Home & Garden

It is always smart to have certain things handy that just may make like at home easier. On any day, there may be an occasion that arises where a specific “thing” is needed to make life better. An emergency or weather-related event can throw the home in disarray and being prepared with necessities is crucial.

It always feels good to have just what you need when an unexpected event occurs. You can grab it quickly and easily instead of having to run to the store to find what you need.

Fortunately, there are many resources that provide tips and suggestions to make home life a little more comfortable. Organization for the home is key to being prepared for those surprising moments. These tips are intended to provide some guidance and not be caught unprepared.

Home Emergency Supplies. A busy home is an active environment with many moving pieces, sometimes those pieces may break or get bruised. Home injuries are rising and many homes are not prepared. Active children, kitchen mishaps, gardening slip-ups can and do happen every day. For these times it is smart to have a good emergency first aid kit that is easily available and stocked with key supplies.

A good medical supply company can provide the necessary supplies and provide helpful suggestions for the first aid kit. Make life more comfortable during an emergency and designate an area, a sealed bin, or other localized places in the home for emergency supplies.

Some recommended emergency items:

1. Potable Water
2. First Aid kit
3. Batteries
4. Medications
5. Flashlight
6. Matches/Lighter
7. Food (Humans and Pets)
8. Cash
9. Cell Phone Cords and External Chargers
10. Hygiene and Female Sanitary Products

The Backyard and Play Area. An active family on a beautiful day ready to play, perform yard work, or simply relax is a great thing. Ah, life is good! But are you ready for the outside? Are insect repellents readily available for ants, mosquitos, wasp, and hornets? Do you know what to do first when a wasp stings you? Are there safety procedures in place for the kids? Is the yard clean and free of dangerous objects? Is the fence in good repair? If there is a pool area, is it secure and supplies with lifesaving equipment including rescue floatation devices? Are the sharp yard tools locked up securely in the garage area in a gardening shed? The home backyard can be a fun focal point for a family and being prepared will make it much safer and enjoyable.

Items for a backyard safety list:

1. Make sure grills and fire pits adhere to National Fire Protection Association guidelines
2. Have rules and safety devices in for pool area
3. Check playsets and make sure they are secure
4. Secure gardening supplies and tools from children and pets
5. Identify and remove any loose limbs or trees
6. Check all stairs, steps, and walkways are sturdy, not slippery
7. Secure all chemicals
8. Inspect all outside electrical outlets and sources
9. Check all safety latches and gates

Essential Items For The Home. Some items are essential to keep stocked in the home. There are ordinary basics like food and water. But what are other items often overlooked but in certain circumstances may be critical? These items may not only make this homemade life more pleasant but help the family survive under severe circumstances. Violent weather, unexpected flooding, even pandemics can place a burden on the home and the more prepared the home is better life will be.

Items are often forgotten or overlooked to stock at home:

1. Hand sanitizers and disinfectants
2. Food grade storage containers
3. Five-gallon buckets for water or waste collection
4. High strength plastic trash bags
5. Bleach
6. Paper and plastic cutlery
7. Paper, pens, pencils, and games
8. Bug and mosquito repellents
9. Extra clothing
10. Personal hygiene items

The home is more important than ever for the fulfillment of family life. With all the confusion in the world, home is the sanctuary, where one feels secure, loved, and confident being protected. We hope this article provides some insight on how to ensure this homemade life will be as prepared as possible for tomorrow and help you feel more comfortable.

Home appliances are one of the most important things we need in our everyday lives. Today, these appliances play a significant role in making every home easier and more convenient for most people. Home appliances function in the household especially in cooking and cleaning.

Kitchen appliances in particular, do not only provide the necessary function every household should have. It also effectively fulfills the mission of making the lives of the people happier and more comfortable. As most people gather and create memories in the kitchen, the space should provide peace and delight to every family.

The kitchen appliances are undeniably efficient in helping people save more time and effort in everyday kitchen activities. Small or large, these appliances can surely bring convenience to your kitchen. Here we list eight functional appliances your kitchen should have.

1. Coffee Maker

The taste of the coffee is for sure what you need to start a great day. The coffee maker is a must-have item in your kitchen especially if you are an avid coffee drinker. Not only that, but a coffee maker can also be a great investment you can have. To get the best coffee maker, consider choosing those with quality durability, taste, and flexibility.

2. Stand Mixer

If you love eating or even baking pastries, you will probably need a stand mixer. This mixer can be a useful tool especially in mixing the batter or in whipping the cream. Any baker would know how furiously tiring it is for them to mix the ingredients for baking manually.

It would be a lot easier with a stand mixer to combine dry and wet ingredients when baking. To improve workload and quality, it’s best to choose a model with convection and ones that are powerful enough to allow it to work in different modes.

3. Oven

As for many people, an oven is a requirement in any kitchen. An oven does every cooking and baking an excellent and convenient experience for all. This can also give you an opportunity to cook and bake anything you want. Furthermore, an oven has multifunctional abilities that can effectively help you explore other dishes and develop your skills more in the kitchen.

4. Food Processor

There is no doubt that your skills in cooking are the key to healthy eating. If you are in a hurry, the food processor can be your best friend when chopping a lot of vegetables to prepare for your healthy cooking. This kitchen appliance can help you do the job quickly as it has a variety of blades you can choose from, depending on your needs.

5. Electric Grill

The electric grill is probably one of the most modern kitchen appliances today. This can be a welcoming kitchen appliance for all. The electric grill can surely cook your dishes well and make them taste even better. Furthermore, it is also smoke-free and easy to clean. No doubt, this can be a user-friendly tool for cooking.

6. Slow Cooker

The slow cooker is best for cooking stews and any slow-cooked meals. The slow cooker can be a helpful appliance especially for busy people. This can be useful when they wish to prepare a meal before leaving for work. As slow cookers are commonly known for cooking large-size meals and being energy efficient, this can then lead you to save more money.

7. Fryer

Kids and even adults sure love to eat some snacks any time of the day. One of the go-to and easy-to-use kitchen appliances is the fryer. French fries, fried chicken, pizza onion rings, name it all because the fryer can do all fried recipes for you! Fried food may not be as healthy as grilled ones, but these foods can surely provide you the comfort you need.

8. Toaster

Your morning will not be complete without toasted bread or bagels. Toasters are also a must-have kitchen appliance perfect for your kitchen space. These toasters can provide you the speed and the perfect toast you may need when in a hurry for work or in any important schedule in life. The toaster can also make every breakfast tastier!

Aside from it being small and practical, you can also opt for a design and color that can perfectly match your kitchen’s interior design.

Takeaway

The kitchen is one of the essential rooms in the house. This is where one prepares and cooks food for themselves and even for the whole family. The kitchen provides significant space for the family to gather, communicate, and even create memories. The kitchen appliances play a vital role in fulfilling the whole function of the kitchen.

These appliances play a significant role in making the lives of people easier. As time goes by, changes occur and trends also arise especially for these kitchen appliances. Also, having these appliances does not only help us with our everyday lives but also makes our kitchen space more functional and look alive.

 

Many homeowners eventually face a big decision: should those cabinets be completely replaced, or would new hardware give the kitchen a makeover? Redoing your hardware can give you a space that looks brand-new, with a renewed and attractive feel. By swapping out old or dingy handles and knobs, you can revitalize your cabinets and kitchen. Let’s take a look at ten hardware ideas that are popular today.

Brushed Nickel is Classy

Brushed nickel hardware gives your kitchen cabinets a touch of elegance and style to many kitchen layouts, and matches well with more elaborate cabinetry.

All that Glitters is Gold

Many kitchen remodelers are using gold finishes in their projects. Whether you are going for a contemporary or more traditional look, gold can add a level of cordiality and formal mood to your kitchen.

Sleek Black

Black finishes are increasingly utilized in remodels, too. Black hardware serves as an appealing contrast with light cabinets. Matte black, especially, is the hottest trend for many ultra-modern and contemporary kitchens.

Copper Updates

If you are a fan of the farmhouse style, you may want to go with copper. It provides a sense of tradition and works very well with the look and layout of a farmhouse or other traditional kitchens. From sinks to handles to knobs, copper provides a warm tone to your kitchen.

Oversize Pulls

You can see more and more oversize pulls in kitchen cabinets online and in brick-and-mortar stores. A good starting point for quality cabinetry is somewhere like Walcraft. Once you have your cabinets, install pulls to add a striking element to the cabinet while keeping a sleek and contemporary look, or a traditional version.

Display Screws

Many kitchen remodelers do what they can to hide the screws that hold the hardware in place. One trend that is taking off, though, is to leave these screws exposed. This visibility works well in various styles and creates an industrial, or a from the ground up, element to the kitchen.

Complementary Hardware

Some homeowners like blatant contrast between their cabinets and the hardware, but others prefer an understated complementary finish on their handles, pulls, and knobs. For example, an oil-rubbed bronze hardware scheme works with brown countertops and a lighter cabinet color.

Glass Hardware

Glass knobs, handles, and pulls are another trend. The main reason is their flexibility: they can mesh with most cabinets. Glass hardware is relatively easy to find nowadays, and you can incorporate it into any style of kitchen design you have in mind.

Dark Cupped Hardware

In white kitchens, the contrasting look of dark cupped pulls and knobs is trending again. Cupped hardware fits into many different schemes and cabinet models, as well.

Tubular Pulls

Tubular pulls can work well with both modern layouts or more traditional looks. Many homeowners use these pulls with Shaker-style cabinetry. You can choose between various finishes, allowing a wide range of stylistic choices with which you can work.

Conclusion

The hardware you choose can make all the difference. By updating your pulls, handles, and knobs with one of these ideas, you can convert your kitchen and create a stunning new look.

 

Ever lived in a home where the whole place is fully finished except the laundry room? Are you living in one now?

The laundry room is easy to leave as an afterthought, especially when it’s in the basement. But by using these basement laundry room ideas you can make chores a more pleasant experience.

Don’t leave a space in your house that you prefer to avoid when you can turn it into an organized and functioning room for your clothes. Read on to learn more!

Basement Laundry Room From Scratch

If you’re making a basement laundry room from scratch or working with a very old basement laundry room, be sure you have the basic equipment installed as you work.

Aside from your washer and dryer units, you’ll want an easy-to-use sink for when you need to wash something by hand or spot treat. It can be overwhelming to build and buy from scratch, so start out with some necessities like these, and go from there.

You can check out this laundry faucet as a good start to your sink. Don’t worry about decorating until you have the basics like good tile and well painted or tiles walls.

Small Spaces

If you’re working with a very small basement laundry room, there are a lot of great storage spaces you can install to get the most out of your space. Consider shelves up above and around the room. You can use hamper carts to store what needs to be washed and what’s done.

If you are in the market for buying a washer and dryer, you can look at those that stack to save some floor space. However, be sure the room itself has the height to hold these. If not, there are plenty of shelving and out-of-the-way storage options to maximize the room.

Incorporated Laundry Room Ideas

If you need laundry room ideas for a basement space that includes your laundry, look no further than the room itself.

What do you want the basement to be? If it’s alright a nice hangout spot, you can incorporate those elements into the laundry space. Use the same paint color and themes already present to make it feel more a part of the room.

If you’re working with an unfinished basement, start with the floor, walls, and ceiling. What do you want to do in the space and how do you want it to feel? There are a lot of great color options for paint that can make the space feel like home.

Simple Touches

If you want your basement laundry room remodel to feel more like the rest of the house or apartment, look at what you’ve done with other spaces. Try a fresh coat of paint, a color theme, and pick furniture that matches each other.

If your equipment is all white, consider a white theme and decorate with wooden furniture and shelving as needed. You can add in a bench or chair and choose the color to fit with the space you’re building. Start with a minimalist style and add some wall art to make it feel homier.

The Best Basement Laundry Room Ideas

The best ideas for you are going to be those you like. Whether you like a well-decorated home or prefer a minimalist style, you should keep those in mind as you go through basement laundry room ideas.

By incorporating your taste into the room, it will be feeling more like a part of the home in no time. If you found this helpful you can check out the rest of our site for more great tips!

 

When discussing the best kitchen cookware around, nothing can beat the nonstick options at all. Nonstick pans are popular due to the immense benefits they offer users. Apart from cooking fast, they form the easiest cookware options to clean. The secret behind getting the best from these cookware is employing them the best way.

But can you employ them on gas stoves? Where you use these cookware matters a lot to what you should expect. Today, we represent to you a fact where you should employ them for better performance. This information is helpful to all individuals who need to invest in these cookware options.

Can You Use Nonstick Pans on a Gas Stove?

Where to use your cookware matters a lot to what you expect from them and their lifespan in general. Manufacturers in the market design various cookware options to fit different heat sources around. According to cookwaredaily.com Some are meant to work best on gas stoves while others on electric options. Consequently, others do better on all types of stoves around.

Usually, cookware manufacturers pack these products with detailed manuals about how to use them properly. Between the lines, you will find information about whether they work better on gas or electric stoves. When we shift to our topic, readers need to find an answer whether they can use nonstick pans on gas stoves.

But is it advisable to use nonstick pans on gas stoves? People who have tried using nonstick cookware on gas stoves can testify that they had a challenging experience with them. So, why are they experiencing challenges cooking with nonstick cookware on these stoves? Gas stoves typically heat up quickly. Consequently, their heat is unevenly distributed. Therefore, when using them on gas stoves, you need to prepare yourselves for the challenges they pose.

The evenly distributed and high heat from gas stoves causes damage to the non-stick coats. But then, this doesn’t mean that you can’t employ them for cooking on these heat sources. Yes, most manufacturers state you can employ them on gas stoves. However, you will use only the quality options on gas stoves. Moreover, buyers need to understand the best way to utilize them when intending to put them on gas stoves.

Even though manufacturers recommend using non-stick pans on gas stoves, they provide details to go about it properly. In user manuals, they also offer buyers precautions to adhere to while using nonstick cookware on gas stoves. Employing such a piece of advice is what will make you get the best from your nonstick pan. In addition, you will possibly expand their lifespan when properly used.

Using Nonstick Cookware Properly on Gas Stoves

First, nonstick pan owners should understand that these cookware don’t do well over high heat. So, it’s important to learn the concept of controlling the amount of heat on them. When using these cookware on gas stoves, you get advised to set the burner either in medium or lowest heat.

Nevertheless, manufacturers recommend cooking simple foods with these cookware when using them on gas stoves. They serve best when preparing pancakes and scrambled eggs. Moreover, you can employ them to reheat food leftovers. Avoid using them for complex preparations such as broiling and searing meat.

Another key thing you need to mind is other utensils you will employ when using nonstick pans on gas stoves. Manufacturers recommend using only wooden and plastic spoons along with them. This prevents scratching of the nonstick coat of your cookware.

Consequently, the nonstick coat usually disintegrates when exposed to extreme temperatures. The coat normally produces toxic particles and gases when they reach their molecular level.

Usually, ovens heat over 500 degrees. At this temperature level, the Teflon coat starts to break down. The maximum temperature you should subject your nonstick cookware to is 500 degrees. Therefore, nonstick pans don’t make the best cookware to put in ovens.

Lastly, most manufacturers recommend their nonstick pans as dishwasher safe. However, these cookware are the best hand-washed instead. Hot water employed in dishwashers to wash them can damage their nonstick coat. Take time and clean your nonstick pan by hand to prolong its lifespan ten times.

Benefits of Using Nonstick Pans

Most people love the nonstick pans due to the immense benefits they offer. Let’s conclude our discussion by looking at a few advantages that make non-stick cookware standout.

Reduced Oil Usage

People like using less oil to make delicious meals. Using nonstick pans offers you a chance to employ the lowest oil amount to take your cooking experience higher.

In the past days, most people considered oily foods as more delicious. People ended up using high oil amounts to make things come true. With the invention of nonstick pans, you can enjoy aromatic dishes fried with the lowest oil amount.

Easy to Clean

People go for these cookware mainly because they are easy to clean. They usually don’t absorb oil while using them for cooking. Most cookware requires continuous rubbing when cleaning them to get off all dirt on their surfaces. However, with nonstick pans, you just need a regular market detergent for your cleaning task.

Resistant to Scratch

The superior durability of nonstick pans makes them also stand out big in the market. However, when employing them, you must use wooden or plastic spoons if you intend to incorporate them. Metal spoons scratch the nonstick coating on the base of the cookware. The coat is more dependable on the length of service you will get from these cookware.

Conclusion

Nonstick cookware forms the best kitchen essentials in our homes. They perform best in cooking delicious meals for our families. However, to provide excellently, you need to use them as stated in the manufacturer’s manuals. Our article has deeply outlined that you can use nonstick pans on gas stoves. However, it’s essential to ensure you set the burner to the right heat levels. Use nonstick pans accordingly to prepare the best meals for families and friends alike.

 

Garden sheds are more than just basic storage units in the United Kingdom. They are essential parts of every country home. If you have a home garden, you need a shed for storage and flair. Here is your essential guide to help you choose from the best garden sheds available in the market.

Points to Consider Before Investing in a Garden Shed

While there are many options to choose from, you must select a shed that best fits your gardening requirements. You must choose carefully because this shed will be part of your home and garden for a long time. Here are the most important things to consider while choosing from the best garden sheds.

Size

The size of the shed is one of the first points to consider. When you decide on shed size, you must first assess how much space you have in your garden. You can invest in a large, extravagant shed if you have a spacious outdoor garden, but the same would be a waste if your garden is small.

Usage

Before you pick a garden shed, you must know exactly what you will be using it for. If you have an elaborate garden and intend to store away articles like garden furniture, bulky garden equipment like ride-on mowers, then you’ll need a more accommodating garden shed. If you only intend to store simple gardening tools, then you only need a simple shed.

Material Used for Construction

The best garden sheds are typically built with wood, plastic, or metal. While most owners decide based on aesthetic tastes, choosing a shed made with the right material can make a lot of difference.

Wooden sheds, for instance, are easy to assemble, go well with the natural environment, and sturdy. However, they are vulnerable to mold and pest infestation. Metal sheds are the hardest to assemble, but they offer the most security. They are also less susceptible to damage from mold or moisture.

Plastic sheds are lightweight, easy to build, and inexpensive to maintain. Newer plastic sheds come with advanced features like UV protection.

Required Maintenance

This would depend on the type of shed you pick. Elaborate wooden sheds would be harder to maintain as compared to plastic sheds. If you are a small garden owner, it might not make sense to invest in high maintenance sheds. Alternatively, if you plan on gardening for a living or if you will need to store away a lot of heavy garden equipment and supplies, then you cannot compromise on a less extensive shed.

Budget

The price of the shed is a matter of prime importance. You do not want to overspend on a shed. Analyze your requirements and choose a shed that best fits your budget.

Security

The level of security and safety a shed offers should be considered. If you own expensive gardening equipment and garden furniture, you must choose a shed that offers greater security. A metal shed with secure locking might be the best fit in terms of security.

 

The Right Garden Shed Is the One That Best Suits Your Needs

The best garden sheds would suit you and your gardening needs. Most garden shed vendors now offer installation services which are a huge benefit. Your garden shed is not just a storage unit but an integral part of your outdoor space. It would help if you did your research before finalizing one.

Many of those who live in Florida homes with crawl spaces tend to ignore this area below the property. Even when there is damage that needs to be repaired, homeowners often decide to push the problem onto the back burner and spend their money elsewhere, as crawl space issues do not seem like that big a deal. However, they are a big deal because they can create a range of additional issues around your home.

If you do have crawl space issues, you need to find a provider that offers crawl space repair in Florida to get the issue sorted out. Putting off the repair work time after time will lead to serious issues over the longer term and could end up costing you a lot more in the long run. The earlier you get your crawl space issues sorted out, the fewer problems you are likely to experience in the future. So, stop putting off crawl space repair and sort out a professional to get this sorted out. In this article, we will look at why it is so important to get crawl space issues sorted out quickly.

Why Are the Repairs So Important?

So, why are these repairs so important and why must you stop putting them off? Well, there are many reasons why you need to prioritize crawl space repairs, some of which are:

The Risk of Damage to the Home

One of the reasons you must stop putting off crawl space repairs is because of the increased risk of damage to your home. If your crawl space is in a state of disrepair, it can lead to damage stemming from the spread of damp and mold around your home. This can affect the wall structure and stability and the appearance of the room as well as causing damage around your home. It can even increase your heating costs, as it will be much harder to keep your home warm and dry. You can also sustain damage caused by pests, as a neglected crawl space is the perfect breeding ground for these creatures.

The Impact on Your Living Conditions

Another issue you have to consider is the impact a neglected crawl space can have on your living conditions. The damp and mold can make it difficult to spend long periods of time in your home and can make living conditions very uncomfortable. In addition, the air quality in your home will be adversely affected. There will also be a drop in hygiene levels if you are infested by pests, which will further impact living conditions.

The Effect on Your Health

One other thing to think about is the effect this can all have on your health. With damp, mold, pests, and low air quality affecting your home, the impact on both mental wellbeing and physical health can be tremendous. So, this is another reason why you need to get these repairs carried out promptly.

These are some of the key reasons to stop putting crawl space repairs off.

With 2 million and counting residential solar systems already in place, you might think that solar roof panels technology is more or less set in stone. Yet, it’s not.

The latest in eco-friendly home design trends is solar shingles or solar panel roof tiles. While Elon Musk’s Tesla company introduced the most famous version of the technology, there are several brands available. The different brands offer different warranties, so you’ll want to read the fine print carefully.

If you’ve been on the fence about a solar panel roof, keep reading for five benefits of these new solar tiles.

1. More Sustainable Home

One of the key benefits of solar tiles is the same as traditional solar panels. You improve your home’s overall level of sustainability. The solar tiles limit the amount of fossil fuel or nuclear electrical power your home depends on.

While it’s a small reduction on the global scale, everything you do helps in the long run.

2. Reduced Costs

While you must make an up-front investment in the system, you also start seeing an immediate reduction in your overall utility costs. A solar system starts making electricity the minute the system goes active and gets some sunlight.

That means your use of grid-based electricity goes down at the exact same time.

3. Tax Incentives

Once you go through the finding solar companies near me process and get the system installed, you can largely ignore the system. They don’t take much in the way of maintenance. You shouldn’t forget the system entirely, though.

The federal Investment Tax Credit will let you write off 26% of the cost of the system for a project started before the end of 2022. You can also find many state-level programs that offer tax incentives for solar.

4. Design

For all their utility value, traditional solar panels don’t conform well with the traditional design of a house. Solar tiles much more closely mimic the look of asphalt tiles. That means you can enjoy the benefits of solar power and still maintain the look of your home.

This may prove a boon for homeowners dealing with an aggressive homeowner’s association.

5. Financial Benefits

For most homeowners, the reduction in utility costs is their primary financial motivation. If you live in an area with a lot of sunshine, though, you may produce more electricity than you use. While each state lays out its own rules, most utility companies will pay for the extra electricity.

You could get credits for the extra power on your account or even get a payment.

Solar Panel Roof Tiles and You

In the end, solar panel roof tiles offer you the same kinds of benefits that a traditional solar panel roof offers. You cut don’t on your environmental impact. Your home takes less of a hit every time the utility bill arrives.

You get an easy write-off for your taxes, at least for the next few years. You may even make a few bucks. If aesthetics matter to you, though, solar tiles offer a more traditional-looking roofing option.

Looking for more home tips? Check out our Home & Garden section for more posts.

 

Spring is time for flowers to bloom and home improvements to occur. Through gardening, you can create a space that the whole family can enjoy.

By adding flowers or vegetables to your outdoor space you can make your home look more inviting to visitors.

As spring quickly approaches take the time to enhance your home by creating spaces the whole family can enjoy.

If you are thinking about improving your home by beautifying your outdoor space, here are some garden designs for you.

Enhance Your Home With a Garden

Starting your own home garden can allow you to increase your home’s property value, provide fresh fruits and vegetables for your kitchen and create a positive impact on the plan.

Adding a garden can allow you to build up the natural elements surrounding your home and create a space that is more welcoming to family and visitors. Different garden plans can help to foster a greater sense of connectivity among visitors or be used to bring fresh ingredients to your cooking.

Build Beautiful Garden Designs

Gardens are a way to beautify your home’s outdoor space. A gardens’ layout can help define its purpose.

If you want to grow herbs for cooking or enhance your home value by adding a garden, it is important to plan out your garden before planting begins.

1. Seating Centered Garden

Providing a seated area in your garden allows you to open the garden up for functional purposes as well. Your garden can be a place for fellowship with friends, a product place to work from home, or a place to rest.

Seating-centered gardens are grown using perennial flowers to make this sitting area beautiful. Because of the durability of perennial flowers and their seasonal blooms they are perfect for a home garden.

When building your seating-centered garden you need to select a ground landscaping material, outdoor furniture, and greenery. Decorative stones, mulch, or gravel are a great way to provide a contrast between the greenery and sitting area. Since perennials grow each year from the same root system they are the durable choice for a long-term garden.

2. Pathway Garden

Every home comes with a walkway, whether it’s from the driveway to the front door or hidden somewhere in the backyard. These walkways are typically drab. Rather than a cement walkway lined with sod, planting a pathway garden can help elevate the look of your home.

When building your pathway garden it is important to think out the pros and cons of potential pathway materials. Gravel is one of the cheapest materials to use for a garden path, however requires more maintenance because weeds can grow into the cracks. Garden paths can be made of stone, gravel, mulch, or even just a mowed pathway.

When selecting greenery for your pathway garden it is important to use a wide plant variety. The perfect pathway garden is filled with ground covers, bushy greenery, and bright flowers.

By using ground covers such as bunchberry, liverleaf, and wall germander you can make your garden seem full at a low cost. Bush-like greenery can be used to help add volume to your garden pathway that can be vibrant year-round. Some great green plants for your garden path include hostas, ferns, or mop hydrangeas.

Selecting bright flowers for your garden is a must. Depending on the maintenance and investment you are willing to put into your garden you can decide if you want to use perennials or annuals to bring some color to your pathway garden.

3. Production Potential Garden

Gardens are not only beautiful but can be an eco-friendly tool to provide for your family. Gowing herbs or vegetables can help to lower your grocery bill and enhance your cooking.

Growing produce in your backyard can allow you to have safe and nutrient-packed herbs and vegetables. When designing your production garden the use of raised garden boxes allows you to build a low maintenance garden with a wide variety of crops.

Before starting your backyard production garden you want to see what crops grow best in your region. By working with the natural climate in your crop selection you can lower the maintenance required on growing these plans.

How to Best Care for Your Garden

It is important to make garden maintenance a part of your regular routine. For optimal gardening experience, you want to make sure you are educated on the needs of the plants you are working with and the conditions that your garden is exposed to.

Cater to Plant Needs

Before introducing any plans to your garden it’s important to know the amount of sunlight, growing space, and water is that they require. By having this information you can properly place and select which plants to include in your garden for optimal growth.

You want to ensure that you were watering your plants properly as overwatering can lead to fungi growth and unhealthy plants. Underwatering can also because plants to wither. Soil degrades over time, so it is important when planting to use a new soil that is properly fertilized and it is useful for water retention.

Garden Maintenance

Once you have built your garden it’s important to maintain it. Garden maintenance includes everything from protecting the plants from animals, pruning and culling your plants, and killing weeds.

The biggest predator to your home garden is wildlife around your home. Animals such as bunnies, raccoons, and squirrels may look at your garden as a snack or somewhere to nest and uproot. By fencing off your garden or using the best squirrel guard you can fend off varmint.

To keep your plants from becoming overgrown it is important to regularly prune and trim your plants. Additionally, regular weeding is necessary to maintain the health of the garden. Weeds can suffocate a plant’s root system and inhibit growth.

Make an Efficient and Aesthetic Garden

Gardens are a great tool to enhance your home’s beauty.

With millions of plants to choose from you can easily make and aesthetically pleasing and efficient gardening for your home. You can create beautiful garden designs by researching what plants work best for your conditions you can garden efficiently.

Did you like this article and want to learn more about how to enhance your home? If so, check out our Home and Garden section.

 

Every year about eight percent of hot water heaters in the United States are replaced. Hot water heaters are incredibly useful to a household and should be checked before serious issues occur.

This guide will show you how to replace a hot water heater. With a few simple steps, you can have your hot water heater up and running in no time.

Hot Water Heater Replacement

Shut off the cold water supply to the water heater. If you are planning on replacing the cold water supply isolation valve to the water heater, you’ll have to shut off the main water supply to the residence. Then you’ll have to reopen the cold water supply valve above the water heater.

Draining the Water Heater

Close the gas supply then begin draining the water heater. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve. Be sure to direct the hose to a floor drain or other open drainage area.

Open the drain bow to allow air into the system to speed up the draining process. You can either lift the lever on the end or open a hot faucet in the residence.

Removing the Old Tank

While the tank is draining, loosen off the union to the gas control. Then, unscrew the venting from the draft hood. Be sure, to keep the screws nearby in a secure spot. There are different types of tanks, before installing research a tankless water heater vs tank types.

The last step in removing the old tank is cutting off the old water lines. With the water heater disconnected, you can move the old water heater out of the way for the new hot water heater installation via a new tank.

New Tank Installation

Once the old tank is out of the way, slide the new tank into place. Try to align as many of the connections as possible. There different ways to connect misaligned water lines and adapters such as:

• SharkBite Flex Connecter
• Dielectric Union

The tank nipple can be connected to other threaded adapters like the Dialectric Union, which comes in separately sold parts.

Clean the hot and cold supply connections and cut and reconnect as needed. Make sure to solder the new shutoff valve, if needed, when using either of these methods. Inspect your joints once completed and use Teflon tape to secure unless using a Sharkbite Flex that utilizes a rubber gasket.

Water Heater Maintenance

Once seated, close the cold supply shutoff. Open the water supply to the residence only partways. While the cold side is filling open the cold water faucet part ways. Once filled, the water supply can be opened.

Open the cold water supply to fill the tank once completed, only partway to reduce water hammering. Open the hot water faucet while the tank is filling to allow the air to be purged from the tanks. Once finished, the water supply can be opened in full capacity.

Before connecting the draft hood and venting, ensure the baffle ring and baffles are seated. Attach the draft hood, following local venting requirements.

Once finished, reconnect the gas line to the tank. Be sure to follow local requirements when installing to the union, and check with approved leak detectors.

How to Replace a Hot Water Heater

The final step is to light your water heater and adjust the temperature to your required level. Ensure that the pilot flame is lit and the light on the gas control is lit, adjust as desired.

Follow these steps on how to replace a hot water heater to ensure a successful installation. Check out our services page for 24-hour hot water heater emergency maintenance services!