repair

10 Home Maintenance Tasks And Repairs Every Homeowner Should Know

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We cannot all be masters at various DIY projects, nonetheless, all houses need to go through the occasional maintenance and repairs. If not, some of the problems that could be solved with a few dollars might turn into thousands of dollars in repairs, which is especially true if your foundation, roof, or water system gets damaged.

This is why you might now be wondering – what are some maintenance tasks and repairs that I need to complete every year? Fortunately for all individuals searching for an answer to this question, you’ll be able to find it in the article below. Let’s take a closer look at some of the things you should do:

1. Fix The Dripping Faucets

Source:popularmechanics.com

Although a lot of people get used to dripping faucets, they don’t actually realize that leaving them like that can easily cause your monthly water bills to go up. It is not difficult to fix dripping faucets, however, you should not forget to turn off the water before you start dismantling everything. A drippy faucet could be fixed by getting a new O-ring, while a compression faucet might require you to buy a new rubber washer that will successfully seal the valve.

2. The Furnace Filter Needs to Be Replaced Regularly

Source:reddihvac.com

One of the easiest methods for maximizing the efficiency of your furnace is to ensure that you change its filter every 2 months. Naturally, you’ll need to purchase a filter that is suitable for your furnace model. Once you do, you can turn it off, remove the service panel, and then replace the old filter with a new one. Keep in mind, each model is different, which is why you should read and understand the manual first before opening the panel.

3. Hardwood Floors Need Attention as Well

Hardwood floors are one of the most appealing things about any home, and if you want to keep them in good condition, you’ll need to take proper care of them. Hence, you should only use cleaning products that are manufactured for hardwood since other products might actually damage it. Do not forget to use an attachment that will prevent you from scratching the surface, and that will take care of all the dirt and dust between the board.

4. Clean Those Gutters!

Source:homesmiles.com

Not cleaning your gutters can cause damage to your foundation, basement, and roof, which is why you must ensure that you maintain them at least two or three times a year. You’ll need a scoop, garden hose, and a ladder for completing the process, however, if you are ladder-averse, you might want to opt for hiring an expert that will help you. You can check this website out to learn more about gutter maintenance, repairs, and cleaning.

5. Are You Sick of Dirty Grout Joints?

Source:thegroutmedic.com

It can be quite annoying when the space between your tiles – also known as grout joins – get dirty. And, if this is something that has been bothering you, you should know that it will take you 20 minutes to completely clean them. You should mix water and vinegar and soak the tiles for approximately 10 minutes. After that, you should use a soft brush for cleaning the grouts and then dry the tiles with a cloth. You should avoid using bleach, wax, or hard brushes since it can damage your tiles.

6. Fill All The Gaps And Cracks

Source:gardenandhomeprojects.com

If you noticed cracks and gaps around your windows and/or doors, you might want to fill them out as soon as you can. If not, it might become a breeding ground for insects and pests, which is something you’ll definitely want to avoid. Hence, you should purchase a caulk gun and start working on all the gaps – both indoor and outdoor ones. This won’t only prevent pests from entering your home, but, it will make your house more energy-efficient, meaning that it will be more Eco-friendly.

7. Prune Your Shrubs, Trees, And Bushes Regularly

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Maintaining your shrubs, bushes, and trees should be one of the most important landscaping tasks for any homeowner. It is actually quite simple and you’ll only need several tools such as a pruner, lopers, and a saw for large branches. Pruning the trees can also help you with keeping your gutters clean, which means that you’ll lower the chances of it getting clogged. Once you gather your equipment, start with all the dead branches, and then move on to shaping the plants as you want.

8. Always Inspect Your Fireplace

Source:vulcantermite.com

Did you know that one of the most common causes of house fires is a malfunctioning fireplace? This is why you must schedule an annual chimney and fireplace inspection before winter arrives. Naturally, you should maintain it by always removing ash and cleaning the firebox, however, when it comes to inspecting the chimney and the structure of your fireplace, it is best that you always hire a professional.

9. Maintain Your Sump Pump

One thing that all people overlook is their sump pump and if you want to keep our functional, you must maintain it at least two or three times a year. So, you’ll need to turn off the power and unplug it. Next, you should remove the device from the pit and carry it to your backyard. Clean it with your gardening hose and if there is any debris, clean it out. Lastly, drain any remaining water from the pit and then return the pump when it completely dries.

10. Clean The Fridge Coils

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Have you ever moved your fridge just to be shocked by the amount of dirt on the coils? Yup, when they are clogged from dust and hair, it won’t properly release heat, which means that your fridge will try to work harder, hence, consuming more energy. In order to prolong the lifespan of your fridge and save money on your electricity bills, you should utilize a soft brush and vacuum for cleaning the coils.

Source:youtube

Conclusion

Regularly maintaining your home will prevent some serious problems from occurring, which basically means that you won’t have to spend thousands of dollars on fixing those issues. And, if you choose to follow some or all tips mentioned in the article above, you’ll be able to make all the maintenance and repair tasks easier, less time-consuming, and more importantly, less stressful.

Hence, now that you know what you should do and when you need to do it, you might not want to waste any more of your time. Instead, go back to the beginning of this list, go through it once again, and then determine which things you’ll do first in order to keep your home functional.

Pros & Cons of Getting an Expensive Vehicle

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Nowadays, cars are more and more accessible. Research from 2015 conducted that one car falls on six people. That means there are over one billion cars worldwide! The role of the vehicle also changed. Expensive vehicles used to be something impossible to reach. Now, if your income is high enough, you can afford the luxury of having high-priced cars. They do not serve only as a tool to move around.

As always, your decision about a purchase has to be made rationally. You should not only apply only to the appearance of the car. If you want to read more about guides and reviews, you can find it easily on  MyCarNeedThis. The decision depends on your needs and capabilities. Are luxury cars worth it? You may find that the pros outweigh the cons, or that the cons overpower the items that make owning such a car worthwhile.

Source:luxurycarsserbia.com

Better Performance

You can not deny that there is something about the smell of leather, the sound of a powerful engine, and the exterior curves. Engine capabilities and design are the definitions of a luxury car. The interior is usually made from high-quality materials, designed to create an elegant space. The much more powerful engines make the vehicle more capable of handling dangerous conditions on the road.

Despite their magnetic appearance, they perform better than most low-end vehicles available on the market. Lots of high-tech experts work on improvements to fulfill customers’ expectations. If you go under the hood of such a car, you will find only a large engine. Of course, those that do have these smaller engines have turbocharged versions that deliver the power.

Having an expensive car can give you a sense of uniqueness, pride, and happiness. But it is no wonder, after all, not everyone can afford to buy such an expensive car.

Greater Safety

The more money you will dedicate to a car purchase, the safer you can feel. Brands are concerned about their clients’ safety, so they modernize, and they refine any safety systems.

These cars are equipped with a full set of airbags, tractions system, and reliable ABS. Most luxury vehicles are highly ranked in crash testing. Cars from the upper the, have more intelligent systems of notifying about any dangers or technical problems.

Insurance Costs

Source:celebrity-cars.com

You should always remember about the costs of insurance. Most probably, you will insure your vehicle from any damages or theft. On average, the prices of this kind of protection are 500$ higher compared to the insurance of law-end vehicles. Having an expensive car is risky when it comes to unpleasant situations like being robbed. You do not have to be a specialist to estimate the cost of a vehicle. So if you decide to purchase a more high-priced car, you should keep it in mind. Be sure that it is always locked and that it has an anti-theft system. Even though high monthly payments seem like a ball and chain, it has an invaluable impact on your financial situation in case of an unexpected event.

Repairs Costs

All vehicles need regular maintenance, like oil changes and conditions of lights and tires. Other repairs can be very costly, depending on the car’s model, engine type, and other parts, which are more expensive compared to average cars. There is also quite a problematic issue when it comes to the availability of some vehicle components. Another aspect is connected with the dealers. If you want to save some money by going to unauthorized technical services, you should consider if it is worth it. Every flaw leads to depreciation.

Source:telesiscollision.com

They Absorb Attention

Even if you do not want to show other people your economic status, the purchase of a luxury car is an unavoidable cause of attracting attention. When you drive an expensive vehicle, it is hard not to see other’s gazes. They can show both credits to the owner, but also a  curiosity or jealousy. As we all know, curiosity killed the cat. Unfortunately, sometimes it leads to dangerous situations. The expensive car is a splurge for the thief, as it is highly possible that the owner has more to “offer”. So if you decide to buy such a car, it is worth ensuring that you have dedicated space for your vehicle and it is professionally protected. It would be also better for your safety and the car to avoid obscure, not well-known areas. There are lots of ways to distract the owner of a car, especially expensive. So even if you do not expect something like this could happen to you, you’d better have eyes in the back of your head.

Driving through the City

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Having an expensive car is an amazing experience for the driver. You can feel all the luxury accessories that keep your card high-standard and allow yourself to enjoy the drive thanks to technically advanced systems. The problem appears in a more usual situation that normally would not be that problematic. When you drive the luxury vehicle, you should always keep in mind that people can react to your wealth in various ways. It is a well-known phenomenon that the owners of expensive cars may see varnish damages, which of course could be made accidentally. So if you park on the parking, always try to find a place big enough to avoid any kind of damages. The same habit should be used while leaving the car on the street parking. It is better to park in a guarded parking lot in case something unpleasant happens.

When it comes to a car purchase, especially expensive, there are plenty of issues to consider. Be sure that you do deep research about the particular model, have a few test drives, and reconsider all the pros and cons. It should not be a purchase that turns your life upside down economically. Of course, you can take a loan or buy it in leasing but remember that car’s value lower after every year of using it.

How to Sell a Car for Parts – Important Facts You Should Know

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Your vehicle has been a special part of you for a very long time. However, there comes a time in the life of your car, where you will have to let it go. Repairs can add up, leaving you in the hole financially. Sometimes, you are better off selling your car for parts than you are to fix it.

Should You Repair or Replace?

Source:aftranny.com

When you are determining whether or not you should sell your car, you should take a bit of time to figure out what you should do. Emotional attachment will play a big role, so you will need to work on that. Try to detach yourself from the car.

You will first want to price out what you are going to have to pay to repair your car. Consider the cost of the part for the repair, as well as any labor. You could save money by fixing your car yourself, but if you do not know what you are doing, you could significantly damage your car. Take a look at what you can spend on repairing your car. Take into consideration that the car may have other breakdowns in the future. If the car is going to be super expensive, it is time to learn where to sell car parts so that you are no longer stuck with the junk car.

How to Sell a Car for Parts

Source:autowrecker.co.nz

Once you have decided to sell your car, you will need to learn how to sell a car for parts. You have several ways that you can do this. The very first thing that you will need before selling junk cars for cash is to make sure that you have a clean title.

Having a clean title will allow you to transfer ownership over to the company or person that purchases your car. A clean title means that there are no liens or legal claims against your vehicle. If you do not have a clean title, you can get a salvage title, but there may be different rules in your area. Make sure you check this out before you go to sell your junk car.

Selling to Junkyards or Salvage Yards

When considering how to sell a car for parts, think about calling some of your local junkyards or salvage yards. They may be willing to pay you for your vehicle. Some junkyards will often offer to pick up your car. You can also get a quote over the phone on how much they will be willing to pay for your vehicle.

Selling Online

Source:autolist.com

Another popular way to sell my junk car is to advertise the vehicle on social media and online sites like Craigslist. There you can tell people exactly what is wrong with the car, and what parts may still be good in the car. You can pick the price point that you want for the vehicle. This allows you to reach a broad variety of people.

You may also want to take the time to look for website forums for the car that you have. For instance, if you have a Ford F-150 that is needing to be parted out, you can find a website online where you can offer the vehicle up for sale.

Selling the Parts Yourself

Another way that you can sell the car parts is that you can part the car out yourself. You will need the tools as well as the experience to remove each part. You will also need to make sure that you do not break any of the parts when removing them. Once you do have the parts off, you can sell online as well as locally.

Getting a Fair Price

Source:car-parazzi.com

One of the most important things that you must learn when learning how to sell a car for parts is to make sure that you get a fair price. So many people just take whatever they can get without finding out more. You should look online to see what the parts are going for. Type in your vehicle’s make and model along with the part. This will give you an accurate idea of how much you should get for your vehicle. In learning how to sell a car for parts, you will quickly learn that you need to make sure that you get the right price. You do not want to list the car for sale, sell it, and then see a week later that someone else sold the parts or vehicle for double the amount that you received.

If you are going to sell the parts yourself, you should consider putting your time into the cost of the part. Especially if you are removing, cleaning, and then listing the part for sale. You may spend a bit of time trying to sell your parts. This should be part of your consideration when deciding whether or not you are going to sell the parts yourself or have someone by the entire vehicle.

If your car needs expensive repairs, you might want to consider selling it for junk to the companies like USJunkCars.com. This can give you extra cash to go towards another car, and you will save money in the long run. Before you sell, you will need to consider how you want to sell the car for parts. You can have someone come to purchase the car or you can sell it to a junk dealer or someone else. You will need to consider how quickly you will need to purchase another vehicle as well as how much you want for the parts. Take your time to consider what you want to do before listing your vehicle or parts for sale.

Tips for Fixing an Unresponsive iPhone Screen

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When you use your phone for work or even just browsing the web, it can be frustrating when the system glitches. One of the most common issues that iPhone owners face is an unresponsive screen. You might be scrolling through Instagram or sending a text when your screen suddenly freezes — tapping the screen without results, you grow increasingly worried and irritated.

So, what can you do in this situation? This guide will outline some of the main steps you can take to fix an unresponsive iPhone screen. While these tricks might not work for everyone, they can provide a simple solution to a seemingly daunting problem.

Clean the screen

While it may seem too simple, some iPhones become unresponsive when the screen is dirty. This may the case if you took your phone outdoors or used your phone while eating. Use a microfiber cloth to thoroughly clean the screen.

You might need to use a slightly damp cloth for more stubborn grime. Just be sure to avoid wiping your screen with a wet cloth. Once you clean the surface, wash and dry your hands before trying to use the iPhone again.

Restart the phone

Img source: gadgethacks.com

When your iPhone screen suddenly stops working, you might just need to force reboot the phone. To do so, hold down the lock and home buttons at the same time. Your phone screen will then turn black before displaying the Apple logo. Give the phone a moment before entering your password and using the device.

If your phone screen still isn’t responsive, you might need to try a factory reset. You should only do this at home if you have all of the data from your iPhone backed up. Since you are unable to use the screen, you will likely need to perform the factory reset through iTunes by clicking the “restore” button.

Address physical damage

Consider whether your iPhone screen is frozen due to physical damage. Is your screen cracked? Even if it was working well for months, it could be experiencing issues now.

If you recently dropped your phone, there could be internal damage causing your screen to glitch. Determine whether the phone could have water damage or if the outside temperature is too hot or cold. All of these factors could cause immediate or delayed damage.

If you suspect the phone is glitching due to extreme temperature, then place the phone inside and allow it to return to room temperature. For water damage, pat the phone dry with a towel and refrain from turning it on. You should bring the device to a technician to determine the exact cause, as it can be difficult to diagnose the issue at home without causing further damage.

See a professional

Img source: irepair.in

When in doubt, you should bring your iPhone to a professional technician. These professionals can inspect the hardware, spotting physical damage that could be causing your screen to be unresponsive. They can also check the software to determine if your phone is glitching due to a calibration or update issue.

Whether you need iPhone X screen replacement or a factory reset for your iPhone 7, they will provide the best solution for your device. If they find severe damage, they may also recommend replacing your phone completely.

An unresponsive iPhone screen is a common issue, resulting from software glitches and physical damage. While simple tricks like cleaning and restarting the device can often help, you might need to take the phone to a professional for more in-depth assistance.

By doing so, you can ensure that you get to the root of the issue. Your phone will be up and running in no time.

Can You Repair Your AC Yourself

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Nowadays, you need to know a lot of things in order to live comfortably. No matter which country in the world you live in, each day you have the opportunity to at least observe someone working on something, but if you tried to fiddle with certain things by yourself, for example, you would notice that it is not always easy.

If you have just watched a clip on YouTube on how to fix a residential cooling system, and you are fired up to get cracking, stop for a moment. Imagine how all skillful handymen would be out of work if this was that simple, right?

You need to understand that applying knowledge, in reality, requires constant practice. On the other hand, there are a small number of people who know how to repair their home air conditioning system, but in the end, even they need to call the professionals if the problem is more serious. But whom to call?

Finding the right company to fix your unit could be more difficult than it seems, and is best avoided if at all possible. Here are some tips that might help you out.

The most common mistake that people tend to make is to assume their AC is broken when in fact it might be something much simpler. One example of this is when the system is just dirty. Excellent and thorough cleaning of the machine is a must to ensure this most frequent cause for problems is eliminated. The fan blades and the debris can be carefully cleaned from the outside unit. Be certain that the system is off when cleaning it, and be mindful that additional caution needs to be taken with blades and fins as they are easy to break or bend. And according to Toronto Air Conditioning & Furnace Repair, the absolute first thing you need to check when something goes awry are the filters.

Img source: mydds.co.za

A typical misconception is that unclean filters only lead to an expensive furnace repair, but this is certainly not the case because the mechanisms are actually interconnected. That is why a lack of air-flow can not only cause a lack of cooling efficiency, but also result in the indoor evaporator coil or lines to the outdoor condenser freezing up. So a malfunction can all come down to something very basic; that the filter is dirty and clogged. This can be the primary factor for many issues with your unit, and that is why a little preventative maintenance in the regular changing of filters can save you lots of money in the long run by avoiding having to pay an expensive HVAC technician by the hour for a service call.

There are also a number of cases when an air conditioning unit just doesn’t start cooling. Check if the breaker has been tripped because this might also be a quick, easy and most importantly, inexpensive correction that is required. Being aware of this fairly typical occurrence may spare you the cost of a visit by a professional to solve such a simple task. Many of us have been here before, unfortunately. After learning from the school of hard knocks, I always check the breaker panel first when I expect to hear a nice humming and start to get a chill, and instead I hear crickets and get zippo coming out of the vents.

Another super easy remedy for an improperly functioning unit is to check the batteries in the thermostat. Believe it or not, a problem could often be solved from something as easy as buying new batteries from your local store and replacing them with the old ones. After making the swap, set the thermostat on different temperatures to check if everything is working properly. This is a perfect way to constantly examine your thermostat in the unit, and again something that is a breeze to do on your own.

We hope that with these tips you will lower the number of calls to your local AC serviceman until you really need his assistance.