SkyFive Properties Blog

Did you recently discover the beauty of solar power? Are you looking to update your lighting fixtures with solar-powered options?

Aside from LED lights, shifting to outdoor solar lighting is an excellent way of reducing energy consumption. Whether it’s for private or public use, outdoor solar lights can turn any property into a more energy-efficient one.

However, you must first learn how to install solar lights before you can maximize their benefits. Continue reading below for a simple installation guide.

1. Pick the Right Spot

A solar street light installation guide involves more intricacies and hard work. On the flip side, installing solar lights for your yard is far simpler. Nevertheless, you still need to start the right way, which is picking the perfect spots to install the lights.

The success of your outdoor solar lighting depends heavily on the spots that you will pick. Ideally, you want to identify the specific areas where full sun exposure throughout the day is present.

Solar lighting for yards comes with small solar cells. These cells are the ones that absorb sunlight and store it into the lights’ batteries. The simple equation is the more time the solar cells get under the sun, the more energy they can gather.

In turn, your lights will have more running time, especially at night. When picking the right spots, don’t fall into the trap of choosing an area where the sun shines the brightest at noon. Instead, you want to look at the surrounding elements that may affect sunlight.

These include your house walls, as well as trees. Moreover, you want to check the condition of the spot where you plan to install the lights. Check the condition of the surface and pick one that’s smooth.

2. Prep the Materials and Location

Next, you want to prepare the materials that you need. Aside from the solar lights, you will need a trust drill; some Philips drill bits, and a measuring tape.

You may also need a sturdy ladder depending on the type of solar lights you bought. Additionally, you should have a hammer and a compass ready.

Solar lights come in different forms and sizes. Check if yours came with a stake. You will have to insert the stake into the ground.

In this case, you will likely insert it either along your yard’s pathway or into the dirt in your garden.

Did you get a wall-mounted solar light or security light? Then you need to find a wall that gets the most amount of sunlight. Alternatively, you can go for solar lights that you can attach to your fences.

3. Install the Panels

If you bought solar lights that you can mount on your yard, you can skip this step. However, if you have solar lights that you need to mount against the wall, you will likely have to install a solar panel separately.

To do so, use your compass to determine the best spot to install the solar panel. The key is to install the panel directly toward the sun. Generally, the panel should face south if you’re living in the United States or Canada.

Also, check how long the cord is from the panel to the solar lights. You want the distance of the panel from the lights to meet the maximum length of the cord.

Thereafter, you can start drilling holes against the wall. Take your pencil and mark the locations where you will make the holes. Align the holes of the panel with the holes that you drilled.

Make sure to use the screws that came with the panel to ensure an excellent fit. After securing the panel, you can start running the cord. You want to run it along the eaves.

Alternatively, you can hide the cords inside the wall by tucking them underneath the roofline.

4. Install the Solar Lighting

After securing the cords, you can now install the solar lights. Drill the pilot holes against the location that you picked. Use the mounting brackets that came with the lights as your guide.

Regardless of the type of lights that you chose, be sure to read the manual carefully. Follow the instructions and familiarize yourself with the switches. Some solar lights come with a physical on and off switch.

Finally, take the solar panel cord and plug it into the fixture cord. Take note that some solar lights feature integrated lighting sensors. This means the light automatically turns on once the environment becomes dark.

Tips for Choosing the Best Outdoor Solar Lights

When searching for some of the best solar lighting systems, you need to consider some important factors before making a decision. Firstly, you need to consider the solar lighting installation cost you don’t want to go beyond your budget, especially if there are cheaper options available.

Thankfully, you can find different options online. Amazon is a good option if you’re only buying one or two. You can find solar lights that will cost you anywhere between $30 and $60 each.

However, if you want something more durable, it is best to go for a trusted brand. Also, determine the purpose of the solar lights. Do you want to install one to illuminate your walkways or driveway?

Then a path solar light is your best bet. Do you want lights that will highlight the key areas in your yard? Then what you need is a solar accent light.

If you want something that will boost your home’s security, then a task solar light is what you need. This can be a solar floodlight, a solar spotlight, or a solar security light.

Last but not least, have a professional install the lights if you’re not confident with the task. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Learn More About Energy-Efficiency

By investing in solar lighting, you can reduce your home’s energy consumption. You can also increase your home’s value and boost its security in the process. However, switching to solar lights is only one of the many ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency.

Discover other methods by reading our different articles. We discuss home improvement topics that will reduce your home’s carbon footprint and more.

Did you recently discover the beauty of solar power? Are you looking to update your lighting fixtures with solar-powered options?

Aside from LED lights, shifting to outdoor solar lighting is an excellent way of reducing energy consumption. Whether it’s for private or public use, outdoor solar lights can turn any property into a more energy-efficient one.

However, you must first learn how to install solar lights before you can maximize their benefits. Continue reading below for a simple installation guide.

1. Pick the Right Spot

A solar street light installation guide involves more intricacies and hard work. On the flip side, installing solar lights for your yard is far simpler. Nevertheless, you still need to start the right way, which is picking the perfect spots to install the lights.

The success of your outdoor solar lighting depends heavily on the spots that you will pick. Ideally, you want to identify the specific areas where full sun exposure throughout the day is present.

Solar lighting for yards comes with small solar cells. These cells are the ones that absorb sunlight and store it into the lights’ batteries. The simple equation is the more time the solar cells get under the sun, the more energy they can gather.

In turn, your lights will have more running time, especially at night. When picking the right spots, don’t fall into the trap of choosing an area where the sun shines the brightest at noon. Instead, you want to look at the surrounding elements that may affect sunlight.

These include your house walls, as well as trees. Moreover, you want to check the condition of the spot where you plan to install the lights. Check the condition of the surface and pick one that’s smooth.

2. Prep the Materials and Location

Next, you want to prepare the materials that you need. Aside from the solar lights, you will need a trust drill; some Philips drill bits, and a measuring tape.

You may also need a sturdy ladder depending on the type of solar lights you bought. Additionally, you should have a hammer and a compass ready.

Solar lights come in different forms and sizes. Check if yours came with a stake. You will have to insert the stake into the ground.

In this case, you will likely insert it either along your yard’s pathway or into the dirt in your garden.

Did you get a wall-mounted solar light or security light? Then you need to find a wall that gets the most amount of sunlight. Alternatively, you can go for solar lights that you can attach to your fences.

3. Install the Panels

If you bought solar lights that you can mount on your yard, you can skip this step. However, if you have solar lights that you need to mount against the wall, you will likely have to install a solar panel separately.

To do so, use your compass to determine the best spot to install the solar panel. The key is to install the panel directly toward the sun. Generally, the panel should face south if you’re living in the United States or Canada.

Also, check how long the cord is from the panel to the solar lights. You want the distance of the panel from the lights to meet the maximum length of the cord.

Thereafter, you can start drilling holes against the wall. Take your pencil and mark the locations where you will make the holes. Align the holes of the panel with the holes that you drilled.

Make sure to use the screws that came with the panel to ensure an excellent fit. After securing the panel, you can start running the cord. You want to run it along the eaves.

Alternatively, you can hide the cords inside the wall by tucking them underneath the roofline.

4. Install the Solar Lighting

After securing the cords, you can now install the solar lights. Drill the pilot holes against the location that you picked. Use the mounting brackets that came with the lights as your guide.

Regardless of the type of lights that you chose, be sure to read the manual carefully. Follow the instructions and familiarize yourself with the switches. Some solar lights come with a physical on and off switch.

Finally, take the solar panel cord and plug it into the fixture cord. Take note that some solar lights feature integrated lighting sensors. This means the light automatically turns on once the environment becomes dark.

Tips for Choosing the Best Outdoor Solar Lights

When searching for some of the best solar lighting systems, you need to consider some important factors before making a decision. Firstly, you need to consider the solar lighting installation cost you don’t want to go beyond your budget, especially if there are cheaper options available.

Thankfully, you can find different options online. Amazon is a good option if you’re only buying one or two. You can find solar lights that will cost you anywhere between $30 and $60 each.

However, if you want something more durable, it is best to go for a trusted brand. Also, determine the purpose of the solar lights. Do you want to install one to illuminate your walkways or driveway?

Then a path solar light is your best bet. Do you want lights that will highlight the key areas in your yard? Then what you need is a solar accent light.

If you want something that will boost your home’s security, then a task solar light is what you need. This can be a solar floodlight, a solar spotlight, or a solar security light.

Last but not least, have a professional install the lights if you’re not confident with the task. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Learn More About Energy-Efficiency

By investing in solar lighting, you can reduce your home’s energy consumption. You can also increase your home’s value and boost its security in the process. However, switching to solar lights is only one of the many ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency.

Discover other methods by reading our different articles. We discuss home improvement topics that will reduce your home’s carbon footprint and more.

Anyone who owns a home understands that this responsibility requires a significant financial commitment. There is always maintenance and upkeep to do, along with occasional repairs and replacement of parts, materials, and systems. Of course, you want to minimize these costs as much as possible and keep as much of your hard-earned money as possible. Fixing major appliances can be a burden and cause havoc with anyone’s budget. Fortunately, purchasing a warranty can keep you from having to shell out loads of cash and gives you peace of mind.

What It Is

Don’t confuse a home warranty with homeowners insurance. Insurance is a policy that helps to pay a portion of repairs to areas of your home due to disasters, mishaps, theft, and other incidents. A home warranty is a service contract where the company agrees to repair or replace certain items that break or wear out. You pay a certain amount of money each year, depending on what items you warranty.

Paying for Repairs

It’s alarming how fast the costs can pile up to fix appliances. Many items you own can be expensive to repair. These include HVAC systems, refrigerators, water heaters, dishwashers, washers and dryers, sump pumps, and water softeners. The list goes on, but these are among the commonly warrantied items that people have. Eventually, each of these will experience problems and require attention. Even calling a service technician to your home for a diagnosis can cost $100 or more. Considering many warranties cost less than that a year, you can see where the savings come into play. Your warranty will cover not only this visit but all the repairs to get your appliance up and running.

Paying to Replace the Item

If fixing an appliance isn’t expensive enough, replacing it can be overwhelming to the bank account. Getting a new central air system, for instance, can cost a few thousand dollars.. A quality fridge can be in the neighborhood of $2,000 or more. Your warranty will cover the costs of a new purchase and installation of the item; you’ll only have to pay the annual fee of the warranty.

When It Makes Sense to Purchase One

Home warranties may not be for all homeowners. If you are moving into a brand-new home, you shouldn’t have to deal with broken appliances at first. Many homes come with a one-year warranty, where any repairs or replacements aren’t your responsibility. You should consider getting a warranty when you are moving into an older home or a few years after moving into a newer one. Appliances won’t last forever. If you believe it’s only a matter of time that a certain appliance is coming to the end of its life, think about getting a warranty.

Adding On

The nice thing about a warranty program is that you can include appliances later on down the road. If you buy a new item, for instance, you can add it to the warranty even after you have already bought one. You might even be able to transfer the warranty to a new homeowner after selling the home.

Taking Away the Hassle

It can cost a lot of time to find the right service technician to diagnose and repair appliances. When you have a warranty, the warranty company will take care of getting a qualified person to your home to fix the item. You don’t have to worry about getting recommendations and referrals or sifting through the many possibilities near you.

Fixing appliances or replacing them is one of the costliest issues that homeowners face. Instead of paying thousands a year or more to do this, consider purchasing a home warranty to help cover the cost of major repairs.

It’s no secret that standard home insurance policies do not cover floods, but do you even need flood insurance in the first place?

Well if recent research is to be believed, over 8 million people in California are at risk of coastal subsidence and the flooding that goes along with it. Even if you aren’t in a high-risk zone, it is important to keep in mind that any property can experience flooding.

There are plenty of myths out there, so we’ll break down the facts about California flood insurance for you. Here are 4 things to keep in mind when you are considering flood insurance in California.

1. How Much Does California Flood Insurance Cost?

First on almost everyone’s lists is going to be the cost of flood insurance.

The cost of flood insurance varies greatly and is estimated based on a large number of factors. Some of these factors include the style of your home as well as its age.

However, the most important factor would be your home’s location. If you live in a high-risk zone, you may end up paying more.

2. Do You Need Flood Insurance?

Chances are, if you live in a high-risk zone then you may be required to purchase flood insurance.

It is important to take note that flood insurance is almost never included in standard homeowner’s insurance and therefore will need to be purchased separately. Don’t be fooled, homeowner’s insurance may include coverage for “water damage” but this is referring to burst pipes, not major flooding.

Make sure to do your research and check out FEMA’s flood maps to see if you’re located in a high-risk zone.

3. Make Sure You Know Your Policy

Before committing to flood insurance, make sure it covers what you need.

One example is the difference between direct and indirect coverage. Dir4ect coverage is pretty obvious: it covers everything that has been damaged due to a flood, specifically the water damage.

Indirect coverage casts a wider net. With indirect coverage, you will be covered in the event that the flood sparks new disasters that may further impact your property. This can include fires, damaged sewer systems, and much more.

4. Research Your Coverage Options

At this point you have realized that you need flood insurance, but where do you start?

It is important to check out your choices and see what sort of coverage options may be right for you. There are a bunch of different policies out there depending on where you live and what type of risk you have.

Do you need the best flood insurance because you live in a high-risk area? Or would you rather go with cheap insurance to save a little each month? Either way, make sure to research your options before choosing.

Don’t Get Washed Out Looking for Flood Insurance

Now you have the tools to determine whether or not you may need a California flood insurance policy for your home. Remember that preparing for the worst may cost you a little now, but the peace of mind may be worth it.

Looking for interesting reads on homeownership? Check in with our blog often for more!

Pipelines play a crucial role in our economy and down to our daily lives as well. They facilitate efficient transportation of oil, gas, and water which are very valuable resources.

As a vehicle owner, you probably visit the gas station regularly to get your tank filled, unless you are using an electric or solar-powered vehicle. Still, your vehicle will require an oil change from time to time.

Production and manufacturing industries that form the backbone of the economy also rely heavily on such products to be able to conduct their operations.

Thus the pipelines need to be taken care of and kept in good condition to allow smooth transportation. Here is where the maintenance companies come in. For more information, consider checking out rjstacey.com – Pipeline Repair Services.

What is their role?

As the name suggests they are the ones that provide maintenance services to the existing pipeline infrastructure. They do so by offering several important services. These include:

• Inspection

The companies are entrusted with overseeing inspections to ensure that everything is operating as it should and that there are no issues that can interfere with the flow of commodities being transported or pose a threat to the surrounding ecosystem.

Most companies not only perform maintenance tasks but also do the initial construction. They design and implement the whole system thus are familiar with it.

Therefore, they are well-suited to address any issues that may arise as a result of the inspection.

• Monitoring & Repairs

At times there can be leakage caused by damage to the pipeline. This has to be repaired quickly to avoid further wastage or accidents.

For example, malicious people can try to steal valuable commodities such as oil by drilling a hole through the wall of the channel. This will not only end up destroying the ecosystem but can also result in deadly explosions killing those who are nearby.

Nowadays, modern technological advancements have enabled round-the-clock monitoring of the channels hence such issues can be easily noticed and quickly taken care of before they get out of hand.

• Advice

Being experts in this line of work, they are well-placed to give advice on issues such as efficiency and safety.

For instance, it can be risky if the communities living in that area start encroaching on the land reserved for pipelines. The maintenance crew can help assess the risk and decide on a viable course of action.

What are the factors to be considered when choosing a maintenance company?

To ensure that you pick the right company there are several factors that you must take into consideration first. Here are some of them.

• Qualification

Being such a high-risk venture you must hire a competent firm that can handle the job well. The personnel should be highly trained in both catering to the pipeline and ensuring the safety of the ecosystem.

Hiring an incompetent firm can cost you millions of dollars when they fail to address important features that keep the system running.  It is also important that you consider their level of experience.

Having skills taught in schools alone is not enough. To be able to do the job well one requires both conceptual knowledge and hands-on skills that can only be acquired through years of practice. Go for those who have been operational for a long time and have a good reputation.

• Services being provided

There are specific types of services that are required depending on the nature of the goods being transported and the platform. Thus it is proper to ensure that they are in line with your needs.

If you are planning to transport through the sea then make sure that they provide underwater services. In general, a good company should be able to perform activities such as inspections, designs, installations, rehabilitations, tests, and servicing of various parts.

Monitoring forms a large part of the maintenance job. If you have an effective monitoring system in place then you can promptly identify and handle real-time issues as they arise.

The companies use gadgets fitted with sensors and other smart features that are able to detect even the slightest interruption in the normal flow and send the relevant data to the control room.

The control room should be manned at all times and there should also be a patrol crew that is on the ground. In addition, CCTV cameras make the work easier since they capture videos of those trying to interfere with the pipelines.

• Insurance

All the employees must have full insurance cover to protect them against accidents and other dangerous eventualities at the workplace.

If, for instance, they are working on a liquid gas pipeline and it explodes in the process injuring them then you won’t be held responsible for compensating them if they have insurance cover.

Also, they should be wearing the appropriate personal protective gear at all times while working. This includes coveralls, eyewear, gloves, safety boots, and helmets.

• Materials used

Make sure that the materials they use are eco-friendly and also won’t interfere with the commodity being transported.

They should also be durable and able to withstand the environment that they are subjected to.

Otherwise, you will be frequently paying for repairs that could have been easily avoided. Avoid cheap materials that are of low quality.

• Price

This varies from one company to another depending on the services they provide. Using the same company to construct and maintain the pipeline is cheaper than using different ones.

Conclusion

Pipelines provide an efficient and cheap means of transporting commodities such as gas, oil, and water. It can also be volatile hence the need for an experienced maintenance crew that can keep it running in good condition. Oil spills in water bodies caused by underwater pipelines pollute the marine ecosystem and should be prevented at all costs. With effective maintenance this can be achieved. Therefore, you should take time to analyze the company and determine if it will be up to the task. Do thorough research before you settle for a specific company.

Some property investors will love purchasing older properties. The theory is that the older the property, the more room there is to improve it. Certainly, homes that were built 30 years ago aren’t as expensive as those built today. This makes older properties seem like a very smart investment idea. In truth, they do have a lot of potential. You have more chance of getting an old home and flipping it for profit than doing the same with a new one.

However, there are risks associated with older homes as well. Thus, you shouldn’t assume they are the perfect investment. In fact, investing in the wrong old house could make you lose a lot of money. For more context, let’s look at some of the dangers that older houses pose:

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The potential to be condemned

When a house has been condemned, it means it is no longer safe to live in. If this happens, you will have to sell the house and move out of it. There are many ways a house can end up in this situation, though a large majority of condemned houses are older buildings. Why? Because the structure weakens over time, making the property unstable. You could buy an old house, and within a year it becomes structurally unstable. Now, you’re left with an investment that’s too unsafe for anyone to live in. How on earth are you going to reclaim the money now?!

So, that’s one key thing to be worried about when buying an old house. Always conduct a thorough survey and get expert opinions on structural integrity. If the house seems like it’s on the way out, don’t invest your money in it.

They require heavy investments

Secondly, most old houses require substantial investments beyond what you paid for them. Refer back to the point above, and you’ll get many homes in poor conditions. Thus, you have to pump money in to make them more presentable. The trouble is, every penny that you invest into this home needs to be reflected in the asking price. Realistically, it’s almost impossible to ‘fix’ home and not see its value increase. That’s not really the issue at hand here.

The issue is that you may not get a return on your investment. You could invest money, but the house price won’t rise by as much as you invested. So, all that money was spent for no reason. Or, the value of the property goes up, making it less attractive to others. People may look at the home for sale and raise an eyebrow at the price. They could find a newer home for the same value, so why would they buy an older one?

Investments will be required when you get an old property, and that’s a fact. The key is ensuring that the property can be improved and still earn a profit when you sell it. If this is the case, go ahead and take the risk. If it looks like the home needs too much work, it’s not worth taking a chance.

Can often be outdated

Instantly, this sounds like a rather obvious point to make. Of course, older homes will be outdated! However, we’re talking about outdated in the sense of their design. Think about it, the world was a very different place 30 or 40 years ago. Even going back 20 years, you will see significant changes. The type of property people require these days is substantially different from what it used to be like. Older properties may be designed in ways that just don’t appeal to the modern homeowner. You have Victorian homes that are absurdly large and spacious, too much so for the average family these days!

Then, factor in the way they’ve been designed with regards to electricity and plumbing. It could all be a bit messy in there, requiring lots of work to bring it up to scratch. Again, you’re back at the second point where lots of investment is required.

The bottom line is that older homes should be approached with caution. There’s some bad advice out there suggesting that old homes are the best investments. The correct advice is that they CAN be the best investment. There are never any guarantees in the property world, or else everyone would be stinking rich! Older properties do have potential, particularly if you want to flip them for a profit. Still, you have to pay attention to how old the property is, and what state it’s in. If it’s not super old and in fairly good condition, it might be worth investing in.

You may have come across the fiddle leaf plant, it’s considered one of the most popular plants of the moment. In fact, you’ll find examples of it in the background of celebrity pictures, magazines, and even Instagram feeds.

It’s enough to make you want to get a plant of your own.  Of course, before you invest you should know the basic facts about the plant and how to care for it.

Where The Fiddle Leaf Plant Comes From

These plants were initially found in the jungles of West Africa. They are known to reach 10 feet tall and enjoy a tropical climate. Interestingly, these trees grow from seeds embedded into the tops of other trees. They then grow downward, effectively starving the original tree of light.

Yet, despite this, they actually make very good house plants. The domesticated versions won’t grow as tall and they are happy to share their space.  However, you should note that even inside your home they can grow to be six feet tall. You’ll need to trim and monitor them every year to get the right shape and size.

It’s time to take a look at caring for your fiddle leaf plant.

Choosing The Right One

As with most things in life, it’s important to choose the right plant, it will make it easier to look after and for it to flourish. You can get your plants delivered from a reputable company and they’ll package them carefully to ensure they arrive in perfect condition. You should be aware their leaves can cause stomach irritation if eaten by your pets.

Sunlight Needs

These plants come from the tropics and like sunlight. You’ll need to find a position where they can receive plenty of unfiltered light. The ideal spot is by a sunny east-facing window.

As with most plants, they’ll grow toward the sunlight. If you want them to remain straight you should spin the pot every few months.

Watering Your Fiddle Leaf

The fiddle leaf plant will usually need watering twice a week. However, you should let the soil guide you. Only water when the top inch of soil is completely dry. It is worth noting that cold water can shock any plant, it’s always best to water them with lukewarm water.

Your pot must have a drainage hole at the bottom, this allows excess water out of the pot and you can empty the saucer, ensuring the only water for the plant is the moisture in the soil.

Temperature

You should note that this plant comes from the tropics. That means it prefers a temperature between 65-75°F. They also like it to be humid. You can help with this by spraying the leaves and keeping other plants near them.

It’s also important to ensure the plant doesn’t have a draft hitting it, they really don’t like that!

Pruning

You’ll need to report your plant if you want it to grow taller. Do this every time the roots start to poke out the bottom of the pot.

You should also prune the leaves regularly. This encourages healthy growth. In addition to this, you’ll need to prune the plant annually to ensure it doesn’t get too tall for your home.

Photo by Sarah Sosiak on Unsplash

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Property owners should always keep one eye on the value of their property. Whether you intend to sell now or later, you need the value to go up. You’ll discover plenty of ways to do this, but focusing on bathrooms is a smart tactic.

When people buy a house, they mainly focus on two rooms. Firstly, they want to see how many bedrooms a house has. Then, they look at how many bathrooms it contains. Not only that, but the quality of the bathrooms plays a vital role. People are willing to pay extra for a house with a modern and spacious bathroom!

With all of this in mind, how should you focus on bathrooms to add value to your home? As you can imagine, a few ideas instantly spring to mind…

Add an en-suite extension

Home extensions are already excellent at boosting the value of a property. Furthermore, making your extension an en-suite bathroom will do wonders. Instantly, you’ve added another bathroom to a home. Now, the master bedroom has an en-suite, transforming the home’s convenience. It lets the people living in the house have two bathrooms to choose from, rather than one. This will save a lot of stress during the morning rush, particularly if it’s a family with kids.

Remember, people always pay extra for added convenience. Plus, en-suite bathrooms have a luxury element to them. They’re a unique selling point that stands out and grabs attention. This can draw more buyers to your property, generating more interest. Of course, the more interested parties there are, the more the value will go up. All of this can happen with the simple addition of an en-suite extension!

Low-maintenance bathrooms

The next idea is to focus on bathrooms requiring low maintenance. It’s no secret that the bathroom is notoriously hard to clean. Why? Because of all the water and moisture present. Plus, bathrooms typically have tiled floors and walls. As such, dirt and mold can form in the grouting, which is near-impossible to remove.

Consider the tasks required to maintain the average bathroom. You need to dry down surfaces every day, prevent dust, and so on. Not only that, but you need more extensive cleaning periodically. It’s way more effort than a living room or bedroom needs. So, if you can make your bathrooms easier to maintain, it can instantly boost the property value.

The trick is moving away from traditional bathroom tiles. You can find many alternative flooring options that can be swept clean in seconds. Similarly, you should find no-grout options for the walls. They do exist, and you get a wonderful mix of style, minus the maintenance. If you want, they even do some designs that mimic tiles without actually having the grout between them. When people see a bathroom like this, they will be eager to pay more for your home. Once again, we go back to the idea of convenience. You are making their life easier – it is easier to look after the property. Therefore, they will be willing to pay more!

Make sure there is a shower

This seems like an obvious addition to a bathroom. However, you’ll be surprised at how many homes don’t contain a shower. Generally speaking, most people will prefer a shower in the bathroom to a tub. If you have to pick between the two, always opt for a shower. There are a couple of reasons why showers come out on top. Yes, you’ve guessed it, convenience is one of the reasons! Showers make life easier for everyone. Imagine having to take a bath before work every morning? It’s simply not practical in modern times. Showers exist for a reason – they were developed as an easier way to wash. Most modern families will want one, so your property value goes up if you have one.

Secondly, showers are more accessible to the general population. Especially if you consider doorless walk-in shower ideas where you can walk straight in and shower. Bathtubs present risks for the elderly, disabled individuals, and so on. So, with showers in your bathrooms, you instantly appeal to a wider market.

In all honesty, this is where having numerous bathrooms is so advantageous. If you can add more than one bathroom to your home, you can have a shower in one and a tub in the other. With the tub, you can also add a shower to it, maximizing convenience. It gives people more options, so your home is more desirable.

As you can now see, bathrooms play an integral role in determining property value. If you’re developing a property and want to make it as valuable as possible, focus on the bathrooms!

If you move to a new home and there is a bathroom that is a little less than desirable, then naturally, it will be one of the first rooms you want to renovate. Bathrooms can feel like a lot of work, but they shouldn’t be something leaving you feeling daunted. There are some tips and tricks to help you to plan the remodel of a bathroom. After all, it is one of the rooms in the house that can be used functionally, as well as for relaxing. That is why designing it right will help it to serve the multiple purposes that it has.

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Start by assessing your bathroom needs

In order to know the best way to renovate, you need to think about what needs this bathroom needs to fulfill. Will it be just for you? Just for the kids? For the whole family? When you know who will use it, you can think about how best to use the space. A double sink and large shower may not be needed if it is just for you, but double sinks and a large bathtub would be perfect for a family.

Speak to professionals

When you are planning out your design, you need to speak to someone in the know to see if your plans are feasible. When it comes to bathrooms, talking to professionals like Ritz Plumbing could be a good idea. This is because a plumber will know what is and isn’t possible, especially when it comes to the positioning and placement of your bathroom installations.

Don’t forget about ventilation

The bathroom is a room in the home that can fill up with a lot of steam and humidity. You can’t forget about this when planning a bathroom remodel. If you have plenty of windows in the bathroom, then that is half of the job taken care of. However, if you don’t have many windows, then making proper plans to have the right kind of ventilation will make a difference to the bathroom and prevent a build-up of mildew and mold.

Remember storage

The bathroom isn’t a room in the home that needs a lot of storage. However, it still needs some, and when planning, it can be easily forgotten about. When you have space to put everything away that you need to, such as shampoo bottles and towels, it will leave the room looking spotless and less cluttered. So don’t forget about how much storage you want as you plan the kind of sinks or cupboards that you will have in the bathroom.

Good lighting

The bathroom is a space to get clean and get ready, as well as a space to rest and relax. So you should get the lighting right so that it is truly fit for purpose. One of the things to think about is the kind of lights that you have, but where they are placed. One single light won’t be enough in a bathroom, which is why several lights in the ceiling is a good idea. You could also consider a light-up mirror and side wall lights too.

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All aspects of your home should be properly maintained at all times. It keeps your property in a nice state, making your life more comfortable. Also, if you sell your home, the more maintained it is, the easier it’ll be to sell. While all rooms deserve attention, the kitchen requires extra work. It’s a tough place to keep in order, but you can start by turning your attention to the floor.

Choosing the right kitchen floor is essential if you want maintenance to be easy. Realistically, you want one that’s very easy for you to clean. Here are some of the best options:

Laminate

Laminate flooring is a good choice if you want to mimic the appearance of a hardwood floor. The lamination on the surface means that you don’t have to worry about liquids soaking into planks of wood. Therefore, it’s also extremely easy for you to clean. Most debris can just be swept or vacuumed from the floor’s surface. For spills, you should be able to wipe them up and dry the area in no time. It’s hard to stain laminate flooring, which is why so many people use it in the kitchen.

Epoxy

Epoxy is a unique flooring option that works really well in rooms like the kitchen. Indeed, you often see it in industrial kitchens or restaurants! Why? Because epoxy flooring applications give you a hard floor that is so incredibly easy to clean. Not only that, but it’s resistant to so many chemicals. This is perfect in a kitchen where you may have plenty of cleaning chemicals lying around. All it takes is one wrong move to accidentally get some bleach on the floor. With epoxy, you don’t have to worry about any wayward chemicals harming the flooring. Again, it’s easy to maintain and clean this floor. Simply vacuum or sweep the debris, and spillages are easy to mop up.

Tiles

Kitchen tiles are a classic, and they work well in many homes. The benefit of tiles is that you add some extra class to proceedings. Also, they tend to come in many different varieties and patterns. A third benefit is that you can match the tiles with the wall tiles very easily. From a maintenance perspective, kitchen tiles don’t require much work. Especially if you get ones without grout between them. Then, you won’t worry about liquids soaking into the surface. Still, grouted tiles are very easy to clean, just make sure you mop up any liquids before they get into the grout.

There are a couple of flooring options that you may want to avoid at all costs. Natural stone flooring may look cool, but it’s hard to maintain. The material can be porous, meaning spills can soak in and stain. However, carpet is the absolute worst option of all. It is a pain to clean, full stop. Debris gets caught and trapped in the fibers, fluids stain it easily – there’s genuinely no advantage to having carpet in the kitchen. It may have uses in other rooms, but the kitchen isn’t one of them.