15 November 2018

Holiday drain prep with Roto-Rooter Gel Clog Remover


It's holiday time and this marks the end of my one year brand ambassadorship with Roto-Rooter Gel Clog Remover.

It's hard to believe that it's been a year already and in that year I've completely changed my brand loyalties when it comes to drain cleaners. Roto-Rooter Gel Clog Remover just works better than its competitors and I've found that by not waiting around for a clog to form, I can pre-empt their formation all together by integrating Roto-Rooter Gel Clog Remover into my usual schedule of home maintenance and cleaning.


Now that the holidays are upon us, preventive maintenance is even more important.

Holiday season means a regular stream of visitors and all those visitors mean an added strain on my plumbing system. All of the additional cooking I'll be doing for the next six weeks or so will just ad to an easily overburdened plumbing system in this old house.

If I can keep my drains free flowing it'll prevent the embarrassment to me and my guests of plumbing clogs in the middle of a gathering.

Before people start coming over and before you kick your kitchen into overdrive, take a couple of moments to run some Roto-Rooter Gel Clog Remover through your sink and bath drains.

Roto-Rooter has more cleaning ingredients than its competitors and of equal importance, those ingredients are suspended in a thicker and more viscous solution. That means that Roto-Rooter Gel Clog Remover stays together as an intact mass for a longer period of time once it's sent down the drain. It holds together longer and that gives the product more time to work at dissolving the solids that are conspiring to clog your drains.

Hair from sink and shower drains doesn't stand a chance and greasy deposits from your kitchen drain won't be able to haunt you later.

As tough on clogs as Roto-Rooter Gel Clog Remover is, it's also safe for your drain pipes so there's no need for concern about causing any harm to your plumbing.

So ring in the holidays with clear drains!

You can buy Roto-Rooter Gel Clog Remover at Home Depot, Lowe's Wal-Mart and many more stores. Give it a try and you'll see what I mean.

Holiday clean with Mean Green


This is my final post of my yearlong stint as a brand ambassador for Mean Green Cleaner and Degreaser and in that year, Mean Green's gone from a product I had scant knowledge about to a product that's now the center point of my household cleaning routine.


Now that the holidays are upon us Mean Green will play a significant role in getting my house ready for company and keeping looking tip top for the duration of the season.

Holiday season means open season on drop by visits from friends and loved ones and I feel particular pressure to keep this place cleaner than usual. Not to sound too much like my mother, but I really want this place to shine when people come over.

Mean Green does a great job on my granite counters and appliances and a half cup of it in a bucket of hot water makes my travertine and wood floors cleaner than any other product I've ever found. I've found recently that it's also a great laundry pre-treatment.

I cook almost constantly and I'm forever making messes in my kitchen. It's not just the surfaces in my kitchen, as often as not I make a mess of the clothes I'm wearing. Stuff like olive oil splashed on a cotton shirt can be a real bear to get out of a cotton shirt or a pair of jeans. I've started spraying greasy spots with Mean Green right before I wash the spotted articles and it does a great job of keeping my clothes grease stain free.

After Thanksgiving, it'll be a real boon to laundering tablecloths and napkins. I'm not dreading gravy dribbles as much as I have in years past. It'll also make short work of my cooktop and wall ovens. I will be feeding multitudes and I don't particularly want my kitchen to look like it. Mean Green will come to the rescue and I don't doubt that for a second.

I cannot recommend Mean Green Cleaner and Degreaser strongly enough. Their other cleaning products are well worth giving a try as well. Of particular note is Mean Green's Kitchen All Surface Cleaner; it not only works exceptionally well it smells fantastic too.

You can buy Mean Green All Purpose Cleaner, Mean Green Cleaner and Degreaser, Auto and Garage and more at Target, Lowe's, Wal-Mart, Dollar General and Family Dollar stores. Give it a shot, you will not be disappointed.

08 November 2018

How To Be Proactive When It Comes To Maintaining Your Roof


Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home and it is crucial to keep it maintained. If you don't take care of your roof, it is going to start to leak and that is going to lead to a host of expensive problems. While you should have your roof inspected once a year so you can find out about any major problems, you should also inspect your roof regularly on your own. There are things you can do that are going to extend the life of your roof and save you thousands of dollars in the process. Read on to learn the top tips that are going to ensure that your roof is going to look its best.

Keep Tree Branches Away From Your Home
Tree branches can be a big problem since they can rub on your roof and damage your shingles. Tree branches can also provide a pathway for rodents and squirrels to get access to your roof where they can chew into the leaves and make a nest. Tree limbs can also drain water onto your roof and the shade from the branch can prevent the shingles from drying properly.

Keep The Flashing In Good Order
Most roof leaks happen around the chimneys and porch because the flashing has failed. Once the flashing has failed the roof is going to leak and you are going to end up with expensive damage. The damage can cause leaks inside of your home and it can also cause wall leaks which can be expensive to repair. If you notice that your flashing is damaged you are going to want to call a roofing company right away so you can get it repaired.

Inspect Your Skylight Seals
Having a skylight is a great addition to any home and the skylights allow a lot of light to enter your home which is very attractive. Skylights can also allow water to leak into your home since the skylight seals have a tendency to leak over time. It is important to check for leaks on a regular basis and you also want to look for evidence of leaking in the wall which will show up as bulging or discoloration.

Keep The Gutters Clean
Your gutter system is a major part of your roof and if you have old and leaking gutters, it can have a negative effect on your entire roofing system. The water can breed mosquitoes and it can also cause the eaves and fascia to start rotting which invites rodents and other pests into your home. If your gutters are not in great shape you might want to consider getting an estimate to replace them. A good gutter system is also going to prevent water from running into your foundation which can lead to settling and damage over time. Inspect your gutters once a year and if you notice any problems you are going to want to get your gutters repaired right away.

Keep Heavy Snow Off The Roof 
If you live in an area of the country where it snows on a regular basis you are going to want to avoid letting heavy snow pile up on the roof. Heavy snow can put excessive stress on the rafters which can lead to a catastrophic roof failure and lots of problems. You can invest in a special snow rake for your roof that can help you knock off all of the snow before it gets too bad. Make sure that you are very careful when you use the snow rake because a large amount of snow could end up falling on your head and you could be seriously injured or even killed.

Monitor Your Roof For Lifted Shingles
If you have experienced a bad windstorm, you are going to want to check your roof for lifted shingles. The force of the wind can cause your shingles to start to lift up and this can allow water into the roof. If you have a ladder and some roofing cement, you can glue the shingles back into place yourself. If you don't have access to this equipment you can hire a roofing company to repair your roof for you.

Replace Broken And Curled Shingles
Your roof is subject to heavy stress by the environment and all this stress is going to take a toll on your roof over time. When you notice that some of the shingles are missing or starting to curl up, you are going to want to make sure that you get the problem shingles replaced. A good roofing contractor can repair all of the problematic shingles for you so your roof is like new again. If you don't replace the damaged shingles, your roof is going to leak at some point which is going to cost you money. 

Keep Your Roof Clear Of Algae
If you live in a humid area, algae can easily start to grow on your roof and this can cause damage to your roof. The algae can eat away at the shingles which is going to cause expensive roof damage. Eventually you will have to replace the shingles. When you see that algae is growing on the roof you can spray it with a mix of bleach and water which will kill the fungus.

Once you have killed the algae and fungus install zinc strips at the edge of your roof which will act as a natural fungicide and ensure that the problem doesn't come back. You can do this yourself or have a roofing service do this for you. The roofing service is going to make all the needed repairs to your roof so you don't have to worry about any more problems.

Maintaining your roof is going to be easy when you follow these tips from Armor Services and you are going to have an easier time taking care of your roofing needs. Keeping your roof in good shape is crucial and will help you avoid making expensive roofing repairs that can cost you money.

02 November 2018

A Guide to Renting Out Your Holiday Property Abroad

In recent years, it has become exponentially more accessible to make a buck or two off renting out your living space. As more and more people have considered hosting or visiting a home, numerous more platforms have surfaced to aid each party in this endeavor.

But what about when the property you wish to rent out is overseas? Do you still have the same abilities you would in your home country? Well, some additional details come into play, but we’re here to break it down for you.

Find Out Who Can Help You

Due to the increase in demand for this type of exchange, there are plenty of companies and individuals alike who will assist you in all property rental ordeals. They are educated, reliable, and people who know the process well.

For instance, if you have considered leasing any kind of home in Thailand, a property agent for Hua Hin will have the necessary resources to better assist you in going about renting it out. These resources include but are not limited to offering multilingual capabilities, knowledge of the local market, and more. They are well aware of the ins and outs of their field as they specialize in its features. Thus, they can take full control of your leasing expedition without any worry at all.

Asking for help is a good idea no matter what the circumstances are. However, it’s even more important when you are consulting with people who have knowledge of local markets for foreign real estate.


Check Legalities

Renting out your property, especially overseas, can be especially tricky when dealing with the law. Every country has its own legal system, and therefore, its own means of home owning and leasing structures.

Semantics such as insurance, liabilities, taxes (specifically for the nation in which the property resides), and more – these are key details to look into prior to putting your house or apartment up for lease. Always make sure you are doing the needed research depending upon the country of your abode. Failure to do so could end disastrously.

After all, you are no longer responsible just for your own dealings in your home country. Now your actions are overseas as well. This is one of the most imperative aspects, as it can land you in big trouble if you do not comply.

Clean Out Your Holiday Property If You Are Not There

Most likely you won’t know the individuals renting your space, and you will be miles away should anything go south. That’s why you want to make sure you clean out your home of any and all valuables well before anyone else arrives. Foreign real estate agents may be helpful in assisting you to lease the property, but once your renters are in, their actions are largely out of your hands.

Just as you would not leave expensive jewelry out in your hotel room or food in the fridge when you leave home for a while, be sure to avoid making similar trivial mistakes in your holiday property. If your belongings are stolen or used without your permission, it is a deed hard to undo. And if the food you left in the fridge rots only to be discovered by your new tenants, it is a discomfort that does not kick things off on the most positive terms.

Additionally, prepare to make some purchases for the home even when you’re away. Just like any good landlord, if something breaks or needs maintenance, it is up to you to handle it.

In Summation

There are numerous opportunities when it comes to renting out your holiday home. You can become prosperous while staying law-abiding and safe. Many nations account for property rental from abroad, and you should feel secure in your ability to lease your house so long as you follow the simple steps above.

Renting your home overseas can be a big responsibility, as you are preparing an entire space that is both your own and yet for the livelihood of another. However, it can be hugely beneficial financially and even result in making connections that transcend borders.

19 October 2018

Five useful tips to use in the kitchen

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The kitchen is an area that we spend a big part of our lives, as it is the place where we prepare our daily meals. We, therefore, need all the help we can get, and that is exactly what Kitchen Guyd is here for, to provide all the tips and advice on all things kitchen related.  In addition to that, below are a few tips that can help you on the same.

1.    Use different boards for different ingredients

If you are cutting up some fruit for dessert or for a salad, then it is best to ensure that you use a specific board for that and use a different board for the other ingredients. For instance, you may have one specific board for items such as fruit and vegetables, another one for meat and another for bread and pastries. This helps to ensure that odours and tastes of various ingredients do not get mixed up and create weird tastes. For instance, garlic and onions have very strong flavours which get caught up in almost anything. It is thus best to have a variety of chopping boards.

2.    Know how to store foods in the fridge

Fridges are a great lifesaver as they enable us to store various leftovers and hence save on cooking time, for instance, after a long day. There is, however, a mechanism that should be adhered to when storing foods in the fridge. For instance, the bottom shelves are best for your meat and poultry, all of which should be kept in clean, sealed containers. Below that go your fruit and vegetables which should be sealed in clean bags for freshness. Avoid storing items such as tomatoes which easily go bad, or onions which create an odour in your entire fridge.

3.    Using olive oils properly

There are various types of olive oils, but they can all be generally categorized into the typical pure olive oils and extra virgin olive oils. The difference in the majority of these olive oils is the process used in developing them. For example, the extra virgin olive oil is unrefined and is made without any chemical processes as compared to the pure olive oil which is not refined. The extra virgin olive oil is thus much more expensive and contains a lot of flavours. While cooking, therefore, it is best to use the pure olive oil and save the extra virgin oil for dressing as it does change its flavour under a lot of heat.

4.    Save heat when boiling water

We are always in a rush while cooking to bring water quickly to the boil. One easy and fast way to do this is by covering the water after placing it on the stove. This reduces the time needed to bring it to a boil drastically and also enhances hygiene. The same works for when cooking a dish such as pasta or rice. It will reduce the cooking time and thus will save on heat.

5.    Have a meals menu

You can make a breakfast or a dinner menu which can help you avoid the stress of deciding what to cook every day. Such a list will help you avoid situations where you don’t have all the necessary ingredients required for a particular meal. It can also be really fun to make such a list with your kids.