Introducing Roto-Rooter home products

For more than 80 years, the name Roto-Rooter has been synonymous with unclogged drains. Hands down, theirs is the most trusted name in the business and they got that way by doing great work.

Roto-Rooter now makes a line of products that'll keep your drains and septic systems flowing and trouble-free. After all, a drain system you don't have to think about is a good drain system.

The Roto-Rooter home product line consists of

• Gel Clog Remover
• Hair Clog Remover
• Septic Treatment
• Build Up Remover

The Gel Clog Remover is a product I use regularly. My partner and I live in an older home and we have an iron sewer main. Mercifully, no one uses iron waste pipes in older homes but for those of us in homes built before the arrival of PVC pipes, iron is a fact of life.

Iron degrades over time and that degradation results in a waste pipe with a rough surface on the inside. This rough surface acts as a magnet for anything that passes over it that's not strictly water. Hair, soap scum, grease and garbage disposal waste end up catching on the rough surface and before too long the amount of waste that can flow through the pipe starts getting reduced. We notice it when our second floor drains start to slow down.

Ordinarily, we use another brand of drain cleaner I won't mention but last week I treated the drains with Roto-Rooter Gel Clog remover. I followed the instructions to a T and within 15 minutes everything was flowing smoothly again. Amazing.

Roto-Rooter Gel Clog Remover has 25% more active ingredients than the product I had been using and equally importantly, it has the proper thickness and stickiness (a.k.a. viscosity) to attack the clog by penetrating it. Other products' formulations are too thin and they flow right through a clog or they're too thick and they rest on the surface. Roto-Rooter's increased amount of active ingredients combined with that winning viscosity mean that it works faster as well as working better.

Roto-Rooter products are safe to use on all pipes and septic systems and that's another important consideration I have to bear in mind whenever I have to deal with my old iron pipes. Iron waste lines need to be exposed to as little acid as possible to keep their integrity. Roto-Rooter's formula is sufficiently alkaline to do its job and to keep from damaging my pipes.

It's considered to be some kind of virtue to run vinegar down your sink drains these days but please stop doing that. Vinegar is an acid for starters, so pouring white vinegar down your drain is harming your metal pipes and fittings. But not only that, it doesn't actually do anything to keep your drains free-flowing. Vinegar is a diluted solution of water and acetic acid. By virtue of its chemistry, it can't cut grease or dissolve hair. You need to use something that actually works and I recommend Roto-Rooter Gel Clog Remover.

You can buy Roto-Rooter products at Lowe's, Walmart and many other places and right now, there's even a dollar off coupon on their website.

Get serious about keep your drains clear and your septic system healthy and stick with Roto-Rooter.

5 Helpful Renovation Tips That Will Increase Your Home's Value

There are many reasons why homes are renovated. Maybe you’re renovating it to boost its value. Maybe you’re thinking of renovating it to boost its practical aspect. Whichever your reason, choosing the right renovations is key.

Choose the right ones and the value of your home will increase. Choose the wrong ones and you risk pouring your hard-earned cash down the drain.

Below are 5 helpful renovation tips that will increase your home’s value:

1. Update your kitchen

Kitchen renovations can really add value to your home. They are what many real estate experts recommend for high returns on investment.

Here are helpful tips to increase the value of your kitchen:

• Make a kitchen rolling stand. A rolling stand will catch most buyer’s attention. 
• Opt for stainless steel countertops. 
• Add a splash of color with a new backsplash. 
• Change the paint. Paint works wonders. It’s also cost-effective. 

2. Boost your curb appeal

Your home’s curb appeal is the first thing buyers see when they drive up the property. When the curb appeal of your home is on point, it’ll welcome potential buyers in and show them that the rest of the home is just as good.

Here are some helpful tips to increase your home’s curb appeal:

• Clean and replace porch lights. You could do this for as little as $30. 
• Update house numbers. New numbers attract the eye. Go big and bold.
• Repaint the front door. The front door is your home’s focal point. Repainting it sets your home apart.
• Give the exterior windows a thorough clean. This job is easier than you think. 
• Primp the porch. Clean it up by getting rid of household clutter and adding some greenery or a pot of flowers.
• Pressure-wash the siding. A home and its walks, steps and decks shine bright after you’ve sluiced away the cobwebs, dead bugs and winter grit. 

3. Give your house a thorough clean 

A clean house speaks volumes about your personality. By making a clean house your priority, you accomplish these three things.

One, a clean house is healthier for you and your family. Two, you prevent dirt and junk to build up over time. And three, you are able to stay on top of maintenance issues, as you are able to spot potential problems before they become expensive ones.

Here are some helpful tips to keep your house clean:

• Clean your fridge door. Clear it off for a cleaner-looking kitchen in seconds. 
• Hide the hamper. Rooms look less clean when piles of dirty clothes are in sight. 
• Make your bed every morning. Not only does this make the entire house look cleaner, it also sets the tone for the rest of your day. 
• Fluff your pillows. This is the easiest, laziest trick in the book. Fluffing all the throw pillows in your living room will breathe new life into the place. 
• Empty all trashcans. This is a lightning-quick cheat to a cleaner-looking home. 
• Sweep and/or vacuum. Vacuuming is like a magic Band-Aid fix. 

4. Update your bathroom

Bathrooms come in a close second when it comes to the rate of return. A bathroom renovation not only increases the comfort level of your home, it can also substantially boost its resale value.

Here are some helpful tips to increase the value of your bathroom:

• Improve ventilation. Moisture is your bathroom’s greatest enemy.
• Boost its lighting. Sconce lighting at the vanity is recommended. 
• Replace your hardware. For example, update the showerheads, faucet handles and drawer pulls. 

5. Let the light in

When it comes to real estate, dark, cramped rooms are no good. Opening up the house to create more of a flow and enhance natural light is one thing that homeowners can do to increase the appeal of their property.

Here are some helpful tips to increase natural light:

• Clean your windows at least once a month.
• Choose lighter colors as often as you can. 
• When picking treatments, treat lightly.
• Place mirrors strategically.
• Clear the space around your windows.

Renovating can be an enjoyable and rewarding process. Use these five tips to add some value to your home.

Budget Friendly Ideas for an Amazing Bedroom Makeover

The bedroom is an important room in your house. Before planning to give it a makeover, planning is key. With proper planning, you’ll be more comfortable and happy with your new room.

If you are on a budget, here are some ideas for an amazing bedroom makeover.

Incorporate a new accent color

Gold accents work wonders when it comes to bedroom makeovers. They can give your bedroom a new life especially if it was formerly navy blue or white.

To achieve this look, use accessories or paint a small piece of furniture like the nightstand.

Avoid matching too much

Rooms with a variety of patterns and colors have the most personality. However, avoid becoming gaudy and creating an eyesore by having everything in a room match.

Give the walls some texture

Adding texture to walls helps create interest in a room. Aside from adding personality, the new wall treatment will help make your room cozier. Thanks to stick-on designs, renovating with wallpaper is no longer a huge production.

Hang a statement mirror

As per Warner Quinlan Inc, Mirrors are not just for the bathroom only. Mirrors create a sense of openness, making your bedroom space appear larger. Also, mirrors help flood in natural light. Suitably placed mirrors help bounce light to create warmth.

Lay down a rug

Not only do rugs create a warm atmosphere, they also help reduce noise, keeping your bedroom quieter. Choose wisely, however, because rugs have the power to change the look and feel of your bedroom completely.

Add plants

Houseplants do more than just make your shelves look brighter. Plants naturally filter air pollutants and produce oxygen while maintain indoor humidity levels. Plants bring tranquility, increase your productivity, reduce your stress levels, enhance your creativity, and boost your mood.

Monitor your pillow population

Pillows are not only comfortable, but they are also cute. However, according to experts, they shouldn’t take up more than 50% of the bed. You only need a lumbar pillow and two sets of appropriately sized bed pillows.

Bring in a bench

Nothing elevates a bedroom faster than a bench at the end of the bed. When choosing a bed bench, you want to pick one that is slightly narrower than your bed. A bed bench adds rich depth, glamorous style, and comfortable convenience to your bedroom décor.

Turn off overhead lights

Keep bedroom lighting subdued for a tranquil space. To achieve this, use three-way bulbs so you can adapt the wattage to your needs or moods. Use wall sconces or nightstand lamps for bedtime reading.

Dress up your windows

A valance can help bring the wow factor to your bedroom. A valance helps provide color and softens the hard lines of windows. When choosing a valance you want to make sure it’s long enough. Also, choose one with the right pattern and fabric.

If your bedroom is looking a little small, try adding a striped rug. Striped rugs not only give a room a modern look, they also correspond with the color scheme and give the room a longer look.

Add interesting trim

Trim is functional in ways you may not realize. The simple addition of trim borders, ribbon or rickrack on shams, pillowcases or bed skirts can yield amazing results.

Buy new bedding

New bedding can make such a huge difference to your bedroom. It can create a whole new look, taking your room from primary to pastel, modern to classic, graphic to girly and more. If you don’t already have one, consider a comforter or a duvet.

Create a reading corner

To make the corner of your bedroom feel like a brand new space, all it takes is a cozy chair, a standing lamp and a new book.

Clear the clutter

Clutter in the bedroom can contribute to fatigue, lack of focus, irritability and difficulty sleeping. Moreover, persistent clutter in your bedroom can negatively impact your health.

There you have it: 14 budget friendly ideas for an amazing bedroom makeover. Use these tips to make your bedroom a sanctuary.

How To Locate Utility Lines Under Your Yard

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If you are considering doing any type of digging or building work in your own yard then you’ll need to start by considering where the utility lines are that serve your property.

In fact, you might even discover there are utility lines for other properties running under your ground! The last thing you want to do is dig straight into one, it can cause a serious injury. In addition you might find yourself facing a substantial bill to repair the problem.

This is why you need to ensure you understand the safe digging tips before you start digging. But, even before you start digging you should identify where the lines are:

Locator Service

You can contact utility location services which will provide you with a free quote to assess your yard. They will then use specialized equipment to scan the ground below your yard and determine what utility lines are present.

Most importantly, once they have located the lines they will be able to provide you with a detailed grid map showing you exactly where they are and how deep they are.

This is the most expensive solution but the best. You will know everything about the utility services running under your ground and what you should do. This usually involves digging somewhere else or staying above their level.

It is very rare that you will want to actually dig up the utility lines. Of course, if you do choose this route then you’ll need to proceed with maximum care. You shouldn’t use any sharp objects when digging near utilities. Water, electricity and you do not mix well together!

Check Your Documents

You can also take a look at the deeds for your house. They should mention if there are any utilities or easements on your property. If there are any it is unlikely that the deeds will give you the exact location and it is also possible that things have changed since the deeds were created.

This is a good guidance point but does not remove the need to use a locator service.

Utility Company

It is possible to call the utility company to get them to come out and mark where the utility lines are.
However, there are a few issues with this approach. You’ll need to contact all the different utility companies; the electric board won’t know where the water lines are.

You may also find there is a significant delay before they can come out, this will hold up your building project.

Additionally, they might not tell you how deep these utilities are, which will not help you to decide whether to continue with your project or not.

A locator service is the best option as they will deal with all utility lines in one go, provide you with depth, and even get to you very quickly.

In addition, they will provide you with guarantees and a host of other information on your land, including boundaries and any other issues you light not know about.

Buying And Selling - The Costs You Need To Know About

If only buying and selling a home was as easy as putting pen to paper to transfer the deeds. According to the National Association of Realtors, home sales were down 3.2% in January 2018 - the second month in a row that a decline was recorded. So, why are sellers failing to attract buyers and why are buyers holding back from making a purchase? One thing that could be to blame is the rising costs of properties. The average selling price of a home is now $240,500 and when you factor in the additional costs of buying and selling, you can see why individuals are put off from making the leap. This is especially true for those looking to buy a first home who particularly feel the financial squeeze.

Tips for sellers

As a seller, it’s your job to make your home the best it can be to lure potential buyers through your front door. You might think investing in a new kitchen or bathroom suite is a waste of time and money, but if it’s going to add value to your home and, ultimately, sell your property then it’s cost definitely worth considering.

When the deal has been done and a price agreed, one of the first things your buyer will do is request a professional home inspection to ensure that the property is kosher and doesn’t have any significant problems, such as damp or electrical faults. Should the inspection pick up any issues, then your buyer might pull out of the sale, request a reduced price or demand repairs are completed before the purchase continues. Therefore, to prevent delays and higher repair costs, it’s best to have your home checked for any issues prior to sale and get them sorted before placing the for sale sign outside your home.

What should buyers consider?

Does the house you’re buying require extensive renovations? If so, you need to consider these costs when making your offer. It’s all well and good comparing the property you’re considering making an offer on to the sale price of the one across the road, but if it requires $20,000 of work, then it’s probably not such a good deal after all.

Additional costs when buying a home soon mount up. There are legal fees to shell out for, between $350 and $550 for a home inspection and when you’re in your new property home insurance is a must to ensure your property, its foundations and your personal belongings are protected in the event of a natural disaster, such as a flood, an accident or a burglary. You’ll likely also want to complete some renovations and basic DIY work when you move in, too, such as giving the kitchen a lick of fresh paint or putting down new flooring in the hallway. To be sure you can afford everything that comes with a home, you may be best putting down a smaller deposit on your home and saving the extra cash to cover your additional costs.

There’s no denying that buying and selling property can be expensive, but, thankfully, there’s plenty of things you can do to ease the pressure of these fees and to ensure a smooth purchase.