Every home that is being built today has shutoff valves that are readily accessible. Knowing where and how to shut off your home’s main water supply is important especially in times of emergency. 

Don’t wait until you have an emergency before locating your shutoff valves. Precious minutes can be lost if you or the plumber has to search for it; thus, causing more damage to your property.

Once you’ve found the valve, mark it with a small yard flag, tag, colorful paint or anything that would make the location obvious. Make sure everybody in your household know where it is and how it works.

Possible locations

I wish I could tell you that every shutoff valve is uniform in location. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Some are located inside; while others are located outside.

 In the crawlspace or basement

If you get freezing temperatures in the winter, the shutoff valve must be located in a warm area inside your house. In this case, you might want to look in the basement or crawlspace, where the waterline enters the home. 

Outside the house

In some homes, the water shutoff valve is located outside – generally in front of your house and near the side property line.  It might be in a concrete or plastic box on the ground. Lift the lid of the box and find the water meter. The valve is usually located next to it. If there are 2 valves, turning off either valve should work.

Near the pressure tank

If you get your water from a well and you don’t have a meter, find where the water pipes enter the house and follow those pipes to the pressure tank. In most cases, the pressure tank can be seen in the basement, in a closet near the water heater or the garage. 

Try a simple test once you’ve located the valve. Shut off the main water valve and check the faucets inside your home. If you can’t turn the valve, don’t force it. 

Winter months is just around the corner. While there is nothing we can do about the winter weather, there are steps you can take to make your home more energy-efficient while keeping it warm all winter long.

Here are some home improvement projects you can do to make your home more comfortable and cozy. These projects can help you save money and energy this winter.

Replace outdated furnace 

The average life span of a furnace is approximately 15 years. Because a new furnace can be quite expensive, most people wait until their furnace reaches the end of its life before getting a new one.

If your furnace is more than 12 years old, we recommend that you begin shopping for a new one. It may still be working, but it is likely that your heating bills are higher than they need to be. Older models are usually more expensive to operate since they use a lot of electricity to heat your home. New units are more energy efficient; hence, allowing you to save money in the long run.

Install a programmable thermostat

Heating your home can be quite expensive. And nothing is more frustrated than paying for wasted energy. In order to save money, we suggest that you turn the temperature up by a few degrees before leaving the house or before going to bed. You can turn up the heat once again upon waking up in the morning and when you come home at night. This works, however, if you remember to do so.

For your convenience, consider installing a programmable thermostat. With this gadget, you don’t have to turn the heat up and down manually. Plus, you are likely to save 3% on your bill with each degree you turn down the heat.

Insulate your water heater

Water heating accounts for 13% of your home’s total energy cost. This is because your water heater works constantly to keep water hot and ready whenever you need it. To make your water heater more energy efficient, consider adding a thick blanket or insulation around your water heater. This will help you save money and energy, not only during the winter but throughout the year.

Given the right conditions, mold can grow just about anywhere in your home. As you probably know, mold is not just unsightly; it can also cause health problems. 

If you would like to keep your home a healthy space to inhabit, be sure to include these areas in your regular inspection. Make sure there are no leaks or other sources of moisture, which may lead to mold growth. Through regular inspection, you can steer clear of the unhealthy and expensive problems mold can cause. 

Here are 4 common places to look for mold.

Basement

Basement mold is especially common in homes with foundation cracks, broken drain tiles, missing waterproof membranes, homes that have been flooded, homes that are poorly sloped and older homes. 

Some people use their basement as storage space for old furniture, cardboard boxes and other items they no longer use. Unfortunately, most basements are not designed with humidity and temperature controls. As a result, moisture develops and mold begins to grow. 

Bathroom 

Mold can and will grow where there is moisture. Because moisture is constantly a part of its environment, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that the bathroom is one of the most common areas for mold growth. To prevent mold growth, make sure to allow ventilation time after showering. 

Most people don’t have an idea they have mold until they smell it. Some would ignore those small patches of mold, thinking they’re just dirt. Look for mold underneath the sink, around the toilet, shower curtains or on the walls. 

Kitchen

Despite people’s effort to keep the kitchen clean and sanitized, it tends to be one of the places where mold can take root. This is mainly because the kitchen is used for preparing foods, where water is one of the most important ingredients. Standing water, spils that are left uncleaned, leaking sinks, drains and faucets, can all lead to mold growth. 

Window sills

Window sills are a prime place for mold to start and spread. Unfortunately, most people don’t often spend a lot of time examining their window sills. After keeping their windows shut all winter, homeowners typically spot mold in windows when they open them in spring. Prevent the growth of mold by keeping the glass panes moisture and dust-free. 

Mold is a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Not only is it unsightly, it can a costly and dangerous problem. The problem is that most homeowners aren’t even aware that mold is already lurking within their home. 

If you suspect that there is mold in your home, it is important to clean it and address the problem as early as possible. If you can find mold before it becomes a major problem, remediation will be much easier to complete. 

Listed below are 3 signs that may indicate that your home may be contaminated with mold. Be on the lookout for signs of a possible mold infestation. 

Visual indicators of mold growth

If you can see mold, then that’s an obvious sign that you have mold growing in your home. However, some people don’t notice small patches of mold and think they’re just dirt. 

Molds tend to grow and spread fast, especially when moisture is present.  The mere fact that you see small spots of mold, it means that your home provides an ideal environment for mold growth. Don’t ignore it. Get rid of it fast to prevent it from spreading. 

Musty smell

Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there. If you notice a musty smell in your home, it means that you already have a mold problem. This is a sign that you should take action.  

Walk through your home and try to find the source of the problem. If an area in your home persistently smells musty, focus on that area and try to find out where the mold is. 

Hire a mold remediation expert immediately to help you get rid of molds, especially if they are in an unreachable area like behind the walls. 

Allergy symptoms

Exposure to mold can cause allergic symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, itchy skin, puffy eyes and even asthma. If your symptoms tend to flare up whenever you’re at home and feel better when you’re away, there’s a good chance that mold may be what’s causing the allergy. 

Water damage is a serious issue that will worsen with time. The longer you wait, the more damage the property will endure. It can also lead to more serious consequences. A short response time is critical when water damage occurs.

Here are a few important reasons why you should take fast action when facing water damage.

Prevent further damage

When your home is suffering from water damage, the structural integrity of your home is in danger. Time is of the essence. You need to act fast. Not only will the water weaken the structural integrity of your home, it can also make your home unlivable. A timely response will limit the damage done to your home; thus, preventing you from spending a huge sum of money on repairs.

Prevent mold growth

It only takes 24 to 48 hours for your situation to go from bad to worse. Water damage creates wet, moist environments, which provides an ideal environment for mold to grow. If not dealt with immediately, mold may start growing in your home. As you probably know, exposure to mold can cause health hazards.

The last thing you want is to have a mold problem. It is important to remove standing water as quickly as possible, clean the affected areas and dry it out completely to eliminate the potential for mold growth.

Safety issues

Within 24 to 48 hours after discovering a water issue in your home, Category 1 (clean water) will turn to Category 2 (Grey water). Since bacteria are often present in category 2 water, this may cause discomfort or sickness to your family.

In addition, you are at great risk of electrocution when there is standing water in your home. This is especially true when the water has reached any electrical outlets or appliances. For your own safety, please turn off the power source to your home.

When you find yourself in a flood situation, there are a lot of things you can do to bring back order into your home. Contacting a reliable water damage restoration company like AdvantaClean is a good first step.

Once the air temperature drops below freezing, pipes in unheated spaces may freeze. Standing water left in the pipes will freeze and expand, causing the pipes to burst and flood your home. Damage from frozen or burst pipes can cost thousands of dollars in water damage to your home.

Prepare your plumbing in advance to avoid a costly disaster this winter season.

Insulate pipes

Pipes in unheated spaces such as the garage, attic, and basement are more prone to freezing and bursting. Luckily, preventing freezing pipes can be as easy as installing fiberglass or foam insulation.

Pipe insulation will not prevent your pipes from freezing, it can also improve the life and performance of your plumbing.  

If your home’s plumbing system is not properly insulated, have it wrapped with insulation to keep the pipes warm.

Disconnect water hoses outside your home

As mentioned above, water inside the pipes may freeze and expand during a cold snap. As such, winterizing your outdoor garden hose is a wise move. 

Most exterior faucets have a separate shutoff valve. Locate the shut-off valve and turn it off. Go outside and open the faucet. Drain any water out of the pipe. Let the water run until it is fully drained. Drain the hose entirely of water and store it inside the house.

Keep the heat on

Energy bills rise during the winter. Some people turn the thermostat down in the hopes of saving energy. Saving energy is good. But before you go crazy with turning the thermostat really low, you also have to think about your pipes.

Turning the heat too low increases the risk of frozen and ruptured pipes. Be sure to keep the heat on and set the thermostat to no lower than 55 degrees. This should provide enough heat to keep the pipes warm and prevent water inside from freezing. 

It is also a good idea to leave the cabinet doors under the kitchen sink open, so the air can warm the pipes.

Know where your home’s main water valve is

In case of a major incident such a frozen pipe that has burst, you need to shut off water supply to your entire home. Everyone in your home should know where the main shutoff valve is located, and how to turn it off in case of emergency. This is the best protection against a catastrophic water damage.

Water damage is a Colorado homeowner’s worse nightmare.  Whether it comes from a leaky pipe, malfunctioning appliance, burst pipe or a devastating storm, just the thought of water flooding your home is enough to make a homeowner shudder. Luckily, it can be prevented.

Use these tips to minimize the risk of flooding or water damage to your Denver Colorado home this winter.

Prevent frozen pipes

Frozen pipes are no fun. They can cost thousands of dollars in damage, not to mention the risk of mold and microbial growth. 

Pipes in crawl spaces, attics and outside walls are vulnerable to freezing and bursting during the winter months. Water freezes and expands when the temperatures dip below freezing. Since the pipes are rigid, they are likely to burst when there’s too much expansion.

Insulate the pipes that are exposed to cold air. Make sure all the pipes, including the corners and elbows are protected. Also, keep the faucet open during extreme cold weather to release pressure moving down the pipe. This can help reduce the risk of bursting due to frozen pipes. If you are going on vacation, and the weather is very cold outside, we recommend that you leave the heat on in your home.

Check your water heater

Water heaters have an average lifespan of about 8 to 12 years. But if not properly cared for, sediments can build up inside the tank and corrode. Eventually, this may cause your water heater to leak or overflow.

A leaking water heater can cause massive damage. To prevent this from happening, check your water heater periodically for pooling water on the stand it rests on or on the top of the tank. Also, check for moisture surrounding the plumbing connections.

Clean gutters

Cleaning gutters is an easy job to put off. What people fail to realize is that this simple task can actually prevent future water damage.

Your gutter works by directing water away from your home’s foundation. But if there’s a build up of debris in your gutter, it might not be able to do its job properly. As a result, water may spill through the roof, into your foundation and down to your basement.

So, you have found the house of your dreams. The seller has accepted your offer. You’re eager to shop for new furnitures and move into your new house. Not so fast. Before you sign on the dotted line, you want to make sure that the house meets your expectations. The house may look great, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s in pristine condition.

A house can cost a fortune. As such, most buyers are looking for ways to save money. Often, they would skip the home inspection in an attempt to cut cost. When making the biggest purchases of your life, you want to make sure that the property you’re eyeing on is worth investing on. Don’t be tempted to waive the home inspection.

Here are 4 reasons why you shouldn’t skip a home inspection.

Reveal the big picture

A home inspection is one of the most important steps you need to take when buying a house. A professional inspector will help you determine the condition of the house and minor and major issues, as well as potential problems you may have to face later on.

You need to know what you’re getting into before making a final decision. The home inspection will give you more information about the property you’re interested in and help you make a more informed buying decision.

Negotiating tool

Fixing and repairing issues in the house is not only costly, it can also be stressful. If the home inspection report comes back with a list of major issues, you can either ask the seller to address these issues before closing or negotiate a lower price.

Peace of mind

A house is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make. Unlike clothes, shoes, and bags, you can’t ask for a refund if you decide later on that you’re not happy with your purchase. Once you have closed on the property, there is no turning back.

Before you sign on the dotted line, you want to make sure that the house you’re interested in is in great shape. The only way to find out is through a home inspection. Knowing the actual condition of the property, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your future home is in good condition, and that it’s a good investment. It is worth the extra cost when you’re making the biggest purchases of your life.

It provides an out

Fixing and addressing issues in the house can be costly and time consuming. This is especially true when you’re dealing with some major issues such as roof damage, structural damage, mold infestation, and water damage. By learning about the issues present in the house, you can decide whether to push through with the transaction or just back out of the sale.

It’s not uncommon for buyers to feel excited and overwhelmed when house hunting. Often, they fall in love with a certain Denver property and will tend to ignore some of the issues that are present in the house. This is where a Denver home inspection comes in.

A home inspection will give you a clear picture of the overall condition of the house. This way, you can make a more informed decision and have peace of mind knowing that the property you’re interested in is good shape.

Here are 4 common problems found during home inspection.

Foundation issues

Many Denver houses sustain foundation damage as a result of poor soil conditions, inferior ground foundation, improper damage, and other causes. No matter what has caused the problem, foundation issues are not something that should be taken lightly. The cost of repairing the damage can cost a fortune. The foundation may also move and shift over time, which is extremely dangerous.

Roof damage

The roof is your first line of defense against rain, wind, sun, and snow. Despite its importance, most Denver homeowners don’t give their roof much thought until something goes wrong.

Although roofs can last for 20 to 30 years, it is important to check on your roof from time to time, especially after a storm. Look out for missing or cracked shingles and fix the problem in the soonest possible time. A Colorado roof replacement is expensive, so keep an eye out when you have the house inspected.

Faulty wiring

Electrical issues are one of the most common problems found during a home inspection. The problem ranges from circuit overload to a circuit breaker tripping frequently to frequent electrical surges. These are serious issues that are frequently linked with house fires.

Plumbing problems

Leaks are the most common plumbing problems homeowners face. Often, there will be leaks under the sink or under the toilets. Most homeowners tend to ignore this problem, thinking it is just a minor issue. But if left unaddressed, this may lead to a bigger, more complicated problem that will require costly repairs.

A simple leak, for instance, may lead to water damage and a mold problem. These issues will not only cause structural damage, it can also pose a threat to the health of the homes inhabitants.

Buying a house can be an exciting time for potential buyers. They would attend open houses and look at dozens and dozens of properties during the weekend in the hopes of finding their dream home.

Features such as hardwood floors, granite countertops, and up-to-date kitchen appliances are just some of the features buyers want in a home. In order to make the most of your investment, you should start looking beyond the physical appearance of the property. You don’t just want a lovely house, you want a house that is in tip-top shape and will last for a very long time. This is where home inspection comes in handy.