Protect your home from winter weather

March 6, 2021

Get your home ready for freezing weather hazards with these simple tips

Ice, snow and wind can have devastating consequences to your home—and to your household budget. Fortunately, there are precautions you can take to avoid the expense and inconvenience of winter damage—and even help you save on heating costs. Get started when the leaves begin to turn so your home is well prepared when the cold, harsh weather hits.

Winter weather prep for the outside of your home

When temperatures drop dramatically and the snow flies, you’ll be glad to have taken these measures to safeguard your house.

Clean out the gutters. Remove leaves, sticks and other debris from gutters, so melting snow and ice can flow freely. This can prevent ice damming, which is what happens when water is unable to drain through the gutters and instead seeps into the house causing water to drip from the ceiling and walls.
Install gutter guards. Gutter guards prevent debris from entering the gutter and interfering with the flow of water away from the house and into the ground.
Trim trees and remove dead branches. Ice, snow and, wind could cause weak trees or branches to break free and damage your home or car, or injure someone walking by your property.
Repair steps and handrails. Broken stairs and banisters can become lethal when covered with snow and ice.
Use caulking to seal cracks and wall openings to prevent cold air and moisture from entering your home. Caulk and install weather stripping around windows and doors to prevent warm air from leaking out and cold air from blowing in.

Winter weather prep for the inside of your home

Frigid temperatures, snow and ice can wreak havoc on water pipes and tax heating systems. Ensure all your home’s internal systems are “go” for winter safety and efficiency.

Add extra insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. If too much heat escapes through the attic, it can cause snow or ice to melt on the roof. Water then can refreeze, leading to more ice build-up—and may even lead to ice dams that can damage your roof. Well-insulated basements and crawl spaces will also help protect pipes. Consider insulating garages and other unfinished areas to keep pipes from freezing.
Provide a reliable back-up power source. In the event of a power outage, continuous power will keep you warm and help to prevent frozen pipes, or a frozen battery operated sump-pump. Consider purchasing a portable power generator to ensure safety—and be sure to follow all guidelines for safe operation.
Have your heating system serviced. Furnaces, boilers and chimneys should be serviced at least once a year to prevent fire and smoke damage.
Check pipes closely for the presence of cracks and leaks. Have any compromised pipe repaired immediately.
Protect pipes in attics and crawl spaces with insulation or plug-in heating cable. Be sure to purchase UL®-listed models of heating cables with built-in thermostats; these will turn on the heat on when it is needed. When using the cables, always follow manufacturers instructions closely.
Install an emergency pressure release valve in your plumbing system. This will protect the system against increased pressure caused by freezing pipes and can help prevent your pipes from bursting.
Move combustible items away from near any heat sources that you’ll likely be using. This includes fireplaces, wood stoves and space heaters.
Install or check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Not only do residential fires increase in the winter, but so does carbon monoxide poisoning—so regularly check that your detectors are in working condition.
Know where your pipes are located and learn how to shut the water off. If your pipes freeze, speed is critical. The quicker you shut off water or direct your plumber to the problem, the better your chance of preventing major damage.
Hire a licensed contractor to look for structural damage. If damage is found, have all necessary repairs performed as soon as possible.
Take steps to prevent flooding. Your licensed contractor can also advise you about measures to prevent flooding from melted snow and ice runoff. Plastic coatings for internal basement walls, sump pumps and other improvements can prevent water damage to your home and belongings.
Consider insuring yourself for a sewer backup. Flooding related to melting snow can overburden sewer systems. Raw sewage backed up into the drains in your home can cause thousands of dollars in damage to floors, walls, furniture and electrical systems. Sewer backup is not covered under standard homeowners insurance or renters insurance policies, nor is it covered by flood insurance but can be purchased as either a separate product, or an endorsement.

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Origins of Black Friday & Online Deals for 2020

The well-known date, Black Friday originated in Philadelphia around the 19th century. This escalated when two brokers predicted that by purchasing the most stocks of gold there would be a demand for it afterward. However, this led to a crush on the stock market at large. With time, around the mid-20th century, the law enforcers used the term to describe violence and commotion brought about by the day when there was a football match. Alternatively, nowadays it is well known as a profitable day for merchants soon after the Thanksgiving holiday. Hence, it is commonly associated with promotional discounts, massive coupon code usage, and large sums of profit. The driving forces enlisted below buying things at “affordable prices”, are some of the reasons why people do crazy shopping every Black Friday. The desire to bargain more for less – Most customers do not want to be taken advantage of by retailers. They maximise opportunities to the last quarter at their disposal. As such, discounts of more than 50 percent or more make them greedy for things they don’t need. Eventually, people pay much attention to the promo codes and bonus points they utilized in order to get a certain product rather than the value for the product to the user. It becomes a competition of who saved the most during the day than others. Limited time offers – Marketed products that have a discount valid for less than 24 hours, are motives for consumers to chase after. Customers do not want to regret purchasing a good deal after the time span elapse. Since the deal will be time-bound limited, it does not give consumers the leverage to think it over. Such an approach influences the customers to buy things out of the pressure of not wanting to feel “anticipated regret.” Friendly competition – Each time your friend has to tell you how much they saved during Black Friday it aches your heart that it could have been you. As a result of such friends, people save up a fortune to buy on an actual day. Such a friendly competition of gives a sense of pride in being the most resourceful. By so doing, many want to improve their reputation in being known as the one with the latest trending technology, cosmetics, and apparel. Such a Friday elevates the dreams to come to fruition. Impulse buying – Having spent Thanksgiving Day with family, most people are depressed after the toxic experience with their families. As such, people engage in buying things they do not need to quench their depression and sadness. The need to purchase stuff gives them a happy mood. Hence, they buy it because it is cheap and it distracts them from the actual causes of low self-esteem. By so doing, it builds momentum to spend unsparingly. It caters to all – Straight after a good old Thanksgiving dinner, grandparents can get their hammocks and knitting tools. While the adults worry about car spare parts and baking mittens. Nonetheless, the youngest generations still get their electronic devices and games at very affordable prices in the same departmental stores. The beauty of shopping together with very favourable prices becomes priceless to all. For any reason why people utilize Black Friday, the main hidden agenda comes down to optimising the gross domestic product of a country. Websites like Refermate can come in handy when you want to optimise spending less for more. This day is now a memorable one to generate profit to the retailers while offering cheap products to the consumer.
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General maintenance guide for timber windows

How to maintain timber windows Natural wood is one of the most flexible and beautiful materials used to create windows and doors. They can have different designs, from minimalist and practical to more sophisticated. In the Scott James company, you can order windows to fit perfectly with your mansion design. Particular attention should be paid to double-glazed windows installed in houses of historical value. The wood is not strong enough, so it must be carefully maintained. Maintenance includes regular cleaning, painting, and other works to preserve the aesthetic look and functional characteristics of wooden sashes. How to clean your timber The production of windows includes multiple production steps, and the final one is applying a layer of preservative and a primer, after which the window is painted with microporous paint. Such a coating lasts up to 8 years without additional maintenance. Painted windows should be cleaned from both the inside and the outside. Use the following guidelines to clean out dirt from the inside: wipe the dust from the windowsill and the edges of the glass near the frame; use glass cleaner solution; it must be sprayed onto the surface and wiped with a microfibre cloth; after it dries, take a newspaper, crumple it and wipe the glass to add extra shine; to remove stubborn stains that haven’t been affected by the detergent, mix two tablespoons of dishwashing gel into a bucket of warm water and remove any remaining dirt. The street side of windows should be washed on a cloudy day. When sunlight hits the surface of the freshly washed glass, moisture evaporates much faster, resulting in streaks. To wipe the glass, use a solution of water and dishwashing detergent. Start cleaning from the top sash, adjusting the frame height. Use a scraper to additionally clean the glass by making horizontal movements. After removing dirt, wipe the glass surface with a dry cloth. Next, use a sponge to clean the frame, remembering to dry its surface. The windows care shouldn’t be performed more than several times a year. Such measures will allow you to get rid of dust, insects, and dirt that damage the coating, as well as prevent fungus. The fabric for cleaning must be lint-free because it can cling to wooden parts. Thoroughly remove the residual detergent and dry the surface to prevent the frame from rotting. Remember to clean the ventilation holes too. How to check and lubricate the hardware Windows have fittings that allow the sashes to move. You can forget about them during maintenance, but it is very important to inspect hinges, joints, and cords, which must always remain in working order. Checking the hinges is necessary to avoid loosening the screws. If they get stuck when you open windows, use WD40 to soften it. Hinge lubrication is required once a year. It is also worth making sure that the cords are intact. If the cord becomes thinner or breaks, it’s easy to replace it yourself or contact professionals who can do it. There are latches in the windows, which are locking devices located on the vertical sash frame. They need to be regularly lubricated to facilitate the normal operation of the retainer. Don’t use a lot of oil on them. Don’t forget about the window openers, which also require maintenance. It is enough to wipe them with a soft cloth to ensure cleanliness and a neat look. Don’t use harsh abrasives to clean windows, they can deform or discolour the surfaces. Painting and draught-proofing Before treating wood window frames, find out which finish has been used before. They have varying lifetimes, so it is important to start work before the coating starts to deteriorate. If a three-layer white paint was applied to a wooden frame, it will last up to 6 years without additional painting. If the window is installed in highly humid places, this period may be reduced. A translucent coating lasts a little less, up to 4 years. Apply two layers of new paint. Read recommendations on the packaging regarding the works. Don’t forget to use a synthetic brush. Before painting, clean the wooden surface: use sandpaper to wipe the paint and help remove dirt and grease; when the surface is clean, examine it for deformations and damage; if the top layer is damaged, fix the problem with a putty. Any dirt should be cleaned with a damp cloth; let the window dry completely. You will see that the surface becomes very smooth. You can now apply paint, avoiding fittings and other moving parts. When it dries, apply another layer of paint. Choose best varnish for wood windows to complete the maintenance of your insulating glass unit. To sum up The measures taken will help significantly extend the service life of your windows. You shouldn’t forget about how to seal wooden window frames, this will help you get rid of drafts and reduce heat losses during the cold season. To keep windows in perfect condition, frames and fittings should be inspected monthly. The timely repair will eliminate existing problems. It will be much easier and cheaper to completely replace windows. Or you can contact a team of professionals who will inspect and restore the glass unit if necessary.
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Everything You Need to Know About the Chinese Digital Currency

China has taken the lead in the move towards changing the way we use money by issuing a digital currency based on the yuan. This is expected to be the first of several national cryptocurrencies to be issued by the world’s central banks, but who is already using it and what does it mean for the future? The Story So Far Reports from China state that the authorities have been giving out these tokens in cities such as Shenzhen and Chengdu, as part of a lottery-style scheme aimed at boosting early adoption rates. This is also acting as a trial period, to show how easily people can use cryptocurrencies and note any issues that are flagged up. In Shenzhen, 50,000 packets of coins have been gifted to the lucky winners, with each containing around $30 in digital cash. This means that a total of 10 million yuan (around $1.5 million) will be given away for use in the 3,400 designated stores in the district, including supermarkets and pharmacies. The official state app is called Digital Renminbi, to be used by citizens to create an e-wallet for keeping their digital money in. All of the money that has been gifted to residents to date has to be spent by October 28 at the latest, with no option for them to switch it to a bank account or store it for longer. What Other Countries Are Working on Something Similar? There has been growing speculation in recent months over which other countries will be next to use a state-backed cryptocurrency of this type. A report by the Bank for International Settlements and several central banks set out the principles and core features of any future central bank digital currency. However, none of those taking part in it has yet promised to bring out their own digital currency in the near future. Sweden, The Bahamas and the Marshall Islands are among the nations that have been considering the use of their own digital currency lately, with many other countries said to be monitoring the situation. How Could This Move Affect the Markets? Naturally, the global currency market will be affected by the introduction of new types of money. Will the US dollar lose value because of the arrival of a virtual yuan that is easy to move around the planet, or will it force other central banks to make the move to set up their own digital currencies? At the moment, the experts can only speculate on what the long-term effects might be. The forex market, for example, is currently one of the world’s largest trading markets and operates on a 24-hour basis around the globe, with investors often tempted by the different types of forex bonus available, such as a welcome bonus, a deposit bonus, and a no-deposit bonus. The emergence of new currencies could make it even more volatile and, therefore, attractive to traders. In a more global sense, the use of a cryptocurrency that is controlled by the state would give Chinese authorities far more control over the country’s financial system and may even help them to shift the global balance of power away from the US if it becomes accepted as the currency for commodities like oil. It would help them to avoid seeing too much money move into pseudo-anonymous tokens such as Bitcoin and Ether, which the authorities here have been keen to ban. One major concern that has been raised is that countries facing international sanctions could possibly use a currency like this to get around the restrictions imposed on them. What Happens Next? If the recent trial period is deemed to have been a success, we can expect to see the virtual yuan given another trial on a large scale. It has been suggested that this could at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, when millions of visitors to the city could potentially use these tokens to carry out cashless shopping. This will help to show us whether a state-issued cryptocurrency is the future of money, or if there are reasons to believe that it won’t work on a large scale. For the moments, the reports suggest that the initial trial went smoothly enough for the authorities to feel encouraged about this project.
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Why is an alcohol delivery service essential in 2021?

Across the state, numerous liquor authorities permit restaurants, distillers, and bars to sell alcohol products off-premises, thus making the delivery of alcohol available to consumers in an unprecedented way. Purchasing goods online is a lascivious behavior being established considerably by consumers. Nowadays, consumers prefer and spend the best part of their time looking for products online and placing orders. Research demonstrates that consumers find it essential to avoid the journey down the liquor store and instead order their preferred drinks online. As the pandemic encroached into 2021, it forced each person to maintain social distancing and personal hygiene (Huckle et al., 2021). The delivery service has ensured no contact between people by enabling them to make contactless orders. The fact that the consumers have adequate access to the internet and technology today makes it possible for them to depend on the delivery services, thus availing contactless orders. Alcohol delivery services have made it possible for liquor stores to provide alcohol internationally without having any restrictions to serve the consumers only locally. Global access marks another advantage of alcohol delivery services to liquor stores (Jugdoyal, 2021). Alcohol delivery service has also saved consumers’ time since there is no need to stand in the queue for long periods and wait for their turn. The delivery services have helped reduce contact, thus reducing the spread of the virus. Alcohol delivery service has played a significant role in 2021 as it has added revenue to every sale. This is because if the consumer were to order some beers, they would add some staff such as pizza to their order, thus adding revenue to each sale, which is an advantage to the suppliers and stores. The lockdown has given restaurants, bars, pubs, and suppliers an opportunity to claim a share of the delivered drink markets to each consumer, including supermarkets. Alcohol delivery has grown significantly in 2021, thus posing an advantage to both the supplier and the consumer. References Huckle, T., Parker, K., Romeo, J. S., & Casswell, S. (2021). Online alcohol delivery is associated with heavier drinking during the first New Zealand COVID‐19 pandemic restrictions. Drug and alcohol review, 40(5), 826-834.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dar.13222 Jugdoyal, A. (2021). Tackling alcohol harm in the COVID-19 era. https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/full/10.12968/gasn.2021.19.Sup6.S3
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Ski resorts Courchevel and Val Thorens

The best ski resorts in the French Alps will make you enjoy an unforgettable vacation in one of the most impressive mountain systems in Western Europe. Mont Blanc and the Northern Alps have the highest concentration of ski resorts in Europe. You could find two very interesting ski resorts in the “3 Valleys”: Courchevel and Val Thorens. Athletes and tourists often choose one of these places to go snowboarding or skiing in France. Ski resort Courchevel An exclusive ski resort located in France. Even those who are far from skiing and snowboarding know it, and this is Courchevel. Courchevel took its place at 5 different heights in the very center of the Tarentaise Valley. Only here there is a unique atmosphere of luxury and the highest service. Each of the villages here has its own task. Courchevel 1300 are traditional mountain village. Courchevel 1550 is more focused on family vacations. Courchevel 1650 is for youth and entertainment. And Courchevel 1850 is a favorite place of the world elite. Courchevel is part of the famous Three Valleys ski area. The total length of the tracks is 150 km. The ski resort offers slopes for skiing of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals. Courchevel also has the title of “Famille Plus Montagne”. You can get to Courchevel from the nearest airport. From Geneva International Airport 149 – 200 km to the resort (it depends on how you go on the autobahn or along Lake Annecy), from Lyon airport the road takes about 2.5 – 3 hours – it is 187 km and Chambery airport is 110 km (it closest, but mostly private jets fly there). Transfer to Courchevel from Geneva airport will cost from 280 to 500 euros (depending on the brand of car and the number of passengers). Ski resort Val Thorens Val Thorens is one of the most popular resorts in all of Europe. Included in the extensive ski area are Three Valleys. There are more than 600 kilometers of ski slopes here. The station will open its doors for lovers of the ski resort from mid-November and work until early May. Val Thorens has a variety of routes for skiing all day long. Perhaps, here is a paradise for lovers of sports related to sliding. Val Thorens is famous for its high-quality pistes and modern lifts. The resort is suitable not only for professionals and athletes. A beginner will also enjoy riding. And all because there are ideal conditions for skiing. Having visited at least once Val Thorens, you will fall in love with the beauty of the mountains. And what kind of views are open before you? If you believe the Michelin guide, then what an amazing view will open before you from the top of Sim Karon. You will be impressed by the 360-degree view of the many peaks of the Swiss, Italian, and French Alps. The most convenient way to get to the resort is a transfer from Geneva airport to Val Thorens. Its cost is about 300 euros.
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Protect your home from winter weather

Winter weather prep for the outside of your home

Winter weather prep for the inside of your home

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