Planning and Sharing Your Family’s Home Evacuation Plan

Don’t wish you had shared emergency preparedness with your family after an unexpected fire or natural disaster. No matter how old your children or the state of your family’s relationships, it’s never too late to begin bonding over family meetings. To begin having family meetings, you can begin with fire evacuation and meet about other things pertaining to your family later on. Here are the main keys to hosting a family meeting regarding possible emergencies you may one day face together.

Identify Possible Emergencies

Before you can plan for possible future emergencies, you must know which kinds of emergencies are more likely to happen in your region of community. Most often, people prepare for a house fire or natural disaster involving unruly weather patterns. Write a list of possible emergencies to discuss with your family.

Draw a Map of your Home and Community

With a black pen or marker, draw a map of every level of your home. Include all the rooms, doors, and windows using lines and hash marks. If you want to include younger kids in the process, walk the home with your basic drawing and together, you can count the windows and doors and draw them in your diagram. The reason for the map of your community is to include any “safe neighbors” you’ve designated that your children can go and use their phone or meet/wait for you. You will also need to agree on a place that the whole family can re-unite after evacuating the home.

Decide where all the places in the home are that a fire may occur. Fires most likely begin in the kitchen, but include any possible scenario in your plan. Imagine how you would escape from each room in the house considering the likely places a fire would begin and spread. Using a red pen or marker, draw the escape trail and best exit (using an “X”) for each room. Also, clearly mark your community map where you’ll meet to re-unite and any other designated “safe place”.

If your region is at risk of tornadoes or other natural disasters, use another color to share best places to hide or where pertinent supplies will be kept.

Call Regular Family Meetings

You’ll have to call an initial family meeting to discuss possible emergencies and your evacuation plan, but calling regular family meetings to discuss any topics in need of attention or revisiting emergency plans, is a great idea.

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Best Bathroom Ventilation Practices

Ventilation, for the purpose of odor and moisture control, are essential to the health of your home and its residents. Here are some points to consider about your home’s bathroom ventilation systems.

Have Adequate Equipment

Bathrooms are some of the most toxic spaces in our homes; from moisture, odors, and chemicals from our aerosols and products are overwhelming to our nervous systems if not adequately ventilated. Codes exist to ensure that homeowners maintain healthy levels of indoor humidity and low levels of toxicity and likelihood of mold and mildew growth. Ventilation should be installed just over the bathtub and shower where humidity is most concentrated during use. In small bathrooms, one should suffice, but in large bathrooms, 2 or more are necessary. Bathrooms with separate bathing or toilet facilities should have their own ventilation installed as well.

Use Your Fan The Recommended Amount

It’s recommended by The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) that you run your fan for the length of your shower and still, a remaining 20 minutes afterward. The best way to follow this best practice is by installing a timer switch that works with it. Another technology that makes this practice easier is called a dehumidistat switch that automatically turns on when the humidity level rises above its set level. With this technology, you can manually override its settings.

Utilize Windows and Natural Light

Especially during winter time you may want to take advantage of your bathroom’s natural light to warm the space. You can also use the window as ventilation and the light will work on the bathroom humidity as well. Additional ways to warm your bathroom in the winter are placing bricks along side a candle and putting an upside down terracotta plant pot over it to create your own cozy bathroom fireplace. You could also install an actual fireplace or keep a faux one in the room! Warm colors and luxurious textures also make a difference on your psyche in the wintertime. Using epsom salt, baking soda, and particular essential oils like clove and cinnamon will also cause your body’s temperature to naturally rise.

Other Odor Control Methods

One reason we love having adequate bathroom ventilation is to secure the odor that sometimes occurs in there. Keeping Poo-pourri or matches near the toilet seem to give peace of mind to the bathroom’s visitors, but you can also use Glade scented plugins or candles to do the trick, too.

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Are Gutter Guards worth the money?

Gutter cleaning is perhaps one of those home maintenance tasks that most homeowners just hate doing. However, neglecting this annoying chore is not an option either. Clogged gutters can cause severe damage to your roof, windows, and walls and you definitely don’t want that. So, is there a way to make this task a bit easy and less painful? Well, as it turns out, there is; enter Gutter Guards! Many people swear by the benefit of these nifty tools that make cleaning your gutters thing of the past. But what exactly are gutter guards and are they worth the money? Well, let’s find out!

What are gutter guards?

In the simplest of terms, gutter guards are covers for your gutters. These covers are designed to keep the debris out but allow the rainwater and snowmelt to go through the gutters. The best part is that they can be installed during the gutter installation or can be added at a later date.

Not all gutter guards are the same. There are four different types of gutter guards that you can choose to install.

• Screen-type guards are the most straightforward gutter guards that you can install as a DIY project. You can make them by cutting PVC or aluminum screening to dementia’s and placing them on top of the gutters. Just remember that these can’t keep small items such as pine needles and small leaves out.
• Foam-type guards are strips of very porous foam that can be played on top of the gutters. The foam allows water to pass through freely but traps the solids on the top.
• Surface Tension gutter guards are curved plastic covers that direct the rainwater and snowmelt into the gutters while keeping the debris out. These are sophisticated guards that need to be installed by a professional.
• Micro-mesh gutter guards have thousands of minute holes that allow the water to pass through but prevent debris. These are the best gutter covers that you can install and block almost all type of trash from entering your gutters. If you choose to install these, you will need the help of a roofing professional.

What to expect after installing gutter guards?

Although installing gutter guards can significantly reduce the instance of clogged gutters, it won’t eliminate the need to clean your gutters entirely. You will need to take some time out to clean out the rubbish from the gutter guards themselves. So, there is that.

However, gutter guards do an excellent job of preventing water damage to your roof due to clogged gutters.

For what they do, gutter guards are an excellent investment for your property. They can efficiently prevent clogged gutters and the potential roof and wall damage that comes with it. So, are they worth the money? You bet, they are!

Call Beneficial Roofing today to learn more about gutter guards and for other roofing services. We would love to work with you to find an option that works the best for you!

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4 Exterior Home Improvements That Will Sell Your Home

Update/repair roof and improve home’s exterior

The exterior of the home is the first impression you will give to potential buyers. When you clean a home, you clean it top to bottom and when you improve your exterior, you do the same. The roof is going to draw the eye first, especially if it has some sores. If it’s obvious some places within the roof need repairing, patch them. And if the roof has dark spots that you can either pressure-wash or repair, do that. If you can’t avoid the roof problem inexpensively, consider investing in and advertising the “brand new roof”.

Landscaping and curb appeal

Make sightly repairs to the front of the home and frame the walk way and porch with attractive and low maintenance plants, surrounded by an attractive, contrasting mulch. It’s been proven that potential buyers sometimes drive by in the evening or night, so replace and consider adding new lights that will showcase your home nicely. A popular trend that has charmed home buyers has been to paint the door a bright color and change its fixtures to be more charming.

Add a deck

Adding an extra place for a family to gather and make memories, such as a deck, serves all the new residents, no matter their age or interests. For you, it can be an investment that ALMOST pays for itself but may be the element that turns a buyer’s maybe into a resounding ‘yes!’. In the West, you can expect the investment to pay for itself 100%, but in the South, about 90% of the investment is returned upon resale.

Replace windows

If you live in a large city, it’s said that replacing the windows will more than be returned on your investment in the end. Otherwise, the investment typically returns 90% back, however, replacing windows if you live in hot climates does not return as much (62% in the Las Vegas area).

It’s apparent that researching which investments to make is wise. Ask your listing agent for recommendations on repairs and replacements, and do your own online research before making any decisions. If you are on a limited budget for making your home as appealing as possible to buyers, always make the necessary repairs first; leaks, broken windows, structural integrity issues, etc. Home buyers will much more appreciate a structurally sound home than an attractive one!

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Christmas Light Hanging Safety

1. The Safest Supplies

The first step in outdoor holiday decorating is choosing the lights you’ll use. There are traditional string lights, lit-up figures, net lights for trees and shrubs, and large ornaments for hanging from trees. ALWAYS purchase outdoor grade lights. These will be waterproof or resistant and have a tag marked underwriters laboratories (UL) which means that they meet national industry standards. This rule also applies for the extension cords you’ll need. Always get outdoor grade/water-resistant cords and materials labeled for outdoor use. If hanging lights, you’ll need a plastic hook product to wrap them around or hang them on, rather than severing and exposing electrical cords with nails. In point 2, we discuss using the proper outlet for the job. If you don’t already have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet, you can pay an electrician to install one or purchase a portable unit from the local hardware store for 20 dollars or less.

2. A Grounded Outlet

Essentially, a GFCI outlet is a grounded outlet with the capability of shutting off when its overloaded which can easily happen when our family goes holiday-decor-happy. The GFCI should ideally have its own fuse. Having this outlet in place may be the most important element of your holiday decorating safety regimen because in case of an overcurrent, it can prevent your home’s lights from turning off and in the worst circumstances, can prevent a fire.

3. Placement of Extension Cords

Again, make sure you are using outdoor grade extension cords. A lot of these precautions are especially for those who live in extreme cold climates with rain, ice, or snow. When placing extension cords, you want to make sure that they are secured above any ground, water, or snow. This might seem common-sensical, but be sure to avoid high traffic areas where people may be walking. Tape them as necessary to keep them out of the way of anyone’s feet or hands

4. Ladder Safety

The best ladders have a wider spread between the legs, rust-proof hardware, heavy side rails, and a firm stance when opened. If your current ladder doesn’t reach the areas and capabilities you’d dreamed of, you should purchase a ladder that does or alter your vision. When using a ladder, make sure it is locked in place, don’t climb too high (above 2^nd step from the top), always be facing the ladder, and don’t place it near doors.

Be safe this and every winter with these safety tips, and have a very merry holiday season from our families to yours!

 

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How to properly inspect your roof for signs of damage

One of the best pieces of advice that we can give any homeowner is to examine their home on a regular basis. Catching minor damages in time can save you a ton of money and inconvenience. Periodic inspection is especially important in case of your roof as you don’t actually see your roof that often. But, how to inspect your roof correctly to spot the early signs of damage? Well, let’s find out!

When to inspect your roof?

The best practice is to inspect your roof twice a year. Once in late Spring and once again in late Summer or early Fall. Apart from these routine checks, make sure to inspect your roof after extreme weather conditions such as storms, hail and heavy snow.

If you experience a problem such a leak, dampness or crack, make sure to call a roofing expert to get things looked at before the problem intensifies. If your roofing material is getting old and nearing its warranty period, you should increase the frequency of inspection. The goal is to catch any problem when it is still minor and easily manageable.

What exactly to check?

Merely looking at your roof is not enough. Make sure that you pay close attention to the following things during the inspection.

• The surface of the roof: Check for the condition of the shingles. Look for missing, cracked or damaged shingles and make arrangements to replace them promptly.
• Check the flashing: Flashing is the metal pieces that cover chimney. Make sure you are looking for rust, cracks and other signs of damage to this area. If the flashing is leaky, water and snow can leak in and start rotting the roof.
• Gutters: Make sure that your gutters are clean and clog-free. Remove the dead leaves and other debris regularly and make sure that there is no obstruction for the rainwater or snowmelt.
• The underside of the roof: Look for sagging ceiling, leakage and holes on the underside of the roof from your attic. There should be no sunlight pouring through the gaps in the ceiling. Make sure that if you see small holes in your ceiling, you get professional help to correct it as soon as possible.

Always remember that your safety is of paramount importance. If possible, use a pair of binoculars inspect your roof closely. Stay safe on ladders and around electric wires.

Checking your roof regularly can help you identify minor problems quickly before they get out of hand. The best way to get this job done is to have a checklist ready before you start the inspection. Make a strategy and note down any anything that out of the ordinary, even any minor issue such as peeled paint or patch of moisture.

If you observe any issue, get it looked at by professionals. Call Beneficial Roofing to schedule an appointment for a thorough roof inspection. Our experts will help you assess, repair and prevent the damage to your roof and keep you and your family safe.

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What are Roof Stains & How to Remove Them!

Do you have stains on your Roof? If So, here is how to get rid of them..

The common cause for roof staining is from organisms like moss, lichens, and algae. These organisms are known to feed off the organic roof material in shingles. The longer it is left untreated, the worse the damage to roofs. This is why removing stains should be a priority for homeowners. Roof stain is essentially fungus and mildew spores which are embedded in the shingles from nearby shrubbery, trees, and plants. All roofing are vulnerable to stain damage and that is why it is important to know how to remove roof stains and maintain them.

DIY solutions

Home owners who would like to make some savings on roof stain removal cost can resort to DIY solutions. But before we start we want to warn you that climbing onto your roof is extremely dangerous and it can cause injuries if you are not careful. This is especially with houses that have large roofs.

The requirements include non-corrosive and non-toxic roof cleaning chemical, a garden hose, a garden sprayer and a full-body harness. Special tool applicators and even rinsing tools may be required for severe roof staining. The roof cleaning product that is selected should be safe for the environment and non-corrosive. There are a good number of brands available in the market to this regard.

The ideal day to remove roof stains is a cool/ overcast day that is characterized by little to no wind. This will allow the spray to properly hit the shingles. Furthermore, the cleaning solutions can only soak deeply into the numerous algae colonies in such weather conditions.

It is equally important to properly prepare the roof stain removal area by cleaning the downspouts and gutters, repairing any loose flashings or shingles. This is what will allow the roof stain-cleaning chemicals to drain freely.

Lawn furniture should be moved and vegetation covered to protect them from inevitable overspray. Good preparation work is necessary as it significantly reduces the cleanup time and effort that would have otherwise been used later.

It is advisable to work from the bottom row and slowly work your way up to the roof peak. The cleaner should be sprayed on the shingles to the point of saturation. Any areas of the roof that dry out in the process should be sprayed again immediately.

Professional solutions

There are several cleaning solutions that roof contractors use to remove roof stains, the notable ones include the following:

Low-pressure cleaning

This technique requires the use of high-grade eco-friendly products. It produces complete and instant results. The technicians of roof cleaning companies use equipment that is precisely designed for gentle and safe roof cleaning.

Chlorine bleach

This method employs the use of sodium hypochlorite (chlorine bleach) mixed in very high concentrations of trisodium phosphate (TSP). This is sprayed on the roof and left to dry. The results are not immediate because the stains take some time to come off. It is affordable compared to other methods.

High-pressure power washing

This method is used by a few roof cleaning contractors. This particular technique of removing roof stains is not very effective because it may leave behind root systems and this leads to a quick return of algae. This can be done with your regular inspections to make sure those pesky algae won’t come back.

Conclusion

Removing roof stains is an inevitable home improvement and maintenance exercise. This is why it is important to hire qualified contractors like us to undertake it. You’ll save not only time but money in the long run because maintaining good roof in an investment. Well-maintained roof means higher resale value if ever you want to sell your house in the future.

So, what are you waiting for?

Call Beneficial Roofing today for a FREE Roof Estimates. And we will make sure to remove all those roof stains that ruin the image of your home.

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