Homeowner Resources

Most of us have experienced the monumental inconvenience of a refrigerator on the blink. Few other appliance "deaths" result in the same rush to salvage property. Major appliances work hard every day to make our life a little easier, and there are ways you can extend their life in your home. Make things a little easier on your family and Know the Lifespan of Your Major Appliances. Refrigerator The lifespan of a typical new refrigerator is about seven years. Maintenance tips: Vacuum the coils twice a year. Keep your temp settings around 37 degrees for your fridge, and 0 degrees for the freezer. Keep your refrigerator "full" to maintain temperature. Clean the door seal twice a year to keep the cold in, and your fridge from working overtime. Dishwasher The lifespan of a … [Read more...] about Know the Lifespan of Your Major Appliances

The History of Veterans Day This year, why not celebrate Veterans Day in a Meaningful Way? According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the history of Veterans Day began with World War I. World War I was known at the time as "The Great War." The war officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of "the war to end all wars." Celebrate Veterans Day in a Meaningful Way Want to celebrate … [Read more...] about Celebrate Veterans Day in a Meaningful Way

Nothing spoils a good time faster than an emergency visit to your home from a plumber, who is going to charge holiday rates. Make sure your family is in for a no-surprise Thanksgiving this year. The Friday after Thanksgiving sees a 50% increase in service calls. Give your plumber the day off and Get Your Home Holiday Ready with our checklist. Your Garbage Disposal According to Roto-Rooter, the most common service call during Thanksgiving is for kitchen sink drains and garbage disposals. We've gathered the top 4 garbage disposal "Don'ts": 1. Don't put meat, poultry skin, or bones into your garbage disposal. 2. Don't put celery, fruit, and potato peels into your garbage disposal; these fibrous foods will not break down properly. 3. Don't pour fats and oils down the drains as … [Read more...] about It’s Time to Get Your Home Holiday-Ready!

We found 5 Spooky Podcasts to Get You in the Halloween Mood.Who doesn't love a great ghost story now and then? October is the perfect month to get your spine tingled with some scary storytelling. Whether you're into tall tales or true-to-life terror, these podcasts offer a little bit of everything creepy. Lore With a tagline that touts "Because sometimes the truth is more frightening than fiction", you know you're in for a treat. Lore is a classic, fan-favorite spooky podcast. Host Aaron Mahnke's creepy podcast brings us our favorite urban legends, paranormal experiences from everyday people, and lots of spine-tingling folklore. Lore has received over 31,000 5-star reviews on Apple Podcasts - that's a lot of things going bump in the night. Anything Ghosts Anything Ghosts has … [Read more...] about 5 Spooky Podcasts to Get You in the Halloween Mood

We all love a beautiful display of pumpkins when fall rolls around. If carving a pumpkin isn't your idea of fun, Bring on Halloween with Painted Pumpkins. Here are some helpful tips from popsugar.com for creating your own decorative masterpieces. Grab a pumpkin, a friend, and have some fun, without the fright. Pick a Good One Any size works! Try to choose a pumpkin with shallow ribbing to provide a smoother surface for paint, and make sure your pumpkin is free of rotten spots. Prep for Paint Prep your pumpkin before you paint to remove any dirt. Wash it with mild soap and water, and wipe it down with a cloth. Choose a Paint Choosing the right paint is essential. Unless you're working with children, acrylic paint works best. Otherwise, use washable paint with younger … [Read more...] about Bring on Halloween with Painted Pumpkins