as organized as possible, these are amongst the most effective.

There is a sense of pride in having a well-organized kitchen that uses efficient ways to distribute space. For homeowners, parents, and caretakers, a kitchen is a place where organization is key to production. These suggestions can be used as resources for finding the most effective ways to approach your kitchen space.

Everything You Touch Has Bacteria, Viruses, and Other Germs

Learn all about sanitizing and disinfecting the things you touch every day to keep colds and viruses at bay.

With the end of the Coronavirus pandemic nowhere in sight, protecting ourselves against germs like bacteria and viruses is more important than ever. Whether in our homes, at work, or at the grocery store, our immune systems are fighting a constant battle against contaminants that can make us sick. Before we get started, though, let’s talk about the difference between sanitizing and disinfecting. 

Sanitizing can mean cleaning, disinfecting, or both. When you sanitize, you are lowering the amount of viruses and bacteria to a safe level. Your home, workplace, school, and favorite restaurant all have plenty of germs to go around, so sanitizing should be standard practice. In a nutshell, sanitizing means decreasing the amount of germs your immune system has to battle. Whether you do that by mopping with a floor cleaner or using a disinfectant on kitchen counters, anything you do to wipe away germs can be labeled sanitary.  

Disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs like viruses on surfaces and objects. Disinfecting doesn't just clean or remove germs from surfaces, it wipes them out completely. Some common disinfectants are bleach and commercial sprays, but there are plenty of safe, more natural alternatives. You're already fighting an onslaught of germs; why add toxic chemicals to the mix? Rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, and steam are all proven alternatives for disinfecting without harsh chemicals.

How to Sanitize and Disinfect Safely

The EPA recommends six steps for using disinfectants safely:

1. According to the EPA, only use disinfectants proven against bacteria and viruses like COVID-19. How can you tell? Find the EPA registration number on your disinfectant and look it up on the EPA list. 

2. Follow the directions on the label. This information will tell you how to use the disinfectant and what you can use it on.  

3. Clean before you disinfect. Regular dish soap and water should be enough for most dirty surfaces.

4. Give the disinfectant enough time to get the job done. The label on your disinfectant should tell you how long you should leave it. 

5. Protect yourself by wearing disposable plastic gloves and tossing them after each use. It's also a good idea to wear protective eyewear when you're using disinfectants. 

6. Store disinfectants and other hazardous household products away from children and pets. 

Now that you know the difference between sanitizing and disinfecting, remember—for protection against viruses like Coronavirus, you want to disinfect. To minimize germs in your home, make regular cleaning and disinfecting a part of your daily routine. 

How to Sanitize and Disinfect Frequently Touched Areas

Viruses, bacteria, and other germs contaminate surfaces all over our homes. From kitchen counters to doorknobs, bathroom faucets to switch plates, the things we most often touch are covered in germs, creating a thriving cycle of cross-contamination.

Anything we touch in our homes can become contaminated, so germs have an easy time spreading from room to room—and person to person! Disinfecting tables and chairs, kitchen counters, sinks, drawer pulls, and other high-touch surfaces every day can decrease your risk of infection.  

Distilled white vinegar or rubbing alcohol will clean and disinfect most things around the house:

• Light switches

• Appliance handles

• Drawer and cabinet pulls

• Faucets

• Counters

• Remote controls

• Game controllers

While you can keep most of these surfaces pretty germ-free with daily sanitizing, frequent disinfecting is especially important during a pandemic.

For hard surfaces, carpets, and upholstery, a steam cleaner is an awesome germ-killing machine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, steam, at 212 Fahrenheit, kills flu viruses and 99.9 percent of germs, including Salmonella, staph bacteria, and E. coli. That's a lot of nasty stuff you can get rid of quickly and easily—and steam cleaners are also handy for cleaning and deodorizing all around the house.  

Disinfecting in the Kitchen

• Clean countertops, sinks, faucets, cabinet pulls, appliance handles and knobs, and switch plates. Follow up with your disinfectant of choice. 

• Choose kitchen cloths and scrubbers you can wash in hot water and replace them each day. 

• Clean spills right away so they don't attract dirt and germs.

• Take out garbage daily and spray trash cans with disinfectant.

Disinfecting in the Bathroom

• Clean and disinfect the bathroom sink and faucet, drawer and cabinet pulls, switch plates, and vanity top.

• Empty trash and disinfect the trash can daily.

• Disinfect the toilet lid, seat, and flush handle at least every day.

• Don't use towels or washcloths more than once to prevent germs and mildew.

Disinfecting Toys

• For dishwasher-safe toys, run them through the dishwasher once a week. This works well for rattles, plastic toys, and bath toys. 

• Plush toys, blankets, pillows, and other fabric items can be disinfected by using your washing machine's hot water cycle. 

• Distilled white vinegar is a safe, proven disinfecting solution for toys. Remember that while vinegar can kill pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella, it isn't effective for many viruses, like Coronavirus.   

How to Disinfect That Thing in Your Hand and Other Electronics

According to Forbes, many of the things we touch every day can be covered in 10 times more bacteria than your average toilet seat. Pretty disgusting, especially if you're reading this on your smartphone. Smartphones top the list for frequently touched items that harbor the most germs. There could be over 25,000 bacteria per square inch on your beloved smartphone! 

Tablets and e-readers, game controllers, keyboards, and remote controls are the next worse offenders. According to the Forbes report, all that contamination puts us at risk for E. coli bacteria, flu viruses, and other stuff that makes us sick. But before you spray down all your electronics with disinfectant, read on to find out how to disinfect your gear safely.  

Cleaning and disinfecting electronics is easy when you take a few precautions. Start by checking your device's manual for cleaning recommendations and warnings. Disconnect electronics that are plugged in and remove batteries before you clean and disinfect your electronics.  

Sanitizing Smartphones

Smartphones are magnets for germs, dirt, and grime that come in contact with our hands, ears, and mouths over and over each day. To safely clean and disinfect your smartphone, start by using a clean, damp microfiber cloth to remove visible dirt and grime. 

Don't use spray disinfectants. Instead, try rubbing alcohol or disinfecting wipes. Be careful using these on screens with protective coatings and make sure to not get your phone too wet. This cleaning and sanitizing process works on e-readers, tablets, and other personal devices with screens, too.

Disinfecting Headphones

For music and podcast lovers, headphones are as much a necessity as that smartphone. Using headphones means even more dirt and germs come in contact with your hands, face, and ears. A clean, damp microfiber cloth will get rid of most germs on headphones and earbuds.  

If your headphones have detachable tips or bands, remove them and clean with soap and water. You should only clean Bluetooth headphones with a soft dry cloth because any moisture could damage them. To disinfect Bluetooth headphones, use a coffee filter slightly dampened with rubbing alcohol as a safe, lint-free disinfecting wipe. 

Cleaning and Disinfecting Laptops and Computers

Because your laptop is portable, it's exposed to plenty of dirt and germs from a lot of different places. Here's how to clean and sanitize a computer to minimize the spread of germs.

First, unplug your laptop and take out the battery. Turn your laptop upside-down and shake the debris out of the keyboard. Use a can of compressed air to blast the keyboard, inputs, and crevices. Use a clean, damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the screen and the other surfaces. Follow up by disinfecting the keyboard with a coffee filter dampened with rubbing alcohol. 

For desktop computers, clean the monitor with a damp microfiber cloth. Then, wipe down the back of the monitor, cords, the screen bezel, the computer tower, and your mouse. Shake debris from the keyboard and use compressed air to get under the keys and into crevices. Disinfect the keyboard and mouse with rubbing alcohol. 

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Sanitizing and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces can drastically reduce the amount of bacteria in your home and on your mobile devices. For protection during the pandemic, flu season, or any time the risk of infection is high, make these cleaning and disinfecting tips a daily habit. 

5 Telltale Signs You Need Residential Glass Repair

On average, the shelf life of glass is from 15 to 30 years. However, at some point, it is common for glass to experience a few problems. It's safe to assume you will need residential glass repair at one point or another.

For instance, if your window has massive cracks, a residential window repair makes practical sense. However, how do you figure out if glass needs repair if there are no glaring cracks? The following are foolproof signs it's time for a residential glass repair:

1. Water is seeping between the glass panels.

If you notice water entering your house during a rainy day, it is highly likely that glass repair is needed. Ideally, your door and glass windows should stop torrents from entering your house.

If water comes in through the glass, there is a possibility the glass pane is loose, or there are chips that are obscured from view. In similar cases, the solution would be to either repair or replace the glass, depending on how extensive the damage is.

Left unattended, water that comes into your home might lead to additional problems like molds and rot. That said, get in touch with your local glass repair expert at the first sign of water damage.

2. The glass no longer provides ambient noise protection.

A good door or glass window should be able to protect you from ambient and external noise. Sounds from outside the house can be disruptive. This is especially true if you work from home. 

If your glass windows or doors no longer provide any protection from outdoor noise, likely, it has not been sealed properly. Another possibility? You have poorly-made and low-quality residential glass.

If you reside in a busy and noisy neighborhood, a double or triple pane glass is considered ideal. Those types of glass have been known to help decrease external noise significantly.

3. The glass panes often get too foggy.

It is normal for glass panes to get foggy now and then. When warm air hits the cold air, condensation can occur on the glass and windows. If you notice that your windows cloud up more than usual, it's safe to assume there's a problem.

Glass windows that are working accordingly can keep the draft outside effectively. Foggy glass panes often mean there is a gap somewhere. This can also happen to glass tables or mirrors. 

In this case, it is recommended that you check with residential glass repair experts and have them inspect the problem. Some experts might recommend replacing your glass with a stain-free and energy-efficient type.

Understandably, you would have to pay extra up front. However, the long-term savings are worth it. If anything, it's an investment that will eventually pay for itself.

4. The heating and cooling costs are higher.

If you notice that your heating and cooling costs are higher than usual, there are two possibilities: you either have a faulty HVAC that needs to be replaced, or you have a non-insulating glass window.

Over time, glass windows become less energy-efficient. Non-glazed and low-quality ones can cause air to flow freely. It can also block the ambient temperatures from quickly passing through.

The more cold or heat radiates from outside, the less efficient your indoor systems can become. When this occurs, your heating and cooling system would need to work more. Taxing your HVAC system can lead to more energy consumption and higher utility bills.

Check if you can remedy the situation by adding curtains or blinds. If there is no improvement, a residential glass repair is the next logical step. Opt for energy-efficient glass windows and doors because they are designed to minimize ambient heat and cold.

Low-e glass and glazed windows with Argon and Krypton are also excellent and cost-effective options. They can save you a significant amount in the long run.

5. Glass windows and doors become harder to operate.

If your windows or doors at home become hard to operate, a glass repair might be necessary. This problem can be attributed to several factors. For instance, if you have a sliding shower door, this can be caused by a squeaky frame or a broken rail.

If you encounter a similar scenario at home, it is recommended that you check with a glass repair expert as soon as possible. It is also likely that you are not merely dealing with faulty window frames but a faulty installation as well.

As a general rule of thumb, have your glass inspected by a professional before attempting to replace it. A professional can get to the root of the problem right away and can recommend solutions that can fix any glass issues for good.

Over to You

While it can be tempting to fix any residential glass issues on your own, it is still ideal to invest in the services of an expert. Apart from fixing the problems accordingly, they can also recommend options that are durable and can save you money in the long run.