House

With all the bush fires happening recently in Australia, it is more important than ever to safeguard your home from fire. But where does one go for advice on how to do this? With decades of experience in fighting forest fires in California, who better to turn to than Cal Fire, California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Here are six tips from Cal Fire for anyone living in a fire-prone area to help your home withstand a fire event:

1. Harden Your Home

In a major bush fire, hot embers can fly for miles, landing hot on shingles and into cracks and crevices under eaves and siding. To safeguard against flying embers, Cal Fire recommends several upgrades for “hardening” your home to make it more fire-resistant:

–Replace shake or asphalt shingles, which are combustible, with tile shingles or metal roofing, which do not catch fire.

–Seal cracks and crevices with silicone caulk to prevent embers from getting under siding and eaves.

–Cover all vents with small gauge mesh to keep out most flying embers. Window screening can work well for this in a pinch.

–Cover combustible wood siding on the exterior walls with ignition resistant materials, such as stucco, brick or fire-resistant metal or fibre cement siding.

–Manage leaves and debris. Throughout the warm season, sweep or flush your roof and gutters to get rid of leaves, moss and debris, all of which can catch fire when hot embers land on them.

2. Replace Your Windows

During a bush fire, temperatures can be hot enough to rupture glass. When this happens to single-pane windows, gaps are created which let in floating embers, catching the area around the window on fire. To help prevent this from happening, replace single-pane windows with double pane. Although the outside panes may rupture from the heat of a passing bush fire, they will protect the inside panes long enough to prevent rupturing.

3. Properly Landscape your home and garden.

There is a common myth among homeowners that green plants are fire resistant and safe to install immediately next to the house. However, during a bush fire, heat from the fire dehydrates plants, making them susceptible to the passing fire. Any plants near your home which catch fire are at risk of spreading the fire to your house. To prevent this from happening, do the following:

Keep Zone 1 Completely Clear

Zone 1 is the closest zone to your home and should be completely free from plants, including flowers, and completely free from household items of any kind. Remove weeds or grass and lay down gravel or concrete around the perimeter. Maintain this zone frequently during the warm season to keep debris away.

Create a Zone 2 Defensible Space

After Zone 1 is completely cleared, next focus on your yard and garage. Give the garage its own Zone 1 treatment, and then designate the yard and garden as Zone 2. In this zone, either remove the lawn and install gravel or concrete, or plant only a low lawn or low growing, fire-resistant plants and herbs. Absolutely no trees or shrubs should be in Zone 1 or 2.

4. Maintain the Zone 3 Bush Surrounding Your Home.

Zone 3 is the surrounding bush. The main problem in this zone is crowded vegetation which provides fuel for the bush fire and traps heat on hot days. The main treatment is to thin crowded vegetation and remove ladder fuels, which are weeds and shrubs that can carry the fire into higher growing shrubs and trees. Select fire-resistant plants for Zone 3 and consider clearing the perimeter as a fire break.

5. Check Your Home Insurance

Check your current home insurance to see if it covers damage or destruction caused by bush fires. A home can be damaged or destroyed when embers fall from a bush fire, so it is important to know whether or not your policy will cover damage caused by a fire that occurs on someone else’s property. If in doubt about your current coverage, get a home insurance quote for a plan that provides bush fire protection.

6. Have the Right Tools Handy

At the start of the warm season, collect the following tools and put them somewhere accessible so that they are within easy reach:

–Large capacity fire extinguisher to put out small fires.

–Shovel, to put out small bush fires.

–Broom and rake, to sweep debris away from the house.

–Brush to clear off gutters.

–Extra garden hose, to put out small fires outside of your garden.

–Power nozzle, to spray off roof and gutter debris.

–Ladder for accessing roof and gutters.

–Power blower, to blow debris away from the house perimeter.

–Assortment of buckets and pails to keep full of water for small fires.

Inside the kitchen, if you do not have running water you cannot do much. Plumbing is simply an absolute necessity. No matter what you might think, in most cases, you need the assistance of a professional. This always happens when you have serious problems like a broken pipe. Fortunately though, you do not always need the best plumber in Melbourne. Some fixes are really simple when you enjoy DIY projects.

Kitchen Sink With Low Water Pressure

Whenever you use the kitchen faucet and the water stream is weak, there is a big possibility that you are faced with a simple plumbing problem. Usually, the aerator is clogged.

Water will pick up various minerals while traveling to the home. The minerals accumulate inside aerators. All you usually need to do is to remove it. Then, take a brush, dip it in some vinegar and remove the debris you find.

A Leaky Faucet

There are leaking faucet problems that force you to contact a professional. They do need to eventually be replaced. Even so, you do want to see if there are some problems present that are very common and easy to fix. For instance, when you see a leak at the spout base as the faucet is used, it is possible that the O-ring seal is worn out. You will need to remove the faucet but be sure that you turn off the water supply when you do that.

Leaking Or Clogged Kitchen Sink

Kitchen sinks have P-shaped traps. They are important as they stop sewer gas from coming into the home. Water is pulled into the trap’s curved section, thus blocking gases. Unfortunately, the presence of various materials, like soap scum and grease, leads to obstructing water flow. A leak can also appear. With this in mind, whenever you see that the kitchen sink is clogged or leaks, you need to check your P-trap. Just be sure that you place a large-enough bucket right under it when you remove it.

Problems With The Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals are incredibly useful for any kitchen. The problem is that this great piece of engineering cannot actually handle some materials, like bones and grease. Even when you throw some potato peals you can end up with a jammed disposal unit. When you notice that the system just does not work anymore, use the reset button. If that does not work, make sure to call a professional. Some serious assistance might be needed.

Leaking Dishwashers

If you have a dishwasher in your home, there is a pretty good possibility that a leak will eventually appear. This is because the appliance works at really high pressure. You can end up with some parts being broken. Even some damaged spray arms will end up causing serious leaks.

Fortunately, most of the leaky dishwashers are easy to fix with some minor replacements. Even hose clamp screws can do wonders. Just make sure you know what you are doing and turn off the water supply before you attempt anything.

The annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is a techie’s dream come true. There are so many electronic gadgets to play with that it’s nearly impossible to contain one’s excitement at times. Even better, every year brings something new and exciting.

The star of the show for 2020 is home security and home automation. According to Larry Anderson of Security Informed, the smart home market was a major focus for CES 2020. Among the 4,500 exhibitors and 1,100 industry leaders were many smart home automation and security experts.

So why such an emphasis on home security and automation this year? There isn’t just a single reason. There are multiple reasons, five of which are discussed below. Suffice it to say that the results of CES 2020 will influence the home security and automation market for the next 12 months.

1. People Want to Be Safe at Home

It goes without saying that people want to be safe in their own homes. Up until five or six years ago however, installing a home security system meant calling a company, ordering their equipment, and paying for professional installation and monitoring. Going pro is still on the table in 2020. But so is DIY installation and monitoring.

Today’s wireless home security and automation systems are as easy to install as wireless modems and routers. Manufacturers know this. They also know that people want DIY systems. And as long as people want to be safe in their homes, equipment manufacturers will keep giving them what they want.

2. People Want Easy Installation

This second point is really a continuation of the first. Truth be told, people want easy installation. They do not want to have to pay professionals. Instead, they just want a system that works out-of-the-box. They want one they can set up in mere minutes to monitor for burglary, fire, and carbon monoxide.

3. People Want Smart Home Technology

You could make the case that a new interest in home automation is also fueling consumer demand. Simply put, people want smart home technology at their fingertips. Just having a smartphone is no longer good enough. Today’s consumers want smart speakers, remotely accessible video surveillance cameras, smart thermostats, and so forth.

Among the hottest smartphone technologies these days are smart door locks and thermostats. The smart door lock can be programmed for keyless entry. It can also be controlled remotely. As for smart thermostats, they can actually ‘learn’ a family’s lifestyle for on-the-fly adjustments. Smart thermostats save money year-round by more effectively controlling temperature.

4. Smart Speakers Continue to Amaze Us

Another thing home security and automation manufacturers have discovered is that smart speakers continue to amaze consumers. And why wouldn’t they? With a smart speaker on your kitchen counter, uttering just a single sentence will have a pizza delivered to your door in time for dinner. Your smart speaker can tell you the weather, read the news headlines, report the sports scores, and so much more.

Connect a smart speaker to your home automation system and you can control everything from temperature to lighting just by speaking. Vivint SmartHome recently published a blog about controlling Christmas tree lights with your voice. People love that sort of thing.

5. Smart Homes Save Money

Finally, home security and automation is a big focus for CES 2020 because smart homes save consumers money. A case in point is the smart thermostat. The smart thermostat is not just a programmable thermostat. It actually learns over time. You set it up with initial programming based on your schedule. For the next few weeks, the thermostat monitors activity in your home and compares it against that programming. Then it begins to adjust automatically.

You save money by not heating and cooling a home that sits empty all day. But that’s not all. You can also automate lighting the same way. You save money by not having lights on when no one’s home or when rooms are vacant.

Home security and automation are all the rage these days. If you attended CES 2020 you probably saw some great stuff. It is going to be a particularly good year for the industry.

Decorating the exteriors of your house? There is so much to be done! The door, garden, landing, porch, and the steps – each of them plays a role in making the surroundings of your property beautiful. Not only do they greet your visitors gracefully before they even enter your home, but they also give you a warm welcome every time you come home.

For years, people have considered things like solid paint colour, garden fountains, landscaping, and other expensive ways to make their house’s immediate surroundings impressive. However, there are many simple, natural, and offbeat ways to make the exterior of your house beautiful and lively. Here are some unique ideas to make the gateway to your home impactful.

• Incorporate Sand:

Think beyond permanent structures and create sand beds that not only look delightful but also add a great beach vibe to your home surroundings. In the backyard, you can get a feel of the coast by simply making sand bad and installing a hammock.

Builder’s sand, sharp sand, or coloured sand can do the trick. It’s easy to find these sand types, just get in touch with suppliers like Sand4U. The other ways to include sand in unique ways around your porch is to create a coloured sandpit in the garden. Little zen gardens on either side of the steps inspire a calm and cozy entrance into the house.

• Experiment with gravel:

With water shortage being a grave concern, a great area to explore is gravel. It is low maintenance, and it could provide great ways to decorate your surroundings. Gravel is easily available in many colours at affordable prices. Mixed tones of gravel might work well for almost all exteriors of your house. Gravel could help you create a unique and offbeat backyard, especially if you fashion it as a dried riverbed.

• The green area of your casa:

You can never go wrong with grass. Be it the front porch, garden, pathway, or the backyard, a little green never hurt anybody! if anything at all, greens only soothe our eyes. Ideal for games, picnic, camping and all fun times, the grass is a natural and inexpensive way to decorate your exteriors. Don’t have the patience to deal with maintenance and irrigation, you can also go for the synthetic turf. Use natural or synthetic grass and make a mixed arrangement of furniture.

• Mulch:

Mulch is one of the best tools for landscaping for the front yard, back yard or even the garden. Besides looking beautiful, it is very beneficial for the health of your plants as it helps you deal with weeds. Put in on the pathway or edgings as it could give your planting beds an impeccable look. Laying mulch around each planter could enhance even the most humble-looking garden.

• Fashionable plants:

Plants are natural and bring not only beauty to the surroundings but also health benefits for you and your loved ones. Incorporating plants can add a unique architectural dimension and over-all impact to your outdoors. The more is the variety of plants and flowers around your house, the higher will be the appeal. Use tall planters to enhance the entry path towards the house, and use tiny succulents and cacti to add little fine details to your patio and the porch.

• Flower boxes:

Custom flower boxes on the porch and along the driveway add beautiful colours. They almost function like little gardens that can be upgraded now and then with flowers of the season.

• Carve out the shrubs:

A hedge or a boundary made out of hardy plants creates a great design while providing a natural cover to your private space. Cut your shrubs into a flattened pyramid, a topiary shape or simply a rounded top for the best effect.

Building a new home is an exciting undertaking, but the task isn’t simple. There are many things to consider when designing and building your forever home, and it’s good to know what you’re in for before you start the process.

If you’re looking to expand your understanding of what it takes to build your home, you’re in the right place. Read through a few construction tips and tricks that will help make building your new home a more manageable task to conquer.

Get your mind right

Before you begin the process, you need to prepare your mind to handle what is to come. There is no such thing as a perfect build, and you can count on something to not go exactly as planned.

You can count on spending more than you initially expected, so budget loosely. Your mental approach to your home build will make a huge impact on the experience. Go into the process with a flexible and resilient mindset, and you’ll be happier along the way.

Be present during the build

Being present during the building of your new home is crucial to quality. Your builder will be more likely to be very thorough with their work when they know you will be around to check for issues regularly.

You don’t want a crack in your foundation after just a couple of years after the build is complete, so you are responsible for keeping watch over the process. Require high-quality work for your builder, and make sure you have the dough to pay them well.

Have a realtor by your side

It’s highly recommended that you go into the process of building your new home with a competent realtor by your side. A realtor will help you be wise with your money, and they’ll be there to mediate when issues arise with the build.

You’re paying your realtor handsomely for the work that they will do during the process, so it’s wise to take full advantage of the advocacy. Let your realtor handle tough situations that arise as your build progresses.

Be nice to your construction manager

You should always be nice to your construction manager. They have a lot on their plate, and it’s wise to keep them in high regard.

Your construction manager has a lot of power over the build of your home and how fast those things are completed. A disgruntled manager may not be as efficient.

Make sure you’re prepared to spend

The most important element of your home building budget is your contingency. Always set up a contingency fund when you’re building a new home. You never know what issues could arise to blow your initial budgeting plans out of proportion, so it’s wise to be prepared.

 

Cities around the world are becoming more and more concentrated by the day in terms of their populations. More and more people are moving there for the career and social opportunities they provide, and this drums up a swelling concern for the effect that it can have on energy consumption and pollution – which when clustered can have long-term damaging effects on health.

So, how do we combat this, and stop cities from falling back into the same smog that filled London streets during the Victorian industrial era? With young trailblazer, Greta Thunberg announced as TIME’s person of the year for 2019, climate change is becoming a growing concern that’s getting harder to ignore, and for a good reason.

Luckily for that ozone layer of ours, steps are being made in cities to make them more environmentally friendly, carbon-neutral, and forward-thinking for the urbanites of tomorrow. For those interested in how smart homes and cities are helping to tackle pollution, here is a shortlist of techniques and practices that are already being put into effect.

 

Smart building techniques

Nowadays, as modern apartment buildings slot into cities efficiently, they are constructed with forward-thinking materials and sensibilities to make sure that they don’t waste energy and contribute too much to additional pollution/wastage. Modern student apartments, for example, built around cities in the UK by investment companies such as RWinvest, are built to be top-end and eco-friendly. This not only makes them a desirable place to live for tenants that want to be environmentally conscious but also making them an attractive prospect for investors that want to purchase property in a city that has longevity and won’t have as many issues down the line.

 

The modern smart building

The next generation of ‘smart buildings’ across cities and towns worldwide are being built with technology interweaved into their inner workings, allowing for features such as their heating and security systems to be controlled remotely. Rather than the many spinning plates involved with managing and maintaining a commercial building. For example, a department store with modern designs of tomorrow (being put into new builds) will allow everything to be automated, turning on-and-off in succession and as and when it’s needed. This will save a lot of money in the long run for investors and owners, while also being more accessible, more safe and secure, and most importantly, more environmentally friendly. Some city planners are also adding the capability for their buildings to communicate with others in a given area if needed, sending warning signals or synchronising data to make the city as a whole a more coherent entity. The only risk involved here is with privacy concerns from the average person living in an urban area, as cities are without a doubt the areas with the most surveillance.

 

The smart consumer – Want to pay closer attention to things like energy wastage and water consumption in your own home, while saving yourself a little bit of money in the process? Smart home appliances and tech is readily available nowadays and can be easily integrated into your existing home. You could start by getting a smart meter, and using it to monitor where you’re wasting the most amount of energy and at which specific points in the day. You could also invest in some smart kit, such as a smart assistant and thermostat, allowing you to keep on top of your home and have more control over it. Being more energy conscious and efficient are traits that seem to go hand in hand, and it often pays to be more green.

Organizing a closet depends on your motivation. If your closet is organized, you can easily find the item of clothing you want to wear. You can color-code or arrange your clothes depending on the season, even. Of course, the amount of organizing you can do in your closet depends on the space of your wardrobe, its size, and your lifestyle.

Given those conditions, you can still organize your closet despite its size and the number of clothes you have. Here are some of the things you could do.

• Gather the organizing supplies you’ll need, such as baskets to sort your clothes, marker pens and paper, paper bags, and trash bags.
• Remove every item inside your closet.
• Give your wardrobe a thorough cleaning. If you only clean your closet occasionally, it will have lint and dust buildup. Dust the hanging walls, rods, shelving, and baseboard. Sweep the floor, run the mop over the floor space or use a vacuum. Wipe the bins or baskets with a clean cloth.
• Separate the items you have taken out of your closet. Put them in the proper baskets, which you’ve labeled sell, recycle, keep, and donate. You could add another basket for everything else, such as receipts, tickets, loose change, cash, paper clips, and other small items.
• Bring back the things you want to keep. Group similar items together so you can quickly find what you need. Position the clothes you often use in front of the wardrobe and store seasonal items such as sweaters, jackets, and parkas at the back of your closet. Use closet organizers for small items and things that you can roll up or fold.

Things to keep in mind

Get everything that you need ready, so you do not run in and out of the room to get the right stuff. Do not attempt to clean out your closet when you are tired or have limited time.

• When you sort your clothes, remember to check every pocket. There might be some items left inside the pockets of jeans, trousers, and jackets.
• Throw away the items that are badly stained, out of style, or cannot be used/repaired. If you have clothes or shoes to donate, see to it that they are in good condition and wearable.
• Keep only the things that you need. Do not keep things you have not used for most of the year, and clothes and shoes that have gone out of style.
• Your closet has limited space. You can have more storage area if you purchase closet organizers. Some can hang from the door or the hanging rod. Some are plastic boxes with covers. It would be a good idea to identify the contents of each box, so you don’t have to take everything out to find what you need.

Enjoy a clutter-free closet by buying only the clothes you need and having a schedule for cleaning your closet regularly.

Do not just throw away the things that you do not need into a dumpster. Get in touch with a junk removal Miami company for the proper disposal of clutter, trash, and junk.

Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/closet-organization-hanging-4572626/

 

Did you know that ancient Greeks and Egyptians invented the first heating and air-cooling systems? Since then, technology has evolved and inventors have introduced more precise temperature control. It’s been 400 years since the first thermostat was invented, and today’s models propose many features to maximize your indoor comfort.

How easy would it be to have your home set at the perfect temperature at any time? Well, it is now possible. Smart thermostats allow you to program your indoor temperature with your smartphone or tablet. So, if, for instance, you forgot to turn it off when you leave for an extended period, you can do it remotely. The new smart thermostats can even be programed differently according to your daily activities. New technologies help you relax, improve your comfort and allow you to save money. You will use fewer energy thanks to the right temperature setting and programming. Another advantage of smart thermostats is to alert you when a repair or maintenance is needed. They will remind you to contact your HVAC and heating specialist to schedule an appointment. You don’t have to worry about it anymore.

The word smart technology might be impressive, but be reassured. You don’t need to be a technician to manage your smart thermostat. They are easy to use with their digital and touch screens navigation. Built to propose intuitive programming, they are easy to operate with voice control. Estimations show that in the next five years, 70% of consumers will have a smart thermostat. It is a smart choice.

One of the most important appliances in your home is your furnace. Furnaces help to keep our homes warm and regulate the temperature when we are away for prolonged periods of time. However, unless you’re a professional, it may be difficult to tell when it is time to schedule the required maintenance. That said, the following is a list of reasons you may need to schedule furnace maintenance today.

Lack of Heat

One of the main reasons to schedule furnace maintenance is the lack of heat. If you have no heat at all or your unit seems to be underperforming, a lack of sufficient heat is a clear sign that your furnace needs to be serviced, if not outright replaced. However, given that they do not work if there is a power outage and many furnaces have on/off switches, it is best to check and make sure there isn’t some simple issue preventing it from properly functioning.

Clinks and Clonks

Another telltale sign that your furnace needs to be serviced is that it is making strange clinking noises. While all appliances make some level of noise, a furnace that seems to be banging, hissing, clicking, etc. is likely malfunctioning. For instance, a hissing noise may mean there is air escaping from your system, while a clicking noise may be an indication of a faulty flame sensor or even an issue with the gas flow. If you notice your furnace seems to be making much more noise than you’re used to, it is definitely time to call a trusted professional to have your furnace serviced immediately.

Rising Energy Costs

Another reason to have your furnace serviced is that you are dealing with increased energy costs as compared to previous years. This is because a malfunctioning furnace will fail to perform at optimal capacity, causing an increase in the amount of energy it takes to heat your home.  While this sometimes can be attributed to a price hike or an increase in usage, if you are paying far more to heat your home than you have in previous years, it is a good idea to have your furnace serviced immediately to rule out any issues with malfunctioning.

To Protect Your Family’s Health

Lastly, one of the best reasons to have your furnace serviced is that you want to protect your family. A malfunctioning furnace can cause issues such as electrical shortages, electrical fires, carbon monoxide leaks, a decrease in air quality, and more. If you have a concern about one or more of these issues, it would be best to schedule furnace maintenance as soon as possible.

Overall, there are plenty of reasons to have your furnace serviced. In addition to the listed reasons, experts assert that your furnace should be serviced annually, no matter if you are concerned or not. Either way, if you find yourself in need of furnace maintenance for any reason, this is not a DIY-friendly project. Be sure to contact a professional furnace repairman you can trust.

 

While a lot of people are happy to make the interior of their home look good, they often fail to consider their home’s exterior. If you would like your home to look good, you need to make sure you spend some time on its exterior. The good news is this article can help you with that.

Replace the Roof

If your home is looking like it needs a little love, consider replacing the roof. This will help it appear to be in better condition. It will also ensure that your home is well insulated. If you cannot afford to replace all of the roof you might want to replace the worst tiles or shingles. A newly fitted roof will help your home to look a lot more modern.

Clean the Driveway

If you would like a simple solution to tidying your home’s exterior you should consider power washing the driveway and any pathways that you have. A quick wash can make a world of difference as it gets rid of all the dirt and grime. It can also bring out your driveway’s natural color and make pathways look new once more.

Replace the Windows

If your windows are old you might want to consider replacing them. New windows will add more character to your home, especially if they are the same style as the property. New windows can also add a touch of security as they’re likely to be harder to smash. Replacing the windows will instantly transform your home and make it look more modern.

If you cannot replace the windows consider painting them so they look clean. White or cream are usually the best colors to use.

Paint the Front Door

Your front door says a lot about your home. If your front door is dirty or its damaged people will not have a good impression of your home. If you cannot afford to replace your front door or you simply don’t wish to, consider painting it. Exterior paint can breathe new life into your door. Consider painting the door a different color and cleaning any glass. Your door will look as good as new.

Clear Away That Clutter

Clear away any clutter that is kept outside your front door. Store your bins in a locked container or make sure they’re stored neatly. Clear away any leaves and trash. Sweep up stones that have made their way onto the pathways and weed any bits of grass that are growing in the middle of the path. A tidy front garden or entrance to your home makes a world of difference.

With a little bit of work, you can make your home’s exterior look good. You don’t have to spend very much money, you just need to know how to go about it. Replace the roof if you need to, clean your driveway and update your windows. Paint or clean your front door and, finally, clear away any clutter. Your home’s exterior will look so much better!