Diamond Certified Blog

Due to restrictions related to COVID-19, more people are working from home than ever before, and some Bay Area companies have asked their employees to telecommute for months to come. At the same time, most of the region’s school districts are holding classes online. Suddenly, the must-have feature of every home is a well-organized home office or classroom. Creating a space that allows for complete concentration takes some planning, but it can be a key factor to success for both employees and students. Read more

When your furnace, dryer or garbage disposal stops working, your first instinct may be to call a professional. In some cases, however, all it takes is a little troubleshooting to avoid an expensive service call. We asked five Diamond Certified Expert Contributors to share their home troubleshooting tips. Read more

The Bay Area has already seen numerous destructive wildfires in 2020, and there are still several weeks of hot, dry weather ahead of us. As wildfires become an increasingly common threat to the region, many homeowners are turning to “firescaping,” which is the coordinated use of fire-resistant plants and building materials around the home. With the right plants and hardscaping features, you can make it harder for wildfire to take hold and spread. Firescaping is a type of landscaping, which means you still have many options to create a garden that reflects your personal style. Aside from improving safety and adding beauty, firescaping can increase the value of your home. Read more

Did you know you can get Helpful Expertise® in your social media feed? We post daily on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, sharing everything from quick consumer tips to the latest Diamond Certified Blog articles and much more. Read more

Known for their excessive water consumption, grass lawns tend to get a bad rap these days. However, this judgment isn’t entirely fair. The truth is most turf grasses only need about one inch of water per week to maintain their color and active growth. So, why the bad reputation? Perhaps it’s time to shift the blame from the lawns themselves to those responsible for watering them. After all, a lot of home and property owners waste water by not following efficient irrigation practices. To ensure you’re doing all you can to conserve water with your lawn, read these helpful guidelines: Read more

With William R. Hummer, DDS

While most dental practices were closed or operating on a limited basis during the height of the COVID-19 shelter-in-place mandates, as of mid-summer, most are open for regular business again. However, it will likely be some time before things return to business as usual. We spoke to San Leandro-based dentist Dr. William Hummer to learn how the pandemic has impacted dental practices’ daily operations and what patients should expect regarding scheduling and care. Read more

I’m happy to be writing for the Diamond Certified Consumer Report again after a short hiatus. Since March, so much has happened to all of us (I was in a scary car accident, my husband had foot surgery and I broke my leg to boot!) that I don’t really know what getting back to “normal” means right now. But let me share a few observations.

Most of us are beginning to resume some activities, albeit with many adaptations. I’ve continued having groceries delivered, but now I make brief forays into stores that have best practices. Read more

It’s well-known that wildfires cause substantial air pollution. However, even after the air has cleared, the smell of smoke can linger in homes within the fire’s immediate and surrounding vicinities. The odor is not only unpleasant, it’s unhealthy for your respiratory system and notoriously difficult to remove.

In this piece, we’ll explain methods for removing smoke odors from your home and belongings. You can get started with some DIY tasks, but for certain jobs, you may need to bring in a professional. Read more

With wildfires threatening residential areas in multiple parts of California, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a State of Emergency. Once again, Northern California residents must grapple with fire, heat, and smoke affecting their homes and communities.

As previous wildfire events have taught us, recovery is a slow and often confusing process. Below, you’ll find resources to help you get started and make sense of your options.

You can visit our wildfire preparedness page for information on preventing future wildfires. Read more

Filing a homeowners insurance claim can be a daunting task. To get you through the process with minimal stress, we’ve provided the following step-by-step guide. Read more