4 common mistakes to avoid while waterproofing basements

4 common mistakes to avoid while waterproofing basements
Water seeping into the house during the rains is truly a nightmare. Since water first seeps into the lowermost zones of the property, waterproofing the basement is important. It prevents problems like moistened furniture, damaged basement panels, and unpleasant smells. That said, one must be careful when waterproofing the area and seek the help of a professional if necessary. Here are four common mistakes to avoid when waterproofing basements DIY: Not waiting before draining flood water from the basement Floods usually affect the basement before the other rooms. The water puts pressure on the basement walls as time passes, making them weak. Fearing damage, many homeowners act really fast and try removing this water, which is a big mistake. Experts say one must let the rain stop and wait a few hours before doing that. When water is drained quickly during a flood, there is always the possibility of more water seeping into the basement from the surrounding soil. To avoid this outcome and stop the water flow, homeowners must wait for an hour or two after the flooding stops and drain the basement slowly. Relying only on paint for waterproofing In their ad campaigns, many paint manufacturers state that their products have waterproofing elements and qualities.

5 tips to avoid house sitting disasters

5 tips to avoid house sitting disasters
House sitting has become popular over the years for several reasons. The sitter gets to live or stay in the property temporarily in exchange for taking on a host of responsibilities, like ensuring the house is safe, by mutual agreement with the homeowner. However, as easy as it sounds, each home is different, and many variables must be considered before agreeing to the arrangement. Here are five tips to remember to avoid house-sitting disasters: 1. Conduct a house-sitting risk assessment Before accepting the house-sitting agreement for a rent-free stay, one should always conduct a risk assessment. Problems one may encounter include pets falling sick, leakage or flooding in the house because of a broken pipe, and the possibility of the owners not returning on time, affecting the sitter’s future commitments. One should speak to the owner about all their concerns before agreeing to house-sit. 2. Ask for pictures of the home One might often agree to a job and dislike the setting later because they never looked at the home’s photos. The home sitter needs to be comfortable in the home, and photos and videos are the best way to determine if they want the job. Additionally, looking at pictures could help identify and address responsibilities that a busy homeowner may forget to mention.

5 signs it’s time to end online therapy sessions

5 signs it’s time to end online therapy sessions
In today’s fast-paced world, online therapy has become an avenue for people to take a break and care for their mental health without taking too much time out of their busy schedules. However, at some point during this process, one might find oneself at a fork where one needs to decide whether to continue with the therapy or not. Here are some signs that it may be time to put an end to online therapy sessions. Reaching a plateau During an online therapy session, it is important to discuss new insights, exercises, approaches, or strategies that can positively impact one’s life. However, this begins to diminish with time, resulting in a plateau. At this point, the therapist may not have any new advice to share, making therapy feel like a pointless expense. Depending on one’s overall health, one should talk to the therapist about terminating the treatment, and the possibility of speaking to a new therapist.  Lack of things to talk about With repeated online therapy sessions, the same stories are bound to resurface. However, if one notices that the pattern is repeating over and over again, it may be time to consider terminating the sessions. This can be an indicator that the underlying cause is not being addressed, resulting in a cycle of repeated sessions.

Pros and cons of online therapy sessions

Pros and cons of online therapy sessions
In recent years, digital technology has revolutionized various aspects of daily life, including healthcare. The emergence of online therapy sessions offers convenience to individuals by allowing them to seek support from the comfort of their homes. While in-person therapy remains an important aspect of healthcare, online therapy sessions come with various advantages and disadvantages. Individuals must carefully consider both the pros and cons of online therapy to make an informed decision regarding their mental health. Pros Easy access One of the biggest benefits of online therapy sessions is that anyone can access it. Going to a therapist or a clinic in person may not be possible for everyone. For instance, it is hard for people to opt for traditional in-person therapy if they live in remote areas where there is limited access to healthcare professionals. Similarly, visiting therapists in person is difficult for people with mobility issues. Online therapy sessions eliminate these challenges and make it easy for almost everyone to consult a therapist. However, it is important to note that a stable internet connection is necessary to attend an online session without hassle. Comfort Some people may not prefer a clinical setting as they may experience anxiety or discomfort in such a space.

6 common roofing mistakes one must avoid

6 common roofing mistakes one must avoid
Roofing is a complicated process for beginners and those who cannot do a DIY. One should also not do it if one is unaware of the basics, so it is recommended to consult experts to avoid problems. The better experience the roofing company has, the easier and more reliable they will be at carrying out the job. Their experience will also mean they can easily skip the common roofing mistakes one tends to make. Mismatched shingles One of the most common mistakes people make when working on roofing jobs is misaligned installation of shingles. It is one of the hallmark signs of knowing whether or not the job has been done well. A roof with misaligned shingles looks messy. In addition, it can also compromise the protection and the coverage the shingles can deliver for the property. If misaligned, it can cause numerous cracks and gaps in the structure. It allows for water to enter the property and damage the roofing. Eventually, the water starts to damage the property, resulting in unnecessary problems. Incorrect use of nails It’s important to remember that nails play a vital role in roofing. If nails are left exposed, they can erode and create holes in the shingles.

5 common basement renovation mistakes to avoid

5 common basement renovation mistakes to avoid
The basement is one room of the house that is often ignored. It usually ends up becoming a storage space for everything from extra exercise equipment to old clothes and cookware. Taking on a renovation project can help maximize this space, giving homeowners a better value for their money. However, this can be a laborious process with plenty of roadblocks on the way. Read on to learn about common basement renovation mistakes one should avoid. Opting for wooden flooring While wood looks fantastic in the rest of the home, it can spell disaster in the basement. This is because of the humid environment in the basement. When wood interacts with moisture, it could result in rapid mold and mildew growth, damaging the foundation of one’s home. Therefore, one must opt for inorganic materials like tile or concrete to receive the best value for money. Additionally, keep a check on the moisture level in the basement. If it exceeds 60%, use a dehumidifier. Ignoring soundproofing Before beginning the basement renovation project, it is important to consider the intended use of the space. Is it going to become a home theater or a gym? Will it be used as a makeshift office or a meeting room?

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Black Friday 2023 – Top 10 Smartphone Deals to Watch Out For

Black Friday 2023 – Top 10 Smartphone Deals to Watch Out For

Even during non-festive periods, smartphones sell like hotcakes in online and offline stores. Most tech enthusiasts routinely feel the need to get their hands on the latest models of their favorite smartphones. With Black Friday 2023 still several weeks away, shoppers can check out the features of their favorite smartphones. All the estimated deals listed in this article are based on the existing retail discounts, and buyers can expect similar bargains this Black Friday. High-range smartphones 1. Different variants of Apple’s iPhone make up the top 4 of the bestselling smartphones in the country. On many retail sites, devices such as the Apple iPhone SE 5G are being sold with discounts that range from about $200 to $250. This means that there is a high percentage chance that similar or better deals will likely emerge for such devices when Black Friday looms closer. The Apple iPhone SE 5G offers fantastic features such as lightning-fast processors, 5G connectivity, 4K video recording capability with 60 FPS, the unique Dynamic Island display, IP67 water resistance, and many more. 2. Samsung’s Galaxy devices come second in the sales pecking order after Apple’s iPhones when it comes to the smartphone market leadership. With the presence of Black Friday looming on the horizon, users can expect great deals on their favorite Galaxy smartphones. For instance, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is available on many retail sites with existing discounts ranging from 10% to 15%. Shoppers may possibly find such (or better) discounts during the upcoming sale period. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a one-of-a-kind foldable phone packed with incredible features such as a massive display, dual-app viewing, immersive gaming experience, super AMOLED screens, and many other niceties. 3. A device that is likely to offer massive discounts during Black Friday is the Google Pixel 7.
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10 Incredible Black Friday Deals to Expect on Laptops in 2023

10 Incredible Black Friday Deals to Expect on Laptops in 2023

Laptops combine the power of desktops with the portability of smartphones, making them suitable for several tasks. But this is also why they tend to be pricey. Unsurprisingly, many wait for sales like Black Friday to buy the model of their choice. Below are ten types of laptops and the Black Friday 2023 deals one can expect on them in the coming months. The discounts listed are based on last year’s sale and current prices. 1. Dual-screen laptops Unlike older dual-screen models, newer ones are much more efficient and non-gimmicky. They have secondary displays with anti-glare capability that perfectly complement the primary screen. A great option is the ASUS Zenbook Pro Duo UX581. It comes with a 15.6-inch 4K UHD NanoEdge touchscreen glossy main display, a cutting-edge Intel Core i7-9750H Quad Core Processor, and a 14-inch 4K matte touchscreen for seamless scrolling and usability. Last year, Amazon sold specific variants of the Zenbook Pro Duo for a discount of 15% in the run-up to Black Friday. 2. Gaming laptops Gamers need laptops that are responsive, less prone to overheating, and armed with high-end graphics cards. In short, they seek devices that will not leave them high and dry in the middle of a high-octane, graphics-heavy game by being laggy and annoying. Thankfully, several gaming laptops tick these boxes, an example being Lenovo’s IdeaPad Gaming 3. The device has incredible features, such as the latest AMD Ryzen 6000 Series processors, GeForce RTX 30 Series GPUs, and Rapid Charge technology to boost battery by 40% in just 15 minutes. Amazon reduced the price of specific IdeaPad Gaming 3 models by $300 last Black Friday, so gamers can hope for similar savings in 2023. 3. Chromebooks Those who prefer the ultra-reliable Chrome OS can check out Acer’s Chromebook 315. It has a powerful Intel Celeron N4020 dual-core processor, a full HD IPS touchscreen, and over 12 hours of battery life!
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