Blog

Our Blog

Increasing Your Home’s Value with Plumbing Upgrades 

If you’ve decided to sell your house, you are probably wondering how you can increase its resale value. Well, don’t worry because you aren’t alone. There are a couple of things you could do to improve your home’s value, whether you’re thinking about selling it in the next several years or within a couple of months. 

Plumbing upgrades done by a professional plumber Bergen County, NJ is perhaps one of the easiest things you can do. Here are a couple of plumbing upgrades that you can use to improve your home’s value: 

Add a Garbage Disposal 

Garbage disposals are not required. However, they’re an ideal selling point for possible buyers searching for eco-friendly approaches to lower their carbon footprint. Garbage disposal lowers the foul odors in the garbage and lowers the amount of garbage being sent to a landfill. You should call a plumber right away if you already have a garbage disposal but it makes weird sounds or gets clogged. Before you list your house for sale, you should ensure that every single kitchen appliance you have should be in ideal condition. 

Install a Dishwasher 

One of the most crucial parts of a house when it comes to selling it is the kitchen. One of the major selling points for possible buyers is having a dishwasher. Buyers need a kitchen that is easy to maintain, efficient, and clean. Thus, if you don’t have a dishwasher, the first thing that would come to mind is that the sink will be filled with dirty dishes that would add to the clutter. You can keep your kitchen appear updated if you add a dishwasher. It will also improve your home’s resale value. 

Check the Drains 

Having the drains checked, replaced, or fixed is another excellent way to boost the value of your house. This form of detail helps possible buyers know that backed-up drains are not something they’ll have to worry about. It results in long-lasting pipes if the conditions of the drains are great. This will offer peace of mind to the possible buyer when it comes to future repair expenses.  

Upgrade Fixtures 

You should replace broken and old plumbing fixtures with eco-friendly and updated fixtures. Aside from improving aesthetic appeal, it will also save possible buyers from future issues. It also helps in saving water and utility usage. A couple of eco-friendly fixtures to think about include toilets, showerheads, and faucets. For example, modern toilets utilize 1.5 gallons of water every flush. On the other hand, old toilets utilize 5 gallons every flush. Your home gets more attention if you include in the listing description that you’ve got eco-friendly fixtures.  

Remove Old Water Heater 

Nowadays, most people use tankless water heater. So, if you don’t have it, make sure you replace your old water heater with it. Buyers are searching for ways to save money on their new house. Thus, it will help boost the interest of the buyer for your house and improves your home’s value if you’ve got a tankless water heater. 

Uncommon Causes of Cat Shedding 

If you are a cat lover, you probably know how scary it is to groom your cat. Cat owners know how cats feel about ruining their routines. A couple of cats would rather die than to take a bath.  

Almost every cat breeds will shed their winter coat in the summer and spring season. Though annoying, you’ve got nothing to worry about. It is normal for them. With a regular bath and brushing, you can help the process along. However, there are times where you notice that your cat’s shedding is not normal anymore.  

Almost all furry pets will shed some of their coat when the spring season arrives. Compared to indoor cats, outdoor cats will shed more. However, both of these cats drop fur.  

It does not matter what type of cat you’ve got, routine bathing and brushing will help control annoying shedding.  

There might be a bigger issue if you’ve got a cat who is constantly itching, shedding in clumps, or has stopped grooming themselves. If this is the case, make sure you search for the best “best pet grooming near me” for help. 

Oftentimes, the shedding continues no matter how well you groom your pet. If this is the case, you’ve got to see if there’s something else going on with your cat. Here are a couple of things to look out for: 

Cancer and Tumors 

Excess shedding, lumps, and discolored skin can be indications of a serious, but rare condition. Routine grooming can help find anything that is not normal. Then, you can take your cat to the vet for a checkup. 

Stress 

Every cat owner knows that cats do not like stress. Going to the vet, having another pet in your house, or adding a new routine will cause excess shedding until the stress is over.  

Hormone Imbalance 

Neutering, spaying, or giving birth can all cause the hormones of your cat to induce shedding and fluctuate. Typically, this will fix itself as time passes by.  

Poor Diet 

A cat requires enough nutrients and fat in their food to maintain healthy fur. A poor diet will lead to shedding and more cat grooming. You’ve got to ensure your cat food meets all the needs for your cat’s nutrients.  

Allergies 

Pets can have allergies as well, just like humans. This can include pollen, food, or grasses. A professional vet will have to examine for allergies. Then, they will recommend the correct environmental changes and medication for your pet.  

Pests 

When talking about pests, we mean mites, ticks, and fleas. Even if your cat stays indoors all the time, it can still end up with pests, such as fleas. You’ve got to ensure you’re providing your cats the right medication for the control of pests.  

You might want to think about expert grooming if you’re brushing your cat regularly, but the shedding is still an issue. A professional groomer sees a lot of cats and dogs every day. This means that they’ll have a better idea of what is normal and what isn’t.  

 

Plumbing Checklist When Purchasing a House 

It’s pretty obvious that you’ve got to check the house for any issues it might have when purchasing one. Usually, buyers check the property, its boundaries, and the titles. However, there might be things that appear fine but are really hiding an issue.  

One of these things is the plumbing. When it comes to selling a house, bad plumbing is one of the deal-breakers. Of course, nobody wants to purchase a house with plumbing issues.  

Because of this, you need to arm yourself with guidance and practical information when purchasing a house. With this, you might be able to find hidden issues and save yourself from the costs and hassles of hiring a licensed plumber near me to fix the problem.  

Here are a couple of things to look out for when buying a house: 

Sound 

You may also want to pay close attention to any weird noises when testing faucets. You should carefully listen for bubbling or gurgling sounds coming from the dishwasher, toilet, or sink.  

Do you hear any clanking, dripping, or whistling noise coming from the pipes? Do you hear banging or whooshing sounds from the pipes even if you aren’t using any faucets? This can be an indication of issues in the plumbing system. At this point, pipes might already be clogged or broken. 

Flow 

Unless there’s an issue, the flow of water should be smooth and steady. However, in general, it needs to flow out in a constant stream instead of trickling out of the faucet. This issue can be common in old houses with older plumbing system that hasn’t been properly maintained for many years. Over time, pipes can corrode, wear out, break, and leak. This could lead to the water intermittently flow out.  

Odor 

Almost every water treatment plant in states throughout the United States utilize chlorine to disinfect the water. To get rid of pathogens in the water, chlorine is added in controlled and safe amounts. Thus, it is safe for you to drink. It might change a bit the odor of water coming out of the faucet. A hit of bleach or chlorine is fine. However, the water shouldn’t have any offensive or strong smell. 

It is certainly a warning sign if you smell a foul odor that resembles rotten eggs. You shouldn’t neglect this. The unpleasant odor might mean a broken sewer pipe underneath the property or a damaged vent. Aside from being an expensive repair, it can also do a lot of damage to the home’s foundation.  

Color 

Water should be free from impurities. This means that it should be clear. It could only mean 2 things if the water has pieces of sediment in it or appears murky or brownish. First, there can be busted pipes. Second, the water supply from the municipal provider has problems that cause discoloration. There’s no way to repair the problem than to replace the damaged pipe if this is the cause. Pipes that are damaged can bring fresh water in your home and also carry with them dirt.  

 

Common Causes of Cold Shower 

Do you like having a cold shower? Of course, you do not want it, right? Nobody on the planet likes cold showers. There are a couple of things as frustrating and startling as stepping inside your shower and realizing the water is cold and it isn’t getting hot. Aside from being uncomfortable, it can also be an indication of a plumbing issue around your house.  

Obviously, if you’re having a problem with your shower, the best thing you can do is to call professional plumbers in Bergen County NJ for help. However, before you do that, here are a couple of things you should look out for first: 

Consider the Valve of Your Shower 

You know that the problem is specific to your shower if other faucets around your house have hot water. If this is your case, you might be dealing with a malfunctioning shower valve. For those who don’t know, the shower valve is the component of the plumbing system that combines cold water and hot water before it comes out of your showerhead. Small parts, such as the washer or O-ring can deteriorate over time. If this happens, it will cause the shower valve to stop properly working.  

Examine the Water Heater 

It is time for you to visit your water heater if the cold-water problem appears to be affecting your whole home. You’ve got to ensure that the heater’s pilot light is on. Also, make sure you set the temperature to around 120°F. This is the proper temperature for hot water. You’ve got to contact an expert plumber immediately if you notice any strange noises or leaks coming from the heater.  

Examine Other Faucets 

Also, it can be extremely useful to figure out if the cold water problem is affecting your entire home or if it’s simply limited to the shower. You should go around the house and examine every single faucet, such as sink faucet and tubs. The problem is probably just with your shower if the other faucets appear to be working fine. This means you’ve got to focus your attention on your shower after you perform this test.  

Check Hot Water Use 

Before getting worried too much, you’ve got to consider how much hot water was recently utilized in your house. There is a limited supply of hot water if you’ve got a tank water heater. This means that the hot water might have run out and it requires time to refill. You should wait a couple of minutes first and try your shower again if several members of your household recently used hot water.  

If you are tired of dealing with cold showers and you do not know what’s causing this problem, it is time for you to call a professional plumber to examine and repair your shower and water issue. A couple of homeowners might opt to perform DIY repairs. However, it is typically ideal to leave them to the experts. If you try to fix your shower yourself without the right tools, you might end up making the problem worse.  

Tips for Grooming Your Pet at Home 

The body and skin of your pet can be delicate. A couple of pets love thorough grooming and will love the massaging effect it produces. However, some pets can’t stand even the slightest pressure or pull on the body and skin with any tools. For them, it can be torture. This is particularly true if there are any health issues underlying. This usually happens if grooming isn’t regularly performed.  

 

Pets will show various indications to show you they are afraid or do not like what’s happening. This includes movements such as submission, avoidance, vocalization, biting, nipping, and a couple might simply shut down.  

Fortunately, you can change their view of the grooming if you change the way you’re doing it. If you are still searching for the best “dog groomers near me”, here are a couple of tips you can do to groom your pets at home: 

Bathing 

Make sure you condition, rinse properly and dry your pet when you bath. This is particularly vital on long-coated animals since knots will happen extremely fast if you leave the roots wet.  

Corn Flour 

You can use cornflour and rub it on a dry coat if your pet has big knots. You should do this before you bath your pet. Brush out the flour gently while holding the knot’s root. Before you apply anything wet, brush out all the knots first.  

Do Not Dry Brush 

You shouldn’t dry brush your pet. Make sure you brush after using a conditioning spray. With this, you can moisturize your pet’s hair. This will help the brush to easily glide through the fur, without pulling much on the skin. Also, this helps prevent the formation of knots and offers a glossy appearance to the fur.  

Groom Your Pet Regularly 

If regularly done, debris and knots in the coat can be eliminated easily. This means they won’t have any chance to embed it the coat. Thus, at least once a week, you should carry out grooming.  

Praise Your Pet Immediately 

If your dog or cat does what you need them to do, you have to praise them verbally immediately. Rewarding great things provide faster results compared to scolding the bad. However, you shouldn’t be scared to say no to unnecessary behavior. You shouldn’t take it personally or dwell on it.  

Use Collar and Lead 

Before you groom your pet, make sure you put them on their collar and lead. This will allow your pet to have a boundary. Make sure you tie the lead to an object so that you can still use both of your hands.  

Grooming Tools 

Make sure you’ve got the correct grooming tools for your pet.  

Stroke the Tools  

Before you start grooming, make sure you stroke your pet using the grooming tools. This will allow your pet to understand that tools only provide rewards and pleasure. Visual and verbal rewards, food rewards, or stroking are ideal as well as smiling at your pet and telling them how good they are when they allow you to use the tools on them.