Category Home Improvement

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Uncover and address underlying problems during renovations, such as outdated electrical systems or plumbing issues.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 To Make Your Roof Last Longer

By in Home Improvement

The roof is a significant component of your home. That’s why a home with a damaged roof is uninhabitable. Although you have no control over the weather – which can have a devastating toll on your roof, you can still do something to prolong your roof’s lifespan.

new roof on a large house

There are numerous benefits to maintaining your roof. Inspect your roof regularly to identify signs of damage before they wreak havoc. If you live under a flat roof, you need to perform regular repairs than people living under a pitched roof. A flat roof doesn’t allow debris and rainwater to roll off with ease. Here are several things you can do to make your roof last longer.

 

Trim Overgrown Branches Near Your Home

Overgrow branches can damage your roof and allow small animals to access your house with ease. It’s prudent to be cautious when trimming overhanging branches to avoid destroying the roof. Roofers recommend hiring a tree removal service since they have the right tools and equipment to perform the job safely.

Avoid Power Washing Shingles

No one wants to see dust and debris on the shingles. Utilize other cleaning methods to get rid of unsightly grime and debris on the roof other than power washing it.

Power washing loosens granules from the top coating of shingles. This can reduce the lifespan of your shingles by several years. Once the granules are loosened, they can’t be replaced unless you replace the shingles. When the granules are gone, your roof is exposed to harsh weather, making it age faster. Rather than power washing your shingles, use a leaf blower or a boom to eliminate moss.

Most pressure-washing companies offer soft washing as an alternative to power washing for roof cleaning.

Clean Gutters

Many people have no idea that gutters should be cleaned at least once a year. If you chose to clean the gutters yourself, look for a firm ladder and two buckets. One bucket should contain the tools you need while the other one should be for putting debris. Use a trowel to get rid of debris and a hose to flush dust out. Also, remember to unclog the downspouts and clean them thoroughly.

Fortify the Roof

Those living in areas prone to thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes should prioritize fortifying their roofs. The fortification process involves sealing decking with a sealant or a special tape, ring shank nails that can hardly be uplifted by wind, and metal flashings to lock down the roof edges. Although fortifying the roof is an expensive project, it is worth it when living in an area susceptible to strong winds.

While you maintain other parts of your home, remember to maintain your roof too. Develop a maintenance schedule to catch issues before they deteriorate.

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Things That Can Lower the Value of Your Home

By in Home Improvement
https://youtu.be/TJuuVyUjWoc

 

Your home is a significant wealth-growing asset. You want the value of your home to appreciate over time so you can reap the benefits of homeownership. Yet, many things can lower the value of your home and decrease your ability to grow your wealth.

Problems that can lower the value of your home can be costly and complicated to fix. You can increase the value of your home and get it in great shape if you take the time to discover these problems. Here are a few issues to look for that can hurt the value of your home.

Mold Damage

Mold is bad for your health, makes your home look unsightly, and eats away at the structure of your home. It also does not smell good. Mold damage can take a long time to occur, but you do not want to wait for this to happen. Mold grows where there is moisture. You can find mold anywhere in your home where there is moisture. If you detect mold damage in your home, contact a restoration company for an in-home consultation.

Old Kitchen and Bathrooms

People can date your home based on the look of your kitchen and bathrooms. Most of the time, it is not good when people look at your kitchen and bathrooms and feel like they are going back in time. Even if you have an older home, most people like to see updated features.

Thankfully, a few renovations to your kitchen and bathrooms can increase the value of your home. Replacing old appliances, cabinets, countertops, and fixtures can add thousands of dollars to your home’s value.

Lack of Maintenance

Your home may be standing, but it may not be in good condition. The value of your home can decrease if it is not in good condition. A decaying foundation, a cracked driveway, an old HVAC system, and leaky plumbing are issues that need fixing if you want to maintain the value of your home.

Bad Renovations

Renovations and upgrades do not always increase the value of your home. Poor workmanship, materials, and finishes can damage your home’s value. Issues such as awkward home additions, crooked tiling, and warped flooring will cost you extra money to fix. Get recommendations for a few contractors and choose the best one for the renovations, even if you need to pay a little more for quality workmanship.

Many things can decrease the value of your house, like bad landscaping, plumbing and electricity not up to code, and old roofing. You do not need to do a complete remodel in most cases. Just add a fresh coat of neutral interior and exterior paint, clean up the yard, and replace old appliances to add value to your home.

TOP 6 Upgrades to Increase Your Home Value

By in Home Improvement

As a homeowner, your major worry may be getting a better ROI on your house when you decide to sell. The demand for housing units has increased tremendously over time, and customers look for various features in a house. You may have concerns about how the home inspector’s report may affect your home’s value.

However, you can make some changes to your house to fetch a better price. Contrarily, it would help if you knew the right changes to make to your home to increase its market value. Research the factors affecting house prices in your region to make the necessary modifications.

You can consult your realtor and home inspectors to know about the preferred features of prospective home buyers. With that, here are some upgrades to help increase your home resell value.

https://youtu.be/ZGQbBJxnqu4

Landscaping
A prospective buyer will tell you a lot about your home from your curb appeal. The exterior should be appealing to the client to look at other home features and start the negotiations. Ensure you trim down any overgrown vegetation in your yard.

Consider replanting your grass and hiring lawn care services. Add some flowers with bright colors to complement your home’s exterior. You can also add a few shrubs and vegetation to your yard and ensure that they’re watered.

 

Painting

Giving your house a new paint coat will play an integral role in improving your house’s appearance and value. Check for any painting flaking of the walls to determine whether there are any leaks in your walls. Check for mold growth on your walls as it may also indicate a broken pipe.

Consult a painting expert to know which colors will work for your home and blend into your interior design. Your interior colors should also complement your exterior paint job and overall home design.

 

Exterior Cleaning

The cleanliness of your home’s exterior is essential for curb appeal. Dirty siding, clogged gutters, and grungy driveways will turn prospective buyers off. Cleaning the roof will also help convey that the property has been well-maintained. A pressure washing service can help resolve all of these issues.

Click here to learn more!

 

Add New Kitchen and Bathroom Fixtures

You can also add new fixtures such as cabinets, faucets, and handles to complement your interior design. You may add a new bathtub or a spa-like shower head in your bathroom. A mirror would also help the bathroom appear brighter.

For your kitchen, you can consider adding a new countertop. You can choose a material that offers durability and is much easier to clean. Replace broken cabinet handles and create more space in your kitchen.

 

Open Floor Plan

An open floor plan makes the house appear more spacious and bright. Consider removing heavy furniture or knockdown your walls to have an unobstructed view of the living room and the kitchen. This way, more natural light can get into your home and ensure the house looks inviting.

 

Garage Door Replacement

You can choose to repaint your garage door or replace it entirely. Go for a garage door that fits into the house’s structural architecture and complements your exterior design. You can opt for an automated garage door for easy access and attract savvy home buyers.

How to Deal With Emergencies Around the House

By in Home Improvement, Home Security
How to Deal With Emergencies Around the House

How do minor accidents and crises happen at your residence? Most homeowners believe these things only happen to others and that they don’t have to deal with any home improvement. They do not even attempt to plan for themselves until it’s too late and they are in the middle of an urgent situation with no idea of what to accomplish.

As it certainly is great to have preventative home improvement (and a backup plan) and be ready, this article provides a succinct collection of their quite common household crises and advice on ways best to manage them whenever they occur.

Clogged Bathroom Pipes

You almost certainly know you should not flush out anything aside from toilet paper down the toilet, as it is going to likely be obstructed. Still, it sometimes happens that our toilet in addition to shower drains, has clogged and we are left in an embarrassing position.

The shower usually will get clogged with unwanted hair; however, you can readily fix it by simply unscrewing the drain cap, or simply by pouring baking soda and vinegar down the drain.

If you can observe the congestion and also you don’t mind dirtying the hands somewhat, you merely need some essential gear and disposable glasses, however, you may always get in touch with a plumber and also possess a professional treat it.

Home Water Leakage

Most water leakages are typical and perhaps not too costly to fix. Despite these basic repairs, it may be an indication you have a larger problem along with your plumbing. Such leakages should be repaired as quickly as you can if they do not look to be a crisis repair during the moment, seeing as they may result in severe structural damage to a home over time.

Replace all plumbing faucets and pipes instantly and give a wide berth to the least expensive taps, even if they may appear to be a fantastic idea initially. If the flow is very serious, you need to shut the water off valve on such pipe and be certain that the pipe is sterile until the plumber arrives– you also can make use of a cloth to get rid of some of the water.

Home Power Outage

In the event you go through an electrical blackout or perhaps a power cut, then you should first venture outside and assess your switches and wiring, in addition to appliances. If any seems broken, you should telephone a reliable crisis electrician that is going to be able to encounter and try to find exactly what happened.

Depending on the time of day, it may take more than you would like for the professionals to show up. Until they arrive, then you ought to use candles together with a simple flashlight but be certain that you will not ever leave lit candles unattended.

Additionally, it is a fantastic strategy to leave a light fired up, so when the power is restored, you will find out instantly. Also, it could be sensible to keep electric appliances unplugged and attempt using the icebox as low as you can to hold the food fresh, if achievable.

Household Roofing

A busted roof is among those matters that many homeowners fear the most. However, the repairs may be somewhat pricey and may certainly be accomplished by professionals. On the flip side, in case you find your gutter is only clogged, then you may very quickly look after it all on your own.

Leaves will be the typical offenders since they develop with the years and prevent the water from becoming to the drainage. You merely require a ladder, a couple of gloves, and a brush to repair the issue within one hour. Furthermore, in case you do so regularly, you can secure your roof from further harm.

Improving Prevention

Since there are so many aspects to home improvement and prevention, it is virtually impossible to be well prepared and fully secure since doing so is draining and stressful. However, it is a fantastic idea to understand how to take care of common household crises. Try to possess a listing of mobile numbers of professionals who can assist you when the need arises.

Ensure that your toolbox is well-stocked and memorize where the fuse box and the main water shutoff valve are since it will undoubtedly be convenient. If you plan, you will prevent a lot of stress and headache later. Inevitably, something will go wrong.

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Essential Methods for Keeping Your Property Clean

By in Home Improvement
Keeping Your property Clean

No-one likes ahead home with a dirty residence, but often this indicates nearly impossible to help keep it clear. It’s constantly a smart idea to undertake a cleaning company that can be found regularly, but who’s planning to keep your property in buy between their particular visits? Listed below are six quick methods for keeping your property clean:

1. Plan certain careers as necessary. Of course, each week jobs will probably be completed by your cleaning folks, but some other jobs need to be scheduled. As an example, you may well schedule the laundry right after dinner. You furthermore might plan your plate washing for prior to dinner (another night) while you’re cooking. Designate 1 or 2 days weekly as laundry washing days, according to how significantly laundry you typically have.

2. Keep every one of the necessary washing products inside of easy attains. It’s simply natural to offer the occasional spill that really must be cleaned, so retain those washing products to get in their mind easily. This may keep an individual from putting off that clean up before the spill will be sticky or perhaps has begun to sink into the rug. Locate any handy destination to keep the supplies and make certain you can arrive at them swiftly without traipsing throughout the house. Keep them in the place that’s near where you might have the many spills.

3. Do tiny basic washing tasks once you can. As an example, wipe the dining area table off just after you clear the laundry from that. Clean toothpaste from your sink immediately after you remember to brush your tooth. Small jobs like these will make a big difference in the typical cleanliness of your dwelling.

4. Carry out small jobs immediately. As an example, make the bed when you get upwards. Clear over the table immediately after you take in. Scrape leftover food straight into the rubbish, even if you will end up washing people’s dishes another night when you cook meals. If you never wash these immediately, stack them in a place neatly in order that they’re willing to be laundered. Fill cookware with soapy h2o and permit them to bathe. This is likely to make for effortless cleaning.

5. De-clutter space. Keep a few things in a different room that you can. Put things away when you are done using them in order that they do not necessarily clutter up your property. A home that is not filled together with clutter is significantly easier to help keep clean frequently.

6. Don’t neglect the exterior. Keeping up the appearance of your building’s exterior is an important part of general cleaning. If you don’t own a pressure washer you will want to hire a professional service.

7. Make a listing of regularly scheduled jobs your cleaning company can handle. One of many first things you ought to do any time engaging assistance from a washing company will be making a listing of the items they may be supposed to accomplish every moment they appear over. If they may be only planning to come another few days, make sure that you program sufficient time in their off-weeks to enable you to fill inside the gaps still left by their particular absence. Click here to learn more.

Anyone may have a clear home simply by following these kinds of simple suggestions. Cleaning doesn’t always have to take quite a while, and the harder you match the jobs, the far better you’ll sense. Of training course keeping your property clean can be a real challenge as a result of how busy you might be, so contact a specialist house cleaner for aid.

Tips for Water Damage Repair

By in Home Improvement

Water damage is a common problem homeowner face which can occur anywhere such as the kitchen, laundry room, basement, and even the walls of your home. Here are a few tips you should know to take action when you need water damage repair.

Water damage in home

 

  1. Disconnect Outlets

 

Natural occurrences like bad weather, leaks, and accidents sometimes happen which can cause water damage in your home. If it happens, make sure to unplug all electronics from outlets immediately. You should also be very careful when going near appliances or gas lines because you do not know the extent of the water damage. Dangerous situations can happen like fire, shocks, or explosions when using equipment in this type of situation.

 

  1. Dry and Eliminate All Moisture

 

If possible, try to eliminate all water and make sure everything is dried out before any water damage can occur. If the wet area is made of a material like wood, carpet, or tile, you can use a room fan or other air-circulating appliances like a dehumidifier. You want to make sure to keep the air circulating and dry out any wet materials.

 

  1. Inspect for Mold

 

You should always inspect for mold in any area that has experienced water damage. Certain types of mold pose serious health risks and are known to be toxic to humans. Mold can appear inside the building structures especially the floors and walls. Once it becomes an infestation, it can spread very quickly.

 

Small infestations can be cut out, bagged, and disposed of immediately. Larger, more serious infestations require shutting down all airflow to stop the contamination. A mold specialist will also be required to treat the problem.

 

  1. Remove All Damaged Materials

 

Any materials that easily soak up water like carpet or insulation have to be removed immediately once they are damaged by water. Any porous material that is not disposed of immediately will begin to grow mildew.

 

Concentration should be maintained on the ceilings and floors. Special attention should be paid to any damaged wood, drywall, or unsealed cement. Any of these materials that were damaged by water needs to be replaced right away.

 

  1. Sanitize and Disinfect Remaining Areas

 

It is important to disinfect any water damaged area immediately. Some types of water can be unsafe and have other hazardous organisms which can become a major health concern in your home. After removing all of the damaged materials, disinfect the entire area by spraying and wiping down all areas and surfaces with a bleach spray solution. By doing so, the mold spores will not be able to grow. It is necessary to sanitize the entire area for mold before beginning any restoration.

 

Treat Water Damage Right Away

 

Water damage is something that must be taken very seriously. Oftentimes, water can go deep where it will not actually be visible to the eye. Undetected leaks are something that homeowners should be wary of because they are not only physically destructive to your home but even worse, can lead to health problems and other very dangerous and hazardous situations.

You can learn more at https://chiefrestorationswmo.com/.

Cleaning Hacks for Pet Lovers

By in Home Improvement

How to Ensure Pet Cleanliness

As much as owning a pet is awesome, it comes with some responsibilities. Cleanliness is essential because pets can get messy. If left unchecked, the pet fur and dirt they carry can invade your home, leaving you feeling overwhelmed. However, this does not need to be the case. Here are a few pet cleaning tips that will help. Use detergents and shampoos that are safe to use with pets.

cat in a litter box

Brush Pets

Hair is one of the most recurring cleaning issues revolving around pets. Some pets shed more hair than usual. Brushing the pet’s fur is advisable. Consult on the right tools to use in brushing pets. In addition to ensuring your home is clean from fur, brushing has added advantages. It has some health benefits.

 

Clean the Pet After a Walk

After taking your pet for a walk, they may have stepped on mud or other kinds of dirt. Especially dogs that tend to step on muddy pools. It is good to be prepared with a clean towel and some water at the door. Clean the paws and wipe them. It will prevent dirt from entering your home through your pet. It prevents constipation.

 

Have a Lint Roller

Lint rollers can trap hair left lying around by your pets. After a vacuum of the surfaces that have hair on them, use a lint roller to trap any remaining hair on those surfaces. Also, it can clean pet beds.

 

Use Baking Soda to Wash Pet Beddings

Baking soda is known to eliminate persistent odors. Using it to clean the beddings together with detergent will help do away with any smells while ensuring a good and clean environment for you and your pet.

 

Clean Pet Toys and Collars

These are often overlooked. They may get dirty and smelly with time making you and your pet uncomfortable. It is advisable to wash with pet shampoos which leave a good fragrance on them. Also, a dishwasher can be used to clean the toys.

 

Urine in the carpet!

This is almost every pet owner’s nightmare. This can leave a stench on your carpet that will make your home uncomfortable. White Vinegar and baking sodas are easy solutions. They do away with any foul odors. Spray on the stained area and let the vinegar do its job. A professional cleaner such as a carpet cleaning service in Frisco, TX, might be your best option for permanently remove odors caused by pets.

 

Clean the Litter Box

Litter boxes should be emptied and cleaned often to avoid foul smells and maintain a conducive environment for your pet. It is advisable to change it after a couple of months of use.

 

Use Room Deodorizers

These are essential because pets can leave foul smells as they go about their business. These ensure your home has fresh air. Allow fresh air in your home.

Refinishing Cooking area Cabinets VS Refacing Cooking area Cabinets

By in Home Decor, Home Improvement
Refinishing Cooking area

Refinishing cooking area cabinets or perhaps refacing these, instead regarding cabinet substitute, lets an individual upgrade the kitchen with a price it is possible to afford and permits the fresh custom look you wish. If you’ve planned to upgrade your kitchen you might have found out it is not cheap understanding that a significant percentage of the cost is made for cabinetry. Furthermore, new cooking area cabinets may be costly and frustrating to put in. All just isn’t lost even though. As extended as the cabinets come in decent condition, with these kinds of alternatives it is possible to give the kitchen a wonderful new seem quickly, without busting your allowance.

The many visible and also used components of your kitchen may also be the many abused, the kitchen cabinets. So it’s wise that after a few years cabinets learn to look worn out and worn therefore does the kitchen. Truth be told that many kitchen units are in good shape structurally and only needing a fresh look. Together with many shades, stains and also wood veneers refinishing or perhaps refacing cooking area cabinets can be a surefire solution to transform the kitchen coming from old and also worn with a dramatically fresh appearance, which can be best to suit your needs.

The most inexpensive solution with the two, unless you want to pay time and also money over a big cooking area remodeling career, is refinishing cooking area cabinets. Cooking area cabinet refinishing will be achieved simply by either portray or yellowing the cabinets and case doors. This is very inexpensive in comparison to cabinet replacement and will improve together with dramatic effect the design of the kitchen. To find the best results, a specialist should color or blemish the units. Great results may be accomplished by a tuned refinishing specialist, inexpensively. However any DIY job is achievable, if you might have the moment and tools it is possible to refinish your own personal kitchen units and save a lot more.

Refacing cooking area cabinets is higher priced than refinishing cabinets but nevertheless a fraction with the cost to exchange them. Here’s how it operates, the outdated cabinet gates and storage are taken out, stripped, and scrutinized for damage then a door and also drawer fronts are swapped out with fresh surfaces including new timber veneer to be able to laminate. The case frames and also exterior floors are included or refaced to fit and the inside the cabinets are usually cleaned and also painted to perform kitchen case refacing.

If the kitchen cabinet hardware just isn’t damaged it could be cleaned and also re-installed. Yet, this is a superb time to decide on new case hardware, doing so allow you to really increase your personality for the kitchen and also complete the particular stunning transformation of one’s new seem, refaced or perhaps refinished cooking area cabinets, around the cheap.

The time needed for refacing or perhaps refinishing cooking area cabinets is dependent upon how big is the cooking area but usually may be completed inside of 3-5 nights. This ensures that your kitchen will never be a not used total destroy for weeks and even months in which cabinet substitute requires.

Buying new cabinets to get a complete remodeling with the kitchen just isn’t in the particular budget of all homeowners. But that you can see upwards dating the kitchen will not need to hurt you wallet or be frustrating. Your cooking area and home may have a beautiful new look by refacing cooking area cabinets or perhaps refinishing cooking area cabinets.