​When might it be time to replace your roof? This depends on the age and type of material used, but since it is a major investment, it is wise to have your roof inspected to ascertain the state it is in, and how likely you are to have a large expense in the future. The decision you might need to make is whether to replace it or repair it.

This decision should not be taken lightly. Even though it might be tempting to just get a quick and easy fix and patch your roof where it is needed, the yearly repair bills might add up to a greater cost over a longer period than it would cost to re-roof. Additionally, when repairs fail or aren’t done properly, damage can occur to the underlying structure.

With a proper inspection in conjunction with an estimate from a trusted roofing company, you can make an informed decision.

Landscaping around a home is usually designed to be both pleasing to the eye and a relaxing space to be surrounded by but, could it be more than that?  Can it be designed in such a way that it also helps with the home’s energy costs? How is that possible you may ask? Well, this is done by landscape shading.  Landscape shading is where trees and shrubs are positioned in specific locations so that they provide shade to areas of the home that see the most sun.  This is a method that has been shown to reduce a home’s indoor temperatures by as much as 9 degrees.  
 
To make a success of landscape shading it needs to be planned out extremely well.  Its important that trees are planted in just the right place so that they cast shade on the home at the time it is required most.  Another factor to have in mind is the type of trees you use.  You will get more shade the denser the tree.  You will also want to consider if you wish to benefit from the sun’s warmth on the home during the winter months, if so, make sure you select deciduous trees which will provide full shade during summer but lose their leaves during winter. 
 
You may also want to think about the rate that trees grow, if you are looking for quick results, why not choose vines instead? You can grow them to wrap around a fence or trellis positioned in the area you would like shade.  Shrubs are a good option for areas like pathways or driveways.  
 
So, as we can see, the smart use of landscape design can not only look beautiful but can also work for you by helping to cut down on the home’s energy costs.

The home should be a safe place of relaxation but, sad to say, many injuries are reported each year from accidents that take place within the home. Tip-over accidents are one danger present in a home, with children being most at risk. Let’s look at some of the causes of this and ways to prevent it.
 
Most new furniture items come with safe assembly guidelines and must adhere to strict safety standards, however, if the consumer does not follow these guidelines, the item they purchase could become very unsafe. For example, if you purchase a bookshelf or dresser, etc. it should be fixed to a wall using straps or L brackets. This will ensure that the item cannot tip over easily and cause injury.
 
In general, if a child sees something it wants, it will go to great lengths to obtain it. This might involve climbing on furniture items to do so. While it’s good to keep items you don’t want a child to have out of reach, it’s also a good idea to keep them out of sight to eliminate the temptation.
 
When shopping around for furniture, choose pieces that are sturdy with a wider base, this will minimize their risk of tipping. Store heavy items in lower drawers and shelving which will also increase their sturdiness.
 
One household item that can easily tip over is the television. If it’s not attached to a wall, keep the television on a low-lying stand or unit and make sure all electrical cables are well out of the way of children.
 
These are just some of the safety measures you can take to keep your home safe.

​As our aging loved ones get older they need extra care, but do not necessarily want the upheaval of moving from their residence.  This is described as ‘aging in place’. This term refers to the desire of aging ones and their families to adjust their current residence to cater to their growing needs. While there are many ways to help them with these needs, making appliances more convenient to use may be a good place to start.
Here are some tips;

• Location of microwave oven should be in an easy to reach location.  On the counter top or above the oven may be a convenient location.
  
• Place the refrigerator and freezer side by side and not on top of each other.  This will eliminate unnecessary reaching or crouching.
  
• Side swing ovens are much easier than an oven door that opens towards the floor. Alternatively, an oven mounted on the wall may also make it easier to reach.
  
• Stoves that are electric and have level burners will help the user to transfer items without difficulty. Also, controls that are easy to read and located on the front can draw the heat away from the user.
  
• Front loading Washers and dryers make it much easier than top loading ones.
  

These are just some ideas to help our aging loved ones ‘age in place’ and make it easier while they use their appliances.

​So many children (and maybe adults) love having a trampoline in their own back yard. Trampolines can be a lot of fun and good exercise, but can also be extremely dangerous and cause injuries if not used safely
Keep this in mind:

• In order to stay as safe as possible when using a trampoline, always supervise children. Make sure that there is not more than one person on it at a time.
• While a trampoline may seem like a bouncy, soft landing, the fact is that trying gymnastic maneuvers that only trained gymnasts should attempt may result in neck and head injury and even paralysis. Please don’t attempt this.
• We’ve all seen and maybe even been amused by those You Tube videos of people jumping off roofs and other high objects to land on a trampoline. What we don’t always see however, is the injuries that result from this. Don’t allow anyone to try this on your trampoline.
• Keep the trampoline in a well lit area so that you can clearly see where you are jumping.
• Take all the safety precautions you can to ensure your trampoline is safe to use. These things include installing a safety net around the trampoline, making sure there is sufficient padding around the springs and framework and placing the trampoline on a soft surface such as wood chips.

We want you all to enjoy the fun you can have with a trampoline, but please remember to stay safe.

A tumble dryer has become an indispensable appliance for the majority of large households, however, as is the case with any appliance, it must be well maintained.  If a dryer is not cared for properly it could even become the cause of a serious house fire.  So, what are some simple ways to care for the dryer?
Most of us will be aware of how a dryer works, wet clothes are gently spun in the drum of the dryer as hot air is forced into the drum enabling it to dry the clothing.  As this is happening, water evaporates from the clothes forming water vapor.  This water vapor then must exit the dryer and does so through the dryer vent.  Another result of the drying process is lint, and this too must exit the dryer to avoid a dangerous build-up in the machine.
When a dryer becomes a fire hazard.  If the water vapor cannot exit the dryer this could cause the machine to overheat which could then cause it to burst into flames.  If lint, which is extremely flammable, starts to build up in the machine, this also creates a big fire risk.
What are some ways to prevent a dryer fire? The vent plays a crucial role when it comes to dryer safety as this is the way water vapor escapes from the machine.  Be sure to check it never becomes disconnected or damaged in some way that would cause the vent to become blocked.  Another important thing to do each time you use the dryer is to empty the lint trap so that you avoid excessive build-up.

​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.