Looking to Make Your Home Impenetrable to Burglars? Find Out How Here!

Making your home completely burglar proof isn’t really possible. However your average thief is looking for an easy score. In order for you not to become a victim quite so easily we found this article with simple things you can do to you home to make your home safer. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Being the victim of a break-in is something that no one should ever have to endure. The sad fact of the matter is that over 80 percent of break-ins and burglaries could have easily been prevented with some simple and inexpensive safeguards. In fact, most of the more expensive home security solutions are often not worth the cost as cheaper alternatives can be just as effective. These handy tips are sure to give you a better piece of mind while also being easy on the wallet.

Motion detector lights like these can be a great deterrent to thieves trying to remain hidden.

Always make sure that your door jamb is reinforced properly.
If you don???t need to use your garage side door, consider reinforcing it shut.

Always have a small safe to keep valuables protected from burglars and fire.

Every front door should have a peephole so that you can see who is knocking.

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Looking for DIY home improvement ideas? Checkout this article about DIY home improvement ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.wimp.com/17-ways-to-make-your-home-impenetrable-to-burglars/

Worried Your House Might Burn Down? You Should Be If You Have Any of These Bad Habits!

Having something happen to your home could be catastrophic. You could lose everything you own and worse yet you could lose a family member or a pet. In order to help you not go through with that horrible ordeal we found this article with 14 different habits that you should break to avoid a fire. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

House fires are more common than you may realize, with potential fire starters like light bulbs, laptops, and lint traps hiding in plain sight throughout your home, disguised as harmless, everyday necessities. Are you guilty of one of these bad habits that could burn your house down? Read on to find out.

Neglecting Appliance Recalls
During the last decade, home appliances caused an estimated 150,000 fires each year, and a significant number of these were caused by defective appliances. To keep on top of recalls and prevent disaster in your home, register your appliance with the manufacturer or go to www.recalls.gov to find out if any of your models are on the list.

Lingering Dryer Lint
We all know that emptying the lint screen increases your dryer???s efficiency, but did you know that lint is also flammable? Mixing excessive heat with lint buildup is a recipe for disaster. Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct regularly, as well as the interior of the dryer frame, to clear away lint and clogs, and reduce the risk of fire.

Letting Your Laptop Overheat
If you own a laptop, you know how hot it can get. When you leave your computer on your bed, couch, rug, or other soft, flammable surface, you run the risk of restricting airflow through the cooling vents, which can cause your laptop to overheat and possibly catch fire. To prevent fires, keep your laptop on a desk or table instead.

Storing Batteries Improperly
If you store 9-volt batteries in your kitchen junk drawer, you may be putting your home at risk. When loose batteries roll around with other metals, such as screws or paper clips, the two terminals could short out and generate enough heat to ignite nearby flammables. Put a piece of electrical tape over the terminals, or store the batteries in their original packaging to prevent this possibility.

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Looking for more ways to prevent house fires? Checkout this article about ways to prevent house fires that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/14-bad-habits-that-could-burn-down-your-house-49425/#.WNE9jm_yuou

Like the Idea of Having a Sprinkler System? Learn More Here!

Depending upon how often it rains where you live and how green and lush you like your yard you may be considering having a sprinkler system installed. If you are considering it then you’ve come to the right place. We found this article with more information for you. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Installing an in-ground sprinkler system is a big job with a big payoff.

If you’re tired of dragging that old lawn sprinkler around every few days, you may want to consider installing your own underground sprinkler system. By doing the job yourself, you can save 30 to 40 percent of the cost of a professional installation, and today’s sprinkler components are easier than ever to assemble. Once your system is in place, you can program it to water your lawn on a regular schedule, and also set the startup time and watering duration.

STEP 1: Use a gauge to determine your water pressure.

To start this process, measure your water pressure at an outdoor faucet with a simple pressure gauge available at home centers (Step 1). Then, use a 5-gal. bucket to measure how much water the system delivers per minute. Send this information to the sprinkler manufacturer you have chosen, along with a scale drawing of your property.

In return, you’ll receive a system layout and a materials list, including items not sold by the manufacturer. Rain Bird, the company I used for the primary sprinkler components, has a variable fee scale for its layouts that ranges from free to $50, depending on how you want the plans delivered and how soon you need them (rainbird.com). A system layout divides your lawn into zones, each controlled by a zone valve. I installed a total of eight zones and 48 sprinkler heads.

While you can install the entire system yourself and dig everything by hand, I installed the piping with a pipe-pulling machine that rented for around $180 a day.

In addition to the valves, heads and control panel from Rain Bird, I used a clever, self-tapping saddle valve called the Blazing Saddle (blazingproducts.com). This bright yellow valve snaps onto polyethylene pipe without a wrench.

In warm climates, you can run the entire system in PVC pipe. I used polyethylene pipe, a more flexible alternative, because the system has to withstand the freeze-thaw cycles that are common where I live. In any case, you must consult local plumbing codes before beginning work and you may be required to secure a building permit.

Finally, every system needs a backflow preventer to keep the sprinkler system from contaminating the potable water supply. One type is a standard, surface-level backflow preventer (about $150), which must be installed 12 in. above the highest point of the yard. I installed a reduced-pressure backflow preventer (about $350) because it’s allowed below grade. I put it in the basement and will drain the system to this point each winter. The cost of an in-ground sprinkler system can vary widely. My eight-zone system ran about $1500.

Running Pipes

If you plan to dig the entire system by hand, dig the main runs first, then the branch lines. They should be at least 6 in. deep, but 8 to 10 in. will give you better fitting room.

If you’ve rented a pipe puller, begin by attaching the pipe to the machine’s blade (Step 2). When running a main feed line, it’s best to wrap the low-voltage cable around the pipe and pull it at the same time. With the piping connected, start the machine moving forward and lower the blade into the ground.

Bore through your home’s rim joist, and run copper pipe and cable through the hole and to the ground. Make the conversion from copper to PVC at ground level with a threaded connector. Run the main PVC line, along with the cable, to the first zone-valve location.

Assemble the zone-valve sets above-ground, then cement them to the underground piping (Step 3). Install a plastic, inline drain fitting on the downstream side of each valve and connect the cable wires. My cable had 10 wires and each zone valve had two lead wires. Connect one of each pair of valve lead wires to a common (white) cable wire that will service all of the valves. Join a different color-coded wire to the other lead of each zone valve. Continue making connections in this way until you’ve reached the last set (Step 4). With all the valves connected and wired, install valve boxes and backfill.

The feed line needs to have a drain fitting at its lowest point. Thread a brass drain fitting into the threaded end of a PVC tee and install the tee downward at 45 degrees (Step 5). Dig a small depression under the drain, and fill it with sand and gravel.

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Looking for garage organization ideas? Checkout this article about garage organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/how-to/a724/install-sprinkler-system-underground/

Considering Investing in a Home Generator? Learn More Here!

Depending upon where you live investing in a home generator can be a good investment. If you’re considering investing in one then you’ve come to the right place. We found this article with more information for you. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

When we moved to the beach in Southern Delaware, we had lots of ???future improvements??? in our new-construction building plan. Living close to the coast, a generator made the top of the list. In the wake of Sandy, we???re so grateful we had the forethought. No one wants to show up at the home improvement center just as a hurricane is approaching, having to scramble for one of the 60 generators delivered that afternoon. There???s a balance to strike between electrical load and generator wattage, and it???s best not figured out on the fly. If you think you might want to run your house (or a portion of it) on a generator, take some time to do some planning first.

1. Figure Out Your Load
We worked with an electrician to figure out what we wanted our generator to run. We decided on the sump pump, furnace, hot water heater, kitchen refrigerator and outlets, garage freezer, and the living room lights. A 5,000-watt generator will run all of that for us on about 13 gallons of fuel per 24 hours.

2. Install a Transfer Switch
You can???t just plug a generator into a wall outlet. That???s called backfeeding, and it is extremely dangerous. Your house needs to be disconnected from the grid before starting a generator. Otherwise, the electricity produced could travel beyond your house, entering the grid and potentially killing utility personnel at work.

The safest way to run a generator is by installing a transfer switch. The switch includes an electrical subpanel with a switch for each circuit you want to run with your generator. The transfer switch is wired directly to the house???s electrical service, and the generator gets plugged into that subpanel. (Our electrician wired an outlet for the generator on our garage exterior.) Throwing that transfer switch completely cuts your house off from the grid; meanwhile, power from the generator is only allowed to go to circuits you???ve designated.

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Looking for more garage organization ideas? Checkout this article about garage organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/home-backup-generators/?bv=sm#.WNE9mW_yuou

Have a Leaky Faucet? Learn How to Fix it Here!

Have a leaky faucet is a pain. Sometimes they are easy to fix and sometimes they aren’t. Regardless it’s wasteful and causes your water bill to go up. In order to help you out we found this article on how to fix you faucet. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Don’t ignore that leaking faucet in your kitchen or bathroom. All those wasted drops of water add up, and the solution can be simple for even an occasional DIYer.

Whether it’s the cause of water pooling under your sink, or the annoying dripping sound that keeps you up at night, a leaky faucet is a nuisance that could turn into a full-blown problem if not addressed properly. Fortunately, putting a stop to a leaky faucet, such as the compression faucet in your kitchen, can be surprisingly inexpensive and simple.

Tools you’ll need:

??? Adjustable wrench; C wrench

??? Phillips and/or flat-head screwdriver

??? Penetrating oil, such as WD-40 or CRC

??? Replacement washers and O-rings

Step 1: Don’t make a mess worse by transforming your broken faucet into Old Faithful. Before applying any wrench or screwdriver to your fixture, make sure your water supply is turned off, from the handles over the sink to the knobs underneath that control the water coming in from the main line.

Step 2: Remove any decorative parts of the handle knobs. A simple prying with a flat-head screwdriver will take care of that. Underneath each knob, there will be a screw that mounts the handle to the stem. Unscrew, then gently remove the handle with your flat-head. Using penetrating oil can assist in loosening it, allowing you to take the faucet handle off the stem.

Step 3: Use your wrench to loosen the packing nut. From there you should notice the stem. Remove that as well. Depending on the faucet, some stems pop right off, while others twist off from the valve. Check the removed parts for any damage.

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Looking for more home repair information? Checkout this article about home repair information that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/interior-projects/how-to/a3095/5-steps-to-fix-a-leaky-faucet-15470175/

Interested in Getting a Robot Vacuum Cleaner? Get More Information Here!

Time is something that most of us are stretched thin on. There never seem to be enough hours in a day and some things seem to fall by the wayside. If one of those things is getting your floors clean then perhaps you’re looking into investing in a robot vacuum cleaner. If you are then you’ve come to the right place. We found this article with more information. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Looking to hire a high-tech robot vacuum to do the dirty work for you? These three options have impressive cleaning power at a reasonable price point.

Nobody enjoys dragging a heavy vacuum across all carpeted floors of the house and repeating the job only a week later, but dust, debris, and pet hair don???t stop for anyone. Over time, the need for a better (read: more convenient) way led to the invention of the robot vacuum. While early models were more novel than practical???the clumsy machines jerked erratically, bumped into table legs, got stuck under the sofa, and sucked up minimal dirt and debris???robot vacuums have improved through many technological advances since then, graduating to household helpers worthy of the investment. If you???re shopping for your first robot vacuum, you may even be pleasantly surprised at the relatively low price and innovative features. Keep reading to find out what you should know before shopping, and discover the the best robot vacuum options on the market.

FIGURE OUT THE FEATURES
When choosing a robot vacuum, homeowners are often most interested in the machine???s cleaning power. But the effectiveness of any specific model depends on a variety of factors, such as the size of the room you intend to clean, the type of flooring you have, the vacuum???s battery life, and the vacuum???s ease of operation. Before choosing a model, consider the following:

Floor Covering: Check the manufacturer???s specs carefully. Some models are designed for low pile carpeting but not shag, while others should only be used on solid flooring, such as hardwood planks or tile.

Battery Life: Even if a robot vacuum advertises great suction, it won???t clean effectively without a properly charged battery. Manufacturers often list battery run time as well as the area size (in square footage) that the vacuum will successfully clean on a single charge. During an extensive cleaning cycle, some models will even automatically dock in their charging stations until refueled and then continue vacuuming where they left off.

Remote Control: While the exact functions depend on the model, many robot vacuums come with remote controls to program the operating modes or activate the vacuum when necessary, whether to clean the whole room or just one spot on the floor.

Program Options: To cater to the amount of cleaning you need, robot vacuums often include a selection of operating modes: ???turbo??? modes that offer quick and intense cleaning power, ???eco??? modes that save battery power, and ???quiet??? modes that won???t interfere with your everyday (studying, working, or television time). The ability to program a cleaning schedule in advance???typically from three to seven days???may also be a high on your priority list for a vacuum that makes the whole chore practically automatic.

Smart Technology: Newer robot vacuums connect to Wi-Fi, allowing users to operate them remotely through an app on their smartphones. In addition to programming the miniature machines as a remote might otherwise do, the app may also monitor the robot???s cleaning progress, battery life, and dustbin.

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Looking for a new washer? Checkout this article about new washer information that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-robot-vacuum/#.WNE9pG_yuot

Ever Wonder What House Cleaners Wish You’d Know? Find Out Here!

People who clean houses for a living have a unique perspective on homes. Not only do they know how to clean, they know how to clean well, and what products work best for different stains and areas of the home. In order to help glean some of their knowledge we found this article with 7 different things that house cleaners wished customers and potential customers would know. We hope it helps you and your home out!

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From the article:

Hate cleaning your house? No one could blame you: There???s precious little fun in scrubbing toilets. Or wiping down grime-streaked windows to the point where your elbows are sore for weeks. And you probably cringe when you think about your living room???s floor-to-ceiling built-in shelves, whose upper levels haven???t seen a dust rag since Tony Soprano faded abruptly to black.

Enter the humble housecleaner???here to save you from yourself! You can hand over your most hated tasks and wash your hands of cleaning.

But if you???re hiring a housecleaner to do the hard work, don???t make the job even harder. Following these insider tips from cleaning experts will not only help ensure your status as a decent human being, they can also help you save some cash.

Hate cleaning your house? No one could blame you: There???s precious little fun in scrubbing toilets. Or wiping down grime-streaked windows to the point where your elbows are sore for weeks. And you probably cringe when you think about your living room???s floor-to-ceiling built-in shelves, whose upper levels haven???t seen a dust rag since Tony Soprano faded abruptly to black.

Enter the humble housecleaner???here to save you from yourself! You can hand over your most hated tasks and wash your hands of cleaning.

But if you???re hiring a housecleaner to do the hard work, don???t make the job even harder. Following these insider tips from cleaning experts will not only help ensure your status as a decent human being, they can also help you save some cash.

Here are seven tips for keeping your cleaning from turning into a dust-up.

Precleaning will save you money
If you???re anything like us, you probably do a little precleaning for your housecleaner. And then, if you???re like us, you wonder how much of that is truly necessary???after all, that???s what the housecleaner is there for, right?

Here???s the deal: You should do whatever you can to help them help you. No, you don???t need to bust out the Clorox, the Shark vacuum, and the Miracle Mop, but you should tackle those dirty dishes, throw out the takeout containers, and pick up that pile of clothes. If you don???t, you may find that your wallet???s been cleaned out, too.

???Picking up clutter does make our job a lot easier,??? says Megan Sentner, the manager at Greenapple Cleaning in Ottawa, Ontario. ???That being said, we have no problem picking up clutter as long as the clients understand that it takes more time and costs more.???

Think it all comes out in the wash? Let us do the math for you: If your housecleaner charges you $30 per hour (the average rate) to clean, then a half-hour spent decluttering will cost you an extra $15???or $390 for a year???s worth of twice-a-month cleanings. Instead, straighten up the night before and save that cash for something else.

Allot the proper amount of cleaning time
Don???t feel ashamed if your house is in dire straits. Life happens. Work picks up, a kid or two comes along, and suddenly you have no time for more than the bare minimum. Cleaners (probably) won???t judge you???but you should expect the job to take a bit longer.

Be honest with your housecleaners about the home???s current state so they can allocate enough time on their schedule.

Use an insured cleaning service
Housecleaners can???t avoid touching your most valuable belongings???Grandma???s heirloom teapot needs dusting, too. But sometimes accidents happen.

The best way to ensure the safety of your precious possessions is by selecting an insured cleaning service. It???ll have provisions in place to quickly rectify the situation.

???If we made a mistake and caused damage, it???s our responsibility,??? Sentner says.

Bu it???s your responsibility to make sure things are in line and prepared for your housecleaner???s visit. That includes removing any truly priceless valuables???and making sure your home (however dirty) is a welcoming environment.

You???re not entirely off the hook
Hiring a housecleaning service doesn???t mean you can skip all of the cleaning. Well, sure: You probably can, if you???re willing to pay for the service to do the basics every time it comes by. But if you want to cut costs, make sure you try to keep up your home???s appearance in between cleanings.

???Minor maintenance can be the difference between us cleaning for three or five hours every two weeks,??? Sentner says.

Simple DIY tasks include wiping down the front of the cabinets after cooking, squeegeeing the shower, and sweeping the kitchen floor. Integrating them into your day-to-day routine can save you a few bucks on your bill.

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Looking for more garage organization ideas? Checkout this article about garage organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/housecleaner-wishes-you-knew/

Looking for Some Clever Home Improvement Ideas? Consider These!

Coming up with ways to improve your home can be fun. At other times it helps to see what other people have done o help design your dream home. In order to help you out we found this article with a bunch of unique ways to improve your home. We hope they help you design your dream home!

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From the article:

We have all thought about what our dream home would look like. It???s natural! After all, we spend most of our time at home, so we might as well make it as perfect as possible. Some of us would like to have two staircases in the house for easy access, to be perched on top of a hill with a great backyard view, or to have a his and her walk-in closet.

Regardless of what your dream home will look like, I guarantee you that the creative and unique home remodeling ideas below will make you reconsider.

A sink with jets in the laundry room
Tired of separating your delicates from the other clothes? Install a sink with jets in the laundry room so that you can wash your delicates while you wash the other clothes. Talk about being efficient!

Maximize the staircase with storage space
Why should the space below the stairs go to waste? Add a pull-out storage unit underneath the stair!

Walk-in shower for easy cleaning
A walk-in shower is much easier to maintain and manage since you don???t have to deal with debris on the glass doors of a normal shower.

Baseboard storage
Maximize every possible space. This is genius!

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Looking for ideas to make your interior pop? Checkout this article about interior design ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://shareably.net/creative-home-improvement-tips-v1