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How To Create The Most Reliable Home

If you wanted to make your home as reliable as possible, what would it take?

Here is a list of ideas and links to products to achieve this.

My recommendation: Pick the 1 item below that is your biggest risk and focus on that item first.

Managing Water (Water is your homes #1 enemy)

1. Triple Backup Sump Pump (If Applicable)

   1. Main sump pump

   2. Battery backup sump pump (separate pump)

   3. A spare pump (Either installed in your sump pit, or on standby for install)

2. Gutter Guards (Helps to ensure your gutters best capture water.

3. Underground downspout drainage pipes (Move that water far away)

4. Sloping the ground well away from your home (6 inch drop within 10 feet)

5. Yard drainage to ensure no flooding

6. A roof in good condition (Inspect/Repair about every other year)

   1. See our Past Newsletter about maintaining your roof

   2. Consider Class 4 impact resistant shingles

Installations

1. Backup Power

   1. Portable generator tied to electrical sub-panel to critical items

   2. Permanent generator to power your whole home

   3. Solar panels with battery backup

2. Whole home electrical panel surge protection

3. Stored Water and/or Water Filtration Device

   1. 1 or 5 gallon containers of drinking water. 5 gallons per resident

   2. An “any” water filter, such as the Lifesaver Jerrycan

   3. Whole home water filtration system

4. Backup Heating Capabilities

   1. 2nd Furnace, or one furnace with two fuel options

   2. Portable electric heaters

5. Backup Cooling Capabilities

   1. 2nd Air Conditioner

   2. Window air conditioners

6. Impact resistant windows

7. A new weather resistant barrier behind your exterior wall finishes

8. Massive upgrade to attic and wall insulation (to minimize heat loss/gain)

Maintenance

1. Relatively new flexible waterline pipes everywhere

   1. Toilets

   2. Sinks

   3. Clothes washers

   4. Dishwashers

2. Clean dryer ducts

3. Clean chimney flues

4. Clean furnace filters (With filter backups on hand)

5. Exterior weed control

Tools

1. T-bar water stop valve shutoff tool (Street Curb Key)

2. Smart water whole home shutoff device with leak detection sensors

3. Whole home camera system (Exterior and common interior areas)

4. Kitchen fire suppression system

5. CO, CO2, Combustible Gas, & Radon detectors

6. Device battery banks (for charging/powering phones, etc.)

Making your home resilient is about protecting your family, your investment, and your comfort when unexpected problems happen. Storms, power outages, water leaks, and extreme temperatures are becoming more common, and even small issues can quickly turn into expensive repairs or long periods of disruption. By strengthening your home’s structure, improving energy systems, adding backups for power and water, and installing smart monitoring, you dramatically reduce the chances of major damage.

A resilient home stays safe, dry, and livable even when the grid goes down or the weather turns severe. It also saves money over time by preventing costly failures and lowering energy use. Most importantly, resilience provides peace of mind—knowing your home can handle challenges and keep your family comfortable no matter what.

Own a Home? Unlock Lower Auto Insurance Rates

Owning a home gets you equity, a place that’s all yours, and now, better auto insurance rates. Drivers who own their home, own multiple cars, and have a clean driving record can save big by comparing insurance rates. And now, with EverQuote, that process is easier than ever.

EverQuote is a smart insurance marketplace built for people like you. We simplify the entire process:

• Quick & Easy: Stop filling out the same forms repeatedly.

• Maximum Savings: We connect you with trusted national and local carriers.

• Confidence in Coverage: Our platform helps you compare and confidently select the perfect policy.

You deserve great coverage without the headache.

Click to get started!

Cairo Egypt Luxury Homes

Cairo, Egypt’s sprawling capital, is set on the Nile River. Nearby, Giza is the site of the iconic pyramids and Great Sphinx, dating to the 26th century BC. Population: 10.3 million (Jan 1, 2024)

In Gezira Island’s leafy Zamalek district, 187m Cairo Tower affords panoramic city views.

24 bathrooms, 13 bedrooms, and nearly 25,000 square feet! 8 car garage, 2 guest villas, and an event space that can accommodate 100 people.

7 Bedrooms, 7 Bathrooms, about 21,000 square feet. Amazing golf course views. Asking 8 million.

Credit Card Rewards For Homeowners

Are you a shopper at?:

• McDonalds

• SimpliSafe

• at home

• The Farmer’s Dog

With American Express “Offers” on AMEX’s credit cards you can save up to 20% and other savings at these companies and several dozen more.

AMEX is currently offering up to 175,000 bonus points to new card members.

About the Author

I’m Adam Rich, a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) and Real Estate Salesperson in the state of Ohio. I help discerning homeowners like you take control of the complexity behind your home—so it lasts longer, runs more efficiently, and serves your family with the latest and greatest home options.

With a background in engineering, property management, construction, and real estate investing, I specialize in helping clients understand the systems that make their home work—and where problems might be silently brewing. Whether you're planning major renovations, systems upgrades, assessing long-term maintenance, or just want to get a handle on your home’s true condition, I deliver expert-level answers in clear, practical language.

Ready for Expert, Unbiased Advice?

Whether it’s a one-time consultation or an ongoing relationship, I offer homeowners peace of mind through clear insights, practical planning, and calm expertise.

I am available to consult on home maintenance and improvements, new construction decisions and options, real estate investing or purchases, real estate engineering matters, and other home systems matters. Consult With Me Here.

Ultimate Backyard Luxury Home Feature

Do you or your kids love trampolines?

Many homes have those typical unsightly above ground trampolines. What if you could have the trampoline without the eyesore?

In Ground Trampolines have a few great features and benefits:

• You don’t have to worry about them blowing away.

• You can barely see them.

• They are safer as they don’t require climbing a ladder to access.

In-Ground Trampolines (linked above) is headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT & Phoenix, Arizona. They have figured out all the details from safety, contractor installation, managing water, and maintenance of these trampolines.

In-Ground Trampolines are currently offering 20% off on some products.

Installation generally includes digging a hole about 3 feet deep, installing the provided retaining wall, installing a drainage and gravel system at the bottom of your hole, then inserting the trampoline assembly.

The content of this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Always perform your own due diligence before making any financial decisions.