Looking for Ways to Celebrate Mardi Gras? Get the Scoop Here!

Anyone who’s anyone knows that Mardi Gras here in Louisiana is a really big deal. In order to help you get the most out of it we found the full schedule of parades. We hope it helps you have an amazing Mardi Gras!

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From the article:

As Louisiana counts down to Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras on February 13, 2018, communities throughout the state ready their costumes, floats and parade trinkets for several days of festivities. Get ready to party down in Baton Rouge! Don’t forget to check out the Mardi Gras events around New Orleans, too.

Here’s a list of 2018 Baton Rouge Carnival parades, dates and times. Check the individual parade organizations’ websites for updated details of each event. Come to Baton Rouge and have a ball!

Baton Rouge Mardi Gras 2018 Parade Schedule
Saturday, February 3, 6:30 pm: Krewe of Orion, Downtown

Sunday, January 28, 10:30 am: Krewe of Mutts, Downtown

Friday, February 2, 7pm: Krewe of Artemis Parade, Downtown

Saturday, February 3, 2pm: Krewe of Mystique, Downtown

Friday, February 9, 7pm: Krewe of Southdowns, Southdowns Neighborhood – Glasgow Middle School

Saturday, February 10, noon: Krewe of Spanish Town Parade, Downtown

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Looking for cheap family fun ideas here at home? Checkout this article about cheap winter family fun that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.louisianatravel.com/articles/mardi-gras-capital-city-come-party-baton-rouge

Looking to Design or Renovate a Bathroom This Year? Get Ideas Here!

Renovating a bathroom can be a lot of fun and very stressful. In order to avoid the stress a clear plan is extremely helpful. In order to help you out we found this article with the biggest trends in bathrooms. We hope it helps you design your dream bathroom!

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From the article:

The most popular of all bathroom photos uploaded to Houzz this year covered a wide range of styles, from sleek minimalist looks to rooms packed with farmhouse-inspired details. Even with all the variety, certain elements appeared again and again. Among them: compact spaces with the latest smart storage solutions, frameless glass shower surrounds, larger shower stalls in place of tub-shower combos, floating and furniture-like vanities, warm metal fixtures and floor-to-ceiling tile. See for yourself in the 20 most popular new bathrooms of 2017 (in reverse order), as measured by how many people saved them to their ideabooks this year.

Built-In Outlets
Many homeowners are opting for the convenience of hidden outlets in drawers, whether for charging stations, electric shavers or hair appliances like you see here.

Notable detail: They painted the inside of the drawers to match the outside.

Big-Box Customization
Once they got it home, these homeowners realized the contemporary styling of the vanity they???d bought at the big-box store didn???t suit them. So they put in some elbow grease, applying a glaze and changing out the hardware to suit their bathroom???s farmhouse-inspired style. Small changes like these provide an inexpensive and easy way to make your bathroom new to you when a full renovation is not within your budget, or when you need to save some dollars within a renovation budget.

Notable detail: The floor tiles are porcelain but they resemble hardwood.

Farmhouse-Inspired Warmth
Wood accents, shiplap walls, a sliding barn door and Shaker-style cabinetry all bring farmhouse-style warmth to this transitional bath.

Notable detail: The mirrored sliding barn door helps bounce light around this space. The vanity mirrors, knee-wall top and tub shelf all pick up on the wood in this piece.

Cozied-In Commode
When you don???t have room for a separate water closet, there are still some ways to adjust the layout to divide your space. Here the pony wall between the shower stall and the toilet creates a more private area and a good spot to install the toilet paper roll.

Notable detail: Repeating the floor tile in the shower niche.

Smart Storage
Well, it seems the No. 1 thing people were looking for this year was savvy storage solutions for all of that bathroom stuff.

These tall, narrow pull-out cabinets make the most of the space and are conveniently located next to the vanity.

Notable detail: There???s even a makeup mirror inside for those moments when the homeowner doesn???t want to have to lean over the counter for a close-up.

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Looking for more information on a bathroom remodel? Checkout this article about bathroom remodel that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/97066661/list/trending-now-the-20-most-popular-new-bathrooms-of-2017

Looking for Cheap Ways to Prep Your Home for Winter? Try These Ideas!

Prepping your home for winter is important regardless of where you live but here in the south we’re having a much colder than normal winter so it’s even more important than normal to prep your home for the winter. In order to help you out we found this article with cheap ways to prepare your home for winter. We hope it helps!

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If you need Baton Rouge apartments cleaning dryer vent services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Heating costs can throw a wrench into your winter budget ??? and the cold can make you cranky. But you can limit the discomfort by addressing the gaps, cracks and waste that drive up fuel costs. Such fixes are available at a lower price than you might imagine.

Run through this checklist of fixes to make your house cozier and your heating more affordable this year.

Install weatherstripping
Check your home???s exterior doors for cold air leaks. Do this from inside the house. The high-tech approach is to use a laser infrared thermal gun to detect cold drafts. The low-tech way is to move a lit candle around the door frame; the flame will blow toward you when there is a draft.

Seal a drafty door by installing foam or felt weatherstripping inside the door frame. Ask at your hardware store for the correct products and installation instructions.

Cost: $10 to $20 per package for most standard products.

Add attic insulation
Insulation keeps warm air inside in the winter and expensively cooled air inside in the summer.

???Typically, houses in warm-weather states should have an R-38 insulation in the attic, whereas houses in cold climates should have R-49,??? says This Old House, explaining how to install batting-type insulation.

Insulating an attic, basement or crawl space is moderately difficult, and beginners should hire a professional. If you do, ask if you can perform parts of the job to reduce the cost.

Admittedly, insulating is not a cheap job. But the payback can be huge, and you may find rebates and financial incentives. See Energy.gov???s guide to sources and to a calculator to estimate the return on an insulation investment.

Cost: Prices vary, depending on factors such as insulation type, local labor costs and size of the attic.

Set the temperature manually ??? and leave it
You can enjoy fuel savings for free simply by setting your thermostat to one temperature in the morning, another at night and otherwise leaving the thermostat alone. If you???re chilly, put on a sweater and warm socks instead of raising the heat.

Cost: $0.

Replace furnace filters monthly
Dirty furnace filters reduce furnace efficiency and push up heating bills. They also shorten the life of a furnace.

Check and replace the furnace filter monthly in winter or every three months while the system is in operation. Your owner???s manual will tell you where it???s located. Hold the filter up to the light: If you can???t see light through it, you need a new one.

Pleated filters work best because they trap more dirt particles.

Cost: Prices vary. Angie???s List says filters cost:

$1 each for flat fiberglass
$10 each for pleated and polyester
$25 each for high-efficiency varieties

Insulate the hot water heater
Save on fuel by wrapping older water heaters in a blanket of insulation, an easy DIY project that even a beginner can do. Your utility company has instructions. When insulating a gas or propane water heater, do not cover the burner access.

Do not insulate:
– Pre-insulated water heaters. These are newer units with factory installed insulation of R-16 or better (check the manufacturer???s label) under the metal shell.
– Water heaters located where the added heat is welcome.
– Water heaters whose manual or paperwork warns against insulating.
– Tankless (on-demand) water heaters.

Cost: $20 to $30. Or possibly free: Ask your utility company for any rebates, discounts or freebies. Some utilities offer free insulation and may even install it.

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Looking for information on avoiding frozen pipes? Checkout this article about avoiding frozen pipes that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.moneytalksnews.com/16-low-cost-ways-prepare-your-home-for-winter/

Looking to Update Your Laundry Room Quickly and Cheaply? Start Here!

A laundry room is something that is a necessity but not something that everyone has in abundance. If you’re looking to do some updates to your laundry room that don’t take a lot of time or cost a lot of money then you’ve come to the right place. We hope this article helps you design you new laundry room!

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From the article:

While it would be amazing to have the time and budget for a full-scale laundry room renovation, most of us don???t have either. But that doesn???t mean that we???re totally stuck.

There are a slew of easy, inexpensive changes you can make in your laundry room that can change the look of your space without much time or effort.

Here are our favorite ideas for easy, low-budget laundry room “renovation” projects that are super light on the “renovation” but heavy on the design impact.

Switch Out Lighting
An easy fix in almost any room is to switch out the lighting and upgrade it with something a bit more stylish. We often don???t think of the laundry room when choosing light fixtures. But with new fixtures, or even a chic lamp, you can change the mood, look and vibe of your laundry room in no time at all.

Replace Cabinet Pulls
This fix might seem silly since it won???t really change up the look of your space that much, but it can really make a big difference in your overall look. If you have cabinets in your laundry room, consider switching out all the hardware to something on-trend.

Add a New Sink
If you have a sink in your laundry room, switching it out is a great option if you want to dip your toe in the renovation pool. Your options are limited by your budget; however, there are some lovely sinks that you can find in home improvement stores that will elevate your space. Pair your new sink with a new faucet for an extra design punch.

Paint or Add Wallpaper
If you really want to quickly change the look of your laundry room, paint or wallpaper is the way to go. Since laundry rooms are typically small, it could be a fun spot to experiment with a bold wallpaper pattern. If you don???t want to make the commitment to wallpaper, painting your space a fresh hue might be just the change you need.

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Looking for more laundry room design ideas? Checkout this article about laundry room ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.hgtv.com/design-blog/design/budget-laundry-renovation-ideas

Looking to do Some Painting This Year? Learn the Hottest Colors Here!

Painting is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to change the look of any room. Picking the right color though is very important. We found this article on what colors are the hottest trends now and will be in the future. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Pantone Color Institute recently declared Ultra Violet its 2018 Color of the Year, but many of you were dubious about the choice, at least when it comes to decorating your home. Those not crazy about Ultra Violet will be glad to know that paint manufacturers have also been rolling out their selections for 2018???s paint color of the year, and these hues tend to be more decorating-friendly. This year???s crop offers a diverse mix of lights, brights, darks and neutrals, so perhaps you???ll find a hue you would be happy to take home.

In general we seem to be moving away from the everything-in-white trend and toward moodier, more introspective hues. Shades of black are in, as are watery blue-greens. I was expecting to see hotter hues dominating the field this year, but the only warm contenders are a bold red from Benjamin Moore and a soft tan from Dutch Boy.

We???ve gathered together examples of each color to help you envision how they might look in a room, should you see something you like.

Among my favorite picks for 2018 paint color of the year is Oceanside from Sherwin-Williams, shown above and below. It???s a rich blue-green hybrid that works well in any style of room, from traditional to contemporary.

And, for lovers of white, because it???s a rather deep, dark hue, I think it needs a good bit of white or other light contrast to help keep it from feeling too somber.

Behr goes light and breezy this year with their selection of In the Moment.

This is a terrific option for those who favor softer hues. I think it would look fantastic in a kitchen or living room. And, because it???s a relatively light color, it works well in spaces that don???t receive adequate natural light.

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Looking for more information on how to hang pictures on any wall? Checkout this article about how to hang pictures that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/96135403/list/will-these-10-colors-be-big-in-2018

Looking to Buy a New Washer and Dryer Set This Year? Start Here!

Buying a new washer and dryer is a big investment. Getting a good product for a good price can be difficult. In order to help you out we found this article with information on the best units on the market. We hope it helps!

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If you need South Louisiana dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Shopping for a matching washing machine and dryer set makes sense, particularly if you want appliances with a uniform finish, similar profiles, and complementary technologies. But not all pairs are perfect couples, so it’s important to consider what you want out of your laundry experience and set-up.

If your home has a dedicated laundry room or big basement, you can probably accommodate side-by-side machines of any size. However, for city dwellers or those otherwise short on space, who may be looking to retrofit a closet or fit a washer and dryer in a tight corner, front-loading washers are the way to go since a dryer can be stacked on top of most models. The biggest drawback of a stacking unit is that you???ll have to purchase a separate stacking kit, which installs them securely and prevents them from toppling. And you will have to reach higher to load and unload your clothes from the dryer drum, so shorter folks or those with mobility issues might not want that inconvenience.

Whatever unit you choose, it’s important to carefully measure the area you have to work with before you buy. From a high capacity dynamic duo to a three-piece advanced laundry system, read on to find out which washer and dryer sets are the best on the market.

Best Overall: Samsung WF45M5500AP Washer and DVE45M5500P Dryer with Steam
For a washer and dryer pair that offers top value overall, look to this advanced set from Samsung.

This matching front-loading set will look great in your laundry room, but will also give you an advanced cleaning system to keep your clothes looking and smelling great. Both machines are equipped with steam technology, allowing you to sanitize and refresh clothing with the touch of a button. One important thing to know about Samsung???s Steam Wash technology is that it releases steam from the bottom of the drum ??? ensuring that it reaches every article of clothing as the drum rotates clothes.

There are 10 cycles available on both the 4.5 cubic foot washer and the 7.5 cubic foot dryer, making this pair capable of tackling any laundry challenge you have in mind. Almost everyone agrees that this washer and dryer set is very quiet and does a superior job of cleaning even tough stains. Buy this quality set from Samsung for the features and enjoy it for the quiet operation and efficient cleaning capabilities.

Best High-Capacity: Maytag 6.2 cu. ft. Top Load Washer and 9.2 cu. ft. Dryer
Are you looking for a large capacity washer and dryer that will conquer your laundry baskets once and for all and impress your friends with its mammoth size? The Maytag 6.2 cubic foot Top Load Washer and 9.2 cubic foot Front-Loading Dryer are among the largest pairs of washers and dryers on the market today.

The spacious 6.2 cubic foot drum of this top-loading washer beats out the capacity of just about every front-loading washer machine available. It features an impeller wash plate, with a stainless-steel wash basket for years of rust-free and chip-free use. The machine features 10 wash cycles and an internal heater that assists detergent in removing tough stains. A deep fill option gives especially large loads more water for complete saturation. Users comment on the ease with which it handles even California King-sized bedding. It delivers thorough cleaning power with all the bells and whistles on a modern washing machine.

Once you???ve washed a super large load, you???ll need a super-sized dryer to finish the job. The matching 9.2 cubic foot dryer is up for the task. Also equipped with 10 cycles, the dryer has the right settings for any type of load. The machine also has a Steam Refresh cycles to loosen wrinkles, and a Sanitize cycle to remove common bacteria. Many people comment on how quiet this dryer is compared to other models.

Together, this Maytag pair is tough to beat in terms of capacity and keeps up with the competition in terms of features and benefits. If large laundry loads are a frequent occurrence in your household, this is the set for you.

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Looking for more laundry room design ideas? Checkout this article about laundry room design ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.thespruce.com/best-washer-dryer-sets-4109183

Planning on Renovating Your Kitchen? Start Here!

Renovating a kitchen can be a lot of fun. What you don’t want at the end is designer remorse though. In order to help you out we found this article with helpful information on things to keep in mind before starting your kitchen renovation. We hope it helps!

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If you need Hammond dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

If you sometimes have trouble deciding what to make for dinner, a kitchen renovation can feel paralyzing. But take heart: It doesn???t really matter much which backsplash tiles or faucet you choose. As long as you get the big stuff right, you???ll be thrilled with your new kitchen. These five rules will help you get the best result at the right price.

Keep your outlay in sync with your home.
To avoid overimproving, cap your kitchen renovation budget at 15% of your home???s value, suggests John Bredemeyer, president of Realcorp, a national appraisal firm based in Omaha. (Check your town assessor???s site or a real estate site). For budgeting purposes, figure about 30% on cabinets; 14% on appliances; 10% on countertops; 5% on lighting; 4% on plumbing fixtures; 2% to 3% on paint; 1% to 2% on tiles, and 35% on construction costs, such as windows, flooring, and labor.

For a house worth $250,000, that translates to about $11,000 on cabinets, $5,250 on appliances; $3,750 on countertops, $1,875 on lighting; $1,500 on plumbing fixtures; $1,125 on paint; $750 on tiles; and $12,000 on construction costs.

To cut costs, hold on to what works.
You can slash the price tag for any kitchen renovation by limiting how much of the old kitchen you replace. Keeping original windows can save you $500 to $1,000 per window; keeping the original wood floor hiding underneath all of those layers of linoleum and vinyl could save you $2,000. And simply keeping the plumbing fixtures and appliances in the same locations likely means you can reuse existing plumbing, saving you perhaps $200 to $500.

Stay skin deep if you???re moving anytime soon.
If you expect to put your house on the market within a decade, skip the $60,000 renovation and go for a cosmetic upgrade instead. You can have old cabinets painted for $1,000 to $5,000 or refaced with a new wood veneer and new doors and drawer fronts for some $5,000 to $7,000. A new faucet and fresh cabinet hardware can be yours for under $500, new lighting for $500 to $2,000, depending on how far you take it; even replacing Formica countertops with granite might cost less than $4,000.

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Looking for information on countertop choices? Checkout this article about countertop choices that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://time.com/money/4280926/renovate-kitchen/

Do You Know What Routine Maintenance is Necessary for Dryer Vents? Learn Here!

Preventing a fire in your home is important. Knowing what to do to prevent a fire isn’t as easy. In order to help you out we found this article with routine maintenance you should do to your dryer. We hope it helps!

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If you need Hammond dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

In 1999, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) developed a report called the ???Report on Electric and Gas Clothes Dryers.??? In it, they stated that about 75% of households have a clothes dryer, which means that well over 75 million households in the U.S. have a gas or electric clothes dryer. The report also showed that in 1996 (as a sample year) more than 15,000 fires, 20 deaths, more than 300 injuries and over $80 million in property damage occurred from just dryer fires.

Periodically Clean the Dryer Vent and Exhaust duct
The Consumer Product Safety Commission developed CPSC Document #5022, which outlines actions to reduce the risk of dryer fires from overheated clothes dryers. Let’s review what you can do:

– Check the outside dryer vent while the dryer is operating to make sure exhaust air is escaping. You should feel a strong discharge of moist warm air. If you do not feel a strong discharge of air, the vent or the exhaust duct may be blocked.
– It may be necessary to disconnect the exhaust duct from the dryer to remove a blockage in the exhaust path.
– Disconnect the ducting and inspect for blockage.
– If the duct has lint buildup, clean the duct.
– Remember to properly reconnect the ducting to the dryer and outside vent before using the dryer again.

Clean the Lint Screen with Each Use
Remove the lint trap filter from dryer and brush it clean to remove lint.
What are the warning signs that dangerous lint buildup is occurring in your dryer and venting system? Symptoms may include:

– Clothes take longer and longer to dry.
– Clothes don’t fully dry.
– Clothes are hotter than normal at the end of the drying cycle.
– The outside of dryer gets very hot.
– The outside exhaust vent flapper does not open very much, indicating low exhaust velocity.
– Laundry room becomes more humid than it is usually.
– Burnt smell is evident in the laundry room.

To clean the lint trap, first, remove the lint trap filter from the dryer and clean it. This must be done before or after each use of the dryer. Then, vacuum the lint trap housing cavity monthly.

Be Careful Not to Dry Clothes Soiled with VOCs
You need to take special care when laundering clothes containing VOCs (volatile organic compound), such as gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning agents, or finishing oils and stains.

Wash heavily soiled clothing more than once to minimize the volatile chemicals still on the clothes, and, if possible, hang the clothes out to air dry. If using a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and a drying cycle that has a cool-down period at the end of the cycle. To prevent clothes from igniting after drying, do not leave the dried clothes in the dryer or piled in a laundry basket.

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Looking for more information on preventing a dryer fire? Checkout this article about preventing dryer fire that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.thespruce.com/dryer-vent-safety-1824762

Worried About Frozen Pipes? Learn More Here!

Regardless of where you live we’ve had a colder winter than normal. Knowing how to protect your home in the cold winter months is very important. This includes protecting your home from frozen pipes. In order to help you out we found this article with helpful information. We hope it helps you protect your home!

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If you need Lafayette vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Why Pipe Freezing is a Problem
Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break.

Pipes that freeze most frequently are:

– Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
– Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
– Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes
– Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
– Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
– When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing.
– Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
– If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55?? F.

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Looking for more information on preparing your home for winter? Checkout this article about winter preparation for home that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm/frozen-pipes