What To Do If You Notice A Leak In Your Home

 Having a leak is a scary thing. In the span of just a minute, I bet that a million questions run through your mind after finding a leak. How long has this been happening? How much water is there? What is leaking? Where is this water coming from? How much damage do we have? Could we have mold? The list goes on and on… I know how scary it is, but standing around crying about it does absolutely nothing. If you have a leak, you need to move quickly to solve the issue(s). That is why I created this post, what to do if you notice a leak in your home. Here are the steps you should take:

Turn off your water

When you discover a leak you’ll want to act quickly in order to avoid any costly damage and repairs. In some cases, that will be unavoidable. However, most leaks discovered early will have caused minimal damage. The first thing you will want to do when you discover a water leak is to shut off the water to whatever appliance it is leaking from. If there are any electronics nearby you will want to immediately unplug and or remove them. In some instances, shutting off the circuit breaker may be necessary. You may also have to turn your main water valve off at the source. Keep in mind that this could be located in your garage, your yard, or even offsite somewhere.

Remove standing water and run fans

Push any furniture from the space aside, grab a mop, and start getting the water off your surfaces. This will lower the chances of mold and mildew developing. Cleaning up the mess is extremely important before putting everything back in its initial place. Besides a simple mop and some fans can be crucial. If you have a bigger leak to contend with, larger fans and portable dehumidifiers can often be rented from local hardware stores. Keep fans running overnight and make sure the space is well ventilated, if possible. 

Call a plumber

Once you have avoided the immediate crisis, it is time to call a plumber to see what the issue could be (if you don’t already know). If your issue is pipe related, they will be able to help you out!

How do I know if I have a leak?

Trust me. If you have a significant leak, you will know. But, sometimes leaks are sneaky. For example, water could be leaking through your roof, into your attic, and it could potentially be hard to pinpoint. Or, your toilets could be running and might go undetected. This is when some basic investigating works great! Monitor your water bill, check for wall or ceiling discoloration, and make sure things smell fresh, not musty or moldy.

What if it is a leak from the roof?

In this case, a plumber will not be able to help you out, and you need to call a roofing expert, such as Greater American Roofing - Louisville. They are a Louisville KY commercial roofing company that offers free roof inspections! Since 2000, Greater American Roofing has provided one-of-a-kind, platinum quality services by assisting their customers every step of the way. Offering free inspections, design consultations, and even onsite executive team oversight while installing luxury roofing systems, they act as consultants for our clients. “We focus on the highest quality for the most efficient cost, while still providing an excellent solution to their roofing needs,” they say. “There are dozens of roofing contractors to choose from when it comes to a new roof.  However, not many SPECIALIZE in the luxury market like we do. We have invested heavily in this market because we understand that YOUR luxury home deserves specialized attention.  What sets us apart? Our dedication to providing our customers with professional inspection reports, with assistance working with an insurance claim, professional design consultation, and certified luxury roofing system installation crews that understand that every roof is not the same. At Greater American Roofing & Restoration, we refuse to cut corners, and provide experienced project managers to ensure everything is done with quality that far exceeds the average in the industry.” Greater American Roofing has the experience, the know-how, and the great reviews to back up their work. Plus, they offer system warranties backed by their manufacturer for up to 50 years that other contractors simply can’t offer. Why do they do this? “Because Greater American Roofing & Restoration is a GAF Certified Contractor, and uses only in-house crews that are trained and certified as well.”

If you have a leak thanks to a faulty or old roof, Greater American Roofing will take great care of you, from start to finish.

Spring into Spring! 5 outdoor toy ideas your kids will love

 

Have you started to notice the first signs of spring, yet? Those little snowdrops poking through the ground? Or the long daffodil stalks starting to bud? Even the nights don’t seem as dark these days. Spring is like seeing the light at the end of a dark, cold winter tunnel and we could all use an extra dose of hope and happiness these days. 

Sunny, warmer spring days means more time outdoors having fun as a family. So, if your garden toys are looking a little worse for wear after a winter stuck in your spider-filled garden shed, or your little ones are looking for a little more excitement in their back yard, then I can help. Here I’ve gathered my best picks for toys suitable for a 3 year old boy, their siblings, and for you to enjoy too! 

Read on to find out more. 

A trampoline 

Put the spring into spring with a bouncy trampoline!? It doesn't matter how big your backyard is, you'll find that trampolines come in a range of sizes and heights, so if you don't want your garden to be turned into a trampoline park, then go for something a little modest. You can erect a safety net around their new toy to give yourself peace of mind. Remember to erect your trampoline away from fences, clotheslines, and rockeries, etc. And don't forget – they're great fun (and exercise) for us adults too! 

Swingball!

Struggling for space? No problem! Swingball has been a family favorite for decades, and it's easy to see why! You and your children can challenge each other to matches, or enjoy games by yourself. This compact kit won’t impose in your garden space, and it can be packed away neatly when not in use. It’s incredibly addictive and will provide hours of fun. Choosing a set with an adjustable height means your younger children can have a go too!

A giant bubble kit

Everyone loves bubbles. Whether they’re blowing little wands covered in a home-made bubble solution or you’ve picked up a few bottles from the toy store, blowing bubbles is both fun and incredibly calming. If you want to take it to the next level, consider a giant bubble kit! Perfect for the backyard, you can make giant bubbles using the large wands and child-friendly solution. Just make sure they take it in turns!

Something for your little gardeners

Do you have a little one with green fingers? Do they like following you around "helping" as you prune the bushes and plant your latest garden center purchases? If so, why not indulge their interest and treat them to some gardening tools for kids? Following you around with their own set of tools, including a wheelbarrow, watering can, and mini plant pots will keep them busy for hours! 

And finally, golf! 

Golf requires concentration and forward-thinking. And if you can hold their interest with a plastic club and colorful, zany obstacles then they’ll love competing against you and their siblings! It also helps develop hand-eye coordination. 

Date Night In Jacksonville- What To Do, Where To Go

 

While it is obviously apparent that "date night" doesn't mean quite the same thing as it used to (Thanks, 2020), there are still a lot of great date night experiences to be had in Jacksonville. Jacksonville is a super romantic city anyway, and if you don't already have a sweetie to share a date night with, there are tons of Jacksonville Personals you can access online, so you can find someone to share the night life with in this beautiful town. So, where should you go with your date in Jacksonville? Read on and we will tell you! 

Seriously, we could tell you hundreds of great places to check out in Jacksonville, but we will try to keep it reasonable for the length of this post. So, what is it that you are looking for? If it's a hole in the wall bar with a super kooky vibe, Secret Tiki Temple is your place. I mean, we are talking secret doorway, password required for entry, and the vibe is out of this world. If you have never been to an island themed speakeasy, are you even in Jacksonville, bro? If you don't have anybody to spend the evening with, check out Jacksonville Personals to find somebody to go out on the town with! 

More into a night of arcade fun and beers? Then Keg and Coin in Jacksonville is where you need to head. It's so much fun, beers, food and arcade games, what more could you want? This is an especially good place for a date night if you are just starting out with a new sweetie, since it is a laid back and causal atmosphere and there is no super high romantic pressure. Definitely check that place out, even if you are just out for a night with friends! It is sure to be an amazing time! 

The Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens is another great date place and it IS a super romantic locale! It's perfect for nature lovers, and it really is a gem. Right on the river, there is nature and art, which is switched out occasionally so you never get bored with what is there. It is such a cool place, and it's incredible in it's own right. Plus, if you are on a budget, the Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens has special "happy hour" times where admission is free. What's not to love about that? Dating in Jacksonville is never boring!

Want a place to get sweet with your sweetie? Pete's Sweets is where you need to be. Pete's Sweets is a Willy Wonka-esque two story sweet shop. It's 22,000 square feet of candy and hand crafted chocolates, where guests can even take part in the candy making experience. Plus, if you are ready to take your relationship to the next level, there are tons of social media photo op spots at Pete's, so make sure to check those out too! 

As you can see, dating in Jacksonville is definitely not difficult at all, no matter what kind of stuff you are into! It doesn't matter if you are on a first date, in a long term relationship, or just out on the town with friends, Jacksonville has a lot to offer. What did we leave off of this list? Leave us a comment below and tell us YOUR favorite date night spot!