An obvious way to increase the value and asthetics of the bathroom is to simply maintain it and replace items and areas that appear worn and broken such as faucets. Nowadays PuroClean water damage offers readers a few tips to maintain that bathroom and home and increase it’s visual appearance and value.

If you’re wondering what the rush is when it comes to bathroom maintenance then just read on.

As per the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) toilet water supply line failures are second in line when it comes to frequency and cost of residential water damage and come in at an average of $5,762 per incident and that’s even after the deductible has been paid. According the study performed by the IBHS owners of new and old homes were both likely to suffer a water loss, but their risks were slightly different.

Newer homes were more likely to have a sudden toilet failure, such as one caused by a faulty supply line or fill valve. Older homes were more likely to experience a slow, seeping leak, such as from failed drain lines or faulty seals which could lead to black mold damage if left or ignored for a while.

The tips below from PuroClean are meant to assist in lowering the chances of water damage

To help prevent a leaking toilet:

• Every month or two take a look at the entire flushing mechanism.
• The water should stop filling the tank when the float reaches the required level.
• If the tank required refilling every now and then then it may be time to replace the fill valve assembly or the flapper.
• Inspect the supply line every few months. This is the number one cause of bathroom water damage.
• Make sure the valve is secure and it’s in working order.

To prevent water damage from sinks:

Every 2-3 months inspect the plumbing beneath the sink:

• Ensure that the connections are secure and that there are no rusted pipes. Sometimes slower leaks can be more damaging because people put off fixing them right away.
• Check for weak areas of the pipe due to kinks in the plastic or copper pipes.
• Be aware of the location of the water shut-off valve and inspect it frequently to ensure the water supply can be shut off.
• Replace the valve if required.

Plumbing and Appliances:

Make a point of checking drain systems and water supply lines regularly:

• Check for condensation on copper or metal pipes which could be signs of a leak.
• Keep an eye out for mold which can cause a musty smell or stains on walls.
• Keep an eye on your water bill since a large and sudden increase could be indicative of a leak.
• A backed up toilet, rusty water or flooring that has buckled are all signs of water damage or broken pipes.
• Insulate pipes in colder areas of the home including basements, crawlspaces, attics and outside to avoild freezing and cracking. It’s also recommended to open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer air.

Shower stall safety:

• Remember to inspect grout lines around tubs and showers and replace it if worn or cracked. Repair as needed.
• To test if your shower pan leaks, block the drain, fill it with about an inch of water and mark the water level. Return in a few hors to check on that water level and if it has dropped then you could have a leak.

Because of their strong flavors, herbs like chives, thyme, basil, sage, savory, and marjoram are generally used in small quantities to add flavor to different types of food. Parsley is an extremely popular herb that is used mostly as a garnish. Fragrant herbs have wonderful smelling foliage or flowers. The oils from herbs like mint, loyage and rosemarycan be used to make all kinds of perfume, scents and toilet water. Certain herb plants can be used in the home to fragrance linen or clothes. For more visit our blog: Herb Gardens Blog

Drying them will allow them to retain their aroma for longer and be used in products such as potpourri.  Great herbs for this are lemon verbena and lavender. Some herbs are also used for medicinal purposes. For centuries herbs have been thought to have the ability to cure the body. Present medical knowledge recognizes that some herbs are beneficial to one’s health, others are overrated. Herbs used for medicinal purposes should be used carefully. Some herbs are harmless but others can be dangerous if eaten.

Some herbs are not used for their flavor, power to heal or fragrance. Some herbs are used for their beauty. can have brilliantly colored flowes and foliage. Many have whitish or various light colored flowers like valerian which has crimson blossoms and borage and chicory which grow gorgeous blue flowers. Even thought herbs can have these different categories, many of them have multiple uses. For example, mint may be used for cooking, tea, and pest control. By taking the time to understand herbs, whatever your reason, you will be able to choose the ones most beneficial to you. Click here for more: Herb Garden Information

Annuals like basil, cilantro, and summer savory will not survive a frost.  each year, these types of herbs need to be planted from a seed or a young herb plant.  Perennials like sage and winter savory can survive colder temperatures and will return year after year.  Herb garden plants that grow leaves in their first growing season, flowers and seed in the second, then die. are called biennials.

Biennial herb garden plants like parsley, angelica, or caraway should be sown in late spring directly into the garden.  You should first work the soil by making it into a fine texture and making it slightly wet.  Then the seeds should be sown in shallow rows making the soil firm on top of them.  Fine seeds can be planted in a mixture of sand which will allow them to spread more evenly.  You can also cover the bed with wet burlap or paper in order to keep the soil moist during germination.

Herbs are also grouped into the categories for which they are used.  perhaps the most useful to herb growers are culinary herb garden plants.  There is a wide range of uses for herbs in cooking.  Because of their strong flavors, herbs like chives, thyme, basil, sage, savory, and marjoram are generally used in small quantities to add flavor to different types of food.  A very famous herb that is used mostly as decoration is parsley.

Aromatic herbs have pleasant smelling flowers or foliage.  Oils from aromatic herbs like loyage, mint, and rosemary can be used to make different types of perfumes, toilet water, or other various scents.  Parts of aromatic herb garden plants used intact can also be used in the home to scent linens or clothing.  They can also be dried and made into potpourri which will enable them to be able to retain their aroma for a long period of time.  Lavender and lemon verbena are great herbs to use for potpourri.

Some herbs are also used for medicinal purposes.  For centuries herbs have been thought to have the ability to cure the body.  Present medical knowledge recognizes that some herb garden plants are beneficial to one’s health, others are overrated.  Herbs used for medicinal purposes should be used carefully.  Some herbs are harmless but others can be dangerous if eaten.

Some herbs are not used for their flavor, power to heal or fragrance.  Some herbs are also used for their beauty.  Ornamental herb garden plants have brightly colored flowers and foliage.  Many of them come in white or light-colored flowers like valerian which has delicate  crimson flowers, and borage and chicory which has attractive blue flowers.

While herbs can be categorized into these different categories of uses, many herbs have multiple purposes.  Mint may also be used as insect repellent or as flavor enhancer.  Whatever the reason you have an interest in herbs, by understanding herb garden plants you are able to pick the herbs that will be most useful to you.

Buy Non-Hybrid Heirloom Seeds for healthy, good tasting, and continuous harvesting of your favorite herbs for many years to come.

For Food Storage Secrets for All you favorite herbs, click here.