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Best Home Improvement Tools for Homeowners

When something goes wrong in your home and you need the right tool fast (as in, the drain’s clogged and you have 18 people coming for a dinner party in 20 minutes), a properly stocked set of tools is crucial. To help you figure out which gadgets will truly save the day during those clinch moments, we asked homeowners to reveal the best home improvement tool they ever bought. Here are six worthy of consideration.

1. Wet-dry vacuum

You'll reach for this lifesaver many times over.
You’ll reach for this lifesaver many times over.

Accidents happen, and in some households they’re a daily occurrence. But here’s a reality check: That wad of paper towels works only on small spills.

Larry Perlstein of Westport, CT, says no home should be without a quality shop vac ($65, Amazon.com), which can quickly suck up wet and dry messes.

“You never know when you’re going to need one—hot water heaters can explode, pipes burst, and washing machines overflow,” he explains. Perlstein has also used his wet-dry vac to clean up dog vomit, leaky windows, and the water that his child sometimes leaves running.

2. Cordless power drill

Drill, baby, drill!
Drill, baby, drill!

Karina Burston, a DIY pro in Wakefield, RI, repairs her own decking, picture frames, and garden hose brackets, and hangs shelves, birdhouses, and coat hooks. All of this is made possible thanks to the cordless drill that she swears by ($75, Amazon.com).

“Hands down, it’s the best home improvement tool I’ve ever owned—I use it all the time,” she says. She prefers the 18-volt version and has even invested in an extra capacity battery, because the weaker power doesn’t cut it for some of the work she does.

“I also use the sander attachment for sanding my patio furniture and prepping for painting projects.”

3. Drain cleaner

There's no need to call the plumber if you have this item at home.
There’s no need to call the plumber if you have this item at home.

You’re probably familiar with a metal snake, a major piece of hardware that descends many feet into your pipes to unclog the mess your teen girls’ hair has wrought. But there’s a cheaper home improvement tool that does almost the same job, according to Jenny Lilienthal of Lee, MA.

“A homeowner’s best friend is a simple plastic drain cleaner ($8 for a three-pack, Amazon.com), especially if she’s ignorant in the art of pipes and wants to save her husband from pretending he’s a plumber,” Lilienthal explains.

When the drain is stopped up, carefully shove this tool partway down (but hold tight, you don’t want to lose it in there) and then pull it out.

“You’ll inevitably retrieve a gob of hair and some black goo, and then the drain will be cleared—without the need for nasty Drano,” she adds.

4. Home weather station

You'll know rain is coming with this handy device.
You’ll know rain is coming with this handy device.

We’re all a little obsessed with the weather. Many may turn to their smartphones, but Rob Rein says his home weather station ($150, Amazon.com) is in constant use in his Winsted, CT, home.

“I’m always looking to it for information on temperature and the dew point, and with multiple sensors I can see temp differences in the kitchen, basement, patio, and backyard,” he says.

This device is also helpful with rain measurements, so you can even know whether or not to water the garden or patio pots!

5. SpoutOff Outlet

No more climbing a ladder to unclog drains and gutters.
No more climbing a ladder to unclog drains and gutters.

Cleaning the gutters is one of the more tedious outdoor jobs—and it can be hazardous, too. Installing the SpoutOff Outlet  ($69, TheSpoutOff.com) in his gutter system was a smart move for Russell Turner of Glenmoore, PA.

“It’s a larger-than-normal outlet without a lip around the edge to catch debris like twigs and leaves,” he explains. This improved outlet won’t clog every time it rains, so the water just flows out of the gutters.

“I love it because as I age into early retirement, I’m less comfortable handling the heavy, cumbersome ladder. I’m happy not to risk a potential accident or fall.”

6. An awesome axe

Prepping firewood is easy with a Fiskars axe.
Prepping firewood is easy with a Fiskars axe.

When William Grant bought a second home in Ghent, NY, he was excited by the prospect of clearing some of the land himself. But doing it required a quality home improvement tool. Enter the Fiskars axe, recommended to him by his brother in Montana ($52, Amazon.com).

“This baby goes through wood like a hot knife in butter,” says Grant. With a huge fireplace and a wood stove to keep stoked, chopping and splitting wood for winter is now a fast chore. It’s so easy and fun to use, Grant goes out to chop timber for exercise, even when the woodbin is full.

Source

https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/best-home-improvement-tools-for-homeowners/

The Hottest Thing in Easy Living and Home Improvement

There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to designing and outdoor kitchen area. Since a lot of people have different needs, budgets, climates, space, etc, I am going to approach this article by offering up some suggestions for outdoor kitchen components that can be bought one at a time to fit into tight budgets and some that can be set up for a season and taken down if needed. At the same time, any of these components could be used in an outdoor kitchen that has some permanent structures like counter tops or rock work.

Sure – there are outdoor kitchen set ups that are all stainless steel, have countertops, fridges, ect all built in and you can sure order one but they will set you back $3,000-$5,000 or more and you have to be able to find a suitable shaped and sized space.

I am glad for the opportunity to write this up because even after cooking outside and in for many years, there is always more to learn and the availability of appliances, tables, ect is better than ever thanks to internet shopping. Let’s start with some basic questions to know before you get to deciding exactly what you need to look for.

How much space do you have?

A mobile outdoor kitchen set up might be the answer if you have little space or live in a climate where you have a shorter season that you can use it or at least need to protect it a lot from the weather.

If you have a patio or other area in mind then get out a tape measure and see what space you have to dedicated to it. Make sure to leave enough room for movement.

Building Outdoor Kitch…Steve Cory, Home Impro…Best Price: $3.45Buy New $8.66(as of 04:45 EST – Details)

Draw it out

You can use graph paper or if you are savvy enough with computers, a design program. If your kitchen needs to all fit together just so then you need to consider all the measurements to make the most of your space. Can you fit that 4 ft long range in there and still have room for a cart? It may take several drafts to get the layout the way you want.

Consider flow carefully

Some of you may have noticed that I have a really small kitchen when I am doing food related articles. My entire kitchen is slightly larger than 7 feet by 10 feet but since the layout is good, it is not hard to cook in because things are easy to reach. I was lucky that Matt really thought out the flow when we were figuring out how to finish the kitchen.

When planning out your outdoor kitchen, think about the food prep process and how you will be able to move from one station to the next. You can get a lot more done and do it more safely if the flow is good. If you have outdoor kitchen components that can be moved around with ease then you can change up the flow if it is not working for you.

Different components to consider

If you put back a lot of your own food then you need an outdoor kitchen that can help you with processing and keep the rest of your house from being taken over with the messes that go along with that.

A gas range or several eyes

This is essential for hot water bath or pressure canning. You need standard eyes not the giant turkey fryer eyes or anything like that. You can even set these up temporarily if you get the right thing. Easily adjustable gas range tops are nice to have.

Actually, when Matt and I lived in the camper while building our house, we had a little gas stove that we eventually pulled out and set outside and I canned on that. It is not pretty but it works.Sometimes you have to get innovative when roughing it and trying to get things done with any efficiency!

Char-Broil Performance…Buy New $304.94(as of 04:45 EST – Details)

Camp Chef 2-Burner Stove

This 2 burner station packs a lot of cooking power and the price is right. Each burner has an output of an amazing 30,000 btus. There is an included windscreen and you can get preseasoned cast iron griddles that fit over each eye so you can have a very large cooking surface.

Camp Chef 4 Burner

This unit offers 4 propane burners that have an output of 30,000 btus each and comes with a handy rolling cart. This whole thing folds down for easy storage and transport. Like all Camp Chef products there are a lot of accessories that you can add. Even this can be turned into a giant grill or griddle if you get 4 cast iron grill/griddle

Sink

A sink is nice if you can manage water. There is all kinds of reasons to want a sink from washing produce to hands to getting potable water to boil in order to can foods or simply cook with.

BBQ and Smoker

The easiest way to achieve this is to buy a BBQ that is made to be a smoker when needed. The better ones have two sections which is nice if you want to smoke meats and grill up some dinner at the same time. Being able to figure out how to multitask when you are starting out homesteading or farming is a major bonus. These have a built in temperature gauge which is nice to have too.

Counterspace

Movable stainless steel carts or foldable racks offer inexpensive yet quality solutions to counterspace issues. If you are not going with a build in countertop and cabinets then the stainless steel food prep carts offer a lot of space to set things and they are easier to sanitize. Also stainless is going to hold up to outdoor conditions better than just about anything besides stone.

Good Set Of Grill Tools

You need a good set of tools if you are going to smoke meats or prepare much in the way of food outside. These should be sturdy. Now is not the time to get the cheapest thing in the store. You might look for the same brands that you trust in knives.

Rada Cutlery

I love this company not only for being made in the USA and affordable but for the excellent quality and utilitarian charactaristics that they have. Along with Liberty Tableware, they are one of the few USA manufacturers of small kitchenware out there.

I bought the steak knife set and they are the knives I use the most. With , you can get quality USA made for as low as budget store cutlery.

You will want some tongs, meat forks, spatulas, pizza cutter, bread knife, etc. Part of it really depends on what you plan on using this outdoor kitchen for.

Insignia – 32” C…Buy New $216.00(as of 04:45 EST – Details)

Camp Chef Somerset 4- …Buy New $290.19(as of 04:45 EST – Details)

Amazon.com $50 Gift Ca…Buy New $50.00(as of 12:45 EST – Details)

Amazon.com Gift Card i…Buy New $25.00(as of 03:35 EST – Details)

The Best of Gaye Levy

Simple Home Improvement that Creates a Sustainable Home to live

Simple Home Improvement that Creates a Sustainable Home to live

Your Starter Guide To Sustainable Living

Why You Should Shift To Sustainable Living

How To Create A Sustainable Home

A Beginner’s Guide To Sustainable Living

Creating A Sustainable Home In Simple Steps

Since the industrial revolution, societies have been driven to consume. The consumerist world exploded after the world wars and continued to expand to this day. Children are raised to do good in school, get a high paying job and live years of abundance. Material wealth has always been our standard of success.

Don’t you think it’s time for a change?

There’s an emerging movement that aims to challenge our perception of a successful life: minimalism. Minimalism, contrary to popular belief, is not a product of the 21st century. It’s in the core of many cultures in Asia. The Buddhist concept of Zen emphasizes on an individual’s consciousness of the self and its relations with nature. “Zen contends that physical nature and human nature must be sought in an experiential dimension practically trans-descending,” according to a paper published by Stanford University. Minimalists are upholding the Zen principle in various aspects of their life, from their decision-making behaviors to their lifestyle choices.

Sustainable living: a complete lifestyle shift

Photo courtesy of Burst via Pexels

Sustainable living is a way of life that involves reduced dependence on natural resources. It embodies the Zen principles of caring for nature and the ideals of minimalism. To live a sustainable life, you may need to make a significant shift in your mindset. “It is such a simple principle – and yet if it is extended to include all living beings (an essential component of sustainability), it requires a complete shift in how we live our lives. Because we do unto others all day long – through the clothes we buy, the energy we use, the food we eat, even the toothpaste we brush our teeth with. Every choice we make impacts others – through its creation, its distribution, its use and its disposal,” noted GlobalStewards.org.

Sustainability in your living space can be done in simple ways. If you’re new to the concept, you can start with the easiest steps. Here are some home improvement tips for a sustainable living.

Explore passive design strategies

Photo courtesy of Burst via Pexels

Passive architecture is the use of energy efficient designs to reduce ecological footprints. It includes daylighting, natural ventilation and solar energy. Daylighting simply means using sunshine to illuminate your space. You can create external reflection letting sunlight reflect from the flooring of your home, wide window sills, and light shelves. Internal reflection can be achieved allowing natural light to reflect from internal walls, ceiling and high reflectance surfaces. You can also apply light-colored finishes and mount mirrors to reflect light around your home. However, avoid high levels of direct sunlight that can cause glare and increase the need for cooling.

Passive cooling strategies involve energy efficient designs to control heat gain in spaces. These designs include ventilation, windows insulation, and shading. Remember that the cooling strategies you can apply in your home is determined by your climate. If you live in a tropical region, you may need year-round shading.

Create indoor green spaces

Studies suggest that living near green spaces is good for one’s mental and physical health. Greenery has a therapeutic impact that helps reduce stress levels. Living in a neighborhood with parks and open spaces encourage an active and fit lifestyle. You can reap the benefits of green spaces by creating one inside your home. If you’re living in a tight condo space, you can install a vertical garden in the patio, kitchen, and even in the living room. There’s a wealth of creative condo garden tips you can check on Pinterest and other social media sites.

Houseplants offer a number of benefits. They can purify the air, cool down room temperature, provide supply for fresh vegetables and herbs, and decorate a space. The pothos plant can absorb toxins like formaldehyde from carpets and floor cleaning materials. The spider plant, which is usually displayed as hanging plants, also have air purifying qualities similar with dracaena and weeping fig. Other plants that can clean indoor air and have cooling effects include bamboo palm, boston fern, and aloe vera.

Go energy efficient with your appliances and gadgets

Photo courtesy of Burst via Pexels

A sustainable and minimalist lifestyle doesn’t mean that you should let go of the comforts of technology. It’s just a matter of choosing the right furnishings and appliances. Go only for appliances with high energy-efficiency ratings. When shopping for electronic devices, choose Energy Star-labeled products that can save up to 75% in power consumption. You can further cut down your energy consumption, and save on costs by using an advanced power strip. This reduces “vampire loads” or electricity wasted when appliances and gadgets are plugged in but unused. Vampire loads commonly occur in computers, kitchen appliances, and home entertainment systems.

For your computer, here are 3 no nonsense tips to go energy efficient:

  • Use your computer on low-power mode. This can save energy, and allows your equipment to run cooler and last longer
  • Turn off the switch on the power strip or surge protector if the plugged equipment is not in use
  • Activate the power management feature on your computer. This will automatically put your screen into sleep mode after a period of inactivity

Take advantage of government-sponsored programs

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The US Department of Energy (DOE) developed a national rating system, the Home Energy Score, that assesses the energy efficiency of a home based on the architectural design and heating, cooling, and hot water systems. The agency offers financial incentives and financing programs that attain a high Home Energy Score. For solar energy systems, you can avail of a federal tax credit for 30% throughout 2019, 26% for 2020 and 22% for 2021. The taxpayer may claim the credit of qualified expenditures on an energy-saving system in a residential structure he owns in the United States. “Expenditures include labor costs for on-site preparation, assembly or original system installation, and for piping or wiring to interconnect a system to the home,” according to the DOE.

Sustainable living is a change in mindset and behavior. It involves simple, mundane decisions such as recycling plastic cups and major matters like shifting to a passive home design. You don’t need to rush in and change all your appliances tomorrow, but start in any way you can. Uncluttering your home can be your starting point.

Category: Environment, going green, Green Energy, Green Fashion, green home, Green Jobs, green living, green living news, green products, Solar Power For Your HomeTags: ,

Source

https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/12/13/simple-home-improvement-that-creates-a-sustainable-home-to-live-2/