The Most Common Countertop Usage Mistakes

Regardless of the material, new countertops are big investments for any homeowner. To ensure that your countertops continue to look brand new after their installation, take note of some of the most common countertop usage mistakes to avoid at home.

Failing To Seal Countertops

Stone countertops are great for homeowners looking for durable and stylish additions to their kitchens. However, if you plan to use natural stones like granite, marble, and quartz, you must seal them for maximum durability. This is especially true if you want to install these materials in a kitchen or wet bar where water and other liquids are present, as these stones are very porous. Sealing your stone countertops is an important detail to consider when installing granite countertops.

Using the Wrong Cleaning Products

Using the wrong cleaning products on your new countertops can result in damage. You may create scratches on the surface of the material or cause it to look cloudy, especially when it comes to natural stone countertops. Each countertop material will have unique cleaning instructions, so pay attention to the directions from the manufacturer or installer. For example, when cleaning wood or natural stone countertops, you must use a damp microfiber cloth daily to avoid dust and debris buildup.

Being Too Rough

Another common mistake homeowners make with their countertops is being too rough. Whether your counters are new or decades old, you should take care of them. Avoid cutting with knives directly on the counter surface or placing hot pots directly on them. Always use a cutting board for knives and put a hot pad down for high-temperature dishes. You should never sit or directly stand on top of your countertops either, no matter how strong your brackets are.

Now that you know some of the most common countertop usage mistakes, you can avoid these around your new kitchen surfaces. Also, warn children and guests of proper countertop care to ensure these surfaces remain preserved and continue to look immaculate for years to come.

Hot Tub Care Basics for New Owners

Before you relax in your new hot tub, take a moment to learn about its basic care and maintenance. It's not hard, and proper care allows you to enjoy your hot tub for many years to come.

Choose a Reputable Dealer

A good hot tub dealer will give you more than just the hot tub itself. They can provide you with detailed maintenance information. Also, a good quality spa can be easier to maintain over time. You can talk to a hot tub dealer, like Marquis Spas, about care tips when you buy.

Test Water Chemistry

The first care tip you need to learn about is the proper water chemistry for your hot tub. A few times per week, you can use spa water testing strips or a digital meter. Your water pH should be around 7.5 and levels of chlorine, bromine, and calcium hardness need to be within optimal ranges. Your spa builder can probably provide you with a test kit and the proper chemical ranges for your hot tub or can talk to you about where to find them.

Clean Your Hot Tub

Every three or four months, drain your hot tub to clean it and refill it with fresh water. Do not clean the interior of a hot tub with household cleaners. Rather, use a cleaner designed for spas that are free of phosphates and nitrates.

Between water changes, use a vacuum cleaner specifically made for hot tubs. These are small, battery-operated handheld units that can be submerged in water. Use the vacuum to suck up leaves, dirt, and other debris from the seats and bottom. Finally, remove floating debris with a skimmer net.

Keep Your Filters Clean

Remove the filters weekly, and rinse them clean with a garden hose, spray with hot tub filter cleaner, and rinse again. Whenever you drain and clean your hot tub, soak the filters in a special filter cleaner and rinse them before reinstalling them. Hot tub filters generally need to be replaced yearly, or whenever they don't come clean during your weekly maintenance.

Remember to Clean the Cover and Shell

Lift the hot tub cover daily not only to check the hot tub but also to release the hot, damp air and check for mold under the cover. Wash the cover weekly with a bleach solution to inhibit mold and mildew. Also, wipe down the exterior shell of the hot tub on a weekly basis to keep it clean.

Relaxing in a hot tub is the ultimate stress reliever. But, it does require some work to keep a hot tub clean and functioning properly. Follow these tips in caring for your new hot tub.

Guest Post - How to Tackle Home Improvement Projects You’ve Been Avoiding

Homeownership requires continuous upkeep, but sometimes people put off the work. You might have a busy schedule or dread the monotonous chores. No matter what needs to get done around your house, this guide will teach you how to tackle home improvement projects you’ve been avoiding. These tips can speed things along and prevent you from dreading the work again.

1. Create a Budget

Financial difficulties can become roadblocks to many different things, including home improvement projects. If you’re unsure what the work will cost, you’ll likely put it off for weeks or even months.

Making a budget is the first step in getting ahead of your projects. Research the supplies you’ll need and compare the costs with your savings to determine if something’s too expensive to do on your own. Sometimes working with a contractor saves homeowners money, depending on the work.

2. Check Your Calendar

Time is also another complicating factor for homeowners. Look at your calendar to see how much free time you have during the next week or two. Annoying or complex projects won’t seem so impossible when you’ve carved out time for everything. Some people may also find housework more manageable with a concrete deadline.

3. Figure Out an Upkeep Plan

If you’re putting off projects because you know you’ll repeat the work sooner rather than later, creating an upkeep plan will help you get it out of the way. You won’t have to worry about the project anytime soon, which may encourage you to get started.

Deep cleaning your carpet takes time, but it can become an annual project if you learn to remove stains in between professional cleanings. Consider what stains are most common in your house. You could easily remove coffee and tea stains with dish soap, vinegar, and warm water. Grease, oil, or mold spores may need other supplies. Figuring out the most effective removal methods will stave off more significant projects, which is a technique you can use for most household work.

4. Ask for Help  

You don’t have to do everything alone if you live with family members or a roommate. Ask them to help you with your scheduled work. It’s one of the best ways to figure out how to tackle home improvement projects you’ve been avoiding. Extra hands will make the projects fly by, and the work won’t feel so difficult when you’re not alone.

5. Learn About the Project

Difficult home improvement work is more overwhelming if you don’t understand how to start and finish the project. Before anything begins, watch the best DIY YouTube channels to learn every step you’ll need to complete. Someone likely already filmed the process so others could learn how to upgrade their living spaces.

6. Schedule a Playdate

Parents often don’t get enough time away from their young kids to finish more time-consuming projects. Ask a friend to watch them during a playdate so you have time for complicated tasks. You could finally powerwash your siding or work on your landscaping because you’ll have a few hours without kids to supervise. Depending on how long the playdate lasts, you could even knock a few projects out of the way.

Tackle Home Improvement Projects

Now that you know how to tackle home improvement projects you’ve been avoiding, put these tips into action. Schedule your work, find someone to watch your kids, and learn how to finish your project with great results. With a bit of time and planning, you’ll upgrade your home and keep it looking lovely for months to come.

Author bio: Cora Gold is an avid writer and the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine Revivalist. She is always finding new ways to spruce up her home, and she loves to share her inspiration with others. Keep up with Cora on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook. 

Home Maintenance to Attend to Every 10 Years

Buying or building a home can be expensive but a rewarding experience. Even after making the purchase, it becomes your responsibility to carry out routine maintenance to ensure your home remains in tiptop condition. While some maintenance is short term and should be done on a monthly, bi-annually or annual basis, others can extend more than a year.

The following are common home maintenance that you should attend to every 10 years.

Replace Hot Water Heater

With proper maintenance, hot water heaters will start being inefficient after a decade. Therefore, it shouldn’t catch you by surprise if you start experiencing water heater problems after the 10-year mark. Before they completely wear out, your water heater will start showing signs, such as failure to heat up water, constant leakages, and the presence of rust and rumbling noise during operation. In order to restore your hot water supply, you can always seek professionals for water heater repair or replacement.

Repair/Replace Garage Door

Garage doors are often taken for granted despite the significant roles they play at our home. Whether you are heading to school, work or attending to some emergency, a garage door will serve as a primary way in/out of your home. They will always wear out or develop cracks and chipped paint over time with such workouts. However, depending on the frequency of use, you should consider doing major maintenance at least once a decade.

Repair/Replace Carbon and Smoke Detectors

We cannot rule out the possibility of fire outbreaks in our homes. In order to remain protected, it’s often wise to install carbon and smoke detectors. With proper installation, carbon and smoke detectors can last long. However, just like any other device, doing repairs and replacements are maintenance measures that can improve their efficiency and functionality. Even if they seem to be working properly, these devices should be replaced every 10 years.

Paint the Exterior

Painting the exterior of your home serves a lot of purposes. First, it protects your home from harsh weather elements or animals. Secondly, it increases the aesthetic value of your home. While the list can be endless, doing the routine exterior painting is one maintenance practice you can’t ignore. Depending on the quality of your paint, you can schedule this maintenance practice after every one decade. However, some people prefer doing it even before the 10 years.

Final Takeaway

If you are thinking of living in your home for a long time, you should add the above mentioned long-term maintenance practices to your checklist. The maintenance tips will help ensure your home remains in good condition. Plus, the practices can improve the value of your home for a better future.