home improvement: How to Prevent Trees From Damaging Your Home
- 02/09/22 07:05 AM
Trees can increase your property’s curb appeal and resale value. However, sometimes severe weather can knock them over. Here are some tips for keeping your house safe.
1. Prepare Before the Stormy SeasonHave an arborist assess the stability of your tree before the winter. They can spot problems and offer solutions to protect against wind and snowstorms.
To find an arborist, search online or ask friends for recommendations. Look for someone certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). While it may cost around $940 to hire a professional, it’s worth it for better peace of mind.
2. Inspect Your Yard After Each StormAfter … (4 comments)
|
home improvement: Tips for Preventing Mold Growth in Your Basement
- 07/27/21 09:35 AM
Your basement is an excellent place for entertaining or relaxing after a long day of work. However, sometimes water can enter the space, causing mold. To keep your family healthy, here are some tips for preventing mold growth within your basement.
1. Repair Leaks and CracksThe first step is to reduce the risk of leakage from your walls. If you notice any cracks, repair these right away. You can use certain sealants, such as epoxy, to fill the gaps.
Along with leaky walls, also double-check your pipes. Dripping pipes can be caused by improper installation or extension over time. Once a leak occurs, … (2 comments)
|
home improvement: 5 Tips for Pet-Proofing Your New Home
- 12/17/20 07:13 AM
In the United States, 67% of people own pets, which equates to approximately 84.9 million homes. It’s estimated that collectively $99 billion will be spent on pets in 2020 alone. As a homeowner, you want to spend your hard-earned money on goodies for your pets, not fixing damages. That’s why it’s essential to create a pet-friendly environment that makes your home safe and accessible for your special animal friends.
Keep reading to discover five tips to pet-proof your house today.
1. Clear Away Dangerous Items
Unlike children who learn the difference between right and wrong and can identify danger as they grow, pets are … (4 comments)
|
home improvement: When Is the Best Time to Replace Your Roof?
- 09/09/20 12:39 PM
Your roof might not be on your list of home projects you'd like to tackle. It's more fun to repaint the living room or redesign your landscaping to add curb appeal to your property. Although it's tempting to lean toward cosmetic home improvements, keeping a close eye on your roof could save you money down the road.
If you find a few things about your roof that strike you as unusual, you may wonder if it's time for a replacement. Here are a few things you can look for before deciding if it's the best time to replace your roof. You may … (1 comments)
|
home improvement: These Common Home Inspection Issues Can Ruin Your Sale
- 08/12/20 07:23 AM
If you're selling your home, you might have stopped to consider the many details that go into a home inspection. Whether your place is on the newer side or happens to be old and full of charm, there are a few common issues that could bring the perfect sale to a halt if you aren't careful. Before you sell, it's always a good idea to get your own inspection so that you can fix any issues that arise.
While you may suspect certain problems before an inspector points them out, some can sneak up with no warning. With this in mind, it's … (0 comments)
|
home improvement: 5 Residential Projects That Require Minimal Contractor Contact
- 05/12/20 08:29 AM
Due to COVID-19, many people around the country need to postpone their home improvement projects. If you planned to gut your house completely, it's likely best to press pause – especially if you can't guarantee an income at the moment. Plus, some states don't consider construction to be an essential business. Well, what then?
Fortunately, you can take on specific projects without any risks. Take a look.
What Renovations Make the Most Sense?Currently, it's smart to limit contact with contractors. Though the crew that you hired may still be able to operate, it's not the safest idea. By now, all companies should have … (1 comments)
|
home improvement: 6 Less Common Options for House Siding
- 03/19/20 05:25 AM
When people talk about upgrading their homes or starting renovations, they may mention they want to build a shed or add a garage. People would want to create more space, add a pool or clear out their yards, but there are other renovations available to homeowners.
Some of the most important work you could do on your property is making it look nice or updated. While you can always plant new flowers or power wash your driveway, you can also look into replacing your home's siding. Aged siding makes any house look older than it may be, especially since it's the primary … (0 comments)
|
home improvement: What Are the Most Durable Home Renovation Materials?
- 12/20/19 05:27 AM
Designing a new space comes with a lot of challenges. The paint has to be the right color, the appliances need to fit – it can feel overwhelming at times. There are also a ton of different types of building materials to choose from.
Here's a list of the most durable options to help you narrow things down.
BrickBrick is one of the longest-lasting building materials available on the market. It's been used for centuries to construct all types of structures and comes in a variety of colors. If you're wavering between choices for siding, look towards brick. It's sustainable, low-maintenance and most importantly, secure. … (1 comments)
|
home improvement: What Can You Do if a Contractor Breaks an Agreement?
- 10/31/19 12:35 PM
Contracting and home building are difficult industries for clients. You’re putting a lot of faith — and a lot of money — in a renovation project that has the potential to hit frustrating snags.
While I can certainly empathize with contractors contending with labor issues, budgetary concerns and unexpected delays, sometimes client end up with a professional acting in poor faith. Communication and openness is required on both ends.
If your contractor breaks an agreement, how do you approach the situation? What are your rights as a homeowner or property investor? Here’s a general overview of your options.
Check Your ContractThe first thing you … (0 comments)
|
home improvement: How to Deal With Water Damage From Summer Storms
- 06/03/19 11:07 AM
Summer storms may seem harmless, even pleasant when you're indoors. However, a light shower can quickly turn into a torrential downpour. Before you have a chance to batten down the hatches, water can infiltrate your home and cause massive amounts of damage.
When the rain lets up and the clouds start to clear, you may feel unprepared to deal with the aftermath. A flooded basement, soaked floors and waterlogged walls aren't easy to fix, and the damage won't go away over time. Unless you handle it immediately, the costs begin to build.
How should you attend to water damage after a summer storm? … (2 comments)
|
home improvement: 5 Home Maintenance Tasks to Tackle in April
- 04/24/19 06:51 AM
Getting a fresh start on home upkeep once spring rolls around can prepare you and your place for the sunny weather to come. This month is the time to perform several vital maintenance tasks so that you can get your home looking its best. Plus, fixing up your house can reverse some of the effects of the harsh winter and thawing period of the past couple of months.
During April, you can knock out these chores to remove hazards and enhance the appearance of your house. Embrace a blossoming spring with the following maintenance list.
1. Inspect the Roof
Hopefully, all the snow has … (3 comments)
|
home improvement: Five Curb Appeal Fixes That Make a Big Impact on Buyers
- 10/05/17 11:54 AM
If you're selling your house in the next year, or think you will be in a few years, it's time to think about curb appeal. Broadly speaking, curb appeal refers to the picture prospective buyers have as they drive up to your home, whether you literally have a curb or not.
Most buyers let their fingers do the initial shopping today. Eighty-eight percent look for a property online first. Look on real estate sites - most have multiple pictures of nearly every part of a property listed. So your curb appeal is often established online first. Of the people looking, 63 percent … (0 comments)
|
home improvement: Grading Your Yard: What You Should Know
- 09/11/17 07:03 AM
Have you ever noticed that after a big rainstorm, your yard has lots of puddles or flooded areas? Maybe they lead to a constant river running down your driveway for days after the storm ends. Many people find themselves facing the same issue, and it’s not just because there was an abnormal amount of rain for a single afternoon.
Your yard should be able to handle a rainstorm, given that it has proper drainage and grading. When a house is built, the construction crew adds soil around the foundation to direct water away so it can drain properly, but given time, this … (1 comments)
|
home improvement: Tree Troubles? Easiest Way to Turn Your Landscaping up a Notch
- 07/18/17 06:47 AM
Trees, while beautiful and decorative, can become so much more than landscaping. You might be able to remember the tree in front of your childhood house — one you climbed with neighborhood friends and tied a rope swing to as a teen. A tree, planted in the right climate and location, can live and grow through generations.
Trees can also completely change the game when it comes to your property. A tree can provide some extra protection from the afternoon sun, help solidify the soil around a pesky drainage area and compliment the design and layout of your house.
So why settle for … (1 comments)
|
home improvement: Tips for Reading a Construction Bid
- 06/08/17 12:35 PM
Understanding a construction bid may seem intimidating, but you can learn to sift through various bids to choose the best contractor for the job. The bid is an essential part of the process.
The bid is not a contract. It is a document that gives you an idea of the how the builder will do the work you want and an estimated cost for the job. With a few tips, you can learn the terms used in the bid and make a good choice of which contractor to hire.
Understand PricingShould you go with the lowest bidder? After, all getting work done cheaper … (1 comments)
|
home improvement: What You Should Know About Adding a Patio
- 04/07/17 12:33 PM
As the weather turns warmer, your thoughts might be turning to being outside. What better way to be outside than to have a patio? It’s a chance to have friends over on warm summer nights, congregate with family on weekend afternoons and enjoy catching some rays.
If you don’t yet have a patio, there are many elements to consider when you decide to add one. What size patio does your current space allow? Where is the optimal site for a patio? What do patios cost? Should you do-it-yourself or hire a contractor? Will you build additional elements, such as a pool or … (2 comments)
|
home improvement: 5 Spring Roof Repair Tips
- 03/22/17 08:14 AM
This winter has been one of the strangest ones in recent memory, with record snowfall in the middle of March while other parts of the country enjoyed spring-like weather. Thankfully, there is some light at the end of this frozen tunnel and the snow is starting to thaw.
While that means we can start looking forward to warmer weather, it’s also time to start looking at your roof to see if the heavy winter weather caused any damage. Here are a few spring roof repair tips that will help you spot and prevent any small problems before they become big ones.
A Visual … (2 comments)
|
home improvement: Can a Hardscaping Project Improve My Resale Value?
- 02/17/17 06:13 AM
The old saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” is true in many ways, but not when it comes to potential homeowners. The first thing people see when they look at your home is the outside: the landscaping, the siding, the front door, the entire curb appeal. Should you put money into improving your curb appeal for a higher resale value? You can find your answers right here.
The Front Entrance
Think of the front entrance as the view that makes someone want to enter your home and see what’s on the inside. If it’s not inviting, who would want to come? … (1 comments)
|
home improvement: 3 Landscaping Ideas to Start Saving For
- 01/19/17 06:35 AM
Landscaping can be a large expense for your home, but you don’t have to generate the money and spend it all at once. During the winter, it’s a great idea to save some money and plan projects that you can tackle in the spring, when warmer weather finally arrives.
By saving some money each month, the expense won’t feel like such a burden and you can move forward with strategically beautifying your home.
First Things FirstA good way to begin planning for landscaping projects is to sit down and make a list of all the things you’d like to do on your property. … (0 comments)
|
home improvement: How to Make Sure a Contractor Is Disposing of Materials Properly
- 11/20/16 11:42 PM
The building of a new home, remodeling or knocking down an old structure to remodel will result in construction and debris material, also referred to as C&D. C&D material comes in all shapes and sizes. It can be concrete, asphalt from shingles, wood, drywall gypsum, bricks, glass, plastics, paint, metal, pieces of buildings, fixtures, and even rocks and trees left over from preparing a site to build on.
Reasons for Disposing Materials Properly: Recycling
All of that material needs to be disposed of properly. There are three primary reasons.
The first is sustainable materials management (SMM). A large portion of C&D material can … (23 comments)
|
|
|
|
Trees can increase your property’s curb appeal and resale value. However, sometimes severe weather can knock them over. Here are some tips for keeping your house safe.
;)
;)
;)
