Category: Home Improvement

What To Expect When Installing An In-Ground Pool

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

If you are ready to install an in-ground pool into your backyard that your whole family can enjoy, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind so that you are prepared for what is to come during the actual installation process of your pool, as well as what you need to do before the pool is installed and after the project has been completed.

Get a Permit

You will more than likely need to purchase a building permit in order to have an in-ground pool installed in your backyard. Visit your township’s office to determine the costs of the permit. Then you will need to wait for your permit to be given to you before you can go ahead and have the workers come in and install your swimming pool.

Hire a Reputable Company

You should really do your research into in-ground pool companies that will install your new pool at a great rate and using the right equipment and techniques. If you simply hire the first company you find, you may be disappointed by the way that they conduct business. Also, if you can, find pool installation companies by using referrals from trusted friends and family who have had in-ground pools installed successfully.

Be Prepared for Big Trucks, a Mess, and a Lot of Noise

During the installation of your in-ground pool, you should be prepared to make room for some very large trucks and machinery that will get to work digging up your lawn, leveling it out properly, and installing the materials for your permanent in-ground pool. These trucks and machines can be extremely loud, but you will just have to bear with it. They will rip up your lawn and throw dirt everywhere, but you will have to just deal with the mess until they are completely done.

The whole construction process can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to over a month, especially if a township representative comes in to inspect the construction process and if there are delays due to inclement weather. So, again, be prepared for the potential for delays and just be patient while the crew works, no matter how noisy or messy they may be.

Repair Your Lawn After the Pool is Complete

Even though your in-ground pool has been successfully installed, your work is not over just yet. Now you need to finish cleaning up the mess they have left behind by repairing your lawn. You will need to level out the area and put down new grass seeds in order to let it grow back quickly and beautify your space again. This is a small price to pay, though, for having the added value of an in-ground pool in your yard.

Installing an in-ground pool can be an exciting experience, especially if you have been saving up and waiting a long time to get the job done. However, it can also be a stressful experience, especially if the crew encounters delays, so it is important to stay level-headed and be prepared for the challenges that may lie ahead.

Let's Keep In Touch!

New ORC Form Lead

"*" indicates required fields

New Build Home Or Older Property – Which Is Right For You?

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

When you are looking for a new home, depending on the area you want to live in, it is likely there will be all kinds of properties that suit your needs in terms of size and location, so a lot of it is down to taste and what works best for your family. Some people have a very strong preference for older or very modern properties, however many of us tend to be on the fence about this. If you aren’t sure whether an older property or a brand new build is going to best suit you and your household, then here are some of the factors you may want to consider:

Older Properties Generally Need More Maintenance

While old houses tend to have more character (though some new builds can have very exciting designs), they have also had more of a chance for things to age and begin to go wrong. You may find you have to replace some things, or that you might experience more issues with the plumbing and wiring than you would in a brand new home. You may also find that there is work you want to do immediately on moving in, perhaps replacing the kitchen or bathroom suite, because they are old or just don’t suit you. If you enjoy doing renovation work, are a DIY fan or simply don’t really mind having to occasionally bring someone in to do repairs, this may be no problem at all for you, but for people who want to simply move in somewhere and have to do very little except unpack, a brand new home is probably a better choice.

It’s Harder To Put Your Stamp On a New Build

Because a new house or apartment is going to come with a brand new bathroom, brand new kitchen, and all the rooms freshly painted, you aren’t going to want to invest in any decorating work or changes to fittings at first, because this would be wasteful. This means you have to really love what is already there, or at least be happy to live with it for a few years. If you prefer the idea of coming up with your own unique style and redecorating as soon as you move in, you may find a house that needs a bit of a facelift is a better choice than a brand new construction. If you aren’t especially interested in painting and decorating your home and would rather have something that is already neat and freshly painted that you can make your own with your furniture, artwork, and other possessions, this is the best idea.

While there are advantages and disadvantages to both older and fresh new properties, the only thing you should really follow is your own taste. If you aren’t sure which you’d prefer it is worth viewing properties of all ages. You may be surprised which one you fall in love with and decide to buy! Keep an open mind and check out all kinds of different places if you don’t have a strict preference when it comes to old or modern builds.

Let's Keep In Touch!

New ORC Form Lead

"*" indicates required fields

Remodeling The Pool So It Is Eco Friendly

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Swimming pools are generally far from efficient or eco friendly as they use loads of resources. Pools waste loads of water which ultimately reflects on our planet (and your water bill).

Furthermore, even though chlorine is toxic, it is regularly used to sanitize the pool. However, tearing down the pool for the sake of ecological concern as well as cost efficiency is not a rational option, instead a simple remodeling of your pool can make it seem like a peaceful eco friendly retreat, and can ramp up the cost of your house.

Remodeling The Pool So It Is Eco Friendly:

Save Energy With Pool Pumps:

You must choose a highly efficient or a solar pump that is right for your pool’s size. Moreover, you should operate electric based pumps during off peak hours because you will be able to save energy and money as most electric companies lower their rates between 9 pm and 9 am. During those times the load on their electricity network is significantly lower. Also, try minimizing the usage of pumps during off season.

Use A Solar Heater:

To heat the water in the pool, make use of a solar pool heater together with a solar pool cover to receive adequate warmth from the sun. The solar heater can reduce the cost of heating and keeping the pool warm by almost 95%. It is an effective energy saving strategy.

Utilize timers:

Set your heater and pump timers in such a way that they function in short cycles all through the day rather than in a single continuous operation. Even though this goes against using your gadgets in off peak hours, in this case it is a worse alternative.

Cover The Pool:

A pool cover can help to cut down the evaporation of water by about 97%.

It can also diminish chemical usage by 40% to 60%. In addition, a cover exclusively made to prevent heat loss at night can keep the water of the pool warmer. For convenience sake, try opting for a cover that can easily be rolled on or off the water, as you will have to do that fairly often.

Windbreak:

Windbreak can help to prevent breeze from reaching your swimming pool and thus reduce water evaporation. It can also stop dry, hot air from absorbing the moisture.

A simple 6 mph wind on the surface of the pool can increase energy utilization by 250%. Since, evaporation is one of the major causes of energy loss, it should be given utmost importance.

Using windbreak in the form of shrubs, trees or a fence can make your pool a more beautiful and enjoyable place to relax in.

Maintain The Pool Equipment:

Equipment that does not operate optimally is less likely to be efficient. Such equipment can consume more energy and significantly affect your utility bills. Regularly check your equipment to see that it is working to full capacity.

Ultraviolet Pool Cleaners:

Some eco friendly, ultraviolet pool cleaning systems minimize the use of chlorine, bromine and other harmful pool cleaners that are unfortunately still often used. The ultraviolet cleaners exploit the exclusive power of ultraviolet light and blows up contaminating elements when water flows through them. This is a very efficient procedure that eliminates microorganisms in pool water.

Overall, having a pool in the backyard not only helps to enhance the value of your house; it can also offer you and your family a wonderful place to bond together. With today’s modern technology and a few effective pool remodeling tips, you can have an energy efficient and eco friendly pool that will allow you to enjoy yourself knowing that you are not hurting the environment.

Let's Keep In Touch!

New ORC Form Lead

"*" indicates required fields

Effective Tips To Help Buy Energy Efficient Homes

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

In the last few years, the cost of energy has significantly increased. As a result, people have been troubled because of high energy bills and are trying to lower their costs all of the time. Thus, many people have been looking to buy energy-efficient homes. Buying eco-friendly homes is not just a trend anymore. It has become a desire for most buyers. Unfortunately, most buyers don’t have proper knowledge about energy-efficient or ‘green’ homes. If you are one of those buyers, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will give you some tips for buying an energy-efficient home.

High-Ranked Energy Star Heating Systems

An energy-efficient home should have a high-ranked energy star heating system. Such systems allow you to choose rooms that you want to heat at a particular time. For instance, if you spend most of your time in the bedroom, there’s no need to heat the whole house and raise your energy bill. It is also worth mentioning that gas heaters are more economical than electric heaters. On the other hand, electric underfloor heating can prove to be quite expensive. Therefore, you will have to choose an alternative. You need to choose a heating system as per your needs and requirements.

Proper Insulation and Seals

Before buying a home, you should make sure that it is properly insulated. If your home is insulated properly, an appropriate temperature will be maintained in your house. Heat won’t be lost through your home’s windows, ceiling, walls, and so on. Thus, you will not have to keep the heater on at all times. With proper insulation, your home will save a lot of energy. Before you buy a home, make sure you check the draft seals around doors and windows. The home should be properly insulated. If it is not, you will have to ask your home builder to make the necessary modifications.

Buy A North Facing Home

North-facing homes are always better because of passive solar heating. Due to this, your home stays warm during the winter season. If you want to buy an energy-efficient home, a north facing home will be your best choice. If it’s a new construction, ask your home builder to construct a north facing home, as you can always make new requests concerning your home building as most builders have their home building privileges and codes.

Energy Efficient Hot Water Systems

In most of the homes, hot water is one of the major reasons for raised energy bills. Thus, you should buy a house with energy efficient or star rated hot water systems. It is better to use a solar water heater. It significantly reduces your energy costs. As mentioned earlier, a gas water heating system will be more economical than an electric water heating system.

Solar Heating for Pool and Spa

If you have a pool or spa in your home, it will be economical to use solar heating with it. You can also buy certain covers to make sure the temperature of the pool is maintained. This way, you will not need an additional booster. If you can’t avoid a pump, make sure you buy an energy efficient model.

All the factors mentioned above will have a major impact on energy consumption. If your home lacks these features, you need to consider installing them. This will help you save a lot of money and make your home more comfortable.

Let's Keep In Touch!

New ORC Form Lead

"*" indicates required fields

Discover The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Underfloor Heating

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

The vast majority of homes now have some form of central heating system, which is typically used during the colder months of the year. In fact, many of us would struggle to survive in the sub-zero temperatures we often experience if it wasn’t for a heating system. However, in recent times, there has been much more choice available when it comes to a home’s heating system, and one particular popular method is underfloor heating. This post will discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of having an underfloor heating system.

Advantages

One of the main reasons that underfloor heating has become so popular is that it provides warm floors throughout your home during the colder months of the year. It is also said that having such a system installed will actually increase the overall value of your property, so is definitely something to consider if you are thinking of selling your home at some point in the future. You will also find that having a large underfloor heating system installed in your home will ensure you no longer need large, bulky, and often ugly-looking radiators, which in turn will also free up some extra room around your home.

If the walls, ceiling, and doors in the rooms of your home are well insulated you will also find that underfloor heating is far more efficient simply due to the way in which heat will be distributed around your home. Radiators will typically heat the surrounding area quite quickly, although as the heat rises it will usually take a little longer to heat the entire room. An underfloor system offers the ability to heat a far larger surface working its way from the floor upwards, which in turn will provide the rooms in your home with a far more consistent temperature.

Disadvantages

To be completely honest, there is really only one real complaint that owners of underfloor heating systems have, and that is the amount of time it takes to heat up when compared to the various other forms of heating. A room will typically take a longer period of time to heat up, although this also means it will take longer to cool down. This will only cause a real problem if you are looking for immediate heat in a room, but most of the modern underfloor heating systems come with pre-programmed controls, thus allowing you to switch the system on beforehand anyway.

You may also find, depending on the type of system you purchase, that you may not have the ability to replace the heat from all radiators around your home. This is usually only a problem if you choose to purchase one of the smaller systems available, whereas a larger system will provide a complete replacement for radiators. You should also be aware that the system should not be placed under items of furniture, which means you may have to rethink the layout of a room. You will also find that this type of system can prove to be expensive if you choose to run it in conjunction with your main heating system, and it is therefore typically viewed as a luxury, rather than a necessity.

Let's Keep In Touch!

New ORC Form Lead

"*" indicates required fields