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What Are the Most Common Water Damage Risks in My Home?

Being a homeowner is pretty self-explanatory, but in reality, there’s much more you need to take into consideration and things you need to do inside and outside the home to make sure everything is working and in good shape.


Photo: Via Pinterest

The first thing you need to think about is a basic protection and safety. Natural disasters like earthquakes, storms or floods are something you think would never happen to you. Being on alert and preparing your home for such a misfortunate event may sound like paranoia, but on the contrary, it is a necessary precaution and a smart move.

If you don’t think this is too important, there is the monetary element to this story. The damage caused by the water can be very difficult and expensive, and don’t think for a second it could be a fun DIY project. Large-scale water damage requires the skills of an expert restoration company.

The math is really simple here; it is better to be proactive than reactive. In other words, it is better to invest more resources into protection and safety then have much bigger expenses later on in possible water damage repairs.

The text you are about to read will focus more on potential water damage in your home and how to prevent it, so here are some useful tips:

Check your air conditioner

This is something you would probably easily overlook because your air conditioner seems to be working just right. Regular air conditioner maintenance, once or twice a year depending on how often you use it is necessary to ensure that it is working properly.

As mentioned above, the AC unit might be working just fine, but for example, moisture might be building up inside the machine which could leak later on and damage floors, walls or create a nice breeding ground for mold.


Photo: 1st Dibs

A potential dishwasher leak

The dishwasher is another item in your home that can cause a serious problem if not tended to properly. Your dishwasher might leak directly on your floors if it is not sealed correctly or if the latch is broken or even if you used a wrong detergent. You need to act quickly and make sure all leaks are immediately fixed. Whether you need to repair or replace your dishwasher is open to question depending on the damage.

Leaking washing machine

Yet another check you need to perform to make sure nothing bad will happen when you expect it the least. This consists of checking if all the fittings are tightly secured. You also need to be sure that there are no leaks beneath the machine, big or small. If your washing machine is giving you constant headaches and keeps u you up at night worried, you should definitely consider replacing it.

Leaking pipes

This is probably the most common example of how water can damage your home. One day you discover that you have frozen water pipe or a loose pipe in your kitchen or bathroom which created a pool of water, and damaged all of your home’s decorating. This is the one and the only alarm you would need at that point because a visible leak in one place means that there probably are leaks in other areas of the house as well. You should call a plumber immediately to take care of the damage and to prevent further destruction.


Photo: Home Polish

Choked drains

This problem is annoying but you feel like you can postpone it every time you enter bathroom or kitchen. However, as with other problems with water in your home, you need to deal with this as soon as possible to avoid another domino effect.

The clogged drains are not only irritating and prevent you from using the toilet or the kitchen sink, but they also might cause other issues like water backing up into the bathroom floor, shower or sinks.

Another danger is sewer water backup. The water from the sewer is filled with bacteria and raw sewage and you really don’t want that to spring inside your home.

Each and every one of these situations where water backs up might cause an overflow later on and damage the floors, walls and other surfaces. If you notice that you are experiencing clogs more often than you should then the best way to deal with that situation is to seek help from a professional.

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How to Insulate Your Windows on a Budget

Insulate your windows this winter with some of our easy tricks that can make you save cash and stay cozy!

Photo: Via Pinterest

Winter is already in full swing and many homeowners have already powered up their furnaces. If that’s the case in your home as well, did you notice an increase in your heating bill? There are many reasons for that and it usually amounts to a furnace in dire need of a repair.

However, there’s one more common reason people tend to forget about or not know about at all. You would be baffled to learn how much energy you waste on heating with improper insulation. Leaks that let the warm air out can result in an increased heating bill and the feeling that no matter how high you crank the thermostat, your home is never warm enough.

Windows can let a lot of hot air out, especially if they are old, thin or single-pane. However, the good news is that replacing them will significantly cut down the money you spend on heating. Even though the initial cost of upgrading your windows might seem too high, in the long run, it will more than pay off.

But if you cannot budget a full-on window replacement, there are some cheaper and almost equally effective alternatives. In this article, we’ll give you a couple of ideas on how you can prevent losing heat to your old windows on a budget.

Add Storm Windows

Installing new windows that are energy-efficient can be an expensive endeavor. Fortunately, storm windows provide a cheaper and an equally effective alternative. These windows are installed on top of your old window exteriors. They help minimize draft and create an extra layer of insulation.

These windows are available in various sizes. However, if the windows in your home are custom made, chances are you are going to need custom made storm windows as well. Installing them can also be tricky if you live in a two-level house. Due to all the safety concerns of this type of project, it’s best that you leave the installation to the professionals.

Another downside of storm windows is that you are going to have to replace them after a few years. Unlike them, new energy efficient windows can last for decades. That’s why it’s a good idea to have these windows installed temporarily to give you a chance to save up for the real deal.

Fill in the Gaps

There is a chance the issue could be resolved simply by filling in the leaks on your existing windows. The gaps could have developed spontaneously over the years or might have been a result of improper installation. To maximize your homes heating and cooling you’ll need to fill in the leaks with spray foam insulation. You can even do this on your own as it’s fairly easy.

You need to take the window frame off, seal any leaks and then return the frame once you’re done. You might have to repaint the area around the windows after you’re done.

Upgrade Your Windows

The most affordable solution to your insulation problem is to reinforce the windows from the inside. You can use a weather strip or an insulation kit. These are fairly inexpensive and can save you a lot in new windows. However, they may not be as pretty to look at.

If none of these work, then perhaps the problem is not in your windows, but in your heating system. To schedule a furnace maintenance appointment contact Action Air Conditioning & Heating of San Diego at 4455 Murphy Canyon Rd Suite 100–5, San Diego, CA 92123, USA; 800-400-4152

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Protect Your Home from Water Damage This Winter

Water damage is a terrible and expensive accident to happen in your home. However, it can be even trickier and more annoying when it happens in winter. Not only is it more difficult to dig around for a burst pipe in the cold ground, but it is also more difficult to detect the problem in the first place.


Photo: Barbara Davis

However, you can do a few things to ensure that your home is safe from water damage this winter. If you need more information about water damage, consult this handy article https://www.emergencyhomesolutionsoc.com/water/damage/newport-beach/.

Turn Off Your Water Before You Go Away

Even if you are leaving for a short time, you should turn off your water supply. This piece of advice is particularly important to people whose areas freeze over for extended periods of time. If the water in those pipes freezes, it will expand and ultimately break the pipe. Once it thaws, the point where the pipe burst will become the leak.

You may stay unaware of this leak for a long time, which will cost you both in water bill and in potential damage which you can’t prevent. However, if your water is off, you will be safe from this kind of damage.

Get a Leak Detector Device

Even the smallest leak can escalate and cause serious damage over time if left untreated. Fortunately, there are devices which can help you catch a flood or any other type of water damage before it actually does any significant damage. There are also leakage detection services that can help you get to the bottom of your problem, quickly.

The simplest ones just measure the amount of moisture and warn you if something changes drastically. However, more advanced detectors can measure the water consumption of your household and notice if the consumption increases noticeably. This could be an indicator of a water leak. All you need to do is call in an expert and have it checked out.

Get a Water Line Checkup Annually

Just like with many other things in your house, your water pipes are in constant use throughout the year. Over time, this constant use can cause wear and tear. You can learn about that the easy way or the hard way. The hard way being when the water damage occurs.

However, an annual checkup will significantly lower the odds of any leaks happening. Professional plumbers have various tools and equipment which helps them identify potentially problematic areas and resolve the problems before they become too serious and cause you significant financial expenses.

Get Sewage Lines a Checkup As Well

Sewers tend to be out of our minds for the most part. And that’s a good thing. However, at times, sewer lines can get blocked for one reason or the other. Especially if you use a lot of disposable products, like wet wipes and flush them. Recently, London had a serious problem with that kind of situation.

However, you can prevent such a blockage happening in your part of eh line by simply adding a sewer inspection to your annual house budget. It is a relatively quick and non-invasive process which can determine the state of your sewer lines and detect any potential problems before they cause a mess.

Clean Your Gutters and Roof

Even though most people think that water damage only comes from your water pipes or sewer lines, they seem to forget the gutters. If your area is prone to strong rains or heavy snowfalls, you need to ensure that all the water which falls onto your roof has a place to go. Make sure that your gutters are both clean and large enough to support the flow.

When it comes to snow, your roof needs to be strong enough to support the additional weight of the snow as well as the volume of water created when the snow melts in the spring.

 

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Tips When Filing an Insurance Claim for Your Home

Keep your home and belongings safe by filing an insurance claim on your home. Here’s exactly how to do it the right way!


Photo: Pinterest

One of the last thoughts on your mind should be your homeowner’s insurance company giving you a rough time regarding your insurance claim. Here are some simple tips when dealing with your homeowner’s insurance claim regarding damage sustained to your home.

Get Covered with an Insurance Company

If you had to evacuate due to substantial damage to your home and or dangerous living conditions, you probably did not have any time to grab essentials including, clothes for work and or school, toiletries, etc. These types of property may have been wholly diminished in a natural disaster and or fire. Contact your insurance company and ask that they reimburse your damages and to send a check to wherever you may be residing at the time. This is so that you may purchase your necessities without the need to wait for your full insurance coverage. Tip: If you’re area is prone to flooding, consider purchasing a sump pump to minimize the damage.

Always put your needs first, be sure to not go overboard on what you need, be courteous and practical with what your necessities are as many insurance companies will refuse or be frivolous with reimbursing you. For example, you need work clothes (slacks, dress shirt, etc,) don’t assume you will go to a high-end store in town to purchase these items. The advance will be deducted from your total insurance claim amount you will receive when the claim is completed, so be sure not to hurt your end claim amount.

Document all of Your Stuff

If you’ve just bought a house, make sure to document all of your belongings in case of a disaster. When a disaster occurs, it will be easy to list everything you have lost. This may take some time and effort from everyone in the household. You will want to be sure that when making this list you start as soon as possible so you can remember everything you have lost before filing your insurance claim.

Never throw anything away. It is always easier to prove that what you have lost was in the household at the time of the disaster and or fire. If you hold on to these items such as family belongings, or even home decor items until your Public Adjuster they may be added to your claim, which will be valid proof it was there and lost during the incident. This will help compensate the loss of all items in the home at the time of the incident.

FILE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Filing your claim as soon as possible is key. Most insurance companies will require policyholders to submit their claims as soon as they can. Contact your homeowner’s insurance agent and or company immediately to begin the claim process. The said insurance company will require to provide and submit “proof of loss claim.” The form which will include all items lost at the time of damage, and include their value. Your immediate action is most important if there were many homeowners affected within your area. If not done in a timely manner, you could be at the bottom of the list of insurance policyholders who have filed their claims.

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Top-Drawer Tips to a Successful DIY Project

Planning your next DIY or calling a professional? We weigh in on the options and give some tips on DIY-ing your home!


Photo: Jana Bek

There are two kinds of homeowners: those who decide they do not have the time and would prefer to call in professional renovation companies to work on their home improvement, and those who prefer to get their hands dirty decorating their home, renovating and get the job done for themselves. Reading this, I believe you fall into the latter category. And while you should be proud to be one of the few willing to pick up their tool boxes and get work done, you should also bear in mind that there is a steep learning curve to budget DIY home renovation projects.

But not to worry. Being a handy person myself and one who struggled with the art at the beginning, I have compiled a list of things you should be aware of before you embark on the DIY journey.

It might end up taking double your time and money anticipated

The number one reason why I was attracted to DIY projects, (and this is a reason we probably share) is the fact that I saw prospects of saving hundreds and at times even thousands of dollars on the project. But what I didn’t know is that the savings were in an ideal situation. Situations in which I thought I only needed one tin of paint, I ended up using more.


Photo: Brit Morin

Let’s take a simple painting DIY task for instance. As you start, you have it in your head that a single tin of lavender paint and some brushes of particular sizes will do the trick. What you didn’t count on is that the shade of orange you want to paint over, has existed for quite some time and to paint over it, you will need an undercoat and several more brushes to get the job done. Adding to this, you will need to paint two coats of your undercoat and that of the lavender paint itself to get great results.

DIY tasks that seemed simple like getting a carpet that matches the color of your freshly painted walls might be more challenging than you anticipated. Choosing a color that carpet companies do not manufacture in standard sizes will mean that you have to order in a unique piece costing you slightly more.

You are not a professional

You are intelligent and handy. So you decided to give DIY plumbing or DIY home repair a shot. But despite your traits, you will be soon questioning your ability to perceive depth, your sanity, and why in the world the pipes do not fit while the packaging promised that they would.

There are chances that you will get to the point of thinking tiling your bathroom floor is the answer to your DIY problem. Well, welcome to the world of minimum waterproofing and slope standards that have even the most optimistic folks going crazy and pulling their hair off.


Photo: The Every Girl

You have to accept that at times it is all you and other times the project is tricky.

If you have never learned the trade from a professional, you shouldn’t be shocked when you are ready to quit hours after you have started. After all, if what you are about to do was easy, then there wouldn’t be such a big market for professionals and experts in the industry.

Planning is King

Do not dare hammer even a single nail to any surface before you have a plan written down. Most DIY-ers ignore the planning stage and believe that their enthusiasm for the project will get them results. Sorry to burst your bubble but success in DIY projects without a plan mapped out needs a miracle.

Write out all the tasks you need to complete and have knowledge of how much work you will do in addition to all the costs. This will better position you for success. Regardless of how small or big the project might be, a little forethought on the improvement process will go a long way.


Photo: Design Sponge

More hands lighten the workload

Getting your family and friends in on your DIY project will save you a lot of labor costs. However, they will come with a whole set of complications.

Everyone, even the best DIY renovators have their limitations. If you intend to handle the project alone, without the required expertise, it will be an uphill task. You should know your strength and weaknesses in which you will need help. Make sure that you have enough individuals with complementary skills to help you finish the project in the timeframe stipulated during planning.

But while having helpers is recommended, having too many of them will lead to clashes, arguments, and conflicts which might slow down progress. That said, you will need to pick your team of volunteers keenly if you have the luxury to. But if you are relying on the goodwill of family and friends, you should be prepared to stomach not getting things done how you envisioned them. If not, you will have to be tactful in the way you make your suggestions and corrections. Bear in mind that these are volunteers and not paid workers.

As such, you at the very least owe it to them to make the project fun. So, go out of your way to make them happy and for good terms’ sake send a thank you card or even have them over for dinner when the project is complete.

Cheap is not always the best option

There are instances where cheap can be a major bargain and other times where cheap is exactly that; cheap! You need to learn to differentiate between the two instances. When working with a small budget, you will have to decide what you can compromise on, the things you would be happy waiting for and those that are big initial spends.

Being aware of the acceptable item prices. Pay attention to furniture stores and online stores for building materials and power tools alike. Speaking of power tools, when getting a cordless drill, be sure to take your time while choosing one. The Best Cordless Drill Reviews – The Nutty DIY Guide will be of great help in this.

Having this information beforehand prepares you for what is to come. This way, nothing will faze you and hinder you from completing your DIY project.