If you purchased or are planning to purchase a home, you may have wondered what a home warranty covers. A home warranty can save you money when any systems and appliances break down, preserving your home and budget. However, it doesn’t cover every element of your home. Some aspects that a home warranty doesn’t cover, like leaky roofs and cosmetic damage, are listed below. Scroll down to uncover the limitations of a home warranty plan. Walls, doors, and windows A home warranty usually doesn’t cover walls, windows, and doors as they are considered structural elements. However, based on the age of your home, these items will be covered by a homeowners insurance policy or builder’s warranty. Cosmetic damage If the damage, like scratches or dents, is caused by natural wear and tear over time, it is the homeowners’ responsibility, not that of the warranty provider. Pest damage Home warranties are not designed to cover and repair/ replace the damages caused by pest infestations like rodents or termites. Leaking roofs A home warranty doesn’t cover leaking roofs since this is a structural problem. Hot tubs and swimming pools Pools and hot tubs are some things not covered under a home warranty, but certain companies might extend their coverage at an additional price.

Gardening isn’t something you get right on the first try. It requires some trial and error to perfect. Sometimes, you might find a plant doing poorly in one spot of your yard but thriving in another. While you might need more than a couple of tries to get things right, you must first learn about the common gardening mistakes to avoid. Luckily, most of these are easy to step over. Skipping compost Plants need nutrients while growing, and the best way to supply them is by adding compost. By skipping compost, you’re falling prey to one of the most common gardening mistakes that should be avoided. Compost not only provides plants with nutrients but also adds moisture and improves the soil’s drainage. Ignoring pest control Pests are always waiting for a chance to make quick work of your garden. So, you must find a way to stop them without using poisonous chemicals. One solution is to grow disease and pest-resistant plants that attract birds and insects that eat destructive pests. You can use some non-toxic traps and sprays occasionally. Poor watering habits It’s impossible to ignore how many of us water our plants and gardens at the wrong time. If you want the lawn to retain moisture, water it last thing at night or first thing in the morning.

Maintaining a clean and sanitized water tank is essential for ensuring the health and well-being of your household. This is why it is critical to know the best ways to clean your water tank. From regular inspections to thorough cleaning methods, practical tips and examples are beneficial to homeowners. By implementing these tips, you’ll be able to enhance water quality, prevent contamination, and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your water supply is clean. Regular inspections and maintenance If you want to stay on top of water tank hygiene, ensure you are keeping up with regular checks and maintenance. Any possible signs of cracks, leaks, or damage could result in a tank’s integrity being compromised. You will also need to regularly check your pipes, fittings, and valves. Conducting daily inspections allows you to address problems early on and avoid costly repairs or water quality issues down the line. Flushing and draining the tank It is common knowledge that draining and flushing a water tank periodically helps avoid any debris, sedimentation, and stagnant water from being accumulated. The first step to doing this is turning off the tank’s water supply. Next, open the drain valve and allow the tank to be completely drained.

Cleaning the walls and dusting furniture are essential aspects of home cleaning, but the carpet is one surface on which considerable dust accumulates over time, and cleaning it becomes a challenging task. And contrary to popular belief, carpet cleaning can be a hassle-free process if one follows the right strategies and is aware of certain quick cleaning hacks. This article provides insight into some easy ways to clean a carpet: Clean using basic household products The “solutions” to a spotless carpet are mostly readily available at one’s home. A mixture of club soda and vinegar or baking soda, borax, and cornstarch can do wonders for your carpet, leaving it stain-free and tidy. One may also use steam vapor or a salt and vinegar solution for effective carpet cleaning. Another pro tip for cleaning a carpet is to apply a dab of shaving cream on it, which is effective in removing different types of stains. Blot stains on the carpet A common mistake while cleaning carpets is to rub on stains after pouring a solution. The right way to remove these stains is to blot them using a paper towel, sponge, or even a clean piece of cloth. Use ice cubes Hard, sticky substances like gum can be difficult to clean from carpets.

When people think of cleaning tools, certain images may pop into their heads; a brush, a suction cup, a cleaning cloth, a vacuum cleaner, a mop, a scrubber, and so on. However, besides these, there are a host of unconventional tools and solutions that be just as effective in cleaning surfaces and items. Most people may not know about these and, therefore, will never have experienced their effectiveness. Here are some such cleaning tools: Advanced baking soda spray Many people know about baking soda’s underrated cleansing properties, but not many may try baking soda spray to clean furniture upholstery. All one needs to do is take warm water and mix about three tablespoons of baking soda. People can add a few drops of scented oil into the mix for fragrant results. This spray is useful for cleaning fabrics. Before using a baking soda spray, all one needs to do is mix just the right amount of baking soda and sweet-smelling oils so that the odor never becomes overwhelming and the soda’s residue does not stay behind on materials. Sliding door track cleaning brush A sliding door track is incredibly useful to clear dirt and dust from the track of a sliding door.

Cleaning is a mammoth task, especially in the kitchen area, which gets pretty messy while preparing different cuisines during the day. While people try several cleaning hacks to make the job easy and quick, the results rarely meet their expectations and instead do more harm than good. With that in mind, we have listed some of the most popular kitchen cleaning hacks that don’t work, along with alternatives worth trying. Using the oven’s self-cleaning feature Although modern ovens have a self-cleaning feature, using it makes things worse. In most cases, the appliance heats up and releases harmful gases, leading to indoor air pollution. If you still wish to use this trick, turn on the exhaust fan in the room, start the oven’s self-cleaning feature, and leave it untouched for a few hours. Then open the windows and air out the room to eliminate the toxic gases and their accompanying odor. Using bleach to clean the counters Another cleaning hack that doesn’t work involves using bleach on the kitchen countertops. It’s common for stains to remain on the surface after handling poultry, fish, and raw meat. However, using bleach to eliminate them can emit volatile compounds that may trigger headaches, asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues.

A clean and tidy home contributes to the general well-being and overall health of its occupants. While hiring professional services is an option, many individuals prefer to try deep cleaning tasks themselves. To achieve professional-level results, one must have the right tools and products. Some commonly suggested products for cleaning home spaces are listed below. These products are widely recognized for their effectiveness in managing cleaning challenges and achieving a sparkling clean home. Baking soda Baking soda is a versatile and affordable cleaning agent that most professionals suggest. Its mild abrasive properties make it ideal for scrubbing tough stains, eliminating odors, and deodorizing carpets. Glass cleaners Having glass cleaners handy can help achieve streak-free, crystal-clear windows and mirrors and instant riddance from spills on glass table tops. Specially formulated to remove smudges, fingerprints, and dirt, glass cleaners leave surfaces sparkling without any residue. Paired with lint-free cloths or microfiber towels, they bring shine and clarity to glass surfaces. Rubber gloves Rubber gloves protect hands from harsh chemicals and provide a better grip while scrubbing and handling cleaning agents. One can opt for durable, high-quality rubber gloves that offer comfort and protection during deep cleaning. Extendable duster A versatile extendable duster can be used to reach high and difficult-to-access areas in the house, especially while removing dust and cobwebs from ceilings, ceiling fans, light fixtures, and tall furniture.

Embarking on a home improvement project can be an exciting endeavor. These projects offer homeowners the chance to add value, functionality, and a touch of their personality to their living spaces. However, without proper planning and execution, these projects can rapidly go over budget. So, here are some common home improvement mistakes to avoid to ensure the remodeling journey is smooth, satisfying, and adds lasting value to one’s property. Underestimating the budget Homeowners often make the mistake of underestimating the total cost of their project before embarking on it. It’s essential to create a detailed budget, accounting for materials, labor, and any unexpected contingencies. One should allow for a buffer in one’s budget to tackle unforeseen challenges that may arise during the renovation process. Skipping research and planning Jumping into a home improvement project without proper research and planning can lead to inefficient use of resources and unsatisfactory results. One is advised to take the time to thoroughly research design ideas, materials, and potential contractors. One can plan out the entire project step by step, considering timelines, permits, and potential disruptions to one’s daily life during the renovation. Hiring the wrong contractors Selecting the right contractors is crucial to the success of one’s home improvement project.

Taking out the trash, although not particularly pleasant, is an essential and fairly simple chore. However, the task can quickly become messy if the waste is not handled properly. So, using the right trash bags and waste bins in the right way is important to avoid leakage and odor in the home. So, to make the chore seamless, one may want to avoid the following mistakes while using trash bags at home: 1. Choosing the wrong size Opting for trash bags that are the same size as the garbage can might seem like the obvious choice, but it can be a mistake. For starters, if there is too much waste in the bag, the contents will slip out of the bag and accumulate at the bottom of the can. So, one should always choose a bag that is slightly larger than the can, so that it can be easily folded along the edges of the can. 2. Not securing the bag Even if one uses a large-sized trash bag, it can still slip off the edge of the can if one throws trash with force into the bag or if there is too much garbage in the bag. With the bag slipping off the edge, it will make a mess when one tries to take the trash out.

Doors and windows not only give the house an aesthetic appeal but also protect it against external factors such as weather conditions, dust, sunlight, and intruders. They also give peace of mind, a sense of security, and privacy to the home dwellers. It’s important to maintain them regularly to ensure their longevity and functionality. However, there are some common mistakes that people make during maintenance, which can end up causing problems. Not inspecting the frame regularly Keep an eye out for any wear and tear on the window or door frame. Certain signs show it needs maintenance. Some common signs to look for are paint peeling off, warping, cracks or splits, difficulty opening or closing the door or window, loose or missing screws, and more. If the frame is wooden, check if it has become warped or brittle due to sun damage. With the glass wall structure of double or triple-paned windows, moisture can get stuck between panes and reduce its effectiveness. Seasonal weather change also affects the frame structure. Forgetting about seals Seals ensure that the windows and doors remain energy efficient, so it’s important to check their functionality regularly. If there are any issues with the seals, it can hike energy bills as warm or cold air may escape and lead the heater or air conditioner to use more energy.

The need for sustainability and building sustainable habits keeps growing. As consumers, it is their responsibility to make environmentally conscious purchase decisions, such as buying products that have a low impact on the environment. Many eco-friendly alternatives are available for products that are used at home. Studies also suggest that consumers are willing to spend more on eco-friendly products if it means safety for those living at home and the environment. Here are a few eco-friendly products that one can use at home: 1. Refillable bottles Refillable bottles can store drinking water and cleaning solutions, like homemade detergents and shampoos. Refillable spray bottles are also quite popular. This is mostly because many people want to make their own cleaning solutions, as they are affordable, sustainable, and not filled with chemicals that can harm one’s health when used in excess. Refillable bottles ensure that one does not have to run to the grocery store every two weeks to buy a product packaged in a flimsy, disposable plastic bottle. Plastic bottles are disposed of after a single use and find themselves in landfills. 2. Reusable silicone bags Many people use plastic bags to store their produce in the fridge. Sometimes, they also wrap the leftover food or fresh meat to be stored away in the freezer.