Did you remember to handle the most basic safety precaution for your new home?
When people buy homes — in Worcester or wherever — , there’s a tendency to think “Big Picture” on home improvements. Flooring, painting and furniture are common “just-moved-in” purchases, as are cable television and utilities packages.
The most important move-in purchase, though, may also be the least expensive — deadbolts for your doors.
Every home has at least one — and sometimes up to dozen — keyed points of entry. And until you change those locks, there’s no telling just how many people may have access to your home.
For example, your home’s prior owners may have shared house keys with any/all of the following people : (more…)
Flooding is the top-ranked natural disaster in the United States, with a dozen potential causes ranging from heavy rains, tropical storms and hurricanes to new housing developments and rain after fire. Floods can occur in all 50 states and, when they do, they leave massive damage in their wake.
Flood damages exceed $2.7 billion annually.
As a homeowner, you carry homeowners insurance to protect against theft and loss. Typical homeowners insurance, however, excludes damages from flooding. Homeowners in Worcester County, therefore, should consider having a separate flood insurance policy. And once that policy is in place, there are other steps you should follow, too. (more…)
Home improvement projects are on the rise, according to the BuildFax Remodeling Index. For the 19th straight month, May’s index rose, suggesting that homeowners in Fitchburg are remodeling more frequently than in the past.
Do-it-yourself projects are on the rise, too.
If you’re among the many homeowners forgoing paid contractors, be sure to follow basic safety precautions because, as this 5-minute video from NBC’s The Today Show points out, a home remodeling “accident” could cost you more than the money saved on the project itself.
The interview gives several key tips:
Use “expandable” earplugs to prevent hearing loss from power tools.
Don’t wear sneakers or sandals. Wear construction boots.
Never stand on the top 2 steps of a ladder.
In addition, we’re reminded to wear safety glasses always. Eye issues are the number one injury as reported by home remodelers, and accidents can happen anytime.
Watch the full video at the NBC website. And, f you feel your next home remodeling project is beyond your personal expertise, seek a professional’s help. Call or email me for local recommendations.
In today’s Leominster homes, front-loading washing machines are a popular choices as compared to traditional, top-loading machines for 3 main reasons:
They wash more clothes per cycle, lowering household energy costs
They’re environmentally-friendly, using less water per cycle
They’re gentler on clothes, preserving colors and fabrics longer
They also require more care in the “cleaning” department.
Because of the way most front-loading washers are built, they tend to pool water in their drums, which can be a breeding ground bacteria and mildew.
Whether your front-loading washer smells “dirty” or not, you’ll want to follow proper procedures to keep it clean.
First, only use High Efficiency detergent. High Efficiency detergent is super-concentrated and creates fewer suds than traditional laundry detergent. Fewer suds means more soap is drained in the rinse cycle, leaving fewer chemicals and fragrances to sit in the drum. (more…)
Did you remember to handle the most basic safety precaution for your new home?
In today’s Leominster homes, front-loading washing machines are a popular choices as compared to traditional, top-loading machines for 3 main reasons: