Home Remodeling - Home Improvement Center

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Water Damage Renovations ...

by John Candalino

Few things are as upsetting to home owners as water damage restoration jobs; who would think that an innocent leak unnoticed for a few hours could result is so much damage? It happens more often than you’d think - a bad windstorm may loosen or remove shingles from your roof, extreme cold temperatures in the winter could burst your water pipes or a minor clog could become serious while you’re away for the weekend.

Even small amounts of water can add up to large amounts of corruption over time, so early detection is crucial. Water always flows downward, so a bad enough leak from the roof can eventually lead all the way to the basement and damage floors, ceilings and walls the whole way down. Not only will the moisture affect the structure of your home, but carpeting, drywall, insulation and any electronics in its path may also be ruined.

Left unchecked, excess moisture inside the home from a leaky pipe or roof can cause secondary issues like mold to populate and become airborne. Mold can seriously impact the health of your family. In instances of severe flooding, a mold remediation service may be required over and above dealing with the primary water damage.

Since the full damage from a leak is often obscured, dry wall, insulation, carpeting and plywood may need to be removed to assess the entire situation; in many instances these items cannot be removed without being damaged even further in the process.

Once the affected area is as exposed as possible, you can gauge the full extent of the damage. Taking photos at this point is a great idea, whether you need to submit them for an insurance claim, warranty repair or to get an estimate from a local general contractor or a remediation specialist.

Your costs will include disposal of the damaged materials and potential hazardous waste, installing replacements as well as locating and correcting the initial cause of the leak. Depending on the origin of the problem and the extent of the damage you may have no choice but to hire professionals to repair the leak and clean up the damage.

While water damage repairs and renovations are costly, they’re also necessary to protect the investment in your home as well as the health of your family. You can save money by completing the visible portions of the renovations yourself, but make sure qualified professional contractors have determined that there are no lingering structural damage or remediation problems. The pros have tools, training and experience to make a qualified assessment which is often backed up by a service warranty should you hire them to do the job.

Whatever the cause of the original water damage, you can take this as an opportunity to restore or completely revive the look of the area. It may even inspire you to consider remodeling the rest of your home.

John Candalino has a lifetime of professional experience in the building trades. He provides common sense advice and information on topics such as fire restoration and plumbing repair on Homescape Improvement.

Home Improvement Tip

for the week of: Aug 29

It's Back to School Time
Your child needs a study area where they can get their homework done right.

And with many schools pushing electronic media for many assignments, your having a updated computer with education software can help your child succeed.

Weekly Tip:
home library
child bedroom study area

Buying Your First Home?

by Ann Martin

Buying your first home can be such an overwhelming experience. But if you can keep a few important points in mind, buying a home will be more of a joyous occasion than a stressful one.

First, determine your budget. We all know that we can't always afford the home of our dreams. So, it is realistic to determine what you can afford. You should also under budget yourself by about $10,000 in order not to spread yourself too thin. Remember, once you buy a home, it is not just the mortgage you need to pay every month. Household utility bills, possibly home owner association dues, and other service such as trash pick up will all need to be budgeted for. It would be wise to purchase a home slightly under your budget in order to compensate for these other bills.

Second, determine where you would like to live. Would you prefer an easier commute to work or school? Is being able live close to your family important? Would you like to live closer to the city or maybe even further away? Decide what factors are important to you when deciding upon a location for your future home. Don't forget if you already have a family or plan to have a family, look into the school district in which your home will be located in.

Third, decide what aspects of a home are important for you to have. Do you currently live in a two bedroom apartment and are looking for a house that has more bedrooms? How about the number of bathrooms? Do you find it necessary to have an eat-in kitchen? It is important to know what you need or are looking for in a home as it eliminates many options and you can stay focused on the houses that fit your criteria.

Fourth, keep in mind special amenities that you may want to have in your house. Sometimes that can't always fit within your home-buying budget, but you may be willing to sacrifice that half bath for a beautiful stone fireplace in the family room. Would you rather have the home office or garden tub in the master bathroom? You can't necessarily have everything, but if you are willing to trade certain aspects of a home for others, you'll feel as though you can have everything.

Fifth, be prepared to compromise. Finding that perfect home can be excruciating if your expectations are set too high. Consult with your realtor and spouse and let them know what is important to you. Set two or three of those items at the top of the list and then list the other items of by order of importance. Especially by showing the realtor your "must-have's" it is then easier for him or her to select homes which they think you would like and resulting in less wasted time at looking at homes that don't fit the bill. By willing to compromise, you'll be sure to keep your mind open to new ideas and to new homes.

About the Author:
Ann Martin is a writer for dinnerware center, an online tableware store. Dinnerware Center specializes in tableware sets from major brands, including the Noritake Colorwave Graphite and Noritake Colorwave Blue dinnerware sets.

Curbside Appeal ...

by Ann Martin

There are many simple and low-cost updates that can be done to the outside of your home in order have your home look more appealing and increase the potential value of your home.

Start with a few simple tasks to improve what you have already. Here are some improvements to get you started and all you need are a few cleaning products.

Wash windows - It may seem like such a small task and one that is easily overlooked, but once the windows are clear and shiny, it will make such a difference.

Power wash siding and porch areas - You can rent a power washer at your local hardware store and spend a few hours getting rid of the old dirt and grim that has been building up on your siding and your front porch. If you feel inspired, power wash your sidewalk and driveway to get rid of oil stains and other dirt. Just make sure you know what level of water pressure is right for the job, so you do not damage anything.

Clean out gutters - With the changing of seasons, debris really gets stuck in gutters and should be cleaned out at least twice a year. After the gutters are free from debris, give them a good scrub.

When it comes to your yard, there are quite a few ways to improve your landscaping and lawn to make your house look more attractive.

Lawn care - Fertilize your lawn up to four times a year, once per season. This will cut down on the amount of weeds in the lawn and feed your lawn the nutrients in needs in order for it to be green and lush throughout the year. For those pesky weeds, find weed killer and put a permanent stop to that crab grass. But make sure you purchase a weed killer that kills only weeds and not your grass.

Edge sidewalks, driveways, and around landscaping - Having that finished look, really showcases the lawn you are maintaining and any flowers, plants and shrubs you may have.

Remove weeds and grasses - that may be growing in between the cracks of the sidewalk.

Trim shrubs and trees - If your shrubs and trees seem to be growing out of control, more than likely they are taking away the beauty of your home. Trim branches from your trees, and cut back and form your shrubs. Not only will it tidy up the look of your yard, but the focus will come back onto your house and the shrubs and trees will act as decorative accents.

Remember you don't want to overcrowd your yard with plants, flowers, shrubs and trees, you just want to add enough to draw the eye up to your home. Try planting flowers up the walkway to your home. Have potted urns of flowers on each side of your porch. The point of landscaping is to draw the eye up towards the house.

Just with a few simple and easy tasks, your house will stand out and will give you the confidence to perhaps complete larger do-it-yourself projects to further add more curb appeal to your home. You may even inspire a few neighbors to spruce up their property and maybe after all is said and done, have them over for a cool glass of lemonade and some delicious appetizers served on your Noritake colorwave dinnerware. Then everyone can truly enjoy their fruit of their labor.