Tag Archives: roofing

Jan10

Protect Your Home From Water Damage With These Tips

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Protect Your Home From Water Damage With These Tips

Water damage is one of the most common forms of property damage and it can be incredibly costly to repair. In many cases, water damage can be prevented by taking a few simple precautions. This post will discuss some tips that will help you protect your home from this usually avoidable damage:

Inspect your plumbing regularly:

Inspecting your plumbing regularly is one of the best ways to protect your home from water damage. This means checking that all faucets, shower heads, toilets, and other fixtures are in good working order. If you notice any leaks, replace the broken parts as soon as possible. You should also take a look underneath sinks and around plumbing fixtures for any signs of corrosion or blockage.

In addition to regular inspections, make sure that you are aware of potential signs of trouble with your plumbing system. For example, if a toilet is running continuously or a faucet is constantly dripping, this could be an indication of a larger issue. Pay attention to higher than normal water bills—it could mean that there is a leak in your pipes somewhere.

Check your water heater:

Another important step in protecting your home from water damage is to check on the condition of your water heater. Make sure that you inspect all parts of the unit, including its temperature and pressure relief valve, anode rod, and any seals or gaskets.

Invest in preventive maintenance:

In addition to regular inspections and checks, investing in preventive maintenance can help protect your home from water damage. This may include having professionals come to inspect and clean out drains, pipes, toilets and other fixtures. Additionally, you should consider installing sump pumps or battery-operated back-up pumps in areas where there is a high risk of flooding.

Know the signs of water damage:

It is important to be aware of the signs of water damage in order to quickly identify and address any issues. Look for discolored or warped walls, floors, and ceilings as well as any abnormal odors or musty smells in your home. If you notice mold growth on surfaces around your house, this could indicate that there is an underlying issue with your plumbing system.

Keep your roof in optimal condition:

Finally, one of the best ways to prevent water damage is to keep your roof in optimal condition. Inspect your roof regularly for any signs of wear and tear, such as cracked or missing shingles and other signs of aging. Maake sure that your gutters are clear of debris so that they can properly channel away rainwater from your home’s foundation and siding. If you notice any signs of damage on your roof, it’s important to call a roof repair company as soon as possible to come and have a look.

By taking these steps to protect your home from water damage, you can help avoid costly repairs down the line. Although some of these tips may require a bit more effort than others, they are all essential components when it comes to safeguarding your property against unwanted damage.

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Jan2

8 DIY Projects That Should Always Be Left To The Pros

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8 DIY Projects That Should Always Be Left To The Pros

DIY projects can be a great way to save money and get hands-on with home renovations. However, some DIY projects should only be attempted by the average homeowner with professional help. The projects below take a lot of skill and knowledge to be completed safely so leave these to the professionals in your area:

Electrical Wiring:

Amateur electrical work is not only dangerous, but it can also lead to costly mistakes down the line if done incorrectly. It is important to leave any wiring issues in your home to an electrician certified by your local government or corresponding trade association who knows exactly how to address your issue correctly and safely.

Plumbing Work:

Home plumbing repairs can quickly become complicated and expensive when done wrong, so it’s best not to meddle with them yourself. Instead, to avoid costly mistakes, always hire a certified plumber to handle any plumbing repairs in your home.

Foundation Repairs:

While minor foundation issues can be fixed on a DIY basis using kits available at most hardware stores, more serious damage should never be attempted without qualified help. Always contact a professional contractor specializing in foundation repair if you suspect your home suffers from significant structural damage.

Roofing Work:

The simple fact is that roofing work is dangerous. Leaving it to the pros will ensure the safety of anyone attempting to do repairs or maintenance on their roof. Professionals are also better equipped to assess potential problems and provide lasting solutions.

Installing Floors:

Installing floors can be a difficult and tedious task, requiring special tools and skills to do it properly. Can you imagine almost finishing a hardwood project to realize you didn’t line things up as well as you thought? Yikes!

Installing Siding or Windows:

Installing siding or windows is a precise and intricate process. Attempting to take on this task yourself will almost certainly result in costly mistakes that could cause major damage to your home. Always leave this job to professionals who have the necessary tools and know-how to get the job done right and safely.

Installing Insulation:

Improperly installed insulation can lead to energy loss and higher utility bills, not to mention a risk of fire. Hire an experienced contractor specializing in installing insulation to ensure your home is properly insulated and safe from potential hazards.

Gas Line Repairs:

Gas lines should never be worked on by a DIYer. Even the slightest mistake could cause a catastrophic accident that would be far more expensive than just hiring an expert in the first place. Leave gas line repairs to certified professionals who know exactly how to safely and correctly handle any problems with your gas line.

For any DIY project you’re considering, make sure you weigh the risks of attempting it yourself versus hiring a professional. Professional contractors have the training and expertise needed to handle complex home improvement tasks correctly and safely, so the extra cost will be well worth the peace of mind.

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Oct8

Roof Upgrades Your Home Could Need   

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Roof Upgrades Your Home Could Need   

When was the last time you checked out the roof on your home? Most people don’t look too closely, preferring to call in a roofer from time to time to check it out for them. The roof on your home may be an afterthought, but if you live in an area where your roof could be affected by harsh weather, you should be checking it frequently. The roof is somewhere you should be paying attention to so that you can ensure that you are spending the right money on it when you have to.

Your roof could need the best elastomeric roof coating, extra tiles or shingles. The roof could even have a hole in it and you wouldn’t know. Here are some other upgrades that your roof might need:

Add a chimney cap:

If you don’t already have one, an airtight chimney cap could be the best upgrade that you add to your roof. These are there to save energy and keep your roof looking tidy. If you don’t use your fireplace, you’re going to find that the warm air in the house is going to leak right out of the chimney cap! Make sure that you talk to your roofer about installing an airtight chimney cap and get them to do it ASAP if you want to make sure that you don’t have animals finding their way into your home.

Add eave flashing:

You may have experienced harsh winters, but if you have ever experienced an ice dam, the best thing that you can do is to invest a little more and install eave flashing. This won’t take long, but it’ll form a watertight seal around the eaves so that you can stop your roof from being vulnerable.

Work on ventilation:

Your attic may be something you are planning to upgrade one day but you won’t want to spend time up there if it becomes like a furnace in the summertime. While the heat outside is lovely, your home is not designed to feel as hot as the sun! You should have adequate ventilation in the roof and you should consider installing some sort of ventilation, whether that’s in the form of a new skylight or a new vent in the side of the roof.

Get your gutters upgraded:

You need to have gutters that will have enough space for water to flow down. Gutters get blocked from time to time, but if they are wide enough, this shouldn’t be an issue. Get your gutters upgraded and make sure that you have ones that allow rainwater to travel down them!

Your roof is very important – make sure that you get your roof upgraded as often as it needs!

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Sep21

Home Maintenance Chores To Tackle In The Fall 

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Home Maintenance Chores To Tackle In The Fall 

Taking great care of your home involves many different maintenance chores, some of them might be a little boring, but they are important! As the summer comes to a close, there are several essential tasks to complete around the house. To get your home ready for the fall, try tackling these chores:

Bleed your radiators:

If there is trapped air in your radiator, then you’ll find that you get random cold spots across the radiator. Before the weather turns cold, it’s a good idea to bleed your radiators. Look at the top of the radiator to locate the radiator valve. Next, you can use a radiator key, (turning the key counter-clockwise). Keep turning the key until water drips out, this process will release any trapped air.

Inspect your furnace:

The end of the summer is a great time to inspect your furnace. The first step is to look at the filter, if it’s dirty you should replace it. If the filter is dirty, this means that the airflow may be restricted. If the airflow is restricted, less heat can pass through the heat exchanger. The result is that your furnace may get hotter than normal. Over time, this can cause the furnace to fail and shut down.

If you suspect that there is a problem with your furnace you’ll need to call in the professionals. It’s especially important to do this if you notice a burning smell from furnace. Whether your furnace check is strictly maintenance or perhaps getting a new one, this is such an important task to complete come cold weather. Local professionals in your area or furnace installation in Denver will be able to assist in keeping your home nice and warm all winter long.

Protect your pipes:

During cold weather, it’s not uncommon for our water pipes to freeze and burst. To prevent this from happening, there are several things you can do to protect your pipes:

  • Use Insulation: To protect your pipes you can purchase pipe insulation, which is usually made from fiberglass, foam, or polyethylene. Some of the best eco-friendly insulation materials include aerogel, denim, or sheep’s wool.
  • Run the faucets: If you leave one tap trickling a small amount, this can ensure that your pipes don’t freeze.

Clean out your gutters:

Now is the perfect time to clean out your gutters. If there’s a build-up of debris, this could cause problems with drainage and cause your roof to leak. If you can’t get on the roof yourself, you can call gutter cleaning services to do this for you. Ensure that there are no cracks in your roof or any shingles that need replacing.

Fertilize your lawn:

If you want a beautiful lawn, then you should definitely fertilize it in the fall. Applying a fertilizer will give your lawn the nutrients it needs and the grassroots will multiply before going dormant. During the winter the roots will store food and you’ll find that you’ll have a lush lawn by the springtime.

Preparing your home for the fall will help you to stay safe, warm, and relaxed. Once you’ve got those chores out of the way you might like to work on your interior design. Fall time is the perfect season to paint in warm colors and add bright accessories. From home maintenance to DIY projects, there are so many ways to create a beautiful home.

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Sep21

Prepping Your Home For Winter

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Prepping Your Home For Winter

When the cold weather comes around, there is nothing better than cozying up on the couch with a good book or your favorite show while the snow falls. However, there is much to be done to prepare your home for winter before you can sit back and enjoy. Let’s discuss a few key things that must be done so you can stay warm, comfortable, and safe all winter long:

Check Your Heating System:

Right now is the best time to have a routine maintenance check on your heating system. The longer you wait, the more booked up your local professionals are going to be and you want to make sure your heating is in check well before the super cold weather hits. Schedule a check up ASAP so that any potential problems can be solved quickly and you and your family can stay nice and toasty this winter.

Make Roof Repairs:

One of the most critical things that you can do is get roof rejuvenation before winter. If you are handy, you can examine your roof yourself and check for leaks, cracks, and weak spots. If not, that’s okay too and you can hire a professional team to get everything back in order. You could have the best heating system in the world but that means nothing when all of that glorious warm air is escaping through your rooftop!

Pest Control:

Just as we want to retreat into the warmth when the cold weather strikes, animals do too. There are countless DIY projects that you can undertake to keep your home pest free this winter. Start by looking for entry points in and around your house that little critters can get in through and patch them up accordingly. Mice can squeeze through even the smallest spaces so you must look things over with a fine toothed comb. And, as always, if you are unsure of anything, it is best to call in the local professionals so you can rest easily and safely this winter.

All Of The Extras:

The bitter cold and snow is enough to keep anyone inside during the wintertime so make sure you have plenty to do in your home to keep you occupied! Games, books, streaming services, and literally all of the soup recipes can go a long way on a snow day!

Prepare your home for the winter now so you can hibernate with the best of them until spring!

Jun25

Common Home Faults & How To Deal With Them

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Common Home Faults & How To Deal With Them

If you have an older property, then there are many faults that you may not know about until it is far too late. That being said, there are some problems which are more common when compared to others. The ones below are what home inspectors class as being the most seen faults in older properties:

Improper Wiring:

Improper wiring is one of the most common problems around. Common wiring issues can include not having enough overload protection, not having good enough grounding, and not having a proper electrician do the work. You may find that the connections are not good enough, either, and this can put your home at great risk. You may even find that it increases the chance of you being electrocuted if you do decide to carry out any work in your home.

Damaged Roof:

There are so many reasons why your roof could become damaged. Some of them include storm damage and damp. Damaged shingles and tiles can be replaced for a very affordable price and this can help to curb your roof leakages with ease. Most houses will probably just need a very small section of the roof repaired so make sure that you explore this if needed.

Exterior Faults:

Damage can be caused to a property when there is a build-up of air or water. This causes bumps on the surface of the walls and the windows. This home fault is very common if you experience issues such as poor weather stripping and caulking. If you want to stop issues like this, then you need to try and do regular maintenance on your brickwork so you can keep it looking great.

Faulty Plumbing:

Most properties need to upgrade their gas and plumbing, the problem is that not many homeowners get around to doing it. Faulty plumbing and gas have to be dealt with in the shortest possible time because if you don’t, then you may find that it poses as a serious safety hazard. There are many schemes out there that will replace your outdated installation, free of charge. If you need to get this done, then don’t be afraid to look into it.

Poor Drainage:

Another issue is poor drainage. It may be that you have issues with your foundation or with your basement. It’s a good idea for you to look into crawlspace waterproofing if possible, as well. Either way, your basement is a huge selling point for your home but if it is in poor condition, then you may find that you end up losing a substantial amount of money. If you want to get around this, then you need to try and make sure that you hire a professional to remedy the issue for you.

If you want to keep your home in good condition, then looking out for these top issues is the best way for you to ensure that. As always, hiring a professional is key if you want to stop these problems from cropping up again in the future.

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May14

Things To Do After The Attic Renovation

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Things To Do After The Attic Renovation

Attic renovations are now one of the most common. Whether you intend to use your attic as a bedroom or a place to chill out, chances are that you’ll go down all the usual routes, including contracting builders and seeking permissions. You’ll also need to ensure the flooring can support this change and that you have proper insulation. Within a few weeks, though, you could have a seemingly functional room in your hands.

Sadly, many home owners convert their attics only to find that they never spend any time there. That can lead to a lot of wasted time and effort, not to mention wasting a fair amount of cash. And, more often than not, neglect here is down to the fact that we give up on our renovations too soon. Instead of expecting a space you love straight after renovation, then, consider the following crucial steps you should take after your attic conversion.

Take care of your roofing:

First, consider roofing. Failure to do so could leave your conversion cold and damp in no time. Metal roofing could even increase noise levels. If you can’t seem to settle, then, seek a roof inspection. If your clanging metal roof is keeping you up or keeping you cold at night, consider options for ensuring that metal roofs and high winds don’t cause any more problems. And, of course, make sure there are no leaks which stand to waste the money you spent on your renovation in the first place. The faster you act, the quicker your renovation can, at last, become the living space you desire.

Remember that the roofing and flooring are the most important parts of your attic transformation. While it is always a great thing to be able to cut costs with DIY, these are tasks to leave to the professionals to ensure everyone’s safety once the renovation is complete. Start by searching online, getting recommendations from friends, or checking out this Aurora roofing company in Colorado if you’re in the area for optimum success.

Find ways to add light:

Once your renovation is complete, you might find that your attic space is pretty dark. No one likes to spend time in a dark room so this alone could leave you unsatisfied. Make sure it doesn’t by considering ways to add more light afterwards. Painting with bright colors is always a good bet, as are mirrors and well-placed lights. When you install these after your attic renovation, it will be a part of the house that you enjoy at last.

attic1

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Think about keeping it fresh:

Even after completing roof repairs, you may notice your conversion getting stuffy and damp. In many ways, this is impossible to avoid here. But, there is action you can take. A shop bought dehumidifier is a sure way to keep that air fresh, for instance. Even installing a ceiling fan could bring that breath of fresh air you need to make the room more pleasant to use.

Whatever you do, don’t give up on your attic renovation the moment it’s complete. As you can see, this is an ongoing addition which can take adjustments to get right. You just have to keep going until it becomes as much a part of your home as any other room!

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