Would you love to have a home office but just can’t spare a room? Don’t limit your thinking. You may be surprised at the choices you actually have. Let’s consider one.

Do you have a formal dining room? How often do you use it? Chances are most of the time it sits empty. Well, with a laptop and rolling file cabinet, you can turn your dining room into a temporary home office. The room has comfortable chairs and a large table for spreading out your work.

It’s up to you how deeply you want to convert your dining room to the home office role. For some, it may make sense to simply repurpose the room. If you’re not ready to go that far, can you use part of your buffet for office supplies? Would a wooden file cabinet look appropriate in the room?

One other temporary addition might be helpful – a good floor lamp. Depending upon your dining room chandelier, you may need different lighting to be really efficient.

If your dining room has wood flooring or an area rug such as this one, you may want to think twice about pulling a rolling chair up to your dining table. Pick up an inexpensive rug or pad to protect your floors and good rugs. Then enjoy the fact that you can have your office space when you need it and quickly convert it to a dining room for those gatherings of family and friends.

Reader Question:

I was wondering if you could tell me what I would need to do if I smell gas in my home. I think I know what to do, but would appreciate some expert advice.

Thank you! – Cindy A, Phoenix, AZ

Answer:

Cindy,

Great question! If you smell gas in your home, here are a few simple tips for you to keep in mind. A good idea would be to bookmark this page or print it out so that you will know what to do in the event that you do smell gas in your home.

If you smell gas:

• Do not use light switches or phones, including cell phones in your home.
• Leave your home immediately.
• Call the gas company from a neighbor’s home.

In an emergency the gas can be shut off at the valve at the gas meter.

The typical locations for gas valves in your home are at the:

• Cooktop
• Furnace in the attic
• Furnace in the mechanical room
• Utility/Laundry Room
• Water heater
• Fireplace

The typical locations for gas valves on the exterior of your home are at the:

• Gas main at the gas meter
• BBQ
• Pool/spa
• Exterior fireplace

Stay safe and don’t take any changes if you smell gas in your home!

Window issues can be frustrating! Below are some common problems and solutions that you might run across with your windows. We hope these solutions can help you.

Garbage disposals seem pretty simple, right? Believe it or not, there are some things you need to be aware of when it comes to garbage disposals!

First, Do not load the disposal with food items before turning it on. For proper operation, turn on the cold water and start the disposal. Then, drop the food items slowly into the unit.

When the unit sounds clear, turn the disposal off and leave the water running for several seconds. This allows the food waste to be carried into your sewer lines.

Only foods that are not fibrous and easily pulverized should be placed into the disposal. Examples of foods not to place in the disposal are cornhusks, celery, onionskins, potato peels, olive pits, bones and solid or liquid grease. These items may cause your unit to overload or jam. If this happens, follow these corrective measures.

• Turn off the disposal and the cold water.
• Wait three minutes for the unit to cool, and then reset the button usually located on the bottom of the disposal.
• If this does not correct the problem, your unit is probably obstructed. Follow these steps for proper removal.
• Unplug the disposal before attempting a repair yourself.
• Check the circuit breakers. An overload of this type may have tripped the circuit. Reset any tripped circuit breakers.
• If your disposal has a service wrench, insert one end of the wrench into the bottom of the unit. Work back and forth until the disposal turns freely. If your disposal does not have a service wrench, insert a broom handle or mop handle into the throat of the unit and rotate the impeller back and forth. The obstruction will be loosened up so that it can be removed.
• Remove the obstruction, plug the disposal in, press the reset button and proceed with the above steps for proper use.

We hope you find this information useful and helpful. Now carry on in the kitchen with confidence!

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