Looking to Make Your Home Winter Ready? Get the Checklist Here!

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Summer is a lot of fun and very busy. Now that the full swing of summer is through it’s time to think about ways to prepare your home for fall and winter. In order to help you out we found this article on what to do around your home. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Our to do lists always seem to grow in September. Summer is coming to a close, school is kicking into full swing and the homework just keeps piling on. To make your fall home prep just a little bit easier, here is your home???s Honey Do List for September.

Clear out those closets ??? As you pull out the sweaters and jeans this fall, make a point to weed out the clothing items that don???t fit any longer or that are no longer in style. Donate or trash unwanted items.

Brighten up your kitchen ??? We spend a lot of time in our kitchens in the fall and winter months. We cook holiday meals, gather with family and pour over homework on the kitchen counter. With shorter days coming quickly, a few simple changes to brighten up your kitchen can make a big difference. Bonus: they won???t break the bank!

Inspect and Repair Your Roof ??? Now is the time, before the snow and ice arrive, to inspect your roof for leaks and cracks. Today???s Homeowner suggests paying particular attention to the area around the chimney as that is the most common spot for damage to occur.

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Looking to prepare your home for winter? Checkout this article about winter home checklist that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/homes-september-honey-list-2/

Trying to Clean a Floor? Learn Tricks Here!

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Floors get dirty. Very dirty. We walk on them after walking outside on floors with God knows what on them. If you’ve got a floor you’re trying to get cleaned then you’ve come to the right place. We found this article with you with tips to clean any type of floor you could think of. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Don???t break out the knee pads and scrub brushes just yet. Whether your floor is laminate or tile, linoleum or cork, we???ve got the simplest and safest ways to keep them looking spotless and new.

Cleaning Laminate Flooring
Your laminate may resemble hardwood planks or natural-stone tile, but you still need to care for it as a laminate. The good news: Very few things will harm a laminate floor, says Bill Dearing, president of the North American Laminate Flooring Association. After all, the planks are constructed in sun- and light-resistant layers to maintain a like-new appearance for years. That said, it???s important to keep water from getting underneath the planks. Dearing recommends dry mopping or vacuuming the floor, making sure the machine is on tile mode (as opposed to carpet) so the beater bar is raised. Spot-clean with a slightly damp mop (or a wet Swiffer, since they aren???t sopping wet) when necessary. Dearing???s last bit of advice: Never polish a laminate floor. If the finish of a plank looks damaged, it???s best to replace it.

Cleaning a Hardwood Floor
Hardwood floors typically have one of two finishes: polyurethane or wax. Not sure what you???re standing on? Rub your finger across the surface, says Meg Roberts, president of Molly Maid. If a smudge appears, the floor is likely waxed.

Sealed wood floors typically have a urethane, polyurethane, or polyacrylic coating. This protects them from stains and water damage, says Roberts. To clean, simply mix ?? cup of mild or pH-neutral soap (try Seventh Generation All-Purpose Natural Cleaner Concentrate) with water in a bucket. (Steer clear of acidic vinegar solutions, which can dull wood floors over time.) Then damp-mop (be sure the mop is wrung out very well), using a dry microfiber cloth to wipe up any excess moisture. Clean high-traffic areas like the kitchen once a week; for less-trafficked areas, mop once a month.

If you have waxed wood floors, you???re off the hook???sort of. Since this type of flooring can be damaged by even small amounts of water, keep damp mops away from this surface, and instead sweep, dust mop or vacuum regularly.

Cleaning a Vinyl Floor
For weekly cleaning, use Reichert???s spritz-and-dry mop technique to keep tile floors looking fresh: Gently mix 1/4 cup vinegar in a 16-ounce spray bottle with 1 drop of dish soap and warm water. Spray the floor one section at a time and wipe with a damp microfiber mop as you go. For periodic deep cleans, she likes to use a steam cleaner to clean both tile and grout???the steam does the work of removing stains (and bacteria!), so you don???t feel like you got an extra workout right there in your kitchen.

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Looking for an easy guide to spring cleaning? Checkout this article about spring cleaning tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/tricks-to-clean-any-type-of-floor

Are You a Homeowner That Likes to Do Your Own Repairs? Learn What Repairs are Often Done Wrong Here!

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Some homeowners like to do home repairs themselves and others don’t like to do any repairs. If you’re one that likes to do your own repairs we found this article for you. Some repairs are easier to do than other. Some, like the ones on this list, are ones that may seem simple but then you quickly get in over your head. We hope that you give these projects due diligence and not end up with a disaster.

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If you need Lafayette 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:

When embarking on home improvements and renovations, it???s important to separate the do-it-yourself projects from those best handled by professionals. Attempting to handle a professional job on your own could lead to expensive repairs and additional renovations. Here are some DIY disasters and how to fix them with professional help:

Fixing plumbing pipes
If the plumbing starts to go out in your basement or attic ??? or underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks ??? be extremely careful in how you go about fixing them. Homeowners often think that they can twist pipes with a wrench to get a clog out, but this can lead to a pipe coming off and water puddling all over the floor. Moreover, when pipes have more extreme damage like holes, rust or cracks, they need to be replaced. Don???t attempt to buy new pipes without some guidance; you could get end up getting the wrong materials or the wrong size.

That???s when you need to find a licensed local plumber. Plumbers have the knowledge and experience to safely and quickly fix your plumbing issues, whereas attempting to do the job without experience will likely lead to costly repairs ??? including new flooring or insulation, depending on the extent of damage.

Felling trees
While some homeowners may choose to trim branches on their own, felling trees is another matter entirely. There are a lot of risks involved with felling trees, including:

– Sharp tools causing injury
– Branches hitting power or phone lines
– Trees hitting the landscape (bushes, lawn, fence, etc.)
– Trees falling onto the home
– Trees falling onto a child or pet

In short, there are many risks involved with DIY tree removal ??? and there are many municipal regulations and restrictions involved as well. Homeowners should hire a tree service or certified arborist to remove a tree.

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Know what repairs you should do yourself as a homeowner? Checkout this article about homeowner repairs that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/5-diy-home-maintenance-mistakes-fix/

Buying a Home? Learn What Areas the Homeowner’s Inspection Doesn’t Look at Here!

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Buying a home is one of the biggest expenses that anyone will ever make. In order to help you make the best decision for you we found this article on one areas the inspection doesn’t look at. We hope it helps you purchase a home you’ll love for years to come!

From the article:

Hiring a home inspector is a crucial part of buying or selling a home. An inspector will assess the home for potential problems and identify any issues that may affect the continuation or negotiation of a sale in progress. But it???s also important to understand that inspectors don???t cover all of the bases in a home. In fact, it???s possible that an inspector may miss a significant issue. In many cases, you???ll need to hire a specialist to inspect certain areas, and you should always look closely at everything yourself. Here???s the skinny on the ???home inspection checklist??? and what is and isn???t covered:

Inspectors don???t cover plumbing.
Most home inspectors don???t have the qualifications to look at plumbing and can only call out visible issues like a leak or outdated plumbing. This means they probably won???t look at your:

– Wall or undersink plumbing pipes
– Swimming pools
– Septic tanks

There are exceptions in which an inspector will have the qualifications to look at pools and septic systems, but this varies depending on the inspector and where you live. You shouldn???t rely on your inspector for this in any case. If you see serious cracks or dents in the swimming pool, you should probably hire a swimming pool pro to do an inspection. If you think the septic tank is making weird noises, have someone take a closer look.

HVAC systems aren???t covered in the inspection either.
Home inspectors may or may not touch your heating or air conditioning system, depending on the climate conditions at that time of your inspection. They don???t want to cause damage by putting too much pressure on the system. In fact, in your home inspection report, there may be a liability disclaimer relieving your inspector of any responsibility for your HVAC system. Depending on the conditions at the time of purchase or sale, you may need to have it separately inspected.

Roof leaks are the #1 missed problem.
Home inspectors don???t take huge risks, nor do all climb up onto the roof of a home to check for leaks. Inspectors will use binoculars to look at the roof from the ground level or from a higher window to identify any potential damages. This helps them see missing or torn shingles or nail pops and potential holes, but there may be more to the story. If you live in an area that???s had a lot of intense weather, you may want to hire a roof inspector to ensure that the roof is hole-free and durable.

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Thinking about forgoing a homeowner’s inspection? Checkout this article about why you shouldn’t skip a homeower’s inspection that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/7-crucial-areas-home-inspector-checklist-doesnt-cover/

Looking to Decorate on a Budget? Get Ideas Here!

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

When most people think about decorating they might get overwhelmed for a variety of reasons. One reason might be because they don’t know where to start. Another reason might be they don’t have a decorator’s eye. Another reason could be because of the money. If it’s the last reason then you’ve come to the right place. We found this article with easy ways to decorate on a budget. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Want to create a stylish home without breaking the bank? Ten interior designers show you how.

Paint
Painting is one of the easiest???and least expensive???ways to transform your rooms. ???A fresh coat can instantly update a space,??? says interior designer Adam Hunter. Don???t have enough time to paint the whole room? ???Just repainting the trim can make a big impact,??? says interior designer Karen Vidal.

Splurge on the Fixtures You Use the Most
???A good sofa is important, especially if you have a family,??? says interior designer Christine Markatos Lowe. ???An inexpensive sofa won???t wear well and will look much older than its actual age over time.??? On the flip side, save money on lesser-used pieces. ???Look for inexpensive options on accent tables, side chairs, and secondary furniture,??? says interior designer Nicole Fuller. She suggests checking out inexpensive but quality items from such brands like Anthropologie and Safavieh. And keep in mind that certain materials can help you save money, too. ???For large area rugs, choose grasscloth or sisal rugs over wool,??? says Wheeler. ???They are about a third of the cost, can withstand heavy traffic in your home, and work with any style of decor.???

Shop at Flea Markets
???I love shopping at antique stores and flea markets,??? says interior designer Julia Buckingham. ???You can find great deals on so many unique pieces. Some are perfect as they are and others can be easily updated with a coat of paint, new knobs, or lamp shades.???

Change Out Accents
For a quick and inexpensive makeover, replace the handles and knobs in your kitchen and bathroom, says Lowe. ???You can also replace lamp shades and light fixtures.??? Dress up your seating, too. ???Throw pillows are a great way to update your space,??? says interior designer Kyle Schuneman. ???They can instantly transform a sofa.??? You can also change them according to the season (think velvet for winter, linen in summer).

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Looking for cheap ways to update your kitchen cabinets? Checkout this article about cheap kitchen cabinet updates that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/decorating/decorating-tips-techniques/decorating-on-a-budget

Want to Make Laundry More Fun? Learn These Layout Ideas!

Posted on September 7, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Laundry is inevitable. Unless you have someone else to do it for you then laundry is a normal part of your life and probably not very enjoyable since it never ends. In order to help you make it more enjoyable we found this article with three different layout ideas for your laundry room. 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:

For some, laundry can be a peaceful escape, a quiet time to fold towels and socks. Others never seem to find washing clothes as more than a household chore. If you fall on the not-so-fun end of the spectrum, you may be in need of a laundry room redo to make your laundry duties easier and perhaps more enjoyable. Spice up the laundry room in your Philadelphia home with a few of these tips and design ideas.

1. Get Organized
Sorting clothes before washing makes the job of tossing in a load of laundry faster. Mark separate baskets for lights, darks, and towels. Canvas bags labeled by wash type also work well. Solicit the help of your family members by charging them with the responsibility of bringing their own wash to the laundry room and leaving it in the correct storage container. Another way to organize the room is to install hanging rods for any articles of clothing that you prefer to air dry.

2. Create Space Savers
For busy families, laundry rooms never seem large enough to handle the steady stream of clothes rotating in and out. To maximize your space, install shelving or cabinets above your washer and dryer. Purchase stock cabinets at a home improvement store or look for clearance sales on higher-quality cabinets. This additional storage allows you to conceal cleaning products cluttering an already busy room. If you prefer to fold clothes as soon as they come out of the washer, consider adding counter space spanning the length of the room. Adding a wall-mounted drying rack can also be a great space saver.

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Looking for storage ideas for your laundry room? Checkout this article about laundry room storages that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://blog.coldwellbanker.com/3-laundry-room-layout-ideas-to-make-washing-clothes-more-fun/

Live in the South? Learn the Ways You Know It’s Football Season Here!

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Jeremy Leake

Football in the south is a way of life. This is a popular saying that happens to be very true. The South is like a different world in a way and that includes how seriously people take their football teams. Regardless of which team you root for once September hits there are easy ways to tell football season has arrived. In order to help you out we found this article with ten different ways to know when it’s here. We hope you enjoy it!

From the article:

Sometimes we get so caught up in our day-to-day that we fail to stop and notice when things get weird. You know, like when you were a kid you didn???t know how quirky your family was until you started going to sleepovers at friends??? houses and saw how ???normal??? they are. That???s what???s happening in the South right now???after the Chick-fil-A Football Kickoffs things happen here on Saturdays that just don???t take place at other times of the year, or in other parts of the country. For example:

1. It???s a clich??, but it???s true: The malls and shopping centers are vacant. And there???s no traffic.

2. The few folks who are out shopping (who aren???t Yankees) are wearing team colors and logos. And they???re driving cars with flags and magnets.

3. The chip aisle of Publix is reminiscent of the bread aisle during a January snow threat.

4. Churches and country clubs are shuttered and quiet: no Saturday weddings this time of year. If an enthusiastic bride dares to break this code of conduct, she risks reducing not only her guest list by at least half???but the bridal party as well.

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Looking to promote healthy family habits? Checkout this article about healthy family habits tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2014/09/26/10-ways-to-know-its-football-season-in-the-south