December 1st, 2008 — Handy Man, Install, Kitchen, Sink, filtration unit
No matter where you live, there is a chance that you may be dealing with some contaminants in your water. Many of us have trace amounts of lead in our drinking water and this can be harmful to your health over time. It is a good idea to have your drinking water checked for any contaminants, especially if you live in a rural area and use your own well.
One of the easiest solutions to getting clean water is to install a filter at the tap level. However, this can get pretty old since you can’t run hot water through it and the filters can be expensive over time. If you want an easier solution, there is a type of permanent water filter that can be installed under your sink or even at the source of your water, to filter everything that goes through the faucet.
Whole house filters are an excellent investment and you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you are bathing and drinking in clean water. However, if this is out of your price range, a simple filter that is installed under your sink can be a great alternative. Your number one priority is making sure that your drinking water is clean, so let’s look at how to install one of these filters under your sink.
Most of today’s newer filters may include a special faucet, but these can be pretty complicated to install. It is easier to pick a filter that will just use your existing fixtures. First, you’re going to need to turn off the water supply to your sink. If you don’t have a shut off valve there, you may need to turn off the water supply to your home instead. This can usually be found near your water pump.
Once the water supply is turned off, get under your sink (removing anything that may be under there) and locate the saddle valve. This is a small valve that should be located under the shut off valve. Open this up and get your filtration unit ready. It is a good idea to follow the unique instructions that come with your filter, but this is a general guideline for most filter installation procedures.
Attach the filter in between the saddle valve and the main valve. Make sure that it is located on the cold water valve since you don’t want to run hot water through the unit. Once the unit is in place, close off the valve again and install the carbon filter. These units typically have a much longer lifespan than the smaller faucet based filters, so even though you are using a carbon filter, you won’t have to change it as often.
Make sure that all of your connections are tight and turn the water supply back on. Depending on the unit, you’ll want to run at least two gallons of cold water through your tap before it is safe to drink. This is due to the little bits of carbon that can come through when it is brand new.
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November 29th, 2008 — Handy Man, House Value
Homeowners typically want to protect all that they own and this usually means purchasing an insurance policy for their home and valuables. However, this will not provide any assistance if something just stops working or if something in the home is damaged as a result of typical use.
In this vein, more homeowners are now seeking out home warranty policies. These policies protect a variety of items within the home such as appliances, wear and tear and even the replacement of key home systems. Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits that these home warranty policies can provide.
1. Increase of Overall Value of the Home.
According to the National Home Warranty Association, simply purchasing a home warranty policy can increase the overall value of your home and help it sell more quickly. In today’s sluggish housing market, this is a vital benefit.
2. Protection for Home’s Mechanical Systems.
A home warranty policy will provide you with advanced protection if your home’s electrical, plumbing or heating system fail. Replacements and repair for these systems are usually very expensive.
3. Perfect for Renovators or Flippers.
If you are in the business of flipping or renovating homes, you may find that your newly bought home is not up to code. A home warranty policy will help cover the costs of converting the home so that it will meet code restrictions.
4. Ideal for Landlords.
Due to the type of coverage that a home warranty policy provides and the fact that it is not restricted to covering a primary dwelling or residence, this type of coverage is beneficial for landlords. Repairs and wear and tear can quickly eat into a rental property investment.
5. Peace of Mind for First Time Buyers.
Buying a home for the first time is very stressful, especially if you skipped getting a home inspection before closing. By purchasing a home warranty policy you can get help if something goes wrong on the property.
6. Extra Coverage for Appliances.
Older appliances typically have run the course of their initial manufacturer’s warranties, but that doesn’t mean you can run out and buy a new one. For homes with older appliances, warranty policies are well worth the money, especially when compared to the cost of replacing appliances on your own.
7. Greater Availability of Repair Help.
Instead of waiting for a local repair person to come out, typically, the home warranty company will send out someone to the property immediately. Access to this service is typically 24/7, depending on the issuing company.
While home warranty insurance cannot protect you from acts of God, theft or secondary damage to your home, it does fill in the gaps left by traditional home insurance policies. A homeowner should not rely solely on a home warranty policy to provide them with complete coverage, but they are a sensible add-on, even if you have lived in the home for many years. With millions being spent on repairs every year throughout the US, home warranty policies can help reduce the overall expenses of owning your own home.
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