5 Ways to Filter Water at Home

Every living person on Earth needs clean, potable drinking water to survive, but sometimes water sources can become contaminated and unfit for healthy consumption. Filtering your water at home is an excellent way to ensure your drinking water is safe and clean. In addition, filtered water tastes better than unfiltered water.

Filtering water at home is not as difficult as you may think, and filtering your water at home is much cheaper and better for the environment than buying bottled water. Here are five ways to filter water at home:

Commercial Water Filters

Commercial water filters are available in a variety of forms. Portable water filters are great for emergency situations when you don't have access to fresh tap or well water. You can also purchase pitchers with pre-installed filters or filtration systems to hook up to your kitchen faucet.

Charcoal

Charcoal has the fantastic ability to absorb and store toxic compounds, remove odors, and kill germs. One way to purify water at home with charcoal is to place some charcoal in a sock and pour water through the sock. Another easy way to use charcoal for purifying tap and other types of water is to use binchotan charcoal.

Binchotan charcoal has powerful absorption properties and can attract and trap unwanted chemicals and flavors in water. Companies like Rikumo offer binchotan charcoal sticks that make purifying water easy and hassle-free.

Sand Purification

Using sand for water purifications is a time-honored method used by farmers for many years. Sand filtration uses different layers of sand to remove suspended solids from water. The technique is effective, but sand filtration systems are slow, and you need a large amount of space for filtering large amounts of water.

Boiling

Boiling water is the simplest and most common way to purify water. Boiling water kills bacteria, microorganisms, and viruses. Boiling water will not remove heavy metals or chemicals, so it's best to use a filter system in conjunction with boiling to ensure the water is free of all dangerous substances, especially if the water is extremely contaminated.

UV Water Filtration

Ultraviolet light will kill bacteria, germs, viruses, and other microorganisms in water. You can purchase ultraviolet water filtration systems in stores or order them online. You can also purchase portable UV filtration systems for fast and easy water filtration at home or on the go.

You may be considering filtering your water for many reasons. While there are regulations in place to ensure the safety of your tap water, they may not be enough. Adding a water filtration system to your home or using other methods of filtration will make the water you drink safer, healthier, and better-tasting.

Are Metal Roofs More Durable Than Ceramic Tile Roofs?

Your home's roof provides protection against wind, rain, snow, heat, and other natural elements. Without a strong roof, your home is susceptible to water damage, insect and animal infestations, loss of heat during winter, and loss of cold air during summer.

Your choice of roofing materials can mean a big difference in your home's comfort and the roof's durability. While there are many different types of roofing materials available, metal and ceramic tiles roofs are among the most durable and long-lasting, but which is better and most durable?

Durability and Resistance Comparison

When it comes to durability, both ceramic tile roofs and metal roofs are among the best, but each type has its pros and cons. Concrete and ceramic tile roofs can last up to 50 years. Metal roofs can last a long time as well, but proper installation and regular maintenance are essential to longevity. If the metal roofing installation is done by an experienced professional and maintained regularly, a metal roof can last well over 60 years.

Maintenance Comparison

All roofs need regular inspections and maintenance, but some require more maintenance than others. When ceramic tiles become damaged and need to be replaced, it can be difficult to find tile that exactly matches the existing tiles. Metal roofs use large sheets of metal, so there are no individual tiles to become cracked or broken.

Design and Style Comparison

Metal roofs have an advantage when it comes to architectural style and design because they enhance and complement almost any type of architecture. In addition, metal roofs tend to hold their value longer than tile and other types of roofing. The recouped value of a metal roof resale is roughly 90 percent.

Energy Efficiency Comparison

There's more to a roof than just how it looks to the outside world. A quality roof needs to be aesthetically pleasing, durable, and energy-efficient. Metal roofs have grown in popularity due to their durability and energy efficiency. Metal roofs reflect heat away from a home and offer a 45 percent decrease in the flow of heat, which allows for lower cooling costs.

Your choice of roofing material comes down to several factors, such as affordability, design style, and personal preference. No matter which type of roof you choose, always use a trusted roofing company to help you determine which type of roof best suits your climate, budget, and design theme.

How to Organize Your New Home Right Away

Moving into a new home comes with a lot of excitement. In addition, you now have the opportunity to make your house look exactly how you have always dreamed. Not to mention that now is the perfect time to free yourself from clutter and start being more organized. Still, a big question arises. How to organize your new home right away, the correct way? Well, we have a bunch of tips and tricks that we can share that will help you do just that. So follow the steps that we suggest to get the best results. You will have a more functional and better organized new home in no time. 

Plan each step 

Most people believe that you can organize your new home right away, throughout the weekend. Unfortunately, this process can take a week or more. Moreover, if you have kids, you should add a couple of days to your estimated time of unpacking and organizing. It isn't easy to care for them while still doing everything else. Also, if you want to speed up the process a bit, you could ask for some extra help. You could, for example, ask your family to help you with watching the kids or hire a babysitter. That way, you won't be distracted as you plan each step of the unpacking and organizing process.

First things first, clean the house.

A new and empty house is much easier to clean. There is no furniture, so all your floors and walls are accessible. Also, you don’t have any drapes or blinds on your windows, so they are easier to clean. Therefore, take advantage of this opportunity and clean the house spotless. Wipe the walls with damp cloths, swipe and mop the floors, and wash the windows. In addition, follow the advice of the experts from cleancutmoving.com and clean your rugs and furniture as the movers bring them in. That way, when you finish relocating, your home will be well organized as well as clean. Isn’t that the perfect combination?

Unpack each room at a time

When you try to organize your home right away, you might feel the need to unpack everything at once. Or, you start unpacking one room and realize that you didn’t start from the room you should have. As a result, as previously mentioned, you must plan each step of the unpacking process. Make a list with the order in which you want to unpack the rooms. Then, when you start unpacking, try to stay focused on the room you are in and don’t get distracted by boxes of the other rooms. Always finish one room before getting to the next one. If you succeed, you will have a great sense of accomplishment. Not to mention that the whole unpacking and organizing process will take less time. 

Declutter as you unpack

When you start unpacking the boxes, sort the items inside. If you had to pack in a rush, you most probably didn’t sort your things, so there might be items that you should throw away. As a result, make a box or pile of things you do not need and can donate, as well as a pile of things you should throw away. And, as you are unpacking, if you come upon something you used in your old home, you can keep it. If you didn’t use it in a while, you should throw it or donate it if it’s in good condition. 

But, if you have enough time to organize the packing process before the move, you can declutter while packing. Sort your belongings before putting them into the boxes, and label each box accordingly. Also, it would be best if you packed your things room by room to make the unpacking easier. 

Unpacking and organizing the kitchen

The kitchen is one of the rooms you will most likely need to use quickly. Therefore, it should be one of the first rooms you should unpack. Of course, if you have kids, their bedroom or nursery should be the priority. But, when you start unpacking the kitchen, bring in all the boxes containing kitchen items. Divide the kitchen into sections, such as the cooking, cleaning, and consumables areas, and put the boxes in those sections. For instance, close to the cooking area, you will need to store the pans, pots, and other items for cooking. Close to the cleaning area, which should be around the sink, you should place the dish detergent, sponges, and cloths. Continue in this manner with the remaining areas, and you will have a well-organized and efficient kitchen in no time.

Next on the list are bedrooms and bathrooms.

You will want your new home to be functional as soon as possible. As a result, you should now focus on the other rooms that you will need. Those are the bedrooms and the bathrooms. Begin by unpacking the children's bedrooms to provide them with a safe place in their new home. A move can be stressful for kids, so the sooner you can get them to settle in, the better. Furthermore, you can ask them to join in on organizing their room. That way, they will know from the beginning where is the right place for every item and how to keep their room tidy. 

Then, unpack and organize your bedroom, starting with closets and drawers. That way, you can move clothes and other items out of the way and determine if you need more storage space. If you need more storage, try using the space under the bed as a temporary solution. Just don’t make it permanent, or you will never be able to organize your new home better than the previous one.

When you finish with the bedrooms, it's time to do the bathrooms. If you have to share a bathroom with other family members, put separators in the drawers. That way, you will all know which items are whose and where to find them. Or, you can make labeled baskets for each member of the family. You can also place labeled hooks on the back of the door for towels and robes and labeled containers for toilet paper or cosmetics. 

Organizing the common rooms

After you organize the main rooms in the house, you can take care of the common areas. You can organize living rooms, recreation rooms, and other such rooms faster if you involve the whole family. After all, you will all use those spaces, so everyone should have a say in arranging them. Moreover, each family member can organize their spot as they feel that it will be comfortable. Furthermore, everyone will be responsible for their corner, which must be kept tidy and organized.

Conclusion

Unpacking and organizing your new home after a move doesn't have to be a stressful process. The only thing you need is a plan. And if you want to organize your new home right away, remember that there are some steps that you should follow. 

Metadata Description: Learn how to organize your new home right away and find some helpful steps that you should follow. 

Trends in Real Estate You Should Keep an Eye on in 2022

By all criteria, 2020 and 2021 were wild. So many things happened all over the world and the costs of all things went up. How did that impact the real estate scene and housing trends? Can we expect home values to go up? Can the real estate market survive the current turbulent economic climate? No matter if you’re interested in selling or buying, here are just some of the biggest real estate trends to keep an eye on in 2022.

Mortgage rates are going up

According to economists, mortgage rates are expected to rise due to tightening monetary policies. Inflation is rising in many places in the world, so in the States, it came in at a 6.8% annual rate just last year, which is the highest in 40 years. On the other hand, unemployment is decreasing, dropping down to 4.2% in November. According to research groups, the US is expected to see mortgage rates jumping to an average of 3.3% in 2022 from 2.99% in 2021. Interest rates on 30-year fixed loans will also increase.

Demand for homes is rising

As stated above, interest rates and mortgage rates will rise, but the demand for real estate is predicted to stay just as strong as before. Many places in the western world are experiencing all sorts of shortages right now, but if we’re to trust experts, the housing shortage is here to stay for the perceivable future. In the States, the housing inventory or the supply of available houses reached the 1970s level, and this imbalance in supply and demand will lead to a big boom in homebuilding. States will start to deregulate land usage and help the construction industry accelerate its activities.

Look at some trendy destinations

In 2022, some destinations will emerge as a new must-watch property market, so it’s smart that you also keep an eye on these places and closely follow the development of the real estate scene there. For instance, Montenegro has been blooming for many years, finally becoming the real estate jewel of the Adriatic Sea. If you’re interested in engaging assets, you can find Montenegro properties for sale by your needs in Herceg Novi, Kotor or Tivat. There you can find mind-blowing seafront villas and trendy new apartments perfect for rent. South America is also very attractive for investors today, especially Nicaragua with under $500 per square meter. Colombia and Bolivia are also very affordable.

Second-home and high-rises trends

One of the new trends in real estate to keep an eye on is the boost in popularity of second homes, mostly among experienced buyers and owners. During the past two years of the pandemic, second homes and condos were largely overlooked because of the buyer uncertainty and proximity of condos to other people. However, as prices begin to rise and the pandemic begins to die out, this market will start to gain more attention. Many millennials who are looking to buy their first properties will focus on condos due to less competition, at least for now.

iBuyers will calm down

The pandemic caused a huge housing boom, so iBuyers or instant buyers started employing some aggressive tactics to get to their properties. Big buyers like Opendoor, Zillow Offers and Offerpad didn’t hesitate to offer above-market prices to sellers. According to experts, iBuyers who are still operational are going strong for now, but it is expected to see offers that are much more reasonable than before. In the iBuyer niche, it was not a secret that offers were inflated, but we can expect to see them stabilizing and getting lower. With that in mind, it’s important to highlight the fact that offers will still be very close to 100% of market value.

Wealthy international buyers will step in

Now that many countries are lifting their travel restrictions, it’s crucial to keep an eye on international buyers and their offers. While not all places are equally attractive to international (luxury) buyers, more and more destinations will pop up on their radar. And due to low housing inventory and good premiums, we might see wealthy buyers pivoting to some less popular markets all over the world. At least, they will become more flexible and choose to invest in properties that require some work. If you’re a domestic buyer, it’s smart to stay in the loop.

As you can see, there are a lot of things going on in the housing market—it’s just as exciting as ever. Hopefully, you will find a spot where you can invest and profit in 2022.