Have you ever walked around in some residential homes or commercial buildings and LOOKED UP to notice that the Fire Sprinklers have a colored liquid in it? As it turns out, the color of the heat sensitive liquid in the glass bulb has a purpose.
#firesprinklers#funfacts#homesafety#firesafety#homeowner#homeownership#newengland#massachusetts#newhampshire#maine#realestate#realestateadvice
One thing that I absolutely LOVE doing is DIY’s / quick flips, especially ones that the kids can join in on.
– The brass lamp is from my grandparents, which was sitting in an attic dusty and unused for many years. I immediately saw it and knew that it had potential.
– After a quick cleaning, scrub down followed by some light sanding with the help of my little helper, it was time to paint.
– I love Rust-oleum spray paint. It’s super easy to use. Just shake it up and spray.
-After several coats of Rust-oleum paint & primer along with a new lampshade, it now has a beautiful new home, where it is enjoyed by all.
#diy#diyhomeprojects#diyhomedecor#homedecor#homeownership#rustoleum#realestate#diytips
Just out of curiosity, when’s the last time you tested your Smoke or CO2 detectors? Some of them are hardwired into the home, while others run off of batteries.
– If you are thinking of selling your home, but you’re unsure as to what steps need to be done before closing, make sure that your **smoke detectors and CO detectors are compliant and up to code with your state**. Contact your local fire prevention department, to see what needs to be done, hire a licensed electrician if needed, so that when the time comes for your scheduled smoke inspection, prior to closing, that your home will PASS.
– Did you know that a FAILED smoke inspection could cause a potential delay in closing. DON’T LET THAT HAPPEN TO YOU. *BE P R O A C T I V E*.
** Contact your local fire prevention department for more information on what needs to be done to get your home up to code
For more info in Massachusetts, visit: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/preparing-your-home-for-a-smoke-and-co-alarm-inspection
#houseinspection#smoke#co2#homesellers#homesellertips#homemaintenance#homeowner#realestate#smokedetector#protectyourfamily♥️
Sump Pumps
– What are they? They are used to remove groundwater drainage from a sump basin / sump pit in your basement, to the exterior of your home.
– There is a float switch inside of the system, that once the water level reaches a certain point, causing the float to rise / drop, the system will then turn on/ off.
The water is then discharged through a pipe that exits the exterior wall of your home.
If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, I highly recommend that you have a sump pump (with a backup battery) installed in your home. Sump pumps need to always be plugged in. If there’s a storm, and you lose your power, your pump will not work, unless there is a backup power source.
– Make sure you *test your sump pump yearly* with an outdoor hose feeding water into the sump basin / sump pit to make sure it’s in working order.
** Invest in a good sump pump to protect your home from water damage **
#sumppump#realestate#homeowner#homeownership#basement#protectyourhome#homemaintenancetips#homemaintenance
What is a septic system? – It’s an underground wastewater treatment system that is commonly found at homes in rural areas. The wastewater from the home, is collected into a storage/ septic tank, where the liquid wastewater then exits the tank into a leach/ drain field.
– Title V is a law in MA state that governs septic system installation and maintenance. It makes sure that your system is running efficiently, has been properly pumped, maintained and that there are no issues with regard to the construction or use of it.
– When are they required? If you are planning on selling your home or if you have specific types of renovations / remodeling projects planned, where you are expanding your homes footprint, or adding a bedroom.
– Who does them? They must be performed by a state licensed inspector (trained by the MA Department of Environmental Protection)
– How long is it good for? 2 years. However, if the homeowner has their septic system pumped every year, it is valid for 3 years.
For more information, visit: www.mass.gov/septic-systems-title-5
#titlefiveinspection#titlev#inspection#realestate#septictank#homeownership#homemaintenance
A final water reading **must be done prior to the sale of a home**. The seller’s side will schedule the final water reading ~2 weeks prior to the closing date. Every town is different, so it is important to check your town’s website or contact your local DPW to see how you can request a final water reading.
A lot of questions that I receive are “where is my water meter located or what is that box thing on the outside of my house?“
– You can usually find the water meter wherever your water service enters your home. It could be found outside, in the basement or in a utility room. If you live in an area that sees cold winters, like here in New England, then the water meter should *always* be located inside the home, where there is heat, and it will never be located outside. The water meter is usually located near the main water shut off valve. The Main Water Shut Off Valve shuts off ALL water access from the main source that enters your home. It’s very important to learn where it is, in case of a water pipe emergency.
– That “box thing” on the outside of some homes is called a Smart Point, which is a radio frequency communication system. The Smart Point system communicates with a handheld device that the DPW tech has on them, so that they do not have to physically enter your home to obtain the water reading.
#publicworkdepartment#realestate#homesafety#homeownership#homeownershiptips#watermeter
LEAD is one of the main health and environmental hazards associated with paint
– A Lead Paint Disclosure is required for any Residential properties built before 1978 before selling or leasing a property
– Lead is highly toxic to humans when it is ingested. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to injury.
– Congress passed the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, also known as Title X, to protect families from exposure to lead from paint, dust, and soil. Section 1018 of this law directed HUD and EPA to require the disclosure of known information on lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards before the sale or lease of most housing built before 1978.
(https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes/enforcement/disclosure )
#homesafety#homesafetytip#lead#protectyourself#realestate#homeowner#leadabatement#delead
Happy 4th from my family to yours! 🥰
If you have a basement that you use on a day to day basis, especially with young kids, I highly recommend that you have it tested for Radon. Radon’s a cancer causing radioactive gas and you especially do not want young kids to be down there. Before we converted ours to a playroom, our Radon levels were 13.6 pCi/L, EPA safe levels are 4 pCi/L or lower. We had a Radon Mitigation System installed and our level dropped to around 1 pCi/L. Thank goodness! Get your basement tested, to protect your family.
Grab a test kit at your local Home Depot – TEST KIT
#homesafety#homesafetytips#homesafetytip#radon#protectyourself#realestate#homeowners#homeownership#radonmitigation#radonmitigationsystem