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Published with permission from RISMedia.

Many companies offer attractive discounts to customers who bundle their homeowners, auto and life insurance policies.

If you had bundled policies and an accident damaged your home and car, you could pay one deductible.

Getting all your insurance from one company could help you avoid gaps in coverage.

If your home is difficult to insure, you could have more luck getting coverage from a company where you already had an unrelated policy.

Its easier to handle billing and make policy changes when dealing with one insurer.

Bundling might not make sense if you have a high-end car or if one company offers you low rates but inadequate coverage.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

As a homeowner, there are many things you need to be concerned with. One of the biggest is ensuring that you dont do anything that’ll decrease the overall value of your home. Rust can be a big enemy of homeowners, as it’ll cause areas of your property to break down easier and can cause your house to lose value due to its unsightliness and potential for costly damage.

Here are some helpful tips for preventing and getting rid of rust on your property:

Paint Your Pipes With Corrosion-Resistant Paints
Unless youve just built a newer home that uses plastic piping, its likely that you have metal piping running through your home. This type of piping is susceptible to corrosion, especially because it comes into constant contact with water. You can help prevent corrosion by simply applying a corrosion-resistant paint to the metal piping throughout your home.

Use a Rust-Resistant Cleaner for Irrigation Systems
Its very common to install water treatment systems for taking care of the normal watering of your lawn and garden. These systems will keep your water filtered and cleaned, but irrigation systems must be maintained properly to keep rust from getting into the irrigation pipes. The best way to prevent this from happening is to use a rust-resistant cleaner in your irrigation tank. You can find this at most hardware stores.

Use Corrosion-Resistant Gutter Materials
Gutters are another popular component of your home that are typically made of metal. Over time, this metal is exposed to water and other elements, which can lead to gutters rusting and actually draining rust-colored water. This can create a big mess that youll be responsible for cleaning up. To prevent this issue, utilize gutters that are corrosion resistant. Thisll ensure you dont have to worry about rust developing on your gutters and spreading to other areas of your home.

Scrub Off Existing Rust
When you first start to notice that rust is developing somewhere on your home, getting it scrubbed off should be a priority. The most common places you’ll find rust is in sinks and bathtubs. You should be able to easily remove the rust with a mixture of white vinegar or lemon juice and water. Youll need a scrub brush and some elbow grease to get it all off. A pumice stone can assist with particularly difficult areas. Once you get the rust off the area, check it for damage. If theres no rotting damage, then let it dry and cover the area with a corrosive-resistant paint to prevent future rust from forming.

Protecting the overall value of your home should be a top priority. While there are many things that can alter the value of your home, rust is a major one. By utilizing the tips laid out above, youll be able to prevent much of the potential rust buildup on your property.

Source: Brooke Chaplan/RISMedias Housecall

Published with permission from RISMedia.

As backyard season kicks into high gear, you’ll need to have the right equipment on hand to create and maintain a healthy and inviting outdoor space. Here are some steps to follow to make sure your outdoor gear is ready to go:

Refresh Your Knowledge

Read your equipment owner’s manuals and follow all manufacturer’s guidelines. Save a digital copy for future reference.

Look Over Equipment

Lots can happen when equipment is left in a garage or storage shed for an extended period of time. Check the air filter, oil level and gasoline tank, and look out for loose belts and missing or damaged parts.

Protect Your Power

Use only E10 or less fuel in gasoline-powered outdoor power equipment. Most manufacturers recommend a fuel stabilizer be used, especially if you don’t use up all the fuel in the tank right away.

Store Fuel Safely

Label fuel cans with the date of purchase and ethanol content of the fuel. Always store fuel out of the reach of children or pets and in approved containers.

Tidy Up

Clean equipment will run more efficiently and last longer, so take care of it regularly by removing dirt, oil and grass, and store it in a dry place. Never store equipment in a place that is damp or wet.

Published with permission from RISMedia.