5 Signs It’s Time For Smart Home Maintenance

Home maintenance is often ignored by homeowners due to the dent it can cause to their bank account. Nevertheless, in some cases, home maintenance is essential because it helps retain or increase the value of your property without compromising on your living standards.



Not all signs will be noticeable until a detailed inspection is conducted. However, here are some of the tell-tale signs that will give you every reason to conduct smart home maintenance:

The Washing Machine Hose Is Bulging
If you notice a bulge in the hose, take action immediately. The hose may be about to burst. This is an emergency situation and needs professional assistance right away. This could also be a sign of leakage in the hose. If not taken care of in time, it could cause a costly damage.

When You Notice Melted Grommets On Your Water Heater
This could be a sign of the presence of deadly gases in your home. The gases generated from the water heater find their way out of your home through a duct. Sometimes, blockage in the duct may not allow the gases to release. Instead, the gases backdraft and combine the air with deadly carbon monoxide.

This happens if plastic of the duct is damaged due to heated water. You can seek assistance from a professional to detect and fix the duct. PlumbingFix, Santa Clarita based experts offer emergency services to fix water heaters. Contacting them may help you get rid of the damage.

The Water Meter Keeps Running
If you haven’t noticed any leakage in the water, the meter is the best way to find out. First and foremost, inspect the plumbing fixtures and faucets in your house. Find out if they’re properly turned off. In case the meter still keeps running, you need to get it checked and fixed immediately.

Indoor leaks are often easy to find. Also, check for water stains on the ceilings and walls. Inspect your kitchen and toilet carefully. Pay attention to the valves and focus on the water dropping sound.

Leakage In The Roof

If your roof is leaking, your roofing system needs immediate maintenance. It could be old, rotten, or damaged. To resolve this issue, you have two options: you can either consider complete renovation or go for various fixing methods.

The best way to decide is to first find out how much it is damaged already. New roofing with asphalt shingles is a pricey job and can cost you between $4500 and $10,000. Therefore, before you decide, get it checked and find out if repairing can fix it.

Efflorescence On Chimney Brick

Clearly, this means that a lot of moisture has built up inside. Efflorescence is a white material that appears on the chimney's brick and shouldn’t be ignored. Its appearance shows the movement of moisture through masonry.

The movement of moisture picks up minerals and leaves tiny white crystals behind. While this isn’t really harmful and a little amount of efflorescence is quite common, it’s a cause of concern if it’s too noticeable.

If the moisture is accumulating, it could eventually cause damage to the chimney. In worse cases, your flue liner may also be affected. The combustion of gases from the water heater, fireplace, or furnace is also harmful to your environment.

While these signs are easy to identify, the outdoor leaks can go unnoticed for years. Getting it checked and fixed by professionals is the best way to keep up with smart home maintenance.

Tijuana Flats Now Open In Lexington, SC

If you're a fan of Tex-Mex cuisine (or maybe you're undecided), Tijuana Flats is a great place to try. We were so thrilled when we found out that Tijuana Flats opened up a location in Columbia, SC. We've visited a few times and I learned today that there in a new store opening today in Lexington, SC. It's located at 5318 Sunset Blvd. The new store will span 2,450 square feet, and will include 68 indoor guest seats and 34 patio seats.

Like all existing Tijuana Flats stores, the new location will also feature energy-efficient equipment and environmentally friendly processes, such as menus on recycled paper, water-conserving faucets, and more.

Tijuana Flats will promote the following grand-opening specials at the Lexington location throughout the store’s first week:

• Monday, 10/23 – First 50 guests receive a free quesadilla and $5 quesadillas all day
• Tuesday 10/24 (and every Tuesday) – Tijuana Tuesdaze: Two tacos, chips and a drink for $5.49
• Wednesday, 10/25 – First 50 guests receive a free burrito bowl and $5 burrito bowls all day
• Thursday, 10/26 (and every Thursday) – Throwback Thursdaze: Tijuana burrito, chips and a drink for $5.99
• Friday, 10/27 – Rock Out Party! $2 tacos and Mexican drafts, and live music from 6-9 p.m., $2 Mexican drafts available from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Saturday, 10/28– Local Hero Day: Police, firefighters, EMT, nurses, teachers, & military get 50% off any entrée with valid ID.
• Sunday, 10/29 – Free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Tijuana Flats plans to open an additional two restaurants across the Southeast before the end of the year.

To view the Tijuana Flats menu and list of additional locations, visit tijuanaflats.com. And let me tell you, that hot sauce bar is the BEST! If you haven't read our review before, here it is. 

Be sure to follow Tijuana Flats on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates.

Get An Early Start On Your Holiday Shopping With Our $100 Fall Giveaway

I can't believe that we are nearing the end of October already. I always say that once November comes, you might as well kiss the year goodbye. The time goes so quickly and the holiday season gets into full swing. I am not ready! Are you ready? In the event you're ready to get some early holiday shopping out of the way, we have a great giveaway for you. I've teamed up with a group of fabulous bloggers to give you the chance to win $100.

It's so easy enter. Check out the details below. 

How to enter: There are 10 Instagram accounts. Follow one or all but the more accounts you follow the more entries you’ll receive. If you’re already a follower of an account, claim that entry! This giveaway starts October 20 at midnight EST and ends November 4 at 11:59 PM EST. Entrants must be USA residents and at least 18 years old. One winner will be randomly selected from all qualifying entries and contacted via the email they provide. The email will come from joannegreco at gmail. The winner has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The prize is $100 in Paypal or Amazon online gift card, winner’s choice.
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How to Minimize Health Risks When Using Harsh Cleaners in Your Home

As our knowledge of chemistry advances, we find better and better ways to efficiently clean our surroundings, especially our homes. However, unbeknownst to many of us, these cleaning agents may be doing harm not only to the harmful microorganisms they claim to eradicate, but also to our health and the health of our loved ones. Discover what you can do to protect yourself and your family from possible respiratory problems caused by these chemicals.

Know Your Products

Image via Flickr by yourbestdigs

The best way to protect yourself is by knowing the enemy which, in this case, are the harsh chemicals. For example, resources across the web talk about harsh chemicals causing breathing problems.

Before you buy a cleaning product, read the labels and find out if the chemicals included can cause health problems. Learn to look for signs such as a danger or poison label. Some may have a label that notes the ingredients are corrosive or may cause burns.

Wear Protective Gloves and Mask

If you can’t avoid using certain chemicals, then you should take steps to physically protect yourself. Wear a plastic apron if available so that you will not get soaked with corrosive chemicals when you clean. Use gloves and a mask not only when you are using chemicals, but also when you are uncertain of the chemicals included in your cleaning products.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

Most chemicals can harm you when you breathe the fumes they produce. Cleaning products can contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Even under room temperature, they can evaporate and turn to harmful fumes. Wearing masks can protect you, but ultimately, proper ventilation is essential. Before cleaning, open doors and windows to allow harsh fumes to escape.

Clean Your Home Regularly

If you clean your home regularly, dirt, bacteria, and molds are less likely to accumulate. Do not fall into the habit of cleaning only once in a while. In these cases, you may be tempted to use stronger and potentially more harmful chemicals to ensure a deeper cleaning. Cleaning regularly also gives you an opportunity to find out whether the products you use have not expired.

Follow Safekeeping Procedures

When you need to store cleaning products in your home, follow the instructions on the label. Make sure that these containers are tightly sealed and out of the reach of children and pets. Make sure you know which products to store in well-ventilated areas and which are better placed in locked cabinets. Place flammable products such as paint thinners in cool, dry areas.

While you need to have a clean household, taking care of your health is important. You can take many steps such as making your own household cleaners instead of using store-bought products. Consider searching for more ways to reduce the use of chemicals; you can also talk to other families in your own community for different ideas and suggestions. By following the tips presented above, you can minimize the health risks brought about by using harsh cleaning agents in your home.

Local Food Find: Famous Toastery Columbia, SC

For several months now, I have been following a restaurant on Instagram called Famous Toastery Columbia. For some reason I assumed that it was located in downtown Columbia or even further away. Turns out that it is super close to where I lived, so the husband and I went for a breakfast date. Being newbies, we were overwhelmed by the menu. They have a lot of options for breakfast including everything from shrimp and grits, to pancakes, French toast, and omelets. Unlike most breakfast joints, Famous Toastery serves up the perfect brunch-worthy cocktails. Deciding what to order was hard. 

My husband already had the idea of pancakes stuck in his head so he went with the apple cinnamon pancakes paired with turkey sausage, and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. The word lobster caught my eye from their weekend special menu, so I went with the lobster scramble with potatoes on the side. I also splurged and got a Bloody Mary because I was feeling a little fancy. 

Isn't this cocktail so pretty? It was so delicious and full of zesty, spicy goodness. 

Our server brought over a small basket of homemade cornbread with a delicious apple compote type concoction. We decided to only take a nibble to save room for our meal. Trust me, I would have devoured all three pieces if I could! We didn't have to wait very long for our entrees to come out. Everything was presented so nicely and the server was super sweet and accommodating. 

I'm a huge potato lover so I had to take a bite of that first. Oh man, it was perfectly cooked with the right amount of seasoning. The lobster scramble was everything I hoped it would be. It had nice pieces of lobster nestled inside the soft scrambled eggs, along with some veggies. I loved this dish! The hubby was so happy with his pancakes and turkey sausage. We both were impressed with that made-from-scratch taste you normally don't get from most chain places. We were also pleased to see how many non-pork and non-meat options were available. Perfect for vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. 

We will definitely head back to Famous Toastery, northeast Columbia location to try out some of the other menu items. The food, drinks, and service were all excellent. It's a perfect spot for a girl's brunch. I know my daughters will love it! If you're ever in Columbia, SC, you should check out Famous Toastery for yourself! There are also locations in a few other states as well. 

I did not receive any incentive to post this review. We simply enjoyed our meals and wanted to share our review with you. Thanks for stopping by today.