Your roof is a critical part of your home. Protecting you from the elements all year round, your roof takes the brunt of any weather that comes through your town. That exposure every single day can lead to wear and tear, and sometimes that can lead to issues that need repaired. It isn’t always obvious when your roof needs a fix, but here are some indicators that it may be time to call a roofer!

1. It Looks Worn

It might seem obvious, but if your roof looks bad, that might indicate it needs a repair. When your shingles appear damp and worn, it means they’re holding moisture and no longer fully able to do their job. If the shingles are cracked or curling up at the corners, they are at a point that they may fall out and will need fixed or replaced.

2. You Have A Leak

Do you have any ceiling wet stains? Though you may not notice them at first, wet spots can be the first indicator that precipitation is leaking through your roof and into your ceiling. You will want to get this fixed as soon as you notice it to prevent further water damage to your house interior.

3. The Roof Is Sagging

If you roof isn’t in a straight line, it is sagging. This means it is definitely time to call a roofing company because serious structural damage can occur if sagging is not remedied.

4. You Can See The Light

This is the one time you don’t want to see the light - and that is when you are looking up at your roof. If light can penetrate your roof, so can plenty of other things. If you ever have any light leaks, get the crack filled as soon as possible.

Laundry is one of those household chores that always seems to be a headache. Whether you like doing laundry or not, it is often a necessary task in most households. When the time comes to either invest in a washer and dryer set or upgrade the set you have, you may realize that choosing your favorite color is not the biggest choice you have to make. Laundry systems come in all shapes, types, and sizes, and it is important to decide what you need before heading to the store to make your purchase. Here are the parts to consider when making your choice!

1: Side-by side or stackable? Gas or electric?

If your laundry room is already set up, make sure you check if your home will support gas or electric connections. Choosing side-by-side or a stackable set comes down to what you have the space for. Stackable systems are usually smaller and better for space conversation. 

2: What capacity works best for you?

Do you do laundry for just yourself, or a family of 6? Are you frequently washing heavy towel loads or only small loads once a week? Front-load washers tend to have a larger capacity and handle bulky items well. Compact top load machines usually have a smaller drum and fit less weight but are more affordable.

3: Front load or top load?

Before considering which you like better, take second to decide which would fit your space. Will the machines be going under a counter, preventing you from purchasing top-loaders? Will they be in a tight corner of a room that will make it hard to open the door on a front-loader? Once you know what your space can handle, then you can decide which you prefer. Front-loaders tend to be more expensive, but are easier to load and unload as you no longer have to strain your arms trying to get the items left at the bottom of the washer. If you are interested in a front-loader but aren’t crazy about crouching to load and unload, you may want to invest in a pedestal that raises the height of the machine. 

4: What features do you need?

Today, the features you can get on these machines are endless. Some have digital displays, some have wi-fi capabilities, some are meant to be energy-efficient, and some can even steam your clothes. If any of these (or more) features are a deal-breaker for you, make sure you are searching for the machines that offer these incentives. 

As simplified, clean styles continue to be the face of home design, there is no surprise that adding a tiled accent wall can be enough to bring life to a room without cluttering it with unnecessary decor.

Though they are all tiles, wall tiles differ from floor tiling. Wall tiles are usually thinner and made with less hard material, as they don’t need to withstand the pressure of flooring. Even though they may weigh less, wall tiles are still extremely durable.

Because there are all different sorts of shapes, sizes, and types of wall tiles, you are sure to find a type that is the perfect fit for your home. 

Each type of tile has its own unique qualities that will help you determine which will work best for you. Here are the 5 most common types of tiles to help you make your decision:

1: Ceramic Tiles

The most commonly used tile, ceramic is used for both wall tiling and flooring. Usually ceramic tiles are simple in design and come with a durable glaze coating. Subway tiles are often ceramic, and can be used in bathrooms as long as they are waterproof.

2: Metallic Tiles

Metallic tiles are great if you are going for a rusty look., but can be easily damaged if the wrong cleaner is used. 

3: Cork Tiles

Cork tiles are growing in popularity and add a unique touch of texture to wherever they are added. It is important to weigh your options when choosing cork tiles as they can be expensive to remove later due to the adhesive needed to place them. Cork tiles are a bit difficult to clean as they have uneven surfaces, but when used in small amounts can add a perfect pop to any room.

4: Marble Tiles

Marble tiles have one of the widest variety of choices when it comes to tiling. They can be used for bathrooms, kitchens, and floors, and come in various quality levels. While marble tile is beautiful, it is important to choose a brand with a proper rating so you don’t end up with cracked tiles. 

5: Mosaic Tiles

If you have a wall that is asymmetric, mosaic tiles may be perfect for you. They are naturally decorative and because of the wide variety of patterns, shapes, and colors, it can be easy to find a style for everyone.

Now more than ever, DIY projects are everywhere you look. It seems like everyone is trying to be productive with the little extra free time on their hands, and hardware stores still have lines out the door. If you are just getting into the DIY world and are realizing some of the basic hand tools just aren’t cutting it anymore, it may be time to invest in some smaller power tools that work best for the do-it-yourself enthusiast. 

1. 10” Sliding Miter Saw

With this tool, you can cut baseboards, frame out a door, and even more. Getting the saw with the slide allows you to cut more significant pieces.

2. Nail Gun

While a hammer and nail approach can work for most DIY projects, you will save yourself time and energy when you invest in a nail gun and air compressor. If you are into reupholstering, you may also want to consider a staple gun.

3. Rotary Sander

If you plan to strip any word surface, invest in a rotary sander. There are plenty of models available under $50 that will save you more time than you could have imagined. 

4. Jigsaw

If you love making or updating wood furniture, a jigsaw may be a great addition to your tool bag. The jigsaw allows for cutting various shapes and detailed cutting.

5. Cordless Drill

The cordless drill should be one of your very first DIY tool purchases. You can use the drill for just about everything, from hanging shelves to drilling holes. 

6. Air Wrench

The air or impact wrench is essentially a power socket wrench. This wrench is great when you are dealing with tight lug nuts and bolts or stripped screws. They give a high degree of torque without a lot of exertion on your end. 

7. Circular Saw

If you need a fast and efficient way to make straight and bevel cuts, you will want to add the circular saw to your list of tools. They can be used by hand or mounted.

If you love to entertain when you have guests over, you may be working on building your home bar. While enjoying time inside doesn’t require a bar, sometimes a happy medium between a full-on wet bar and just a few beverages in the fridge can help elevate the hosting experience. Here are the essentials you need for a great home bar:

1. Bar Fridge

Having a separate bar fridge is a great addition for several reasons. First, you can keep your beverages at the temperature they are meant to be kept at. Beverage refrigerators are best kept 10 degrees warmer than the normal fridge temperature. Another great reason is that you will no longer waste fridge space for beverages. Now, you don’t have to worry about taking food out to put drinks in!

2. Bar Decor

Decide what style you want for your bar space. Whether you want an elegant or pub theme, choose pieces that will tell a story. 

3. Plenty of Glassware

When hosting guests at your home bar, it is helpful to have a variety of glassware to suit the types of drinks you may be making. Keep rocks glasses, highball tumblers, and stem glasses - with a few red and white wine glasses on hand. Pint and shot glasses are also great to keep in your bar.

4. Cocktail Shaker & Strainer

If you have a cobbler shaker, there is no need for a strainer, as they are usually built in. If you have a Boston shaker, which can be a little trickier to use, you will need to get a strainer for pouring your drinks.

5. Ice Trays

Unless you have an ice machine, you will need to have ice cube trays. Silicone trays are much easier to get cubes out of and tend to be much sleeker in appearance. Try to find trays with larger compartments so your ice will last longer. 

6. Bar Accessories & Tools

Some items you may want to have in your bar for some cocktails include:

• Mixing Spoon

• Muddler

• Jigger

• Measuring Shot Glass

Though millions of households at the beginning of the year already had their own gardens started, there should be no surprise that the numbers are on the rise. With everything going on in the world, the idea of not having to leave the comfort of your home for sustenance is quite appealing. Not only is gardening a great way to source your own food, but it is also an excellent way to pass the time if you feel like you have a bit extra on your hands at the moment. If you have never gardened before, doing a little research ahead of time can make all the difference in how well your garden succeeds. Here are a few tips to help you get started!

Start Inside

Though temperatures are on the rise, evenings may still be chilly depending on where you live. Starting your vegetable growth indoors will protect them from any potential freezing. Growing your seedlings indoors also gives them the opportunity to get a little stronger before facing the harsh conditions that can arise outside.

Choose The Best Location

Before preparing your garden, you will want to find out what spot of your yard is best for your beds. You will likely want a spot where there is direct sun for at least 8 hours a day, as this is the norm for many vegetables.

Install Raised Beds

Once you’ve found the best location and your seedlings are growing, you will want to prepare your garden for transfer. Using raised beds allows for a deep soil stack for further root growth and can just making planting easier. It can even prevent unwanted critters from stealing your vegetables!

Add Pollinating Attractions & Bug Repellant

Bugs aren’t always bad. Having those around who will pollinate your flowering veggies can be extremely beneficial, so it is always helpful to plant flowers that attract pollinators. At the same time, planting herbs like mint and lavender will repel bad bugs and even rabbits and other animals.

Consider An Irrigation System

Properly watering is a key part of having a plentiful garden. While you may be home now for those morning and evening waterings, it might be a little hard to keep up with once you are back at work if you have to leave during the day. Investing in a drip irrigation system can save you time and money, as it slowly soaks your plants without over-watering them.

In countless homes across the country and the world, there has been a major shift to working from home - even for students. If you are working from home and trying to manage your children being home and doing school work, you may be at a loss when it comes to ensuring productivity. With a television across the room and no boss or teacher hovering, distraction comes easily.  Here are some tips to create a space that enables productivity!

1. Light up your space!

Letting in as much natural light as possible to your at-home work space is the first step to making a better place to get things done. Your body works best with natural light because of circadian rhythms, which tell your brain to be awake and productive when natural light is around you. Natural light will help you feel alert and the vitamin D you will get from opening those windows will help boost your immune system.

2. Add minimalist decor!

You don’t want to crowd your work space, but it is important to decorate your space in a way that you will enjoy. Having a clean, organized space with a few quirks that will make you smile - like a favorite photo.  Make sure any items you will need, like pens and highlighters, are within reach, so you are more motivated to stay put!

3. Make your work space only a work space.

It is important to train your brain to differentiate when it is time to work and when it is not. When we drive to work or school, it is natural for us to switch into ‘working’ mode, but when we work from home, it is hard to get into that mode. By only sitting in your work space when it is time to get things done, you will train your brain to be more productive when you are in that space.

4. Manage your cell phone use.

While you may need your phone to make work calls or check in with your teacher, it is important to set boundaries and stick to them. If you find yourself constantly wanting to scroll through social media instead of getting work done, try download an app that will limit your social media access each hour. If you don’t need your phone for work or school, try keeping it in a box across the room.

If you have a garbage disposal, you probably use it quite often. The convenience of shredding food waste and washing it down the drain rather than filling a garbage can is one of the many perks of having a disposal. While keeping your pipes clog-free is a major benefit, sometimes all that hard work done by your disposal can leave it with quite an odor if you aren’t keeping up with proper disposal maintenance. Here are a few quick tips to keep your disposal clean and working like a charm.

1. Add Ice Cubes
Using ice cubes while running water can help keep the motor, bearings, and shredder assembly from overheating while breaking down any build-up and sharpening the blades. 

2. Use Baking Soda & Vinegar
After adding baking soda to your disposal, pour in vinegar and allow the paste to sit for 10 minutes. Then run your water and disposal to allow the solution to run through your pipes.

3. Try Hot Water & Dish Soap
One of the easiest methods for keeping your disposal clean and smell-free is filling your sink with hot, soapy water and then opening the drain and turning on the disposal. This will help the water get to the upper part of the disposal unit which doesn’t always get cleaned.

4. Use Borax
If you already have Borax on hand, try sprinkling a small amount and running water afterwards.

5. Apply Citrus
Citrus fruits, like lemons and limes, can help not only clean your drain but also add a pleasant scent. Adding small pieces of a citrus fruit with the peel still attached can help clean the blades and leave the disposal smelling great.

Valentines Day is coming up! Do you have a special someone you are looking to send something to? Let us help you out! We have listed a few flower shops in the Wilmington area that do a fabulous job with their arrangements. From earthy loose bouquets to shower bundles (who wouldn't love fresh eucalyptus and lavender hanging from their shower head?)

1. Mother of Wild 

167 Porters Neck Road

*Shower bundles

-Different types of Eucalyptus and Lavender. Hang it by your shower head and the steam from your shower releases beneficial oils that help strengthen your immune system.

Fiore Fine Flowers

3502 Wrightsville Ave Suite D

Eco Chic Blossoms

713 N 4th Street Unit 100