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Picking Up the Pieces After a Flood

Dealing with serious flood damage at home is not the end of the world. And most importantly, it does not have to cost you an arm and a leg to get your home back into living condition again. In fact, you may find (like I did) that recovering from a flood gives you an opportunity to improve the look and feel of your home overall, and even to implement design options that increase the value of your property. I spent about a year fixing up my place after a pipe exploded while I was on vacation, and literally ruined everything inside from the flooring and walls, to my photos and important paperwork. So, I figured I could help others "pick up the pieces" and create a bigger ad better lifestyle at home by turning a flood situation into an opportunity, instead of dealing with it like a crisis.

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Picking Up the Pieces After a Flood

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High And Mighty: Elevating Your Home With Professional Roofing
A roof is arguably one of the most essential features of a home. A solid roof shields you from adverse weather. If your roof is damaged, it can lead to costly repairs or even structural damage to your home. That's why having your roof inspected and repaired by a professional roofing company regularly is important. A professional roofing company understands the importance of a quality roof, which is why they offer a wide range of roofing services, including:

Designing Your Dream Kitchen: A Guide To Picking The Right Countertop
Countertops are important in modern kitchens as they improve aesthetics and functionality. They come in various materials, including quartz, marble, wood, stone, granite, and laminate. Choosing one that suits your needs depends on various factors, such as durability, maintenance style, and functionality. Below is an overview of the factors to consider when purchasing countertops for your kitchen.  Durability The kitchen is one of the busiest places in the house, where activities such as cooking and cleaning occur daily.

Ways That Window Films Can Benefit Your Home
Homeowners will often overlook the fact that there are upgrades that they can make to their windows to help improve their performance and safety. In particular, the installation of window films can be an upgrade that will be capable of providing several useful capabilities. Light Management There may be some windows in your home where the sun is particularly intense. This can make these areas less pleasant places, and the intense sunlight could also contribute to the colors of these surfaces fading over time.

3 Reasons The Ant Control Process Should Take A Professional Angle
Pests can disrupt your life in a big way and make it difficult. For this reason, you should always exterminate pests before they become a nuisance to you and your family. Unfortunately, most people pay more attention to pests like raccoons and rodents and overlook others like ants. Typically, you can underestimate the damage ants can cause on your property simply because they are small and harmless, but this shouldn't happen.

A Small Business Owner's Guide To Choosing A Lumber Supplier
Whether you plan to start a small business selling custom furniture or maybe you want to venture into the world of constructing tiny houses, whatever the case, you will need a steady supply of lumber to meet the demands of your business. The most convenient and cost-effective way to meet your supply demands is to partner with a lumber supplier. Here is a quick guide to help you get started. 

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Buying Indoor Drapes
Your home's interior decor is a reflection of your personal style. Drapes are one of the easiest ways to add a touch of luxury and sophistication to any room. So when they're worn out, they can make your home look dated and in need of a refresh. But with so many different fabrics, styles, and colors to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start when shopping for indoor drapes.

Everything You Need To Know About Lawn Sprinkler Systems
Installing and maintaining a lawn sprinkler system can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. By knowing the basics of how they work and what needs to be done to keep them functioning properly, you can rest assured that your lawn will stay green all season long. Here's what you need to know. What is a lawn sprinkler system? A lawn sprinkler system is an irrigation system that helps to water your lawn or garden.

Choose Custom Window Treatments For Your Residence
Window treatments can be used to reinvent a space or add a level of privacy that you aren't currently supplied with. A custom window treatment selection process will be dependent upon a window style, its location and purpose, and treatment care requirements. Window Treatment Types valances shades blinds curtains drapes The Window Style Casement windows are anchored on one side and designed to open outward. Sliding windows and single or double-paned windows that contain a standard design will open left to right or up and down.

5 Upgrades To Check Out At The Lighting Store
Upgrading the lighting is one of the simplest home improvement projects. But it brings significant change; It makes your home look brighter and livelier. A lighting upgrade also allows you to improve energy efficiency by using smart low energy lighting. You can also make different areas more functional with lighting. For example, under cabinet lighting creates working space in the kitchen. Upgrading outdoor lighting can improve your security setup while giving your home a boost in curb appeal when viewed at night.

Questions To Ask About Home Window Films
Window films come in a range of types that are made for different purposes. There are a few questions to ask before investing in a useful film application. 1. Why Must the Film Achieve? Window film is available in several varieties made to serve one of three common objectives -- increased energy efficiency, security, or privacy. Solar films reflect heat and help lower cooling costs, while security films prevent glass from being easily broken.

Fireplace Maintenance Tips You Can Follow At Home
If you have a wood-burning fireplace in your home, you should have professionals inspect your fireplace and chimney each year. This will ensure any problems, like creosote buildup or leaks, do not go undetected. Although this annual maintenance is best left to the professionals, there is also some maintenance you can do on your own. Close the damper when you are not having a fire The damper is the flap or door located at the top of your fireplace where it opens up into the chimney.

Why Quartz Countertops May Be The Best Option For Your Home
If you need new countertops for your home, you'll have the chance to select from a wide range of options that are made from different materials. Even though each countertop material has its advantages, many people consider quartz to be the best material choice.  Easy to Customize If you want countertops that are uniquely yours, quartz countertops can be customized to your liking. The quartz can be cut into different shapes and lengths to fit each counter correctly and can also include different patterns for greater visual appeal.

Effective Mice Control Includes Using Traps, Sealing Your Home, And Removing Attractants
If you have an infestation of mice in your house, you may need to call in a mice control professional to help you get the problem under control. Mice are destructive and they spread diseases, so you want to eliminate the pests as fast as you can. Here are some important steps for controlling mice. Cut Off Their Food Supply Place food that can tolerate it in your refrigerator or freezer so it's sealed up and protected from mice.

Why Buying Bathroom Tiles at a Retail Store Is Better Than Getting Them Online
Renovating or designing your bathroom is an exciting, but also very serious time. Your bathroom is where you spend a lot of your time, and you should get a room that is designed for your tastes, can keep up with the very demanding needs of a bathroom, and also one that comes in at a good price. While it is so easy to just buy all your equipment online, this can lead to major mistakes which is why most experts suggest that you visit a retail bathroom tile showroom is the best place to get the feel for your materials.

Purchasing Quality Kitchen Cabinets for Your Home
Remodeling your kitchen can bring about more than a 50% return on investment (ROI) for your household. A big part of these renovations generally involves buying a new set of kitchen cabinets. These can either be purchased off the shelf of your cabinet shop's inventory, or you can go the custom route and building your kitchen cabinets from scratch. With this in mind, you can expect to get a lot of value out of purchasing new cabinets.

Determining How Much Kitchen Cabinetry You Need
Some homeowners think more is more when it comes to adding kitchen cabinetry during a remodel project. You may think you can't have too much cabinetry because it equates to more storage space. While that fact may hold true, you do want cabinets that fit your needs. Below are some ways to determine how much cabinetry you need for your kitchen. Assess Your Current Cabinetry One option is to replace your current set of cabinets with a direct one-for-one ratio.

3 Cheap Novelty Gift Ideas
Whether you are hosting a party or other large event, or looking for an inexpensive holiday gift to get multiple people, cheap novelty gifts can be a great idea. Novelty gifts are fun because they are a bit out of the ordinary than regular gifts, and they are going to be a lot more affordable. This makes them perfect when buying gifts for a large amount of people because you will actually be able to afford to get everyone a gift.

Three Outdoor Patio Furniture Care Tips
Metal outdoor furniture can be a common choice for homeowners that are wanting to create a comfortable and functional patio. Sadly, it is a reality that homeowners will often overlook the care needs of these pieces of furniture. In order to ensure that your patio furniture lasts for as long as possible, you will want to be aware of these basic tips. Inspect The Furniture For Scratches Over the course of time, it can be possible for your metal furniture to become scratched.

Potential Benefits Of Fire Pit Tables
Those who want to add a little warmth to their backyard have a couple different options, including fire pits and fire tables. Adding some sort of fire pit is among the most popular do-it-yourself projects for backyards in the United States, with approximately 48 percent of people making improvements to their backyards adding fire pits. While both traditional fire pits and fire pit tables are popular and can do the job, there are a few advantages to choosing fire pit tables over fire pits.

Tire Care Tips
When it comes to operating a motor vehicle, safety should be a top priority. Recognizing that your vehicle's tires play a primary role in its overall safety is the first step toward making your car or truck a safer way to travel. Proper tire maintenance should be an important part of any driver's routine. Here are three tips you can use to ensure that your tires remain in good condition in the future.

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Storage Unit
You may need a storage unit can be for a multitude of reasons. It could be you're in between homes, maybe you had to downsize to a smaller home, or maybe you just needed to get rid of a few items but weren't necessarily ready to part with them just yet. No matter the reason, a storage unit is a great idea. It's a good way to keep your items safe, without taking up space around your own home (or your friend's/parent's home).

Looking For A Vacation Home? How Park Models Can Benefit Active Retirees
If you have just retired, you may be in the process of budgeting and downsizing so you can invest in an RV or vacation home for your free time. However, it may be hard to find an RV that has all the amenities you desire, and finding reasonably priced vacation homes may be difficult on your new fixed income. A happy medium between the two is a park model. Here are some benefits of park models you may want to consider.

Two Options for Fencing Off Your Yard
If you have a large property and want to fence off part of it as a playyard for your kids or to protect your garden from your kids, there are several fencing options open to you. The important part is figuring out which one will work best for you and suit your needs.  Stainless-Steel Cable Fencing One option open to you when you want to fence off part of your property as a play area for your children to safely be in is stainless-steel cable railing.

Three Tips To Protect Your Kitchen Cabinets Fro Common Forms Of Damage
Your cabinets are critical components for both the look and functionality of your kitchen. Unfortunately, there are many people that may not have a very thorough understanding about the steps that should be taken to protect these cabinets from common forms of damage. By using these three tips, you can help ensure that your cabinets are kept in the best condition possible. Repair Any Scratches As Soon As Possible Scratches can be among the more common types of damage that your kitchen cabinets can sustain.

Protect Your Window Treatments From Your Cats With These Tips
Adorning your windows with curtains, blinds and other window treatments is something that you do to maintain some privacy in your home. However, if you have cats, it can be a challenge to keep your window treatments free from clawmarks and hair. The tips below offer you some suggestions you can use to protect window treatments from your cats. Start with the Right Fabric The first thing you need to do in order to protect your window treatments from the cats in your home is to ensure that you've chosen fabric that won't attract their hair.

How To Choose The Right Paint And Get Cleaner Lines
Painting can be a simple and fun DIY home improvement project. A simple paint job can restore any room and make it feel new and fresh. However, for your paint job to look great, you need to be prepared. Perhaps the two most important things to consider are the type of paint that you use and how you are going to paint along the edges. This article explains both so you can paint like a pro.

3 Easy Tips For Using Draperies To Minimize Your Migraine Pain
If you have ever woken up or tried desperately to sleep through the pain, nausea and light sensitivity that are the agonizing reality of a migraine headache, you already know how important it is to limit the severity of your symptoms. Migraines are a serious health issue that impacts 38 million people in the United States. Buying the most appropriate draperies for the next time you get a migraine is the best step after seeking medical assistance.

4 Solutions For Affordable Heating Using A Biomass Boiler System
Biomass heating systems can be a great solution to bring down the cost of heating your home. They are commonly used with radiant heating systems, but they can also be used for other solutions, such as district heating and central HVAC. You can even combine your biomass boiler with geothermal or solar energy. Here are some of the solutions that you may want to consider for the installation of your biomass boiler:

Your Air Conditioning Options
There are quite a few different types of air conditioners out there, and some might be better suited to your needs than others. To help you decide which type would be best for you, here are some overviews of two of the most popular air conditioning systems: traditional central systems and heat pumps. Central Systems Your first option is to set up a central air conditioning system in your home. Many homes and buildings already have these systems installed, which means that it is very easy to replace the existing unit.

Diagnosing Curious Noise Issues With A Residential Hot Water Tank
Providing hot water to the house in an instant, the hot water heater is easily one of the more valuable pieces of modern equipment in the home even though it often goes unrecognized unless something is wrong. The hot water tank of the unit houses the water both while it is being heated and after the water has reached a desired temperature. On occasion, noises from within the hot water tank may leave you scratching your head as a homeowner.

2 Tips To Help You Keep Your Glass Shower Doors Looking New
Investing in a glass surround for your shower can be a simple way to update the look of your bathroom. If you want to maintain the high-end feel glass shower doors can provide, it's essential that you take the time to keep these doors clean. Here are two simple tips you can use to ensure that your glass shower enclosure looks new well into the future. 1. Use a natural cleaning solution to get rid of soap scum.

Tips For Hanging Decorative Paper Lanterns
If you've decided to use paper lanterns for a decorative lighting effect, you'll want to give careful consideration to the method that you use to hang them. Not only is the method you use going to dictate their lighting effect, it's also going to be a significant safety concern. You'll want to make sure that they are secure and upright no matter where you hang them. Here are a few ideas to help you hang your paper lanterns for any occasion.

Three Reasons Why You Shouldn't Ignore Dead Tree Limbs
When tree leaves suddenly discolor, curl or fall off of a tree limb outside of the normal autumn leaf drop, it always warrants attention, especially if it's a large or overhanging limb. Some dead-looking branches can easily be explained by severe weather, a lightning strike, or even improper pruning techniques. But leaves, branches or limbs that appear to be dead can also indicate that something more serious is going on inside the tree.

Preparing Your Property For Tree Trimmers
If you are planning on having tree trimmers come to provide general yard maintenance, there are some things that you can do to prepare. Prepping your yard and understanding the needs of professional tree trimmers can make their job even more efficient. Here are four things that you can do to help tree trimmers stay on-task and meet your needs. 1. Keep Pets and Kids Inside Having strangers on your property might be exciting for kids and pets, but safety should be considered.

3 Tips When Fighting Rodent Infestations
Nobody likes seeing a skittering rodent in their home. Indeed, rodents are pests and absolute menaces when it comes to both health and the integrity of your home. Rodents will chew through walls, cables, and do all manner of unwanted activities. However, there are some helpful things you can do to prevent rodents from moving into your home before calling an exterminator.  Don't Make Your Home A Target Rodents are often attracted to homes that are perceived as places where they can score a meal.

Garden Plans: Ideas For Trouble Areas
Many yards contain trouble spots. Perhaps it's a shady area where nothing seems to grow. Or maybe it's a corner or small strip that could use some developing. Transform your trouble area into a place of beauty with the appropriate plants and a pleasing layout. Shady Garden Do you have an area overshadowed by a tree or maybe by the house itself? Luckily there are several plants that actually prefer the shade:

3 Ways to Take Care of Your Window Blinds
The window blinds that you use inside of your home will either enhance your home aesthetically and in terms of efficiency, or will be a hassle that frustrates you. To make sure that your blinds are useful for you, it pays to make sure that you do all that you can to keep your blinds in the best possible condition. In that regard, use the pieces of information in this guide, to learn the best cleaning, repair and troubleshooting tips for your window blinds.

Three Window Treatments That Can Help Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
If you want your home to be more energy efficient, many improvements can be done to windows and doors. Some of the improvements include replacing the windows entirely. This may not always be possible, or you may have already had your windows replaced. Window treatments can be another great way to add energy efficiency to your home: 1. Using Curtains And Wind Shades To Give Windows Insulation If you want to have more energy efficiency with the windows and doors in your home, simply adding curtains can be a great help.

Bring The World Into Your Backyard With Exotic Patio Settings
Patio furniture has a boring reputation of being little more than metal chairs around a basic round table and pop-up umbrella. Today, though, you can give your home and yard a spark of personality with outdoor spaces filled with just about any type of fun, eclectic, classy or chic furniture that you want. You can even create exotic spaces that evoke faraway lands, foreign cultures or dream vacation spots. Here are a few ways to easily make a space that takes you away from it all.

Tips To Help You Get Organized If You Are Preparing To Move To A New Home
If you are getting ready to move to a new home in a few months, organize your current surroundings so that packing up and transporting items will be a breeze. The following ideas will help you eliminate clutter so that you can be prepared on the date that you have requested help from a moving company. Hold A Tent Sale Hold a tent sale to get rid of items that are no longer needed.

Deploy and Conquer: The Insect-Insect Pest Control Strategy
Given that pesticides are not only expensive but also harmful to the environment, they are not the best option when it comes to dealing with pests in a garden. The problem is that most garden owners usually view them as a necessary evil – while they may not like using them, they feel that they have to because the alternative is to watch their plants get destroyed. However, this is not true.

Ideas For Quickly Remodeling Your Swimming Pool
If you are lucky enough to have your own swimming pool, you might want to spruce up its look every once in a while. To help you do that without having to go through a lot of stress, you might want to check out the following ideas. Add A New Liner Some people will want to wait until their current pool liner is no longer in the best shape while others will have no problem changing it out sooner.

Four Tips To Help You Maximize Storage Space For Garden Equipment And Outdoor Projects
If you are a person that likes to work in the garden or do outdoor projects, you probably have a lot of tools and materials that you need to store. You may even need to have a little extra space to work on some of your projects. With a good garden shed, the right storage and a workbench, you can maximize your storage space. For some of the larger equipment, you may even want to consider a storage service to create more space.

3 Reasons To Hire A Commercial Weed Control Company
Purchasing commercial property can be an excellent investment, especially if you are able to buy it at a good price. But whether you plan to use the buildings on the property for your own business, or want to lease the building to other business owners who need office or warehouse space, you are still responsible for maintaining the land included in your property. You most likely do not have the time or inclination to provide landscaping and weed control services yourself, so your best bet is to hire a professional company who specializes in commercial weed control, and can also keep other plants and shrubs on the property in good condition.

3 Ways To Keep Carpet Beetles At Bay
Now that spring is almost here, homeowners all over the country are looking forward to opening their windows and letting in some fresh air. However, you may be letting in more than you bargained for in the form of one of the planet's most destructive fabric pests -- carpet beetles. Carpet beetles frequently access home interiors through open windows, and although adult carpet beetles don't feed on fabric, their larva do.

How To Keep Your Tile Flooring Clean And Shiny
Tile floors have an attractive appearance, but they are difficult to keep clean. Once the grout lines are stained with dirt or mildew, or the tiles become cloudy, then your beautiful floor becomes an eyesore. Here are a few tips for keeping your tile flooring clean and lustrous. Sweep And Vacuum Tile floors are installed with grout between each tile. The area with grout is slightly depressed, and this becomes a magnet for dust and dirt.

Removing Pesky Rodents From Your Home
No one really enjoys having to deal with having a mouse problem inside their home. You will need to change some of your habits to keep mice from wanting to live inside your home. You may also need to invest in some trapping methods. Here are some tips for you to remove mice and to keep them out of your home for good. Removal Methods To remove mice from your home, you will need to decide if you would rather try to get rid of them humanely or if you want to kill them to ensure they do not return.

What You Need To Know About Your Foundation And Your Homeowners Insurance Policy
If you're the owner of a home, it's important for you to understand that your homeowner's insurance isn't the only protection you need. This is particularly true when it comes to your foundation. Whether or not a problem with your foundation will be covered by your insurance policy depends on a number of factors, including the source of the damage and whether or not you, as the owner of the property, took measures to prevent it.

Here's How A Lawn Service Can Help Your Yard Stay Beautiful
If you're tired of mowing grass every weekend, but want your yard to look nice, then you may be tempted to pay the neighborhood kid to mow for you. However, if you want a yard your neighbors will envy, you should consider hiring a professional lawn service. They do much more than simply mow your yard, and it really makes a difference in the way your yard looks. If yard maintenance is a chore you dread, then here's why you should hire a pro.

Easy Updates For Your Living Room Decor
Is it time for an update to your living room decor? Perhaps you'd like to make over your space, but you don't want to spend a lot of time and money on the project. Changing up your living room design can be easy with a few simple tips: Select a New Color Palette If you want to go all out and paint the walls, that's a noticeable update. However, even without painting your walls, you can switch up your color palette.

Flood Your Master Bathroom With Light
Who wouldn't appreciate a bright morning? A light and airy bathroom makes mornings feel cheerful. As you plan your bathroom remodel, include tips for maximizing the natural light in your master bath. Focus on the Windows First, let the natural light flood in. If possible, have transom windows hung above your regular windows. Otherwise, have existing windows updated to allow maximum light exposure. Keep window treatments light, either gauzy or white-hued, to further promote the sunlight in your bathroom.

Tips for Finding Treasures at Estate Sales
That old saying that one person's trash is another person's treasure certainly applies to estate sales. Estate sales are sales that occur in a person's home with the goal of selling off everything inside. Many people hold an estate sale after a loved one has died. There are treasures to be found at an estate sale, but you need to know what to look for and have the patience to seek out those diamonds in the rough.

Indoor Air Quality: Breath Of Life Or Death?
While many people watch the news each day to determine the status of outdoor air pollution, many would be well-served by being as diligent about the air quality in their homes. The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a number of alerts on this subject, identifying it as a priority health concern. Their analysis shows that many homes, even in heavily industrialized cities, have air pollutants levels that are two to five times as high as outdoor air.

4 Easy Ways To Clean Your Window Blinds
Blinds can be a great way to adorn your windows and allow you to control how much light enters a room. However, over time blinds can collect dust and get dirty. It can be a challenge to clean them, but you don't have to always take down the blinds in order to clean them. Here are four easy ways to clean your window blinds. Use Old Socks, Vinegar and Water