Tuesday, March 12, 2024

20 Tips For Spring Cleaning Your Home

 

Here are 20 helpful tips for spring cleaning your home:

  • 1. Declutter First

            
         Start by decluttering each room. Donate or discard items
         you no longer need or use.
  • 2. Create a Cleaning Schedule


  • Break down tasks into manageable chunks and schedule

  • them over several days to avoid overwhelm.



  • 3. Work Top to Bottom


  • Dust ceilings, fans, light fixtures, and shelves first, then

  • work your way down to furniture and floors.



  • 4. Don't Forget Walls


  • Wipe down walls and baseboards with a damp cloth or

  • sponge to remove dust and grime.


  • 5. Clean Windows and Screens


  • Wash windows inside and out, and clean window screens

  • to let more light in and improve air quality.



  • 6. Freshen Up Fabrics


  • Launder curtains, throw pillows, and cushion covers.

  • Vacuum upholstered furniture and mattresses.


  • 7. Deep Clean Carpets and Rugs


  • Use a carpet cleaner or hire a professional service to

  • deep clean carpets and rugs.



  • 8. Sanitize High-Touch Surfaces


  • Disinfect doorknobs, light switches, remote controls,

  • and other frequently touched surfaces.



  • 9. Tackle Kitchen Appliances


  • Clean inside and outside of appliances like the

  • refrigerator, oven, microwave, and dishwasher.



  • 10. Scrub Cabinets and Drawers


  • Empty cabinets and drawers, wipe them down,

  • and organize items before returning them.


  • 11. Freshen Up the Bathroom


  • Clean grout, scrub tiles, and disinfect the toilet,

  • sink, shower, and bathtub.



  • 12. Service HVAC Systems


  • Change air filters, clean vents, and schedule

  • maintenance for your heating and cooling systems.


  • 13. Inspect for Leaks


  • Check for leaks under sinks, around toilets, and

  • in the roof. Repair any leaks promptly to

  • prevent water damage.



  • 14. Clean Gutters and Downspouts


  • Remove debris from gutters and downspouts

  • to prevent clogs and water damage.


  • 15. Maintain Exterior Surfaces


  • Power wash siding, decks, patios, and driveways

  • to remove dirt, mildew, and stains.



  • 16. Check Seals and Weather Stripping


  • Inspect seals around doors and windows.

  • Replace any worn-out weather stripping to improve

  • energy efficiency.


  • 17. Organize Storage Spaces


  • Sort through closets, cabinets, and storage areas.

  • Donate unused items and organize the rest for

  • easy access.



  • 18. Maintain Outdoor Areas


  • Prune bushes, trees, and shrubs. Plant flowers or

  • vegetables in garden beds or pots.


  • 19. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

  • Ensure all detectors are working properly by testing
  • them and replacing batteries if needed.
   
  • 20. Create a Maintenance Checklist


  • Develop a maintenance checklist for regular upkeep tasks

  • to keep your home clean and well-maintained year-round.

And you can also download the Spring Cleaning Checklist in the free download section.

By following these tips, you can effectively spring clean your home, and create a fresh, inviting space for the season ahead.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Waterscope Resident User Guide


Before we go to Waterscope, for your reference, here's the rates from the Satsuma Water & Sewer Department that we're using in computing the water and sewer bill charges:


Satsuma Water and Sewer Fee Schedule

(Effective October 2020)


MONTHLY FEES & CHARGES

A. Basic Water and Sewer Rate

GALLONS

MINIMUM

EACH 1,000 OVER MIN.

WATER

(3,000 gallons) $14.82

$3.89

SEWER

(2,000 gallons) $9.98

$7.49

Tax is 4% of the amount of water only

https://www.satsumawater.com/rates/

The Consumer Web Portal and Mobile App provide a variety of methods for end-consumer data access. These tools are designed to educate and empower end-consumers on their consumption patterns.

With Watercope, you can view your monthly consumption, and check for leaks. Check below to find out how.

STEP 1

Go to Dashboard

You receive an email from Waterscope with their username and password to log into the system. 

Here's the link to log in:   https://waterscope.us/Home/Main

Enter your email address and password.



Click the Forgot Password option if you'd like to reset your password.




Getting Through The Waterscope Terms and Conditions 

Swipe to see the scroll bar and scroll down:

 




If you can't find the email from Waterscope, simply enter the email address you gave to us and click the Forgot Password and you'll receive an email to reset the password and access your account. 

You can call our office at 504-445-650 or send us a text message at 504-226-5884 for any questions.

STEP 2

Click on CONSUMPTION HISTORY


STEP 3

Click on Time Interval

STEP 4

Click on 1 WEEK or 1 MONTH

STEP 5

Click on Total Consumption to see your usage for the last month

You can use this drop down menu to select 1 day, 1 week, 1 month or a custom timeframe

STEP 6

Click on USAGE OVERVIEW

This will allow you to see if you have any leaks occurring.

STEP 7

Highlight the daily Blue data for Domestic Use

Domestic use is considered dishwashers, sinks, showers, washing machines etc.

STEP 8

Highlight the daily Red data for daily Leak Amount in gallons

The meter determines a leak when water is moving through the meter for 24 continuous hours, without a stop in consumption.

STEP 9

Click on Leak Rate...

This will alert the end user of the gallons per minute lost to leaks

.01GPM = 14.4 gallons per day

.1 GPM = 144 gallons per day

.25 GPM = 360 gallons per day

STEP 10

Click on Actual Usage For One Week...

This will show how much water was lost to leaks, vs consumed by resident.

STEP 11

Click on NOTIFICATIONS

STEP 12

Select "Email"

STEP 13

Click on Verify

STEP 14

Select "Text"

STEP 15

Click on Validate OTP 

This will be a code WaterScope sends your phone to verify the number.

STEP 16

Click on Consumption Per Day

STEP 17

Type "100"

You will receive an alert if your meter measures more than this amount.

Average person uses 50-75 gallons per day.


STEP 18

Type "30" 

You will receive an alert if your meter temperature goes below this amount, indicating possible heat tape failure.

STEP 19

Check the box to receive Temperature Alerts 

STEP 20

Check the box to receive Consumption Alerts

STEP 21

Click Save 


Waterscope Mobile App

Waterscope App is a great solution for monitoring your water usage, this is an alternative for the online version. It has intuitive dashboard, and powerful analytics tools, you'll be able to stay on top of your water consumption and identify areas where you can make changes to save money.

You can download in Google Play or Apple App Store.