3 Simple Space Saving Techniques

Living in an apartment or house with limited space is a problem that most of us will experience at some point. If you want to use your space most efficiently here are some simple solutions for you.

Embrace shelving

One of the best pieces of advice I ever got in regards to making the most of my space was to “look up”. There is often a lot of wasted space in a room right above your head. Professional kitchens have been using hanging storage space as a solution for years and more people are building skyward. In the kitchen you can hang pots and pans from suspended racks but don’t waste that space in other areas either. Get tall shelves and build shelves on the walls to drastically increase your storage space. Put shelving over your bed. Most people just have blank space surrounding their beds for some reason but it’s a shame. This is harder in children’s rooms where sturdy bunk beds are common but not impossible. If the toddler bunk bed frame doesn’t fit the wall perfectly and leaves an otherwise useless couple feet, install shelving all the way to the ceiling and make that space work for you.

Look for furniture that is storage space

There are lots of tables that also have a storage shelf directly below the table top. Some of them even have glass table tops so you can use what you store there as an extra design element. In the kitchen, I have lined this shelf with cook books of similar colors depending on the season or my motif and people always love the idea. Instead of a coffee table try to find a flat topped chest or trunk so you have a lot of extra space to store unused bedding and pillows or other items you don’t need constant access to.

Relive your childhood
I mentioned youth bunk beds briefly earlier but they aren’t just for kids either. They make a great addition to your own bedroom and make the need for a guest room or pull out coach pretty much obsolete. Bunk beds come in more classy and adult styles nowadays as well so you can stay chic while having late night gossip sessions.

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The 411 on Transfer Switches

After weeks of going back and forth, you finally purchased your own generator. Good decision – But now what? Before setting up your machine, you should look into transfer switches. A transfer switch is a device designed to cut the connection to your home from the utility power line and switch the circuits to the generator. There are many reasons to purchase a transfer switch as well as a flurry of options to choose from.

Why do you need a transfer switch? The top reason is because it is required by law. Because this device severs the link between the electricity transformer and your home, it dramatically decreases the chance of backfeeding. Backfeeding is a negative phenomenon that sometimes occurs when using a generator. With your home receiving power from another source, electricity is sent back up the power line. This can be very dangerous not only for you, but for the utility workers who are trying to fix the outage. During backfeeding, you run a great risk of both fire and electrocution.

The other benefit of having a transfer switch installed for your generator is that you do not have to set up the machine each time you need it. This is especially important during blackouts that occur at night or in very cold places. It would be awful to get sick because you were stuck outside in below freezing temperatures for ten or fifteen minutes. After the initial preparations and procedures outline in the instruction manual, having a transfer switch makes kicking your generator on is easy as pushing a button.

There are two main types of switches available: manual and automatic. Installing a manual transfer switch makes it necessary for you to switch from utility power to your generator by hand and back again once the power is restored. These devices are typically cheaper than automatic ones and easier to put in. Automatic switches allow you to relax during a blackout because they transfer to the generator on their own as soon as a drop in utility power is detected. While they may be more expensive, they make up for the high cost by being much more convenient.

It is important to keep in mind that all transfer switches are not created equal. Because their presence is required by law, their manufacturing is monitored by the federal government. You should not buy any devices that lack the proper approval label. This could mean that the switch does not meet mandatory guidelines, which could increase the risks related to generators as well as make your fail the necessary inspection by the city.

Choosing among the dozens of transfer switches available does not have to be a difficult decision. Simply decide your budget and level of convenience you desire. Then find a device that fits your needs. Depending on your experience and knowledge of electrical wiring, you need to hire a professional to install it for you. After everything is done, you can relax knowing your life will never be interrupted by another blackout.

Do Basement Waterproofing Before The Big Storms Hit

Insurance companies are reporting surges in recent years in lower level water damage claims. These claims are often due to basement flooding, and the sad fact is, many people find out after the fact that the damage is not covered. The reason is that many water damage claims from external flooding are disallowed because the homeowner did not carry the proper flood insurance policy. Though having the right insurance is important, basement waterproofing before the storm hits can prevent this nightmare scenario from ever occurring in the first place.

What is Basement Waterproofing?

Basement waterproofing is the process by which the lower level of a home is refurbished in a way that prevents external moisture from coming into the basement. Depending on the condition of your lower level, this could be a multi-step process. It begins with removing all moisture and its effects from the lower level. This may include some kind of mold and mildew removal if warranted.

Once the basement is completely dried out, then the basement sealing process begins. Basement sealing usually refers to sealing up any cracks in the walls, floors and ceilings where moisture may be coming into your basement. Once complete, there will be very little chance of moisture coming into your lower level under normal weather conditions.

One thing to keep in mind about basement sealing, it should be done at the first sign of cracks in the walls and floors. The reason is that even though a tiny crack may seem like no big deal, these cracks can grow in a hurry and, if left for too long, will not only allow a lot of moisture into your lower level, but it will make the basement sealing process twice as difficult and twice as costly. However, if you get to these cracks early, you can stay on top of the situation before it gets out of hand.

After the moisture removal and basement sealing processes are complete, there’s one more thing to make sure of-that you are properly prepared for adverse weather conditions like heavy rain and flooding. This means having a reliable sump pump. There are a few things you can do in this area. They cost a few hundred extra bucks, but they can be very worthwhile. First, have a backup sump pump. This will insure that if your first one fails, they’ll be another one that will kick in and kick the water back out of your basement.

Second, have your backup sump pump run on a battery. In the case of a power outage due to a bad storm, a backup battery will keep your sump pump working and your basement dry. Third, make sure that the sump pump hose runs far enough outside that the water will not easily come back into your basement.

Once all these basement waterproofing measures are taken, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing you’ve done all you can to secure your lower level from moisture. This will allow you to make use of that extra space downstairs for some fun things like a game room or entertainment center, without the worry of moisture ruining all the fun.