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If you’ve ever used cedar closet deodorizers or shavings for a pet cage, you’re already familiar with its fresh and lovely scent. On a larger scale, cedar is used to make some beautiful items that smell even more delicious. If you’re intrigued on how to get more of that lovely aroma into your life, here are five things made of cedar you should definitely own.

Storage Chest

Many people have had a cedar chest in the family for decades. These chests are exquisitely crafted and retain their fragrance for years. They’re great for storing blankets, or any items you want to keep safe. The oil in cedar naturally repels pests, so you don’t have to worry about moths or anything else getting inside.

Screen Door

Nothing brings back great summertime memories quite like the sound of a screen door slam. When looking for the right door for your home, a cedar screen door not only adds nostalgia, but good looks, too. Your screen door will keep your home ventilated and secure. Plus, it’s immensely convenient to get in and out of your yard in a hurry.

Garden Planters

Cedar is extremely beneficial in garden areas due to its scent and pest-repelling qualities. It’s often ground up as mulch for this very reason, but a more attractive use would be a cedar planter. You can use it for flowers, vegetable plants or herbs and you’ll get that wonderful cedar smell every time you pass by.

Porch Furniture

Although cedar smells heavenly to humans, it isn’t appetizing to pests and that’s why it’s such a great choice for porch or deck furniture. Its pink color gives it a one-of-a-kind look and complements any decor. Best of all, your neighbors will be insanely jealous of your new furniture set!

Unique Fencing

Although less common than other types of fencing, cedar makes for a unique and attractive border for your yard. Since cedar lasts longer than many other types of wood, you won’t have to worry about replacing it like other materials. Cedar fences also resist insects, in particular termites, so your fence will be with you for many years.

Cedar Throughout the House

Cedar is one of the prettiest woods you can buy and its aroma makes it even more appealing. Utilize cedar inside and outside your home for furniture, fencing, screen doors and in the garden. Your property will smell great and will be naturally pest-free!

Regularly maintaining your septic system can save you money, protect the value of your home and avoid potential safety issues. These three septic maintenance tips can help keep your septic system in good condition.

1. Inspect and Pump

It is recommended that you contact septic service Orlando for an inspection at least once every three years. Most tanks should be pumped once every three to five years. Systems that utilize electrical float switches, mechanical components or pumps may need an inspection every year. How often you should have your system inspected and pumped will vary depending upon your household size, the volume of solids in wastewater, septic tank size and the amount of wastewater generated.

2. Dispose of Waste Properly

Your septic tank will function better if you do not dispose of anything in your garbage disposal, sink, bath or toilet that should not go in the septic tank. Avoid flushing cooking grease, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, kitty litter and other items that are not toilet paper or human waste down your toilet. Do not use chemicals that may kill the bacteria that break down waste in your septic, such as drain openers. Limit your use of the garbage disposal to avoid an excess buildup of fats, grease and solids that can clog your tank.

3. Avoid Damaging Your Drainfield

The drainfield is the part of your septic system that decontaminates the liquid that comes out of your septic system. You should be careful not to park your car or drive over your drainfield. Avoid planting trees too close to the drainfield, because the roots can damage the septic system. Make sure your roof drains do not drain into your drainfield area because the water from your drains can interfere with the wastewater treatment process. 

Your septic system is an important component of your home. Including these three tips in your septic maintenance plan can help you avoid costly septic system repairs. 

The housing market isn’t getting any easier for renters to navigate, and people sometimes have to sacrifice their most important criteria to accommodate budgetary or time constraints. If you need to rent a new apartment, some strategic initiative can help you find a rental that you’ll be happy with. Here are some important things that apartment seekers should do to give themselves the best possible chance of landing a great apartment.

Study Your Local Housing Market

Getting a good look at the lay of the land in your area can help you form realistic expectations about rents, space, and amenities. Do some due diligence about the range of rents in your area to get a sense about what type of unit you can reasonably afford.

Identify Your Biggest Priorities

While you may not be able to get everything on you’d like, you know that there are some features that you absolutely must have in order to be satisfied with a rental. Make a list of the amenities that you value most, and don’t be quick to compromise.

Look at Units That Are Well-Managed

When you look at a unit, you should give careful consideration to its appearance and the local reputation of the company that manages it. Do a little research to find out about what you’re getting into. If you’re looking for an apartment Lakeside Oakland CA, try to find a professionally managed building with a track record of creating positive tenant experiences.

Start Looking Early

As soon as you know that you have to move, you should start looking for a new unit. Don’t delay your search until your deadline is right around the corner. Many landlords and management companies advertise their units that have lease terms ending months before they will become available, and some of the most sought-after buildings have waiting lists.

Wondering how you can add a functional half bathroom to your home? It’s actually easier than you may think. Here are three great tips that will help you squeeze a half-bathroom into even the tightest spaces.

1. Find an Ideal Location

There are plenty of good spots to add a useful new half bathroom to your home. Underused closets or pantries are perfect candidates for half bathroom remodels since the basic structure, including walls and doors, are already in place. You should consider the location of existing plumbing lines whenever possible. Professional plumbing services Denver CO will help you divert plumbing lines if necessary.

2. Develop a Layout

Since you’re working with a tight space to create your half bathroom, it’s important to carefully design the layout with practicality in mind. Luckily, there are space-saving toilet and sink options that can make the room more open than standard fixtures. Choose a corner toilet and a corner sink. Mount the sink directly to the wall for maximum effect. Pair these features with a pocket door for a smart solution for even the smallest spaces. These corner fixtures also provide extra clearance if you want a door that swings inward.

3. Add Finishing Touches

As with any remodeling project, it’s really the finishing details that bring the room together. Install custom tile to put your own personal touch on the room. Another way to make the space unique is with custom lighting. In small spaces, a flush mounted ceiling is a non-intrusive and attractive way to ensure that the room is well-lit. You should also incorporate some mirrors into the design, which can make smaller rooms seem much bigger.

An extra half bathroom will instantly make your home more functional. By following these tips, you’ll create a practical half bathroom that will add value to your home.

Whether you’re looking to sell or update your home, it may seem like experts recommend extensive projects. Fortunately, there are ways to freshen up your home without spending a ton of money. Here are four things you can do to breathe new life into your home.

1. Add Window Coverings

Windows don’t feel complete without some type of covering. Even if you would love to keep your windows bare to let natural sunlight in, there are times when privacy is required. There are a variety of window coverings available:

• Blinds
• Drapes
• Shades
• Verticals
• Minis
• Faux wood
• Cornices
• Shutters

Selecting the right window coverings can make a huge difference in a room. There are benefits to each type of window covering. For example, cellular shades Boston are great for reducing energy costs and controlling the amount of light that comes into the room.

2. Paint the Front Door

They say first impressions are everything, so why not make a great first impression with a colored front door. In art and in many cultures, colors have special meaning. Orange and yellow typically radiate warmth and joy, whereas blue and green generally represent serenity and healing. If you don’t want to paint your front door a different color, consider adding a wreath. Wreaths are available in various sizes and designs to match your unique home style.

3. Use Mirrors in Every Room

Mirrors are a great way to brighten up any room. Many people mistakenly think that the correct placement of mirrors is directly across from a window. However, if you want to get more light bouncing around a room, place a mirror perpendicular to a window.

4. Position Rugs Under Furniture

Rugs are an ideal accessory in any room because they help define an area. In a living room, be sure to place at least the front legs of all furniture on the rug. The rug designates the seating area in the room and makes the furniture look properly scaled.

Freshening up your home doesn’t require major renovations. These simple tips will help create a beautiful space that you can enjoy immediately.

Take a moment to consider the services that feed your household. The water supply, electricity, gas supply, phonelines and waste services are just a small section of the underground networks that serve Australian households, business, transport networks, communication networks and other large-scale infrastructures.

Often these services are situated just below the ground on which we walk, drive and play. They span along most paths, roads, highways and motorways, no matter where you are in the world. Should they become damaged, the there is the potential to stop that network from supplying whatever it is delivering, and in doing so potentially cause widespread disruption.

In recent years there have been a few high-profile incidents where contractors working on motorway projects have accidentally severed the trunk cables of Australia-wide mobile phone network providers. In each case those incidents caused entire network regions to be unavailable, which whilst it may be just and inconvenience for some, it could be hugely problematic for others. You only need to consider the reliance that emergency services place on phone contact for live reporting on a situation to realise the potential consequences.

Additionally, as a contractor, the last thing you want to be responsible for is the disruption to a major network because of a lack of planning or research. Worse still, you really do not want to be responsible for the injury to or death of an employee who accidentally severed an electricity line with some excavation machinery.

Dial Before You Dig Australia is a referral service provided by the Australian Government. This free information service has dual purpose; as well as safeguarding the massive countrywide network infrastructures, it also provides safety and reassurance for anyone looking to excavate earth for a specific project.

Dial Before You Dig, or DBYD Australia as it’s more colloquially known, a single point of contact between excavation companies and infrastructure owners, the program is simply a means of informing those who require it, where the underground infrastructure is located in relation to a project, both to safeguard the infrastructure and to help keep anyone who is involved with the project safe from harm. This could for example be a commercial developer with large scale construction plans, the owner of a farm holding small developer looking to subdivide their land, or even a plumbing company installing a drainage pipe to the kerbside.

If you don’t know what’s beneath your feet and you need to know, contacting the Dial Before you Dig service is free. A simple enquiry essentially puts you in touch with the owners of any infrastructure in the locality, and they will respond with plans and information about what is there.

There is of course reassurance to using the service, and being free, it is wise to do so. Businesses and individuals who inadvertently damage underground assets are often liable for their repair, which can become hugely expensive. Therefore, a quick enquiry to Dial Before You Dig can help avoid making a costly and potentially dangerous error of judgement.

 

Projects aimed at making your home be more energy efficient while also making it safer are well worth the investment. You’ll safeguard your home, increase its value, and do your part to help the environment.

Replace Old Wiring

A home with a lot of old wiring may be wasting electricity. When wiring is damaged, inadequate, or just isn’t the right size, some of the electricity running through it may be discharged as heat instead of reaching its intended destination. Not only does this waste electricity, it can put your home at risk of an electrical fire. Replacing old wiring will save energy and make your home safer. If you need help with electrical projects Hopewell VA, work with a service provider who can help you evaluate your current system and make recommendations about how to make it more efficient and safe.

Upgrade Your Windows

Old drafty windows force your home’s heating and cooling system to work a lot harder than it needs to. Also, they can put your home at risk of damage in the event of a weather emergency. Moreover, they can leave your home susceptible to water intrusion and mold. Upgrading your windows with new energy efficient windows will protect your home against the elements and help you reduce the strain on your home’s heating and cooling needs.

Install New Doors

Much like old windows, old doors can take a toll on your home’s climate control and cause your home to be vulnerable to inclement weather. New exterior doors in the front and back of your home will help you save on your energy bill while fortifying your home against high winds. In addition, your home may be more secure against someone trying to gain access.

Making your home more energy efficient will offer ongoing savings. Make it safer will offer invaluable peace of mind.

Looking for a new home can be a stressful and confusing endeavor. The time-consuming aspects of this search include finding a home that fits all your specific needs, figuring out your financing options and putting in an offer on that home.

There is an easy solution to these stressors: you can work with a realtor! Realtors devote their entire careers to navigating the tricky waters of buying a new home. There are plenty of realtors who are willing and ready to help, so the key to finding your next home is finding the right realtor. Here are three things you should look for in a Realtor.

1. A History of Success

Different realtors offer different styles of service, so you want to make sure you choose a realtor who has a record of customer satisfaction and a holistic knowledge of the real estate profession. One way to make sure of this is to look for a realtor by using one of the real estate companies Virginia Beach VA in your desired area. Using a realtor who works for a company that has a history of professionalism and success will allow you to relax throughout the process of searching for your next home.

2. Market Awareness

Your realtor should be familiar with the neighborhoods in which you are looking to buy. This will confirm that he or she understands what type of homes are typically sold at specific price ranges in specific areas. Using a realtor who has prior experience professionally or personally in the area where you are looking to buy will help you guarantee that he or she can properly assist you.

3. Professional Connections

Imagine this: you have found your perfect home, but the flooring needs to be replaced. However, you have moved to a new area and do not know which local company to trust with this complex issue. Your realtor can help with this. Throughout their careers, realtors build relationships with people whose work is related to theirs.

Searching for a home on your own can cause more stress than it’s worth. Using a realtor can lead to you finding the home of your dreams with the help of a professional who knows exactly how to accomplish that.

Over 5 million people buy pre-existing homes in the United States each year. Most people wait a long time before trying to make their dream of owning a home a reality. Buying a home requires both a good down payment and financial stability.

You may be surprised to learn just how many homes are for sale in your area. Before making a decision on which home to purchase, be sure to consider the following factors.

Establishing a Budget is Vital

Before you start to look at real estate Powell River BC, you need to work on establishing a budget. Rather than guessing about how much you can afford to spend on a home, you need to find out definite numbers. The best way to do this is by getting pre-approved for a mortgage.

Preparing for your meeting with a lender will make this process much easier. Collecting things like past paycheck stubs and a list of your assets is a must. With this information, a lender will be able to get an idea about whether or not you can get approved for a mortgage.

The Size of the Home and the Lot

Taking the time to assess how big your new home needs to be is also important. Ideally, you want to choose a home that is a bit bigger than you need at the time. This will give you plenty of room to grow into the home.

You also need to work on finding a home with a large lot. This is especially important if you have children. Having a big yard allows you to give your children an ideal spot to play and have fun.

Buying a Home is a Great Investment

While owning a home can be stressful and expensive, it is a great investment. With some time and research, finding your dream home will be easy.

Valves are a crucial part of your water system. However, if not given proper maintenance or exercise, they can prove to be one of the worst issues in your lines. Fortunately, exercising them can be as simple as using a valve turner regularly. Read on to learn how to add maintenance to your schedule. 

Why Should I Exercise my Valves?

Unfortunately, the majority of valves in water systems are not operable. However, there are steps you can take to make sure that these valves work. For instance, you can institute a valve exercising program to make sure that they will operate when they are needed for a repair on that line, to shut off water to someone who has not paid, or cut off water to a broken line. If a valve does not work in one of these situations, the repair crew will need to go to a valve further back in the line, which wastes time and cuts of water to more than the necessary area. 

How Often Should They Be Exercised?

How often your valves should be exercised will depend on the amount of water that flows through them. For example, a hospital or restaurant will need to have regularly delivered water. They will also need to receive quick service if something goes wrong in the line. Therefore, you should exercise these valves frequently to make sure that these facilities are in optimum working condition. On the other hand, a single home’s line will not need to be checked as often. At a minimum, you should exercise a single home’s line every few years. 

By maintaining a regular valve exercise schedule, you can make sure that they will work when they are needed. You should make sure that you exercise valves that have a lot of water flowing through them frequently, while valves that are less busy will not need to be maintained as often.