Make a Splash: Quick Steps for Dealing With a Burst Pipe Behind Your Walls

Hidden pipes are likely something that you rarely think about until they begin to cause a problem. Burst pipes are common in the winter time when temperatures dip below freezing, but they can also happen due to failing materials and other issues. Seeing water leaking from the walls is stressful, but you can quickly deal with the issue before too much damage occurs by taking these essential actions.

Shut Off the Water and Drain the Faucets

Stopping the water from flowing into the rest of the building is your biggest priority. Locate the emergency shut off valve and turn it until the water stops flowing. Keep in mind that these valves can sometimes be hard to shut off if it has been years since they’ve been touched. Once you get the water turned off, you can then open up the nearby faucets to get any remaining water out of the pipes.

Call for Professional Help

A burst pipe is considered to be a plumbing emergency. Plumbers know how to access the pipe in ways that minimize the damage to the wall. Your plumber will also be better able to locate the source of the leak since water might be running down from a different part of the wall than you suspect. Once they fix the broken part of the pipe, they can make recommendations to help you avoid dealing with this problem again.

Begin Cleaning Up the Visible Water

You can start cleaning up any obvious water puddles while you wait for the plumber. With the water shut off, you shouldn’t see much more water coming outside of the wall other than what might still be dripping down the walls. Mopping up the water helps to prevent damage to the floor and any other items that are located nearby.

Finish the Drying Out Process

After the final pipe repair, you can get started getting things completely back to normal. Depending upon how much water leaked out, you may need to replace parts of the drywall. Or, you might be fortunate enough to be able to use fans to help speed up the drying process. If the weather is nice, you can also open up windows and doors to stimulate more air flow to the area.

The time clock for preventing damage begins as soon as the first drops of water come out of the pipe. Always use caution when checking out plumbing leaks since there may be electrical wires nearby. Working quickly to get a professional on the scene helps to keep your family safe and potentially prevent you from needing to replace expensive building materials.

The Best Tips for Preserving Wood Furniture

Wood furniture is a beautiful addition to any home. Some interior design styles rely on natural wood furniture and finishes to complete a room entirely. But natural wood can be a bit tricky when it comes to upkeep, as it requires some extra effort to take care of it. Keep reading to discover the best tips for preserving wood furniture to make yours last for years to come.

Treat Wood With Care

Natural wood furniture has the benefit of being resilient and durable, which is why natural wood tables are superior to other materials. However, even the sturdiest wood materials will suffer damage when you don’t take care of them. Common ways that people mistreat wood furniture include chopping and cutting directly on them, leaving damp glasses without coasters on them, placing hot pans on them, and more. Avoid these bad habits around your wooden furniture so that it will last much longer.

Keep It Clean

You must be ready to regularly clean and dust wooden surfaces to keep them shining and sparkling. When dust and debris collect on your wood furniture, they can create scratches. Don’t let dust form a thick layer by dusting regularly with a soft cotton t-shirt, cloth, or microfiber towel. Never use all-purpose cleaners when you need to clean a particularly stained or sticky spot. Only use a specialty wood cleaner or a simple mixture of water and dish detergent with a soft cloth. Always make sure to dry the surface when you finish cleaning.

Protect the Surface

If you want your wood furniture to remain as protected as possible, you can add a layer of polish or wax to guard it against spills and stains. Most wood furniture polishes will also give your furniture a shiny finish, which will help give old wood furniture a much-needed makeover. If you notice the wood has a dull finish after applying these products, that means you need to buff the polish or wax it further. Just give it a bit more elbow grease.

Now that you know the best tips for preserving wood furniture, you can make your traditional wooden pieces last for years to come. They’ll continue to shine like when you first purchased them.

4 Tips When Looking at a New Home

People find new homes for different reasons. Whether you’re relocating to a different location or you’re moving to your new home after many years of paying rent, some essential factors determine how comfortable you settle in the new home. Here’s a list of four tips you should consider before relocating to a new home.

Consider the Renting Option First

The question of what to consider when looking for a new home mainly entails the issue of owning one. However, you should consider renting a house before undertaking the costly venture of owning a home. Whereas it’s the dream of every person to own a home, sometimes renting first allows you to understand the area you want to purchase your home, negating many other factors like acquiring the services of a real estate agent to conduct for you a background search for an area. Besides, you might find that renting satisfies all your needs without having to own a home.

Your Financial Ability

When looking for a new home, you have the option to rent, buy, or mortgage, depending on your financial ability. Besides, you should involve the services of a lending expert to determine the best option that your finances qualify. Although you might have been renting for many years and no longer consider it viable, it’s essential to weigh your options to ensure that you don’t enter into a home loan that could be a challenge servicing it.

Conduct a Background Search

Understanding the area you want to relocate to is the first critical step to ensure you find comfort after finally making a move. Most people use real estate agents who research the new home, its surroundings, and other issues like the climate. Although they play an imperative role, it’s your home, so you’ll need to ensure that you conduct a background search, making sure that the new home will suit your personal and family needs.

Have a Futuristic Planning

When looking for a home, it’s common that your family is young, and there’s a chance that it will grow with time. Many people opt for renting before owning their homes, allowing them time to plan for the most appropriate home according to their family sizes and requirements. However, if you decide to own one soonest, ensure that you plan for the future to fit everyone in your family.

Finding a new home is a daunting task, mainly when you need to own one. Experts recommend that the best option is first to rent one, then plan for ownership as you familiarize yourself with the area. 

Getting the Healthy Home of Your Dreams by Making Positive Changes

Prioritizing the health of your home is usually a wise move. It allows you to improve your lifestyle, leading to positive changes that impact every aspect of your life.

Figuring out how to get the healthy home of your dreams may not seem easy at first. However, even small adjustments can make a big difference. If you aren’t sure where to begin, House to Home Organizing offers some options to explore. 

Picking the Right Improvements If You’re in Your Forever Home

If you’re currently living in your forever home, you want to approach any updates with the long-term in mind. By seizing opportunities to simplify daily life, reduce stress, and support better health, you’ll have more success now and into the future.

For a simple way to get started, focus on decluttering. Cutter can increase stress and anxiety, so using a strategy like the KonMari Method can be a smart move. Not only will your home get easier to manage, but you’ll also end up spending less time cleaning when there’s less stuff, too.

Improving your air quality is also an intelligent option. By hiring a professional to install UV solutions into your HVAC or going the DIY route and replacing your air filters with versions with higher MERV ratings, you can prevent germs, pollen, and other contaminants from circulating through your house.

Another excellent project for a forever home is updating your kitchen to make the layout more functional. When your kitchen is easy to navigate, you may be more inclined to create nutritious, healthy meals at home. Since this is a bigger project, you’ll need to hire a plumber somewhere in the $45 to $150 per hour range. Always check reviews, examine ratings, and confirm that they’re licensed and insured before hiring. That way, you can rely on the quality of the work.

Updates You’ll Want to Tackle If You’re Selling Your House Soon

For homeowners preparing to sell, you want to think about what will make buyers happy. That way, your updates increase the value of your home and could help you complete the sale faster.

For inexpensive projects, consider quick bathroom repairs or easy kitchen updates. Replacing a leaky faucet or replacing cracked tile can ensure buyers won’t get turned off by issues they can easily spot. By adding a new tile backsplash and updating doorknobs and handles, you can refresh the look of a space and align it with current trends.

If you have a bigger budget, then certain higher-cost updates may be worth considering. Going with exterior modifications like a new porch or deck might be worthwhile, allowing you to kick your curb appeal up a notch and add more usable space. Updating your flooring is also a possibility. You can go with a hypogenic option to improve the health of your home, all while refreshing the overall look.

Where to Find the Money for Making Positive Changes to Your Home

Home updates can run the gamut when it comes to price. If you don’t have the cash to cover the projects, you do have options.

Of course, you’re probably wondering how to refinance your home. With cash-out refinancing, you can replace your current loan with a new one with a higher balance. Then, you’ll get to receive the difference between the two mortgages as cash, giving you money to use for your improvements.

Usually, cash-out refinancing has a lower interest rate than a personal loan. Plus, since it’s an installment loan and not revolving, it’s easier to budget and plan than a HELOC. You’ll know exactly when you’ll have the loan paid off, giving you more peace of mind than revolving credit alternatives.