Posts

Here’s What You Should Know about Removing a Chimney

September 8, 2020

A fireplace in your home can be a nice decorative item to have, and they can be a high selling point in certain locations. But if a fireplace sits unused for a prolonged period of time, they can become a safety issue. Potential buyers can see them as more of a hassle to maintain, and a bulky fireplace can disrupt the look of a room. So if you’re a homeowner or renovator, how can you cut out that old smokestack to update your property? Have a Professional Look at It Chances are that if you don’t use your fireplace very often, you may not know the condition it’s in. If that’s the case, don’t immediately turn on your fireplace to see if it works. Dirt and other debris can build up over years of inactivity, and suddenly lighting a flame can start a dangerous fire. Call in a professional to examine your chimney both inside and outside. They can give you the necessary information on the condition of your fireplace and accompanying components, as well as advise the best course of action to have it removed. These inspectors may also be licensed to get everything shut off and closed to

What’s that Smell? What Different Odors in Your Water Mean

August 31, 2020

Have you noticed a strange smell emanating from your faucet lately? When it comes to strange or unpleasant water scents, the devil is in the details. Here’s a list of some of the most common water odors and what they say about the condition of your home’s plumbing or water supply. Your Water Smells Like FishFirst of all, no worries—it’s not actual fish! Depending on where you live, you could be getting your water supply from the bodies of water around you. During the summer months these ponds or lakes can produce algae blooms, and particles from them may make their way into your water. Naturally occurring metals in the ground and other decaying materials can also cause a fish-like scent. Chloramine used to treat water can produce a smell as well. Solution: One way to deal with fishy water is to try and flush out your water heater. If that doesn’t work, your next course of action will depend on if you have a private or public well. If you have a private well, try to shock chlorinate it to kill any algae or install an automatic chlorinator. If you use a public water system, it’s best to contact

Adding Value to Your Home with a Weatherized Porch

August 18, 2020

A screened porch can be the perfect place to relax and entertain guests during the warmer months of the year. But if you live in an area with freezing winters or muggy summers, your porch may sit empty the majority of the time. If this sounds like a problem you currently have, then it might be time for an upgrade. An all-weather porch will allow you to better utilize this part of your home, while adding both beauty and value. DIY or Hire Once you’ve made the decision that changing to an all-weather porch is right for you, you have two options. You can either hire a contractor to do all the work, or you can try and do it yourself. While you might manage to save some money with a DIY, hiring out may better fit your remodeling timeframe. The biggest factor when making your choice is ultimately how confident you feel in your own handiwork. You could even try and merge the two options by doing what best fits your skillset and leaving the rest to a professional. Layout The next step is trying to configure the layout of your new enclosed porch. You will want to stay

Have an Old Tree in Your Yard? Look Out for These Hidden Issues

August 10, 2020

Older trees are highly desirable for adding greenery, shade and a certain “stateliness” to any yard. But just with any landscaping in your outdoor space, tall, old trees bring their own set of challenges. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for when it comes to your yard’s oldest trees. High Wind Risks No matter an area’s climate, high winds are a given from time to time. Wind gusts can reach 60 miles per hour or more, tossing around debris and branches. If a tree’s trunk or limbs reach too close to your home, they can cause severe damage, sending branches or even the entire tree through your roof or windows. They can also knock out power lines, causing long outages that extend to neighboring homes. Branches should be kept trimmed 10 to 30 feet from your home—we recommend the higher end of this scale for added safety. Far-Reaching Roots Older trees often have far-reaching roots, which can cause extensive damage to your home’s structure and major systems. Some roots can harm your home’s foundation by reducing moisture in the soil, causing it to contract–this can cause your home to start shifting, often inward. Roots can also

Safe and Sound: Protecting Yourself from a Home Emergency

August 4, 2020

An emergency can strike anytime, anywhere, even in the place we’re supposed to feel safest–home. While it’s not easy to think about, some emergencies are unavoidable, and the best thing you can do for you and your family is be prepared. Do a Home Safety CheckA preventative home safety check can help decrease your chances of a major accident. Examine each nook and cranny to ensure that you do a comprehensive check. Go room by room and inspect all appliances, fixtures and furniture for potential safety issues. In Your Kitchen In Your Bedrooms and Living Rooms In Your Bathrooms In Hallways and Stairways In Your Basement Accounting for Small ChildrenWhether you have kids yourself, or have family and friends that do, your checklist will need to be adapted. Unless you can watch them at all times, your house will need to go through a “baby overhaul.” Watch out for more things like chipped paint, high surfaces and easily accessible doors. Along with your normal check, go over a baby safety guide to keep everyone in your home out of harm’s way. Install Warning Devices and Preventative Items A checklist is a good starting point to improve your home’s safety, but

How to Prepare Your Home for a New Baby

July 29, 2020

There’s no better feeling than becoming a new parent. But it can also be scary and daunting, especially if it’s your first time. What do you feed them? How do you keep them healthy? There are a million different questions you have to answer in just a short amount of time. The biggest of these is how to keep your new little one safe. You can easily check your home for dangers and implement safeguards to keep your new bundle of joy from harm. Home Safety Checklist: Before the Baby Comes HomeIn the months leading up to your baby’s arrival, take a walk around your house and assess any safety concerns. Here are some essential things to check for: Home Safety Checklist: After the Baby is HomeOnce your little one arrives, there are still precautions to take. Before you know it, they’ll be crawling. To keep them safe once they’re on the move, here are some additional things you can do around your home: After the crawling stage comes the walking stage. This is another amazing parenting moment, but again opens more things to watch out for. Your baby will start to pull themselves up and onto everything they can

The Benefits of a Smart Home

April 28, 2020

Years ago, people dreamed of houses with electronic gadgets and robots to make life simpler and more luxurious. Today, those far-away dreams are a common reality. For a long time, smart homes were not an option for most people due to high cost. However, smart homes are becoming more and more affordable and homeowners are realizing the benefits that they have to offer. If you have been thinking about upgrading your home, the following information could help you decide. Benefits of a Smart HomeDefined, a smart home is one that connects the different appliances and components in your home through electronic devices on a wireless network. From your thermostat to your fridge, the system you use tracks usage data and energy consumption. Having all the items in your house at your fingertips increases ease of use and accessibility. You can monitor everything, and notice if something has an issue before it gets out of hand. Many homeowners agree that this simplicity and security are big draws to upgrade their homes. Choosing the Right SystemThere are many different companies that offer home upgrades, and it is important to choose the right one. The big names like Amazon, Google and even Apple

Upgrading to a Finished Basement? Here’s How to Get the Basics in Place

April 21, 2020

A finished basement could be just the upgrade you need to create more living space and add value your home. Whether it’s a man cave or a lounge area, that cold and dark lower level of your home can be transformed into functional space. If you have been thinking about revamping your current basement, here are some things to keep in mind while remodeling. 1. Clear OutThe first thing that you will want to do is clean out whatever you may have stored in your basement. Even if you know the layout like the back of your hand and want to start planning right away, hidden foundational items could force you to change that. Having a clear field of view will expose anything like molds or cracks in the foundation that need to be immediately taken care of. If you do happen to run across an issue that looks serious, having a professional examine it will give you the best course of action to repair it. Clearing out your clutter will even allow you to sort through and get rid of unnecessary junk you have. 2. Sketch a DesignOnce you have your basement cleaned and cleared out, it’s time to

The Importance of Maintaining Window Wells

April 14, 2020

If you have a finished basement that you’d like to brighten up, window wells could be your answer. These are a nice addition to your home to give your below level rooms a more appealing feel. But they can also be a flooding hazard. Improperly fitted wells can let in water when it rains or even allow dirt to cave in the opening. Here are some things you can do to protect your basement. Deciding to InstallFirst things first, you will need to assess whether or not having a window well is a good idea for your location. If you live in a low sea level area, chances are, your home doesn’t have a lower level to begin with. But if you’re not, you should still check with a professional contractor before you go ahead with installation. Depending on your city’s guidelines, you may also need to obtain a building permit. Window wells that aren’t code-compliant could make your home more susceptible to flooding and lead to costly repairs. Proper Installation After the surrounding dirt has been cleared for window well installation, a retaining wall will be put in to hold it back. When the dirt is being put back,

Spring into Clean! Tips to Tidy Up Your Home

April 7, 2020

With the winter season coming to an end, now is a great time to declutter and refresh your home. An organized house can improve your mood and cleaning up is a great way to get rid of stress. These tips will help you get the most out of your sprucing up, and make your home a place of tidiness and relaxation. Get Rid of That Junk!Before you start pulling out the cleaning supplies, begin by going through that closet or storage room and organizing. We all accumulate vast amounts of stuff, and it is important to know when to let some of it go. Start by sorting things to keep, things to sell and things to throw away into piles. This will let you differentiate between your valuables and random pieces you picked up over the years. Plus, selling things that you don’t want is a great way to get some cash. If needed, you can always ask a removal service to dispose of bigger items such as an old fridge or couch. When you go to put things back in their place, try using plastic storage containers. Not only do they keep your items organized, but they’ll also protect