Tag: home exterior

Fencing in Fido: What Material and Style is Best for Your Dog

February 1, 2021

Creating a safe home extends to the furry friends that you have under your roof. Your yard is their playground, and making sure that it’s properly secured is necessary in keeping them out of harm’s way–you never know what lengths they might go to to chase that squirrel. Picking the right fence design is important in providing your pet their own safe place. Why Does “Buddy” Break Out? There are several common reasons why your dog turns into a “hound-dini” and disappears out of your yard: • Boredom or frustration• Anxiety• Fear• High hunting instinct• Disobedience• Breed type Luckily, you can be proactive to reduce your dog’s urge to run off. Regularly exercising, training, and playing with your dog can help alleviate the reasons for these conditions with canines. But letting your dog enjoy some fun in the sun while you’re away is still a nice treat. The Paw-fect Match Just as there are multiple reasons for your dog running away, there’s a variety of choices when it comes to the style of fencing. You should try to get to the bottom of what it is that’s causing your dog to get out, as fences are not a one size

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

Home Accessibility: Finding the Right Home and Making It Perfect for Your Needs

October 10, 2019

By Patrick Young of the blog AbleUSA.info Living with a disability or mobility issue is never easy, but you can make it much more manageable by prioritizing home accessibility. If your home isn’t tailored to suit your specific needs, you’re making things much harder on yourself. Any focus on home accessibility will consist of both finding a home that, structurally, suits your needs as well as taking steps to modify that home even further. Here are some things to consider. Finding the Right Home for YouLet’s get this out of the way — you’re never going to find a home that perfectly suits your needs. You can, however, get pretty close. As long as you find a home that doesn’t complicate your mobility issues/disabilities, then you should be able to modify it to near perfection. Here are a few things that you may want to look for in any potential home: Some things, like the home’s floor plan, are hard to alter. If you use a wheelchair, you may want to avoid multi-floor homes, for example. If you can find a home that checks off 75 percent or so of your accessibility requirements, then you’re off to a good start.

Your 7-Item Checklist for an Efficient Air Conditioner

July 10, 2019

If there’s one thing you don’t want going out on you when you’re in the throes of summer, it’s your AC. Whether you use your home’s air conditioning system regularly or not, these maintenance tips will help you keep your system in great working order when the heat wave comes. 1. Start with your thermostat.When was the last time you replaced your thermostat? If you’ve just moved into your new home, what do you know about it? If it’s been awhile, you might be working with an outdated model. In that case, it’s worth looking into springing for a programmable, energy-efficient thermostat. Most can be controlled remotely from your phone for ultimate savings. 2. Look out for wear on exposed ductwork.Worn ductwork is one of the biggest culprits for cooling loss in your home. Look for visible signs of damage and wear. 3. Check the flow of your air vents.You never know what might be blocking airflow, from furniture to curtains to your child’s toys. Walk room to room and be sure that all the air vents are free of obstructions. We promise it’ll make a difference! 4. Make sure your drain line isn’t clogged.Mounted above your furnace, you should

Live in Hail Alley? How to Identify Roof Hail Damage and More

July 3, 2019

Chances are, you already know if you live in Hail Alley. This stretch of the U.S. extends from Texas to the Dakotas, covering wide swaths of Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Missouri and Nebraska. Hail storms in these areas can be strong and sudden, with the height of hail season occurring every year around June. During a hailstorm, hailstones will drop from 30,000 feet and reach speeds of up to 120 miles per hour before they hit the ground, your car, your house or anything else. While most hail is pea- to marble-sized (1⁄4 inch to 1⁄2 inch in diameter) large storms can produce large hail—in fact, the largest hailstone ever recorded in the U.S. fell in Vivian, SD with a diameter of 8 inches! When these storms come through your area, sometimes the damage left behind is very apparent. A lot of the time it’s not, though, and you need a weather eye (sorry, couldn’t help it) to spot potentially serious damage. Here’s a rundown of places around your house to check for hail damage. Signs of Hail Damage on the RoofYour roof will take the brunt of the damage during a hailstorm, and there are some easy ways to

The Most Important Features for Your Wish List When Searching for an Accessible Home

May 21, 2019

By Patrick Young of the blog AbleUSA.info House hunting isn’t always a straightforward process. From start to finish, there are so many factors to consider. When you’re looking for a home that is accessible, you have a few extra things to keep in mind. Some homes may already have accessibility features, while others may need some modifications. We’re here to help guide you through it all, from getting started to finding the perfect home and getting ready to move in. Getting StartedIf you’re a first-time house hunter, it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed by the process. Before you start searching in earnest, familiarize yourself with the steps involved. You need to set a budget and understand the costs, brainstorm about what you’re looking for, and get a feel for how long it all takes. Your overall budget will need to include a down payment, mortgage costs, and other expenses like closing costs. To qualify for a mortgage, it’s important to get a copy of your credit report and do as much as you can to improve your credit score. If you have outstanding debt, you need a plan to address it. This isn’t something that happens overnight; however, be

How to Revive a Tired Deck This Summer

May 17, 2019

As we look forward to a summer filled with backyard barbeques and family get-togethers, it’s probably time to take a little time to evaluate your deck. Are your deck boards greying, washed out or covered in moss and leaf debris? If your deck looks like it took a beating last winter, don’t worry—there’s still time to get it looking great in time for company. Just follow these simple steps for cleaning and re-staining your deck and get ready to show it off! 1. Learn the differences between transparent and opaque deck stain.The first thing to realize when it comes to deck stain is that there is no perfect solution; every type of stain has pros and cons, so you just have to pick the one that’s best for you. Deck stains are available on a spectrum, from totally transparent to completely opaque. Transparent deck stains are best for showing off the natural beauty of your wood, so they’re best used on fresh, new boards. There’s a catch though, as these stains let in more UV light and degrade faster than opaque stains. If you don’t mind having to re-stain your deck more often (about every 6 to 24 months), then

How to Clean Outside Your House the Right Way

April 30, 2019

Spring cleaning season is in full swing, but if you’re like a lot of people you don’t pay a lot of attention to the outside of your house. Sure, you can get away with just focusing on the inside, but if you’re thinking about selling your house any time soon, it pays to spruce up your home’s exterior, too. From power-washing your driveway to taking care of mildewed siding, here are our top tips for cleaning the outside of your house for maximum curb appeal. 1. Start By SurveyingIf it’s been a while since you’ve taken stock of what’s happening with your home’s exterior, start by taking a little walk around the yard, taking note of areas that need attention. Pay special mind to areas of wood rot, mildew, loose fixtures, shifted downspouts or fallen tree branches (these you can clean up as you go). Once you have a list put together of areas that need cleaning, fixing or touching up, it’s time to strategize your cleaning methods. 2. Windows and Power-WashingIf your windows are dirty (and let’s face it, they probably will be), your first thought might be to drag out the power-washer. To be sure, a power washer

The 9 Best Household Uses for Bleach

February 22, 2019

Bleach is a classic solution for taking care of myriad cleaning projects around the house. It’s so ubiquitous, in fact, that we’re betting there are some uses that you don’t even know about yet. Check out these nine ways to use bleach for your toughest household tasks. 1. Clean your cutting boards.Butcher block countertops and cutting boards can start harboring lots of bacteria over time. Combine one teaspoon bleach with two quarts of water, dip in a brush and use small circles to scrub boards and counters. Wipe with a damp paper towel and then dry immediately. 2. Get rid of mold and mildewBleach is notorious for its ability to eradicate mold and mildew, but it’s all about doing it right. Follow the following ratios to get rid of mold and mildew in these tough places: Painted surfaces and siding: Mix one quarter bleach with two cups water and apply with a brush to any areas showing mold or mildew. Allow to set for 15 minutes and then rinse. You may need to repeat. Shower curtains: Wash in warm water with half a cup of bleach and a quarter cup of detergent. Let the washer run for a few minutes

Find the Best Painter’s Tape for Your Projects

February 19, 2019

Painter’s tape. It’s such a small, insignificant item, especially when you’re caught up in choosing primers, paint colors and rollers. But when you stop and think about it, painter’s tape could mean the difference between a sloppy DIY job and a professional-quality look. Maybe it’s finally about time we paid it more attention. Here’s all you need to know about choosing the best variety of tape for your next project. What is Painter’s Tape Anyway? While painter’s tape looks similar to regular masking tape, it’s really quite different. For one, it’s a bit thicker than your run-of-the-mill masking tape. That means it tears less easily and won’t leave pesky remnants on surfaces. High-quality painter’s tape also absorbs moisture to prevent any color bleeding onto surfaces you don’t want to paint. How to Choose the Best Painter’s Tape for the Job There are a few key things to consider when choosing the best painter’s tape: Job DurationThis may be the single most important thing to take into account when choosing the right painter’s tape for your project. No matter which type of tape you use, the adhesion won’t last forever. In fact, adhesion usually lasts between seven and sixty days. You’ll