​If the home you are about to move into uses a grinder pump, it will be beneficial for you to have at least a little knowledge of the way one works so that you can keep it well maintained.
Let’s look at how a grinder pump works and discuss a few of the dos and don’ts of using one.
 
A grinder pump is a device designed for managing household waste.  It works by grinding up this waste into a slurry and then flushing it through into the sewer system.  Grinder pumps are usually required if the homes drainage system is below or even at the same level as a public sewer line or septic tank which would prevent sewage from flowing quickly enough through the system by itself. 
 
Although we know there are many items that should never be flushed down any toilet or sink, it's important to be aware of items that you should avoid disposing of this way when you have a grinder pump.  Among the things that should not be placed in a toilet or drain are grease which builds up in the tank, caustic or toxic chemicals, cat litter, aquarium gravel, plastic, feminine hygiene products, and diapers.
 
Keep in mind that grinder pumps require electricity to operate, this means that, should you experience a power outage for any reason, the pump will not work so you will want to limit the amount of water you use during this time otherwise the tank cause become too full. 
 
If you are going away for a few days you will want to prepare the grinder pump by running water long enough so that the pump activates and leaves only clean water in the tank.  If you do not do this, you could experience some unpleasant odors. 
 
Be aware also that you should never connect a grinder pump to the sump pump.  This will not only use much more electricity but will overwork the pump, potentially costing you a lot of money.

Are you presently looking for a home to buy? Maybe you’re a first-time buyer and are looking for a starter home. Whatever your reason for buying property, you have many options available to you that suit a variety of budgets.  The important thing with any property you choose though is making sure you know its exact condition. 
 
One example of the importance of knowing the home's condition is if it has a prior history of fire damage. The seller may have done a good job with the home’s outward appearance, but what is its real condition? To help you understand why we are saying this, please watch the following brief video.  It highlights the many problems that a fire damaged property might have incurred and will also help to give you an idea of why a thorough home inspection is so vital.

Thousands of elderly people are injured each year from accidents that happen within their own homes. Most of these accidents occur while they are performing everyday tasks. Some of the more common types of accident that someone elderly is at risk from is slipping and falling. So, what can you do to reduce the risk of these types of accidents in your loved one’s home?

Looking around a home you can easily see where someone with limited mobility might trip and fall. Appliances that have long electrical cords could become lethal if they are in a walkway area or stretching underneath rugs and carpets. To help reduce the risk of electrical cords becoming an accident risk, you may need to rearrange the furniture so that they are not stretching across an area that would be a tripping hazard. Another thing to check for is the condition of wires and power cords etc. If they are old, fraying or wires are exposed, they are a fire hazard and need to be replaced or checked out.

Many elderly people prefer the comfort of carpet in their homes. However, carpet can become a serious tripping hazard if it is coming up in places or the adhesive is wearing out causing the carpet to loosen. Rugs are another, potentially lethal, hazard as they are very easy to slip on. If there are rugs in the home, ensure they have a very good rubber backing which will make it stay firmly in place.

We have only mentioned a few of the numerous hazards that an elderly person can face in their homes, but it does highlight the need to go through the home analyzing whether there are areas that need to be improved for safety.

​When it comes to our homes, we don’t always give them the attention they need. In fact, our cars get more attention than our homes typically. In fact, we even inspect our cars more – but most only do it because it is required by the government.

But what about our homes? Shouldn’t they be inspected annually too? The answer is a definite YES. Annual maintenance inspections can help you avoid thousands of dollars in home repairs.

Many people worry that an annual inspection will cost too much, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. An annual inspection is affordable, as well as easy to schedule.

Many if not all counties and towns within the US require people with homes and Lawns to take care of them. However some people may not take care of their lawn and it can be eyesore to their neighbors around them. So here are a few tips to remember the regulations in your neighborhood.

The regulations between different cities and towns defer, however there are some recommended standards that homeowners live by. For instance, a maximum growth of your grass that may be allowed is up to 7 or 8 in. Anything higher than that could cause your neighbors to complain and then you would be receiving either a call or a visit from your local District. So be sure to keep that grass mowed and looking fresh.

If you are a neighbor who sees that a house may not be taking care of the proper way and no one may be living in the house, or claiming it, it’s state law that if you take care of lawn maintenance for up to 2 years, the property can technically be signed over to you because of you’re taking care of it. However, this may not be the case for all Town districts, so be sure to check your local code enforcement’s.

With just these few things in mind, it’s good to have regular lawn maintenance so that not only your house looks beautiful, but also your neighborhood as well.