Why You Should Fix Clogs in Your Sink Quickly

You might experience clogged drains at some point in your life. Some even deal with them on a regular basis. If you do notice that one of the drains in your home is not working like it should, it is important for you to address the issue as soon as possible.

Ignored Issues Can Get Worse

When you notice that a drain in your home is taking much longer to clear water from your sink than it used to, you should start to look into the problem right away. If you ignore the issue and pretend that you do not notice it, it will quickly get worse and soon you will not be able to get any water out of the sink. The sooner that you deal with a clogged drain, the easier it will be for you to deal with that and continue on with your life.

A Clogged Drain Can Lead to a Big Mess

If you ignore a drain that is not working well, your sink might overflow and you might be forced to deal with a big mess. If the drain is not working correctly and you leave your water running a little too long, you might have the sink send water all over your floor.

Sitting Water in a Home Can Attract Insects

If you have a drain that is not working properly and there is water sitting in your sink because of that, you want to address the drain to keep insects away. If you let water sit in your sink for days on end, you might attract all kinds of insects and make your home a miserable place to be.

Clearing Clogged Drains Can Keep All of a Home's Plumbing in Good Shape

It is important for you to care for the drains in your home so that you keep all of your plumbing in good shape. If you cannot take care of a clog on your own, you might consider reaching out to a company such as Bud's Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electric so that professionals can look over the drain issue and all of your home's plumbing.

It is important for you to take care of all types of issues as soon as they come up in your home. A clogged drain can lead to a big mess if you do not address it quickly and make sure that it is fully cleared out.

Things That Make Your Home Look Cluttered

The first time you move into a new home, everything feels perfect. All your knick-knacks have fallen into place, and there's no clutter in sight. However, this, more often than not, changes quite rapidly. Since we live in a very consumeristic world, we tend to purchase endless supplies of unnecessary items (or even necessary ones that just aren't pleasant to look at). In the spirit of both discovering things that make your home look cluttered and trying to solve the problem, we've made a list that is hopefully eye-opening.

Don't strive toward perfection

Before you actually dive into our list of things that make your home look cluttered, there's one thing we should get out of the way. No matter how tidy and perfect you want your home to look, you'll never reach your goal all the way. It's impossible to sustain. Especially if you have younger children, there'll always be some stuff lying around your floor or hiding behind the sofa; it's the law of nature. Do your best but then just relax and remind yourself that there are far more important things you should give your energy to.

Open shelves and full countertops

Although open shelving has become more and more popular over the years, it's not always such a great idea. If you're someone who doesn't own too many dishes and glasses and loves to color coordinate these items, more power to you. However, if you live in the land of us mere mortals, you might want to skip this trend. It's simply not worth it. Nevertheless, if you've already remodeled your kitchen and opened it up, there's still hope. People usually solve this problem by placing the excess items into a storage unit. Although a fine approach, you don't have to get rid of your items altogether. All you really need to do is get some cabinet doors and close everything up. It'll make all the difference and your place will look much more put together.

Too many decorations

Decorating your home gives it character and warmth. However, overdoing it can have a negative effect. Make sure to shop for decorative pieces mindfully. Always keep the big picture in mind of what you want your home to look like once you're all done. This way, you won't buy items that don't fit and don't serve a specific purpose.

Memorabilia 

Even though we all love to display photos of our loved ones in our favorite rooms, memorabilia can really make a house feel cluttered and cramped. If you don't want to avoid it altogether, make sure to do it tastefully. White frames that aren't too flashy and shiny make for a really lovely and subtle effect.

Visible cords and cables

If there's one thing that we could all agree on, it's our mutual hatred of cords and cables. No matter how you tangle and untangle them, they always look messy and sloppy. Luckily, there are ways to deal with cables and cords with ease and organize them so that you never have to see them again. You can hook them to the back of your furniture or walls if they aren't visible. However, the best way to do this is to purchase white seamless tubing. This way, you can stretch them wherever you like, and they'll be invisible.

Things that don't have a place

If you're not too big on organizing your home, chances are that you'll have some loose ends lying all around it. Of course, the best thing you could do is dedicate a spot to every item you purchase as soon as you buy it. On the other hand, this isn't the most realistic thing for everyone. An excellent solution for those that don't want to bother finding a particular spot for everything is to set aside a box or a drawer that'll simply be for all sorts of things.

An untidy hallway

One of the first things people see when they walk into your home is your hallway. Regardless of how the rest of your space looks, your hallway is the thing people will remember the most. Make sure that it's organized and tidy. 

Fridge magnets

Even though most people love displaying magnets that show where they've been and remind them of dear memories, they can be unnecessarily imposing. The first thing you should remove when decluttering your home is these little things. If you still want to display them somehow, you can do so in a place that is less visible than your refrigerator.

Too many throw pillows and blankets

Throw pillows and blankets are usually really pretty and give off a luxurious feel. However, they can also be overly eye-catching. Be careful not to overdo this display since it can make your space seem cluttered and smaller than it is.

Are you planning to relocate?

The best time to get control over the things that make your home look cluttered and remove them from your space is during relocation. You'll get a fresh start and be able to completely reinvent your house. According to moving experts from Simplify Valet Storage & Moving, people usually place their items in storage so that they have enough time to plan and organize their future space.

Finding balance with the things that make your home look cluttered is key

No matter how much you want to avoid the items that make your home look cluttered, you still need to have some details to make it look homey and cozy. You should aim to add a personal touch to your place but not overcrowd it. If you're not too sure how to do it yourself, you could look for inspiration online or find a professional interior designer that'll do it for you.

Keep your home clean

It really won't matter if you find a suitable place for every single knick-knack that you own if your home is untidy and not properly cleaned. Leaving dirty dishes around after you've used them or having dirty carpets is something that will negate all the effort that you've put into your house. Once you've removed and dealt with all the things that make your home look cluttered, make sure to maintain it to the best of your abilities.

Guest Post - Routine Checks: Affordable Plumbing Tips for Every Homeowner

As a homeowner, one of the things that you should always be conscious about is your home's plumbing. Any malfunction in your plumbing system could cause serious problems that would cost you much more to fix and reflect on your utility bills. 

Of course, you will need some maintenance and repairs once in a while. Even so, if you’ll be doing your routine checks and if you’re wise with the kind of plumbing fixtures you choose for your home, it will be a long time before you need to call in a professional to fix any problem. Water heater repair specialists share their knowledge on the measures homeowners can take to enhance affordable plumbing:

1. Buy Plumbing Emergency Tools

You don’t have to stock up every plumbing tool like a specialist, but just the basics come in handy in emergencies. These basics include a screwdriver, a plunger, heavy-duty paper rolls, towel rags, and garbage disposal wrenches. Have a designated place in your basement, shed, or storage unit so they don't clutter up your home.

2. Check for Leaks and Drips

You can easily underestimate a dripping tap, but can you imagine the amount of wastage that you do if you leave that trap dripping for the rest of the day? Besides its insignificance, it will also reflect on your utility bills. If you’re guilty of this, you can still rectify it by always ensuring that the taps are fully turned off before you carry on with your daily business. 

If you notice water drips even after turning all the taps off, it only means there is a deeper problem underneath that needs to be addressed early enough before it worsens. A better way to know if there are internal leaks is by checking your water meter to confirm that it is not recording anything when you’re not using water. Call a plumber to identify the problem and repair or replace it as needed. 

3. Inspect The Toilet

The toilet is one of the most frequently used places in a home; thus, it deserves some attention. First, ensure that the flushing system is in place and working as it should without any leaks. If the leaks are minor, you can seal the holes off with epoxy gum. Also, if there are faulty parts, try to fix them as soon as possible to prevent more issues from coming up. 

4. Check the Drains

At some point, we have all been faced with a clogged drain that we overlooked until it was too late. A clogged drain could be caused by continuous accumulation of oil, dirt, hair, soap, etc. Most people make a mistake during the unclogging process by flushing the debris using chemicals. Continued use of these harsh chemicals will eventually damage your pipes, and they’re also not environmentally friendly. 

To keep your drains clear of any obstructions, you can pour a cup of vinegar and baking soda and then run a substantial amount of hot water once a month. Also, you can use filters on your sinks or water outlets to ensure that solid substances don’t pass down to the pipes. 

5. Inspect the Sewer Line

Most often, people confuse the water pipes with the sewer line. However, the sewer line pipes are actually located a few feet underground, and it’s responsible for draining all the water in the main sewer. 

Water won’t go down the drain if the sewer line is clogged. Usually, when the sewer line starts clogging up, you’ll notice bubbles when you run water through the sinks. It is recommended that you call in your plumber to fix this problem as soon as you see it, as fixing it yourself could worsen the situation. 

6. Insulate Your Pipes

During the colder seasons, frozen water can easily make the pipes burst. Therefore, it would be wise to take care of this early enough before the cold season starts, as this could cause severe breaches for you in the long run. Take care of it before the cold season begins as it also makes the whole process easier for the people handling it. Lesser complications translate to more affordable rates for the entire process. To ensure the insulation work is done right, call the plumbing experts to take care of it. 

It may seem like a complex task to follow through with these routine maintenance checks, but as the homeowner, you benefit greatly in the long run. You will still need a professional plumber to check in at some point, but those routine checks will have helped you save much more money and time. Every plumbing problem has a solution as long as the right person addresses it.

About the Author

Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.

First 5 Steps to Take if Your Home Floods

Whether you live in an area prone to flooding or not, you may not be prepared. You may think it will never happen to you, but it can. A natural disaster can cause flooding or a busted pipe. If it happens, you need to know what steps to take when your home is flooded. Knowing beforehand can save you a lot of time.

Find the Cause

It is important to know and understand where the water is coming from. Is it a hurricane? Is it the sump pump or a busted pipe? You can’t move one until you can identify the source and stop the water from coming in.

Take Pictures of Damage

Now the first thing you will want to do is get the water out of your home. And while this urge is understandable, you need to document the damage first. If it is safe to enter your home, take as many pictures as possible. Make sure you are wearing a mask, gloves, and boots. You can also record yourself going through the home to document the damage. You will need this evidence when you contact the insurance company.

Clean Up Company

Cleaning after a flood is hard work. The house needs to dry out; you need to remove everything from the house and sort through what can be saved. While you can do this yourself, hire a water damage restoration company instead. They’ve done this before, so they know all the steps, and they can disinfect your house probably more efficiently than you can.

Contact Insurance Company

You will need to open an insurance claim with your insurance company. An insurance adjuster will be given your case and, based on what your policy covers, they will decide what the insurance company can do for you. Some insurance companies don’t cover flooding, so you need to know what your policy covers. If you are going to be fully financially responsible for fixing your home, it could make things much more difficult and stressful. You should be prepared.

Take Precautions

When cleaning your home after a flood, certain precautions need to be taken. First, take care of any electrical systems in your house. Water and electricity do not mix. So if your house is flooded, and the electricity is still on, you need to have it turned off.

If you are cleaning your home yourself, stopping mold from happening is a priority. Once the water is gone, you need to open all the windows so they can dry out. Mold can grow wherever there is moisture, so you need to open the walls, remove the flooring and remove the insulation. Anything that could hold moisture needs to be removed.

A flooded home can be a source of extreme stress and anxiety. It is important to know the steps you should take beforehand, so if it happens, you can be prepared.