Basics Of Plumbing That You Must Know

Plumbing serves one of the most basic purposes in our lives. We’re able to use water and flush out the waste because of a properly laid system. The earlier forms of such systems were seen even during early civilizations in several parts of the world.

But at present, the basic understanding of how such systems work and how to deal with minor incidents is missing. We just run to call a plumber fearing water damage or take a drastic step and end up with even more damage. You can avoid all that by just being more aware of the plumbing system in your house.

How is the water system organized in a home?

For understanding the basics of a plumbing system, you must know how it’s organized in your house. There are typically two systems – one that brings the water supply to your house and fixtures and one that takes the waste to the sewer.

The former one is always under pressure, and that’s how it reaches on different stories and in fixtures that are much higher than ground level. The water enters your house through a main water supply line which then splits to reach several areas of your home. But before that, it has to pass through a meter that measures the amount of water you’re using.

Once the water runs through the water meter, it may get separated into two pipes – one of them goes towards the water heater, and one of them goes towards the fixtures that have the direct supply of cold water. The pipe from water heater also reaches the fixtures but the water, in this case, is at a particular temperature set through thermostat settings.

The main water supply valve is situated just near this meter. If you ever happen to face a situation where you have to cut down the water supply to avoid water damage, you will find the valve near the meter.

The drainage system is also laid out in the same manner as the typical water system is but its working mechanism is different. It doesn’t run under pressure. Rather, it’s the natural gravity pull that keeps the waste going until it’s out to sewer or the septic tank.

There are three essential components of drainage system – traps, vents and cleanouts that you must know.

1. Vents: these are the pipe openings present at the top of your house’s roof. Their purpose is to facilitate the flushing out of water from the traps and pipes. In the absence of the vents (or in the case of blocked vents), the pipes won’t get cleared out and ultimately cause a clog.
2. Traps: These are those S-shaped sections of the pipes usually visible below your sink. However, there are many more traps in your plumbing systems that aren’t readily visible. The purpose of such traps is to prevent the sewer gasses from rising and release in your house. Traps also help to restrict the flow of components like hair, grease, etc. that may cause a clog in the pipes.
3. Clean outs: These are plugs installed just near the traps and help to clean the traps without removing them from the drain.

Understand that for the drainage system to work properly, all of these components should work at an optimum level. Every fixture has a separate drain line that then combines into one single drain line that either goes into the sewer or septic tank. If it’s sewer (Which is the case in most of the urban societies), the entire task is done. Once the waste enters the sewer line, it’s mostly the responsibility of the municipal committee to take care of it. In the case of a septic tank, a cleaning out is required after every ten years or so.

Both the plumbing system and drainage system are completely separate, and things like bathtubs, sinks, toilets are all fixtures that serve the purpose of keeping these two segregated at all times.

What causes plumbing problems?

Name the plumbing issues you can think of right now. Mostly it will include clogs, a dripping faucet or a toilet that’s not flushing properly. You’re very close the complete answer to the question about possible plumbing issues. Most of the issues are basically these minor problems but with a varied intensity.

A small clog may make the water drain out slowly, but when it grows bigger, it may cause your toilet to back up. A dripping faucet may one day change into a complete damaged fixture and cause water damage in your house if it goes unchecked.

Also Recommended: Top 5 Plumbing Tasks You Need To Wrap Up NOW

What causes clogs?

These are majorly caused due to items that we release into the drains. Things like hair, paper, bigger chunks of food; greasy oils, etc. are possible causes of clogs. Improper use of garbage disposal system is another major cause of clogging. 

Another reason is corrosion of pipes which may cause clogging as well as leaks in the inner plumbing of your house. The latter is a very serious issue as it may go undetected for a long time and can cause damage to your house’s foundation as well.

The former issue happens mostly due to excessive use of cleaning chemicals. Not all cleaning chemicals are safe for the pipes. In fact, many drain cleaning chemicals often have corrosive properties and cause much damage.

What causes leaking faucets?

All the fixtures in your house are typical machines that use different components to run properly. Some of those components get loose over time and cause leaks. For example, a running toilet is due to a small component inside the water tank that either breaks or gets loose.

The answer to these issues is just to replace such tiny components.

If you are facing any other plumbing issue, it may be either an aggravated form of these two issues or caused due to an unlikely condition in your house. I would advise you to not to try and fix such a serious and unlikely issue and rather call a plumber for that. Other issues, you can try fixing as long as you know what you’re doing.

I think after reading this post, you have a much better idea of how the plumbing works in your house. Don’t you?

Article Source: Basics Of Plumbing That You Must Know

Beginner’s Guide To Lawn Care In Winter

There’s so much about lawn care that you may not know. It’s a never-ending subject and looking at all the gardening bloggers doing great with their kitchen gardens and lawns, all you have is immense goals. Even though you may have made some progress, it’s very likely that lawn care in winter is already making you worried.

It happens because of the drastic change in seasons. It’s especially true for areas that receive heavy snowfall in winter. Saving the lawn from the wrath of snow is tough, not impossible. But how would you know what to do if you’re a beginner? Maybe, by reading this blog!

Three essential ingredients of a healthy lawn

Before we start with the winter-specific lawn care tips, we must think of what it takes to have a lush, green lawn. And it’s not much, just three basic things – water, nutrients, and the Sun.

Understand that the right type of soil is important, and so the nutrients present in the ground. pH level of the ground is the biggest factor you need to deal with while maintaining your lawn. All the fertilizers and their use are dependent on what nutrients the soil already has and what it’s missing.

It is important to state that the type of grass makes a lot of difference in the success of a lawn. If you pick the grass that grows well in the kind of soil you have, you will have to do much lesser work and will have much better results. Activities like weed removal and aeration are important.  And of course, watering your lawn regularly and adequately makes a lot of difference.

Now you know what the basic lawn care activities are. Let’s talk about the process in winter.

1. Always keep your lawn clear of leaves

It may be beguiling just to leave them on the grass. Don’t they get decomposed into useful nutrients for the soil? Yes, they do. But when the leaves cover your grass, they start affecting the grass causing it to decay. The grass blades don’t get enough sunlight, which is already reduced due to the changing weather, and they can’t breathe. Then all the problems like warmth and rodents creep up.

2. Don’t walk on your lawn

Walking on the grass blades damages them. The effect becomes profound during winter due to the harsh weather. But if you live in an area that receives heavy snowfall, listen! It’s very likely that you may have salt on your shoes and de-icing salts are one of the biggest causes of dry patches in a lawn. Use the sidewalks and avoid stepping on the grass. Be extra careful when you have either salt on your feet, or there’s snow on the grass.

3. Fertilize your lawn in early winter

Although it’s an activity that is most recommended for late fall; in case you missed it, do it before the first snow falls. But here’s the catch. Your lawn requires a fertilizer at this time only if it’s a cool season grass, which is most common in the U.S.A

It’s highly likely that you have a cool season grass and hence, fertilization is a critical activity for you.

4. Cut the grass short

During the last mowing, cut the grass a bit shorter than you usually do. It’s because long grass provides shelter to mice and insects which aren't good for your lawn at all. These pests can also move to your house, and it’s not pleasant at all.

While we’re talking about lawn mowing, remember that mulching isn’t good when it’s the end of the fall season. It will create same issues as dead leaves and hence, you should clear the lawn of all such things as much as possible.

5. Focus on timely snow removal

Not only the timings are important, but also the technique. Snow is the biggest damage causing substance for your lawn in winter. If you have taken care of your lawn well in the past months, the grass will be robust enough to bear the effect of a cover of snow on it.

But what makes the situation worse is when you walk on that snow-clad grass. We have already discussed that. What we need to think about right now is how snow removal impacts your lawn.

If you shovel the sidewalks without delays, there will be fewer chances of visitors to your house stepping on the grass. Moreover, the salt is the bigger problem here. It’s damaging, and if you don’t shovel properly, you may sprinkle this salt on the lawn.

So, my only tips for you regarding snow removal are to do it carefully enough not to deposit the pile of snow on the grass.

That’s pretty much everything you need to know about lawn care in winter. I have shared my tips that are winter-specific but if you’re interested in reading more about lawn care, do check this list of blog posts. You’ll find them pretty helpful.

Article Source :  Beginner’s Guide To Lawn Care In Winter

5 GRANDMA'S TIPS FOR CARPET CLEANING

True dust traps (and mites!), Carpets require regular maintenance. If for you, care for them is a chore, wait to discover the 3 tips grandmother we found.

Tip # 1: Vacuuming

To not have to embark on big cleanings every six months, be aware that the maintenance of a carpet is a matter of every day! Place the vacuum cleaner twice a week brushing mode is one of the easiest ideas to realize. Warning: If your carpet is old and very delicate, avoid the brush mode to not to damage it and inhale gently.

Tip # 2: An infusion of potato peelings

If you do not have the means to hire a professional to restore your carpet, do it yourself with this trick of grandmother effective! Start by concocting a concentrated potato peelings infusion, then rub your carpet with a sponge impregnated with your preparation.Leave for a few hours then rinse with clear water with a sponge . Finally, let it dry by not circulate it.

Tip 3: Carbonated water and baking soda

Your stack has lost its beautiful original color and some tasks that are installed here and there? Call on sparkling water and soda ! Using a sponge, coat the carpet with carbonated water and then gently scrub with a brush. Let it dry for half an hour then sprinkle baking soda all of your carpet. Once the baking is dry, vacuum and enjoy the results!

Carpet Cleaners Near You

Tip 4: Dishwashing liquid and vinegar

White vinegar is the miracle cure of the house. these multiple uses are to sanitize, deodorize and detach! Do not worry if your carpet is dirty or stained fats, first pour white vinegar on a clean cloth and rub the task. Leave on 15 minutes. then run a mixture of water and dishwashing liquid, mounted on foam with an electric mixer or whisk. Rub this mixture on the carpet with a brush, then rinse with clear water. Wipe the pad with a clean cloth and let dry.

Tip 5: Stained carpet and shaving foam

Surprising as it may seem, shaving cream is an ally to detach textiles. Use it as a stain-removing foam by applying a thick layer on the surface of the carpet. Leave at least an hour and then rub vigorously with a towel. You can also leave the foam on overnight, then spend the next morning cleaner.

Small council last minute: always test your preparation on a corner of your carpet to make sure it did not hurt!

Services for Better Lawn Care

Lawn care is the topmost activity amongst homeowners in fall. You should never ignore it if your area receives a harsh winter or if you have a cool season grass. But what about those who live in warmer regions? Is it right to enjoy the long holiday and then stay confused on why your long isn’t as perfect as your neighbor?

If not, then you need to read this brief list of services you require for better lawn care in warmer regions in fall.

1. Tree service: If your trees in your yard, it becomes an essential lawn care activity. Any kind of disease or deficiency in the trees will directly affect the grass growing around it. Therefore, it’s crucial that keep the trees as healthy as the grass and go for regular tree service.

2. Pest control service: The pests that attack your grass not only affect its health but can also enter your home and be harmful. Many pests are known to cause allergic reactions in people and pets. A minor infestation is enough to eat your hard work – the grass.

3. Proper irrigation: Do you have a big lawn but still not a sprinkler system? I suggest you invest in a sprinkler system. Also, if you have moved to a new home, you must call a lawn care service and ask it inspect the positioning of the sprinkler systems. There are several types of sprinkler system, and the best one for your lawn depends on local soil type, water availability, and slope.

These are the three top lawn care services you must opt for in fall if you live in a warmer region. These activities are necessary due to their timing as well as prolonged ill-effects.

Apart from these, you must start making changes in your lawn care strategy to meet the need of the changing season. Alter the amount of watering and mowing height. All these activities are crucial for a lush, green lawn. Also, if your lawn has been suffering from some kind of disease, it’s the right time to check it and get it fixed.

Ensure that you hire a professional lawn care service for the process. A professional service can be characterized by a license, insurance, tons of recommendations, positive reviews, proper website, well-trained staff and work guarantee. Never go for the cheapest option available. Rather, ask for multiple quotes and pick the average quote.

There you have it! It’s pretty much everything you need to know about for fall lawn care in a warmer region. Go ahead and start working on your lawn for what thou seed today, thou shall reap tomorrow.

Do check out SameDayPros in case you want to locate the best lawn care pros available in your area.

How to clean a carpet?

Today, few homes that do not have at least a carpet. This accessory has invaded our homes and fits in every room. Cotton, wool, fabric, synthetic ... it comes with all subjects. Decorative or useful, carpets are also nested bacteria, especially if you have a pet. Be especially careful if you are parents of a child in infancy, to be more sensitive to bacteria. It reveals our tips for cleaning carpets without necessarily resorting to sprays (chemical) disinfectant.

First reflex to clean his carpet

Your best weapon to rid your carpet of bacteria is vacuumed. At least once a week, vacuum your carpet insisting with a brush. However, attention to Oriental rugs to avoid damaging the son. Consider also time to time to return to suck the bottom, in direct contact with the ground.

Check out how much carpet cleaning cost

Clean your carpet naturally deep

Our grandmothers still have the best tips for taking care of their interior without chemistry. Hang your carpets outside and a big wooden Unsheathe swatter, designed for this use. A good way to let off steam and dislodge the deep dust. 
 More modern, the steam cleaner (without chemical addition) also enables environmentally clean your carpet, provided that the cleaning mode is suitable to yours, which is not the case for delicate natural fibers such as sisal. If you do not have one, consider renting and first do a test on a small part of your stack. 
 Ideally, have the reflex steam once every two months. Hint:. To leave a pleasant odor on your carpet, add a few drops of essential oils 
 for a more traditional maintenance, simply scrub your carpet with soap and water (based black soap or soap flakes of Marseille and Rinse. let dry.

Revive its carpet naturally

Another trick grandmother to give new life to his lurking: make an infusion based potato peelings, then soak a sponge and rub your carpet. Leave for a few hours, rinse and dry.

Get rid of stains and dirt from carpets

Start by soaking your carpets sparkling water with a sponge, rubbing the dirt.Let sit 30 minutes, then sprinkle with baking soda. Once the dry powder, it will do more than you suck. A grandmother recipe that also has the advantage of restoring the color of your carpet! 
 Is your carpet very dusty or stained by grease? We go to the next level, drawing his famous white vinegar. Pour it directly on the stain, rub with a cloth and wait for 15 minutes. Then, make a mixture with a little hot water and dishwashing liquid as you whip with an electric mixer or blender. Pour this mixture on the second mat, scrub with a brush, rinse and let dry. Cleanliness guaranteed! 
 Variant a little less green: putting shaving foam on the stain by applying a thick layer. Leave an hour, then scrub with a sponge. If necessary, repeat this step by letting act overnight, then vacuum dry foam in the morning.

Read Also commercial carpet cleaning prices

Fragile carpet: one put on dry cleaning

If you have valuable carpets, more delicate, obtain the land of Sommières in organic store or DIY. Kesako? A natural clay with a stain remover and degreaser power. Sprinkle on the stain, let sit overnight and then vacuum the next morning.

Remove a wine stain on a carpet

Disaster, one of your guests spilled his glass of wine on your beautiful white carpet. Do not panic ! First reflex: to absorbent paper to remove the liquid and prevent its spread. Then sprinkle Sommières earth starting around the stain to the center. Do not rub, just leave for a few hours (overnight ideally), then vacuum the powder.

Clean bathroom mat

For all cotton rug or passing machine, wash them all together, ideally once a week or every 10 days. Opt for lye-based Marseille soap chips and replace the fabric softener with white vinegar added essential oils.

I can not remove a stain on my carpet or it is too big to enter the machine?

The first solution entrust it to a laundry / pressing, certified organic. Your carpet will benefit from a dry cleaning pro, without chemicals. 
 The second solution: go to a laundry that has large capacities machines.

4 golden rules if you have carpet

1) To prevent the growth of bacteria on your carpet (especially if you have a baby at home), remove your shoes at the entrance and use of indoor slippers that are not contaminated by external bacteria. 
 2) floor heating also promotes their development. If you have this heating mode, it will clean your carpets more. Similarly, the natural fiber mat, require maintenance of advantage that the synthetic mat. Indeed, the latter retain fewer bacteria. Disadvantage: these rugs are less environmentally friendly. 
 3) Also make sure that your carpets do not stay wet, favorable to the multiplication of microbes of all kinds medium. 
 4) Finally, always read the cleaning precautions and test cleaning on a small part of the carpet before you start on the whole, especially if your carpet is fragile and / or expensive.

Top 4 Snow Removal Tips For Homeowners

All this time your parents or landlord have been performing all the snow removal duties, and suddenly, you find yourself in a different situation altogether. You’re in charge this year, and you may not have a precise idea on what to do. Or maybe you want to refresh your knowledge regarding this winter-related home care activity.

Snow Removal Tips For Homeowners

Let’s begin with gathering the equipment.

1. Go shopping

Don’t delay until the first snowfall to get the equipment. Maybe it’s a shovel or snow blower, whatever you plan to buy, get it before the snowfall actually happens. I would advise that if you’re a beginner, you should invest in a shovel.

How to buy a good snow shovel?

Keeping in mind that improper use of shovels causes several injuries, I would suggest you try the shovel before you buy. See if you can easily handle it. Also, try to get a combination of shovels for yourself for easy handling. Not all shovels are meant for the same purpose.

For example, a 24-inch snow shovel is better for only shoveling, while a 30-inch shovel is perfect for pushing the snow. However, if you opt for a shovel with an offset handle with the combination of a small blade size, you’ll experience lower back strain. For ice-crusted snow, a square-nose snow shovel works the best.

Apart from a couple of shovels, you’ll need a scoop as well as a snow melting agent (rock salt or calcium chloride will do). An aluminum scoop should be preferred as it doesn’t acquire rust.

2. What do you need to do?

The second of my snow removal tips for homeowners is gathering knowledge about one's snow removal responsibilities. What area of the house do you need to light up? It will include the sidewalks but how much do you need to remove on the road? Usually, it’s two feet out into the road, but you can make a call to your local PWD (Public Works Department).

If you scheme to use a snow blower, ensure that you don’t deposit the snow on the road during the process. It can be dangerous for the passersby.

3. Using de-icing products

Things you need to keep in mind

Before you pick a de-icing product, you must check if it’s suitable for use. For example, you shouldn’t use any salt on concrete sidewalks and pavements that are less than six months old. Ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate are the most damaging products present in few de-icing products. They can damage any masonry material and should be avoided altogether.

You will also want to be careful while applying de-icers near vegetation. Animals can swallow the residue of such products which may prove to be fatal for them. So, ensure you don’t use products that aren’t safe for your pets.

Primary de-icing salts

1. Sodium Chloride (Rock Salt): It’s the most commonly used salt for de-icing but is highly damaging as well. It can affect the masonry material as well as can cause severe water contamination.
2. Potassium Chloride: It is a comparatively safer option for de-icing. It doesn’t harm the vegetation but can act only if the air temperature is above 15F.
3. Calcium Chloride: Calcium chloride is again a salt that’s not recommended for use. It can cause irritations on your skin and can also be damaging to concrete if the concentration gets above a certain point.
4. Magnesium Chloride: It’s the newest and safest salt available in market at present. It isn’t as damaging as other prevalent variants are.

Alternatives to salt

But using salt for de-icing still causes problems like excess salt build-up in the soil, preventing plants from properly absorbing nutrients from the ground, and harm to pets. That’s why it makes sense to look for alternatives if the same amount of results can be achieved. I have some ideas on alternatives but keep in mind that they won’t work under all situations. You’ll need to use your sense of judgment to decide on one snow removal method.

1. Shovel as soon as the snow ceases to fall. It will reduce the need of de-icers and even make the process easier. Or rather use a snow blower.

2. For someone who is getting a new home constructed soon, it makes sense to have a snow melt mat installed in the driveway and sidewalks. It consists of an electronic mesh-like system that can be heated up using electricity to melt the snow.

3. Use it sparingly. Don’t use it as if it’s going to melt all the snow. Just let it loosen the snow up and then shovel.

4. Wait for the right time

One of the top snow removal mistakes homeowners make is picking a wrong time for the activity. Either they begin too quickly or wait until it’s too late, both of which should be avoided.

Wait for two things – till the snowfall ends or till the PWD snow plows have crossed your street. Waiting till the snow fall ends isn’t always possible as if you let the layer of snow get too thick, it will be really difficult to remove it (and maybe even damaging to your health or anybody who shovels it out). So, a better and second option is to wait for the PWD snow plows to do their work. Waiting for them makes sense as it is very likely that the snow blows up on your driveway or sidewalks while they do their work, whereas your hard work would go in vain, So, just wait for the right time to remove the snow.

And last but not the least, please don’t try to melt the snow away with any crazy ideas you get. De-icers are the only products you can use, or the couple of alternatives I suggested are also safe. Rest of the ideas should be avoided unless you’re 100% sure about the safety part.

These are my snow removal tips for homeowners. I hope you understood the process well and I answered all the doubts that may come up in your mind. If I missed something, please comment below, and I shall reply back with an appropriate response in the shortest possible time.

Article Source: Top 4 Snow Removal Tips For Homeowners

Changes In Carpet Cleaning Trends In Last Two Years

Carpet cleaning is such a necessary activity, yet you’ll be amazed by the scope of carpet cleaning trends and what can be done with the basic rug you have in your house. Over the past several years, we have been following such developments, both at the consumer level and manufacturing level.

What behavioral changes have happened in consumers or carpet owners? What new technologies carpet manufacturers are bringing out? How are carpet cleaners responding to new trends?

Today’s post will introduce you to the major carpet cleaning trends and how the carpet cleaning industry will change shortly.

Major Carpet Cleaning Trends on Manufacturer’s Level

Let’s begin with what’s going on at the manufacturing level. What are manufacturers focusing on? What new technologies are being worked upon?

1. LED lights: One of the most useful and required features is LED lights in carpets. Commercial spaces like airports can make a great use of such technology by having directional lights installed in the carpet. Think about how advertising industry will change. Instead of the LED screens hanging on high polls, you’ll see the ad banners right under your feet.
2. Green carpets: The threat by new carpets is real. Materials used in carpet manufacturing can be harmful. Why do you think the new carpet smells weird for a few initial days? All of this is changing as carpet manufacturers are focusing more on safe and cleaner carpets.

Carpet Cleaning Trends On Consumer Level

1. Preference to certified carpet cleaners: Homeowners have become aware on what signifies the expertise of a carpet cleaner. More and more people are asking for IICRC certified professionals. Even the carpet cleaners have become active in getting into professional courses to upgrade their knowledge and get certified. The fact that, carpet manufacturers these days recommend that only IICRC certified pros clean carpets if the warranty has to be claimed, adding fuel to these kinds of carpet cleaning trends. I guess it’s all for good.

2. The demand of green carpet cleaning: Just like the general public is getting inclined towards environment-friendly carpets, the cleaning industry is also experiencing this change. People are asking for the use of environment-friendly chemicals, and nowadays many carpet cleaning companies call the use of green chemicals a USP. It means the trend is being adopted both by consumers as well as cleaners.

3. Less inclination towards price cutting: During the economic slowdown, many start-ups got into carpet cleaning but shut down pretty quick. The trends by the beginning of 2015 have seen a great change. Carpet cleaners are setting up new businesses, and investing in improving the operations. It’s facilitated by the consumers who are ready to pay a bit more for great and long-lasting results.

4. Changes in color choices: In commercial setups, bright colors are being preferred. Light colors are also a popular choice these days, but the question here is, is it really the right choice? For example, yellow color, it’s being preferred by many, but it’s actually the worst carpet color to have. Bright colors show the soil more whereas dark colors show dust more. The right carpet color should be a medium one, and even neutral ones are being loved since last year. When you think of neutral shades, gray is the color that’s everywhere – on the walls, on the carpets, on the rugs, on the upholstery and what not!

ALSO READ: How to choose a new carpet?

5. Carpet tiles: Carpet tiles may sound like a great option for the ease of installation and replacement but is it really? Think about how you can easily pull out a section and replace but would it really match the rest of the tiles? Does your carpet look like the way it was when you just bought it? The changes due to soiling, regular cleaning are hard to miss. So, the trend may be rising but we’re still skeptical about its success.

6. Carpet runners for the mainstream: Earlier, carpet runners were used only for high-end properties, but nowadays, carpet runners are really standard.   They’re great piece of furniture to be added to the stairs to enhance safety and reduce the cracking noise.

7. Pet-friendly carpeting: The number of US households that have pets is increasing, and pet accidents on carpets are apparently becoming more frequent. It has given rise to new technologies that bring stain resistance and pet-friendly carpeting. It's widely accepted by pet owners who are sick of trying to resist stains by restricting their pet’s activities.

8. Focus on indoor air quality: Homeowners have realized the connection between carpeting and indoor air quality. With many people suffering from respiratory diseases, it’s a much-expected event that has given rise to several carpet cleaning trends. These include a preference to natural carpet fabrics like wool and jute, focus on green carpets and regular professional cleaning.

9. Preference to surfaces other than carpet: Hardwood flooring is being loved by people these days, and since last two decades, the general trend of having a carpet as the main flooring surface is decreasing. Carpet cleaners haven’t responded to this trend with much resistance, as they see a bigger opportunity in future. They have introduced changes in the services they offer and are seeing this carpet cleaning trend as a business expansion opportunity.

These are the top 9 carpet cleaning trends at the consumer level. It also presents the picture of what carpet cleaners are up to these days.

What do you think of these carpet cleaning trends? Do they align with your preferences or do you say there’s something seriously wrong with one of these? Comment below with your opinions!

Article Source: Changes In Carpet Cleaning Trends In Last Two Years

Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning vs. Carpet Shampooing

There's a never-ending debate for which is the best carpet cleaning method. Though all the experts claim that hot water extraction or steam cleaning is the best method, there are many exceptions. For example, it might not be the best method if you need your carpet dry and ready to use in just a couple of hours.

Today we're going to discuss the pros and cons of hot water extraction and carpet shampooing. We'll dive into how each of the methods works on the carpets, how effective cleaning is, how long it lasts and what are the health concerns associated with it.

Carpet Cleaning Techniques

In the case of carpet shampooing, a cleaner that's capable of generating a large amount of foam is used. Once it's applied to the carpet and dries, it leaves a residue that attracts dirt. This residue can then be, removed by a vacuum. In the case of hot water extraction, a boiling stream of water is pushed onto the carpet; the dirt is pushed out of carpet fibers due to this and immediately sucked in by the vacuum hose attached to the machine.

Cleaning efficiency

Carpet shampooing is a light surface cleaning method whereas hot water extraction is the only method which claims deep cleaning. Carpet shampoos are also guilty of having optical brighteners. These substances make the carpet look much cleaner than it is. Hot water extraction, on the other hand, goes deep into carpet fibers to bring out the dirt and catch it via a vacuum hose. That results in the proper clean carpet.

Also Read : Changes In Carpet Cleaning Trends In Last Two Years

What equipment is used for cleaning and how effective & user-friendly it is?

For hot water extraction, most commonly used machines are either truck mounted or portable. Truck mounted machines are much safer than their counterparts as they do not dump the fumes right inside the house like mobile ones might. Moreover, they do better cleaning than portable machines and make the carpet dry faster.

For carpet shampooing, either cylindrical foam or a rotary shampoo machine is used. A cylindrical foam machine produces the foam and combs it into the carpet fibers. Due to this, the foam sets in deeply in fibers and requires proper vacuuming for removing it. A rotary shampoo machine uses rotary brushes (which are not recommended at all by carpet manufacturers) to apply the foam.

Concerns related to the carpet cleaning methods

While some hot water extraction machines can cause health concerns, carpet shampooing ones don't seem to be good enough to do the cleaning job.

Shampooing methods ultimately lead to:

• Interior cleaning

• Cause resolving issues

• Can damage the carpet

On the other hand, hot water extraction, due to use of water at very high temperatures, can cause:

• Scalding in a case a line is broken

• Damage the carpet fibers in such a case

So, does that mean you should never go for carpet shampooing?

If you can find a foam cleaner that can produce a significant amount of foam, has minimal, or no use of optical brighteners and have a powerful vacuum that can remove all the residue that builds up during the process, you can opt for carpet shampooing as your next DIY carpet cleaning process. It will save you some money, but if you want a rug thoroughly cleaned, hot water extraction is what you should go for. In fact, most of the professional carpet cleaners prefer this method for carpet cleaning.

Find the quotes of carpet cleaners serving near your area and check what equipment they use using SameDayPros.

Article Source : https://goo.gl/ntbKZk 

5 Tips To Consider While Hiring An Air Conditioning Service

With the climate getting hotter with every passing year, more and more people are opting to stay inside to avoid the scorching heat. This is making an air conditioner even more important appliance than it already is. This frequent and over usage of an AC makes it super-hot, and that’s when it has the maximum breakdown chances. Now, 110-120 degrees outside temperature and a broken down air conditioner is not a pretty sight to imagine, believe us.

Some people consider replacing their AC, better than getting it repaired. But, if you are on a tight budget then repairing would definitely help you save some money. Here, hiring an excellent air conditioning service is also critical as it can help you save more money, plus, have your AC working like new again.

To help you find such good professional air conditioner repair, we have compiled a list of some essential tips. Make sure you read them carefully and use them next time you hire a repair service.

1. Always prefer a company that provides home services. When a company agrees to provide home service, it means that the company is good and believes in its service. It also means that the firm is not a scam. You can be assured that your AC would be fixed in time, with 100% satisfactory results, and there would be no parts replacement scam.

2. Their approach towards the repair service could also be a decisive factor. Do they take some time to explain you the reasons behind the breakdown and give to important tips to prevent it in future, or do they just simply start the repair, without looking for another potential cause? A good air conditioning service always educates their client, so they can perform their maintenance duties and avoid unnecessary repair costs in future.

Also Read : To Avoid Air Conditioner Repair Costs, Try These 14 Tips

3. A good air conditioning service should have all the tools and equipment required for the job. That is a sign of complete professionalism. It shows that the company is serious towards its work and can be trusted and would do a fine job even if lefty alone. If the company you hired doesn’t have all the tools and ask you to share some of your tools with them, it means that they are amateur and you shouldn’t trust them with the work.

4. Another sign of a great repair company is that during home services, they always clean-up after they are done with the work. Sometimes, an AC leak murky water during repair because of dirt accumulated inside the unit for a long time. The leaked water could be dangerous as it can cause accidents and also make your house look dirty.

5. While hiring a company, see if their charges are fair. The cost of every aspect of their service should be justified. If the expense of AC repair is more than what other companies are charging, ask them about the added benefits in the cost, like service guarantee. You can pay more for a premium HVAC service company if they provide you with great additional value.

These are the five very useful tips that you must consider while choosing an AC repair service. Another significant point to consider is that while looking for a repair company, try to find a company that doesn’t just specializes in one/your AC brand. It’s possible that in future you may change your AC brand, and you wouldn’t want to change a good AC service company if you have found one. So, look for a company that know all the brands and is continuously training their employees with latest technologies.

Visit SameDayPros to find the best air conditioning service companies in your area.

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How To Decide Whether To Repair Or Replace Your AC

Like any other appliance, your air conditioner also needs your proper attention and care. An average lifespan of your AC is roughly between ten to fifteen years; however, its efficiency depends on upon the way you maintain it. When the AC is new and faces some issues, we never think of replacing it. Our first thought is always to get it repaired. But, with time, an appliance is bound to lose its effectiveness, and thus, an AC also loses its cooling capabilities. At that point, the most crucial question is whether to get it repaired or replaced? Would it be wise to spend money on old air conditioner’s repair or invest some more money to buy a new AC?

We have gathered some pointers that can help you in making ‘repair’ or ‘replace’ decision. We still recommend that you consult your air conditioning repair service before making any decision because they have experts that can help you in making a wiser decision.

Your AC is more than ten years old:
Older air conditioners consume more energy than newer ones. Some government departments recommend that if your AC is more than ten years old, you should consider replacing it with a more recent one. A less efficient AC consumes more energy, which is actually wastage of energy as that extra energy could be saved by using a more efficient AC. So, if your AC is older than ten years, call your air condition repair service to get it evaluated for efficiency and get it replaced if necessary.

Your AC unit breaks down often:
If your air conditioner bails out on you frequently, maybe you should consider replacing it instead of getting it repaired. However, this could happen because of poor repair service too. For instance, if a component of your AC starts giving trouble, an amateur repair service would just fix that problem, without examining the cause of that trouble. Hence, the problem can reoccur and will keep on bothering you. Thus, hiring a good air conditioner repair service is crucial when it comes to deciding between repairing or replacing your AC.

Faulty and out of warranty compressor:
A compressor is one of the most important and costliest components of an air conditioner. If your compressor runs into some trouble, it can be repaired under warranty from the company. But, if your compressor breaks down after the warranty is over, it’s recommended that you get it replaced with a newer one, from the company only. Repairing a compressor is tough and need skilled hands to do it; so, if your repair service is not good, the chances are that you will again run into compressor trouble, very soon.

Get an honest assessment:
The most important step while choosing between the ‘repair’ or ‘replace’ options is to get an accurate assessment of the situation by a good AC repair service. An experienced professional would tell you the exact repair cost and overall condition of your AC unit. If the repair cost exceeds 50% of the cost of a new AC unit, don’t go for a repair. Instead, invest some more money and get it replaced with a new one.

Don’t take decision in a hurry:
We know it’s not easy to stay calm when you have to sit without an AC while the Mercury is boiling outside. But, you have to remember that any decision taken in haste, could turn out to be a big mistake. We highly recommend that you hire a professional AC repair company, let them analyze the condition of your AC properly, and take their advice on what should be done.

These were just some of the common tips that can come handy while choosing between the two tough choices. Repair is always a cheaper and easier choice, but when the period between two repairs start decreasing, replacing is a better option. Choose a good AC repair company and keep your AC healthy for a long time.

Visit SameDayPros to find the best air conditioning repair service in your area. boiling outside. But, you have to remember that any decision taken in haste, could turn out to be a big mistake. We highly recommend that you hire a professional AC repair company, let them analyze the condition of your AC properly, and take their advice on what should be done.

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6 Things The Local Plumbers Near you Won’t Tell You

How much do you know about local plumbers near you? In the case of a plumbing emergency, you will call one of these, and that may not be the best decision. It’s because of the plumbing scams that are quite prevalent these days. It may be as small as overcharging you for a small fix or damaging your complete plumbing only to make some extra bucks while you face a loss of thousands of dollars. Being informed pays off.

1. Anybody can put ads: Although the trend of getting influenced by ads in yellow pages or on websites is decreasing, it still happens that you get affected by that massive attractive ad banner and make a call. But one thing you are likely to forget is that just because a person is doing huge ads doesn’t mean his service is excellent.

2. Low Prices Come With low Quality of work: Think about the local plumbers that offer exceptionally low prices! You may be lured into hiring them instead of that plumber who has excellent reviews and it’s pretty expected. But weigh the pros and cons very well before you go on to hire them. Are you willing to take the risk of low-quality work that may break your plumbing system even more?

3. Mondays are their busiest days: If you have a minor plumbing issue that can wait for another day, then consider not calling them on a Monday. It’s because most of the plumbers are busy fixing plumbing disasters caused by husbands trying to fix issues during the weekend. It’s just a tip to help you have an idea on when they’re relatively free and readily available.

4. How to avoid massive plumbing disasters: There are several tips we can share with you regarding that but two of them that every plumber insists on are preparing the outside pipes for winter and turning off water supply while leaving home for a long time. In winter, burst/frozen pipes are a major concern. Even if the situation doesn’t get that extreme, a lot of service calls are made in spring to fix damaged outside plumbing. All the local plumbers insist on getting your outside plumbing ready for winter including water hose, outdoor pipes, sprinkler system, etc.

Also Recommended : 9 Simplified Tips To Prevent Household Plumbing Problems

5. Best recommendations come from plumbing supply stores: It’s a fact that these people don’t like to work with bad local plumbers. They always have the best lot working for them, and if you ask for recommendations from them for a plumber, you’re most likely to find the best ones in the city through that activity. So, instead of asking neighbors or friends who may not have much experience with the kind of issue you’re facing, ask a plumbing supply store.

6. Licensing is important: there are state and county licenses that a plumber holds to provide services near you legally. Instead of complaining of getting scammed by a worker, ask for the plumber to produce a license. It hardly takes a minute.

And here’s a personal tip - stop flushing things that you’re not supposed to. Baby wipes, hair, greasy materials and food items aren’t meant to go into the drains. When you do that, you just cause harm to your plumbing and giving a chance to make the local plumbers get a lot of business from you. It’s good for the plumbers but not good for your pocket so avoid.

These are the top 6 things local plumbers near you won’t tell, but now you know! If you’re looking for top plumbers near you, check out Samedaypros.com and find the list of top ones there.

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4 Common Mistakes We Make While Hiring A Plumber

Plumbing is not such easy task that you pull off on your own. Nearly 85% of the DIY plumbing jobs result into damaging the plumbing system of your own house, and then you need a plumbing repair service to clean up your mess. Recently, most people have stopped taking such serious matters lightly, and have started taking help from professional companies. What of you hire a company, and it turns out to be a scam? You would lose all your money, plus the damage repair cost is extra. We wouldn’t want that, would we?

Through this post, we are going to tell you about the most common mistakes that people do while hiring a professional plumbing repair service. These mistakes are so small that you don’t realize that you have done anything wrong, until, of course, you feel the bite.

1. Hiring a plumber the quotation:
Money saving is important. But, is it wise to save some money initially, at the cost of quality, and then losing huge money on getting that quality-less work repaired? Obviously not. While hiring a professional plumber, you must look for value, which comprises of quality, customer service, and price rate. By keeping money on the top, you could lose good service providers in your area. A good plumbing service already has loyal customers, who are ready to pay the fixed rate. They have more jobs than they can handle, so they try to stay away from the bargainers.

Do yourself a courtesy, don’t always go for cheap services. Good things come costly. Consider it as an investment in your house; you won’t feel the pinch.

2. Not asking for license, insurance, and other documents:
This is a very common mistake that most people make. Generally, we assume that all the plumbers operating in out society are legal and have proper permissions to carry out the work. But unfortunately, that’s far from the truth. Four out of every ten plumbing companies don’t have proper documents and permissions to take up plumbing tasks. Now, if you hire a company from those six licensed ones, you are lucky. But, if you accidentally fall into the trap of the rest non-licensed four, your problems would just start then, and never end. There won’t be any insurance to cover up your damages, there would be no warranty, and no work quality. You would just lose a lot of money on nothing. Don’t make such silly mistake. Always check the documents and also ask for a copy before hiring a plumbing repair company.

3. Not asking references and reviews:
Most people look for on-demand professional services online these days. While some of them look for reviews and ratings of their previous clients, some of them just hire a service from their advertisements and service claims. This is not a good habit.

You must always hire a plumbing service depending upon their reviews. You can also ask the company to provide you the reference of their previous customers. A good company would never deny your request. Also, go for the companies that offer a complete guarantee of their work. It not only shows the confidence of that company in their work but also makes sure that any recurring issue in future would be covered for free.

4. Not giving time and space to the plumber:
We understand that sometimes you could be in a hurry to get the job done, but don’t force your plumber to rush the work. A good professional would take time to complete the work, and until he is satisfied with his work, he wouldn’t leave it. But, when you intervene in their work and force them to rush, they could lose their concentration and ultimately, the loss would be yours.

These are some silly mistakes that you must not make in future while hiring a professional plumber.
Visit Samedaypros to find the best and most reliable plumbing repair services in your area.

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Tips To Keep Your Air Conditioner Healthy

An air conditioner is one of those appliances, without which, life would be very difficult. It might not be needed for 365 days a year like a refrigerator, but when the season comes, it works 24×7 continuously and makes life easy for you. But, just like any other appliance or machine, an AC also needs proper maintenance and repair from time to time.

Many of us remember to use AC when we need it, but often forget that it also needs your care to work properly. If you practice healthy AC repair habits, you can increase the lifespan of your AC by eight to ten years. If you haven’t given it a thought before, start now. It’s always a good time to start acting about your air conditioner, just like it’s always a good time to start eating healthy.

We have come up with some AC repair and maintenance tips to help you make your AC system more efficient and durable, along with increasing its life.

Schedule yearly tune-ups for your air conditioner

You need to understand the fact that an AC has a complex machinery, which is prone to minor and major malfunctions. Now these failures could be avoided by just regular cleaning of your air conditioner. Our experts have recommended following regular check-ups that you must perform in order to keep your AC in a healthy working condition:

Check the amount of refrigerant: Refrigerant is the main component of an air conditioning system, which cools the air inside your house. Keeping a check on the refrigerant amount from time to time is important; otherwise, your AC won’t be able to cool your house, and its efficiency would decrease.

Check the leaks in the sealing duct: Checking for any leaks or breakage in the sealing duct is important because the air could leak from the broken point and your house won’t get the 100% benefit of the AC system.

Check for refrigerant leakage: As we said earlier, a refrigerant is like the blood of an AC. So, if your AC is losing its refrigerant, it would soon stop working and could even develop a major issue. If you ever see your refrigerant leaking or less in quantity, immediately call your AC repair service.

Also Read: 10 Signs It's Time To Call For Air Conditioner Repair

Check the thermostat for accuracy and electrical terminals for any fault: If the thermostat of your AC is faulty, you could lose a lot of money in bills and all. So it checked by your AC repair professionals on a regular basis.

Check and oil the moving parts: The moving parts of any appliance stay in motion all the time and face most of the wear and tear. They need to be oiled and greased regularly to make their motion frictionless and reduce the wear and tear.

Clean the air filter regularly: A dusty air filter makes your air conditioner work harder to provide you cool air, which means it consumes more energy, which means bigger energy bills. Plus, a restricted air flow through filters for a long time can make your air conditioning unit to shut down completely. So, even if you plan to change your air filters every few months, we recommend that you clean it al least every alternate week.

Clean the aluminum fins on the unit: Fins have small gaps between them which can easily trap leaves and debris and restrict the functioning of the system. Use light pressure water hose to clean the fins regularly.

These were some very easy tips which you must include in your habits if you want to keep your air conditioner healthy and operating for a long time. If there is any issue that you think is out of your hands, call an AC repair service immediately.

Visit SameDayPros to find the best AC repair professionals in your area.

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4 Tips To Avoid Roofing Scams

If you are facing some severe roof damage and want help in hiring a reliable roof repair service, you are at the right place. Roofing problems are not the frequently occurring ones, and hence, most people have no idea how to deal with them. On an average, a person replaces his house’s roof once or twice in his lifetime, which means, a normal person has very less experience when it comes to roof repair, and even lesser when it comes to hiring a roofing repair service. Because of this, many people get scammed and robbed by fraud roof repair companies.

To save you from this scam, we have compiled some important tips to help you in hiring a reliable roof repair service.

Mandatory Downpayment:

Most of the fraud roofers ask for a down payment before they start working. They make very intelligent arguments like they need the money to buy new roofing material, or they need some spare parts to fix something. Whatever your roofers tell you, don’t believe them.

Most of the time, these frauds run away with the client’s money and never show up again. Or once you pay them, they would keep on asking you for more and more money.

They best way to avoid this to not pay even a penny to them before the job starts. If they need anything, get it yourself. And ask for a written estimate before hiring any service.

Door-To-Door Scam:

This door-to-door method is becoming very common among such scam services. Mostly, senior citizens are the main target of these fraud companies, but that doesn’t mean you are safe.

If a salesperson turns up at your doorstep with an unbelievably good deal and offers a roof inspection, the chances are that it’s a scam. Here are some tips for you to tackle such situations:
Don’t let any such salesman inspect your roof without seeing a license and identity proof.

Also Read: 6 Roof Repair Tips You Must Check

Don’t let them on the roof unattended.

Even if you are convinced that your roof needs a repair, don’t sign any deals with the salesman. Ask your insurance company to check your roof for the damage and if they say yes, only then go for a repair.

A thorough background check of the roofing company should be done before hiring them.

Roofing Drifters

These set of people have no permanent place and are always on the move. They keep track of areas hit by hailstorms and wind destruction and offer immediate assistance to the people who are facing roof damages. But, you need to beware of such frauds. Their work isn't going to last much longer and would cause additional damage to your roof.

Most of the times they offer to replace the roof at unbelievably low prices, and the homeowners get tempted with such offers. These new roofs or the repair work done lasts for just five to six years. By the time people realize that they have made a mistake, the scammers are gone to another place to fool more people.

Again, the best way to save yourself from such scams is to do a thorough background check before hiring a roofing service.

Too Good Quotes:

If a contractor gives you an estimation that seems too good and tempting to be true, don’t go for it. That estimate could be true, but that doesn’t mean you would also get a quality service. The money that the contractors lose from such estimates, they recover it by using low-quality products and service. If you hire them, your roof might start deteriorating only after few years, and you would have to hire a service again to get your roof fixed. It’s not worth it.

Always go for a mid-quotation service that has good reviews and is local.

All these tips are too common but useful to be ignored. Keep them in mind and save yourself from scams and losing money. Hire only licensed and well-established roof repair service that has good customer reviews and ratings. Visit SameDayPros to find the best and most reliable roof repair services in your area.

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8 Winter Lawn Care Tips You Must Know

As the temperature falls in winter, people often drop the lawn care and maintenance ideas too. They think that the garden doesn't need much attention because of the slow grass growth. But, that is not the whole truth. The fact is that your lawn needs, even more, care and attention during the winter. And to help you with that, we have compiled some very easy and efficient tips for winter lawn care, to make sure that you know what to do and when to do.

1. Regular Mowing:

Don't think that your garden doesn't need mowing in winter. Of course, the mowing frequency would be very less, depending upon the growth rate of the grass, but it needs to be checked and mowed.

2. Maintain Short Grass:

The best way to achieve this is to start working on it from the beginning of the fall. It shouldn't be a shock for the grass; it should be a gradual process so that the grass gets used to it. Keeping the grass short has many advantages, including that it doesn't serve as a hiding place for small organisms like rats, which can be dangerous for you and your family.

3. Don't Forget To Aerate The Soil:

Although the best time to aerate the soil is in the fall season, if you didn't know that or somehow forgot to do it in the fall, do it now. Aeration allows the oxygen, fertilizers, water, and other nutrients to reach the roots easily, keeping the plants healthy. It also helps in preparing your lawn for the spring, without much damage.

4. Raking Is Important:

If you keep putting off the idea of raking the leaves in winter, the leaves could stick to the blades of the grass, causing suffocation and depriving the grass of necessary nutrients and sunlight. So, raking is necessary for winters too. Though you don't have to do it 100% because decomposed leaves also act as manure for the grass, but you also have to keep a check on it. Mulching is another good idea as it helps in protecting the grass during winter.

 5. Use Fertilizers:

This is the most important lawn care tip for winter. You need to understand that even if the grass blades have a slower growth rate above the ground in winter, the grass roots continue to grow at a rapid rate underneath. They require proper nutrition for a healthy growth and also to maintain the grass till next spring.

Also Read: 7 Low-Budget Methods To A Beautiful Green Lawn

6. Keep The Lawn Clean:

There should not be anything, like a toy or a hose or any furniture item, on the lawn during the snowfall. Remove any item that you see in the lawn because when the snow falls, any such item can create a dead spot in the lawn, which are not at all good for the grass and have long lasting effects.

7. Keep Watering The Lawn:

Don't think that you don't have to water the grass in winter. Of course, you don't have to water with the same frequency as you do in summer or spring, but you don't have to stop completely. Watering keeps the nutrients flowing in the soil and helps in keeping the grass and other plants healthy.

8. Stay Away From The Lawn:

In winter, the grass stays wet or frosty all the time and is more prone to getting damaged. So, try to stay away from the grass as much as you can.

If you follow these lawn care tips strictly, you would never face any trouble with your lawn and your lawn would stay healthy, lush and green forever. Still, if you face any difficulty with your lawn or don't have time to maintain it, don't hesitate from calling your lawn care service.

Visit SameDayPros and find some of the best lawn care services in your area.

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How To Fix Roof Leaks?

Let me give you a clear and easy answer! To fix a roof leak, you need to know what’s causing it. The course of action after that is very obvious and easy. But leak detection is the toughest part.

Common causes of roof leaks

1. Cracked Flashing: Flashing is the substance that’s underneath the shingles and protects your roof against sunlight and moisture. Most of the roofers use tar to put the flashing in place. Tar degrades with time, and once it’s gone, the flashing stays exposed causing it to get cracks. These cracks lead to the leaks.

2. Missing shingles: Unlike flashing, shingles make the exterior of the roof and can be easily spotted. After a massive storm, you must look at your roof, and you will be able to tell if there are any missing shingles. It’s pretty easy to replace them then onwards.

3. Damaged valleys: Valleys are the areas on your roof where two planes connect. It’s obviously a slanted part which is tricky to put in place. It’s crucial to seal the valleys properly else they can cause a leak. Take a look at the seams of your roof. Do they seem wet? If yes, it’s because of damaged valleys. These can be damaged due to improper sealing (quite common in newly built properties prepared in a hurry), heavy ice or rains, or stepping on the valleys causing them damage.

4. Damaged vent boots: A vent boot is a protective cover for the area of the roof where the pipes come out. The only purpose of vent boots is to prevent leaks. Imagine if it’s damaged! It will obviously cause a roof leak. Replacing a damaged vent boot is a relatively easy way to fix roof leaks (if they’re the reason behind it).

5. Ice dams or just lots of ice on the roof: Depending on the age of the roof and the strength of the material used, your roof can withstand a particular amount of pressure of the ice. If the weight goes beyond it, there will be consequences. If you live in an area that receives heavy snowfall, invest in a roof rake so that you can remove as much ice as possible while keeping yourself safe.

Also Read: 6 Roof Repair Tips You Must Check

To understand why ice dams happen, you need to think about what happens to the snow. The heat from your house's interior causes the snow just above the roof to melt. But it is possible that before the melted water leaves the roof, it freezes again resulting in ice dams.

Such ice dams are one of the leading causes of roof leaks in winter. They exist at the most vulnerable section of the roof after the valleys and can cause significant damage. The way to prevent it is to use an ice melting chemical to melt the ice dams quickly.

6. Skylights: Some people call these a necessary evil. In some situations, they are necessary and sometimes the homeowner requests for them, but it’s better if they’re avoided altogether. Skylights can cause roof leaks if they’re improperly installed or lose their insulation (which they will over a period). If you see the water dripping just near the skylights, you know what to fix. In rare cases, it may be possible that the leak near the skylights is because of damaged flashing. Keep that in mind.

7. Clogged Gutters: Gutter cleaning is often considered an essential fall activity and it makes sense to invest in gutter cleaning as they may cause major expenditure in winter. Clogged gutters directly induce roof leaks along the sides of your roof. So, if you see the leaves popping out of the gutters, it’s not good for your roof. These also block the water from leaving your roof, making it stay and cause further damage to the roofing materials.

8. Cracked chimney: You must notice the pattern that in the case of skylights, vent boots, and chimney, it’s the wear and tear that causes all the trouble. The sealing agent withers away with time and then it lets the water into your roof. A chimney is put in place and sealed using mortar. It’s most susceptible to wear and tear due to changing weathers, and after a point of time, it will break if you don’t go for timely repair.

9. Mold issues in the attic: It may not always be the roof that’s causing you all that trouble. If there’s foul smell coming from your roof, it’s probably because of the condensation in the attic. The moisture level inside the attic grows due to the pressure of cold temperature from outside and hot from the inside, resulting in mold.  You will need to control the mold as a measure to fix the issue.

10. Damage caused to the roof by humans: Do you jump onto your roof every time a Frisbee gets stuck? You know what, your dog can easily do with a new Frisbee. What you do to get the old one back can damage your roof. The roofing material is quite fragile and comes off if someone isn’t careful. Most of the times, it’s the shingles which are also significant contributors to roof leaks around the country. But you never know what damage you do to your roof unknowingly. Moreover, it’s dangerous to venture out on your roof without safety equipment or expertise. Don’t do it.

Locating the source of roof leaks

While talking about all the possible causes of roof leaks, there’s one thing that has been hovering in my mind – the importance of locating the source of the leak. Any one of these can be the reason why your roof is leaking, or it could be more than one reasons but unless you find the cause of a leak, you shouldn’t think of any roof repair.

A careful analysis is required to locate the cause, and then you should decide the course of action to get it fixed.

I would suggest you hire a professional roof repair service to help you detect the cause of the leak and fix it. Choose the company wisely if you want to avoid unnecessary costs. Do check our tips on how to hire a good roof repair service near you. They’ll help.

What do you think about the post? Did it help you solve a roof related issue? If not, how can we help?

Article Source: How To Fix Roof Leaks?