Thursday, July 2, 2020

ngepress.com

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• Still watching? Suggestions For An Uninterrupted Movie Night
• Why The Sewer Line Needs To Be Inspected Before Buying A House
• 3 Simple Ways To Improve Your Bedroom
• 6 Factors To Consider For A Home Addition
• Equipment You Probably Shouldn’t Repair Yourself

Still watching? Suggestions For An Uninterrupted Movie Night Posted: 01 Jun 2020 03:44 AM PDT Picture this: it’s the weekend. You have the whole evening to yourself—or maybe you’ve invited some friends. There’s a new award-winning picture added on Netflix, one you’ve been wanting to see months ago but didn’t have the time. As you settle on the couch, place your feet on the center table, and dip your hand in the popcorn bucket, something doesn’t go your way. When you watch a movie, you need to focus on following the story. When you’re distracted, it takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds to regain your concentration. So distractions on your movie night a big no-no. Luckily, there are things you can do to avoid this problem. Wait for the food delivery There’s nothing worse than being all comfortable on the couch or in bed in the middle of the movie, then the doorbell rings. Now, you’ll have to peel yourself out of the cushion and take your food. You can wait for all the food to arrive before hitting the play button. On average, food deliveries can take 38 minutes to arrive. Therefore, calling up to order 30 to 40 minutes before your movie night schedule is ideal to avoid any delays. Secure a backup energy supply Wouldn’t it be so frustrating when you’re in the climax of the movie and the power suddenly goes off? It’s even worse when you’re watching an action-suspense film and you’re at the edge of your seat. Some apartment complexes have back up power generators for the entire building. However, home batteries need to be installed in houses. The good thing about having this choice, though, is that the source can be renewable. Whether it is wind or solar, the power source of your home will be eco-friendly. Not only will you enjoy an uninterrupted power supply, but you will also be more sustainable. Turn off social media notifications Notifications can be addicting. That’s how mobile apps keep you hooked to your phone. Every 12 minutes, Americans feel the need to check their phones. Additionally, separation anxiety from one’s phone is real—with 31% of Americans feeling this way. That is why watching a movie can be a good distraction from your phone, especially if you’re trying to beat smartphone addiction. Sometimes people don’t notice how much of a distraction notifications can be. While watching a movie, treat it like you’re in a movie theatre. Put your phone to “Do Not Disturb”‘ or on airplane mode, so you wouldn’t be tempted to check your phone. Doing this will eliminate distractions as well as help you lower your screen time for a few hours. A movie night is a great way to unwind and entertain yourself. Nowadays, movies can be more than just spectacle and entertainment. They’re mind-boggling, challenging the audience to dig deep and analyze the elements of the story. They’re a critique of society, forcing the viewer to be critical of what they’re watching. The benefits of watching movies go far more than relaxation. As videos require an active audience, you should eliminate all the distractions surrounding you and immerse yourself in a different world. The post Still watching? Suggestions For An Uninterrupted Movie Night appeared first on Nge Press.

Why The Sewer Line Needs To Be Inspected Before Buying A House Posted: 01 Jun 2020 03:44 AM PDT The sewer line is a crucial part of every home, yet often overlooked, especially in the process of home-buying. Only a few first-time homebuyers consider checking them before making the purchase, despite knowing that home inspections are beneficial, and in some areas, required. If the house you’re buying is over 20 years old, then it’s even more important to have its sewer lines inspected. Damages in the sewer line typically occur from tree roots that have begun to wrap themselves around the pipes over the years. That said, let’s go over all the reasons to inspect a sewer line, how to spot signs of damage, and inspection tips. Reasons to Inspect Your Prospect Home’s Sewer Line The House is Old The tree roots that may have already taken over the pipes may have grease and debris that can cause a backup. A backup is when a sewer line is clogged, causing all the plumbing fixtures in the house to also have clogged drains. The House May Still be Using a Cesspool Houses built prior to the installation of city sewers often relied on cesspools. A cesspool is an excavated pit or artificial reservoir that holds liquids. It’s also considered a dry well or an underground tank for storing rainwater. You may confuse it with a septic tank, but a cesspool doesn’t have an outlet that drains water into a soakaway, which a septic tank has. Some cesspools were left intact and just inserted with pipes to connect them to the city sewers. By inspecting the sewer line, you’d know whether the old house you’re considering to buy uses a cesspool. The Pipes May be Made of Tar Paper If you’re buying an even older home built in the 1950s or earlier, there might be a chance that it uses Orangeburg pipes or tar paper, which disintegrates over time. This type of pipe needs to be replaced immediately. Signs of a Damaged Sewer Line If you’ve already moved into the old house you bought without inspecting its sewer line, you can look for signs of damage through your plumbing fixtures. A sewer line clog is most obvious in a toilet, but any low-lying fixture may also exhibit its signs. When you always hear a gurgling sound each time you flush your toilet, or that it doesn’t flush properly, that’s most likely a sewer line clog. Your tub and shower will also show obvious signs; when wastewater collects in those areas, that means no other thing but a sewer backup. You can confirm it by running the sink closest to the toilet and bath. If it emits a gurgling sound or is also clogged, then it’s certainly a case of a sewer backup. You can also try testing your washing machine; if the water draining from it causes your toilet to overflow or your tub’s drain to backup, then it’s definitely time to call your city’s sewer line repair expert. How to Inspect a Sewer Line It’s best to rely on a professional when inspecting your sewer line. They will simply insert a snake with a video camera attached to it to the sewer lines, and you can watch from a monitor. The footage will reveal the cause of damage, as well as the overall condition of the pipes. If the problem seems to originate from your city sewer, ask your neighbors if they’re having the same plumbing issues as you. If they do, the city utility workers have to fix the problem, but note that they can’t inspect your home’s sewer lines; you have to rely on another professional for that. Hiring professionals to inspect your sewer lines can be costly, but it’s money well spent, as you’d of course rather live in a home where dirty water won’t go up from your trusty drains. The post Why The Sewer Line Needs To Be Inspected Before Buying A House appeared first on Nge Press.

3 Simple Ways To Improve Your Bedroom Posted: 01 Jun 2020 03:43 AM PDT The bedroom is one of the most private parts of the home. It's our refuge from the chaos and noise of everyday life, and it's where we bare ourselves after a long day at work. You lie down and relax. Maybe there's a television, and you fall asleep to the late-night news. When designing a bedroom, the space must be comfortable, cool, and calming. Many homeowners spend lots of time and resources when renovating kitchens and living rooms, but they rarely devote the same energy to their bedrooms. Maybe they would swap a few pieces out or consider door replacement, but that's probably it. But we spend a considerable chunk of our lives in the bedroom, so we should give it the attention it deserves. Choose a calming color Save the bold, energetic colors for the living room. When deciding on a new color palette for your bedroom, choose one or two complementary hues that are easy on the eyes. Green, blue, and lavender hues help promote serenity and calmness. If you want something cozy and warm, go for brown, maroon, or topaz. Alternatively, you can choose a softer version of your favorite color. If you love violet, paint the walls mauve. Don't forget to paint the ceiling as well. When we lie down on our bed, we spend a lot of time staring at the ceiling. Choose a slightly toned-down version of the wall paint for contrast. Keep furniture to a minimum It's easy to overload a space with new furniture when redecorating. But too many pieces in your bedroom can make it feel cramped and disorganized. Your goal is to design a bedroom that looks comfortable and elegant. Make sure there's ample space around the bed for movement. Place only the essentials: your bed, bedside tables, a chair, and a dresser. Do not place anything that reminds you of work, like a study table. Keep accessories and ornaments to a minimum as well. The bedroom is a private space, so you don't need to fill it with paintings and plants. Choose one appropriately-sized artwork, a few family photos, and maybe your favorite scented candles. Invest in high-quality linens We spend a third of our day in bed if we're lucky. If you want to maximize your comfort, use high-quality bedding. Cool sheets made of 100 percent cotton or silk improve your sleep quality and ensure that your sleep won't be cut short by heat or scratchy fabric. If you have room in the budget, look for Egyptian cotton linens. You can complement your new linens with a luxurious cashmere blanket and silk pillowcases. If you're worried about maintenance, you can just have them sent to the dry cleaner for proper washing and pressing. These pointers will help you transform your bedroom into a haven of calm and quiet. If you want to create the perfect bedroom, then you need to keep gadgets out, and that includes a television. Leave your phone and laptop in your study or living room and only use your bedroom for rest. The post 3 Simple Ways To Improve Your Bedroom appeared first on Nge Press.

6 Factors To Consider For A Home Addition Posted: 01 Jun 2020 03:36 AM PDT Just like any other major home renovation, a lot of thought should be put into a home extension project. Not only does this type of construction require a hefty investment; many factors also come into play: Contractor First, you have to find a trustworthy general contractor in your area that has both the experience and expertise in home additions. When looking for contractors to consider for your project, take a look at their past projects to see if their quality of work is up to your standards. It is also a good idea to get recommendations from any people you know that have had a major renovation done on their home recently, particularly a home extension. When you find potential contractors, ask for quotations from each so that you can compare prices and adjust your budget accordingly. Consider at least three contractors to expand your options. Budget The next most important thing to consider before doing a home addition is your budget. How much money are you willing to put into the project? Which aspects of the construction do you want to lower costs and which ones do you want to splurge on? Remember that you can only start with the design when you have a set budget in mind, so consider this factor first before drafting any designs. Design After you choose a contractor and finalize your budget, it’s time to start working on the design of your home extension. Visualize your desired layout, textures, colors, and everything in between. Moreover, work closely with your architect and contractor as you design your home addition. They will be able to help keep the design in line with the target budget as well as the spacial constraints of your property. Building regulations Check with your local building department and see if your home addition plan satisfies building regulations. Before doing so, make sure you know your property lines and location of utilities. If your plan meets building regulations, you can now apply for a building permit. Renovation inconveniences A major renovation like a home extension is sure to cause inconveniences to your household and your neighbors. You may need to move out of the house and live somewhere else while the construction is ongoing. Moreover, it’s also important to inform your neighbors of your plan to have construction done on your property, preferably more than a month in advance so they can prepare. Finishing Think about the finishing touches as well. Is your contractor going to do the finishing as well or do you want someone else to do it? What furniture and appliances do you need for the extension? Consider the decorations and other design elements you want to incorporate as well. If you’re stumped on ideas, look for inspiration online. Adding an extension to your home is one of the best investments you can make if you do it right. But before you dive into the decision, consider these factors to make sure you, your finances, and your household are ready. The post 6 Factors To Consider For A Home Addition appeared first on Nge Press.

Equipment You Probably Shouldn’t Repair Yourself Posted: 01 Jun 2020 03:27 AM PDT There are a lot of things you can do yourself, even if you're not generally a handyman. Today, hardware stores provide most things you need for a DIY project or repair. With the Internet full of handy guides, it's easy to opt to go the independent route when something goes awry in the home. However, there are still certain repairs that you should steer clear of doing yourself, especially if the damage is extensive and your skillset is not that adept quite yet. Here are some things you should leave to the professionals: Complex Appliances Whether it's your washing machine, heater, or air conditioning unit, repairs can get technical very quickly. Servicers often note the dangers of touching an appliance and ending up screwing up some of its core components, making the issue worse than it started. Plus, doing this yourself not only puts you at electrical risk but also possibly voids your warranty, exposes you to harmful refrigerants, and costs you a lot of time when you may not even be targeting the right problem. Plumbing When issues with plumbing startup, it's often more complicated than it seems. If you have a leak, a severe clog, or damaged pipes, it usually involves taking lots of things apart and messing with walling, floors, or even your ceiling. The real risk of doing it yourself here is making a flood in your home and ruining the foundation of your house, making it much costlier than a repair service would have been. Electrical Wiring If your electrical system is acting up, you should call a professional immediately because the hazards that come with this are too many for comfort and all of them possibly fatal. According to the Health and Safety Authority, everyday issues that come with handling electrical wiring and components include shock and burns from making contact with live wires, causing faults that can lead to an explosion, fires due to adverse environmental factors, and electrocution. Roofing Going on the roof is dangerous enough in itself, but trying to repair your roof can end up putting other people in your home at risk if not done correctly. Not only will an expert tell what needs to be done right away, but you'll also be assured that there will not be any additional structural damage or underlying problems left unchecked. Drywall Replacement Sure, some repairs for drywalls are relatively doable, but if you have to replace it entirely or things like rot, it's time to seek out experts. Rotting is a health hazard. But if you end up butchering your walls, it's also more time and money down the drain with the risk of exposing harmful dust and silica you have to deal with. There is guaranteed satisfaction in fixing something yourself, and at a glance, it seems like the cheaper option. However, many things can go wrong that will either make the damage worse, cost you more money, and even put you in danger. Sometimes, it's about finding the right repair service and making sure to maintain those things better in the future. The post Equipment You Probably Shouldn't Repair Yourself appeared first on Nge Press.

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