How To Improve And Avoid Drainage Systems

 Your drainage system is something to be mindful of, especially during the times of the year when the rainfall is at its heaviest. At the same time, how you maintain and treat your drains, will directly impact the entirety of your drainage system.

With that being said, you should be mindful of how you look after it, in order to save yourself the hassle of repairs and the cost of it too. 

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Inspect your drains for any obstructions

First and foremost, take a visual check of your drains when you can. This should be something you do regularly. That way, you can keep on top of any problems before they do severe damage to your drains and piping further down.

Inspecting these drains is easy enough to do and if you’re struggling to see down the drain, then a flashlight can be handy to have nearby to check. It might not be the most enjoyable practice putting your hand down a drain pipe, so it’s better to take a visual check to avoid the latter when it comes to dealing with your drainage system.

Fix any foundational problems that are causing flooding

Foundational problems with your home can impact your drainage system. Fixing any foundational problems should be at the top of your to-do list. 

If you’ve noticed that there’s not enough sloping, then you might want to fix this with RS Foundations. That way you can fix any flooding risks that come with drainage systems and piping.

Use cleaning products to clear out drains

Cleaning products are useful for adding to your drains and clearing them out effectively. There are some homemade options that might be worth concocting but you can easily buy some chemical-heavy based options when you have some serious drainage blockages that need sorting.

Of course, when you’re struggling to clear a blockage, you should get a professional plumber in. This will fix the problem and be less hassle for you as the homeowner too. 

Clean away gutters of debris

Your gutters are crucial to drain away water, rather than have it sit around the base of the home. Therefore, it’s important to keep the gutters clean of debris. Have it on your to-do list to go around the outside of the property, checking the gutters.

This little home maintenance check will really help with clearing debris and keeping your drainage system in good condition. 

Add extra mulch to the garden to absorb water

Finally, when it comes to improving drainage systems, it’s worth adding some extra mulch to the garden and any exterior areas that are applicable in order to help absorb excess water. Mulch is a great material to put around plants and trees to help absorb water after rainfall so that it doesn’t impact your home’s foundations.

Improving your drainage system and avoiding drainage system problems is key, so use these tips to help keep your home’s drains in check this year, all year round. 

Something to Stand For

If you love true stories, you’ll love this collection of real-life tales of American Heroes, all narrated by Mike Rowe! 

Join America’s favorite storyteller on an epic journey to the heart of Washington DC. Drawing from his blockbuster podcast “The Way I Heard It,” this cinematic tour de force will take viewers to the frontlines of the American Revolution World War II, the Civil Rights movement, and more. 

In a world often clouded by divisiveness and uncertainty, finding common ground and standing for something meaningful is more crucial than ever. Mike Rowe, known for his down-to-earth persona and commitment to promoting skilled trades and hard work, brings these themes to life in the documentary "Something to Stand For."

Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Ava Rodriguez, "Something to Stand For" delves into Mike Rowe's personal journey and his advocacy for blue-collar workers. The documentary sheds light on Rowe's belief in the dignity of work and the importance of celebrating those who keep our society running, often behind the scenes.

The documentary skillfully weaves together interviews with Rowe, testimonials from workers across various industries, and poignant anecdotes that highlight the challenges and rewards of skilled labor. Through compelling storytelling, viewers gain insight into Rowe's passion for bridging the gap between the skilled trades and mainstream appreciation.

Something to Stand For" is not just a documentary; it's a call to action. Through Mike Rowe's unwavering advocacy and the stories of workers whose contributions often go unnoticed, the film inspires viewers to reconsider the value of skilled trades and the individuals behind them. It challenges societal norms and encourages a deeper appreciation for the diversity of talents that sustain our communities.

In conclusion, "Something to Stand For" is a testament to the power of passion and purpose in driving positive change. It encourages audiences to reflect on what they stand for and how they can contribute to a more inclusive and appreciative society. For anyone seeking inspiration and a renewed perspective on the importance of work, this documentary is a must-watch.

Check out Mike Rowe’s new film, #SomethingToStandForMIN Buy tickets today to see Something to Stand For in theaters starting June 27th!

Buy tickets today to see Something to Stand For in theaters starting June 27th!

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Disclosure:

Many thanks to TBN for providing a sample of the product for this review. Also thanks to #MomentumInfluencerNetwork for all they do on a daily basis.

Opinions are 100% my own. 

Planning Your Wedding? What to do First

 

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Getting engaged is a huge moment in a person’s life. However, it’s the big day itself that’s the main event. You may have already started to imagine what your wedding day will be like and visualize your special day. 

Weddings are truly special days, but to make sure that getting hitched goes without a hitch it’s best to start your planning plenty of time in advance. Beginning your wedding planning with plenty of time to spare before the wedding itself is going to make your life so much easier and the planning process less stressful and more enjoyable. But the big question is, what do you need to do first? Knowing where to get started with your wedding planning can be confusing. When there’s so much to do, it can be hard to break down all the tasks you need to complete. But don’t worry; these tips should help. Keep reading to find out what you need to do first when you’re planning your special day.

Choose Your Venue

Firstly, it’s wise to choose your wedding venue. You will need to consider whether you will host the entire occasion in one place or whether you will hold the ceremony in a church or other religious building. Maybe you are planning to get married abroad and have a destination wedding. 

Whatever your dream wedding venue is, it’s best to plan it early, as many venues get booked up really far in advance. 

Decide on Your Budget

Having an open-ended budget for your wedding would be incredible. But for most people, there will need to be some restrictions in place on how much they can spend. It’s a wise idea to set your budget carefully and to monitor your spending throughout the planning process. This will ensure that you don’t run out of cash part-way through the wedding planning. Plus, you will avoid starting married life with lots of debt to pay off.

Send Out Save the Date Cards and Order Wedding Invitations

Another wedding task that should be a top priority is sending out your save the date cards and ordering your wedding invites. Ordering these as soon as you can will give you more of an opportunity to choose the perfect wedding stationery for your special day, such as custom wedding invitations. 

Getting these ordered once you’ve booked your wedding venue and decided on a date will make it easier for you to send them out to all your guests quickly. The sooner you send them out, the higher the chances are that your guests will be able to make it and to celebrate with you.

Research and Choose Wedding Suppliers

One final task to complete early on in the planning stages requires lots of research. Wedding celebrations typically require you to use the services of a variety of suppliers. From florists to caterers, entertainers to bakers, you will have many choices to make. So, starting your research early is a good idea to ensure you get your first choices.

5 Different Ways To Transfer Ownership Of A Home

 

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Want to hand over ownership of your home to someone else? The most popular time to do this is when moving home. However, there could be other reasons you want to transfer ownership such as giving your property to kids when you die or giving property to an ex-spouse after divorcing. Understanding the different ways of transferring ownership can be important when it comes to reducing costs for you or your loved ones. This post lists 5 of the most popular ways to transfer ownership of a property and when to choose each solution.

Sell your home

Buying/selling a property is the most popular way of transferring ownership when moving home. Few people have the money to put towards a new property unless they sell their current one. Of course, you’re more likely to sell your home to a stranger than a friend or family member (although that isn’t to say you can’t sell to a family or friend). 

Leave it to someone in your will

If you want to transfer property to a specific person when you die, the best solution is to leave it to them in a will. Without a will, your estate will be divided among your next of kin according to the laws of intestacy - which may or may not be to your wishes. Having a will in place can make the probate process potentially smoother and less costly for your loved ones, however they’ll still have to pay some probate fees and possibly taxes out of your estate. It is worth always hiring a solicitor to help you write your will so that it is legally binding. 

Gift the property

Through a ‘deed of gift’ it’s possible to leave a property to a family member or friend as a gift. Gifting a property to loved ones while you are still alive can prevent them having to pay inheritance tax or certain probate fees. However, there are many rules when it comes to legally gifting a property - you will usually have to survive a certain number of years after gifting the property for full legal ownership to take place and the mortgage will need to be paid off first. 

Consider a quitclaim deed

As this Deeds.com quitclaim deed guide explains, there is another solution to transferring ownership of a property if you want to gift it to someone while you are still alive. A quitclaim deed can be used to transfer ownership of a property to a loved one while you are still alive without transferring ownership of the contents. It is a faster process than a gift deed, but can have more potential snags, so you need to do your research to make sure it’s truly the best option. 

Transfer it to a trust

Another popular way of transferring ownership of a property to someone while you are still alive is to leave it in a trust. Leaving a property in a trust to someone usually prevents it from having to go through the probate process and it is exempt from gift taxes. You also get to outline exactly who has control of the property and how they should manage it. This Bankrate.com trust guide explains more about how to pursue this option.