Kitchen knives are utensils that fulfill several functions, although the most common are cutting and chopping. It is a vital instrument in the kitchen, for which its use is almost indispensable. These damascus chef knife offer the possibility of being used both in meats of different origin, as well as in breads and vegetables.

At the moment, there are various quantities of knife models, with their particular materials, designs and colors. Its ergonomics and sharpness are the most common characteristics in this type of tool, in which the quality will be based, in large part, on these properties. Many can be purchased in collection sets, accompanied by other kitchen items.

How is a kitchen knife used?

While it won’t be necessary to be a great professional cook, using a knife in the kitchen could cause some physical damage if you don’t have some basic knowledge. To use it correctly, we must work on a suitable surface, either through a wooden or plastic board. In any case, it is best to avoid making it very hard, as it could dull the knife.

It is recommended to hold the knife by the handle and keep your index finger on the outside. Before learning to cut, you can try chopping some vegetables such as onions or tomatoes, slowly and deliberately. Once you’re done doing this, avoid picking up the cut food with the sharp part of the knife.

What types of kitchen knife are there?

Currently, there are many kitchen knives of various types, some of which have specific uses. The most useful and popular tools found on the market are the following:

Chefs’ knives: These are kitchen knives for multipurpose professionals, which allow you to cut all kinds of meat, vegetables and breads. Its leaf shape is very characteristic, since it has a flat base, a rounded tip and a length between 12 and 20 centimeters.

Paring knives: These types of knives usually have a blade of about 9 – 10 centimeters, with a very sharp point, which are used to cut and peel different varieties of vegetables and fruits.

Fillet knives: Fillet knives are usually instruments with long, thin and flexible blades, indicated for cutting fillets and fish cleanly. These utensils are found on the market as ham holders or steak holders.

How to clean a kitchen knife?

Cleaning a kitchen knife requires a lot of care and attention. It is recommended to clean the knife with short jets of water after each use. The best way to clean them is with warm water and a little soap. After rinsing the knife, it is important that we make sure that it air-dries. Knives cannot be left wet for a long time, as it would damage their properties, the edge being the most at risk.

Purchase Criteria

Many times we have doubts when making a purchase. That is why you should assess a series of aspects about kitchen knives in order to make a correct choice. Next, we will offer you some tips and recommendations that you will have to take into account in order to choose the instrument that best suits your needs.

• Ergonomics
• Weight
• handle type
• Use
• Ergonomics

As you use your knives when cooking, you may notice some fatigue. To prevent these problems from spreading and generating muscle trauma in your hands, you should take this criterion into account at the time of purchase.

If your hand feels comfortable after a while, it means that the knife meets this requirement. You will be able to check this if you hold your knife for a few minutes. When we talk about professional knives or the use that we will give them will be very prolonged or frequent, it is essential that the knife does not generate difficulty to take it.

Weight

Your knife will have to have an adequate weight so that its use is as comfortable as possible as example see japanese damascus chef knives. Being able to handle this tool will be key, so you should find a balance between the handle and the blade of the knife. Thanks to the appropriate weight that it has, you will be able to move it from one place to another without problems.

The ideal, in these cases, is for the knife to maintain its weight between 200 and 300 grams, since the less heavy it is, the easier it will be to move it. Therefore, the tasks you perform in the kitchen will have better results. At the beginning, it is advisable to use it gently.

 

 

Many think spring to be the allergy season, but apart from spreading allergies, there’s one more problem that could cost you several thousand dollars. Did you know that damage caused by termites could lead to an expense of around six to nine thousand dollars if caught early?

Everybody owns the most expensive things in their homes that they take special care of, and you must be smart enough to get termites extracted before they cause damage to your belongings.

The spring season is popular for termites, and hence new and old homeowners need to be cautious and alert. Termites are tough to spot, and before you call on your pest control Schertz professional, here are a few steps you can take.

• Make sure there’s no cardboard around

Are you someone who has just moved into your new abode? Or are you someone who has to send off several deliveries in a day? If yes, you must have cardboard around. Get rid of all cardboard as soon as you can, as termites prefer chewing on them. Instead of storing things in cardboard, use plastic bins.

• Keep a tab on all the wooden items around your house

Take out time from your busy schedule and check all the exposed wooden items and furniture around your house. To check them, you have to press your fingers against the furniture and if you find the wood to crumble, this means they have already been attacked by termites. Spotting termites early will save you from critical damage that your insurance won’t cover.

• Make sure all things are clean both indoor and outdoor

One of the biggest issues made by homeowners is to leave dust particles and debris close to their homes, as these are the main food items for termites. If there are too many dead trees around your home, get them cut off. Declutter the entire area as termites not just feed on wood but also love cellulose from magazines, newspapers, and books.

• Eliminate moisture and dampness

Take a minute look around your house to spot leaky pipes and air conditioner leaks. Once there is a leak and water or moisture is coming in, this can dampen the wood around. Damp wood is the best place that invites termites. Repair the broken roof tiles that give way to moisture, and make sure there is proper ventilation to reduce levels of moisture and humidity.

• Get your home inspected annually

When you don’t have any specific preventative measures in your home, you are welcoming the problems. One of the most common ways of spotting termite infestation early is by getting your home inspected annually by a pest control expert. Watch out for a termite warranty so that you can cover any damage and repairs in the near future.

Regardless of whether you are a new or an old homeowner, you should take all the above-listed steps to keep a safe distance from termites and protect your valuable assets.

The windows you choose for your home are intended not only to decorate it. They must maintain a comfortable temperature in rooms, protect the house from moisture, dust, noise and unpleasant odors.

In addition, window systems also protect your home from breaking and entering.

Read in our material which windows can be considered the safest.

What Type of Window Is Most Secure?

Today the market offers a wide range of different types of window structures: awning, single or double hung, single or double slider, bay or bow, shaped, basement etc.

Among all this variety, casement windows are considered the most reliable.

The advantages of casement windows:

1. Breaking protection

These windows are much harder to crack. They have a very strong seal and a very good lock, so the only way to get in is to break the glass.

The minimal thickness of glass is 3/4 inches. Breaking glass like this will be difficult enough and usually creates a lot of noise, so the intruders often don’t spend their time on it.

1. General security

This type of window system was designed in such a way that it was not possible to open it from the outside. So the level of security is much higher than that of other models.

1. Reliability

This model is equipped with a hermetically sealed frame, which prevents the penetration of moisture and unpleasant odors. Because there are no gaps in the frame, it provides an appropriate level of protection for your home.

And also, these window frames are good for keeping the heat inside the room, so you can save on electricity.

1. Long  service life

Windows made of vinyl are not deformable and do not rot, so your dwelling will have an attractive appearance and remain protected for a long time.

1. A wide choice of modern designs

This allows customers to choose the one that will decorate the interior of their house and guarantees that their lives remain private.

You can buy quality casement windows in the Canadian online store Vinyl Light Windows & Doors. This brand has been focused on the comfort and safety of many Canadians for over 13 years.

By contacting Vinyl Light, you can expect that they will do everything that is important for your comfort and security.

If you have an old refrigerator at home and adore cool beer, here is an interesting DIY for you. Today, you will learn how to make a kegerator with your own hands and always have a cool draft beer at home. All you need is a couple of tools, an old fridge, and a kegerator kit that comes with everything you need for this makeover.

What to Prepare Before Work Starts?

You don’t have to be a jack-of-all-trades to master the following instructions, but it’s better to start by reworking the refrigerator that you don’t mind ruining and throwing away if something goes wrong. And take care of your fingers. There will be many sharp corners and dangerous moments.

A set of components will help you with this project:

• handle for fouquet
• beer tap
• shank
• washers and hex nuts
• beer and air line
• keg connector
• CO2 regulator
• aluminum beer tank (optional)

And, of course, you will need one or more kegs of your favorite draft beer. The scheme that you will see now can be used to chill homemade draft wine. In the case of wine, you don’t need a CO2 bottle, which makes all the difference.

DIY: Turning Your Refrigerator into Beer-Dispensing

Determine the area of ​​the door or side of the refrigerator that you can drill. Search the Internet for a detailed diagram of your refrigerator to find out where the electrical coils are located. You cannot drill a hole in these places.

Consider the location of the freezer when choosing the location for the hole. It is important that the handle does not interfere with the free opening of the chamber.

Make a hole. Don’t rush to drill the doors. Sometimes, this is where the wires go. Drilling the side of the fridge is often more practical and safer.

Connect the kegerator kit. Insert the shank into the prepared hole. Fix it with the hex head screw. When everything is ready, attach the tap.

The next step is connecting to the beer line and connecting the CO2 bottle. After attaching the regulator, tighten it with a hex wrench and make sure that the regulator is in the off position. Only then can the keg be rolled out, the pressure adjusted, and the CO2 allowed to flow into the keg.

That’s all! Serve cold beer to your friends and enjoy it yourself.

 

Great gardeners are oftentimes asked what their secrets are in growing thriving plants. However, they usually reply that there is actually no real secret and that having a beautiful garden is no magic as well. Accordingly, the key is being able to follow the basic guidelines in growing plants.

Some plants are easy to grow and some are not. It is therefore safe to start with easy to grow and maintain plants so you can be guaranteed of a successful project. It comes as a pleasant surprise to some people that Morning Glory is one of these plants.

Morning Glories are plants with trumpet-like flowers that usually open in the mornings and close in the afternoon. They have heart-shaped leaves with slender stems that come in different varieties and in colors of purple-blue, sometimes in pink and the darker version of magenta and white. Here are some steps and information to start your Morning Glory planting:

Be Ready for the Morning Glory

Quite the opposite with the hard-to-plant idea, the colorful and lovely Morning Glories can grow quite aggressively once you start growing them. You better have a space for them as they usually run wild and may cover trellises and fences of your garden rapidly.

What You Need

Morning Glory is easily bought in seed packs from your local garden store. You can also ask for some seed pods from a friend as many garden lovers share these kinds of things. Choose quality seeds for best germination. You must also have garden soil, organic compost or vermicompost, and planting pots.

When You Should Plant

After you scratch or soak the seeds you can start to plant the seeds directly in the garden after the frost weather. But if you are starting with indoor planting, start after 4 to 6 weeks after the frost.

Where You Should Plant

If you are picking a site in your garden, it is best that you pick one where the Morning Glory will get full sunlight. As we already talked about in the beginning, they can immediately self-seed if the location is convenient and they have the area to grow.

If you want your garden to pop-up with splendid blue blooms, plant Morning Glory vines near a fence or pergola where they can be a great display of trumpet-like flowers good for pictures and areas for celebrations and events.

Start Your Gardening

Many start planting Morning Glories in pots where they can control the heat for the young plant. Place the seeds just on the surface of the mixed soil and compost with 2 to 3 inches spaces between them and place a layer of soil and pat lightly to make sure they are in place.

The best temperature for the plant to germinate is 77-95°F (25 to 35°C). Then water the plants well during the whole time of germination making sure that there is a drainage hole in the pot so you can hydrate it but still keep it moist.

The Germination Phases

Wait for 7 days and you will see that your seeds will start to be visible above the surface of the soil. Then after 8 to 9 days, the first leaves called cotyledons will appear. After 12 days the leaves will continue to grow higher in height. And on the 25^th day a burst of 3 to 4 leaves will be visible. Now, they are ready to be replanted.

Re-Planting Your Morning Glory

If you are going to replant your Morning Glories, take note that the 50% common garden soil that you will use should be mixed with 30% organic compost and 20% coco peat or coco coir. The coco peat or coco coir will keep the plant moisturized for a longer period of time especially when the sun is scorching hot.

Carefully take out some Morning Glories with the help of a trowel tool making sure that the roots are intact then place the space left with additional soil. Dig 4 to 6 inch-deep holes in the potting mix and place the plants you want re-planted.

Cover the plant with soil and pat gently then water. Then wait again for the process of germination. And when the plant has already reached 10 to 12 inches tall, place a stake or trellis so that the Glory Morning vines can climb there.

You can start with a trellis made up of 3 to 4 sticks of 4 feet put together with thread. The good thing about this is you can just add sticks as the plants are starting to climb. All you have to do now is to occasionally water the plants and wait for the charming flowers to bloom.

Conclusion

Morning Glory is beautiful, yes it truly is. But it also has its flaws. Though this may be said to come from the family of sweet potato vines, it is not that edible. This is due to the indole alkaloids found in some variants that can be poisonous to children and dogs when ingested. It is therefore best to make sure that they are placed in a safe location.

Make some research first before purchasing your seeds. Choose safe Morning Glory variants to make sure that you can enjoy its blooms without worries.

 

When you’re ready to sell your house, you should put it up on sale. It takes time to find the perfect buyer. However, you might also worry that it’s not an easy process. Given the number of properties for sale, finding the right buyer could take time. Before you lose hope, you should realise that selling a house isn’t as difficult as you think.

There are plenty of potential buyers

While there are many houses for sale, there are also many potential buyers. Some of them are actively finding, while others are waiting to receive a recommendation. You won’t find the perfect match right away, but it will come. You have to be patient. Whether it’s a couple eager to start a new life or someone who recently relocated in your area, there will always be an interested buyer.

You have to work on your marketing skills

Just because there are properties that look better than yours doesn’t mean people will choose them. It’s a matter of highlighting the best features. You can use your marketing skills to convince these buyers that you have the best offering. If you have a walk-in closet, you should highlight it when advertising. Some people are specific with what they want. If some buyers want to have a walk-in closet, they will forget all other features. They will close the deal right away.

Be patient in answering questions

Some people are willing to buy and are financially capable of doing it. They want to take time before making up their minds. They will also bombard you with questions. It might be annoying, but you should be patient. You will eventually win them over. However, if you’re impatient and dismissive, you will lose potential buyers.

Prepare your documents

When you decide to sell your house, you should prepare the documents. It helps to transfer the ownership to the buyer once you closed the deal. You don’t want to put the other party at an inconvenience. You can also walk away from the transaction as soon as you legally transferred the property ownership.

Consult with a real estate agent

Just because you decided to sell your property doesn’t mean you have to do everything on your own. You can work with a real estate agent like the experts at Beresfords. You need these people to guide you in the process. They’ve been in the industry for a long time, and they can connect you with hundreds of potential buyers. They will also tell you how you can convince more people to buy. It’s better to have an agent than to start the process from scratch. You will also receive advice related to the legal aspects of the transaction. It will be a smooth and easy ride.

Given these reasons, you shouldn’t hesitate to sell your house. Once you receive the amount as a result of the deal, your effort will pay off. You can invest in another property that you might want to sell at a higher price later.

Installing thermal insulation in your home is one of the best ways to reduce energy consumption and save money on your power bill year round.

Thermal insulation products are made from materials such as glasswool or polyester which are effective at slowing down the flow of heat. That means on a hot day, insulation will help keep your home cooler and during winter insulation will keep your home feeling warmer.

With better temperature regulation, you’ll find that you don’t need to turn the heater or air conditioner on as often. And when you do, having insulation will mean your heater and air conditioner don’t have to work as hard and won’t consume as much energy. That means greater savings on your power bill!

Check out the awesome ideas below for ways to reduce energy consumption and save money with insulation.

Top up the insulation in your roof

The roof is where the greatest heat loss and gain occurs in a home. More than any other area of your house, ensuring your roof is insulated will make the biggest difference to indoor temperatures and energy usage.

Roof insulation is usually installed during construction and renovation phases when the ceiling cavity is exposed. However, if your home has safe and convenient access to the roof, you can install insulation at any time.

Check out the existing insulation in your roof. It may be possible to install new insulation over the old insulation if it’s in fair condition. If you notice any damages to the old insulation, any moisture or mould issues or rodent infestations, you should clear out the old insulation first and then install the new.

Make the most of renovations

The best time to install insulation in your walls is during the renovation phase when wall cavities are exposed. If you are planning a major renovation, make sure you think about upgrading your insulation as you won’t get another chance once the walls have been plastered!

Insulation batts are the most effective way to insulate your home. They are typically made from glasswool (fibreglass) or polyester and come pre-cut to fit between the timber joists of most Australian homes. Insulation batts are easy to handle and can be installed as a DIY project or by a professional. If you’re planning a DIY installation, make sure you read up on the best practices to ensure a safe and effective result.

While you’re at it, consider choosing acoustic insulation for your walls. Acoustic insulation batts will still provide you with the thermal benefits, but they’ll also prevent the transfer of noise so you can keep your home quiet and peaceful. Acoustic insulation is great for between floors of multi-storey homes too.

Upgrade to a higher R-Value

The best way to get more out of your insulation is to choose a higher R-Value. This number indicates the effectiveness of an insulation product. Or in other words, how much insulating power it has. The higher the R-Value, the better the product is at slowing down heat flow and the more potential savings you’ll make.

Experts recommend installing at least R4.0 in the ceiling for warmer climates like Perth and Brisbane and at least R5.0 if you live in a cooler climate like Melbourne, Sydney or Adelaide. By choosing to upgrade to R6.0, your home will be even better at regulating temperatures. And when you switch the air con on, it’ll cool your home faster and more efficiently. That means less money spent on your power bill.

Insulate your hot water system

Already ticked off the home insulation and looking for other ways to make your house more energy efficient? Try insulating your hot water system tank and pipes!

Modern hot water storage tanks are usually made with in built insulation, but adding extra insulation in the form of a jacket can help minimise heat loss. If your water stays warmer, you won’t be wasting energy on continually heating it up.

Your hot water system pipes transport water from the storage tank to the taps inside your home. During the transportation, heat can be lost out of the walls of the pipes. Pipe lagging is special insulation for pipes.

When you install pipe lagging around your hot water pipes, less heat will be lost, making your hot water system more energy efficient and ensuring you get lovely hot water when you need it. It’ll also protect the system so that it lasts longer – another way hot water system insulation will help you save!

Draught-proof your home

Anywhere that air can get into your home, heat can escape or creep in too. You’ll notice that if you leave a door open on a hot day, your house will heat up much faster. In addition to installing insulation in your walls, ceiling and floors, you should draught proof your house to seal up any unwanted gaps around your home.

Start by checking around windows and doors and any piping that goes from the inside to the outside of your home. Sealing gaps is fairly easy and can be done as a quick DIY project by using an inexpensive sealant to fill in any gaps.

Consider using door socks / door stoppers at the base of your doors to prevent heat loss and gain through the gap under your doors. When you turn your air conditioner on in one room, shut the doors and place a door stopper to make your cooling more energy efficient.

How much will I save with insulation?

According to the Australian Government’s website Your Home, installing insulation in your ceiling could cut your power bill by 30% and installing insulation in your walls could cut your bill by as much as 25%! Draught sealing may reduce your home’s energy consumption by 10-20%.

What’s more, the payback period of insulation can be as quick as a couple of years. You’ll feel the temperature difference immediately and you’ll be saving on your power bill in no time.

 

Dining tables are almost always the heart of a home where people come together and connect with one other. But if your table is looking a little worse for wear, you might not feel so great about inviting people to share a meal at it.

Whether you’ve got an extendable timber dining table, an antique heirloom or a bargain you grabbed second hand, refinishing your table can transform the way it looks. And the good news is, it’s not too tricky to do. Follow the steps below to refinish your table top and fall in love with it again!

Decisions to make before you start

What type of table do you have?

Identifying what your table is made from and whether or not it has been stained can help you decide the best way to finish it.

• Solid wood – solid wood tables will have growth rings and a grain which wraps naturally around the sides and edges of the table. Solid wood is the easiest to refinish. If the wood is stained, beware that underneath a different colour may emerge.
• Composite or faux wood – manufactured wood will not have the growth rings. Sometimes there may be a veneer on top which is a thin layer of real wood on top of the composite or particleboard. Veneers are much harder to refinish than solid wood as the layer is so thin.
• Laminate – much like the veneer tables, laminate tables have a thin layer on top. However, instead of being made from wood, the laminate layer is made from plastics. These types of tables are not appropriate for refinishing.

What type of finish do you need?

A finish is the layer you put on the wood furniture to protect the surface of the wood. Without the proper finish, or if the finish is damaged, your wood may expand out of shape when exposed to too much moisture or shrink and crack if it dries out.

There are many different finishes available. They can fall into two categories:

• Penetrating finishes – this type of finish will soak into the wood, leaving a more natural look and protecting the wood from the inside. Examples include linseed oil, Danish oils and tung oil.
• Surface finishes – these stay on the surface of the wood and are often more durable, but they don’t look as natural. Examples include shellac and varnish.

What safety precautions should you take?

You should do steps 2 to 4 in a well ventilated area such as outside, in a carport or garage with the doors open. It is also recommended to wear a dust mask, safety glasses and gloves.

Step 1. Gather your tools and equipment

For a simple table, the equipment needed for refinishing is not expensive and should be easy to find in any major hardware store. You will need:

For general cleaning purposes:

• General cleaning spray
• Cleaning cloth
• Clean rags

If you are using a stripper:

• Stripper (preferably environmentally friendly)
• Paint scraper

For sanding the table:

• 3 x sandpaper at different coarseness (e.g. 60 grit, 100 grit and 150 grit)
• A sanding block or mechanical sander

For finishing:

• Stain (optional)
• Primer and paint (optional)
• Varnish or finishing oil
• Brush or cloth for application

Step 2. Clean the surface

It’s important to thoroughly clean the surface of the table, including the legs, to ensure dirt and grime won’t get trapped when you refinish it. Use a general purpose cleaning spray and a damp, clean cloth. You may need to go over it a few times.

Step 3. Strip and sand the surface

You now have to decide how you are going to remove the existing finish, and how deep you want to go. Your two options are essentially: sanding or applying a stripper and then sanding.

Using a stripper

Using a paint brush, apply the stripper across the table according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It will usually be quite a thick application. Then cover the table in plastic wrap and leave for 24-36 hours.

By this time, the varnish will have separated from the wood and you can use a paint scraper to remove the finish. If parts of the varnish still remain, you may need to repeat the process. Once all the varnish has been removed, sand the table down until it is smooth.

Sanding

Sanding can be done by hand (sandpaper around a sanding block) or using an electrical sander. For both methods, start with a fairly coarse sandpaper across the entire table. Then repeat the process with a finer sandpaper until the surface is smooth to touch. Use clean rags to clean the dust off the surface. You can also wipe the surface with mineral turps to remove any fine dust that remains.

Step 4. Apply the appropriate finish

Follow the steps below for the type of finish you are applying.

Stain

Stains should be applied with a brush or clean rag evenly in the same direction as the grain of wood. Any excess should be wiped off. If you want a darker result, leave the stain longer before wiping off. You can apply more layers until you achieve the look you want. After staining, you will need to apply a protective finish as well.

Varnish

Apply varnish with a brush in the same direction as the grain. Smooth out any lumps as you go and then let the varnish dry completely. Once dry, apply a second coat.

Paint

If you want to paint the table, make sure you apply a primer coat first and wait until it dries before applying your coloured paint to the surface. When the paint is dry, you will need to apply a varnish as well to protect the table’s surface.

Oil

Apply oil to the clean surface with a brush or clean rag. Follow the grain of the wood and aim for a consistent and smooth finish. You may need to use quite a lot of oil. Keep going until the wood stops absorbing it and use some force to rub it in. The oil will enhance the natural colour of the wood as well as protecting it from moisture.

Step 5. Fall in love with your table again

Now that you have transformed the look of your table, you can make the most of it! No more annoying scratches, stickiness or flakey bits of varnish. You’ve got a table you’ll be proud to have at the heart of your home.

 

Wherever you live, you hardly get too much storage in your home. Modern day homes are generally created keeping the day by day smaller getting families where majority of family members spend much of their time outside their house, i.e. home, school, and office etc. Hence, it is obvious that sometimes, you may feel limited on home space and sometimes, you have too much stuff to deal with. Surplus of massive closets and strategically built storage cabinetry is a wonder that one always thinks of having in his home. But if do not have any such privilege, you can rely on plenty of other creative ideas to store all your essentials. You have to just bust out one time to wrangle the situation and your home will no more remain overwhelmed with clutter. Let me throw some light on some simple storage ideas and easy project designs for organizing and streamlining the messiest trouble areas in your home.

Organize from closet to cabinet

You can create the closet inside the cabinets to keep the your things organized and. Make some space to pull the things out that will help you to choose the desired stuff then and there and will not spread the things anywhere in the room.

Hidden staircase drawer

Your stairs outside home can turn into hidden drawers to keep the shoes and mats. This amazing idea will save you from the clutters around the main door of your home. Hidden drawers can also be created in the staircases installed inside the home to keep your home items safe and let them do not occupy much space. Elfa storage system is worth providing you the best quality modern and artificial staircase drawer and store-cases.

Storing musical items on wall

You should be a bit tricky to store your musical items. You can wall-mount them and they will enhance the beauty of your home walls. So, instead of using floor stands that are pricey and can leave your instruments accessible to the kids and hurt your pets, it is always better to hang on the walls and make space in your home.

Garage pallet organization hack

If you have a garden at your home, you must have a number of long-handle tools to manage it well. A pallet organization hack is best to store the gardening shovel, a couple of screws and a drill. Always remember that gardening and electrical tools if not stored properly, can harm people roaming around at home, especially the kids. So, it is better store them properly and in the garage to the best.

Spinning storage unit

For kids, sharing the same bedroom, can be given spinning storage units to store their things. This idea is best for dorm-dwelling school and college students when they have an ample study and gaming related materials to keep safe and uncluttered. These storage units may comprise a full-length mirror, small shelves, cupboards with bins, and magnetic board for hanging photos. Spinning feature makes it turn-able and easy to handle to the kids.

Customized truck bed drawers

Customized storage drawers can also be installed in your truck beds for efficiently organizing tools supported by the rubber bed lining that safeguards the drawers and tools from rains and other outdoor elements.

Refurnishing old cabinets

You can modify the two second-hand kitchen cabinets into one tall and trendy kitchen and bathroom cabinet. It would definitely be a new stellar storage piece of design at your home and for a perfect design, there is nothing better than Elfa storage solutions.

Magazine storage

You can easily have a stack of saved magazines in a drawer. You just need a bunch of hanging folders and a drawer to set them up for hanging. Cut a bit off the bottom of each folder, drape your magazine over the rod and hang it in the drawer. You can easily read the spines to find out which magazine you want to take out to read.

Use color-blocked pegboards

Use pegboards to store and organize a range of household products, kitchen tools, garage tools, and more. It is also useful to store the miscellaneous items like scissors, tape, crafting supplies etc. Generally, these things are typically found in the junk drawer, but when hung in full view or the pegboard, they are much easier to find and use.

 

Bats, rats, raccoons, mice, and other animals are uninvited guests who can find their way to your roof and make it a home; while others like birds and squirrels, may find their way into your attic and pitch their tent there. These critters can cause damage to your roof: moreover, animal rustling and scratching at midnight can be disturbing. And nobody wants that.

Now, the question is, how does this website suggest you manage them to prevent damages to your roof? There are several ways you can keep your home free from animal infestation. And below are 6 of the commonest ways you can protect your roof from critters.

6 ways you can keep critters away from your house

Inspect your attic and carry out regular roof checks

Your attic can be the perfect hiding place for animals as they always search for a warm place to breed their kind. When you don’t inspect your attic regularly, you may arrive late to the party. One rat can give birth to a dozen more, a raccoon can turn into two tomorrow, and birds can weave their nests and make a family. And before you realize what is happening, you’re battling an animal infestation.

To avoid this, fix the damages on your roof as soon as you can. Because openings in your roof can be the passageway for critters to become your free-living tenant.

Likewise, regular roof maintenance is essential to extend the lifespan of your roof as well as to keep critters away. Inspecting your roof often can help you figure out roof problems and stop critters from taking advantage of it.

As often as you can, check roof areas that are vulnerable like the chimneys, vents, and gutters. Your roof sheathing, roof soffit intersections, or weak spots and holes in the roof, can be entry points for critters. As long as you practice good roof maintenance, you will discover these entry points before critters find them. Then, get a professional roofer to fix the holes and spaces that you can’t fix yourself.

Clear your gutters

Roof gutters are designed to collect water and give a direction to rainwater. But your gutters can be a home to some critters especially birds as it is a comfortable place for them to set up their nests. Moreover, if that gutter is full of debris, then you’ve issued a certificate of living to the birds and other critters.

And when this happens, they can easily find their way into your home. If you practice good roof maintenance you would discover that your gutter needs to be cleared. So, clean your gutters as often as you can to avoid clitters taking over.

Treat and trim trees around your home

Except for the critters that fly, trees can be the perfect ladder for these animals to climb to your roof. And you make the work easier for them if you allow tree branches to drop directly on your roof.

Therefore, I advise you to trim your long tree branches. And although this may not entirely keep the critters away, it surely makes their journey difficult.

Keep your trash at a distance

Raccoons and rats can sniff off food from miles away, and your trash probably contains reachable food. Consequently, it draws them to your home. And though your trash may not be near your roof, the critters may decide to explore your house (roof) after visiting the trash.

Therefore, you should keep your trash covered always and as far from your house as you can. Sealed containers work better as waste bins.

Fix damaged shingles

Harsh weather can bend, remove or weaken your roof shingles. When this happens, they become an easy entry point for animals. Critters can then follow that route to gain entry into your attic. To prevent this, inspect your roof regularly, especially after a heavy storm.

If your roof is always affected by bad weather conditions, you should consider switching to metal shingles. Contact your roofer for more details.

Go for metal roofing

Roofs can last for many years, as it depends on the material used. Although they are quite expensive, metal roofs are extremely durable and last longer than other roofing materials. Aside from that, harsh weather conditions do not affect them, unlike the other roofing materials. This makes it easier for you to prevent access posts of critters, as they cannot lose or pry off metal shingles. So, do use a metal roof if you can afford it.

Finally, if you don’t take care of your roof, critters will help mess it up for you. And since animals can now infest us, humans, with deadly viruses, trust me, the last thing you would want in your home is animal infestation. Follow the above steps and you won’t have any critters’ issues.