Common Home Improvement Projects. There are many reasons why people invest money in home improvement projects. These projects can range from small details that take only a couple of hours to complete to major structural changes that involve weeks of labor. Whether you do the work yourself or hire a professional, there are many important factors to take into consideration before beginning any home improvement project. The following article is filled with hints, tips and advice to take you through the process from beginning to end.
Try a mural painted on the wall to resemble a window in order to open up a room without the costs and work of taking out a wall or adding a window. If you get a high quality mural painted on the wall to resemble a window, you will find that it opens the room up quite well without causing you to go through the costs, effort, and stress of actually putting in a window.
For a temporary and inexpensive way to childproof the edges of fireplaces, tables, and other objects, try using foam pipe insulation sleeves, which are pre-slit sleeves of cushy styrofoam. You can cover the sleeves with tablecloths or throws to disguise the do-it-yourself bumpers until your child no longer needs them.
If your toilet has a leak, you can fix it yourself. You do not have to worry about spending ridiculous amounts of money on a plumber. Most of the tools that you need, such as a wrench, are tools that you already have or that can easily be purchased at a hardware store.
Have you ever began a home improvement project and it became more that you ever anticipated? One option that many other homeowners use is hiring a temporary labor service crew. If you decide to do this with your next big project, make sure that there are no language issues. There should be at least one person with the crew that can speak both your language and the language of the other workers.
Assess the condition of the paint on the exterior of your home. Old paint that is peeling can make a house look run down, driving down its value. In this case, it would be worth the investment to repaint. New exterior paint can give an old house new life and add value to the house so that you can justify a higher offer from the buyer.
If you’d like to update your home but can’t afford a remodel consider replacing your light fixtures. You’ve probably noticed areas that need better lighting, so, now is the time to address that problem. There are many designs to choose from. Be creative and go for a brand new look. Lighten up those dark areas in your home and switch out those dated styles by adding new lighting fixtures.
When you need to replace a lock, you can opt to replace the entire assembly, or you can just replace the cylinder. The cylinder is the part of the lock that performs the locking action. If you’ve lost your key and want to change the lock for safety purposes, you can do a cylinder replacement. If you’re upgrading the lock for added security or to make your door look better, replace the entire unit.
If your walls are in bad condition, consider using wallpaper instead of paint. Wallpaper can hide all manner of damage on a wall, like hairline cracks, grease marks, chips, pen marks, etc. Paint on the other-hand, can draw attention to even the smallest defect on an interior wall. Wallpaper also have the added advantage of making a room feel cozier.
Even if you only want to complete a minor project, you will be more successful if you follow the advice in this article. This information is sure to help you as you map out your next project, whether it’s for the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, or even your front and back lawn.
Modern Choices In Green Plumbing. Use of innovative green plumbing technology ensures that your systems conserve as much of the available water. This is to cushion the nature against adverse effects of increasing population, strained supply, conflict over natural resources as well as climate change. Methods proposed do not compromise the standards of living. Families will still enjoy modest living with free flowing fresh water.
The mechanisms used include installation of rain water tanks. Captured water is used for irrigation, laundry, flushing toilets and other commercial activities. Tanks can be installed in residential as well as commercial and industrial estates. This will minimize pressure on institutional supply, reduce utility bills and prevent surface runoff.
Green plumbing also incorporates solar water heating. Direct impact will be felt with reduced spending on utility bills especially heating. This means minimized carbon emission saving the individual or institution a lot of money. Efficient systems will provide reliable hot water supply for all needs.
Auditing water use around homes, offices or factories gives a clear picture of consumption trends. You will identify how much is used and for what purpose and thus account for the volume you receive. Efficiency can be achieved by use of the right pipes, correct pressure and opting to use showers instead of bath tubs.
Efficiency with the water supply and heating system ensures huge savings in the long run. Regular checks reduce chances of leakages which might go undetected for weeks. There are other effective alternatives to use of PVC. Such measures will save a lot of money and extend the lifespan of your system.
Other eco friendly approaches include installation of waterless urinals, appropriate faucets, low flow toilets and re-circulating pumps. Innovative half and full flushing devices are available in the market. A half-flush clears liquid waste while a full-flush clears solid material. Such an approach saves a lot of water.
Green plumbing has been used by commercial entities when seeking rebates. The savings are huge when accumulated over a year. A professional will design and quote the best system depending on your ability and needs. Prices for the accessories required are reasonable compared to ordinary fittings.
Regular checks by green plumbing experts ensure that your drainage and supply system is efficient, reliable and cost effective. Water recycling and water saving devices ensure sustainable use of this precious resource. The techniques and devices used do not in any way reduce the quality of life.
Find a brief summary of the advantages you get when you opt for green plumbing products and more information about experienced plumbing contractors at http://www.neffenterprises.com now.
Plumbing Tips for Home Owners. Many homeowners experience plumbing problems at one time or another. These plumbing problems are usually found in kitchens or bathrooms, as this is the most used area of the house. Every home owner will have a plumbing problem of some nature during their occupancy of their home. This article is aimed at helping you overcome your problem with the least possible anxiety.
Most home owners are un-aware that simply installing low flow shower heads in your bathrooms, you can save you money on your monthly water bill. Most of our hot water is used in the shower. By installing low flow shower heads for a few extra dollars, you can save up to $100 or more a year for every low flow shower head you install in your home.
If your house uses well water and there are rust stains in tubs or sinks, it’s because of the high iron level in the water. You can combat this by using a water softener and a special filter specifically designed to remove iron. You can either purchase it at any local building supply store or even just lease one, making a small monthly payment.
If you have an older home and you have trees in your front yard, chances are you will someday have a problem with tree roots entering and plugging your sanitary lines. Having a plumber with a rotor rooter can fix this problem temporarily but the tree will continue to grow and so will you plumbing problems. Upgrading your line to newer PVC sanitary line is only lasting solution.
When hiring a plumber you should get a written estimate prior to signing any work order or allowing work to commence. Never pay for work prior to completion. Ensure everything in your written estimate was done in a professional manner and ask to see receipts of materials you were billed for.
Cleaning your garbage disposal regularly will prolong the life of your unit. Some people recommend using lemon rinds and cherry pits mixed with dish soap to help keep your garbage disposal operating efficiently and smelling fresh.
When you purchase your home ensure your home inspector notes the type of plumbing in your home. When buying older homes you have to beware of older galvanized pipes which may be beyond their life expectancy. Many insurance companies will not insure a home with galvanized plumbing. Some people will remove all accessible galvanized piping but leave in the sections which are hard to access.
When in doubt about the condition of your new home call the Barrie Home Inspection Company to obtain the best professional services available.
Plumbing Tips Every Homeowner Should Know. The plumbing system in every home provides convenience for all residents in meeting with daily living requirements. Should the fixtures or systems become damaged or worn with time it can become frustrating and costly to repair. Preventive maintenance is the solution for every homeowner looking to save on expenses and to ensure that these problems are avoided.
The geyser plays an essential function in terms of the provision of hot water for the entire household. In order to prevent waking up to a cold shower or burst tank, regular inspections regarding the condition of the system should be implemented. Look out for signs of rust in and around the water heater, minor leaks and the general condition as tanks older than 15 years may need to be replaced.
Should you begin to notice significant changes in the system pressure and slight moisture along the flooring, walls and the ceiling it can indicate a slow pipe leak. Thousands of liters of water will be lost on a yearly basis if such drips are not attended to in a timely manner. In this case a licensed and experienced plumber should be called upon to make the repairs.
The winter season brings the holidays, but also the onset of frost that is unforgiving to fixtures and outdoor accessories. Frozen pipes will result if appropriate measures are not put into place where pipes filled with water may burst over time. It may be necessary to cover the pipes with insulation or by other means to prevent this from occurring.
The leaking tap is probably the most common plumbing problem encountered in residencies. If you are familiar with the operation of such fixtures, turn the water off at the mains and remove the handle to inspect the washer. Worn washers are often the number one cause for a dripping faucet and can be replaced at the local hardware store.
Do not pour remaining oil or fatty residue down the drain as it can build up over time and result in the development of a blockage. This system can be kept clear by pouring a warm soap solution or bicarbonate of soda down the drain. Inspect the piping on a regular basis and have any spots of rust or weakness addressed as soon as possible.
Routine maintenance is of the utmost importance when it comes to keeping all plumbing systems fully operational. A malfunction or damage can often be prevented where steps have been taken to protect the fixtures and systems in place. Where you are unfamiliar with such reparation or replacement be sure to contact the local, licensed and experienced plumber.
Bathtub Plumbing Problems. As one of the most used plumbing fixtures in the home is the bathtub, a bathtub that has problems draining can annoy the whole family. Some of the more common problems with bathtub drains are hair, soapy sediment, and cleaning products that are blocking the drain. A clogged bathtub drain will affect everyone in the household. Fortunately, there are number of things a homeowner can do to clear a clogged bathtub drain.
The following is a list of tips to fixing a bathtub that that has an issue with its drain:
1. Most clogs start in the strainer. The first thing you can do is check the strainer on the drain if you have one. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws and clear out any accumulated hair and debris. Once complete, run the water to see if the problem is resolved.
2. You can use a plunger to unclog the bathtub. Fill the tub with water high enough so that the head of the plunger will be submerged in the water. Place the lip of the plunger head over the drain hole. Using forceful thrusts push on the plunger. Repeatedly plunge until you clear the clog and then run hot water through the drain to see if you cleared the clog and the water is continuously running through the pipes.
3. Pour a drain cleaner in the bathtub drain. There are chemical drain cleaners on the market, however, some cleaners are corrosive and can damage the pipes. There are natural drain cleaners on the market that will clear a clog without harming the septic system. You can also make a homemade drain cleaner that consists of pouring a half cup of white vinegar and a half cup of baking soda. If it is a tough clog, it may have to sit overnight. After sitting, run hot water through the plumbing system to clear out any loosened and broken up debris.
4. Using a manual snake is effective at clearing a stubborn bathtub drain clog. First, use a screwdriver to remove the screws that are securing the trip lever face plate. Pull the face plate forward (towards you) and take out the drain stop. Then, unscrew and take out the bathtub drain grate. Feed the snake with the auger head going in first. Feed the snake through the drain system until you reach the blockage. Manipulate the snake so that you are grasping and loosening the clog. Push the snake auger head through the clog. Then, retract the snake and pull the clog out. Once you have the clog removed, run the faucet with hot water to get rid of any remaining pieces of debris.
If you are unable to clean the drain yourself you will require the services of a professional plumber. You might have to have your drained cleaned with a roto router or even have it scoped to identify the problem.
When buying a new home in Barrie ON use a professional home inspector you can trust, call the Barrie Home inspector.
Flooding in the Home. We had an unusually cold winter this year with lots of ice. Previous winter seasons were generally calm to chilly, but this recent winter, it was a catastrophe! The storm was raining ice, accumulating up to two inches of ice on trees and damaging our electrical lines causing a blackout for four days. Well, we were fortunate unlike the others who had to suffer without electricity for two months. We had fire to keep us warm through the night, and enough to cook our food. Still, we had no hot water for cleansing. At one point, it was 42 degrees in the rooms we had closed off. After the ice melted, the kitchen and laundry sections of the house started to have this smell of fungi. We realized there was a leak in the house yet we had no idea where it was. We searched the source of the leak for days, until we came upon a pipe connecting to the washing machine. It broke down because it got brittle after the freezing. Yet, it already made a huge mess. We paid a lot to have it repaired and today, all is back to normal.
Flooding and waters leaking inside the house has many causes, however the chief perpetrator is the washing machine. It is a no-brainer that this is a serious and health threatening situation, not to mention the expense. A substantial loss may be incurred from unattended leaks in faucets, toilets, hoses, hot water heaters, washing machines, roof pipes or pipes connecting from the meter to the house.
Imagine, 20 gallons of water each day wasted because of a faucet that was not closed tightly! If in a year, 7,300 gallons of water is washed away for nothing, you won’t find me laughing. It’s a tremendous quantity, don’t you think? What’s worse than that is a toilet with water seeping out. In a day, it can waste 100 gallons of water. If you total that in a year, that’s 36,500 gallons, imagine that!
One way to determine if there is a water leak in the house is to examine your water bill. If the amount does not correspond to your normal consumption, which is too high, then it is better to doubt that you have a leak. To know if there really is a leak in the house, simply shut off all the faucets and sources of running water in the house. Write down the reading on your water meter, this will serve as your basis. After almost an hour, come back and record the reading on the meter again. If the reading is higher, then you have a leak somewhere in the house.
It’s not hard to notice if the leak is big, but it can be difficult if the leak is small and nonstop. You’ll be able to know only if the floors are starting to come off or if it is starting to have a mold and mildew smell.
Examining your pipes under the sinks and tubs, dishwashers, and washing machines for indications of fractures and deterioration are just a few of what you can do with regards to locating leaks in the house. Blocked pipes are usually caused by hair and debris stuck on shower drains, trash trapped in toilet bowls, and hardened grease or food remains jammed in the kitchen drain, and these can be the reasons for leaks in the house. Check all pipes and hoses running from appliances and outdoor faucets, and install water alarms, automatic water valve shut off units, automatic shut off for washers (wish we had installed that one!), and replace washer hoses with flood check hoses.
Water related damages cause millions of dollars a year in losses. Generally, most insurance claims submitted are for damages caused by poor plumbing systems and almost 2,000,000 households have that. Don’t let your home be one of these statistics.
Water damage can be covered up but using a trained inspector can identify tell tale signs which can protect you from buying a below ground swimming pool. The Barrie Home Inspector uses a moisture meter and thermal imaging camera on every inspection to look for signs of moisture and water intrusion.
