Fix temporary or minor leaks with caulk. Caulk can be used to seal showers, bathtubs and sinks among other things around the house!
This guide from Home Depot shows how to caulk around a bathroom sink, including how to remove old caulk, how to apply caulk and how to use a caulk gun. The basic caulking tips here can be used for any project using caulk.
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A carbon monoxide detector and alarm is the only way to know if there are dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home. The small investment of money and time is absolutely worth it for your peace of mind.
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HOME MAINTENANCE TIP for this week is a how to on cleaning your bathroom exhaust fans to prevent moisture and mold. Fans in your home help clean out smells and moisture, but if they can’t do their job efficiently, you run the risk of growing mold in your home. Once a year, take the time to remove and clean your bathroom exhaust fans. This’ll keep the hardware running smoothly, and the moisture out of your home. The same rule of thumb applies to the kitchen fan, too!
We’re all about saving money and DIY-ing things around the house. However, there’s some things that we just can’t compete with the pros. Afterall, they are rightly called pros for their experience and expertise!
If you spot a single bug such as a fly, yellow jacket, or ant, there is usually no need for a professional pest control company to come to your home. But if you spot a termite, a bed bug, or any other insect that can cause damage to your family or your home, it’s time to call a professional exterminator.
There are certain things that need to be considered when deciding to DIY or hire a professional. Here are some things to consider:
Expense
o DIY – A trip to the store and the purchase of chemicals is typically less expensive than hiring a pest control company.
o Professional – Although the initial investment is more expensive with a professional, it may end up being the cheaper alternative. If the in store pesticides are not effective they may result in the growth of your pest control problem. Continuing to buy in store products can get expensive. Not to mention the potential damage to your home that pests can cause.
Convenience
o DIY – When doing it yourself, you can go to the store, purchase the pest control product, and apply it at your own convenience.
o Professional – It can be a pain to find a time that is convenient for both you and your exterminator to meet at your home for a treatment. More often than not, this is at the inconvenience of the customer. However, a good exterminator will work with the homeowner to schedule the best time for them.
Knowledge
o DIY – The instructions are on the label. Not only can information be found on the label but it is very easy to go to the internet and do a research on the particular product or insect. Be sure that all instructions are followed exactly as listed on the package.
o Professional – An experienced and knowledgeable exterminator will be able to quickly identify and treat your problem. They are also able to answer any questions that you have about prevention or other issues that you are experiencing. Their experience and expertise can keep your home and family healthier than just reading the instructions on a label.
Risk
o DIY – Chemicals of any kind can carry a risk. Applying chemicals that you are not knowledgeable about could potentially cause harm to humans, pets, or plants in the area. This is not to scare you but to remind you that we cannot stress enough the importance to read all instructions and follow all directions listed on the product label.
o Professionals – By hiring an experienced and knowledgeable pest control company, most risk is removed from the homeowner. Be sure to read all contracts and get reviews from past customers before hiring a pest control company.
Effectiveness
o DIY – For small pest problems, store bought exterminating products can oftentimes be effective. For a bigger infestation, it can be more difficult with store bought products. Pests are adaptable creatures and can get become immune to certain chemicals after a certain amount of time.
o Professionals – A reliable pest control company will have up to date information and products to treat your infestation.
Warranties
o DIY – Depending on the store and product, you can return a product. Check your local store return policies before purchasing.
o Professionals – Always ask about a company’s policies before hiring them to treat your home. Will they return to your home for no charge if your issue is not solved? Do they offer warranties on their work? A good exterminating company will.
When trying to decide if you should tackle your pest control problem, consider the list above. For a small infestation, do it yourself is a good option that can be inexpensive. For larger infestations or a continuing problem, save yourself the time, hassle, and money and call a professional exterminator. As always, the key to pest control is prevention.
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Rain is in the forecast and the blustery winds are kicking up leaves and debris. Although this may be the extent of our So Cal winter storms, these weather elements are enough to clog roof gutters and create some headaches for you homeowners.
A gutter that’s clogged, cracked, leaked, or separated from the house may seem like a minor issue at first, but all of these can lead to potentially costly problems that will be a headache for homeowners.
Here’s a step-by-step “How To” infographic to help you save your roof and will allow you peace of mind during the next storm!
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Are you like us here at CA Real Estate Group and hardly ever clean their dishwashers? ?♀️?♂️ Guilty as charged.
Here’s a super easy way to keep your dishwasher clean and running efficiently.
Clear the drain:
Remove the bottom dish rack. Inspect the dishwasher drain, removing any gunk or food caught there. This will improve drainage, increase cleaning efficiency and prevent damage to the dishwasher.
Put vinegar in dishwasher:
Start with an empty dishwasher. Place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on the upper rack of the machine. Run the dishwasher through a hot-water cycle. This will wash away grease and grime and remove musty odors, too.
Baking soda rinse:
Sprinkle one cup of baking soda across the bottom of the dishwasher. Run a short, hot water cycle. The dishwasher will be fresh-smelling and have a brightened, stain-free interior.
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Are you looking for a homemade, all-purpose DIY cleaner that acts as a glass cleaner, disinfectant, kitchen cleaner, dusting spray, degreaser and for use in just about every corner of your house? YES, PLEASE! ?♀️?♂️ Here’s a recipe we found at fabHOW.
What you’ll need:
Vinegar – 1 cup
Distilled water – 1 cup
Baking soda – 1 tablespoon
Lemon essential oil – 30 drops *optional, substitute with any scent you desire!
Lavender essential oil – 10 drops *optional, substitute with any scent you desire!
Use your homemade all-purpose cleaner as you would use your regular household cleaning spray. For illustrated step-by-step instructions and for more ideas and tips on how to use this simple cleaner, go HERE!
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In 2021, we want to be your resource for all things Family and Home. To start out, print out a free letter-sized 2021 calendar to post on your refrigerator or at your desk. We all have good days and bad, but we try to start each day with a grateful heart, thanking God for his faithfulness because He is always good and perfect. We pray that this calendar will help you throughout this year, not only reminding you of what day it is today, but to keep our eyes on God because His grace is sufficient at all times and in all things!
And while you’re at it, take a minute to follow these 10 Instagrammers that are experts in home organization! Hope you find some fun inspiration!
Again, follow @carealestategroup on Instagram and Facebook for our daily/weekly posts on all things Family & Home.
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Here are 10 Instagram accounts to follow if you want to get organized. Did your favorite organization guru make RealHomes.com’s list?
From the classics like Marie Kondo and The Home Edit to the more niche (but equally satisfying), these are the Instagrammers you should be following to accomplish the sometimes daunting task of GETTING ORGANIZED! Here’s to cleaning up clutter in 2021!
New Year’s resolution to get your home more organized? Annnd spend less time on social media? Well since you know the latter is not going to last past New Year’s day, why not instead use your social media to help you out with your other resolutions? Sounds like a plan to us, so we have rounded up our fave Instagram accounts that will provide you with that motivation to get your house in order. Sure you might never be able to fold your clothes quite as small as Marie Kondo or color code everything to the extent of The Home Edit, but these grids may at least inspire you to throw out the tins that have been there since 2006 and sort out your pantry storage…
1. @simplify_in_style
If you need to see some incredibly organized pantries, wardrobes and fridges to kickstart your New Year’s resolution, Danielle over on @simplify_in_style has you covered. You find hacks, handy buys and labels galore that are sure to leave you feeling inspired.
2. @abowlfulloflemons
Toni Hammersley has a whole book on getting your home more organized, so you know you are in good hands here. If you a challenge to motivate yourself @abowlfulloflemons will help you conquer room by room, job by job – we expecting plenty of challenges in 2021, but if you are keen to get started, go back to week one of 2020’s Home Organization Challenge and start there.
3. @thecontainerstore
We love The Container Store for all our storage needs, hence we love @thecontainerstore for all our storage inspiration! There’s inspiration for every room over there and it’s all super realistic and easy to achieve too.
4. @thatorganizedkitchen
Ah, tea bags in order of color, how satisfying. And even if you don’t have a tea obsession that warrants a whole drawer that needs organizing, you’ll find plenty of storage ideas over on @thatorganizedkitchen. There’s also just some gorgeous kitchen ideas too.
5. @thehomedit
A classic, the gals over on @thehomeedit have all the storage solutions you need for a more organized 2021. You’ll be queen of the label maker in no time…
6. @themodelhm
For easy, achievable storage ideas head over to @themodelhm. The first thing we are doing in 2021? Making our space under the sink as perfect as this!
7. @cleanmama
Another great account if you need structure and instructions rather than just inspiring pics – @cleanmama. Follow this account and you’ll be given small tasks to do each day or every few days so you don’t end up having to spend hours doing all your cleaning in one day. There are plenty of handy tips on each post too.
8. @operationorganization
Lots of beautiful (but easy) organization ideas at @operationorganization. We love how much has been squeezed out of this narrow cupboard thanks to just a few handy buys this cupboard space has been tripled.
9. @horderly
Oooh, check out this before and after from @horderly! If this isn’t motivation enough to get you sorting out even your messiest cupboards, we don’t know what is.
10. @mariekondo
And of course, we had to include @mariekondo, the original and the sole reason we have become so obsessed with trying to fold our clothes up as small as physically possible. Seriously though, there are some really great storage hacks on her grid, like this toy storage using a shoe hanger.
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Better Safe than Sorry
So what do you need to do before zombies…or hurricanes or pandemics for example, actually happen? First of all, you should have an emergency kit in your house. This includes things like water, food, and other supplies to get you through the first couple of days before you can locate a zombie-free refugee camp (or in the event of a natural disaster, it will buy you some time until you are able to make your way to an evacuation shelter or utility lines are restored). Below are a few items you should include in your kit, for a full list visit the CDC Emergency page.
Water (1 gallon per person per day)
Food (stock up on non-perishable items that you eat regularly)
Medications (this includes prescription and non-prescription meds)
Sanitation and Hygiene (household bleach, soap, towels, etc.)
Clothing and Bedding (a change of clothes for each family member and blankets)
Important documents (copies of your driver’s license, passport, and birth certificate to name a few)
First Aid supplies (although you’re a goner if a zombie bites you, you can use these supplies to treat basic cuts and lacerations that you might get during a tornado or hurricane)
Once you’ve made your emergency kit, you should sit down with your family and come up with an emergency plan. This includes where you would go and who you would call if zombies started appearing outside your door step. You can also implement this plan if there is a flood, earthquake, or other emergency.
Identify the types of emergencies that are possible in your area. Besides a zombie apocalypse, this may include floods, tornadoes, or earthquakes. If you are unsure contact your local Red Cross chapter for more information.
Pick a meeting place for your family to regroup in case zombies invade your home…or your town evacuates because of a hurricane. Pick one place right outside your home for sudden emergencies and one place outside of your neighborhood in case you are unable to return home right away.
Identify your emergency contacts. Make a list of local contacts like the police, fire department, and your local zombie response team. Also identify an out-of-state contact that you can call during an emergency to let the rest of your family know you are ok.
Plan your evacuation route. When zombies are hungry they won’t stop until they get food (i.e., brains), which means you need to get out of town fast! Plan where you would go and multiple routes you would take ahead of time so that the flesh eaters don’t have a chance! This is also helpful when natural disasters strike and you have to take shelter fast.
