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5 Tips to Keep Pests Out of Your Kitchen and Pantry

It is such a nightmare when we see unwelcome pests around our kitchen and near our food. Who would know where they came from and where they have crawled? Some pests are also known to carry germs and diseases. There may be roaches, fruit flies, rodents, weevils and many more kinds – crawling around our food, spreading bacteria and contaminating food in a “sacred” space in the home.

Homeowners should always be on the lookout for this pests. That’s why we listed some tips that you could apply to keep these pests away from your kitchen pantry, as much as possible. Prioritize the cleanliness of your home, especially where the food is!

1. Most basic and important: Proper Storage

I cannot stress this enough. Start with this and it will make a drastic change in keeping pests away. How will pests reach their target (food) when they can’t get it, right? Invest in insect-resistant containers, such as thick plastic and metal containers with a tightly fitted lid. Always stock up on airtight containers.

2. Keep the area clean

Pests are attracted to food spillage, crumbs, loose foods and open garbage – it’s like you are serving them food by leaving them in the open area, free to infest on. Immediately wipe countertops, tables, floors, and shelves. Garbages should also be sealed properly and thrown out regularly.

clean kitchen marble counter top to keep pests away

3. Seal any entryways of insects

Watch out for cracks and crevices around the kitchen area where pests may use as an entry point.Be sure to seal them immediately. Drains in the sink aren’t exempted – especially when a drain is clogged or filled with filth, it can actually attract insects of sorts and they may even live there. Good thing we can avoid clogging our drain and lessen the attraction our kitchen gives to pests.

4. The organic way: Bay Leaves

These leaves can work some magic among pests because of its pungent smell which the insects hate. You can add these leaves in a canister and packages of dry goods like rice, flour, and other grains.bay leaves scattered on wooden table to keep pests away

5. Keep eyes open when shopping

Be a smart shopper and always look at the packages of the items you’re buying.Make sure there are no signs of damages. Some grocery items tend to be infested on upon purchase. You definitely don’t want to bring these pests into your home and damage all the other goods.

Another important pointer when shopping is to check the expiration date. When you see expired items, inform the clerks. Back at home, toss away any products that are past their expiration date or have been stored for a long period of time.

Deal with Pests Immediately in Your Kitchen and Pantry

If you are currently dealing with pests infestation in your kitchen, or anywhere at all in your home, there are some DIY remedies you can do. But the best way to deal with them instantly and completely is to call a Professional Pest Exterminator for help. They would know the right methods and techniques to totally get rid of them. Quality exterminators also give advice to their clients regarding on what to do to prevent the infestation in the future.

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How to Improve Your Interior Lighting and Make the Most of Your Home

Lights are fairly used every single day and are essential in a household. A little magic of good lighting can make a big difference in a room – be it artificial or natural lighting, both can have a big impact on the look, feel and function of your home. Make the most of your home with these simple and easy ways you can apply to improve the lighting of your home.

Have natural lights and let the sunshine in!

big window in office for homeimprovement

Sunlight is also known to be an antidote to depression and can easily uplift someone’s mood! All you need to add natural light are multiple windows and consider a glass door. Another bonus is that you can cut down on electric cost because then you will be less reliant on electrical lighting.

Pick the proper bulb

Know first what kind of lighting you want and need. Some rooms can be brighter, like the bathrooms and laundry room, while some can have warmer lights like the living room and dining room. LED Bulbs having 2700K (Kelvin Temperature) have a warm yellow light and bulbs with 3000K are the white lights.

Have some candles for ambianceround candle light by the window for home improvement

For a warmer, comfy feeling, candle lights can exactly give your home that touch. It can also add to the relaxing vibe – bonus is scented candles that can give a soothing aroma in the room for a much better ambiance feel!

Add a Dimmer

Want an easy way to control the mood and brightness of the light depending on the time of the day? Dimmer is the answer!  Adjust from bright light to low light. Keep in mind that the dimmer should be compatible with the light you’re using and has a nice quality. There are high-quality dimmers that you can get in Home Depot   

Install Skylight in your ceilingskylight in the ceiling for home improvement

Pull in more natural light and save more on energy cost with skylights or “windows of the roof”. Having skylights can have various physical and psychological effect – not can it just bring a new life to the room, but it will definitely improve your health and mood making you happier!

Have Mirrors around your home

Having a mirror can reflect more light, bounce them around and give an impression of a bigger space. Consider also using glossy or eggshell finish which has a better ability to bounce lights, compared to flat matte finishes.

Experiment with Pendantslight pendants for homeimprovement

Pendants are a great way for lighting and style. Just use your imagination and creativity with mixing and matching different pendants from different collections to come up with some unique look.

WOW with your entrance

First impressions last, that’s why consider wowing your guests right in your doorstep! Chandeliers can be installed in your entryway or any other lamp furniture that can be an accent and gets attention.

Consider the scale and create a focal pointliving room with big floor lamp

Having larger sculpture lamp or oversized pendants can definitely create an impression in the room. Just make sure it fits the room and other furniture, also make sure the size compliments the space of the room and doesn’t make the room look stuffy.

Now, remember that lighting has a power to make or break an interior scheme. Make your home reflect more of your personality with the moods you’ll set up with your lighting.

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7 Important Garage Door Maintenance and Safety Tips

As homeowners, we should always ensure the safety of our Loved ones and ours as well. Owning a Garage Door means we have to maintain its safety condition – since it’s most likely the biggest moving object in our home and can pose a danger. Of course, doing maintenance on it will also help ensure both the Safety Condition and Maintain its Proper Function to operate Smoothly, Quietly and Safely.

Here are some Regular Maintenance Tips for your Garage Door to keep it Safe:

Observe: Look and Listen

See to it if it moves Smoothly or Jerky. The Garage Door produces a lot of movement and vibrations which can cause some parts to loosen and some old rusty parts to break, especially when they are under extreme tension. Take a look at your Hinges and Rollers.

Tip: Replace Rollers after 3 to 4 Years

Tighten Bolts and Lubricate Parts

Because of a lot of Movement and Vibrations, hardware can loosen especially when a Garage Door is used every single day – which most likely is happening. Be sure to examine and tighten the bolts, hinges, and roller brackets.

Don’t forget about Parts that are in need of Lubrication! Remember that your Garage Door needs to be Greased Up. This will just take you about 10 minutes every year in exchange for added years of smooth operation of your Garage Door System. Use motor oil or spray lubricant on your Springs, and White Lithium Grease on you Opener’s Chain.

Check the Cables

Cables should always be in Good Optimal Condition because they are the main parts responsible for the actual opening and closing of the Heavy Garage Door. But don’t tinker with high spring tension cables on your own because it has enough force to bring you in danger and should only be handled by Professionals. What you can do is check for broken cable strands and other damages and be sure to ask help from a Professional Garage Door Technician if you find one.

Test the Auto Reverse System/Safety Sensors

Auto Reverse System is your Garage Door’s Auto-Stop Feature. When the door detects an obstruction, it will automatically return to the open position. Test this by putting something below the center of the door and see to it that it reverses when it touches the obstruction. When it doesn’t work, immediately call a Professional Garage Door Service to fix it for you.

Test the Emergency Manual Release

The Emergency Release is the Red Handle hanging from a rope which allows you to manually control the Garage door and bring it up or down as you please. If it gets partially stuck, be sure to call a Professional and let them handle it for you.

Big no-no for Free Rides

Kids may find it fun to ride on the Garage Door handle which exposes them to possible dangers. Teach children that the Garage Door isn’t a toy and ensure that they keep their hands and fingers away from the panels of the Garage Door.

Check the Garage Door itself

Garage Doors have different types of Materials. Knowing the material of your Door will give you an insight on how to maintain it. For Wood Doors, check for water damages, chips, and warps. Steels tend to develop rust spots so be sure to sand, prime and paint them. Also, keep your Garage Door clean regularly by washing it at the same time you wash your Car.

Always ensure the Safe Operation of Your Garage Door and keep it maintained and clean regularly! If you need any help in keeping your Garage Door in smooth operation or if it needs a check-up, repair or tune-up, be sure to choose a reliable Professional Garage Door Service. Just like our favorite Company, Fort Lee Garage Doors, they will surely keep your Garage Doors in safe working order!

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A Simple Guide To Properly Mount a Flat Screen TV

These days, you won’t be able to find a household without a television set. This handy appliance provides endless hours of entertainment for you and your loved ones. And as our society continues to evolve, so does television sets. The current trend nowadays is to have a flat screen television. This innovation helps save a lot of space without sacrificing functionality or any of its features. As such, knowing how to properly mount a flat screen television on a wall will be quite useful for you. You won’t need to spend money to hire a professional handyman if you have this knowledge with you.

For starters, you will need a drill, measuring tape, a pencil, a screwdriver, and some screws. To help prevent any accident from occurring, don’t forget to wear protective eye goggles and gloves. Plus, bring along a broom because your floors will be dirty once you have successfully mounted a flat screen television.

First and foremost, take the television and its corresponding mounting brackets out of its packaging. Attach the aforementioned brackets on the back of your new television. This is done by tightening several screws that will connect the mounts to your TV. Make sure the mounts are securely attached to your television by nudging it a bit.

Next, you need to find where the studs are located inside your wall. To accomplish this feat, you will need an electronic stud finder to help you out. As soon as you find these studs, mark their location using a pencil. You need to find these studs because they provide the necessary support to hold the mounting brackets and your flat screen television.

After you have located the studs, take your drill and make some holes on your wall. Do keep in mind to use the corresponding drill bit that matches your mounting brackets’ screws. If you use the wrong drill bit, you won’t be able to mount your flat screen television and you’re going to damage the walls at the same time. Furthermore, don’t forget to protect your hands and eyes using protective gear to prevent any body part from sustaining an injury while you are accomplishing this particular step.

Now that you have drilled several holes on your wall, take the other half of the mounting bracket. Test it first if all of its moving parts are intact and secure. Then, place it on the wall with drilled holes and drive the screws through them. Use a screwdriver to do this step and make sure you have a good grip on it. Pick up your flat screen TV carefully and mount it onto the brackets. Move it around to see if the mounts are tight and secure in their position. For the final step, clean up the mess caused by drilling on your wall. After you have done that, you can now enjoy using your new television.

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Getting The Most Out of Your House

Real Estate Brokers will tell you that if you want to sell your house there are some things that you should definitely do. It helps the broker, which does two things. First, it encourages the broker because he/she has an easier time. It’s only human nature. You don’t want a broker to dread showing your house. A well-prepared house sells itself. Second, it helps you maximize the return and speeds up the sale, both of which are in your interest.

OK, so how do you prepare? First, you have to get rid of extraneous items. Most houses get cluttered after years of living in them. In fact, you get so used to having things around, you don’t see them any longer. Unconsciously, a buyer does not want to feel your presence. A buyer must be made to picture him/herself belonging to the house. Your stuff, which you love and are proud of, is a negative. Many houses are over-furnished. Get rid of excess furniture. Less furniture makes the rooms look bigger. If you can afford it, get a professional stage. They can do wonders for a house. After living in a house for years, you may lose the ability to think outside the furnishing box. Staging a house will get it sold faster and get you a higher price. It’s a good investment. Also, stagers usually have a stock of classy items to fill in what you’re missing. Vases, pillows, conversation pieces are available with you having to buy them.

The house should look as new as you can make it. If the house outside is landscaped see that everything is up to date, mowing, trimming etc. If it’s winter time. Make sure the walkways and driveway are plowed. This goes for the backyard and deck, too. It should look like it’s not a big deal. Inside, you want each room to look like a furniture showroom. IF the walls look mangy, freshen them up with a paint job where it needs it. Make sure everything functions. All appliances should work and be clean. Doors and windows should open and close without a problem. Light switches should all work and there should never, never be a missing bulb. The basement and attic should be clean and well organized. The garage should look like it could be a room inside the house. There is a tendency to clutter the basement and garage in order to make the house neat. That doesn’t work. The garage and basement indicate to a buyer, whether true or not, that the house it properly cared for. If you have to, get a storage place to keep the stuff until you move.

When your house is ready, get a broker in to tell you what else you should do. They are usually very helpful. They know what buyers look at. And never be home when the house is being shown. And you certainly don’t want to be available to answer stupid questions if your broker sets up an open-house, don’t be there.

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How to Unclog a Toilet Using a Plunger

Having a toilet bowl in your house is definitely a life-saver. Back before this handy plumbing fixture existed, people would go to great lengths to get rid of their waste. Nowadays, most people would take the functionality of a toilet bowl for granted. That’s why there will be times when your toilet bowl will malfunction and prevent the water inside of it from being flushed. Once this happens, you can expect your bathroom floor to be flooded with all sorts of waste in it. This is going to cause a lot of annoyance and trouble for everyone in your home. If you don’t want that unwanted scenario to happen, you better equip yourself with a plunger right away.

Causes of Toilet Clogs

Before you go ahead and learn how to use a plunger, you need to familiarize yourself with the main cause of toilet clogs. Most of the time, throwing any external items in your toilet bowl rather than the trash can cause a blockage. These items include tissue paper, tampons, and diapers, among others. If you are not that careful, plastic shampoo bottles or bars of soap can find their way into your toilet bowl. All of these items can get stuck in your toilet and block the flow of water. If you don’t want a flood inside your bathroom, you need to be vigilant in preventing these items from being thrown into your toilet bowl. Plus, you also need to remind everyone in your household to throw their respective trash into the proper container.

How to Use a Toilet Plunger

When you encounter a clog in your toilet, the best and simplest way to handle it is to use a plunger. Basically, this tool consists of a handle, flange, and the plunger itself. To use a toilet plunger, you need to have a firm grip on the handle and insert the other end using a 90-degree angle. Now, don’t exert all your effort into that first thrust. You need to go gentle because there will be some air inside the main compartment of the plunger. Using a hard thrust will push the item that’s clogging your toilet farther down your toilet’s drainage system. Once this happens, it will be impossible for your plunger to take the external item out of your toilet.

After you have made the first thrust in a gentle manner, you can now exert more effort gradually. The air inside the plunger will act as a suction to attract the external item. The more you push on your toilet plunger, the item that caused the clog will slowly be sucked into this tool. Once it has entered the compartment of the plunger, carefully scoop it up. This should be done to prevent the clogging material from falling back into the toilet.

Not having a plunger inside your bathroom will be detrimental to you when an item clogs your toilet. This particular bathroom tool is easy to procure and much easier to use. Do yourself a big favor and get one for your household today.

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Tips for Replacing a Faucet

Today’s faucets are easy to install. You can even purchase a faucet that installs entirely from the top of the sink so you don’t have to crawl around. However, there are still a few things that can help you with a quick and leak-free installation. Use these tips to get started.

UPGRADE SUPPLY LINES

One of the challenges of putting in a new faucet used to be connecting the supply lines without worrying about their leaking. However, the newer style of connectors has gaskets in each end that make the connections almost foolproof. They’re a little more expensive than the older style of connectors but they’re well worth the extra cost. You don’t even need to make sure that the nut is extremely tight for a good seal. Use your hands to make the connection finger-tight and then use a wrench for an additional half turn. Replacing your supply lines with stainless steel connectors is the best choice you’ll ever make.

SAVE INSTRUCTIONS AND PARTS

When you replace the faucet, you’re going to have tools and other parts that you’ll want to keep around. One of the best ways to make sure you don’t lose anything you might need is to put any extra parts, tools, and instruction sheet in a freezer bag and then hang the bag inside the sink cabinet. You’ll be able to find it if needed for any repairs.

CHECK FOR LEAKS

Whether you’re replacing the sink or you’ve hired a plumber to make the change, check for any leaks. After the sink is first installed, turn the water on and let it run for a few minutes. Then get a tissue and go under the sink. Use the tissue to wipe the joints and see if it stays dry. Even a small leak will show up as a wet spot. Tighten up the connection near any leaks that you find.

TURN OFF THE WATER SUPPLY

This is something that you’ll want to do before getting started. Before you replace a sink or do any repairs, it’s a good idea to turn off the water supply leading to the faucet. Most people forget this step, but it’s an important but simple one to do. You’ll be glad that you did!

When you replace a sink today, they come with instructions and are fairly easy to do. These tips are just a few extra ways to make sure that you end up with a good replacement and avoid any leaks or problems along the way.

Watch this video that will show you how to replace a faucet.

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How Cleaning a Septic Tank Can Eliminate the Problem of Clogged Drains

If your home has a septic tank, and you have neglected it for too long, it could be the reason you always have clogged drains. Sometimes, people only think about the pipes and sinks when they notice that water is not flowing as it should.  However, a dirty tank can also lead to this situation. Here are some facts that you may want to know.

Accumulation of Dirt in the Tank Can Block the Pipes

Statistics from reliable sources have shown that tanks that are not regularly cleaned contribute to the blockage of pipes. This is because, at the point where pipes connect to the tank, dirt accumulates and could block it if it is not removed. As a result, the water will not flow into the septic tank fast, and this is how clogging starts. You may be wasting your time trying to locate the materials that are blocking your drains yet all you need to do is to clean your septic tank.

Emptying the Tanks Can Also Reduce Clogging

Sometimes, when the tank is almost full, it tries to slow down the flow of water in the pipes. This is more likely when the pipes enter the tank at a lower level, and there obviously is no overflow. Therefore, when you notice an unusual slowdown in water flow, you may want to check if your tank is almost full already. If it is, just empties it, have it cleaned and everything will come back to normal. A reliable plumber will always tell you when the problem is with your tank.

Regular cleaning of the septic tank should not be a difficult task. You only need to ensure that the plumber has the right cleaning equipment. They also should be able to inspect the tank and detect other problems such as leakages. A properly working plumbing system is what you need in your home.

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10 Things that Clog Your Drain and How to Avoid Them

All kinds of oddities get put down in the sinks. It’s a serious issue for many families, and it can be a serious financial issue if you have to call a drain service to solve the problem.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to plumbing. Professional plumbers in Elizabeth have literally seen everything come out of a clogged drain. Though there are a wide variety of things that end up in the drain, there are a few repeat offenders that plumbers know are going to clog those drains over and over again. If you can manage to avoid these, then you’re in pretty good shape.

  1. Baby products – Wipes are the main culprit here. Those things are really never flushable, and it’s much better not to try.
  2. Cotton – Cotton swabs, cotton balls, cotton from cigarette filters. This stuff absorbs water and expands, causing a plumbing nightmare.
  3. Hair – If your family has a lot of hair, it’s best to protect your drains and insist that everyone do their part to keep it out!
  4. Grease – This stuff gets gooey and hardens into a disgusting blob in the drain. It’s not pretty.
  5. Food scraps – So many people put food down the drain! Pasta noodles are some of the worst, as they get smashed and then expand. Vegetable peelings are another tough contender that clog drains constantly.
  6. Coffee grounds – They might be small, but coffee grounds are gnarly in your kitchen sink. Prevent kitchen clogs by never putting coffee grounds down the sink!
  7. Super ply toilet paper – The higher the ply, the more likely it is to give you a clogged toilet. Don’t go overboard.
  8. Bath salts and bath bombs – These luxuries don’t always dissolve as well as we’d like them to, leaving that tub drain clogged.
  9. Soap – Yes soap! It’s, of course, necessary in the bathtub or shower, but the little bits congeal and then grab every little substance in your drain to get it clogged beyond belief.
  10. Children’s toys – This is the classic toilet clog, and it’s rough stuff. You’ll end up with a plumbing service if your child decides to see what goes down the hole.  

The great thing about these ten common drain clogs is that you can avoid all of them! Keeping clogs out of your sink doesn’t have to be a massive challenge. Change your habits when it comes to drains, then don’t worry about calling a plumber!

Looking for a trusted plumber to fix your clogged drain? Check out this company that offers professional residential and commercial plumbing services.

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3 Quick Fix DIY – Squeaky Door Hinges

Doors get a LOT of use around the house. We literally go in and out of them constantly! Sometimes all that wear can cause doors to either get squeaky or to get sticky, depending on what’s going on with them. In order to fix your door hinges, you just need a few minutes.

Photo credit: racheocity via Foter.com / CC BY-ND

Here are three ways to quickly banish squeaky or sticky door hinges – DIY style.

1. WD-40

Grab a can of WD-40 and go to town on those hinges. This is your first line of defense, and it’s usually going to work well. Spray the product right into the hinges, then move the door back and forth. You should immediately feel the door loosen as you work it in.

2. Petroleum Jelly

This isn’t as good as WD-40, but it’ll still work. Rub a pea-sized bit of petroleum jelly on the door hinges and then move the door back and forth as with the WD-40. Again, you should feel the door loosen up quickly.

3. Three-in-one oil

You’ll find three-in-one oil at any hardware store – just ask about it. To use this, you’ll have to lift the pins in the hinge halfway up, then lubricate them with the oil and push them back in. Be sure to use a cloth to catch drips as this product can cause stains.

With just a couple of minutes of DIY home magic, your door hinges won’t be a squeaky, stick problem!