Hoarding is a severe psychological disorder that affects between two and three percent of the American population. This disorder, characterized by an excessive accumulation of “stuff” and an inability to discard any of it, even via cleaning, can have severe physical and mental health consequences if left unaddressed. 

Do you or someone you love have a home that feels like it has more trash and items than walkable space? Do you need help figuring out how to stop hoarding? Then these five tips from the experts are here to help you.

1. Treat the Underlying Cause, Not the Symptom

What’s the one thing that makes figuring out how to stop hoarding so hard for so many people? They treat the symptom (the hoard) and not the root (the mental illness). Many who have hoarding tendencies have them as a coping mechanism for another mental health condition which has become a disorder in and of itself. So, even if you clear the hoard, if you don’t seek therapy for the underlying problem, you’ll end up back where you started.

2. Reach Out to Professional Cleaners

Clearing a messy home by yourself is a daunting task even for those without hoarding disorders. Clearing a hoarder house is a much steeper task, considering the level of mess.

Thankfully, you don’t have to go it alone. There are many businesses like this hoarding cleanup company that can help you clean and decontaminate your home so that it feels like new again.

3. Sort the Trash from the Treasure

If you can’t afford or don’t want to enlist the help of a hoarder cleaning company, your best first step is to sort the trash from the treasure. Much of the clutter in a hoarder’s home comes from trash, e.g. old take-out containers, discarded junk mail or bills, bottle caps, and the like.

Before you begin parsing what you should keep from actual valuables, you should first clean up the obvious trash. Once that’s done, you’ll find it easier to navigate and feel less overwhelmed.

4. Throw Away What Hasn’t Seen Use for a Year

With the trash out of the way, take a close look at all the things you’re holding on to. If it hasn’t been used in a year or more, either throw it away or donate it to a local thrift shop. No questions, no excuses, no exceptions. Unless it’s something designed for sitting there and looking pretty, it shouldn’t be sitting there gathering dust.

5. Spend Fifteen Minutes Each Day Decluttering

Once you’ve got your home cleaned either professionally or on your own, maintenance is key. Spend fifteen minutes each day decluttering to stay on top of any accumulated mess.

How to Stop Hoarding: A Review

To recap, here’s how to stop hoarding, according to the experts. You should treat any underlying mental health concerns. Then, either contact a professional or find cleaning methods that work for you. Once that’s done, take a little time each day to keep the house clean. If you do these things, you’ll be able to keep your home from becoming a hoarder house again.

If you found this guide helpful and would like more how-tos to keep your home neat and tidy, check out our blog each day for more content like this.

Did you know that, on average, 206,000 hot tubs are sold each year in the US?

You might want to buy a hot tub, but you may want to learn more about the costs that are involved. After all, if you do this, you can determine how long it will take to save up for this purchase.

Keep reading, and you’ll learn more about the cost of installing a hot tub. Once you’re done reading, you’ll be able to answer the question ‘how much does hot tub installation cost?’

Let’s begin!

What Kind of Hot Tub Do You Want?

The cost of installing a hot tub depends heavily on the kind of hot tub you want to install.

For instance, if you’re looking to buy an inflatable hot tub, you might not have to pay anything in regards to installation.

After all, you’ll just need to find a space in your backyard, and then all you have to do is inflate and fill up the hot tub.

In any case, if you want a permanent hot tub, the cost to install a hot tub will be roughly $5,000. 

That said, the cost of installing a permanent hot tub can depend heavily on the features of your chosen hot tub. For instance, you might need to pay higher installation costs if you buy a saltwater hot tub.

If you’re not sure which kind of hot tub will be a good fit for your home, you might want to visit a hot tub store to see what is on offer.

Alternatively, you can check out an online retailer, such as cher pools, to see what you can buy.

What Affects Hot Tub Installation Price?

Earlier, we discussed some of the figures you might face when installing a hot tub. However, you might be wondering what you’re actually paying for when it comes to installation. 

Well, if you’re installing a permanent hot tub, you might need to get a building permit—though this will depend on where you live.

Besides this, you’ll also need to pay for electrical and plumbing work. Furthermore, you might also need to pay extra if you want your hot tub to be in-ground rather than above ground.

If you’re looking to buy a particularly large hot tub, you might need to pay for a crane. But, in some cases, the company that sold you the hot tub will take care of this for you.

How Much Does Hot Tub Installation Cost?

Now that you’ve finished this post, it should be easier for you to answer the question ‘how much does hot tub installation cost?’ 

As you can see, costs can vary depending on the kind of setup you want. Thus, it can be hard to predict how much you’ll need to pay ahead of time. 

Therefore, you should decide what you want, and you should then reach out to several hot tub companies. In doing so, you should end up with a ballpark figure that’ll help you determine how much you can expect to pay.

Want to read some more content like this? Visit our blog to see some of our new posts!

Read Also : 8 Modern Bathtubs Designs for Enhancing Beauty of Your Bathroom

When you’re transitioning from a life of renting to a life of homeownership, you may find that owning a home comes with a steep learning curve. For example, did you know that you should set aside 1% of your home’s purchase price for emergency maintenance services?

You may also be wondering what kinds of maintenance issues you can take care of yourself and which require professional help. We’re here to help.

Today, we’re going to talk about some of the most common home plumbing problems homeowners can expect to face and how to handle them.

Read on for five common plumbing problems and make the learning curve a little less steep.

1. Dripping Faucet

Chances are, you’re going to deal with a dripping faucet at least once–if not multiple times. When you have a faucet that won’t stop dripping, it’s not just the noise that will get on your nerves. The constant flow of water can lead to a buildup of mold in your sink and, if left unfixed for too long, can take a toll on your water bill.

Most of the time, you can fix a dripping faucet on your own. Faucets that won’t stop dripping usually have a stiff, worn, broken, or loose internal washer.

All you need to do is purchase a replacement washer and grab the proper tools (including an adjustable wrench, an Allen wrench, and a flathead screwdriver). Shut off the water flow to the affected faucet, disassemble the faucet and replace the washer, and reassemble the faucet.

2. Clogged Drain

Clogged drains are also a common issue that homeowners have to deal with. If possible, you’re going to want to avoid using chemicals to clear up the clog–especially if you have older pipes that are susceptible to corrosion. Fortunately, there are other ways that you can try clearing a blockage in your bathroom or kitchen sink that don’t involve chemicals.

Plastic disposable snakes can be purchased online or in home improvement stores. Use a plastic snake to loosen and remove any solids that are blocking your drain. Then, pour a tablespoon of baking soda and a half cup of white vinegar down your drain to help dissolve any remaining substances. 

If this doesn’t work, the clog may be deeper in your pipes. At this point, it’s best to call a plumber. Search for “plumbers near me” and find the best plumber in town, like these plumbers Pinellas County has to offer.

3. Clogged Toilet

Like a clogged sink, you can usually handle a clogged toilet on your own. If the toilet is getting close to the dreaded overflow point, turn off the water source that connects directly to the affected toilet. If necessary, lower the water level using pots or buckets.

A snake or plumber are traditional tools that are usually effective in breaking up a toilet clog. However, there are other options that aren’t quite as hands on that may be worth trying if you aren’t in a hurry.

One option is to create a “toilet bomb” (like a bath bomb, but not quite as relaxing) using some ingredients you have at home. In a muffin tin lined with muffin wrappers, combine a cup of dish soap with three tablespoons of baking soda and three tablespoons of vinegar. Allow the toilet bombs to harden overnight before dropping one into your clogged toilet and allowing it to sit and dissolve for several hours.

If DIY methods don’t unclog your toilet, call a plumber for some quick and easy unclogging action. 

4. Leaking or Burst Pipes

Unfortunately, homeowners may encounter a few home plumbing emergencies from time to time. One possible emergency that you don’t want to ignore is the leaking or burst pipe.

A pipe with a small but steady leak may not constitute an emergency, but you’re going to want to have it repaired as soon as possible. Water that drips in your home will create mold, which can spread on surfaces and pollute your air, causing a variety of respiratory problems. Like the dripping faucet, you can also expect your water bill to go up if you don’t address a leaking pipe.

If you have a burst pipe, you’re going to need to act fast. Head to your main water shut off valve (located in the basement or on an outdoor utility wall) and cut off the water in your home. Then, call an emergency plumber to have the burst pipe repaired or replaced.

Low Water Pressure

If you notice that your water pressure is getting lower, it’s time to do some investigating. Changes in water pressure can indicate a leaking or broken pipe, a blockage in your pipes, or a simple build-up on an individual faucet.

If you’re noticing a change in water pressure all over the house, call a plumber. The source may be bigger than a DIY project can address. 

If the water pressure is only low in one area (e.g. one sink or one shower), the faucet may have a buildup of sediments and minerals. Remove the faucet head and aerator and soak both in a bowl of white vinegar for several hours. If this doesn’t work, you may want to replace the faucet altogether. 

Get Prepared for Home Plumbing Problems

New homeowners tend to learn about caring for their properties the hard way. With our guide to home plumbing problems, you can get ahead of the curve and prepare for common plumbing issues before they happen. Remember: sometimes calling a professional is worth the money!

Looking for more homeowner tips? Take a look at our real estate section and find out what’s trending, what’s worth the money, and how you can take care of your property to keep the property value high.