Archive November 28, 2023

Avoid These Common Homeowner Mistakes for a Safe and Successful Renovation

By in Home Improvement
The Most Dangerous Or Costly Homeowner Mistakes

Embarking on home improvements can be thrilling, but it’s crucial to approach them with care to avoid potential dangers and expenses. Fortunately, you can sidestep common pitfalls by following these essential guidelines during your next renovation project.

  1. Skipping Professional Help

While some minor repairs are DIY-friendly, tasks like bathroom renovations, kitchen cabinet replacements, or electrical system modifications demand expertise. Avoid the costly mistake of handling complex projects yourself. Hiring a qualified contractor or electrician ensures the job is done right, preventing issues stemming from poor workmanship.

  1. Selecting the Wrong Contractor

Thoroughly vet potential contractors to guarantee professionalism and trustworthiness. Seek references from acquaintances, inspect completed projects, and confirm licenses and insurance. A reliable contractor communicates effectively, adheres to timelines, and addresses issues promptly.

  1. Neglecting Contingency Planning

Include a contingency fund in your budget to cover unforeseen expenses such as mold, asbestos, or plumbing problems. Allocate 10-20% for smaller projects and 3-8% for larger endeavors with budgets exceeding $100,000. Planning for the unexpected safeguards against financial surprises during the renovation process.

  1. Avoiding Trend-Driven Choices

While trends come and go, your home’s aesthetic should stand the test of time. Resist the urge to adopt every trend, especially if it clashes with your space. Opting for trendy materials or designs may lead to regrettable choices, resulting in expensive repairs or replacements when the trend fades.

  1. Overlooking Hidden Issues

Uncover and address underlying problems during renovations, such as outdated electrical systems or plumbing issues. Ignoring these issues can pose safety hazards, like fire risks from faulty wiring or health concerns from mold infestations. Prioritize fixing hidden problems to ensure a safe and sound living environment.

  1. Rushing the Project

While living amidst renovations is challenging, resist the temptation to rush the project. Hurrying compromises the quality of work, leading to potentially costly mistakes. Particularly in areas like electrical wiring, structural integrity, plumbing, and gas lines, taking the necessary time ensures a safe and well-executed outcome. Set realistic timelines to achieve a balance between completion speed and project quality.

Remember, prioritizing safety and thorough planning significantly contributes to a successful home renovation experience.

Sources:

RealSimple

Livabl

HGTV

Alair Homes

 

How Clean is the Air Inside Your Home?

By in Eco-Friendly Properties
https://youtu.be/rF2tEtvHBaM

 

 Indoor Air Quality is Important

The air inside a home can become unhealthy. It isn’t always a matter of lack of cleanliness or neglect to address dirty air problems.

Even in new and unoccupied homes, indoor air quality can be compromised. Air is that component of human existence that may seem invisible. Yet, there are times when air is quite visible.

For example, a cold winter day with frigid temperatures will show air expelled from each human breath. You can also see air in a glass container as water is poured into it too quickly. We hear air escaping when it is released from a flat tire.

Air is a mix of several types of gases such as oxygen and nitrogen. These gases contain tiny molecules. This is a clue to learning how to judge the level of air quality in your home.

Become an Air Quality Inspector

Once you know the air is a mix of gases, it makes a home inspection for potential problems easier to find.

The internal areas of your home have several possible causes of dirty air. Dust accumulates easily in homes located in windy areas just as it does in sandy beach locations. Dust in airstreams occurs when particles heavier than air clings to air molecules.

It is important to create a designated inspection list to ensure the air inside your home is clean. The list should include:

. Inspecting heating, cooling, and ventilating units and ductwork that collect dust and give off musty odors when actively in operation

. Replace furnace and A/C filters regularly

. Check pipes for leaks that create mold and mildew odors

. Vacuum floors, upper areas of walls, and draperies to remove dust

. Steam clean kitchen areas where cooking odors and grease lodge on walls

. Regular upholstery cleaning to remove stale odors

. Keep pet areas inside the home fresh and clean

. Sanitize floors and carpets regularly

Clean Air Inside Your Home for Good Health

Once you identify the causes of air quality problems, you may want to invest in an air purifier. For individuals prone to lung and sinus problems, an air duct cleaning can reduce the amount of dirty air inside the home.

Contrary to popular belief, opening windows may add to air quality problems depending on location. Keep in mind the use of air fresheners, hair spray, and perfumes in aerosol form adds to odor buildup in the air and on all surfaces.

An air quality professional begins with a sniff test. Next, special detection and metering equipment identify the particulates in the air and the volume. If the air inside your home is a persistent problem, you may need an indoor air quality expert to test the air.

For minor air quality issues, the best way to judge how clean the air is inside your home is the sniff test. If your nose detects odors, it’s time for cleaning.