Going green Archives - Page 2 of 8

Guest Post: How You Can Get The Best Roof Upgrade

By Stewart Smith on November 18, 2018 / Accessible design, Aging in place, Blog, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Going green, Hiring A Remodeler, Licensed Contractors, Outdoor, Planning, Remodel, Roofing, Universal design / Leave a comment

Our basic necessities include shelter, food, water, and clothing. Because of weather conditions like the heat of the sun, lashing rainstorms, and natural calamities, we like to stay in a sturdy and durable shelter. In order to make our homes a safe haven, we should always check and maintain the primary recipient of all the weather surges: the roof.

A Rooftop upgrade is the best renovation you can do on your house. The best roof can secure the best results in protecting the inside of your house. Although some people will put off improving or replacing their roof, they will eventually suffer far more serious consequences down the road. Thinking ahead can save a lot of trouble.

If you are open to possibilities, roof repair companies can give you a free estimate for the job that should be done in repairing your roof or putting up a new one. They will check for damage and other things that should be put into action. They will cater to their client’s budget as well.

When do you know it’s time to replace or upgrade your roof?

A new roof can be a bit pricey but we must also consider the safety of the people living inside the house. A new roof can guarantee your safety and peace of mind through all kinds of inclement weather.

Leakage – Water dripping from the roof can be inconvenient at best, or, in the worst case scenario, cause accidents and someone gets hurt.
Rust – If the roof has only rust, a full replacement won’t be needed, but rust can actually lead to further damage, such as sudden deformation.
Frailness – A lot of roof damage can be easily seen by the naked eye but sometimes, repairs are put off either due to time or expense until repairs become necessary.

Roofing types are also a factor for good, remodeled homes. Yes, it can add to the aesthetic beauty of your house but style should be the second consideration to the type of roof that best suits your needs. A good roofing strategy can certainly give you a roof upgrade, but at the same time, gives you peace of mind in emergencies.

Roof repair companies benefits

Insurance – For customers who want to have a secure home for their families, companies issue insurance to make sure that you are in good hands.
Customer Priority – Having a good roof can be a matter of life and death and if you are on the priority list, there will be nothing to worry about, since roof repair will be only one phone call.
Guaranteed Honest Employees – Besides giving ourselves a good roof to live with, we should also ensure that the people working on our roof can be trusted with everything, including the number of materials needed for the completion of the job.

In times like these, people need to prioritize safety for their family. They say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Why wait for peace of mind for your family if you can actually do something right away? Always remember, a good roof equals safe and happy family.

About the author: Central Homes Roofing works with residential and commercial clients to provide high quality roofing services across central Florida.

Guest post: The biggest problems you’ll run into when renovating an old house

By Stewart Smith on April 6, 2018 / Accessible design, Aging in place, Bathroom, Blog, Cabinets, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Going green, Hiring A Remodeler, Holidays, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Planning, Remodel, Shop, Showers, Storage, Universal design / Leave a comment

It’s spring! So, all of you who have been planning and waiting for nice weather to start their home
renovation work, the wait is over. Regardless of whether you are planning to repaint the house, update
the plumbing, add more space, or do some roof repairs, spring is the perfect time for it. However, even
with these ideal conditions, you can still run into some problems while renovating your house, especially
if it’s an old one.

While you cannot completely avoid some of these problems, you can prepare and learn how to deal
with them, and that is precisely what we will talk about today. So, let’s take a look at some of the most
damaging issues you can come across while renovating your old house.

Worn-out or damaged wires

Worn-out and damaged wires are not that uncommon even in newer homes. However, if your house
dates back to the 1950s-60s, the chances are that you will have to upgrade the wiring around your
entire home. Back then, people didn’t have appliances like microwaves, hair dryers, and other devices
that require a high energy output. So, when you plug a couple of these devices into your outdated
electrical grid, you can experience power outages. That is why you should hire a licensed electrician to
bring your house wiring up to today’s codes and standards.

Outdated and blocked pipes

Next, you can stumble upon outdated and blocked pipes. If your house is 50 or more years old, then it
probably has galvanized pipes. This type of pipe was commonly used in the 1960s and they are prone to
rust and clogging up. However, even if you have replaced your outdated pipes with ones that fit today’s
standards, you can still experience blockage, especially with your sewer line.

Tree roots, sediment, and other debris can pile up in the sewer pipes over the years, causing all sorts of
problems. While just a decade or two ago you had to tear down your pipes to clean them, thanks to
Australian ingenuity now there is a less intrusive method. You see, blocked drains in Sydney are cleared
using high-pressure water jetting systems. This is an incredibly effective solution, which can clean almost
any type of debris from your pipes and drains. So, make sure to check if somebody is offering these
services in your area.

Structural damage

Structural damage is common with old houses that have wooden frames. Pests like rats and termites are
one of the biggest causes of structural damage in houses, and if left untreated, they can make your
house unfit for living. Cracks in the walls and ceilings, blisters in floors, etc. are just some of the many
telltale signs of pest infestation. Luckily, they are relatively easy to deal with. There are numerous ways
to get rid of them, but you should start by calling a professional and licensed exterminator.

Hidden mold spots

Finally, old houses generally have mold problems. In most cases, this is due to bad insulation or even a
lack thereof. While some mold spots are easy to spot, you can uncover additional ones while doing
renovation work around your house. One of the most common places where people find mold is the
attic. If you don’t have a proper ventilation system for your attic, it can quickly become a mold hotspot.
So, if you come across any signs of it, make sure to contact professional mold removal companies, as
they are the only ones that can fully clear your house.

Now that you know what problems you can run into while renovating your old house, you can approach
this task without stressing too much. Just ensure that you have a backup solution for any of these four
problems, and you won’t be surprised by any of them.

About the author:Will Sandford is a Sydney based wood architect, blogger and contributor on interior design and ecology blogs. Besides that, he is also interested in home improvement combined with green
technology. In his spare time, Will enjoys surfing and rock climbing. He is also a regular
contributor to SmoothDecorator. Connect with him on Twitter.

More budget advice for your home remodel

By Stewart Smith on March 30, 2018 / Accessible design, Aging in place, Awards, Bathroom, Blog, Cabinets, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Going green, Hiring A Remodeler, Holidays, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Outdoor, Planning, Remodel, Shop, Showers, Storage, Universal design / Leave a comment

It’s a rule of life: Money talks.

In the remodeling world, budget can be a four-letter word. But in order to have a successful experience, homeowners need to be honest about how much money they are comfortable spending.

Fortunately for you, we have a helpful article from The Washington Post that outlines several budget tips.

First, you need to decide on a goal. What do you want your home to look like? What area or areas of the home will you be working on? Do you want a spa-like master bathroom? Do you want to open up the kitchen?

Next, you need to figure out what you want everything to look like. Doing so will help pin down what kind of materials you will require. The materials you prefer will have different price points, so it’s helpful to pin those down and get a rough idea of their costs.

Doing these first two steps will lead you right into Step 3: Figuring out how to pay for everything.

Unless you are paying in cash, like the article notes, you will be borrowing the money from somewhere. Figure out whether that is a home-equity loan, a home equity line of credit, or a good old fashioned lending institution, the article says.

With those tasks completed, your attention must turn to the future: Is this a project in a forever home or are you probably going to sell at some point? If it is the former, feel free to splurge, the article says. If the latter, make sure you are getting the most return on your investment.

Now you are ready for your quotes. Contacting contractors will give you an idea of what your projects will cost. Going through quotes with a designer and contractor will help you figure out what you can save money on and where you should splurge. And don’t forget to budget a little extra (the article says 10 percent to 15 percent) for hidden expenses.

One thing you might not have thought to budget for in a remodel is something for your pet(s).

Yes, even our four-legged family members want to age in place. According to a post from Remodeling online, more homeowners are including dedicated dog showers in their remodel.

Have a great week!

Going green