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Leaks and plumbing problems can cause water damage in your home, but it may be hidden from view. Houses are filled with empty spaces in the walls, floors and ceilings. Water that leaks from plumbing fixtures or from the roof can collect in those areas and cause damage that may not be seen right away. There are, however, some tell-tale signs that you have an issue that requires further investigation and repairs.

Evidence of a Hidden Leak
Small leaks under a sink are easy to miss, but there is a simple way to tell if a pipe is leaking. Turn on the water and let it run down the drain. Then look for a leak under the sink. If you find a leak, even a small one, get it fixed.

If a pipe inside a wall leaks, you may not see signs of damage right away, but you may eventually notice that drywall is soft or stained or that paint is peeling. The weight of water can cause drywall or ceiling materials to become deformed and to droop, buckle or even collapse. Have a plumber inspect the affected area, and have any needed repairs made. If the drywall cant be thoroughly dried or is severely damaged, youll have to replace it to prevent mold.

Water may seep into areas under the floor, resulting in wet carpet, warped wood or damaged tile. If the damage is severe, it may be necessary to rip out and replace flooring materials.

Mold can affect the air quality in your home and can cause a host of health problems for members of your family. Stagnant water allows mold to grow. Any visible mold is a sign of a water problem. Even if you only see a little bit of mold, spores may have already spread throughout the house. A musty odor is a tell-tale sign that mold is present, even if you cant see it.

You might not see or smell signs of a water leak in your home, but you may see evidence in your utility bills. If your familys water usage has increased significantly for no discernible reason, there may be a leak somewhere in your house.

Dont Ignore Water Damage
A water leak can cause major damage to your home, and problems are often easy to miss. Check your home periodically for any of these signs of hidden water damage. If you notice any, dont assume its no big deal and ignore it. The problem may be much worse than it appears, and letting it go unaddressed will only lead to more damage and higher bills later. Contact a professional, and have your home inspected and repaired right away if you suspect a problem.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Before jumping into the housing market to find a home, many potential homebuyers seek out advice from friends and family to be better prepared and make the process easier. Another great place to find help is in books designed for those on a hunt for a home.

Here is a list of five helpful books that everyone looking for a house should read:

The Mortgage Encyclopedia by Jack Guttentag
One of the most confusing parts of buying a home is the mortgage, which is why this book is essential. It not only explains all the jargon you will need to know, but does so in a way that will make sense. The book offers both academic definitions and descriptions, along with real-world commentary on practices and procedures.It includes advice on whether to use a mortgage broker or not, the pros of paying points versus a larger down payment and the hazards of cosigning a loan.

The 106 Common Mistakes Homebuyers Make (and How to Avoid Them) byGary W. Eldred
Buying a home can be a confusing process, and making mistakes can be costly. Thats why this is the perfect book to learn how to avoid the most common mistakes homebuyers make and protect yourself. This eye-opening guide turns any buyer into an educated consumer, ensuring that the property you buy is both a comfortable place to live and a great investment for the future. Eldred surveyed hundreds of homebuyers, real estate agents, home builders and mortgage lenders to find the biggest mistakes people make and provides you with solutions so you dont fall into the same traps.

Keep Calm Its Just Real Estate by Egypt Sherrod
This book, written by the popular host of HGTVsProperty Virgins, covers all the questions you might have about a home purchase, calming you along the way. It offers great insight into the things you worry most about. The message of her book is clear”buying your first home doesnt have to be a stressful horror show.

Home Buying Kit For Dummies by Eric Tyson and Ray Brown
Still the best-selling book on the market for homebuyers, this helpful guide offers time-tested advice and updated strategies for buying a home in todays market conditions. It helps potential buyers find their perfect property, make savvy financial decisions and understand taxes and other concerns.

Buying a Home: The Missing Manual by Nancy Conner
With step-by-step advice, this book provides everything a buyer needs to know when buying their first home. It includes insider tips and advice from experts and is chock-full with interesting facts, real-life stories and insights, plus common pitfalls to avoid. It also provides everything one needs to know to find the right type of home, the right mortgage and the right agent.

Any of these books would be a great place to start learning about the home-buying process, however, always remember to consult a real estate agent with any questions you may have. Agents are there to help you learn, understand and buy your first home with confidence.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Those who live in the city know just how great of a luxury it is to have your own private outdoor space. If your home already has a backyard or balcony, then the stage is set to create your urban oasis. However, if you have access to your rooftop, then that might be just the perfect spot to design a private green space. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when creating an idyllic garden area on top of your home.

Planting Scheme
The first item is to consider your space and how you plan on using it. Then, create a planting scheme that caters to this. Perhaps you want a sleek and minimalist garden with a few planters or maybe a lush overflow of greenery that feels totally enveloped. Identify which plants work best with the style youre going for and make sure they can get the right amount of sunshine.

Create Shade
Speaking of sunshine, if you want to use your rooftop during the day, dont forget to create shade. Whether you use a shade sail, tall plantings or a pergola with climbers, this will make it more enjoyable to spend time here in the afternoon, as well as add privacy.

Seating Arrangements
If you have the space for it, try to incorporate a few separate seating areas that cater to different occasions, like a barbecue area, loungers for sunbathing, and a table for al fresco dinners. Rooftops tend to be the best vantage point for capturing a view, but even if you dont have one, the right garden landscaping can make this a special place to spend time with the family and entertain friends.

Identify Your Materials
Before you go picking out the outdoor furniture, youll have to identify the materials to use for flooring, railings and planters. Depending on your personal tastes, there are tons of options to choose from, like cedar decking or stone slabs that warm in the sun. Try to use materials that will work well in this verdant setting.

Incorporate Extra Features
There are lots of ways to further enhance your rooftop garden, from intimate lighting that sets the tone at outdoor dinner parties to a fire pit that the family can gather around. Outdoor speakers are another nice touch that anyone can enjoy.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Drains and plumbing systems are designed to dispose of liquids, but many people mistakenly think its fine to put other things down the drain. Common foods, cooking byproducts, and household items can damage your pipes, leave you with clogs and expensive plumbing repair bills, and even affect human and animal health.

Foods That Are Dangerous to Drains
Greasy items, such as cooking oil, mayonnaise, salad dressing, butter, margarine and grease left over after cooking meat, can congeal and block pipes over time. They can also combine with other things that go down the drain and form sludge that makes it difficult or impossible for water to get through. Pour grease, fat or oil into a jar, let it cool, then dispose of it in the trash.

Coffee grounds can be a problem because they arent completely water soluble. If they mix with grease or oil already in the pipes, the combination can cause a blockage.

Pasta and rice that go down the drain can absorb water when you run the faucet. That can cause them to swell up and clog the pipes.

If youve ever mixed flour and water, you know that it produces a thick, sticky mess. Putting flour down the drain and then running the water is like coating your pipes with glue.

Household Items That Can Damage Your Plumbing and More
The small amount of adhesive found on the stickers affixed to produce is enough to cause the stickers to cling to pipes. In addition, the stickers are often not water soluble. That means they can get stuck or can get carried down pipes and affect the water treatment process later.

Even though paper towels are biodegradable, it takes time for them to dissolve. If you put them down the drain, they can absorb more water and clog the pipes before they break down.

Disposing of unneeded medication down the drain might not damage the pipes, but pharmaceuticals contain all sorts of chemicals that can be hazardous to people and animals if they get into the water supply. Find a local program that will help you dispose of unneeded medication safely.

Household cleaners, paint and vehicle fluids should not be poured down a drain, even if theyre diluted, because they can introduce toxic chemicals into the water supply. Contact your local waste management company to find out where you can drop off those products so they can be disposed of safely or recycled.

Protect Your Plumbing and Public Health
Many people pour all sorts of things down the drain without realizing the amount of damage they can cause. Dont put any of these items down the drain in your kitchen or bathroom or flush them down the toilet. Find ways to dispose of them safely and responsibly.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When a tenant signs a lease, they agree upon terms regarding rent, utilities, fees and property rules for an extended period of time. However, that time can sometimes be cut short if a tenant needs to break their lease, potentially costing them thousands or having to deal with legal action taken by the landlord.

For a tenant who needs to break a lease, whatever the reason, its important to know the steps to take to avoid negative consequences.

First and foremost, review the rental agreement. Look for the section of the lease that details the regulations of terminating the agreement early. This may consist of hefty fees, such as the loss of your security deposit or possibly the cost of rent for the remaining months, especially if the tenant chooses to break the lease immediately. Some, however, may have other options, such as an early opt-out clause or the choice to sublet or re-let to another tenant.

Whether or not youve found your answer in your written agreement, the next step would be to talk directly to the landlord. Keeping the lines of communication open and honest are the most important, especially when a lease agreement needs to be cut short. In a situation where a tenant may no longer be able to afford payments, for example, landlords may be able to offer a solution before termination.

Being a landlord is a business, so its important to understand the importance of lease agreements and terms. If they arent willing to work with you financially, discuss subletting or offer to find a new renter to carry out the remainder of the lease.

If none of these solutions pan out and there are no opt-out clauses in your lease, consider using the security deposit as a bargaining chip. By forfeiting this deposit, there is a chance to avoid other fees, such as paying out the remaining months or having to go to court and paying added legal fees. Because this is an expensive change for your landlord as well, be sure youre prepared to take on the financial responsibility.

Remember, though this is their business, landlords can be understanding as long as you are honest and transparent about why a signed rental agreement may need to be terminated early.

Published with permission from RISMedia.