BEST PLUMBING TIPS FROM EXPERTS: 2022 LIST

You can never know too much about plumbing: how it is still changing with new and innovative ideas. Understanding the basics of your plumbing systems is often a must if you do not want to deal with the hassle of leaky pipes in your building. If you’re new to plumbing work, read this plumbing checklist to help you understand it better and how it works.

Plumbing Tips

These are some of the essential plumbing tips in 2022 that will help you care for your plumbing system. If you want to ensure that your plumbing systems continue to function correctly, consider these tips:

Tip 1: Inspection is A Must

It will help if you do assessments routinely. Your plumbing system is an integral part of your building, and problems with it can cause problems in some other parts of your structure. Your plumbing system controls water flow, wastewater, drains, and more.

Inspection can help you find possible problems in your system and fix them right away. Without this, you may encounter minor issues that can turn into something serious, which causes more problems and additional costs. It would be best if you also considered hiring a professional to inspect your plumbing systems as an amateur or someone with little to no experience will be unable to spot not-so-obvious signs of deterioration or damage.

Tip 2: Cleaning and Maintenance

Maintaining and cleaning your plumbing systems are just as crucial as inspection. Professionals inspect to see if repairs are needed or if you have significant problems with your unit. Consider installing access doors for easier access to your plumbing systems while keeping them safe and protected. Consider hiring professionals to clean and maintain your plumbing systems, as they would know what to do and how to do it properly.

By ensuring your pipes are getting their routine cleaning and maintenance done, you are prolonging their lives and durability, saving them from damage and deterioration. It would also be best not to attempt to clean your pipes alone, as you will need more than just a brush and some cleaning chemicals.

Tip 3: Know the Important Parts

You should always know the essential parts of your plumbing systems, especially the shut-off valves. You can shut it off by twisting these valves to save yourself from water damage or flooding in your building. Every central plumbing fixture in your building will come with a shut-off valve for emergencies.

Tip 4: Always Trust the Professionals

Another tip you should not take lightly is to trust professionals over your intuition or some random DIY YouTube video. Don’t take any chances, especially regarding something as important as your plumbing systems. One amateur mistake can lead you to more significant problems and costly repairs. If you are unsure about the problem with your plumbing systems, call a plumber and deal with that issue immediately.

Tip 5: It is Always Worth the Cost

While some people might think they can do the plumbing work themselves, it does not usually end on a good note. Without proper experience and tools, you cannot expect to get an easy fix by following a guide online. Plumbing problems may cause various issues, especially if you run a commercial business like a restaurant or a hotel. Remember that paying for plumbing work will always be worth the cost.

If there is any doubt, always call a professional. To prevent plumbing issues early after construction, hire a plumbing expert to provide you with the design of your plumbing system, not someone who understands just the basics of how plumbing works.

Guest Contributor: Chris Jackson

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A LICENSED PLUMBER?

Hygiene is one of the critical factors in maintaining large cities. The cleanliness we enjoy today is all thanks to the accessibility of clean, running water. Without this convenience, cleaning our homes and workspaces becomes difficult. The humble plumber is a wonderful person you can thank for clean running water.

Giving people confidence in your abilities is essential to such an important task delegated to plumbers. Nothing sparks confidence in your clients like your shiny new plumbers’ license.

If you’re looking into becoming a licensed plumber, this article is just for you!

Check In with Your Authority Having Jurisdiction

Different states have different prerequisites for becoming a licensed plumber, and some states don’t need a license altogether. To figure out what you’ll need to become a licensed plumber, you must refer to your state’s AHJ.

AHJs for plumbing have information regarding local safety standards. As such, they are one of the most reliable sources of information for becoming a licensed plumber.

Apprentice Plumber

Like all jobs, you’ll need to accumulate the experience necessary to become a plumber. Depending on the state that you’re in, you may need to apply for an apprenticeship license or register as an apprentice. You’d need basic requirements to become an apprentice. These include being 18 years old and obtaining your high school diploma or GED.

As an apprentice, you’ll typically work with Journeyman or Master Plumbers, learning skills directly from them through on-the-job training and coursework. Apprenticeships last between two to six years, so take your time to learn from the best plumbers to become one yourself.

Journeyman Plumber

After working with other plumbers for a while, you’d be looking to start doing jobs on your own. The process begins with becoming a journeyman. To become a journeyman, you’ll need to pass the licensure exam in your state. If your state does not have one, your city or municipality may instead have one, so it’s essential to check the requirements in your area.

Understanding the questions you’ll encounter in the exam is vital. Thankfully, the internet makes it easy to look for the recommended study material in your area. The licensing board responsible in your area may have their recommended study guides, which will go a long way in achieving success with your exam.

You can choose which industries you want to work in as a journeyman plumber. For example, during your apprenticeship, you may prefer working on big commercial construction projects or doing minor residential service work. With this journeyman license, you have the liberty to choose your path.

Master Plumber

The highest level in plumbing and what most plumbers work to achieve in their careers is becoming a Master Plumber. While becoming a master plumber, you’ll need around two to four years of additional experience and work in the plumbing trade on top of your experience as a journeyman. Depending on your location, you may also need to complete a training course.

As a master plumber, you open yourself up to a variety of opportunities, such as being able to work towards a high managerial position, maybe you prefer doing planning work through 3D CAD software, or perhaps you’d like to open your own company. You also get the most prominent influence in choosing the components that go into any job, so it’s essential to take your time doing research, like deciding if you need Plumbing Access Panels or not.

Conclusion

Any job can be worth working in as long as you want it to be, and that’s certainly no exception than becoming a plumber. The best thing is the freedom you get with this career. If you enjoy going out on your work truck doing the jobs yourself or prefer managerial and planning roles, you open your career up to take the path you want by becoming the best plumber.

Guest Contributor: Chris Jackson

HOW TO DEAL WITH THE MOST COMMON PLUMBING EMERGENCIES

Plumbing problems are inevitable. Sooner or later, something will age out, rust, or burst. When that happens, you need to know what to do and how much you can DIY.

WATER LEAKING

First of all, find and shut off the main valve. It’s usually next to the water heater, under a sink, or near the washer. If you can’t find it, go out by your metre and turn the water off there. You need a special key tool for that.

Don’t try to showcase your DIY skills in this situation. Plumbing work in Australia is regulated by specific codesand you might get in legal trouble for trying to wing it. Better call a local professional.

Stop the inflow and sanitise the immediate damage. Then call a plumber to address the underlying problem (burst pipe etc). If only hot water is leaking, shut off the valve on top of your heater. Your home will still have a water supply, albeit cold.

PILOT LIGHT IS OFF

The pilot light on your water heater indicates whether the heating is working. First, find a metal box with knobs near the bottom of the heater. Set the temperature control to the “pilot” position. Next, look for the access panel and look inside.

There’s a button that feeds gas into the pilot light (usually red). Use a long lighter to reach in safely. Light the pilot light, then hold down the gas button for 35-40 seconds. Let go and, if the light stays on, change the temperature control knob back to “On”.

If it goes out again, call a plumber specialising in water heater repair. You’re almost certainly dealing with a faulty thermocouple (safety device).

JAMMED SEWER

When a home sewer becomes clogged, toilets might refuse to flush, water can flood out from under them, or sewage might come out of the shower.

For residential sewer troubleshooting, it’s best to look for experts who are familiar with the area. For example, if you live in Greater Western Sydney, you would look for a reputable plumber in Hills District. Until you can get professional help, reroute the waste outside. Find your cleanout and remove the cap. This reduces pressure on the line and the sewage goes into your yard instead of into your home.

GAS LEAKING

Gas leaks occur near stoves, furnaces, and water heaters. Move the appliance and turn the (usually red) valve or handle a quarter-turn to stop the gas flow. Leave the space and let it air out completely before you start diagnostics and repair.

If you still smell gas, shut off the main gas line. You can also call the gas company or a plumber to do it for you. In that case, also request immediate repair service. Gas leaks are fire and suffocation hazards and must be fixed immediately.

CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKING

These are highly lethal and even more urgent than gas leaks. Speed is key: CO acts insidiously and affected persons could just fall asleep and not wake up. Common symptoms of CO poisoning include drowsiness, headaches, and nausea.

Outfit your home with a CO detector. If it goes off, shut down every gas appliance, evacuate everyone, and call emergency plumbers.

Water leaks, malfunctioning heaters, and blocked sewers are all common household plumbing emergencies. You can troubleshoot the immediate damage and patiently wait for professional help. Gas leaks and CO leaks are hazards that require urgent action. Know which appliances run on gas, where the valve is, and educate all members of the household on emergency and evacuation plans.

Guest Contributor: Diana Smith

A BUYERS GUIDE TO CHOOSING MODERN KITCHEN TABLE

Tables are an integral part of a kitchen. It is the place where you can create and share a meal with friends and family. But more than merely functional, tables come in many different shapes and styles, from round to rectangular. A good table will last for years, providing comfortable seating for all your guests and a clean surface to enjoy your delicious meals on.

Choosing the right kitchen table is an important decision. It will often be the one piece of furniture you and your family spend the most time around, so it should be comfortable, durable, and stylish enough to fit into your home’s decor. That is why this buyer’s guide for modern kitchen tables is here to help.

BEST MATERIAL FOR KITCHEN TABLES

The material is the first thing to consider when shopping for a kitchen table. While there are many choices, glass, marble, and metal have their unique pros and cons.

GLASS

Glass is a great material for a modern kitchen table because it is sturdy, easy to clean, and can be found in various colors and thicknesses. It does not scratch easily but should be handled with care because it can break.

MARBLE

Marble is made of stone and therefore durable, but it has the added benefit of looking elegant and classy and being stain resistant and easy to clean. However, marble can chip or crack if dropped or bumped against something hard, so care needs to be taken when handling this material.

SOLID WOOD

Solid wood tables look great but are not as durable as glass or marble, so this material should be used with caution. While it is the most expensive option, solid wood is also a very stable material and very easy to keep clean.

METAL

Metal is a good option for modern kitchen tables because it is lightweight and not prone to chipping or breaking. However, it also tends to scratch easily, and it will also rust if left wet.

CHOOSING YOUR KITCHEN TABLE SHAPE

The next important thing to consider when buying a kitchen table is the size and shape of the table itself, both in terms of its overall size as well as the size of the individual seating pieces that make up the tabletop.

ROUND TABLE

We can’t all be the owners of an oval or round dining table, but if you find a nice round table that looks good in your kitchen, you may want to consider investing in it. Round tables are more comfortable to sit at than rectangular ones.

This is the most common table shape in modern kitchens because it allows for maximum visibility – particularly with regard to seating arrangements – and provides maximum surface area for food preparation and serving.

SQUARE TABLE

A square table provides a roomier area for the same number of people as a round table, so it is a good option if you feel cramped at round tables. It also allows for more leg room. Square tables are great for young families who have to accommodate children’s booster seats.

Consider a square table instead of a round table that doesn’t fit in with your kitchen’s look. This is the most common shape for traditional dining tables, so it should be the one you choose if you want to keep your kitchen’s appearance classic.

RECTANGULAR TABLE

Rectangular tables are the most popular table shape in modern kitchens because it provides a roomy area for sitting and dining or entertaining, even with an asymmetrical seating arrangement. They also suit modern homes, providing plenty leg room for all guests.

A rectangular table can work well in any layout, as long as the seating arrangements suit your needs and the overall size is appropriate for your kitchen décor. You can make it work as long as you have enough room for everyone to feel comfortable.

OVAL TABLE

With an oval table, you may have to adjust the kitchen’s layout depending on where the seating arrangements will be. This is because it will take up more surface area than other dining options. However, it also provides extra room for food preparation and serving and more flexibility in seating arrangements since more people can fit around one circular shape than any other type of table.

CHOOSING THE CORRECT TABLE SUPPORTS

The next thing to look out for when buying a table is the type of support it has. This will depend on whether the table uses legs to support itself or if it is an entirely flat surface.

A-FRAME

This type of support is typically paired with glass tables, as they are a good option for casual surfaces such as coffee tables, and they provide adequate support without taking up too much space in the living room or family room. However, if your table will see heavy use, this support may not be strong enough to hold it up properly over time.

X-FRAME

This support is typically paired with metal or wood tables, as they provide a table’s most sturdy and stable support. Metal tables can also be found in other types of materials, such as glass, marble, and solid wood.

SQUARE LEGS

If you have a small table, you may want to consider square legs to give it some extra structural support. This will help ensure that it will last a long time and not become unstable over time, which is important if you plan on entertaining large groups of guests or family members regularly.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Buying a table for your kitchen can be stressful, but with the tips and tricks that we have provided you, you should be able to purchase a great table without too much work. If you choose the right size, shape, and material for your kitchen, your new table will be a piece of furniture that will last for years.

4 LIGHTING TRICKS TO BRIGHTEN A DARK HOME

Does your house feel dark like a cave? If you want to brighten it, the following are some lighting tricks to brighten a dark house. These are a combination of advanced ideas and beginner tips. They will ensure you maximize what you have while bringing more light into your home.

4 LIGHTING TRICKS TO BRIGHTEN A DARK HOME

There are four sure ways you can use to brighten a dark home. They do not require a big budget, and you can work with what you have. Read on to make your home brighter today!

1. LIGHT YOUR WALLS

Lights on walls will keep your edges bright. If you have lots of ceiling or pot lights, try installing shades that aim both down and up. LED Light Ideas recommends using a pair of sconces to make a room twice as bright, as long as the sconces have been placed strategically.

When adding lights to a ceiling (especially pot lights), consider placing a few closer to the walls. The move will ensure the light is cast down onto the walls. It is a great way to highlight details such as brick or traditional cabinetry.

If you are looking for a sophisticated approach, make a focal point of a loved art piece by using a picture light. Table lamps are also a good option for spreading lights across the walls. Go for classic drum shades with openings at the bottom and top for the best effect.

2. USE MIRRORS

It is common for people to use mirrors to brighten a dark house. The idea is that mirrors will reflect light around the room. To get the best results, make sure your ceilings and walls are painted white.

White bounces light, especially LED light. This means it will send more light around a house. Since white is a non-hue color, it doesn’t absorb any color. As such, it is the best way to scatter light in a dark house.

3. USE BLUE COLORS

Compared to yellow-toned light bulbs, natural light is cool. Adding blue is recommended as it offers a crispness that is a reminder of the sky. Additionally, cool blue does not clash easily. It can work with any accent color you would like to add to the mix as part of your interior decoration.

4. BALANCE THINGS OUT

Ultimately, a natural interplay between shadow and light is crucial for implementing lighting tricks to brighten a dark house. The lowlights and highlights from the lights and shadows are pleasing to the eye.

No one can say they like the inside of a super-bright store that has perfectly even lighting but uses harsh fluorescents. At the same time, the right LED lights will ensure you do not spend excess money on power bills.

You can add lights to brighten the dark corners of your house. However, be a bit subtle and avoid overdoing it. A few shadows are important. They give your home a sense of life and means your space has depth. This is what makes your house feel like a home.

CONCLUSION

If you are thinking of making your house brighter, there are a plethora of options you can use. Take note, not every guide you get will give you the results you want. You need to take into consideration the interior of your home before you make any decision.

You can use the four tips mentioned above. However, make sure you balance them out. Use each tip where appropriate. For some people, using all four will work in their house. For others, it will not. Find a balance for using the above lighting tricks to brighten a dark house to make sure you get the best lighting for your home.

Guest Contributor: Allen Michael

BATHROOM UPGRADES THAT SAVE WATER

Bathrooms use a lot of water. In fact, this is the room that uses most of the water in your home. The toilet accounts for 26.7% of all water usage, on average. The shower adds 16.8% to that figure. The interesting part of this is, while you can’t avoid using water, there are ways to upgrade almost every fixture you have to reduce water usage.

Below, we’ll cover the bathroom upgrades that will go easy on your water bills and the environment — while turning your bathroom into a more beautiful, contemporary space.

Choose a Low-Flow Toilet

Modern toilets use a lot less water than older ones while providing plenty of flushing power. In 1992, a U.S. law was passed that mandated all new toilets sold within the U.S. to use 1.6 gallons of water per flush or less. Contrast that with older toilets, which can require twice or even four times as much water — 3.5 to 7 gallons of water per flush. You can see where replacing those older toilets can save a lot of money while upgrading the look of your bathroom.

Replace Your Showerhead With a Low-Flow Showerhead

This is an inexpensive upgrade that you can install — and it could save you many times over on your water bill. On average, if you took seven-minute showers 25 times per month, a regular showerhead flowing at 2.5 gallons per minute would use 440 gallons of water. Replace it with a low-flow model that uses about 1.5 gallons per minute? That number drops to 262 gallons per month, which saves you roughly 2,000 gallons each year.

Opt for a Low-Flow Faucet, Too

Similarly to showerheads, you can install low-flow faucets to help rein in water usage. Though the bathroom faucet isn’t among the largest water users in the bathroom, this still chalks up to big savings. Standard faucets use about 2.2 gallons per minute, but if you get a water-saving faucet, it could consume between 0.8 and 1.5 gallons per minute.

Rethink the Bathtub

Hot baths are undeniably a relaxing luxury — but they also use a lot of water. The average bathtub will need between 25 and 50 gallons for a fill — whereas a 10-minute shower with a water-saving showerhead will use roughly 25 gallons of water. The first thing that you can do where the bathtub is concerned is to treat baths as a luxury. It’s perfectly fine to indulge once in a while, but daily baths can drive up your water usage.

Another great way to reduce water usage during baths is to replace your tub with a water-saving bathtub. These are quite unique in that they’re designed to hold less water than a traditional bath while giving you the same comfort. Essentially, they’re designed to fit the contours of the human body, which allows you to soak while using far less water.

Combine New Fixtures With Good Habits

The upgrades mentioned above will save a lot of water yearly, making them well worth the investment. They’ll enhance the look of your bathroom, too, replacing old and worn fixtures with new, stylish ones.

Past that, you can save even more water by combining your updated fixtures with good habits:

Make sure to shut the bathroom faucet off when you’re not actively using the water. In other words, don’t let the water just run while brushing your teeth.
Minimize shower time and treat baths as a luxury to ease water usage.
Regularly check your plumbing. Leaks account for up to 13.7% of water usage within the home. If your toilet keeps running, faucets drip or pipes seep, that is water being wasted. It may not seem like much, but it adds up over the course of a year. Worse, plumbing leaks could cost you even more if they go unnoticed long enough to cause rot or some other kind of damage to your home.

Saving water means investing wisely in fixtures. Nowhere is this more important than in the bathroom, which is the biggest water consumer in any home. Consider upgrades to bring your water bills down and to give your bathroom a much-needed update.

Author bio: Erica Garland is Content Marketing Manager at Modern Bathroom and has 15-plus years of experience in the bathroom renovation industry. Modern Bathroom sells a variety of products you would need for any bathroom renovation project. With such a large selection of vanities, faucets, sinks, toilets and showers, Modern Bathroom is sure to have the perfect piece to give your bathroom an updated look.

WATER-WISE GARDENING ADVICE: HOW TO SAVE WATER IN YOUR YARD AND GARDEN

Countries around the world have seen persistent drought-spells and dam reservoirs hitting their lowest points in decades, and in some cases, water-restrictions have become a common occurrence. In times like these, it’s crucial for everyone to re-evaluate their water priorities and reconsider ways of protecting their gardens as they are the ones taking the hardest hit.

Reducing water usage in gardens doesn’t necessarily mean letting your plants wither and die. It simply means being water-wise and resourceful which may require more work and preparation, but such an investment will pay off by helping both the environment and your pocket.

Here are several water-saving tips to help your garden and yard stay healthy.

PREPARE YOUR SOIL

The key to maintaining a water-efficient garden lies in understanding the soil, good planning and its preparation. Each type of soil is different and can be improved in many ways. Compost helps water retention by adding nutrients needed for plants to grow better and stronger.

Good-quality organic matter will improve the structure of your soil and with mulching, the flowerbeds and the area around your trees and shrubs will also prevent water evaporation during dry spells. You can also use water crystals for the same purpose and with the addition of water-retentive granules to your compost, even more moisture will stay locked in the soil.

When it comes to your lawn, there’s no reason to panic if you notice brown or yellow spots during dry periods. When the rain returns, it will quickly recover. However, it helps to be water-savvy with your irrigation, by mowing the lawn a bit higher and giving it deep watering just once a week to boost the root system.

PICK THE RIGHT PLANTS

For a wonderful green garden that requires no excess amount of watering, after proper soil treatment, your next step is selecting the right plants that are low on water needs. Choose native varieties that can withstand dry spells and lots of sun, and add trees and tall plants for cooling shade. There are lots of plants that have evolved in dryer climates and need very little water to survive, such as lavender, verbena, mimosa and palm trees.

WATER YOUR GARDEN AT THE RIGHT TIME

Many homeowners over-water their gardens which is not only wasteful but it also demands more work. You can easily prevent this by checking your soil at spade depth – if it’s moist, leave it be. It also depends on your soil type. If it’s clay, it may seem damp whether it’s been irrigated or not, and sandy soil can seem dry even if it has been watered. In these situations, inspect your plants for signs of water stress. If you notice leaves changing color or position, it may signify water shortage.

USE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF WATER

Using the right amount of water depends on your soil type. Heavy soils need less watering than light sandy ones whereas clay-based soils need lots of water but can be watered less often. The common rule for plants to stay healthy and keep growing is giving it up to 24 liters per square meter once a week.

CHOOSE THE BEST WATERING TECHNIQUES

The right watering technique will also help you maintain your garden well. You can opt for sprinklers for your lawn and unplanted areas as they have great coverage. To target specific sections of your garden, it’s best to use watering cans and hoses. They might be more labor-intensive, but they’re also very precise.

Seep hoses allow water to slowly seep through holes in the hose and being buried under soil and mulch, less water will evaporate. An automated irrigation system is the most expensive option, but it’s also one of the most effective and water-saving options as it limits the amount of water used by letting it drip slowly and only when you program it to do so.

COLLECT RAINWATER AND REUSE OLD WATER

Even in the dryer parts of the country, it’s possible to collect large amounts of rainwater from your house roof. It’s not easy to store large amounts, but if every home in the country managed to collect around 160 liters that would give 4 billion liters of free water that can be used for garden watering.

Another way to be water-savvy is to use greywater (from showers, washing up and washing machines). By way of diverters, this greywater can be used efficiently in your garden. Household soaps aren’t harmful to plants, but do avoid using water that contains bleach, dishwasher salt or any strong chemicals.

Maintaining a lush and healthy garden in hot climates can be challenging, but with these tips, it’s possible to grow a beautiful garden you can truly be proud of and enjoy year-round!

Guest Contributor: Kurtis Wilcox

STEPS YOU NEED TO TAKE TO RECOVER FROM FIRE DAMAGE IN YOUR HOME

Seeing your home on fire can’t be easy.

Even if only a portion of it burns down, it’s still painful to witness something you worked so hard to acquire or build go up in flames.

Then again, there isn’t much you can do while the fire is still ongoing. By the time firefighters declare the fire under control, your home will have already sustained fire damage.

What’s critical is what you do once the fire is out.

You will need to take steps toward fire damage restoration, among other things, and ensure that you and your family will recover from the disaster just fine.

Secure Your Family and Find A Place To Stay

Whether it’s a fire or some other disaster that strikes your home, your top priority is to ensure your loved ones’ safety. Make sure that everyone is safe, then find a place to stay not only for the night but for some time, depending on the degree of fire damage to your home.

Whether you decide to stay at a hotel or with relatives or friends, you will need to check your home insurance policy if you have one. A standard homeowners insurance policy has an ALE or additional living expenses provision, which will pay for your meals, hotel bills, and other expenses you incur while your home is under repair.

Call Your Insurance Provider

Another important thing you must do after—or even during—a fire in your home is to place a call to your insurer. Since fire is a covered peril in a standard home insurance policy, it’s best to give your provider a heads up that you will be filing a claim so the entire process can start as soon as possible.

With your home insurance coverage, you will have the money not only to pay for the cost of repairing the damaged parts of your home but also to replace the personal belongings you lost in the fire. Furniture, appliances, clothing, computers, and other possessions are usually covered by home insurance.

Wait Until It’s Safe To Enter Your Home

Naturally, you would want to enter your home as soon as possible, but you can’t do that right away, given that it’s still dangerous to do so. Aside from the heat, soot, and fumes, your home’s structural integrity may have been compromised by the blaze.

Wait until the proper authorities declare the area safe before entering your home to try to salvage some of your belongings or assess the extent of the fire damage.

Ask For Police Assistance In Securing Your Home

If your house was only partially burned, that means some of your belongings could still be intact.

With you staying elsewhere for the next few days at the very least, your home could become a very attractive target for burglars or looters.

You also run the risk of coming home to the sight of squatters in your living room, drawn by your conspicuous absence from the premises.

Contact the police, who can lend some assistance in securing your home for the days that you’re not there.

Document All Fire Damage

When it’s safe to enter your home, document all the fire damage. Proper documentation is extremely important for insurance purposes, so take photos and videos of charred walls, collapsed ceilings, and any other evidence of the fire.

Call Your Utility Providers

In all likelihood, you never had the time or opportunity to switch your gas or electrical mains off at the onset of the fire that hit your home.

In any case, firefighters will be doing that as they put out the fire, you still need to call your utility providers and inform them of what happened.

Wait for word from the fire department if it’s safe to turn on the gas and electricity. Under no circumstances should you switch them on without their say-so.

Contact A Fire Damage Restoration Company

While you can always personally take on the gargantuan tasks of cleaning up the fire damage to your home and restoring it to the way it was before the fire hit, it would still be best to leave them all in the hands of professional fire damage restoration specialists.

A fire damage restoration company is staffed by well-trained, extensively-experienced, and well-equipped technicians who know every technique necessary to perform excellent fire damage cleanup and restoration. By the time they’re done, you can be sure that your home will look like a fire that never hit it at all.

Guest Contributor: Rachel Anderson

SMALL STUDIO APARTMENTS: ARE THEY THE NEXT BIG THING?

If you already have a studio or if you rent one, we have some good news for you: these little units are the next big thing in real estate. Since people are downsizing globally and looking for ways to live more efficiently, studios are a perfect solution for all their needs. But why are these small studio apartments so attractive to investors and buyers? Here’s all you need to know.

Their location is usually top-notch

Location is one of the most important driving factors when it comes to investing in real estate, and what small studios lack in space, they make up for in location. Major city centers are often the best places to buy a property, but prices are usually astronomical. Finding an affordable property with a bold design can be hard in these areas, but studios have smaller square footage which lowers the price tag and allows even beginner investors to grab a property on a prime location.

They are affordable

If your budget doesn’t allow you to get a traditional investment property like a multi-family or single-family home, consider getting a studio apartment. This is the best way to invest as little money as possible and gain exposure to the real estate market. Also, they are easy to rent out or sell with some minor staging efforts, so if that’s your goal, you’re all set.

They are practical

Today, people are rapidly leaving the countryside and moving to cities, so urban areas need a practical and functional solution that will accommodate a large number of residents. According to some predictions, 68% of the global population will live in cities, so major urban environments are opting for the concept of compact living when it comes to residential architecture.

Many of the world’s metropolises like Hong Kong especially love this downsizing trend, and the concept of small studio apartments is blooming there. Everyone from digital nomads to young professionals and students is choosing apartments for rent in Hong Kong thanks to their convenience, price and low-maintenance costs. With all the necessary amenities at your disposal, it’s easy to see why studios are so practical.

They are green

More and more people today are choosing a more eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle that rangers from dietary changes and adopting better shopping habits to saving energy and water and downsizing to more eco-conscious housing solutions. Small, compact living spaces are always greener than big houses, no matter how well designed. Smaller square footage equals less energy consumption, less maintenance and less furniture, all of which can contribute to your smaller carbon footprint.

They are easy to maintain

Like stated above, studios are small and they naturally require less cleaning and decluttering. Small studios are also easy to organize and keep clean since there’s less room for decoration and other trinkets that do nothing but collect dust. This makes them perfect for minimalists or people who hate or simply don’t have time for cleaning. In general, one can clean and declutter an entire studio apartment in an hour while ensuring maximum living and sleeping comfort.

They bring a good return on investment

If you intend to break into the real estate market and make money on your first try, go with small studios. According to research, small studio apartments increase your ability to make money and yield an excellent return on investment. Even though the rent in studios is more than affordable to tenants, the price is still high when taking into consideration the square footage. Usually, small units outperform big apartments and family homes, they have high occupancy rates and sport pretty high rental-rate premiums. Since they are more or less a safe bet, small studios are perfect for beginner real estate investors, especially those who don’t like to gamble too much.

Studio apartment cons

Don’t think small studio apartments don’t come without a flaw. No matter if you’re investing or renting these small units, you need to know about the risks. In general, certain countries and states have minimum apartment size requirements, so super-small micro-apartments might create a problem. There are also various housing codes, zoning regulations, municipal ordinances, minimum parking standards, unit-mix rules, outdoor open-space and indoor common-space provisions to look into.

Additionally, even though small studios always have their place in the rental market, they are not suitable for everyone. Usually, they are reserved for single working professionals or students. This means your tenant group will get smaller and you will need to forget about families.

In real estate, bigger is not always better. While small studio apartments have their cons, they have a huge pile of benefits to offer to both investors and residents, so if you want something practical and cost-effective, go small with a studio.

About the author: Mike Johnston is an avid blogging enthusiast and experienced freelance writer with a focus in real estate, home improvement, interior design, and sustainable living.

HOW DO MISTING SYSTEMS WORK?

In essence, a misting system refers to a range of outdoor cooling methods that uses a fine spray of water to cool you, your family, guests, workers, customers, and yes, even your pets! Other terms for misting systems include spray cooling and fogging systems.

Misting Systems: How Exactly Do They Work?

All misters work with the natural cooling effect that occurs when water evaporates in warm air. This is also called evaporative cooling. Most misters work beautifully in dry weather. Some also work superbly with humid weather, although not all. It is recommended that you do your homework before purchasing one for a damp area.

Misting systems offer several excellent benefits. They can minimize dust and odors in a specific area. They are also great at regulating the humidity, so they are fantastic for atriums, courtyards, greenhouses, and the like. What’s really amazing is misting systems can cool you down without getting you wet.

Water is forced through very minute nozzles to create a very fine fog or mist. As the droplets of water evaporate, it cools the air instantaneously—the finer the mist, the more thorough the evaporation.

The terms fogger and mister are used interchangeably, and many people often confuse one for the other. Some misters produce a spray made of large droplets that can get you wet. These systems often use larger spray nozzles and low or medium water pressures.

On the other hand, foggers use tiny spray nozzles (to create a fog-like mist) and high water pressure. The fog-like mist evaporates before it can get anything wet.

Your Key to Categorizing Misting Systems: Think Water Pressure

Let’s get something straight: all foggers are a kind of misting system. However, not all misting systems are foggers. To avoid confusion, it is crucial to think in terms of water pressure—low, medium, and high.

Since water pressure is the primary indicator of any misting system’s performance, it is used as an accurate way to categorize the systems. Water pressure is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch) or BAR. One BAR is equivalent to 14.7 PSI, while one PSI is equivalent to .0689 BAR.

Low Pressure

Low-pressure systems can be likened to being near a sprinkler. It can cool you down and might also get you a bit wet. This kind is also the simplest and the least expensive of the three options.

Low-pressure systems also won’t require electricity. They typically work with gravity-fed water pressures. While their spray can cool a small area, you need to be near the nozzles to cool. However, the closer you are to the nozzles, the wetter you will also get.

Medium Pressure

Medium pressure systems use motorized pumps to raise the water’s pressure to 100 – 250 psi / 7 – 17 bar. The spray water this system produces is fine enough to cool you in hot weather and is less likely to get you wet.

High Pressure

This is the system that will provide the maximum among the three options. High pressure misting systems are considered ideal for areas with very high humidity. It can cool you down effectively without getting anything wet.

High pressure and medium systems typically use pumps to boost the water pressure from any water source. The higher the resulting pressure, the cooler (and drier!) you’ll feel.

What Makes a Misting System Great?

A misting team has to be one thing to be considered great: it has to meet your needs. Even if you invest in the highest-powered and the best system but only have a small patio in a quiet neighborhood, the system might be too expensive, too noisy, and too much. In short, it’s not the right fit for you.

What about your kids’ sports team? In most cases, a lighter, smaller, and less expensive system that will not get them wet is ideal. However, it might not be the best option for an elegant wedding reception with 200 guests.

Conclusion

Finding the right mister that will best suit your needs is no walk in the park. However, once you gain a better understanding of how they work, you can easily make knowledgeable and educated comparisons. From there, you can effortlessly decide which system works best for you. Check out this Arizona mist systems for more details.

Guest Contributor: Anna Fox