Diamond Certified Blog

California’s steep terrain and forceful winter rainstorms make soil erosion and landslide risk a yearly threat to homes. After months of bone-dry conditions, strong storms can quickly alter hillside terrain. While soil erosion is an inherently natural process, homeowners can take steps to reduce the negative effects erosion may have on their properties.  Read more

This time last year, no one could guess what 2020 had in store for us. Within a few short months, those New Year’s resolutions to get fit, travel and connect more with friends went right out the window as the COVID-19 pandemic set in. And that’s just one of many factors that made this past year so trying.

Now we find ourselves on a similar precipice, looking into the unknown that will be 2021. Regardless of how this year actually turns out, there’s no sense starting it off with a whimper. Instead, we should keep our heads up with the expectation of better days to come and take the initiative to improve our prospects. Read more

Earlier this week, we shared 10 of the top tips our Diamond Certified Expert Contributors provided in 2020. In this second installment, we’re serving up 10 more bite-size morsels of Helpful Expertise®. Read more

In addition to being top rated for quality and customer satisfaction, Diamond Certified companies are known for providing Helpful Expertise®. This is especially true for companies whose owners and managers have become Diamond Certified Expert Contributors by sharing their industry expertise via articles and videos on the Diamond Certified website. In 2020, the number of Diamond Certified Expert Contributors continued to grow, bringing another abundant harvest of Helpful Expertise. In this first installment of a two-part series, we’ve published 10 of this year’s top expert tips. Read more

In past December newsletters, I’ve shared recipes from my family’s Christmas Eve dinner that features Swedish meatballs, the heated adult beverage Swedish glögg and Green Goddess salad dressing. Now it’s time to tell you about the bread I make every year called limpa bread.

This Scandinavian bread was originally made from fermented brewer’s wort, a byproduct of beer making. While some recipes include stout beer as a key ingredient, mine uses molasses, orange rind, fennel and cumin seeds. Limpa is traditionally served at Christmas Eve smörgåsbords. Read more

Upon receiving an unexpected car repair bill, you might start wondering if it’s time to replace your current vehicle for something newer that requires less maintenance. However, while it’s natural to react this way to an unforeseen financial burden, it’s important to make such a decision based on information, not emotion. Read more

This year, more Bay Area residents than ever before will be staying home for the holidays. With COVID-19 numbers continuing to rise throughout the region, local officials are urging people to put off large family gatherings and celebrations. While festivities may be smaller this year, it’s still important to take steps to ensure the safety of your household. Read more

In the wake of widespread economic woes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s “season of giving” comes at an especially crucial point for those who are in need. To help you make the most of your charitable giving in this needful time, we’ve reposted (and updated) the following article from 2017. Read more

It’s that time of year again—time to deck the halls (or, more accurately, the walls of your home) with holiday lights and décor. While this is a great way to celebrate the season, it’s important to take precautions when decorating your home exterior. If you aren’t careful, you could potentially injure yourself or create unsafe conditions on your property. To avoid problems, follow these safety tips: Read more

This holiday season, we’ll be hosting fewer visitors than usual. Nonetheless, many of us will spend time tidying our homes and putting up holiday decorations. As you busy yourself around the house, perhaps your fireplace will catch your eye. A roaring fire sounds nice this time of year, but can you be sure the fireplace is in working order? Follow the tips below to learn more about chimney and fireplace maintenance. After all, there’s one annual holiday visitor who’s sure to stop by, and you’ll want to make a good impression. Read more