Category: Home Improvement

Broken Appliance? Here’s How to Determine Whether to Repair or Replace It

No one wants their appliances to break. Unfortunately, no appliance lasts forever, so when your fridge, dishwasher, or oven inevitably breaks down, you’ll have to ask yourself an important question: Should I repair it, or replace it?

The answer to that question is… it depends. So what, exactly, is the best way to determine whether to repair or replace a broken appliance?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined questions to ask yourself when a home appliance breaks to determine whether to go down the repair or the replace route, including:

  • How old is the appliance? How old the appliance is plays a huge part in whether it’s more advantageous to repair or replace. If the appliance is 7 or more years old, it’s best to replace it. If it’s newer, however, whether to repair or replace will depend on how new it is (generally, the newer the appliance, the more likely it would benefit from a repair) and how often it’s used (if the appliance is used frequently it will need to be replaced earlier than an appliance that’s used once in a while).
  • What will the repair cost? Another important factor to weigh is how much the repair will cost. Generally, if the repair will cost more than half the price of replacing the appliance, it’s better to replace; if the cost is less than half of the new appliance’s price, it’s probably best to repair.
  • Would a replacement appliance save money in the long run? Many newer appliances, particularly Energy Star-certified appliances, are more energy efficient than older models, and can significantly bring down energy costs. If your appliance breaks, replacing it with an Energy Star-certified model could be the best bet in the long run, even if it would be more affordable on the front-end to repair it. For example, an Energy Star-certified washing machine uses about 75 percent less water and 70 percent less energy than a 20-year-old standard washer.
by megpachas

Break These Kitchen Design Rules in 2023

It’s a new year, and with it comes the opportunity to rethink your approach to design and break the design rules that no longer make sense.

And that includes kitchen design.

So the question is, in 2023, what kitchen trends should you embrace—and what design rules should you break?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined the kitchen design rules you should consider breaking in 2023, including:

  • Neutrals are the best choice for the kitchen. White, neutral-toned kitchens will never go out of style. But in 2023, expect there to be a definite shift to more color in the kitchen, particularly in the warm and/or dark tones. To embrace this trend, try painting the cabinets in a warm green or add a pop of color with a navy blue accent wall.
  • Microwaves belong over the range. Many homeowners install a microwave over the range to save space. But to be on trend in 2023, the real estate above the range would be better suited for a more eye-catching design feature, like a modern range hood. (The good news? You can embrace this trend without losing precious counter space; there are lots of space-saving options for storing your microwave, like installing a microwave drawer with your lower cabinets.)
  • You can go cheap with floors and countertops. Renovating a kitchen is expensive. As such, it makes sense to look for any opportunity to save money. In 2022, many homeowners opted for cheaper flooring and countertop materials as a cost-saving measure—but in 2023, experts predict a return to more high-end, sustainable materials like quartz, hardwood, and natural stone.
by megpachas

Avoid These Yard Maintenance Mistakes This Fall

Fall is in full swing. And while how you take care of your yard will certainly shift during the fall, many homeowners are in the dark about what needs to be done to maintain their outdoor space—and can make some serious mistakes as a result. (Mistakes that can come back to haunt you come spring!)

So what, exactly, are those mistakes?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined some of the most common yard maintenance mistakes homeowners make during the fall season, including:

  • Letting debris build up in the gutters. During fall, there’s a ton of debris that can accumulate in your gutters—from twigs to leaves to trash that gets caught in the wind. And if you let that debris accumulate—and don’t clean your gutters regularly, it could cause water to build up, causing damage to your roof.
  • Not watering your lawn. Many homeowners are vigilant about watering their lawn during the hot summer months, but then let their regular watering schedule slip when the temperatures drop. But your lawn still needs water during the fall (in general, 1 to 1.5 inches per week), so unless you live in an extremely rainy climate, it’s important to keep watering your lawn through autumn.
  • Letting weeds get out of control. There are a lot of weeds that take root in the fall months (like fall dandelions), and ignoring them could damage your other plants. Don’t let your weeds get out of control; instead, regularly remove any weeds from your lawn, either by hand or with an herbicide. (Your plants will thank you come spring!)
by megpachas

Home Maintenance Tasks You Need To Tackle This Fall

    Fall is officially upon us. And while it’s important to take the time to enjoy the changing leaves, mild temperatures, and all-things-pumpkin-flavored, it’s also important to keep in mind that winter is right around the corner.

    Fall is the perfect time to tackle the home maintenance tasks that will protect your home when the temperatures dip into freezing territory. According to a recent article from Realtor.com, there are six maintenance tasks homeowners should plan to tackle in the fall to prepare their homes for the winter, including:

    • Properly store your yard equipment. You won’t be mowing your lawn in the snow—so before it gets too cold, make sure to properly store your lawn equipment for the season.
    • Protect your pipes. Pipes can burst in the freezing winter temperatures—so fall is the perfect time to take steps (like wrapping your pipes in foam insulation and closing foundation vents) to protect your pipes.
    • Clear out your crawl space. If you have a crawl space, now is the time to clear it out—so that if your pipes do happen to burst in the winter, you can access them more easily.
    • Close your vents. Leaving your crawl space vents open during the winter can lead to cold floorboards—which is not exactly a comfortable way to start the day.
    • Start a compost pile. If you’ve been thinking about composting, fall—with all the dead leaves and plants—is the perfect time to start your compost pile.
    • Protect your trees. If you have thin-barked trees, winter temperatures can cause their bark to crack. Take precautionary measures (like wrapping tree trunks in paper tree wrap) to make sure your trees make it to spring.

    Bottom line? You want to winter-proof your home before winter actually hits—so tackle these maintenance tasks before fall is over.

    by megpachas

    5 Home products designed with your worst germ fears in mind

         

      We’ve all become a lot more sensitive to germs and being cautious about what we touch—even in our own homes. Try as you may, it can often feel impossible to keep your home clean and germ-free for long. If you’re someone who flinches at the very thought of bacteria-laden surfaces inhabiting your abode, you may find comfort in knowing there are products designed to put your mind at ease.

      No matter how much and how often you clean, sometimes the best solution is to minimize what you touch, and how often you touch them. Well, these gadgets ensure that you can do just that, and give you an edge on staying healthy.

      1. Hands-free soap dispenser and faucet

      Sure, you’re washing your hands frequently, but what germs are you leaving behind on your soap dispenser and faucet handles before you lather up?

      With a sensor soap pump, you can wave those worries goodbye. This hygienic and hands-free solution has a sensor that dispenses the right amount of soap without requiring even a gentle touch. Simply wave your hand and voila! It’s perfect for kitchens and bathrooms. Plus, it’s easy to refill. By soaping up your hands before you touch your faucets, you’re minimizing the spread of germs.

      If you want to go the extra mile, install a touchless faucet, which senses your presence, and even shuts off automatically when you remove your hands to reduce water waste.

      2. Self-sealing, voice-activated trash cans

      Taking out the garbage has to be one of the grimiest household chores out there. But with a self-sealing, self-changing trash can, you can breathe a little easier on garbage day. The Townew garbage can was created, not surprisingly, by a founder with a slight case of germaphobia. This self-sealing and self-changing trash can uses infrared sensors to prevent overfill, and most importantly, seals in odors.

      Or, opt for a voice- and motion-sensor trash can which recognizes three commands, including “open can,” “stay open,” and “close can.” If your hands are full or covered in bacteria from touching raw meats, this prevents the spread of germs and saves you from cleaning yet another surface. And, hey, if nothing else, you know at least something in your home will listen to you.

      3. Washable keyboard

      If you spend large amounts of time at your computer (and possibly even eat any or all of your three meals beside it or over it), you may be wondering what nasty germs are lurking beneath and between those keys. A washable keyboard can put your mind at ease. Designed to be hand-washed or even submerged, these officemates are ideal for anyone who’s not only worried about germs but may have also dropped a drink or squirted ketchup between the keys. And if you’ve ever dreamt of typing from the tub, here’s your chance.

      4. Smartphone sanitizer

      A smartphone often feels like a lifeline, but in addition to storing tons of contacts and information, it may also be storing plenty of germs. To ensure your phone is getting the deep clean it needs, consider a UV sanitizer that kills up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses without the use of chemicals or mercury. Rid your phone of germs in just one minute with the help of two UV-C germicidal LEDs. Then dial, text, and swipe with confidence.

      5. Touchless toilet flush

      Not only is an automatic flush toilet more sanitary, but if you have kids and you’re expecting guests, you’ll never be embarrassed by an unpresentable surprise in the powder room again. It’s easy to install and you won’t have to worry about germs coating that handle any longer.

      …

      You’ve got enough to think about and worry about, let items like these cut down on some common germ-catchers in the home.

      by megpachas