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How To Get The Best Rates On Homeowner’s Insurance In Florida

June 26, 2024   Matt

How To Get The Best Rates On Homeowner’s Insurance In Florida

For most homeowners in Florida their home represents their biggest investment and their most valuable and prized asset. Therefore it’s only natural that they would want to do everything possible to protect their investment. One way to protect your home and its contents is to purchase homeowner’s insurance.

Even though everyone wants to protect their home in case of a disaster, everyone still wants to get the best rates on homeowner’s insurance in Florida that they possibly can.

The good news is there are several simple steps you can take that can help to reduce the cost of your homeowner’s policy.

Let start by reviewing how much insurance you need. You need enough insurance to rebuild your home from the foundation up and to replace the contents of your home. In other words, after a disaster you need enough money to put things back the way they were.

The one thing you do not want to pay for is homeowner’s insurance on the value of the land underneath your home. Your land doesn’t need to be insured.

Keep in mind that here in Florida most homeowner’s policies have a wind exclusion and no standard homeowner’s policy covers your home in case of flooding. You need to speak with your agent about ways to get insurance for wind and flood.

If your home is more than 10 years old ask your agent how much of a savings you would realize each month if you upgraded the plumbing and the electrical systems. Often the savings can really add up over the course of a year.

Make sure all brush and weeds are cleared at least ten feet away from any structure on your property. This reduces the risk of fire and could result in a monthly savings.

Make certain that every exterior door has a working deadbolt and that every window, regardless of what floor it is on, has a working lock. Let your agent know about any upgrades or improvements that you make to your home or your property. Even new landscaping, fixing cracked or broken walkways or replacing loose floorboards or hand railings on porches or decks can reduce your monthly homeowner’s insurance premium.

Adding motion-sensitive outdoor floodlighting can also reduce your monthly premium as can trimming back bushes away from windows (making it more difficult for burglars to ply their trade).

Inside your home make certain that you have installed the proper number of smoke and fire detectors for the size and layout of your home and make sure they all have fresh batteries at least twice each year. Many people make a habit of replacing the batteries in their smoke and fire detectors every time they switch their clocks forward or backward an hour.

Buy a kitchen-rated fire extinguisher for your kitchen and mount it in a convenient place.

Keep your credit rating clean. Believe it or not, your credit rating affects how much you pay for your homeowner’s insurance. The higher your credit score the lower your monthly homeowner’s insurance premium.

If you have multiple insurance policies, such as auto and health with the same insurance company you should qualify for a special Multi-Policy Discount.

If you’ve been with the same insurance company for at least 5 years talk to your agent about a Long-Term Policy Discount on your Homeowner’s insurance.

If you can afford to install a home security system that monitors your home 24/7 for fire and burglary you could save a considerable amount on your insurance premium each month, but be sure to consult your agent before purchasing any such system as some systems qualify for a much larger discount than other systems.

If anyone in your household is 55 or older and retired you could be due another discount on your premium.

How long has it been since you reviewed your deductible? If you can afford to increase your deductible then you can save a good deal each year on your premium payments.

O.K., that should be enough for you to put together a homeowner’s policy that saves you money month after month, year after year. All that’s left now is to get online and find at least 3 different websites that allow you to compare the cost of your super-policy between different insurance companies and you’ll be all set.

Take the extra time to make your comparisons on at least 3 different websites so you can be certain that you are seeing the prices of all the different insurance companies here in Florida. Once you’ve done that then you can rest easy at night in the knowledge that you have gotten the very best rates on homeowner’s insurance here in Florida.

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Plumbing Problems Clogging Up Your Time? Help Is Here!

June 24, 2024   Matt

Plumbing Problems Clogging Up Your Time? Help Is Here!

If you’re a homeowner and have had to call a plumber to fix a problem, you know how expensive and annoying it can be. Wouldn’t it be great if you could fix your plumbing yourself? Well, it might be easier than you think! Read on to find out how.

Avoid pouring grease or oil down your kitchen sink drain. Grease and oil can build up in your pipes and cause a backup. Instead, wait for the grease or oil to cool and solidify and either throw it away or see if there’s a place to recycle it near your home.

Use a shop vacuum to unplug your toilets or drains, if a hard object is clogging it. Using a plunger will only push the object further and make it impossible to remove. If you do not have a shop vacuum, you can rent one from most Walmart stores or from similar franchises.

If you need to drill holes in your walls or ceilings, start with a hole big enough to fit your hand through it. Take a picture of the inside with a camera or a cell phone. Make sure you activate the flash function and take several pictures in different directions.

To protect your money from unsavory plumbers, always get a written estimate before paying a cent or committing to a project. Good businessmen know to under-promise and over-deliver to savvy customers. Once a stated number is given, it is highly unlikely that your plumber will exceed the projected costs of the project.

Before you start a plumbing project you should tighten all of the pipes that are easily accessible. Especially if your pipes are making a range of loud banging sounds, as this is a clear sign that there are loose pipes along the line. It is also a good idea in case there is a clog so the excess pressure released does not break a loose pipe.

Make sure your plumbing contractor has the proper insurance before letting them work in your home. This is a big problem with all types of construction contractors. They may have the proper licenses, but because of the high cost of insurance, they may not be properly insured and can end up on your homeowners policy if they get hurt.

To winterize a house that will sit unused during the winter months, you must completely drain all of the pipes. After turning off the main water supply, let all of the water drain from the faucets, toilets, and water heater (turn off the gas). Add a quart of antifreeze to sinks and the tub to prevent water from freezing in the drain trap.

Always keep a trash bin in the bathroom so that you can dispose of cotton swabs, facial pads, and hair. Do not put these materials in the toilet as they can cause clogs over time and disrupt your water flow. These items will not dissolve or break down when submerged in water.

As you can see, solving your plumbing problems yourself can be a satisfying way to save money and take care of your house independently. Next time you have a plumbing problem, you’ll be ready to tackle the issue yourself with the tips you’ve taken from this article.

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Massage Bathtubs. Experience Soothing Luxury

June 22, 2024   Matt

Massage Bathtubs. Experience Soothing Luxury

A Massage Bathtub. It’s Your Own Private Escape

How often have you thought about going to a Spa and decided against it citing time or financial constraints. Well, you can now have your own home-spa and indulge in unbridled luxury from the comforts of your own home. There are a host of options available in the market when it comes to massage bathtubs.

These bathtubs are extra long, extra deep, and are available in many different variations with regards to the massage components. For e.g. multiple jets massage bath tubs, bubble massage bath tubs etc. Whatever maybe your choice, you can rest assure yourself that after a long day at work, you can sink into your own personal massage bathtub and experience pure bliss. Imagine jets massaging your neck, back, legs etc! It will be relaxation personified. Add to that a soothing music playing in the background and you have created heaven on Earth.

The Air Massage Bath Tubs

One of the most important differences between the massage tubs of spas and your own private massage bathtub is that you can drain the water from your tub after each use.

The air massage bath tubs use a steady stream of air bubbles, which are released into the tub from small holes that are present at the bottom of the bathtub. There are other types of units available that not only have holes at the side of the tub, but also at the back. As many as 70 little holes will pump warm air and thus creates thousands of air bubbles that give you the definitive body massage.

What you essentially get is jet therapy. This is different from the whirlpool system that massages particular parts of your body, as all areas of your body are massaged in this system. It will not only soothe your muscles or joints but also develop, tone, and enhance their strength. Bubbles are inherently gentle in nature and hence a bather can soak in, to their hearts content.

Water Jet or Whirlpool Massage Bath Tub

As the name suggests, massage bath tubs with water jets have a systems wherein, jet features, help in propelling waters through the opening that are present at the side of the bathtubs to offer bathers an effective massage. The only thing to take care of, when you use these massage bathtubs is the fact that you cannot indulge in bubble baths or use bath salts or bath oils while bathing.

One must also ensure that the tub is kept clean, especially, the holes, otherwise the holes will get clogged. These massage tubs; to an extent resemble the whirlpool massage tubs at the spas, not in their structure, but in their working and effect. These tubs are now available with an inbuilt cleaning system, which precludes the need for regular cleaning.

Buying a Massage Bathtub

You must always base your decisions on your personal requirements. Some of the physical considerations while choosing such a bath tub would be the size of your bathroom and the shape of your bathroom. The size is important as the massage bathtub must comfortably fit into your bathroom.

Another factor would be the cost. It would be fair to say that massage bathtubs do not come cheap, but with the various available choices, you can find something that suits your budget. Thoroughly research the market before zeroing in on your choice when it comes to massage bathtubs. After all, they are going to help you relax and invigorate your body. You don’t want a bathtub that proclaims itself to be a superior massage option but does not provide you with the necessary benefits.

So select with due care and experience a haven of comfort and happiness.

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How To Get Cheap Homeowner’s Insurance Online In Iowa

June 21, 2024   Matt

How To Get Cheap Homeowner’s Insurance Online In Iowa

It would be easy to tell you to just jump online, find one of the many sites that allow you to make comparisons of the prices of homeowner’s insurance policies from a variety of different insurance companies and be done with it.

Unfortunately doing that will not necessarily get you the cheapest homeowner’s insurance that you can find online in Iowa.

The good news is, the steps you need to take before getting online to look for your cheap homeowner’s policy are all relatively easy to take.

Let’s start with smoking. If you smoke you are going to pay more for your homeowner’s insurance. It’s that simple. You need to stop smoking if you want to get the best possible rates. If you already have a homeowner’s insurance policy and you were a smoker at the time you took out the policy but you have since quit, you need to let your agent know as you will be in line for a rather nice reduction in your monthly premiums.

Do you have other insurance policies – auto insurance or health insurance for instance – with the same insurance company? If so you should be getting a multi-policy discount.

Similarly, if you have had your policy with the same company for 5 or 6 years you need to ask your agent if you qualify for a Long-Term Discount.

Keep your credit rating good. Many people are not aware that the monthly premium you pay for your homeowner’s insurance is based, in part, on your credit score. The better your credit score the less you will pay each month for your homeowner’s insurance.

If your home is more than 10 years old talk to your agent about the savings you could receive if you were to up-grade the plumbing or the electrical system.

Fire danger is a big part of the monthly premium you pay for your policy, so clearing all brush and weeds ten feet away from all structures on your property can often lower your premium.

If you can afford to install a sprinkler system or a monitored home protection system that reports fire and burglaries to the authorities 24/7 you could be entitled to as much as a 30% reduction in your monthly homeowner’s premium, but talk to your agent before installing such a system as not all systems receive the same discount.

Install motion-sensitive outdoor floodlights to discourage burglars, and trim bushes away from all windows to further discourage home break-ins.

Install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors and make certain that all windows, even those on upper stories, have a working lock.

Install the proper number of fire and smoke detectors for the size and layout of your home and make certain that all of them are in working order. Change batteries twice yearly at the same time that clocks are set forward or backward an hour.

Buy a fire extinguisher that is specially designed for kitchen fires and keep it handy in your kitchen.

When setting the value of your policy make certain that it is enough to rebuild your home from the foundation up and that it is sufficient to replace all of your belongings – but don’t make the mistake of insuring the land under your home.

Can you afford a bigger deductible on your policy? Consider this question carefully as you will be asked to come up with the cash to cover your deductible if you ever have a claim. Doubling your deductible from 0 to ,000 can greatly reduce your monthly premium payment.

O.K., now that you know what you are looking for in a policy – how you can structure a policy to save you the most money each month – it’s time for you to get online and start making comparisons on at least 3 of the websites that allow you to compare homeowner’s insurance policies and prices here in Iowa.

Be sure to take the extra time to make your comparisons on multiple sites (at least 3 different websites) if you really and truly want to get cheap homeowner’s insurance online here in Iowa, since no one website compares all of the different insurance companies operating in the state.

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Things A Plumber May Be Able To Do That You Cannot (2)

June 19, 2024   Matt

Things A Plumber May Be Able To Do That You Cannot

How many times have you called in a plumber, only to have him charge you an expensive rate for a simple fix that you could have done yourself? If you know a little more about your plumbing system, you can save a lot of money. Read this article dealing with some plumbing tips that you can use.

Make sure you get a good recommendation or check the references before you hire a plumber. With good recommendations, it will assure that you are hiring an experienced plumber. If the experienced plumber is professional, he will have a fully stocked truck and be able to complete most small jobs in one visit.

Use a product like BioBen if you are planning to leave your system shut off for a few weeks. Water will still remain in the pipes and could start smelling because it is not moving. This type of product will keep the water from stagnating and from smelling too bad.

If you have chrome or ceramic plumbing fixtures, be very careful when making any types of repairs. These types of finishes are very easily scratched, and they are expensive to get fixed. Be careful and exercise caution when dealing with these finishes. Consider if it may be better to hire a professional.

If the pipes have burst in an upstairs area, use a tool to perforate the ceiling underneath in several places and places pots and pans under to catch the water. If this is not done, the weight of the accumulating water could cause a collapse of the entire ceiling.

Do not put cooking oils, fat, or grease, down your drain. These fats cause clogs by solidifying in pipes. To properly dispose of fats, put them in a bowl with a lid that you can dispose of. Once it gets hard, throw it in the trash or compost bin.

Routinely check your appliance connections and faucets around the house for any kind of obvious leaks or nearby signs of moisture. Not only do even the smallest leaks lead to a large waste of water and money, they also can lead to damage to your home or even the development of harmful molds.

Work with plumbers that offer flat rates. When a plumber is charging by the hour, they do not have an incentive to get the job done quickly. It is human nature to go just a little bit slower if it’ll mean extra money in our pockets. If you cannot find someone who charges per project make sure that you are vigilant in watching the clock and their work.

Use the sounds you hear from your pipes to help you to determine what they problem is. Certain sounds mean the water pressure is too high. Other sounds can signify loose pipes or slight clogs from calcium or iron build up. Listening to your pipes can save you a lot of money hunting down the problem.

There are times when a plumber’s service is necessary. However, many plumbing issues can be addressed easily if you know how. Learning more about how your plumbing works can save you time and money in repairs. Remember these tips, and they could save you a lot of headaches the next time you have a plumbing problem.

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Vacuums Commercial or Domestic?

June 17, 2024   Matt

Vacuums Commercial or Domestic?

Most of us would be lost without our trusty vacuum cleaner to help around the house, and usually, a domestic strength vacuum model is more than sufficient to meet our cleaning needs. While the typical type of cleaner that is used at home is of a power designed specifically with a home environment in mind, there are some times when a domestic vacuum can fall short. Should you invest in a commercial-strength vacuum cleaner?

Commercial vacuums were designed with an environment other than the domestic in mind. While normal home life usually involves a certain amount of dust and debris, this is very little in comparison to that created in more commercial environments. Whether this is a busy office or a factory floor, commercial vacuums are manufactured with this in mind, and are therefore more powerful, more durable, and more difficult to manoeuvre.

A commercial vacuum cleaner might be more appropriate if you have a large home to clean, or place particularly heavy demands upon your cleaner. This type of vacuum usually boasts a more powerful suction device than domestic brands, allowing you to ensure your environment is kept as spotless as possible. While these types of cleaner might seem ideal for those with more rigorous hygiene requirements, such as those households that include someone who is ill, a breed of domestic cleaners has been developed that removes many allergens from your surfaces. These include a technology known as HEPA, and help keep your home as particle free as possible.

A commercial vacuum cleaner might be suitable for you if you run a business from your home that generates excessive debris, or if you have heavy traffic on your floors. A commercial cleaner is a good choice for those who are considering making a job of cleaning, as domestic vacuums may fall short of the heavy use required in that situation. A commercial model can easily tackle office debris, such as staples and paper clips, while these might cause clogging in a domestic type, making an already physically intensive job even more demanding.

With its durability and power, a commercial vacuum cleaner is the ideal choice if your cleaning needs are greater than might be found in the average home. Investing in a commercial strength cleaner might seem steep, but it is a choice that can save you money in the long run.

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