Common HVAC Issues That Are More Prevalent in Older Homes

Older homes can come with unique charm and character that can make them very attractive to home buyers. From architecture to history, older homes can contribute to the beauty and style of the neighborhood. As with most things, however, age can take a toll on the structures and systems of a house. Older roofs, plumbing, flooring, and wiring could all require additional work and attention. HVAC issues are another common problem found in older homes.

In general, the average HVAC system should last around 20 years, according to many experts. As the equipment ages, it becomes less energy-efficient and will lose the power to circulate air properly. While some of the issues involved with older homes add to the character and charm of the house, HVAC problems can be a headache.

From poor air quality and airflow to outdated equipment, several areas of an older home's HVAC system may require attention. As a result, there are several common HVAC issues that are more prevalent in older homes. Let's take a closer look at some of the HVAC problems that can come with older houses.

1. Lack of Airflow

No matter if you have lived in the home for a month or 20 years, most homeowners never think about their ductwork. The duct system in your home plays a critical role in heating and cooling your home as it is the vehicle for moving the air. Ductwork that is in good working order allows your home to be heated and cooled consistently. Like HVAC systems, however, ductwork has a lifespan and will begin to age and degrade after about 15 years. With proper maintenance and cleaning, air ducts can last a while but will develop cracks and leaks over time.

Depending on the age and condition of the ductwork, older homes could experience poor airflow due to aging materials. Clogs, leaks, and cracks could all interfere with the airflow from the HVAC system and lead to heating and cooling issues throughout the home. Homeowners living in older homes with airflow issues should have technicians inspect the ductwork to check for issues causing inefficiencies and lack of airflow.

2. Poor Indoor Air Quality

Construction and efficiency standards have evolved since the time that many older homes were built. This means that newer technologies and innovations in new homes today have much cleaner air and better airflow. Modern air conditioners help reduce humidity and allergens in the air by condensing and conditioning the air coming into the house. Many older systems just blow cool air and don't have the capabilities that the systems today have. As a result, many older homes have poor air quality.

Older systems allow more unfiltered outdoor air inside and circulate more pollen, dust, and other pollutants throughout the home. In addition, older ductwork can also harbor dust, dirt, allergens, and micro-organisms that spread through the home each time the air comes on. It will be important to check and change the air filters regularly in your older home to help mitigate some of these issues. A professional HVAC technician can also check the air quality in your older home and help you find solutions for any problems.

3. Outdated Thermostats

Another problem that older homes usually have is an outdated thermostat. Typically older thermostats have basic controls for heat, air, on, and off. These thermostats can contribute to frequent cycling, inefficient operation, and wear and tear on the HVAC system. Modern technology in programmable and smart thermostats allows for better control of settings and more reliable system performance. Newer thermostats can maximize energy efficiency.

Older houses can come with charm and history that many newer homes don't have. Along with the cool features and antique architecture, however, HVAC issues can often plague older houses. With some help from HVAC professionals, you can ensure that your home has clean, comfortable air year-round.

How is Foundation Repair Work Done in Colorado?

Foundation forms the basis and strength of any suitable construction work and hence its importance. But as it is for most things man-made, the foundation might come out faulty with time. 

Although the root causes might turn out to be either natural or man-made, the effect tends to lead to the same result, which is a failure of the building and, eventually, its collapse. 

With an estimate of 25%, homeowners in the U.S are likely to suffer foundation and structural damages in their lifetimes, with 5% enduring significant problems.

This article will detail signs of foundation problems, causes of foundation problems, the average cost of foundation repair, primary foundation repair methods, and preventions specifically in Colorado. Our company specializes in foundation repair Denver Colorado. Visit our website at https://denverfoundationrepairspecialists.com/

Signs of Foundation Problems:

The major signs of foundation problems can be categorized into two significant warning signs, the exterior and the interior.

Interior Warning Signs:

These are warning signs visible to the owner and can be observed without sophisticated equipment or gadgets. Some common interior warning signs are:

• Cracks in floor
• Bulginess on the floor
• Misalignments in the doors and windows
• Cracks in sheetrock

Exterior Warning Signs:

These signs can hardly be observed by mere eyes. They are often observed by the use of equipment and gadget invented for such purposes. Some of the standard exterior signs are:

• Displacement in moldings
• Cracks in bricks
• Crack/Brokenness in the foundation
• Rotation of walls
• Separation around doors and windows

Are Foundation Problems Common in Colorado?

Foundation problems are becoming more common in Colorado, most rampantly in the Denver area, and these facts can be attributed to many factors.

Causes of Foundation Problems:

Foundation problems are caused by several natural and man-made factors. The reason for the vast majority of damage is usually water or natural disasters.

Some of the significant causes of foundation in Colorado, as observed over the years, can be categorized into natural and unnatural causes; Some natural causes include: earthquake compromised structures, flood compromised structures, extreme seasonal changes, storm compromised structures, and drought compromised structures

While some unnatural causes are expansive clay, plumbing leak beneath a home, improperly compacted fill soils, poor drainage.

Cost of Foundation Problems:

Not considering the actual cost of foundation problems in the sense that the building might be lost or need to be demolished, many foundation problems might need urgent repairs, which accounts for a lot of money. 

Considering the state of Colorado, the average cost of foundation repair work depends on the amount of damaged area, accessibility to the damaged area, and the method of repair

According to manta.com, after putting all these factors into consideration, the average cost for an average foundation repair job in the city of Colorado is roughly between the price range of 3,000 U. S dollars to 5,000 U. S dollars and are dependent on the following factors:

• 5.00 to 9.00 U.S dollars per square foot material costs.
• Average labor costs to repair house foundations in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
• Average costs for materials and equipment for foundation repair in Colorado Springs.
• All project costs (surface preparation, components, and machinery) and cleanup fees.

Foundation Repair Methods:

• Piering and Underpinning

Piering, also called hydraulic jacking, is a repair method where steel posts are driven through the unstable soil. The hydraulic jack is used to raise and stabilize the foundation’s concrete slabs affected by the change in the underlying soil. 

The slabs must be raised carefully to avoid more unnecessary damage. Piers used for foundation repairs can be sub-divided into five different types, based on their shape and structure:

Helical Steel Piers: These types of piers are also called anchors. These piers are threaded into the ground to a predetermined load capacity, and the weight of the structure is transferred from the soil to the piers. 

Helical steel piers are used when conditions prevent the use of other types of piers. Helical piers are ideally used for repairing lightweights’ concrete slabs and beam foundations. They can also be used to secure new foundations.

Steel Piers: Steel piers are permanent foundation repairs solutions. They are strong and can be driven as far as 100 feet below the ground. Steel piers provide increased stability to foundations.

Pressed Concrete Piers: Pressed concrete piers are durable foundation piers driven as deep as 12ft below the ground into the foundation to achieve stability. They are used for interior, and exterior repairs and are often installed to beam houses.

Poured Concrete Piers: Poured Concrete Piers are piers driven deep, as far as 10 feet below the ground. An average of 7 to 10 days is required for a poured concrete pier to be successfully installed. Poured concrete piers make use of precast segments at installation.

Belled Concrete Piers: The bottom of the pier of a belled concrete pier has a bell shape foot designed to provide a comprehensive support area for the pier.

• Leveling

Leveling is a method used to lift sinking or uneven concrete, also called mud jacking. Slab foundations sink when the soil beneath them shifts or collapses, and it leaves space below. The concrete is then lifted by drilling 2 holes through the concrete foundation and into the space below. A solution of natural elements, soil, and cement is injected into the space, thereby filling it. As the solution expands, the slab is then raised back to place.  

• Crack repair

Cracks in foundations are repaired by patching the cracks and covering them with a waterproof masonry sealer. Some commonly used crack sealers are vinyl concrete, epoxies, hydraulic cement, silicone, and polyurethane. The type of crack sealer used is dependent on the severity of the crack.

Choosing the Correct Method for Foundation Repairs:

The cause of the distress must be determined before choosing the best repair method. Moldings and trim boards, mortar joints in bricks veneer, and low windows are often common signs of taking note of as distress signals. It is essential to choose not only the best but most efficient method of foundation repair method.

Conclusion:

Foundation repair work is an essential job in Colorado today as the factors causing foundation problems are becoming more rampant today. Early detection of the signs of foundation problems has proven to be life-savers in different circumstances. 

It is important to note that foundation problems usually occur over long periods and are not instantaneous, so there are few emergency cases. There are signals around your building that may or may not be foundation problems, but it’ll never kill to do routine checks. 

6 Key Phases Of The Residential Design Process

Are you in the planning stages of building your dream home? If so, you need to hire an architect to turn your dream into a reality. But when working with an architect, you'll realize they often use complicated terms during the process of building your residential home. And if you're unfamiliar with the terminologies, it becomes tough to follow the conversations, leaving you hanging. This is the last thing you want to experience because it becomes hard to follow what's going on.

Fortunately, you don't need to learn all the technical vocabulary. You can start by understanding these key phases of the residential design process:

1. Pre-Design 

This is the first stage during the design process and is also referred to as the programming phase. During this phase, the architect will interact with you to know your needs, lifestyle, and personality. This interaction also helps bring up several essential details into the light such as:

• The space that's enough for your present and future needs
• How the space should be arranged, organized, and utilized
• Site analysis, which entails lead testing, asbestos testing, dealing with existing buildings, and investigating any dangerous material. This also helps get a clearer picture of how the site interconnects to the people, climate, regulations, and surrounding area, which might affect the project.
• Code or zoning analysis to know the accepted size and use of the structure to be built as certain code issues might affect the project. This is done by talking to city planning employees and going over the Zoning Summary.

Having all these in mind before even starting your construction project helps speed up the process and ensure both parties are on the same page regarding the size and terms. If you both agree, go ahead and sign a contract hiring the architect for their services. 

2. Schematic Design

This step is where the architectural company starts creating a building design concept after examining your wishes. The schematic design phase isn't so comprehensive but rather conceptual and accounts for around 15% of the architect's fees and total work. At this stage, the architectural design team begins to explore design concepts to get a general feel and look of the project. They also consult you to discuss any specific requirements and do exhaustive research to assess your property.

At this phase, the architect also finalizes their initial research on the local regulations and compliance. With this in mind, they can confidently determine the relationship between every space, location, and project size. Everything done at this step aims to come up with the size and shape of the building and some basic design. Other details that'll be delivered at this step include:

• Building cross-section 
• Floor plans of every level with plumbing fixtures and generic openings 
• Typical wall section

Upon your approval, the architectural team will proceed to the next phase. 

3. Design Development Phase

It accounts for about 20% of an architect's fees and total work, which entails them working together with you to choose products such as fixtures, doors, windows, materials, and appliances, as well as interior finishes. Unlike with the schematic design, the architect will have a more updated plan with more information and greater precision when it comes to cost. This is done to give you more accurate estimates at the early design stages. 

4. Construction Documents Phase

During this phase, the architect is expected to be done with specifications and drawings, referred to as Construction Documents. It accounts for approximately 40% of an architect's work and fees, but this percentage differs from one project to another. The Construction Document phase entails preparing blueprint notes or drawings. In addition, architects and engineers finalize the technical specifications needed for construction, bidding, and applying for a permit. Examples of engineering discussed include electrical, structural, energy calculations, gas, and plumbing.  

The Construction Documents will be handed over to a contractor to be given a quote on how much the project will cost.

5. Bidding 

This phase only takes up a small percentage of the architect's fees and work, usually around 5%. Bidding involves going through different bids from various contractors hoping to get the construction project. It's best to assess these different bids alongside your architect because they can provide you with a list of approved contractors.

The architect will also help you examine the different contractor bids to compare the different costs better. They also have the experience and skill to gauge whether a contractor went through the blueprint as this is vital to ensure they hand over an accurate bid. In addition, the architect will help you issue formal clarifications to the illustrations and answer any question asked by a contractor.

6. Construction Administration 

It's the final phase when designing a residential property, and the architect's duty is now project management rather than creative design. The architect won't be physically present at the construction site at all times. However, they'll regularly pass by, and this could be monthly or weekly to ensure that the construction is being done with your design wishes in mind. They also come by whenever the contractors are considering changing the design, and the architect consults you to ensure you accept such alterations.

At this phase, the architect will confirm the billing the contractor is sending you to ensure they aren't overcharging you for their services. They're also tasked with other responsibilities such as solving any issue that arises during construction and confirming the contractor is using the correct material. Ideally, the contractor and architect should work together to solve any unforeseen issue that arises during construction. This will ensure your project runs smoothly and won't exceed the projected construction timeline.

Takeaway

Having a conversation with an architect during the construction of your residential home can become quite intimidating due to the complex terms they use. As a result, you'll mostly find yourself confused. The best way to prevent this would be to familiarize yourself with the key phases followed during the residential design process. If you’re unfamiliar with these, this guide has enlightened you to better understand what to expect during the design process.

Lighting Potions: How to Effectively Choose Lighting Fixtures for Your Home

Photo by Skye Studios on Unsplash

Lighting is one of the most important basic features in a home when it comes to interior design. Excellent lighting can make a home’s atmosphere functional and appealing. However, most DIY designers often disregard its value. 

No matter how exquisitely accessorized, organized, and furnished a home is - it won’t be a fully well-decorated house unless you choose the correct lighting. Thus, proper lighting is a must to fully maximize your experience in your new home. If you want to learn more about how to choose good lighting for your home, read on below!

Types of Lighting 

Most lighting has a function, and it’s usually divided into three main classifications: task, ambient, and accent lighting. 

• Task - This type of lighting helps you finish, as the name implies, your tasks, e.g., chopping ingredients, folding laundry, reading a book, painting, etc. 
• Ambient - sets the mood of the room. It has a warm and soothing glow. This type of lighting can consist of chandeliers, pendant lights, or track lighting, etc. 
• Accent - These lightings are used to feature a decorative piece in the house. These are also used in museums to highlight some paintings or art pieces. It can also be used as floor lights to show off your favorite plant in the house.  

Types of Light Bulbs

Types of lighting are different from the types of light bulbs; these two go hand-in-hand to maximize the light in your home. Here are three main classes of light bulbs:

LED 

These bulbs cost more than incandescents, but it’s way more energy-saving and cost-efficient, and it can last much longer. It can be used in any way - outdoor, indoor, accent, ambient, or task lighting. 

If you’re looking for LED lighting fixtures, consider purchasing from Vonn Lighting. They have a variety of modern to traditional state-of-the-art designs and free shipping! You can buy a mixture of outdoor and indoor lighting here in Vonn.

Incandescent 

Incandescent bulbs are among the most common bulbs you’ll see on the market; they’re in most appliances, e.g., microwave, fridge, etc. Unfortunately, they aren’t as long-lasting as LED bulbs, and they consume more energy. Luckily, they cost less than LED bulbs.

Halogen

Halogen is both budget-friendly and energy-efficient! It has a warm glow that’s almost similar to incandescent bulbs, and you can place it indoors or outdoors. However, they aren’t as durable.

Lighting Fixture Styles

Each type of lighting fixture has a different function in the look and performance of a space. 

• Floor lamps - are considered task lighting since they are placed chiefly near a chair to read a book or beside a home office. 
• Hanging lights  - It adds an exquisite look to a room, and it’s primarily used in living rooms, dining rooms, or kitchens. Most products are either pendant lights or chandeliers. 
• Cabinet lights - are usually used below kitchen cabinets to make meal preparations more manageable and safer using task light.
• Desk lamps - Another form of task lighting is desk lamps. It is placed on a desk to make it easier to read, study, or work. The head can be easily adjustable at any angle that makes you comfortable.
• Wall sconces - You can place them on each side of your bed or light a dim hallway. It can be considered ambient or task lighting.

Lighting for Each Space

• Living Room - The lighting can be layered using ambient and task lighting; so that the mood is set in a room where people relax, and you can read or watch and unwind.
• Bedroom - A bedroom is where one rests, so the color temperature of the light should be warm to encourage rest.
• Kitchen - LED bulbs would be best to use in this area. Also, consider incorporating dimmable lights to set the proper mood when cooking and pendant lighting and under the cabinet lighting. 

Takeaway

Always remember that lighting can either generate or destroy the ambiance in the room. It is the main element that gives a well-decorated room that unique spice! If you’re unsure how to incorporate the different styles to create a mood in the room, consider hiring a lighting designer to relieve you of your troubles.

Looking for the Best Locksmiths in Portsmouth, Hampshire? Read This:

There are various reasons why you might require the services of a locksmith. Almost everyone will experience a lock issue at some point, whether it's inside their home, business, or even the front door. If you have a lock problem, you may be tempted to fix it yourself, but it is best to seek expert help from a locksmith to avoid more damage.

Residential, commercial, and automotive locksmiths are skilled specialists who install, adjust, and repair locks in homes, businesses, and automobiles. Locksmiths make copies of locking keys, bypass locks with authorization, and modify lock combinations.

If you live in Portsmouth, Hampshire finding a great locksmith can be what stands between you and a cold night especially during the winter. They can also be the reason you are in danger if you randomly hire without verifying one. For tips on how to successfully find the best locksmiths in Portsmouth then keep reading.

Before you start having issues with your locks, it is important to do your research and have the contact of more than one credible company. This will help you avoid hiring one in an emergency and causing you to overlook some security measures.

It is clear that danger is lurking everywhere, knowing this is the first step to guarding and protecting your home. Anyone can be a victim but you can reduce your chances of falling victim to danger by following the tips listed below.

Tips on How to Find the Best Locksmith

If you have any issue involving locks, you should be looking out for a trustworthy, skilled and professional locksmith company to work with. The fact is locksmiths can have access to your home and this can be dangerous.

If you’re looking to employ the services of the best locksmith you can find in Portsmouth, then the following tips will be of great use to you. 

Be Clear about the Services You Want from the Locksmith

There are various services you can get from your local locksmith and to avoid any form of confusion it is important to clarify the services you require beforehand. The services you can get from your local locksmith include:

• Repairing locks
• Duplicating keys
• Changing locks
• Supply, installation, and maintenance of high security commercial locks
• Installation of mechanical or electronic locks 

There are so many other services you can get from your local locksmith services. You can check out this video to learn more about the services offered by locksmiths.

Get a Referral

An effective method of getting a trustworthy locksmith is through referral. Getting a company this way can guarantee that they are legit. This can serve as an extra security measure as they will be reluctant to try anything shady.

Another benefit of going through this method is that you get to see their work first hand. Nobody wants to refer someone with a bad track record; therefore this can serve as a guarantee that you will be getting a great service.

Request to See Necessary Documents

Having a certified locksmith matters a lot especially when it’s your first time experiencing any problem with your lock. No matter how cautious you are, eventually you will experience some issue with your lock.

Using a certified locksmith means you can expect credibility and accountability if anything goes wrong. In Portsmouth, locksmiths with the right documentations tend to have the most progressive instruments.

This is another benefit of using a certified locksmith. In Portsmouth, it is normal to find locksmiths without certifications. Usually they don’t have up to date apparatus, and it is most likely for them to cheat you after providing substandard services.

Trust Your Gut

Sometimes a locksmith can fulfill all the requirements you set, like having a great referral, complete license and documentation but you still feel weird about it. In situations like this, it is important to trust your instincts, and keep searching for another locksmith that you feel satisfied and more comfortable around.

Know Which Locksmith Service Operates 24/7

This is very important for you as a home owner. The fact is lock emergency knows no time, this means that you can get locked out of your home at any time of the day. To be on the safe side, it is important to have a locksmith that will be available if such scenario occurs.

Red Flags to Observe When Hiring a Locksmith

Here are some red flags that can help you detect that a locksmith is not reputable:

1. When the prices are too good to be true: Often times when you see prices that seem too cheap, or a lot of discount, it is usually a scam. You might even end up getting poor services and usually will have to spend more than your budget to make up for it.
2. Bad reviews: the reputation of any locksmith is important. When a locksmith company is getting bad reviews online, there is a big chance that company will not do a good job. Therefore, when you come across a company with bad reviews, it is best to avoid them.
3. Lack of professional certifications: As shown earlier, you can see that having professional certifications can go a long way in proving a locksmith’s credibility. Every professional locksmith should have certifications.
4. No estimate for repair work: before beginning any repair work, a professional should provide an estimate of the overall cost. This would be a guide for you to know how much you are expecting to pay.

Conclusion

Locksmiths are really important to homeowners as one of the major issues that occur in the home is related to locks. Doors and locks are the primary source of security in the home and needs to be properly looked after.

Having a locksmith look at your locks is more than just a job; it is giving a total stranger access to your home. This can save or cause you a lot of troubles. There has been a lot of news going around about crimes committed in various homes and majority starts with a locksmith.

Due to the access they have to these homes they have the chance to commit crimes and get away with it. Therefore it is important to pay attention to the company you give access to your home. 

Boiler Installation, Maintenance and Repair

Modern life affords us so many benefits that were not there in previous centuries. Life generally is easier for all today than at any other point in history. This doesn’t mean that life is perfect now; no it isn’t. But thanks to technological innovations and inventions it is what it is. 

One of the benefits of our lives today is the availability of options. An example would be the option to bath in cold or hot water or to keep our house warm on a cold night without using a fireplace. You can only have this option though, if you have had a boiler installed in your house.

What Are Boilers?

These are instruments or vessels used to produce heat (mostly warmth) and steam. It is usually an enclosed vessel and with fluid on the inside continually being heated to produce steam, a piping system then circulates the steam or fluid and in the process transferring heat. The heat being transferred through this process serves various purposes outside of heat generation such as serving as a heat exchange system, power generation and more.

Boiler Maintenance

The thing with boilers is this; they can be dangerous if not maintained or operated properly. Again, its installation will definitely cost you a bit therefore, adequate and proper maintenance is necessary to prevent corrosion or any damage in the first place. Here are some maintenance tips to follow:

Observe The Pilot Light

The first thing to lookout for in your boiler is its pilot light. If it burns a blue flame then it is in good shape however, if it is yellowish or orange in color then there is a problem, it could be a sign that it is not burning its fuel completely. This has to be fixed as quickly as possible as it poses a safety hazard for your home.

Keep The Pressure Up

Generally, over time, the heating system will definitely lose pressure. However, your system needs a certain level of pressure to function properly; it shouldn’t be too low or too high. For this reason, you have to regularly check the pressure gauge to prevent any malfunction. Note also that due to different manufacturers, there might be slight differences between one boiler and the next so always consult the manufacturer’s manual.

Ensure That The Area Is Cleared

It is important that the area where the boiler is kept is free of clutter. This is important because, in order to function safely, it needs to have good ventilation. This is also true of the flue pipes as they have to also be in good condition and not be blocked.

Install Lagging For Your Pipes

This refers to things that serve to insulate your pipes from the effect of the cold (freezing primarily) and other occurrences that might affect the pipes. The problem with leaving them (the pipes) un-insulated is that it leaves them prone to any circumstantial occurrence like freezing over which would affect its heating ability. Also, overtime, some of the blockage will result in pressure building up in certain points of the pipe which will cause much strain on it and eventually lead to leakage and finally a total breakdown.

Insulate Your Home

Nothing makes the boiler look ineffective like when the house is not well insulated from the outside weather condition. Therefore, ensure that the doors and windows are shut and airtight; close up any hole or opening in your house where air can escape from or come in through. When all these are done, you will definitely get the best of your boiler.

Ensure That It Is Serviced Annually

It is likely the case that you are not an expert in this area and there is a limit to what you are able to do in this area. Therefore, it is only wise that it gets serviced by a professional on a yearly basis. In doing this, a proper maintenance check will be conducted and any fault that you might not have noticed will be fixed. You can find out more here. 

What To Look For In Professional Boiler Installer

The following are things to do and look out for when looking for a boiler installing service provider. They include:

First Run A Survey

You wouldn’t know what service is better if you do not know the standard expected in rendering that service. For this reason, do a market survey, compare prices and the services being offered and generally have an idea of what to expect.

Check Their Reviews 

It is through this medium that you will find out what previous clients think of the quality of service the organization provides. If the reviews are not good, then maybe you should reconsider.

What Are Their Certifications?

The expectation when engaging these services is that you are engaging a professional therefore; there should be documents to prove this. Where there are no certificates to prove this, then, you are obviously in the wrong place.

Licensing

Another thing to check out for is their license. This makes you know that they are legally permitted by the city or town to carry on business in that environment. 

Insurance Coverage

Though not usually expected, accidents do occur and depending on what got damaged or who got injured there will be bills to pay as you will be held responsible. To avoid this, you have to ensure that the people that you chose are insured.

24/7 Emergency Service

They should also be able to render a 24-hour emergency service and be ready to respond at short notice. This is because, an issue can come up that needs to be handled urgently and their ability to meet up with the emergency shows that they are reliable.

You can visit heatquickdirect.co.uk to learn more about what to expect from professional installers. 

Conclusion

One of the purposes that a house serves is the purpose of providing shelter to individuals from the elements. However, depending on the weather, you might need much more than shelter to be comfortable.

A boiler serves the purpose of keeping you warm even in the harshest of cold weathers. But these tools can be damaged and in need of repair or there might even be need for an entirely new one to be installed.

How to Prepare You House Against Winter Pests

Photo by Ante Hamersmit on Unsplash

Winter is just around the corner, and depending on which state or region you are currently residing in, the weather is definitely getting colder. And, soon before you know, your house, front porch, or the garden at the back might be invaded with pests, and you will have to call in the home pest control services. 

It means that as you will be unpacking your winter clothes and stacking up the wardrobe, you should start preparing your house against the infestation of winter pests. If you have a garden, you can expect mice as the first arrivals, seeking protection against the cold and searching for food along the way.

Nonetheless, you should also be concerned about cockroaches, spiders, bugs, and raccoons, who are in equal need of shelter. While you can immensely benefit from calling in the best home pest control services and protecting your home from winter pests, you can also integrate the following methods and tips to keep your house pest-free all winter.

Read on to learn more!

Declutter Your House

This is a no-brainer: we all know what attracts mice, cockroaches, and bugs the most! It is the clutter and the trash cans that need to be emptied. Don’t leave any leftover food on your kitchen counters. Each night, before you go to sleep, you ought to clean everything and stock things properly. By removing the clutter inside your house, you will take away the privilege of the pests to find a nesting place. Remember, the decluttering of your house includes the inside and outside of the house, including your garage and garden. 

Assess Your Home Thoroughly

Before you do anything, do a tiny yet intensive research on the exterior and interior of your home. Understandably, the winter pest will move in from the outside, which is why the exterior of your home needs to be thoroughly inspected for potential cracks, holes, and gasps that might serve as a threshold for the pest to enter your cozy home. 

If you find cracked walls, windows, doors, or holes and gaps at any other area of the house, you can indulge in DIY home projects and use a sealant to cover and seal those cracked surfaces. This way, you will prevent all kinds of winter pests from getting inside your house and ruining your peace of mind. 

Over time, it is normal for the foundation of homes to develop cracks, gaps, and holes, including in the area where the pipes are. A thorough inspection of your home exterior can help you detect the areas which can serve as an entrance for potential winter pests. 

Get Rid of Moisture

Did you know that winter pests aren't necessarily in search of warmth during the cold season? Often, it is also the moisture they seek, just like us humans. That said, don’t neglect pools of water. They might not harbor mosquitoes, like in the summers, but the moisture can definitely attract winter pests, giving them life and sustenance. 

We recommend using heat tape integrated with plumbing to prevent the entrance of moisture inside your home during the winter. Also, the heat tape will prevent your pipes from freezing, saving you more annoyance in the long run. 

Final Thoughts

While the above-given methods are a sure way to prevent pests from entering your house, you don’t necessarily have to wait to “see” pests before you call the best home pest control services. A team of professionals doesn’t only help you get rid of pest invasion, but they also know how to seal and safeguard the house from pest invasion altogether. You can also rely on a pest control service for a thorough house inspection, especially if you have a tight schedule and cannot do the inspection yourself. 

Is Window Replacement Worth it in Texas

Window replacement is one of the most significant improvements Texas homeowners can make. Thus, the question "is it a good investment?" Well, there isn't any exact answer when it comes to this, as we will have to consider different variables and their roles in home windows, which include:

• The present condition of the window frames
• Local temperature
• The density of current windows
• Homeowners choice of window

Also, these factors contribute to the cost of replacement and the anticipated energy savings. New windows that are less performing and allow condensation on the window's glass may benefit from simple DIY repairs. Plano Home Window Replacement (planohomewindowreplacement.com), a leading provider of window installation and replacement in Plano, TX, typically recommends bolting the frame all around which solves draft problems and increases energy efficiency. Insulated window glass restores the original double-pane properties, too. 

How Much Can Window Replacements Save?

Even after considering these variables a lot of time, a window replacement will result in greater energy efficiency — usually accurate when you substitute standard single-pane windows with Energy Star certified double-pane models. The United States Department of Energy states that the average amount homeowners can save with new windows differs by locality. However, in some parts of the country with relatively low temperatures, the annual energy savings can amount to $400.

Landlords in cold regions like Southern California also tend to enjoy savings, unlike homeowners in environments that require consistent air conditioning like Florida and Texas. Any home that installed single-pane windows is suitable for a window replacement project.

How Much Does a Window Replacement Cost?

Unfortunately, there aren't any exact figures for this, as it may vary by different windows installers.

Also, a complete building window replacement project is dependent on how many windows were installed in the home, but prices per window are roughly the same for any size project. Double-pane average standard-size, such as the double-hung vinyl window prices, range from $450 to $600. The estimation includes the window and installation. If you are a wood frame window fan, they are more expensive compared to glass windows. A single installed wood frame window price ranges from $800 to $1000; moreover, if it's the entire frame you want to replace, whether vinyl or wood models, it costs an extra $50 to $100 for each window.

The United States Department of Energy estimates that, for a home in a spring, summer, fall, and winter climate, the energy savings will incur an approximate cost of one window per year for vinyl and one window for two annuals for wood windows. With these estimates, The project will pay for itself, at last, considering this calculation, but it may take you 10 to 12 years or more for a home that has more windows.

What About Equity?

According to Remodeling Magazine, homeowners who replace their windows will get back almost 82% of the total expense incurred when they sell the home. The estimation of the percentage is based on standard and energy-efficient windows. Investing in customized windows is not often worth the extra expense because it has a shallow effect on the overall equity despite the excellent price tag. 

The Alternatives to Whole-House Window Replacement

In this case, it depends on what you want — your aim or goal. If your objective isn't based on long-term purpose, applying for transparent window insulation film is your best option. This transparent window insulation film is like a thick plastic that stretches over to the window and grabs the frame. It's not as expensive. It gives an extra layer of protection regarding the temperature from the outside, but you can still open the windows without the need to remove the film. Hence, this is a good option during wintertime but not suitable for keeping cool air inside in the summer.

If your home is older, the windows can be an essential part of the architectural process, and more modern substitutes would ruin the home's traditional appearance. There are alternative options that help hold the aesthetic appeal of the property including custom-made window replacements.

Crucial Things To Note

It's suggested now that you should choose alternatives of wood because wood frames get worn out sooner and are more expensive to replace. Experts from Money recommend going for vinyl windows. If you like wood frames, explore the styles with aluminum cladding. By doing so, you can help prevent future maintenance expenses and any premature repairs will reduce the profits generated by energy savings and equity. 

Try to consider repairing your current windows before obliging to a whole-house window substitute. 

According to Money, you'll spend about $100 to $350 per window on the renovation. In that case, even at the high side of this price tag, your total amount spent will still be half of what it costs for a complete replacement. If you notice your windows do not need to be replaced, it saves you money by asking your contractor to keep the existing trim. 

If you want your contractor to put a window insert inside the frame and fasten it into place, it'll also save you some cash — between $150 and $300 on labor costs per window. However, this cost is not guaranteed if your window frame or trim needs to be replaced.

Financing Your Window Project

Sure, as a Homeowner, there are always various options to choose from when financing your home windows. Contractors will often offer customers special financing, the most convenient option just like a one-stop-store option. However, these interest rates are less and not always suitable.

PACE financing is another option(property assessed clean energy financing). The program was established to take advantage of the energy saved with efficiency upgrades — installing Energy Star certified windows. Homeowners who meet PACE requirements can use this as an opportunity to finance their whole-house window replacement project and pay it back bit by bit over a convenient period on their annual property taxes. Any energy savings received from the new windows will cover the project's cost over the long term.

Plant Delivery Services: An Overview for First Timers

When it comes to home decoration and aesthetics, there are so many things that one can do to beautify the home to make it livelier and more inviting. Paints and wallpapers do a great job of setting the tone of a room; art as well gives a home a lot of character. 

However, while paints, art, and wallpapers can be used to pull off various types of looks and feel, it is quite difficult to pull off a natural look without, of course, having something from nature. To do that, one would need plants, real plants. Plants are able to brighten up the dullest of rooms, and they do so by just being there, it’s effortless!

What Is A Plant Delivery Service?

What is a plant delivery service? A plant delivery service is simply a business that sells plants online and delivers to customers. In this business, having an office isn’t a necessary requirement for success since plants can easily be grown in your backyard and shipped anywhere an order comes from. But a beautiful, well-built, easy-to-navigate website is certainly a requirement for success in this line of work

While an office may not be necessary, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have an office location that is not your home. In fact, if you plan on making it a full-time business, you may need one as it would help with company branding. 

Thanks to the growth of e-commerce, shipping goods to different parts of the world have gotten easier and faster. But while that may be the case, shipping plants to a customer’s home is a completely different story and can be quite a hassle. 

This is especially true if you want the plant to get there in peak condition. It is for this reason that most plant delivery businesses restrict their services to a particular geographical location to increase their chances of delivering healthy plants. These businesses aim to meet the needs of the fast-growing market of indoor plant enthusiasts. 

Why The Need For This Service?

Getting a nice look and feel to your home are not the only perks that come with having real plants scattered around your house. There are several other science-backed benefits that homeowners with plants stand to gain. Some of them include:

• Reduced stress levels
• Treatment of anxiety and depression
• Quicker recovery from illnesses
• Improved quality of indoor air
• Increased productivity and creativity

It is because of benefits like these that more and more homeowners are beginning to shop for indoor plants. As a matter of fact, the demand for plants, especially indoor plants, soared in March of 2020, when the pandemic struck and the whole world went into lockdown. You can learn more about the benefits of having greeneries around here: https://www.ecowatch.com/health-benefits-of-having-plants-at-home-2608386260.html.

Because nearly everyone was stuck at home, people began to seek means to brighten up their living spaces and bring life to their homes; plants were one of the most sought out options. Fast forward to today, the demand for indoor plants is still high and isn’t showing any sign of falling. 

This is because a significant percentage of the global workforce now or still work from home, and they make effort to stay productive. As pointed out earlier, plants do help with productivity and creativity. Now, putting all these together, one can see that there’s a growing market for small, mid-size, and large indoor plants. 

How Can I Find a Plant Delivery Service?

Since most, if not all plant delivery services have a website, the best place to start would be on the internet. As you may know already, thanks to the internet, we’re able to access an incredible amount of information with absolute ease. More interestingly is the fact that most businesses nowadays have established an online presence either through their website or social media. What this means is that you shouldn’t have no problem finding a plant delivery service that is closest to you. 

Like we mentioned earlier, to be able to deliver plants to customers in the best condition possible, these businesses stick to a defined geographical location, usually the one within and around them. They do this because in a way, it gives them some level of control over the outcome of their deliveries. 

Putting all these into consideration, you’d have to limit your search to your location. Google already makes this easy since most of the results you get whenever you run a search are influenced by your location. If you’re not satisfied with what Google brings out, you can always search with your location manually. For instance, if you live in California, you could simply search for plant delivery services in California or plant delivery services around me; anything around these lines should work fine.

Of course, there’s also the option of asking friends and family. If you have an acquaintance that works from home, chances are that they may have recently ordered a plant. 

How Do I Know Which Plants to Order?

People usually have different tastes and preferences when it comes to these types of things. If you’ve never bought a plant online before, you may feel pressured because you don’t want to get one that you won’t like. Thankfully, plant delivery services have clear and professional pictures of all the greeneries they sell. 

So, when you find one you feel good about, simply browse through all the products they have listed on their site to see which catches your fancy. That said, if you have any allergies, you may want to check with your doctor to know what plants to avoid. 

Final Thoughts

You need to know plants that are dangerous for pets, especially if you own a pet. You certainly don’t want to joke with this. Don’t worry, sorting this out won’t be as stressful as you might think. Simply send an email explaining your concern to the company you wish buy from, and they’d be more than glad to help. 

Space is another thing you should consider before placing an order. You wouldn’t want to purchase a plant that is bigger than your workstation. Fortunately, most of these businesses sell only plants that can fit into just about any space. 

Why You Need a Mold Removal Professional

What if we told you that from the twenty-one million reported asthma cases in the United States, 4.6 million are said to be associated with mold and dampness? Furthermore, a whopping 90 percent of chronic sinus cases are associated with mold. 

Moving from the health issues that mold exposure causes, these little guys can wreak devastating damages to the buildings they grow in. Visit Superior Home Restoration and learn more about molds and the damages they can cause. They spread super-fast and can become colonies before you even have the chance to get rid of them. 

Removing molds from your home could be a real problem. You may be contemplating DIY, believe us when we say this is not a good idea in any way. There are so many risks involved, you could inhale it, unsettle the spores, and cause more trouble since they would spread more, and so on. 

Therefore, when you have a mold issue in your home, the ideal thing to do would be to get a professional for the job. In this article, we will be discussing the reasons you need a mold removal professional rather than doing the removal by yourself. 

1. It Is Not an Easy Job

You must have considered doing the job yourself a couple of times. Therefore, you may have even gone through the stress of checking Google for tricks and tips that will help you get rid of your trouble. 

While some of these remedies you may have learned can do the trick, you have to believe us when we say getting rid of these guys isn’t an easy task at all. You can try; after all, you simply need cleaning products, protective gloves, and determination, right? Well, we hate to break it to you but after you think you have handled the problem, the molds may simply grow back or move to a new location. 

This is because the growth you think you handled was in visible areas whereas they are still growing in hidden corners. Therefore, it will only take some time before they come back to the areas you can see them. 

But with an expert, proper remediation will be done. They often have equipment that lets them detect where molds are growing, therefore, they will be able to take care of every growth in the home. 

2. You Will Save Your Money and Time

When you try to tackle this problem by yourself, you risk making the mold spread even faster. With further spread, you will eventually have to call in a professional. At which point, you must have already spent a lot of time tackling the issue yourself and money on special cleaning products. 

You will be surprised at the places these guys can grow in your home then read this article to learn some of these hiding spots of molds in the home. So, instead of going about this whole thing blindly and risk further spread and reoccurrence; get a pro that will do the removal once and for all. 

3. A Professional Has the Proper Knowledge 

This is perhaps the most important reason you need a professional to handle the issue. While all you know about tackling this serious issue are tips you got off the internet, a professional has gone through proper training to handle the situation. 

Chances are you may not even know that molds are of different types. You would be going about the whole process blindly, whereas a pro would know what exactly has to be done. 

They can also determine how much damage has been done, and regardless of how severe the issue is, they will look for ways to handle it. The efficacy with which an expert will remove the molds is something you cannot achieve unless you have been trained to. 

4. Potential Spread Will Be Controlled and Reduced

During the removal process, the spores may spread throughout the house. Now, if the process is not done properly, the spores may settle in other places in the home and begin to grow there. This is a major reason DIY for mold removal is not recommended at all as it could cause an even bigger problem. 

If you mistakenly get the spores in your HVAC system, the spread will be very rampant as the AC moisture would create a perfect breeding environment for the spores. 

So, you want to leave the job to a pro that is better equipped with expertise and the necessary tools to mitigate the spread as well as eliminate the spores. 

5. You Will Save Yourself Future Problems

We hope we don’t sound like a broken record at this point when we say molds are very hard to remove from a home. They’ll grow back yet again so long as spores are left behind, they are quite relentless. This is made especially true when your home has areas that are prone to moisture. 

If you tackle a mold problem by yourself, chances are you would do this repeatedly. You would not just cause further spread, but you would cause further damage to your home. Therefore, the wise thing to do would be to get an expert that will ensure reoccurrence is prevented in the long run. 

6. You Will Not Put Your Health at Risk

At the beginning of this read, we spoke about how mold exposure can cause certain health issues. You can visit https://realtimelab.com/mold-statistics/ to see the statistics of health issues associated with mold exposure. 

When you want to take care of this problem yourself, we bet you would know to take precautions. You would know to put on protective clothes and so on. But, despite all these, you may end up being too exposed to these little guys and this can put your health at risk. 

Rather than doing this, why don’t you hire someone trained for the process to properly take care of the situation? 

Conclusion

You may think you have all it takes to get rid of your little mold issue by yourself. However, this may not be the case. In this article, we have discussed some major reasons why a professional is a better person for the job and not you. 

Growing food in a balcony garden or other small spaces

Photo by Sandie Clarke on Unsplash

Growing vegetable plants doesn't require more than decent soil, lots of sunlight and paying attention. Notice that "a lot of room" isn't on that list. It's entirely possible to grow vegetables in pots for a balcony garden if all you have is a balcony.

When I lived in Florida, I grew things like tomatoes and herbs on my balcony. The growing seasons work differently in warmer climates but with some experimenting, I was able to grow and harvest things from there and it was incredibly satisfying.

But now that I live in Pennsylvania I have an actual yard and six years ago I built myself a real kitchen garden.

My kitchen garden with beans, okra, cabbage, lettuce and arugula. This is how it looks in the spring. I grow an autumn garden of different veg after I harvest all the spring stuff

My early gardening education consisted of figuring out how to grow things in small spaces and that early training is hard to shake. My kitchen garden (actually gardens because I've built two more in recent years) is small. However because I work with the soil so much and study everything there is to study about companion planting, I get a lot out of my small spaces.

I like vegetable gardening for many of the same reasons I like other things like photography or baking. As with any of those pursuits, I will always be improving and learning and I will never fully master any of it. My goal is always to improve my proficiency.

With that said, I experiment a lot. Sometimes those experiments work and sometimes they fail spectacularly. This year's bold experiment was growing corn and the less said about that the better.

In the photo above you can see that there's a raised bed garden directly behind what I call my kitchen garden. That's a dedicated tomato garden. I figured out a couple of years ago that tomatoes have such specific needs that are different from say, cabbage, that it's easier to grow them in their own garden.

What I mean by that is that tomatoes need slightly acidic soil but they need calcium at the same time. Calcium raises the Ph of soil so I have to be able to counteract that alkalinity with sulphur and magnesium. Acidic soils and many other vegetables don't play well together, hence the separate bed for tomatoes.

While you'll never fully feed yourself from vegetables you grow yourself (unless you have about 50 acres to dedicate to veg farming), what you can do is supplement your diet. Preparing food I grew myself is on of my great pleasures.

Growing some of my own food has also got me hooked on home canning and that came about as a necessity. Until I learned how to stagger my planting so I could stagger my harvest, everything would be ready to harvest at the same time. There are only two of us and as much as we like cabbage, we can't possibly eat 12 heads of cabbage when 12 heads are ready to pick.

But what we can and do eat is sauerkraut and fermenting my own kraut was my entry to the world of home canning and food preservation.

Growing vegetables has opened up a world to me and I know stuff about biology, soil ecology, hydrology, chemistry and so many more things it makes my head spin sometimes. I accumulate knowledge over time and get better and better at the task at hand. And frankly isn't that the whole point of being alive? I think so anyway.

So start small and play around with gardening. If you're anything like me, you'll end up with a new obsession.

Why Quality Deck Materials Matter

Photo by JuniperPhoton on Unsplash

A beautiful home requires a beautiful and durable deck. And a durable deck will only last longer and look good if you use suitable materials. Using cheap materials for your deck and completing it under a low budget can cost you a lot in the future. 

The importance of using quality material while making or planning to make your deck is very crucial. The deck is something that is going to face all the harsh weather and has to stand beautiful. And only quality deck materials can help it achieve it. 

Using low-quality deck materials or not focusing on them is not a good idea. In this article, we will discuss some of the deck material options that you can choose from and the importance of selecting the suitable deck material for your deck. So let's begin. 

Types of Deck Materials

You can make a deck of many materials. Some of them are expensive, cheap, durable, or more beautiful. It all matters what you want and how you want it. Some of the most commonly used deck materials are:

1. Cedar Material

If you plan to give your house a very natural and woody look by making a deck, then Cedar would be the right option. The beautiful light wood color is very attractive and has been used very commonly for creating decks.

It is also a very durable material because it does not rot quickly. It absorbs moisture and prevents insect attacks as well. Cedar material is definitely recommended

2. Redwood Material

Redwood is a little darker than cedar material but looks breathtaking as well. It is also commonly used for making decks and definitely looks very attractive. Redwood's deck designs are widely famous. 

Another reason why Redwood is commonly used is because of its stability and durability. It is a solid type of wood and does not rot quickly. 

3. Composite Material

Composite material is the most beautiful material you can use to make your decks. The deck looks ten times more attractive if it is made of composite material. You may have seen composite decking nowadays a lot. 

But the major drawback of composite decking is that the color fades away due to direct sunlight. So if you live in a place where you get a lot of the sun, composite material might not be the best choice for you. 

Why Quality Material Matters?

Quality material is what you should look for the most. Deckbuilding is not an easy task, and you do not want to get it done repeatedly. If you still have doubts about why you should choose and make quality your priority, let's explain a few benefits of choosing quality materials for decking. 

• Less Maintenance

We do not have much time in our busy lives that we keep maintaining and spending on our decks. Low-quality deck material will require a lot of maintenance, whereas, on the contrary, you can relax for a long time if you choose the suitable material for your deck. 

• Durability

High-quality materials are more durable. Deckbuilding is not an easy task and requires a lot of manpower and money to be built. If you choose durable materials, it will be like one-time investing. You invest a little more and choose suitable material, and then you can relax and enjoy your deck for a long time. 

• Safety

A low-quality deck will be very dangerous. If you have children who enjoy playing outside, you should always use the proper methods to keep them safe. And using quality material for your deck is essential for your and your family's safety. To prevent any deck accidents, use quality materials. 

• Appearance

A quality and durable deck will not only save you from daily maintenance but will look very beautiful as well. You can quickly tell the difference between good quality and cheap material. It will affect the overall appearance of your house. So make sure to choose quality materials for the deck so that your home will look perfect!

Amba Products' heated towel racks come in two new finishes

Photo by Mike Kotsch on Unsplash

My bathroom has two things in it that get me through a Pennsylvania winter. The first is the heated floors and the second is my Radiant heated Towel rack from Amba Products. I cannot imagine facing a walk in shower on a 20-degree morning in February without either of them.

I fell in love with both of those features while staying in hotels in Germany. Winter mornings in Köln are a lot like winter mornings here and when we re-did the master bath a few years ago a heated towel rack was high on my list of mandatories. I'm the proud owner of a Radiant Curved in chrome and I picked chrome because that's what all of my metal finishes are. If it were up to me, all metal fixtures everywhere would be chrome but that's just me. I know there are people out there who want something other than chrome finishes.

Well, those people are in luck because Amba Products' heated towel racks come in two new finishes. Their Solo, a free-standing model, is now available in matte black. 

The Radiant Hardwired Straight and the Radiant Small are now available in polished gold.

Here are some closer shots of those two finishes:

Amba Products is the country’s premier distributor of heated towel rack systems and these two new finishes expand the company's offerings to nine stocked finishes.

Peter Manidis, marketing manager for Amba, stated, “For many years, polished and brushed finishes dominated interior design. However, over the last few years, there has been a shift within the industry, paving the way for less conventional finishes like matte black and polished gold.”

Previously, polished and brushed stainless steel were the only finish options offered within the Solo collection. After the success of the matte black color in other collections Amba decided to introduce the finish to the Solo collection, one of its bestselling product lines.

The polished gold finish is only available in select models within the Radiant Collection. It is an entirely new finish offering for Amba Products, and the company will use its launch to determine whether to expand the option to other collections.

Amba Products, headquartered in Atlanta, distributes more than 150 affordable heated towel rack models in both mounted and free-standing profiles. Each corrosion-resistant high-grade 304 steel rack is 100-percent recyclable and packaged with fully recyclable materials. Heated towel racks are stylish and functional additions to any bathroom, laundry room, or mudroom. They are energy-efficient and keep towels fresh while decreasing trips to the laundry and reducing airborne mold.

Amba Products was established in 2004 with a clear goal in mind – to make the heated towel rack a must-have item for every bathroom in North America. Amba now proudly boasts the largest variety of products and serves more than 1,200 retailers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Visit their website to learn more.

Dealing with a leaky faucet

Photo by Jos Speetjens on Unsplash

When you turn your faucet off and it doesn't actually shut off completely, panic usually sets it. After you’re done getting angry, you usually need to call a plumber  or head to the hardware store to try to fix the problem. But, what should you purchase? A lot of DIY solutions just aren't right, and they can actually leave you worse off than when you started. Plumbing is a profession for a reason and it's important to know when to defer to the professionals. 

If you don't understand how plumbing works, the time to learn us not during a plumbing emergency. So after you've called for help with your Pittsburgh plumbing, here's a quick primer on faucets to study while you wait. 

Determine where the leak is coming from

If you don’t know where the leak is coming from, you can’t fix it - period. So, try to determine if it’s leaking just from the faucet itself or if the water is also coming out of the handle. If it’s leaking from the faucet, you may need to replace a seal, or you might need to replace the whole faucet, depending on what’s damaged and how badly.

If the leak is coming from the handle, it may be a simple O-ring. When the plumber arrives, point out the source of the leak and ask his or her opinion.

Shut the water off

Shut the water off before the plumber arrives to minimize water loss. When the plumber arrives he or she will turn it back on to see the leak in action.

The shut-off valve for most kitchen sinks is usually underneath the sink. It’s a small handle that you can turn to shut the water off. Sometimes, it’s a lever.

See if you can remove your faucet handle

If you have a single-handled faucet, pry the small plastic cap off the top of the handle. If you have a dual-handle faucet, you’ll need to take the decorative cap off both the hot and cold water handles. If you have a handle-style faucet, instead of a twist knob, you can usually unscrew the end of the handle and then unscrew the fixture. If you're unsure don't try this, wait for the plumber.

The business part of a faucet is the cartridge, and it lies underneath the decorative cap or handle. If the cartridge is worn out or cracked, it’s entirely possible that water could be seeping through here to the spout.

Fortunately, this piece usually pops out so that you can replace it. If it doesn't you may need to replace the entire faucet unit.

That cartridge usually has rubber O-rings that it uses to fully shut off the water supply. These O-rings can wear out or crack over time and it's the O-rings that are the usual culprits in a leaky faucet.

There are many professionals to turn for help with your Pittsburgh plumbing, but unless you know what you're doing, you are not one of them. Call a plumber!