Keeping the house clean and sparkly all year long is a continuous effort, and a little help can go a long way. Today, it is easy to find professional cleaning services that can handle a variety of projects, such as regular cleaning, spring cleaning, and even special event cleaning. However, finding professionals one trusts around their home can require some research and careful consideration, so here are some tips to make the process easier: 1. Seek recommendations When starting the search, one can speak to friends, family, and other trusted contacts and ask them for referrals or recommendations. This will also provide one with honest insight into what to expect from a cleaning service. 2. Carefully assess online reviews While reviews can help in shortlisting top services, one should not fall for a 100% performance rating, as some companies pay customers to leave reviews, which can skew the ratings. Also remember that unhappy customers are quicker to leave reviews as compared to happy or satisfied customers. They often use third-party websites to vent about their experiences, sometimes in an attempt to damage the company’s reputation. The truth may not be as bad as it is made out to be. As a regular practice, steer clear of companies with a perfect or absolutely abysmal performance rating.

With the increase in pollution levels, the concern for water contamination is on the rise. This also extends to drinking and cooking with such contaminated water as it can lead to health complications. To avoid such problems, it is advisable to install water purifiers. It helps access contaminant-free drinking water and keep oneself hydrated, essential for maintaining good health. However, one has to filter through numerous options and find a purifier that suits the requirements. Tips for choosing the right water purifier Check water quality It is first necessary to check the quality of water before selecting a water purifier. Depending on one’s residing location, one might have to deal with one or more water contaminants, varying from place to place. The contaminants present in the water would determine the type and quality of purifier required. Assessing the water quality beforehand can assist in choosing a purifier that efficiently eliminates all the contaminants and improves the quality of drinking water. Set a budget Before making any purchase, it’s important to set a budget. This helps filter out irrelevant options and allows one to focus on the important features of the product that will be useful in the long run. By sticking to cost-effective options, one can appreciate their purchase without overspending.

All homes do not have access to clean and safe drinking water, which isn’t available to everyone today. Water-borne diseases and health issues caused by unsafe drinking water can pose a serious risk and cause harm to one’s health, and as such, water purifiers can ensure clean and safe drinking water. Here are a few reasons a water purifier is a good investment for one’s health: 1. Removes chemical contaminants Tap water is treated very often with chlorine by municipal water treatment facilities. While these disinfectants neutralize parasites, bacteria, and pathogens, they could also leave behind harmful byproducts like trihalomethanes and chloramines, whose long-term exposure has been linked to serious health issues like cancer. Reverse osmosis water purifiers and activated carbon filters absorb the chlorine molecules, bind them to a surface, and prevent them from passing through the filter. The removal of chlorine also improves the taste and odor of water and may reduce any ill health effects that could result from drinking water with very high levels of chlorine. 2. Ensures added security Contaminants from pollution, outdated or faulty water pies, residue from pesticides (in the case of well water), and even extreme weather conditions can put a strain on municipal water treatment facilities.

Proper roofing is integral to the structure of a house, and sometimes, even small errors in roofing, like a misaligned nail or using sub-standard shingles, can cause damage. While carrying out renovations on roofing, there are a few things to keep in mind, and not adhering to these can cause water damage, mold, and rot to permeate through the roof. Check out these common roofing mistakes that can occur during roofing renovations. Fitting a new roof over the old roof The only way to know what’s wrong with the old roofing is to tear it down and inspect it. Only after this can one ensure a correct roof repair or replacement. Installing a new roof over an old one without finding out the underlying issues is just covering up the problem and could result in costly repairs down the line. Also, the additional layer could increase the weight of the roof and put added pressure and stress on the walls. Using sub-standard shingles Buying shingles of strong and lasting quality is important so that they can withstand harsh weather conditions. Skimping on shingles during roof renovation only means that one may need to replace them sooner than usual, defeating the purpose of trying to save money in the first place.

Maintaining doors and windows does not seem that difficult, but if one does not keep up with it, the doors and windows could endure damage and excessive wear and tear. This could prove costly in the long run. Cleaning them only counts for something if care is taken to maintain their structure and moving parts. From irregular oiling to skipping caulking and sealing, here are some common door and window maintenance mistakes that most people make: 1. Irregular cleanup Dust and dirt tend to accumulate near tracks, frames, and corners of doors and windows, making them look shabby and affecting the movement of the hinges. Regularly cleaning these areas with mild detergent and soft cloth that won’t leave scratches and checking for signs of wear and tear helps improve the appearance and performance of doors and windows. 2. Overlooking moisture-related issues Moisture and wood do not go together, and continuous moisture can deteriorate the wooden frames of windows and doors, encouraging rot, mold, and mildew. Maintaining proper ventilation in the home, using exhaust fans in high-humidity areas, and immediately fixing any water-related issues helps maintain the strength and integrity of doors and windows. 3. Using harsh cleaning products Using ammonia-based cleaners and rough scrubbers to clean glass windows and wooden doors can lead to scratches and material damage over time.

Pests can spread infections and become a menace for those staying in the house. While sprays, coils, and baits may help reduce their number, they may not be long-term solutions. Regular pest control is necessary to ward off these insects for longer periods and prevent them from forming colonies. Selecting a pest control company requires some research and thinking. These four tips can help one choose the right provider for their needs. Find out which methods the company uses While there are different ways to get rid of pests, not all are 100% effective. Moreover, some companies use solutions that can harm people if they inhale them. So, one should ask the pest control company which methods and products they use and check if those options are safe and effective. Understand the specific pest control requirements Although general pest control can stop pests, one may sometimes need specific solutions depending on the type of pests thriving around one’s house. Rodent control, termite control, and bug control are some options companies provide. One should inspect the place to find out what type of pests prevail the most and check with the pest control company if they can cater to these requirements or not.

Carpets are a significant part of the home’s aesthetics. However, not many people know how to care well for them. This results in frequent mistakes that can damage the carpets and cost a lot of money. These have been recognized by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration (IICRC), and steering clear of them can help extend the life of the upholstery. Read on to learn about seven carpet cleaning mistakes and ways to avoid them. Scrubbing vigorously Scrubbing carpets too hard is not an effective way to remove the stains. In fact, it causes more damage to the fibers and can push the stain in deeper. Instead of scrubbing, try a blotting motion to lift any stains before following up with cleaners. Acting too slow Don’t wait for a spill to dry up, as this can make cleaning tougher. During this time, the spill seeps through the carpet fibers and reaches the padding, increasing the risk of mold growth. Try to clean it up as quickly as possible. Using the wrong products Today, carpets are made of a variety of fabrics. Each of the fabrics requires special care and attention, including certain cleaning products. Using the wrong cleaners can damage the integrity of the fibers and worsen fraying.

Installing new windows in a home is an excellent way to give it a new look. Home improvement projects like this are a lot of fun to manage, especially if they are DIY projects. However, if one does not have enough experience with such projects, one may end up making some common mistakes that can cost one dearly. This article lists a few such mistakes one can avoid when installing windows at home. Incorrect measurements It is extremely important to get the measurements of the window right. The window can be built to any size, so one must always be careful when taking measurements. If the window is of the standard size, it may be easy to work with as these are readily available. However, if it is a custom size, one must carefully tailor the requirements accordingly. Wrong-size jambs Jambs are critical in supporting and securing the window during the installation process. When measuring the window, it is also important to measure the width of the jambs. This ensures a snug fit of the window, which is important for its proper functioning. Improper weather-resistant barrier When the weather-resistant barrier is not installed properly during construction, it can lead to various issues in the future.