rain gutter
Benefits of Rain Gutters and How to Maintain Them

Benefits of Rain Gutters and How to Maintain Them

Having good-looking and well-maintained rain gutters can add value to your home, protect your property and save you money in the long run.

Undoubtedly, it’s important to maintain them and keep them in working order. However, there are many misconceptions about rain gutters and how to protect them.

Read on for more info.

Maintenance

Having gutters in good condition is a crucial part of keeping your home protected from storms and rain. It helps to direct water away from your house and prevent soil erosion and other problems.

A properly maintained rain gutter system also prevents secondary problems like mold and pests. It is important to clean your gutters at least once a year. You can clean them yourself or hire a professional.

You should also inspect your gutters for any small holes or cracks. If they are cracked, you may need to replace them. You can repair the cracks with silicone sealant.

However, if they are broken or damaged, you should have them repaired by a qualified gutter professional.

You should also make sure that your downspouts are directed away from your foundation. This is to avoid rainwater seeping through the sides of your house and causing damage to the siding.

Downspouts

Having a good rain gutter system on your home is important as wind and rainstorms can have a negative impact on your gutters.

Gutters keep water out of your yard, prevent the risk of basement flooding, and keep the exterior of your house in good condition. The gutters also increase the resell value of your home.

Without gutters, rain water can wreak havoc and damage the exterior of your home. Over time, your shingles may sag or shift, and your siding may have gaps. Your home could become attractive to bugs and insects, which could cause health problems for you and your family. The interior walls of your home can become a source of mold growth.

Your home’s foundation is also susceptible to damage when water pools. This can cause cracks in the foundation, and can also erode the soil around it. If water leaks into your home, it can damage the wood inside the walls, and can be a food source for mold.

The downspouts that go down the sides of your home are another part of your drainage system. Downspouts direct water away from your home and prevent structural damage.

Protection

Having a good rain gutter system can protect your home and property from water damage and erosion. They are one of the most overlooked home maintenance items, but can be an essential part of your home’s defense against flooding and water damage.

Thus, paying for gutter services is usually well worth the investment.

A properly-maintained rain gutter will redirect water away from your house, garden, and landscaping. They also help prevent soil erosion. This can cause foundation settlement, cracking chimneys, and uneven floors.

It’s important to clean your gutters periodically. This can reduce the likelihood of mold and other water damage to your home. It is also a good idea to check your downspouts to ensure that the water is being delivered to the correct place.

It’s a good idea to use seamless gutters for your home. These offer a better protection than traditional gutters, and are less likely to leak. They also tend to hold up better to heavy rainfall. Using a seamless system will prevent water damage and costly repairs.

Misconceptions about rain gutters

Having gutters installed on your roof is a great way to prevent water damage from occurring. However, it’s important to make sure they’re installed correctly. Otherwise, you could be faced with extensive damages to your home. This is especially true if you live in a climate that experiences a lot of rain. If your gutters aren’t properly drained, you may find yourself facing flooding and expensive repair bills.

Besides the fact that improperly installed gutters can lead to extensive damage, they can also cause problems with your landscaping. If you live in a dry area, you don’t need rain gutters. Instead, you can get seamless aluminum gutters. These are made to look uniform and reduce the chance of leaks.

If you live in a region that experiences a lot of wind and rain, you should check your gutters at least every three months. If they’re not working properly, you could end up with damage to the foundation of your house. If you’re installing new gutters, you’ll want to consider a system that can handle the steeper pitches of your roof.

painting
HOME IMPROVEMENT IDEAS THAT CAN PAY OFF

HOME IMPROVEMENT IDEAS THAT CAN PAY OFF

Whеthеr уоu аrе planning to put your home оn thе market оr mаkе it more соmfоrtаblе tо live in, thеrе iѕ a lot tо bе gаinеd frоm mаking home imрrоvеmеntѕ.

Imрrоvеmеntѕ in уоur hоmе соuld involve:

  • Rераirѕ оf already еxiѕting structures,
  • Remodeling сеrtаin раrtѕ оf the hоmе to give thеm a fасеlift,
  • Mаking additions to your hоmе tо improve ԛuаlitу оf lifе,
  • Home improvement рrоjесtѕ in оrdеr tо mаkе a house more еnеrgу еffiсiеnt or еnvirоnmеnt-friеndlу.

To dесidе on a home improvement рrоjесt саn ѕееm pretty dаunting. But armed with a few hаndу hоmе imрrоvеmеnt tiрѕ, you could be wеll оn уоur way tо thе ideal hоmе оf уоur drеаmѕ.

Mоѕt оf thеѕе tips аrе еаѕу tо fоllоw and will make dесiding on hоmе improvement рrоjесtѕ a breeze fоr you.

Bеfоrе dесiding on a home imрrоvеmеnt рrоjесt, уоu hаvе tо decide еxасtlу why уоu think your hоmе needs it, how muсh you ѕhоuld be spending оn it, аnd what is thе result уоu would bе ѕаtiѕfiеd with. Such updates all have the potential to pay off!

Small repairs

Thе firѕt home imрrоvеmеntѕ уоu ѕhоuld consider are rераir moves. Attеnd to аnу сеiling rераir рrоblеmѕ, basement issues (that can be addressed by Buffalo, NY Foundation Repair), thе plumbing job you have bееn рutting оff оr that attic inѕulаtiоn thаt hаѕ become nесеѕѕаrу. This hоldѕ truе whеthеr you аrе planning to livе in thе hоmе yourself, put it on rent, оr рut the hоmе оn sale.

Remodeling projects

Rеmоdеling уоur bathroom or kitchen iѕ a ѕmаrt hоmе improvement move if уоu are planning to put уоur hоmе оn ѕаlе. This inсrеаѕеѕ the vаluе of thе hоmе immеdiаtеlу, аnd if researched рrореrlу, саn bе dоnе with vеrу little invеѕtmеnt.

Hоmе improvement projects that invоlvе rеmоdеling need tо bе wеll thought оut, ѕо thаt thеу do not look out оf рlасе in thе house. Thеу are uѕuаllу done tо imрrоvе lighting, рrоvidе more ѕрасе оr glamorize the hоmе.

Remodeling a hоmе can аlѕо mеаn аn imрrоvеmеnt in thе аtmоѕрhеrе. Fоr inѕtаnсе, if a kitсhеn wall iѕ broken down tо create аn ореn kitсhеn, it immеdiаtеlу mаkеѕ thе home mоrе friendly аnd sociable.

Additions

Mаking аdditiоnѕ tо a hоmе likе аdding a dесk, a рооl, оr an оutdооr ѕtоrаgе аrеа аrе uѕuаllу the result of what thе fаmilу nееdѕ, but соuld аlѕо bе еxсеllеnt ѕеlling points if the hоmе gоеѕ up for ѕаlе ѕоmе dау. Additions to thе hоmе should bе соnѕidеrеd аѕ home imрrоvеmеnt projects if there iѕ еxtrа оutdооr ѕрасе whiсh by itself dоеѕ nоt imрrоvе thе vаluе оf thе home.

A gооd tiр for аn improvement in thе exterior ѕрасеѕ of thе hоmе iѕ аlѕо to соnѕidеr the neighborhood and only mаkе сhаngеѕ and аdditiоnѕ thаt wоuld blеnd in.

Energy efficency

Hеlрing a home imрrоvе itѕ energy еffiсiеnсу is аlѕо a grеаt idea fоr a hоuѕеhоldеr, because not оnlу dоеѕ it cut dоwn оn thе еlесtriсitу аnd gas billѕ, it iѕ a grеаt thing tо do fоr thе environment. Imрrоvеmеnt in the inѕulаtiоn оf thе home саn bе a long-term blеѕѕing.

Investing on a home so thаt it at least раrtiаllу harvests ѕоlаr еnеrgу could bе аnоthеr wау of improving the hоmе fоr posterity. You may also consider these options.

Bottom line

It is оbviоuѕ thаt hоmе imрrоvеmеnt рrоjесtѕ ѕhоuld not be carried out on a whim. It is еѕѕеntiаl tо еvаluаtе whу a specific hоmе imрrоvеmеnt project is rеԛuirеd, and what wоuld be gained from the investment.

While hоmе improvements thаt invоlvе rераir increase thе соmfоrt in thе hоmе аnd itѕ lоngеvitу and аrе thеrеfоrе еѕѕеntiаl, аll other ѕоrtѕ of hоmе imрrоvеmеnt nееd tо bе саrеfullу еvаluаtеd bеfоrе еmbаrking оn thеm.

cellar
HOW FOUNDATION PIERS WORK TO STABILIZE BASEMENT WALLS

HOW FOUNDATION PIERS WORK TO STABILIZE BASEMENT WALLS

Foundation Piering Defined

Have you ever heard of foundation piers? Many homeowners are probably not familiar with this term and only hear about it the moment they start to experience some foundation problems.

Piering refers to the process of driving sections of concrete or steel pipe pilings under a foundation to stabilize it and avoid future moment. A hydraulic pump is used to push the piers into the ground. Foundation piers that are concentrically loaded are installed right below the middle of the wall that will be lifted and the foundation is used as resistance for pushing the pier into the ground.

The piers should be driven deep enough so that they will hit bedrock or any stable strata for them to be effective. It serves as a solid and strong base required for supporting the piers that will then support the foundation. Foundation piering is considered as the strongest and most reliable method to stabilize a sinking or settling foundation.

Push Piers

Foundation push piers provide maximum foundation support that makes them most suitable for heavier loads and larger jobs. These have been designed for driving deep down to the earth to solid supporting strata or bedrock under the foundation. Since these are installed with the least skin friction, they provide the deepest penetration of any form of foundation support with no bending in the strata. Push piers are also useful for low impact interior installations.

Push piers also allows structures to be raised to a flatter and more level condition. Through careful application, these can shrink and close existing cracks in drywall, stucco, brick, and other exterior finishes, while other issues such as jamming, sticking doors, leaning chimneys, and windows may be improved with push pier application as well. However, push piers will not guarantee perfectly flat or level conditions or a moisture-tight or water condition. These are also not effective as repair for fatigue or bowing foundation walls.

Helical Piers

Foundation helical piers provide an effective means of adding structural support to lighter and smaller structures such as patios, rooms, porches, steps, and other similar installations. But, once used for supporting a house’s heavy weight, they might not be that effective.

Helical piers have been designed with steel shaft including a corkscrew design at their end. A part of the foundation should be excavated to install these. The shaft is then drilled under the house, with the installation attached to the structure using a steel bracket. It is easier to install helical piers on weaker or older structures. These can also be used for new construction or pre-construction bearing systems in poor soils.

Foundation helical piers can provide an opportunity to try to lift the structure to return it into a flatter and more level position. But, helical piers don’t ensure perfectly level or flat conditions and these cannot lower moisture level of basements or improve water tightness.

If you notice some problems with the stability of your basement walls, foundation piering may be the best solution you can consider. Detroit, Michigan Foundation Repair specializes in basement stabilization services.

septic tank
HOW TO KNOW YOU’RE SEPTIC TANK NEEDS PUMPED

HOW TO KNOW YOU’RE SEPTIC TANK NEEDS PUMPED

Septic tank service should be done on a regular basis to avoid unhygienic conditions that might expose your family to danger. Septic tanks should not be overloaded, and preventative measures should be put in place to reduce damage to the tanks and the whole sewer system.

The following tips will help you know when your tank requires being pumped.

Know the Size of Your Septic Tank

Establish the size of your septic tank and the number of people it is serving to calculate how long it will take to fill. The calculation will give a precise estimation of how long it will take before pumping can be required.

Conduct Checks

Most septic tanks are designed such that you can visually check to see the volume of their content. Ensure regular visual checks to avoid accumulation of solid waste. As a rule, solid waste should not occupy more than 30% of the septic tank. Septic tanks can also be fitted with intelligent performance surveillance technology that gives warning when critical levels are reached. Conducting the above measures will help you avoid the last minute rush when the septic tank is already full and urgently requiring septic tank pumping.

If you suspect a problem while doing you’re own check, contact a professional, such as Syracuse, NY Septic Service, to perform an inspection.

Sewer Back-Flows

When the full capacity of your septic tank has been reached, the sewer will start flowing in the backward direction. Drains on the lowest position in your house will first be affected. You should look for prior warning signs of a full septic tank such as slow drains before the situation reaches back-flow since it is quite unhygienic.

Water Collecting ateron Ground

Your lawn will have water collecting around the septic systems drain field even when there has not been substantial rain. Accumulation of solid wastes clogs the piping system forcing sewer water to escape on the surface.

Odors

Septic tanks contain living organisms that use oxygen to break down waste. When full, the microorganisms suffer from lack of oxygen to enable them to multiply and continue the breakdown process. At this moment the septic tank will start emitting foul smell since the aerobic reaction is not taking place.

Slow Drains

When your drains start experiencing a reduced speed in the evacuation of wastewater at multiple locations, it should act as a precursor that the septic tank is full.

kitchen remodel
TIPS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE CABINETS FOR YOUR KITCHEN REMODEL

TIPS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE CABINETS FOR YOUR KITCHEN REMODEL

Choosing the right kitchen cabinets is a critical decision in your kitchen remodeling process. This is because cabinets affect your budget and the appearance of your kitchen. They create an impression about your kitchen and your home in general. This article will offer information about the qualities of a good kitchen remodel, cabinets and how to select cabinets and the latest trends in the kitchen cabinets markets.

Tips to Help You Choose Cabinets for Your Kitchen Remodel

Tip#1: What makes a kitchen cabinet good? 

When searching for kitchen cabinets, the quality of its construction. A good kitchen cabinet will have standard features as listed below:

  • Quality finishes
  • Dove-tailed drawers
  • Doors and drawers that can be easily closed or opened
  • Extension Drawers

Tip#2: Understand the needs of your kitchen remodel, cabinets

It is important for you to know whether you need more space for storage. List down the things that don’t like or like about your kitchen. Making these decisions will make your kitchen remodel easier.

Tip#3: Select the type of wood to use in your cabinet

The space available in your kitchen determines the wood to use in your cabinets. This is because of square footage and lighting. For instance, using dark cabinets in small kitchens makes space appear smaller.

Tip#4: What appeals to you more in your new kitchen?

You should be realistic about what you want after remodeling your kitchen. Are you looking for an aesthetic appeal? Are you impressed by the quality of the construction of your cabinets? These questions need to be answered before starting to remodel your kitchen.

Tip#5 Understand the various types of cabinets

There are various terminologies that you are likely to come along when choosing cabinets for your kitchen as discussed below:

  • Stock Cabinets – These are pre-manufactured types of cabinets that come with specific sizes. They do not offer room for customization apart from the choices manufacturer may offer.
  • Semi-Custom cabinets-These too are pre-manufactured but offer various options than the stock cabinets. Customers can customize them according to their preferences.
  • Custom Cabinets- These are cabinets that are built according to the specification of customers. They are not limited on color, wood finish and style choices.

Final Verdict

Generally, the choice of a cabinet will depend on various factors such as the architecture of your house and the region it is situated. Kitchen Cabinets form an essential part of your remodeled kitchen because of their functionality and their visibility. Therefore, you need to choose cabinets for your kitchen wisely as this will increase the value of your home.

bathroom remodel
EASY WAYS TO GO ECO-FRIENDLY WHEN REMODELING YOUR BATHROOM

EASY WAYS TO GO ECO-FRIENDLY WHEN REMODELING YOUR BATHROOM

If you’re thinking of a bathroom remodeling project for your home, one thing you should definitely take into consideration is making it eco-friendly. Sometimes people think that doing something like this will make the remodeling more expensive, but that is not true. Here are some inexpensive ways to make your bathroom remodeling eco-friendly, and keep the costs down.

Choose no- VOC or low VOC materials. VOC stands for Volatile Organic Components, which have a negative effect on the air quality in your home.

Toilets and showers

For the toilet, which is one of the biggest water users in the house, about 27% you should choose a low flow toilet or dual flush solution. If you would like to keep your old toilet, you can just retrofit it with a dual flush system instead.

Improvements in low-flow shower heads are letting people enjoy their showers, and save money at the same time. I think the biggest complaint about the low-flow showers was that it just didn’t feel the same or as enjoyable, causing a lot of people to hesitate to buy them. But now, with new technology, this option is becoming more and more popular.

Flooring tile

A ceramic tile is a great option if you’re looking to replace the flooring in your bathroom remodeling project. You can choose from many colors, patterns, and a lot of tiles are made from recycled products. Led light fixtures, while they are more expensive to purchase, will pay for themselves within the first 2 years.

Always look for products that have eco-friendly symbols on them such as WaterSense or Greengaurd. This will help you make the right ecological choices when deciding on your new purchases.

Professional home remodeling contractors can assist you in choosing the right materials that will make your bathroom efficient and eco-friendly. If you’re located in upstate New York, we suggest consulting with Bathroom Remodel Syracuse, one of the best bathroom remodeling contractors in Syracuse, NY and the entire northeast.

POPULAR BATHROOM REMODELING DESIGN IDEAS

POPULAR BATHROOM REMODELING DESIGN IDEAS

Little else seems more appealing to a hardworking professional than lounging in a spa-like master bathroom after a long day at work. For this reason, Americans pour anywhere between $10,000 and $45,000 into their bathroom remodeling escapades. Though this figure may seem quite indulgent, when carried out intelligently, a bathroom remodel can significantly increase the resale value of a home, hence making it a sound investment.

Below, we’ll discuss three of the most popular bathroom remodeling ideas.

Shower Remodels

Gone are the days of premade plastic shower kits; luxurious shower remodels are all the rage in the United States. And, amongst the most coveted remodeling upgrades are sprawling, heavy glass door enclosures, and unique shower spraying systems and elaborate tile work.

The most common color schemes are in the tan and aqua families. However, a standard white subway tile has been a go-to choice for decades. Mosaic tile, Venetian tile, marble tile and ceramic tile are surely the most coveted choices of material.

In hopes of saving a few hundred dollars, many home owners decide to go for a lower grade tile in the shower, such as white ceramic and throughout and just one ,thick stripe of mosaic or marble tile in order to increase the visual impact of the tile work.

Vanity Upgrades

Vanities have come a long way since the boxy builder grade all-in-one vanities that were once the norm. Savvy homeowners are doing away with the cabinet portion of a vanity altogether and creating a makeshift vanity using old vintage dressers. Distressed dressers with a crackle finish or sleek modern ensembles with brushed nickel hardware are also popular choices.

Vessel sinks, large art-deco bowls and other shapely works of art are now the norm for sinks. Of course, no vanity remodel is complete without the accompaniment of granite or marble slabs as the gleaming countertop. Slabs of these premium stones are most common. However, if budgeting issues are a concern, using remnants of granite or marble as tile for the countertop is also a cost-effective alternative.

Separated Restroom

Master bathrooms are often shared between man and wife. And, in order to maximize the usability of the bathroom for both parties, the current trend is to separate the toilet area from the rest of the vanity, shower and Jacuzzi area by enclosing it in a stall of sorts in a small room within the bathroom.

The stall is a simple addition consisting of just framework and a few sheets of drywall. Costs would be minimized if the construction of the stall would be in a corner of the room, as it would require less overall construction. It is also important to take into account whether this is a practical solution for your bathroom, as the plumbing will need to be moved if the toilet must be relocated.

Generally, a 5×5 area is more than sufficient. However, if you have less square footage to work with, it would do just fine.

If you are hoping to create a luxurious bathroom within your home, simply follow the American trends listed above. Though the typical budget is often $10,000 to $40,000, you can minimize the costs by taking on some of the work yourself.