Category: Home Improvement

Home Maintenance: Things You Should Be Checking During The Winter

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Home maintenance is extremely important year-round, but even more so during the winter months. With winter comes cold, freezing weather, snow, ice, and more that can cause additional damage to different areas of your home. By taking the necessary precautions and ensuring that you have done maintenance to your home before winter hits, you will be avoiding different common problems that may occur simply due to the weather Below are a few different things that you should be checking in your home either during or before winter to ensure that you will be able to live comfortably throughout the season with little to no issues.

Heating System Tune-Ups

The last thing that you will want to happen during the winter is for your heating system to stop working correctly. This may leave you with a cold house that can be dangerous when temperatures reach freezing levels. Take the proper home maintenance steps and take advantage of heating system tune-ups from professional HVAC technicians who know what they are doing. A tune-up includes a complete check of your furnace or heat pump to ensure that everything is clean and working properly. It also determines if there is any carbon monoxide leakage. This standard maintenance tip is highly important during the winter.

Roof Repairs

Before winter, you will want to make your way up onto the roof to determine if any repairs will need to be made. Some things that you should look for include loose or missing shingles. When snow, ice and freezing rain occur during winter, you may be dealing with major roof leaks and additional damage if the necessary maintenance is not done in advance. Other roofing tips include removing any leaves, pine needles and debris that can hold extra moisture on the roof during the winter. Those who have taken advantage of a real estate warranty may be able to receive their major repairs for cheaper than the regular going rate.

Cleaning the Gutters

Another part of your home that you will want to check before or during winter are the gutters. If your gutters are backed up and full of debris such as leaves, they may cause leaks within your home and ice dams to occur when the snow and rain simply have nowhere to go. Roofing, siding and wood trim can be damaged by blocked gutters. Regularly clean out your gutters and inspect for any damage to avoid problems in the winter.

Outdoor Faucets

Check to ensure that your outdoor faucets are turned off during the winter. While they may not leaking water, that does not always mean that they are turned off completely. Un-drained water in your pipes can lead to the water freezing as temperatures drop. This can cause the pipes to burst as the ice expands within them. Simply turn off the water valve in your home and disconnect your garden hose to check for remaining water and to allow it to drain from the faucet with ease.

Air Leaks and Insulation

If your home is prone to lots of icicles and ice dams, you will want to take the necessary precautions to prevent water from leaking into your home. Hire a professional to check for and to repair any air leaks found around your home and insufficient insulation within the attic of the household. Insufficient insulation can lead to ice dams which can cause major problems during the cold winter months.

Other home maintenance tips for the winter include reversing your ceiling fans, caulking around windows and doors, and diverting water away from your home. By taking advantage of these tips, your home is sure to be in tip-top shape this winter season.

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Simple Installations At Home: 5 DIY Projects That Are Worth It

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Completing DIY installations can not only save a homeowner a great deal of money but can give him or her confidence in basic skills that involve areas like plumbing, painting, tiling, or carpentry. Generally, the more successful DIY projects a person completes, the more confidence he or she gains. Here are five simple DIY installations:

Install Resilient Tile

Resilient tile is easy to install, especial if it’s self-stick. Whether it’s self-stick or not, the sub-floor needs to be clean and level. It’s also a good idea that the tiles be dry applied before they’re pressed on. Even with self-stick resilient tile, it’s also a good idea to add a sealer and adhesive to make sure the tiles really stick.

Install a Tile Countertop In the Kitchen

Unlike stone countertops, a tile countertop is something a DIYer can do without help. Because tiles come in so many colors, textures and patterns, the homeowner can create a very unique look. Applying layout lines and dry run layouts will greatly help in creating a countertop that’s beautiful, durable, and unique.

Install a Shower Surround

This might take two people to wrangle the shower panels into place. Since existing wall tiles will need to be removed, walls patched, holes drilled and panels installed, the installation of a shower surround might take the better part of a long weekend. However, a new, dramatic shower surround is worth it just for its looks alone.

Install a Door Casing

If the current door casing looks a little careworn, it’s fairly easy to replace it with a brand new one. It does take a bit of measuring and sawing, but the homeowner can choose the type of molding he or she wants and the results can be quite stunning. One tip to make the job go more smoothly is to make sure that the wall doesn’t have a bump, which can make it tough for the casing to lie flat. Any bumps can be smoothed out by a rasp or a hand sander.

Install a Skylight

Installing a skylight can actually be a DIY project if the homeowner isn’t too anxious about working up on the roof. As an extra safety measure to help get you and your materials on the roof. It’s also a good idea to check with the town’s building authority to see if any codes need to be followed and if permits are needed.
Though they might not be the easiest projects to do, these five installations shouldn’t be too challenging for a novice DIYer. If done correctly, they are certainly worth it. If you’re looking to do these DIY projects in order to sell your home in Orlando, you may want to consult with your Realtor first.

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Updating Your Home? Five Projects to Leave to the Professionals

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Every homeowner knows that maintaining a residence requires certain investments. For example, certain home improvement projects require professional assistance. Go ahead and caulk a window or lay that tile in your own bathroom, but when it comes to the big jobs that require specific equipment and training to complete, reach for the phone instead. Here’s a list of five home repair and maintenance jobs that should never be completed without the right equipment and expertise.

1. Plumbing Projects

Despite the large number of DIY videos available on YouTube, it isn’t a good idea to try fixing your home’s plumbing without some expert help. Commercially sold products commonly used to unclog drains can actually damage pipes. Attempting to replace plumbing fixtures without proper instruction or equipment can cause serious damage to a home’s plumbing system. Save time and money by calling a professional first. When is comes to bigger home improvement projects such as this, there are often many codes that have to be met and upheld. By doing the projects yourself, you could be unaware of the codes and not meet it. Then when trying to resale the home cost yourself more money in the long run.

2. Electrical Projects

Most electrical projects should also be left to the pros. Chances are that you could easily replace or rewire a light fixture or two, but if you need to do more extensive work involving your home’s wiring, don’t do it yourself. Risk of electrocution or an electrical fire are too high to justify the savings.

3. Tree Service

If that beautiful shade tree in your yard has grown too close to the house, don’t risk life and limb to trim it yourself. The professionals from say they have seen home owners take matters into their own hands and often cost themselves much more in the long run with the repairs to their homes or vehicles after projects have gone array.

4. Carpet Installation

There are not as many DIY videos about carpet installation available online as there are plumbing projects, but penny-pinching homeowners have been known to try it. Unless you enjoy tripping over lumps in the carpet that result from an amateur installation, don’t do this job yourself. Professionals have the equipment necessary to properly stretch and secure carpet. Home owners tend to spend more in carpet expenses as well. Professional carpet layers understand how to best utilize the carpet, cutting the carpet expense costs in the end.

5. Window Installation

There are a lot of benefits to installing new windows, but this project needs to be done by professionals who know how to safely handle large sheets of glass. While you might be able to effectively weatherproof your home by caulking a window, window installation is another matter. Professionals have the right equipment to do the job safely and keep your home properly insulated.

Many home improvement projects can be successfully completed by the weekend warrior. Certain projects, however, require specialized training and equipment. Leave those jobs to the pros.

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Expensive Repairs to Negotiate before Making an Offer on a Home

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

Finding the ideal home within your budget is your first step in purchasing a house. Valuable money can be saved with a keen eye, a good inspector, and negotiation before a closing price is agreed on. The following highlight some of the areas that need to be addressed and adjusted before your name goes on the dotted line.

Termites

Washing and that fresh coat of paint may attract your eyes from potential problem areas. One consideration to thoroughly examine is the issue of termite infestation. The integrity of the frame itself could be in jeopardy by these pests. If found, the extermination and repair fees should come to be ironclad on whom is responsible for this before the price is etched in stone. Termite damages can add up to thousands of dollars in repairs. It’s important to plan in advance whether you will negotiate repairs or walk away from the home.

Age and Roof Status

Do not wait until the first rainstorm to find out that there are leaks. Water flows downhill so if you have a drip from the ceiling it must be coming from the roof. The importance of inspecting the inside as well as the outside of a roof is tantamount. An accurate estimation or proof of the roof’s age is a necessity in any home negotiation. Few things pop up more after a home sale than a faulty roof. Determine its status and get it all handled before the sale is complete. You need to have in writing whether the buyer or seller will handle the cost of roof repair.

Electrical Panel

Most of the time the panel will not need to be repaired. What is at issue is homes that have had additions during the course of their history the home. The theoretical max may have been reached and not even be known due to some do-it-yourself warrior work. In the course of the home electrical service and inspection, if any qualms about the panel are brought up then it is ripe for negotiation. Do this now before you find yourself with limited options in the future.

Air Ducts

The presence of fiberglass air ducts may be an impediment not only to your family’s health but should be considered in your bid. Air quality issues are often not considered but are the vital quality of life issues. Metal air duct replacement should be thrown into the mix during negotiations. This is especially important if anyone in your family suffers from asthma or allergies. You shouldn’t worry about getting sick in your own home.

By considering these and other factors, headaches can be alleviated and money saved. Do not have any qualms about bringing these matters to attend. This is a huge investment and should be handled with care. Your family is your most valuable asset and you want to find a home that will provide them with a steady roof over their head for years to come.

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Before You Settle In: Five Critical Details for First-Time Home Buyers

Posted on by Jenny Zamora

So you found a home you love and you just closed. Finally, your dream has come true. But before you hit the closest furniture store and start picking out chesterfields and credenzas for that gorgeous little nook, you’ll want to sort a few things out. By taking a few precautions upfront, you can save yourself plenty of heartache in the future. So before you settle in, consider these five tips for first-time home buyers.

Meet the Neighbors

Although it seems like such a small thing, you never know when you’ll need a hammer or screwdriver during the moving process. Who better to help you out than your neighbors? Plus, you’ll likely be living next to them for several years, so getting on good terms early can only make your tenure in your home a much more pleasant experience.

Figure out the Circuit Breaker

File this tip under “things you don’t think you need until suddenly it’s critical.” Figuring out which outlets go to which switch on the circuit breaker is a challenge under normal circumstances, but when the lights are out, it can be nearly impossible. Consider tackling this task early on, before things get hectic. That way, the next time the power goes off, you’ll already have mapped and labeled your circuits.

Start a Maintenance Fund

Now that you’ve purchased a house, you’re in the clear, right? Time to go buy furniture? Not so fast. Even in a custom home, you’re likely to run up against maintenance issues from time to time. Start saving now and you’ll be sure to have enough cash stashed on a rainy day. It may even be worth putting off major purchases (like credenzas) in order to start saving up today.

Paint Hard-to-Reach Spots

Before you start moving things into your new abode, consider painting. Custom homes typically start off white or off-white. Estate home builders in Orlando and elsewhere aren’t sure of new occupants’ color preferences, so many homes start off neutral. If you want to inject personality, consider painting before your home is full of stuff. This is especially critical for hard-to-reach places, like ceilings and closets. Painting before you move in means you don’t have to worry about moving objects out of the way or staining your belongings.

Start a Filing System Right Away

Now that you’re a homeowner, you’re going to have plenty of paperwork. Taxes may become slightly more complex, you may need repairs or you may just want to track how much the interest on your mortgage is. If you start a filing system when you first purchase a home, you can avoid staring down a huge pile of paperwork in the future. Plus, you’ll always know where your important home documents are.

It can be so exciting to buy your first house that it’s hard to know what to do next. Fortunately, a little preparation and work now can make owning your first home that much easier. Before you get comfy in your new home, make sure you use these five tips to prepare yourself for the future.

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