Category: House & Home

home repair

SOS! What Will Happen If You Don’t Repair Your Foundation?

Given the chance to choose between making a foundation repair and going on a trip, you’d most likely find the option of a trip more exciting. But maybe you would change your mind if you had an idea of the many things that could go wrong by putting off the repair of your foundation.

In this article, we present to you a list of things that can happen if you don’t take your foundation repair seriously. This information is presented by our foundation repair company. We’re experts in foundation repair Peoria.

Repair cost continues to increase

Foundation damage is not like a broken vacuum cleaner or refrigerator that can be repaired at your convenience without any consequences. When left unaddressed, a faulty foundation repair will only continue to get worse with time and spread to other sections of the structure.

When the foundation damage of your home is detected early and remedied immediately, you will be saving a lot of money on extensive repairs in the future. As the destruction widens throughout the structure, restoring the foundation to its proper state will require more material and manpower. This will have a significant implication on the cost of repair.

Water damage

Once there are signs of cracks and crevices on foundation slabs and basement walls, water damage is likely to follow. Structural features made of wood are the most susceptible to moisture damage. Crawl spaces are also affected by water damage.

When water seeps into these foundation defects, cracks continue to widen with repeated wetting and drying. Also, because mold growth is encouraged with increased humidity, wood flooring suffers mold damage and becomes warped with time.

If your basement serves as a storage or living space, your property may be at risk of destruction if water is left to seep in without control.

The spread of structural damage

When the foundation of your home is faulty, it creates a ripple effect, thereby placing a lot of stress and strain on the structure it was meant to support. A foundation that is not stable affects all elements including the floors, walls, wooden cross beams, ceilings, doors, garages, window frames, etc. It is difficult to predict the extent to which structural damage can go if not addressed as soon as possible.

Plumbing problems

Due to the expansion and contraction of subsoil, the concrete slab is lifted, dropped, and dislocated, thereby increasing the chance of the water pipes under the foundation breaking. Without the help of a professional, it can be difficult to diagnose these problems. Unfortunately, pipes under the slabs are not easy to access and so are often expensive to repair.

Also, when the foundation shifts, it can cause damage to the water pipes that run beneath the floors and through the walls. This is because any movement below the foundation can result in structural displacement all over the home.

Insect infestations

Household pests and insects are always in search of humid environments to breed, which is why they find … Read More...

home improvement

Does Landscaping in Rhode Island Add Value to a House?

If you’re a homeowner considering landscaping in Rhode Island then you’re in the right place. Landscaping is a great way to increase curb appeal and many other great benefits including adding value to your home. We’re going to go over how much value can be added to your home using landscaping and also what exactly are the best landscaping techniques to do to increase your home value the most.

How Much Value Does Landscaping Add To A Home?

Landscaping is the process of making your outside terrain more visually appealing and manipulating your landscape by planting trees, plants, and more. So, does landscaping add value to a home? It actually does. Landscaping can add on average about 15% more to your home value. Landscaping is a great thing to do regardless of if you’re looking to sell your home or not. The value of the home after landscaping is determined by the types of plants used and the overall design that was implemented.

What Are The Best Landscaping Projects To Add Value?

Landscaping in general can add home value, but as we stated a lot of the value is dependent on the type of plants used and the design. Here is a list of the best landscaping designs to go with if you’re looking for which landscaping designs and plants are best for increasing your home value. Click here for more information.

  1. Plant Trees: Trees are the perfect way to increase your home value and add great curb appeal to your landscape. ANy expert will say to plant trees as they can add up to $9,000 to your home value, but be aware of where you plant your trees. Don’t plant your trees too close to your home or septic area as this could cause problems in the future, so planning where your trees will be planted is essential.
  1. Walkway: The walkway to your front door is one of the first main areas that people will see of your home so using designs to accent this area can bring a lot of attention and curb appeal.
  1. Maintained Lawn: Having a lawn that is mowed and weeds that are pulled is essential to home value. A lot of home buyers will think that an unmaintained lawn has a negative connotation and they may not even put an offer on your home. Overall a maintained lawn can bring a lot of value to your home.
  1. Fire Pit: A fire pit is a little detail that can bring value to your home and also give the house a bit of uniqueness. It can be a great touch to help sell your home to potential home buyers as well.
  1. Water Feature: SOme sort of pool or pond can give you a great selling point, but also it adds a lot of value to your home. Having some sort of water area is a well desired thing among homeowners, so it’s best to incorporate it during your next job for landscaping in Rhode Island.

How

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housing tips

Does Flooring Installation Include Removal? (What to Expect from the Process)

When you’re planning to install new flooring in your home, you’ll want to know what to expect from the process. Here are some things you might want to know:

Will the installers remove your old flooring? Or will you need to remove it yourself? If it’s not included in your contract, you may be responsible for removing any old flooring.

What kind of prep work will be required before installation? This could include cleaning, sanding, and filling holes.

What kind of prep work do I need to have done on my walls before installing new laminate or hardwood floors? You may need to remove nail heads or fill in holes before installing a new flooring system.

How long will installation take? If you’re adding a new bathroom or kitchen countertop, this could take several days or weeks. But if you’re simply replacing an existing flooring system with something new—like carpet or wood—this should only take a few hours at most (depending on how large your home is). Read more here.

What’s Included In Floor Installation Quote?

When hiring a contractor for your flooring installation, you might be confused to note that all the prices you receive will be different. Some contractors just give you an estimate based on an hourly rate. Some include items like moving furniture, equipment, cleaning, and disposal of existing flooring. In contrast, others offer nice extras such as sanding and staining, carpet removal and disposal, and edge treatment or inlays, which give the floor a real pro look.

If you’re looking to have the floor installed, you may be wondering what is included in a quote. Floor installation quotes vary depending on the type of flooring installation you select and the contractor you choose, but there are some key things that are typically included in every quote.

The first thing that is usually included in a floor installation quote is the cost of materials for your project. This includes any hardwood or laminate planks you’ll need to have installed as well as any other materials needed for the job like adhesives or nails.

The next thing included in most floor installation quotes is labor costs. These costs will vary depending on how much time it takes to complete your project as well as whether or not there are any additional services involved (such as moving furniture).

Some contractors may also include an estimate for tax or permit fees if they apply to your particular area. And finally, keep in mind that some contractors may charge extra for things like cleaning up debris after they finish working on your project—so be sure to ask about this before signing any contracts!

Our flooring installation quote includes all the materials and labor required to install your new flooring, including the removal of the old flooring.

Our Kansas City experts will come to your home, take measurements of your flooring, and provide you with a written estimate of the cost of your new flooring project installation. We’ll discuss what it … Read More...

housing tips

How to Lower Your Boston Heating Bill This Winter (Tips for Energy Efficiency)

Boston winters can be brutal, with colder than average temperatures and almost constant snowfall (yes, we’re over it). If you haven’t started winterizing your home yet, it’s time to get on it! One area you might not have thought about before winterizing your home—but should—is making sure you keep your energy costs low this winter by making some small changes around the house. Check out these helpful tips on how to lower your Boston heating bill this winter so you don’t end up freezing all the way through spring.

Close off rooms you aren’t using

One way to lower your heating bill is by closing off rooms you aren’t using. This will help minimize the amount of heat that needs to be generated in order to keep your home comfortable. You can close off rooms by simply closing the doors, or, if you have a room that isn’t being used often, you can close the vents in that room.

If you are worried about drafts and colder air coming through open doorways, there are ways to insulate them as well. For example, some people might use a heavy curtain at the doorway. Other options include double-sided tape, weatherstripping around the edges of the door frame, and other products that do not create an airtight seal but still offer some insulation benefits. Visit our website for more information on lowing your heating bill and making your home more energy efficient.

Insulate windows

Another way to lower your heating bill is by insulating your windows. You can do this yourself by buying some weatherstripping and caulking, or you can hire a professional. Either way, this is a relatively inexpensive way to make your home more energy-efficient. And it’s worth the investment as insulation reduces the heat lost through a window.

Use a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat is a great way to save money on your heating bill this winter. By setting the thermostat to lower temperatures when you’re not home, and higher temperatures when you are, you can save a significant amount of money. When your home is empty, the higher temperatures don’t need to be so high, which means that your heating bills will go down as well. Set the thermostat at or below 68 degrees: If it’s warm enough outside, set the temperature on your furnace below 68 degrees so that it doesn’t have to work as hard.

Keep air vents clean & clear

Clogged or blocked air vents are one of the leading causes of high heating bills. By making sure your vents are clear, you can ensure that your system is running as efficiently as possible. Plus, it’s easy to do and only takes a few minutes!

Air vents are placed strategically around your home and allow heated or cooled air into specific rooms. If they’re blocked, it won’t matter how efficient your furnace is – it won’t be able to do its job. With a little bit of elbow grease, you can keep your home comfortably … Read More...

home improvement

Does Your Home Need Pressure Washing in Florida? (Quick Checklist to Tell)

Everyone wants the outside of their home to look nice and presentable. It’s why we spend so much time gardening, picking out paint colors, and repainting our garage doors: to leave a good impression on the neighbors, increase the curb appeal of the house, and feel proud of the way it looks.

When your house starts to look dirty or dingy, don’t despair. It may look normal for a while, just duller than it was when you first bought or painted it- then you start to notice the dirt, the bird droppings, and the algae growing on the sides. Pressure washing in Florida is a simple way to get it looking nice and clean once again. Here’s a quick checklist of signs that may indicate that your home needs to be pressure washed.

You Can’t Remember the Last Time the House Was Cleaned

In colder climates, it’s recommended to pressure wash a house between March and November; however, Florida winters are warm enough that a house can be cleaned during pretty much any month. Either way, houses should generally be pressure washed at least once per year. If you’re having trouble remembering when you last had the exterior cleaned, it’s probably time to have it cleaned again.

There’s Noticeable Dirt or Grime on the Exterior

Does the exterior of your house look dirty or dull? Layers of grime can build up on the outside without you noticing- until one day, the house just doesn’t appear to be the same color as it was a few years ago.

Your Roof Isn’t the Color it Was Before

The siding on your house isn’t the only thing that might look a little “off” if it’s time for pressure washer service in Clearwater. The roof can develop black streaks, which may or may not be noticeable on an asphalt roof because they’re already black- however, clay tile roofs are very popular in Florida and will likely show the dirt more clearly.

Moss and Algae Are Growing

Algae, moss, and lichen are unique plants. Unlike most plants, they do not require soil in order to grow, which is why you’ll often find algae growing on the surfaces of ponds and other stagnant water sources.

All algae, moss, and lichen need in order to grow on the side of your house is some moisture, which is why you will typically see them growing during the rainy season (usually spring). Not only can they make your home look dingy, they can eat away at the paint underneath if they’re left for too long. Pressure washing your Florida home can remove algae, which grows fairly well in the Florida humidity.

You’re Running Into Spiderwebs

Spiders spinning webs on the outside of your house is a clear indication that it needs to be pressure-washed. As far as eating away at the paint, spiderwebs are no big deal. However, it’s never pleasant to walk around your house and end up with a spiderweb in your face.

The Deck and

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