6 essential tips for water heater maintenance
Key tips to remember
- Know what type of water heater you have, and keep the area around it accessible.
- Set the temperature at 120 degrees F to keep energy costs down.
- Flush the water tank and test the temperature pressure relief valve annually.
- The anode rod should be checked and replaced about every three years.
- Insulating the water heater and pipes can save you money on your energy bill.
Service Provider: A Star Plumbing
Fast facts:
- Company: A Star Plumbing Service pros: Xavier and Darlene Vasquez
- Speciality: Plumbing
- Area served: New Jersey
- Favorite tool: Channellock pliers
Mildew or mold? How to know for sure.
Key tips to remember
- Mildew and mold are both fungi, but mildew grows on the surface of a given material.
- Mildew is relatively easy to remove with a good scrub brush and household cleaner.
- Organize the garage or shed to keep essential tools handy.
- Mold can cause respiratory problems, so best to let experts do mold remediation work.
Survey: COVID-19’s impact on Americans’ sustainability habits
Key takeaways:
- 38.5% of people said following sustainability habits is more important since the onset of COVID-19.
- 53.5% of people said they’re likely to think less of someone who doesn’t practice sustainable living.
- 1 in 5 people said the pandemic has made it more difficult to live sustainably.
- Buying products locally was the top sustainable practice people said they want to implement in 2021.
Survey: Exploring perceptions of homebuying in 2021
Key takeaways:
- 49% of respondents plan on buying a new home in 2021.
- 58% of potential homebuyers expect the housing market to crash in 2021.
- Austin, Texas, is the most coveted moving destination.
Survey: How well do Americans anticipate the costs of homeownership?
Key takeaways:
- Over a third of Americans said they underestimated the costs associated with homeownership.
- 44.9% of homeowners said that home maintenance costs proved to be higher than they expected.
- 1 in 2 homeowners have had to put a home improvement project or new appliance on a credit card.
Survey: People weigh in on their best home-related purchases during COVID-19
Key takeaways:
- 52% of people reported spending more on home-related purchases during 2020 than the year prior.
- Air fryers were the top appliance people reported buying during the pandemic.
- Improving home comfort was the top reason people reported for making home-related purchases.
- 27.1% of people said they went over budget on home-related purchases during COVID-19.
Survey: A look at savings for home repairs during COVID-19
Key takeaways:
- More than 1 in 10 people didn’t have emergency savings.
- On average, emergency savings decreased by 36% since COVID-19.
- 1 in 3 people couldn’t afford a home repair during COVID-19.
- 61% of people would need to go into debt to afford a serious home repair.
It's National Home Warranty Day!
Key tips to remember
- Home Warranty Day reminds us to protect important home systems that make our lives comfortable.
- Homeowners insurance covers things that might happen while a home warranty covers things that will happen.
- Home warranty plans usually fall into two categories: appliances and built-in systems.
- With 40 years in business, Cinch has a large network of over 18,000 service professionals.
- Cinch offers a unique 180-day workmanship guarantee on all repairs.
Vacuum cleaners 101: Can you create your own?
Key tips to remember
- Creating your own vacuum cleaner is a great rainy-day activity, especially if you have kids.
- Vacuum cleaners work best when they’re maintained and their components kept free from debris.
- Professional vacuum service is a great option when your vacuum cleaner isn’t working effectively.
Service Provider: Boon Heating and Cooling
Fast facts:
- Company: Boone Heating and Cooling
- Service pro: Mike Jasionowski
- Specialty: Heating and Cooling
- Area served: Central Indiana
- Favorite tool: Conversation
Are smart appliances the smart choice?
Key tips to remember
- Energy-efficient features can cut your electric bill, but they come with a hefty initial price tag.
- Remote operation adds convenience, but also poses security risks.
- Smart appliances make maintenance easy, but they often require more of it.
- We can all agree that a robot vacuum is a no-brainer.
3 ways to make your virtual tour better than ever
Key tips to remember
- The coronavirus pandemic increased the popularity of virtual home tours.
- Potential buyers get immediate access and viewing convenience, and buyers and sellers can stay safer.
- Differentiating your virtual tours can help them stand out.
- Providing a more modern virtual tour will yield results that should prove it’s well worth the investment.
Showerheads 101: Your ultimate guide
Key tips to remember
- Rain showerheads add luxury to any bathroom, but have the best effect when ceiling-mounted.
- Handheld and variable-spray showerheads offer more options to keep everyone in the home happy.
- Consider a water-filtering showerhead if you live in an area with hard water.
- Don’t forget to consider things like the new fixture’s location, size and water flow rate.
10 tips to keep your smart appliances secure
Key tips to remember
- Register all smart appliances and devices with the manufacturer to keep software up to date.
- Take your passwords seriously.
- Enable two-factor authentication.
- Make sure your network router is secure, and set up a second network for your smart devices.
- Factory-reset any smart device to clear all your data before you get rid of it.
New year, new homeowner: Your new-homeowner checklist
Key tips to remember
- If you live in a cold climate, take precautions to keep your pipes from freezing.
- Stay on top of yardwork — jumping into action as soon as temps begin to rise will pay dividends.
- Don’t skip preventive maintenance, including your fireplace and chimney cleanings.
- Know where your shut-off valves are located for emergency purposes.
- If a task is above your head, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals.
New year, new home! Your 2021 home checklist
Key tips to remember
- Review your home insurance coverage annually to make sure it still meets your needs.
- Try not to skip regular preventive maintenance visits for your home’s major systems.
- Sometimes, a simple change can make a big impact.
- Review any warranty or service contracts, and test less-frequently used appliances.
- Keep an eye out for water damage and erosion throughout the year.
Guide to common oven repairs
Key tips to remember
- Oven repairs are typically easy to fix yourself, thanks to parts designed for easy assembly.
- An electric oven that won’t heat up is usually due to a faulty heating element.
- When a gas oven keeps clicking, you probably need to clean or replace the igniter.
- If food is taking too long to cook, check the temperature sensor.
6 long-lasting impacts from the pandemic
Key tips to remember
- Technology is more important than ever in real estate.
- Location priorities change when working remotely.
- Sometimes, a simple change can make a big impact.
- Homeownership aspirations are even stronger.
- Indoor-outdoor living is more valuable as people work from home more.
Service Provider: Commode Commander
Fast facts:
- Company: Commode Commander
- Service pro: Mike Casanova
- Specialty: Plumbing
- Area served: South Florida
- Favorite tool: Pipe wrench