7 SIGNS THAT YOU NEED TO RENOVATE YOUR HOUSE

Everything deteriorates over time and your lovely home is no exception. The deterioration of your home is unavoidable, no matter how well you maintain it. Renovations, on the other hand, can address a number of concerns that arise as a result of aging. We modify our homes to improve their appearance or make place for additional residents in some circumstances. Despite the fact that the process takes a lot of money, effort and planning, it also has a lot of advantages. The security, attractiveness, and comfort of your home can all be improved by renovating it. This is especially true in the case of old houses. Are you unsure whether or not your home needs renovation? I have written in this article a few signs that you can consider before you decide to renovate your home.

THE ROOF HAS A LEAK

When water starts flowing on the ceiling or walls, you know you have a leaking roof. Your roofing system may begin to leak for one of two reasons. It could happen if the roofing installer and service you hired did a sloppy job, or if your house’s roofing system is already old and decaying. Whatever the case may be, your roof needs immediate repair and improvement. Roof leaks should be addressed as soon as possible, regardless of how minor they are, as they may escalate to a larger problem. Roof leaks can cause a variety of problems. Corrosion, mold growth, and frame and ceiling damage are just a few of them.

THE PAINT HAS BECOME DULL AND IS BEGINNING TO CHIP

When the inside or exterior paint starts flaking off, it’s one of the most obvious signs that your home needs to be renovated. It also means that outside influences like dirt and pollutants are already having a negative impact on your property. This incident also indicates that you should think about upgrading and cleaning your property. For people working at home, a dull and messy paint is awful to the eyes and can lessen productivity. Organize your home office whether you’re working from your dining room table or a dedicated office space because it is critical for both productivity and sanity. Refresh the paint in your home’s most vulnerable areas, such as the bathrooms, kitchen, and baseboards. Newly painted walls can give your home a fresh look and make it appear new. A bright white layer will do wonders for updating the look of your home if the whitewash is starting to yellow.

IT’S EITHER TOO CROWDED OR TOO EMPTY IN YOUR HOME

Have you ever felt strange and uneasy as soon as you walked into your home? This is common if your home is overcrowded or has a lot of open space. The longer you stay in a house, the more filthy it becomes. Remodeling your home is a quick fix for this. All you have to do is reorganize your belongings within your house to enhance your home. By doing so, you are altering the appearance and feel of your home, giving you a sense of freshness.

THE WALLS BEGIN TO SHOW SIGNS OF DETERIORATION

The first clue that your home needs remodeling is the appearance of cracks in the walls. Cracks might form on the walls or in the foundation. It could be the result of a little imperfection and not cause for alarm. Horizontal fractures, separation cracks, and gaping cracks, on the other hand, warrant special care. As a result, have it properly examined by a specialist. Severe foundation cracks have been discovered. To address the underlying issues and assure safety, the house must be renovated. Examine the areas near the breaks to determine the severity of the cracks.

WHEN TERMITES BEGIN TO WREAK HAVOC ON YOUR HOME

The presence of bugs and insects within your home indicates that you have used low-cost materials. When termites infest your home, you must immediately rebuild the interiors to eliminate the pests and prevent them from spreading.

IT’S TIME TO REPLACE YOUR FLOOR

Whether your floors are tiled, wooden, or carpeted, giving them some time and attention can dramatically boost the value of your property. Individual tiles in the bathroom and kitchen may begin to detach, so keep an eye out for lifting symptoms. Detached tiles and boards are not only ugly, but they can also be a trip hazard. Carpeted flooring has a 10-year life expectancy, although this will be reduced if you have indoor pets. Wooden floors are a long-lasting and sturdy flooring option, but they are also the most expensive and are prone to deteriorate over time. The good news is that rotting wood planks may be repaired without entirely replacing the flooring, as long as you act quickly before the rot spreads.

YOUR BATHROOM AND KITCHEN APPEAR TO BE OUTDATED

You’ve probably heard that if you want to add value to your home, the kitchen and bathroom should be the major focus and even in these functional areas, the aesthetics take precedence. Adding new quartz worktops, gleaming fixtures by a great plumbing service and having a set of new sinks could make these rooms look more modern, but if you’re looking for a complete makeover, starting from the ground up is a fantastic strategy.

A remodeling and even unexpected home renovations is a major project but if you have a solid purpose for doing it, you’ll probably find it rewarding in the end. Small changes can make a significant difference, so whether you’re renovating for lower energy bills or more room, make sure the end result is healthier for you and your family.

Guest Contributor: Kat Sarmiento

10 TIPS ON HOW TO STAY WARM THIS WINTER WITHOUT SPENDING A FORTUNE

Cooler temperatures are rapidly approaching and if you, like me, have huddled down next to the heater in the evenings, simultaneously bemoaning and dreading the impending heat bills, you’re not alone. Here are 10 simple tips on how you can stay warm this winter, without spending a fortune.

Insulate your house. Perhaps your house is older and in the middle of the winter, you notice lots of icicles hanging off your gutters. Your house is leaking heat and therefore, you’re wasting money. Spend the time before the winter really starts by properly insulating your house and especially around your windows. This may be as simple as caulking around the windows, but it can make a lot of difference, and save you money in the long run.
Buy a heat pump. Not only will it work during the summer to keep you cool, but it will reverse during the winter to help you stay warm. They’re efficient and economizing, and use less energy than regular heaters.
Reverse fan direction. During the summer you want your fan to be pushing air down so the circulation is increased. But in the winter, you want the cold air pulled up and the warmer air pushed down. Consult your owners manual to make sure you have the fan settings right.
Hot water bottle. This is a favorite trick of mine. Hot water bottles are cheap, long lasting, and retain heat for hours. You could cozy up with one on the couch while another one is heating the foot of your bed. Buy good quality bottles and accessorize them with padded exteriors that help retain the warmth and prevent you from burning yourself if the water is extra hot.
Embrace the sunshine. Don’t keep your blinds pulled during the winter. Let the sun shine in and use the natural warmth to help heat your house. It can make such a difference and that combined with better insulation allows your house to warm up and stay warm through the day.
Drink hot beverages. During the warm summer months, you probably swap your coffee for an iced one, but as the temperatures cool, you probably will want to swap back to a hot cup. Coffee, tea, and cocoa all are warming drinks that aren’t very expensive, especially if you make them yourself, and can help you stay warm during the cool winter months.
Bundle up. Break out those woolen sweaters and socks because bundling up is one of the best ways to stay warm during the winter months. If you’re looking to invest in a warmer wardrobe, buy natural fabrics, such as wool or cotton, that last longer than man-made ones and will naturally biodegrade once they’re no longer wearable. Wool especially is fantastic in the winter because it helps regulate the body temperature. Furthermore, wool fibers last longer than cotton and can be bent hundreds of times more before they wear out. There is a reason our ancestors wore wool, and we should too.
Invest in a wood stove. Using a woodstove can be an investment, or it can be a much cheaper and more efficient way to heat your house, depending on your circumstances. If you live in an area where wood is cheap and you don’t mind the extra work, using a wood stove as supplemental heating can be a great way to save money on conventional modes of heating.
Open your oven. Are you a baker or do you use your oven often? If so, once you’re done cooking, crack it open so the excess heat leaks out and helps warm up your house. It will help keep your kitchen toasty warm and comfortable and help save money. With this in mind, bake away!
Turn up your heat in the morning. Keeping your house between 60*-67 at night is recommended anyhow for optimal sleep. If you keep your house cool but not chilly, you’ll be cool in the morning, so turn the heat on then and warm up your house during the day. At night, the temperature will cool down again but since your house will be set at a cooler temperature, it will cost you less overall. Essentially, you’re only using your heaters when you’re up and around there house needing it.

In conclusion, there are lots of ways you can save money this winter by preparing ahead of time to save money on your heating. Of course, this list does not take into account a heater that is maybe broken or not working properly. If that describes your heater, definitely have it fixed before the chill of winter sets in so you stay warm and comfortable all winter long.

Guest Contributor: Allie Shivers

HOW TO PREPARE A ROOM FOR PAINTING

Most people have been spending more time at home lately – you might be sick of those bright blue walls that were so trendy five years ago. Does a room in your home need a refreshment? A good place to start is with a fresh layer of paint. If you plan to sell your home, painting is a great remodeling strategy that provides a handsome ROI. But before you break out a bucket and roller, you’ll need to take some steps to get everything in order. Properly preparing a room before painting it will ensure the best results:

Move or cover all the furniture. Ideally, you should move all your furniture out of your room, but that’s not always possible if you’re short on space. In that case, use drop cloths to cover all your furniture from accidental paint splatters. Protect your floors by covering them with drop cloths, as well.

Clean the walls. Dust will interfere with a smooth paint application. Use a vacuum on baseboards and crown molding to clean those hard-to-reach places. Then, wash your walls with a cloth and warm soapy water. This will remove any stains and dirt. If you’re painting a room that’s been exposed to oil (like a kitchen), you may need to use a grease-removing product. Humid areas like the bathroom may have mildew growing in the corners, in which case you’ll need an abrasive sponge and a solution with bleach. Allow the walls to dry completely before applying any paint.

Assemble your tools. Unfortunately, paint doesn’t apply itself. You’ll need to arm yourself with the right supplies to do a good job. Make a list of the items that you have and what you’ll need to pick up from the hardware store. To name a few here, you’ll need paint, brushes, a roller, a tray, painter’s tape, cleaning rags, drop cloths, and clothes that you won’t mind getting covered in paint.

Wear protective equipment. Before you open up a paint bucket, wear a respirator mask! It’s important to wear one that can filter out harsh chemicals. Beware of harmful chemicals that can irritate your lungs and cause headaches. If you can’t wear a mask, be sure to open all doors and windows to allow a cross breeze through the room.

Repair any holes or damages in the walls. For this step, you’ll need putty, a knife, and sandpaper. Fill in any holes or imperfections on your wall using the putty and smooth the raised edges with the knife. Once it’s dry, file it down with sandpaper so that it’s level with the rest of the wall. If the existing paint is flaking in any areas, smooth it away using sandpaper to ensure a smooth application of paint.

Protect electrical elements and light switches. Remove the covers from electrical outlets and switches, and cover them with painter’s tape. You don’t want the paint to get inside of your electrical outlets, so don’t neglect this step.

Use painter’s tape around baseboards and windows. You are painting your room, but you don’t want to paint everything in it. Seal the edges surrounding your doors, windows, baseboards, and crown molding. If you have painted before, then you’ll know the satisfaction of removing the painter’s tape once you’ve finished the job. Something to keep in mind is that you should never remove the tape before the paint has dried completely, or else you’ll wind up with jagged edges. Rather than ripping it off all at once, try to do it slowly.

Choose your wall color. The final step is choosing which color will work best for your space. If your room is small, select paint colors to make a room look bigger. But if size isn’t a concern, then you have free reign. Those who want to sell their homes in the future should keep in mind that most buyers like neutral colors. There’s also the option of going bright and bold – it is your home, after all. Once you’ve chosen your color, determine how many gallons of paint you’ll need by measuring the square feet. When covering a darker color with a lighter one (like black to white), you will need a few extra coats. Factor in that you might want a little extra to use for touch-ups in the future.

Apply a primer. A base coat will help your paint job last for years to come. It can also help you transition from a darker color to a lighter one. The primer you need will depend on the type of paint you’re using. Oil and water don’t mix, so if you’re using an oil-based paint, you’ll need an oil-based primer (and vice versa for latex-based paint).

The painting process will go much more smoothly if you take the above steps first. After all this preparation, rolling layers of paint on your walls will seem like a breeze. It’s amazing what a coat of paint can do to transform a familiar space and make it feel brand new.

Guest Contributor: Christie Simon

4 BEDROOM COLOR SCHEMES TO INSPIRE YOUR SPACE

You probably know that colors affect a person’s mood. That’s why it’s very important to choose the colors right, especially when it comes to your bedroom.

Needless to say, you want to achieve a comfortable, calming, and relaxing space that will help you achieve a good night’s sleep.

Whether you’re renovating your bedroom or building a new one, below are some of the best color schemes for your inspiration:

Black + White + Brass

There’s nothing as timeless as black and white.

While some people will think this color scheme is quite too heavy especially if the dominant hue is black, these colors are actually remarkably serene when used together.

You can create an entirely different mood depending on how you style your room.

If you want to further elevate the look of your room, consider incorporating brass. It makes the space inviting, elegant, and dazzling.

Bright Blue + Gray

Blue promotes calmness and relaxation, which makes it perfect for a bedroom. Meanwhile, gray is a neutral color so it goes nicely with other hues and accents.

Blue + gray is a great option since you don’t want your room to be overly colorful or vibrant.

Natural wood details make a wonderful accent for this color scheme.

Charcoal + Gold

If you love gold and would want to incorporate it in your room, go ahead. Just make sure to pair it with warm, deep-tone neutrals, such as charcoal gray.

This color combination helps you achieve an elegant and relaxing ambiance. When working on this palette, enough lighting is important so your bedroom won’t look too dark.

This color scheme works well with well-lit rooms or those with larger windows that allow natural light in.

Aside from charcoal gray, gold also works with chocolate brown, rich olive green, and beige.

Navy + White + Yellow

Navy and white go beautifully together and a punch of yellow makes this color scheme much more exciting.

You can set the tone with a deep hue accent wall or some navy blue furniture, decor, or cabinetry and a backdrop of crisp, white walls.

You can use yellow for the curtains or your mattress.

For an even more dynamic color scheme, you can pair navy blue with mustard yellow or soft butter yellow. Such color offers warmth and brilliance that stands out against the coolness of the navy color.

Emerald + Mint + White

Emerald adds cheerful energy and freshness to any room. It’s a little too bright for a bedroom but it makes a beautiful option when paired with a complementary shade of mint. To tone down the vibrance of emerald, make sure to incorporate white in your color palette.

For example, you can paint the walls white and add touches of emerald wall decals or cabinetry. Then, you can choose mint green for the curtains and accessories.

Emerald also works amazing with neutral shades, particularly earth tones like gray, charcoal gray, and beige.

Factors To Consider When Choosing the Bedroom Colors

The above color schemes are just ideas. There are so many color combinations that are perfect for bedrooms. It can be a challenge deciding what colors to use for your room. To make the process easier, here are the most important factors to consider:

Start With a Mood Board

Every interior design starts with a mood board.

A mood board lets you visualize your ideal bedroom and helps you organize your ideas for the style, mood, and colors of your dream room.

Your mood board should incorporate different elements, from the overall feel of your bedroom to the accessories, window treatments, and furniture pieces.

Don’t Forget About the Floor Color

Floor color is an important element to consider because it helps create a cohesive layout with your chosen color palette.

When choosing the color of your flooring, consider the mood you want to create, how much natural light you get, your room size, and your furniture’s color and finish.

Gray is the most popular flooring color because it’s the ultimate neutral, but you can always choose something else as long as it matches your interior design.

Pay attention to what carpets and rugs to use. Carpets should always be clean and fresh. If you can’t manage to wash your carpets deeply, there are lots of budget-friendly yet professional carpet cleaning services that will have you covered! Remember, carpet color should match your whole bedroom style.

Consider the Orientation of Your Bedroom

Another important factor to consider when choosing paint colors is room orientation.

For example, a north-facing bedroom will have cooler light so it works well with warmer shades like pinks and yellows.

Meanwhile, a south-facing room is naturally bright so it can take cooler tones like blue or grey.

Make it Personal

Bedrooms are deeply personal spaces. Thus, you want to make sure it fits your lifestyle. If you’re a morning person, choose clean, light, and energizing paint colors.

If you’re an evening person, opt for dark, womb-like shades.

Conclusion

Creating a relaxing bedroom starts with choosing the right colors. Keep in mind that a color scheme doesn’t just involve the walls, but also the floors, accessories, and furnishings of your bedroom.

More importantly, it should reflect your personality and lifestyle.

Guest Contributor: Leila Amber

TOP KITCHEN REMODELLING TRENDS: MATERIALS AND FEATURES TO USE IN 2021

New year, new you, new kitchen. Now that 2021 is well under way and that you’re hard at work fulfilling your new year’s resolutions, the time has come to rejuvenate the most important room in your home and create the kitchen of your dreams. This is your opportunity to utilize your flair for remodelling and create something truly special, inspirational, and beautiful.

That said, remodelling a kitchen is not an easy task, and you need to know how to approach this project from an aesthetic and functional standpoint. So today, let’s bring form and function together and share with you the top materials and features you should have in your kitchen in 2021.

Use wood for a biophilic design

Wood is one of those materials that can never go out of style, and it can perfectly go in any kitchen design. Whether you’re going for a rustic look and feel or an up-scale vibe, you can work various colours and textures of wood into the cabinetry, the furniture and supporting elements like shelves, and more.

That said, wood works best when introduced as a part of a biophilic design. This approach to interior design has become very popular nowadays, because it aims to create a relationship with nature in your home and create a more peaceful space. If you think that you need more nature in your life, then make sure to use wooden elements throughout the room.

Emphasize the benchtop with Corian

The look and feel of your kitchen can oftentimes come down to your choice of benchtops and their style, so it’s important to focus on this crucial part of the remodel. For one, you need to choose the perfect benchtop materials that emphasize aesthetics while providing durability and functionality. One of the best choices out there right now is, of course, Corian.

This is a popular material that boasts high durability and typically comes with a ten-year warranty, which is why homeowners and interior designers love it. That said, it’s also important to note that Corian is both beautiful and functional because it’s non-porous, it doesn’t harbor bacteria, and it’s durable, but also comes in a variety of colours and boasts a sophisticated matte finish.

Make the appliances complement the style

When you’re remodelling your kitchen, you need to consider how the appliances will work with the overarching design while complementing the functionality of the space. This can be a tricky challenge, as you need to find the most efficient appliances that also come in a variety of design choices to suit your needs.

For one, it’s important to complement or contrast the finish on the benchtop and the cabinetry. You also want to choose the appliances you’ll actually use, and that fit into the overall design. Functionality is also important, and making sure you can cook a variety of dishes can be difficult if you’re strapped for space. A simple gas stove and a wok burner don’t take up much of your kitchen real estate but are compatible with a variety of styles – from something minimalist and sleek to rustic and exotic.

In general, choose high-gloss appliances if you want to make certain areas pop, or go for a matte finish if you want that simple yet elegant look. Make sure to consider other colours than your typical white and black options, because nowadays appliances come in a variety of hues to complement the look of your kitchen.

Infuse various metals into the space

In order to give your kitchen a rich and luxurious look and feel, you might consider adding metals to your design. Metalling surfaces and features can make any kitchen beautiful and functional, so even if you’re going for eclectic or rustic, metallics can still make a big difference.

Consider brass tiles for the splashback that will act as a reflective surface and give the space a unique hue. You can also go with bronze faucets and exposed brass pipes to create a minimalist yet retro look, but remember to refrain from metallics on your appliances if you choose this approach, because the two tend to clash.

Finish the project with stone elements

Lastly, consider adding stone to your kitchen remodel. You can introduce stone for your countertops or your flooring, and both work great as durable and aesthetic materials. That said, keep in mind that granite countertops come with a hefty price tag because of the inherent durability and functionality of the material. Nevertheless, investing in stone is a good long-term decision, and the material comes in numerous styles and finishes to complement your new kitchen.

Wrapping up

In 2021, you want to make your kitchen more functional and beautiful than ever before. Use these tips to make the best decision and build the kitchen on your dreams.

About the author: Mike Johnston is an avid blogging enthusiast and experienced freelance writer. He’s a regular contributor to the “Smooth Decorator” blog and numerous other online publications where he writes about real estate, construction, home improvement, and interior design.

WHICH KITCHEN CABINETS MATCH YOUR TILES?

One of the hurdles when it comes to decorating a kitchen is achieving a cohesive look. The kitchen just has so many elements — cabinets and cupboards everywhere, the floor, and an island table in the center — so if you choose a lot of colors and styles for them, the whole room will simply look chaotic.

And who wants to be in a kitchen that isn’t aesthetically pleasing? No one, that’s who.

Fortunately, there’s a way to pull off a clean and cohesive design of your kitchen. And that is to match the kitchen cabinets with the floor tiles.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO MATCH KITCHEN CABINETS WITH FLOOR TILES?

Before you get the wrong idea, you should know first that when we say, “Match the kitchen cabinets with the floor tiles,” we don’t necessarily mean that both of them share the same style or color.

Rather, what we mean is that the styles of the kitchen cabinets and the floor styles should contrast and complement each other very well.

Sure, it’s totally okay to choose only one color or style for all of your kitchen elements. But the overall look might end up being dull and flat, and you don’t want that. You want the kitchen elements to pop every time you look over the room, and you also want them to look harmonious with each other so that your kitchen will look clean and elegant.

The best way to achieve that goal is to maintain a contrast between the floor tiles and the cabinets in the kitchen. This contrast should highlight their differences — but also complement each other well.

THE PERFECT COMBINATIONS OF KITCHEN CABINETS AND FLOOR STYLES

OAK CABINETS AND HARDWOOD FLOORS

Wood is a design element that’s just perfect for the kitchen. After all, a lot of tools in the kitchen are made

up of wood, and the impact of a wood-inspired design is rustic and homey. Because of this, wood is one of the most popular design choices for kitchen floor and kitchen cabinets.

Pulling off an all-wood look for your kitchen can be tricky, simply because it might look too boring. The perfect solution to this is to use two different kinds of wood designs for the kitchen and cabinets.

Oak cabinets and hardwood floors seem like a good combination, especially if the floor has a light color. This is because a wooden floor with a light color adds warm tones to the room and reflects the light.

LIGHT CABINETS AND DARK FLOORS

Another way of matching cabinets and floors is to coordinate their colors. Usually, it’s the floor tiles that need to balance the colors of all the elements in the kitchen, so if you have cabinets with a light color, choose a dark color for the floor tiles — and vice versa.

Additionally, if you want your kitchen to have multiple shades of one color, you should select the darkest shade for the cabinets.

TRADITIONAL CABINETS AND PATTERNED FLOORS

A patterned design makes for a more attractive kitchen element, but unfortunately, if not used properly, it can ruin your whole kitchen look.

Basically, patterned cabinets and patterned floor tiles don’t mix well together. They will just make the kitchen look busy and hectic, instead of refined and elegant. As a result, you need to have a non-patterned element if you want to add a patterned one.

For example, contemporary cabinets clash with patterned floors, but traditional cabinets don’t. So, if your floor tiles have accents and patterns on them, pairing them with traditional cabinets will make for a more harmonious kitchen look.

CONCLUSION

Decorating your kitchen may seem like a fun idea at first, but trying to match the floor with the cabinets is a lot more challenging than you think.

Luckily, you can mix various design styles for the cabinets and floor tiles that will result in a harmonious and elegant look. Even better, you can find the perfect kitchen cabinets for your floor tiles everywhere, for instance in Cabinet City – check out Cabinet City here.

So, choose the cabinet-and-floor combination from the ones mentioned above and transform your kitchen to your heart’s desire.

Guest Contributor: Ashley Lipma

SUMP PUMP ADVISOR – A ONE-STOP SOLUTION

Looking for ways to defend your basement against flooding?

If you live in a climate that suffers from heavy rainfall or snow or you’ve had water problems before, you need all the help you can get to prevent your basement from flooding and causing myriad issues for your home.

That’s where the sump pump comes into play. It’s a submersible device that’s installed in the lowest point of your home, such as your basement, and keeps the groundwater level from rising all the way up to your basement floor.

When it rains, the soil around your house gets oversaturated and the sump pit fills up with water. This activates the sump pump float switch that triggers the sump pump to drain the excess water into a dry well or a storm drain away from your house.

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WHY YOU NEED TO INVEST IN A SUMP PUMP

Considering investing in a sump pump?

There’s no time to wait as the weather can be fairly unpredictable. It’s a small investment that will yield great benefits for your house in the years to come.

Here are some advantages that are worth mentioning:

Moisture leads to the growth of mold and mildew. Since sump pumps keep the groundwater and moisture levels in check, it significantly reduces the risk of fungus growth in your basement.
Moisture makes your house a termite magnet. A sump pump is just what you need to make sure your house stays protected against all kinds of pest infestations.
Standing water in your basement can create humidity and cause difficulty in breathing, especially for asthma patients. Installing a sump pump will allow you to keep the humidity levels under control and improve the indoor air quality of your home.
Electrical fires can occur due to flooding. Excessive water can cause the appliances in your basement to short-circuit. With a sump pump, you can prevent the water from ruining your appliances and reduce the risk of a household fire.

INSTALLING YOUR SUMP PUMP THE RIGHT WAY

There’s so much you need to know when it comes to installing a sump pump in your house, whether you’re doing it yourself or getting a professional to do it for you.

You may not know this but neither a homeowner’s policy nor your flood insurance will provide coverage for your sump pump failure. You’ll have to purchase targeted pump failure insurance coverage to minimize your losses.

Looking for ways to get the most out of your sump pump?

Sump Pump Advisor is here to save the day. It’s a one-stop solution where you can find answers to all the questions you may have about sump pump maintenance and picking out the right model for your home.

With a host of informational guides to choose from and comparison tables that narrow down your options for you, Sump Pump Advisor has everything you’re looking for and more.

So what are you waiting for?

Head over to our website and learn everything you need to know about sump pumps in just a few clicks!

Guest Contributor: John Fred

WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM WATER DAMAGE

Ways to Protect Your Home from Water Damage

We know about the kind of physical destruction that water damage can inflict on our homes. Our appliances and furniture will be ruined, our carpets will be soaked and rendered useless, and our home itself will be at risk of sustaining structural damage. All this can happen even when the water that intrudes into our homes is only an inch or so deep.

However, the one thing that we all should be concerned so much about is the danger it poses to our health and well-being, especially if we don’t contact a water damage restoration company immediately.

All that moisture collecting inside your home will likely trigger the formation of mold. If the water that inundated your home is from sewage or worse, all the contaminants in it are going to make you and your family sick.

Water damage is bad, but it’s a good thing that we can actually do something to protect our homes—and our families—from all the dangers it brings. Here are some ways to protect your home from water damage.

SHUT OFF THE MAIN WATER VALVE WHEN OUT OF TOWN

Are you going out of town for a few weeks or even months? If so, you have probably made arrangements for a friend or a relative to house sit the entire time you’re away.

If you haven’t, or if you couldn’t find anyone you can trust to watch your home for you, then you should shut the main water valve off before you leave. Doing so will minimize the risk of a water pipe leaking or bursting. It will ensure that you won’t be coming home to a flooded home in a few weeks.

CHECK YOUR PLUMBING

As mentioned above, pipes could leak or explode and cause flooding. Drains and sewers could also clog up and cause water to back up and mess up your home.

You will need to check your plumbing from time to time and make sure there are no leaks, loose water pipes, or blockages to worry about. If you’re not that confident about your plumbing skills, call a professional plumber for the job.

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KEEP YOUR RAIN GUTTERS CLEAN

Your rain gutters should always be clear of leaves, branches, and all kinds of debris, so check them periodically.

You wouldn’t want blocked rain gutters, because that means they won’t be able to reroute rainwater properly. Instead of bringing them away from your house, the rainwater will simply spill over the gutters and cascade down the siding of your home and eventually damage the walls and foundation.

CHECK YOUR WATER HEATER.

You should inspect your water heater every year to make sure the tank isn’t leaking due to rust or corrosion. Watch out for signs of a leak like badly corroded parts of the tank and small puddles of water on the floor. If you notice signs of a leak, call water heater professionals to address the problem immediately.

SEAL YOUR WINDOWS

Sometimes, it rains so hard, but the water just goes straight down. There are times, however, when the downpour comes with strong winds, causing rain to go sideways and enter your home through the windows. However, if you caulk and seal your windows from time to time, sideways sheets of rain shouldn’t be a problem.

GET RID OF SNOW AND ICE

Snow and ice are going to accumulate on your property if you live in a region where winters are incredibly cold. They will melt away eventually when spring comes, but it’s better to remove all that snow and ice right away, especially from elevated areas. You don’t want all the water the spring melt will produce to cascade down your house and cause some trouble.

PLANT TREES TO FEND OFF FLOODING.

We’ve all learned in school that trees help prevent flooding, so let’s put that into practice and plant trees around and within our property.

However, you need to be careful about the types of trees you plant and avoid those with aggressive root systems that could damage foundations. You should also plant trees at least 10 feet from your house for good measure.

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PUT UP WATER DETECTORS

Water detectors are designed to pick up elevated levels of moisture and even slow leaks and sound off an alarm. You would do well to install some in your home, especially near washing machines, sump pumps, and toilets.

There are many other ways of protecting your home from water damage, but the tips above are a good place to start.

Guest Contributor: Rachel Anderson

7 TIPS TO PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED DURING HOME RENOVATIONS

You set your sights on your dream house renovations this year, but the problem is you do not know where and how to start. You are not alone because several homeowners go into the entire process clueless of what to expect. It is only at the end of the project and has suffered through renovation mishaps that you regret not planning for it. This article will help you prepare for the unexpected when you push through with your home remodeling.

Why Renovate Your Home

Homeowners always want to have their homes in tip-top shape. It is not surprising that many of them prefer to have home renovations for several reasons. If you are thinking of the whys of home improvements, you can continue reading to find out.

Increase Your Enjoyment or Comfort of Your House

Your comfort and enjoyment are your top priorities. However, you may have overlooked these factors because your ultimate desire is to increase your home’s future sales price. If it is your primary reason, you will end up living in a showroom and not a home. You can design your house improvements around your comfort and enjoyment.

Correct a Safety Issue

You cannot put off home renovation projects that involve roof leaks, electrical problems, or foundation cracks. Fixing them can prevent catastrophic loss and keep you and your family safe.

Boost Your Home’s Value

You can plan on renovating your home if you wish to sell it in a few years. You may decide to update the bathroom or kitchen, replace the front door, and open up the primary living space.

Enhance Your House’s Function

Your growing family may need a second bathroom or more living space to make life easier for everyone. You may prefer to have a patio or deck for outdoor entertaining. Renovating can help increase home functions; as long as your planned upgrades do not decrease usable space or hurt the home’s value.

Make the Home More Efficient

Your house may need added insulation, a heat pump, or new windows. Some improvements reduce energy costs. Efficient homes attract more buyers if you wish to sell yours because they know that these fixtures will lower their electricity costs once they live in your house.

Refurbish Your Home’s Style

An outdated home is less attractive to buyers. Some homeowners decide to update their home’s style on a whim, but you can opt for timeless styles that evoke sophistication.

Prepare the Home for Selling

If your primary goal is to sell your home, you must make the appropriate choices to make it more saleable. Your upgrades must add value and fix any functional or cosmetic issues. You may choose neutral colors to prepare your home for resale.

Preparing for the Unexpected in Home Renovations

Home renovations are expensive, messy, and time-consuming. You may face an unexpected setback that will increase the remodeling costs even higher. These problems can put a big dent in your budget and cause you headaches. As a homeowner, what will you do these problems creep up? Here are the top seven tips to help you.

Ask for Recommendations and Have Rules

Setting and sticking to your budget is vital, and you must tell your contractor that you do not have any wiggle room. You may talk to them about your expectations. It may be challenging to find a contractor, so you must ask for recommendations from friends, family, neighbors, and local real estate agents. You must ask about the contractor’s experience, costs, and timelines.

Create a Plan and Set a Buffer

Remodeling projects tend to go over budget because homeowners change their minds or do not know what to do when unexpected issues arise. You must have at least a 10% contingency fund in your budget for emergencies. Moreover, you must know what you want and relate it to your contractor for a closer estimate of costs before construction begins.

Be Prepared

A 20% – 30% buffer on top of the final bid can avoid any budgetary issues. Setting an unachievable low-budget project will only force your contractor to cut costs that may cause the quality to suffer.

Include Benchmarks

Homeowners must have clear timetables for each project step and add them into the contractor’s standard contract. You must ensure that your contractor follows them and penalize them if they fail to meet the schedules.

Be Patient and Disciplined

If you plan to have home renovations, you must ask for bids from three contractors and add them to get the total cost. Some contractors want to get you as a client, but a lack of discipline and patience can result in many issues. You must create a well-defined scope of work, pick a reputable contractor, choose the specifications or materials upfront, and you may reduce the cost by one-third. You will only add two bids to compute the total amount of money you must spend on your project.

Be Definite

Home renovations will cost more than the original contractor’s quote; thus, you must be specific about your requirements. The contract must include everything you want, including the materials. Buying an expensive tile may cause you thousands of dollars more. Moreover, you must be confident about your decisions to avoid adding minor projects along the way that can delay completion and increase costs.

Research, Plan and Minimize Changes

Home improvements require appropriate preparation. If you do not prepare for it, you will experience financial pain and heartache. It is better to spend time on research and planning. Common issues include no-show subcontractors, price fluctuation for materials, city code surprises, and omissions. You must know your preferred materials and reduce the changes you want midstream because they will be your source of budget busters.

Final Thoughts

Whatever your reason for home renovation, you must prepare for the unexpected occurrences that may wreak havoc on your project and budget. However, with the tips highlighted in this article, you can better prepare for any issue or problem.

About the Author

Charlie Svensson is one prolific and engaging freelance writer providing an assignment writing service service for Essaymama. He is fast becoming a favorite because of his skills in blogging and content writing. Charlie writes about education, marketing, motivation blogging, social media, SEO, and self-growth. He can adapt his skills in writing a case study efficiently to reach diverse audiences.

TIPS ON HOW TO BUILD YOUR DREAM HOUSE

Tips on How to Build Your Dream House

Building a dream home is the feat of a lifetime. After all, you are meant to start off with a mere cornerstone and end with the place where you will likely spend the rest of your life. This might sound like a daunting concept, and indeed the very process can be grueling and challenging on a deeply personal level, but the end result is definitely worth it. That being said, this hardship can be ameliorated at least a little bit with these tips on how to build your dream house.

Choose The Right Place

Melbourne is one of the most coveted urban areas in Australia and everybody would like, ideally, to build their ultimate home within the city limits of Melbourne or Sydney or Brisbane. However, you should keep your expectations realistic and choose the best lot for the most opportune price.

Even if it’s a bit far off from downtown, it will still be a short car ride away. Your priority is the quality of the ground and the quality of the neighborhood. It’s always smart to go for the calmer environment that leaves enough “breathing space” for cultivating lush greenery.

Prioritize Spending On Professionals

Expensive materials are all fine and dandy but the structural integrity of your household mostly depends on the quality of hands that build them. Thankfully, Melbourne boasts a lot of experience contractors in nearly every field of construction, so finding the responsible and reliable professionals should not be that hard.

Your greatest tool in this regard is the internet browser – it gives you convenient access to rich information as well as customer reviews and discussion forums you can sift through to find the exact building contractors you need.

Security Is Everything

When the lot turns into a construction site, security is everything. Most workers will be insured, but you should be adamant about them wearing all the necessary protection – like helmets, worker gloves and fire-resistant uniforms – as well as to utilize the benefits of crane hire from Melbourne. These cutting-edge cranes are mobile and modular in a way that makes the building process both safer and quicker.

In addition, you should definitely be in contact with the manager of each of the hired contracted building companies and insist that each piece of electrical equipment used is checked and maintained throughout the process. It protects both workers on your plot and the aforementioned structural integrity of your house.

Be There Every Day But Don’t Intervene Too Much

However, you should be fully aware of that fine line between meddling with business you do not fully comprehend and managing the construction of your dream home. For starters, it would be smart if either you or some other family member could afford to visit the construction site at least once a day for an hour or two. This will keep some of the slower workers on their toes and it will convince them how much you care about the construction.

However, you should avoid any sort of excessive meddling. You can offer your helping hand but don’t insist on it. Remember – you are not the professional constructor, and even if you are, the fact that you have contracted workers to do this job for you should be respected. If you trust your own judgment when you’re hiring professionals from around Melbourne, you should get what you bargained for.

Size Matters

Of course, as the layout of your home is drawn, you should make sure it accommodates the number of household residents it will hold, or potentially might hold, but don’t be overindulgent! Two extra rooms that basically have no function is square space wasted, and you should keep in mind the fact that you’ll have to pay considerably higher bills and mortgage payments.

In addition, going with the functional size of the household equates to green thinking – as you will be going out of your way to reduce your energy/carbon footprint. Of course, going for ENERGY STAR mode as you look at water and electricity saving technologies and appliances also pays off in the long run.

Finally, as you get into the process of building your first home, you have to be prepared for numerous goofs. Such endeavor goes through a lot of trial and error, and despairing over every single setback can make matters exponentially worse in the long run. Just stay flexible throughout the process and approach ever problem, predictable or not, with a sense of resolve. The vision of your dream house you are trying to reach should be enough of a motivator.

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith