Home remodeling is a very common event for homeowners. This is true because we all want our homes to be prettier and more comfortable.

For those planning to renovate your home, here are some of the essential guides to help you with your home renovation.

Step 1

The first step to consider in remodeling a home is the layout of the home. Most people think first about what their home looks like and what design options match the natural aura of the place. In this sense, the concept of design for home renovation comes into play.

For home renovation design, therefore, you must decide whether you want to hire an architect, design expert, or other home renovation master to visualize your home improvement ideas. In such a case, you need to think about what home improvement design you can afford and really like. A certain relationship with the construction or painting contractor is also important for a solid job. Then decide on a specific budget to renovate your home and stick to it.

Step 2

The second consideration for home remodeling is implementation. This home improvement movement involves planning and reviewing your home improvement design with your contractor for suggestions to help you with your home renovation, either in terms of process or cost.

Then choose materials and products for your home building project (take note of these tips). If possible, first try to select materials for your home improvement project that will be needed immediately and will take sufficient time. Consideration should also be given to the time it takes for the home improvement contractor to establish a detailed construction schedule and procedure and to attract certain construction crews.

Step 3

Another important thing to consider in your home improvement project is the conference. It is important that any home improvement project contain a conference between the owner, contractor and site manager, architect or designer, and other construction teams working on your home improvement project.

When this happens, you should take note of some of the important things related to your home improvement project and submit notes for possible changes to the original plan. It is also important that you establish ground rules for your home improvement project between yourself and your contractor or site manager and, if possible, try to develop a communication plan that will certainly take place between you and your improvement contractor and other key people (i.e. tile contractor, kitchen remodeler, design specialist) involved in your home renovation project. In this case, the main common speaker is the site administrator.

If you are really serious about your home improvement project, pay attention to details, comments, or questions about your home improvement project.

Step 4

Finally, the idea of ​​putting certain things in place in your home improvement project should also be considered. Remove personal effects from the work area and try to install a temporary mini kitchen (here’s a few ideas) in another part of the house if possible. And to renovate your home, try putting up trash cans, portable toilets, and a construction fence for better circulation. And make room for the great effects happening right now.

Stucco isn’t a delicate structure. Whether applied as interior or exterior finish on walls, the durable material requires little maintenance which may include occasional patching and cleaning. Keeping the stucco in good conditions eliminates the need of frequent repair or replacement. Here is how to maintain your residential stucco.

Cleaning 

Being a porous material, stucco absorbs stains and collects dirt, even indoors. However, cleaning it is easy; all you need to have is clean water and a small amount of elbow grease. Scrub your stucco with a dump nylon brush to fully saturate the surface. Proceed to scrub the buildup off with a clean cotton rag. Extreme cases such as the situations involving deep sets of stains may require more firepower. Stucco experts often recommended, not the usual household cleaning agent, but a more potent chemical called trisodium phosphate (TSP). 

While TSP can be easily purchased hardware stores and home centers, strict precautions must be observed lest you end up with a scorched surface. Begin by ventilating the area by running a fan and/or opening the windows (if the stucco is on interior walls). Remember to wear the appropriate protective gear and follow the provided instructions regarding dilution ratio and application. Finally, apply the chemical on the stained area by using a nylon brush.

On exterior walls, stucco tends to gather dirt more often hence requires to be washed frequently compared to that on interior walls. The cleaning process is easier though; all you need is a power washer or a garden hose and plenty of clean water. Begin by setting your preferred cleaning tool in mist formation before saturating the stucco from the bottom to the top. Once you’ve finished spaying, check your stucco for a lingering buildup. If there is a buildup, proceed to dislodge it using a brush with stiff bristles. Don’t scrub it so vigorously lest you grind it down. Any blemish that remains on the stucco after this rigorous cleaning would require you to apply TSP.

Repair 

The rigidity of the stucco is a blessing and a curse. While this rigidity keeps it durable, it makes it more prone to cracking. Cracking and chipping changes the stucco from a beautiful finishing to an eyesore. Most stucco imperfections require an expert to correct them. However, Rapid/instant Set Stucco Patch provides an excellent DIY residential stucco repair solution that can help you fix minor cracks and chips in a short time. Start by removing any loose parts of the cracked stucco using a wire brush. Remember to remove any oil, dirt, or chalk that may interfere with the adherence of the repair compound. If the crack you are addressing is less than an inch wide, consider using a harmer and/or a cold chisel to widen it. Assess the conditions before proceeding. If it is the weather is hot and/or windy, consider pre-moistening the area surrounding the crack. Otherwise, having prepared the stucco surface, proceed to apply your Rapid/Instant Set Stucco Patch as instructed.

For professional repair services, get in touch with the stucco contractors in Gilbert, Arizona.

Other maintenance tips 

• Check for paint bubbling, peeling, and cracking and apply new paint immediately after cleaning the area
• Wash the stucco regularly especially if the outdoor conditions are dusty
• Inspect the stucco regularly for mold growth and remove it immediately
• Always use the tight product of paint and clean water on your stucco

In spite of the popular belief, foundation issues don’t happen randomly. But instead, they come about as a result of some external factors. Moreover, moisture is the root of each structural problem. Either too little moisture or too much moisture and your house might be in trouble.

Below are the common causes of foundation problems:

Poor Drainage

The integrity of the structure will be compromised without the help of proper drainage system. Your gutters, roof, lawn, and downspouts each play an important role in your foundation’s overall health. The roof must be sloped to where every precipitation filter toward gutters. Gutters must lead water without the obstruction to downspouts as well as water must filter away from the foundation once leaving downspouts as lawn leads it away. If your house drainage system doesn’t do its job, puddles would form on your foundation’s outskirts. If the water stays in the same place for a long period of time, it’ll also seep to the soil much longer. Water is great for the soil, but make sure that it isn’t too much. If there’s too much water in the soil, it may result to foundation leaning or settling.

Dry Plants or Trees

If plants and trees are desperate for moisture, they’ll dig to the foundation soil to get it. It’ll cause particular soil areas to dry up quickly. You do not like to happen, right? So, make sure that the moisture is spread out equally beneath your house. To avoid this from happening, what you should do is to water your trees and plants. Provide them the water they require so they do not need to look for it beneath your foundation.

Plumbing Leaks

Plumbing leakages will overwhelm the foundation with moisture. Poor drainage may at least be noticed, but oftentimes, homeowners are not aware of the leaks until it is too late. There might be minor leaks dripping away at the soil or major leaks poured to the soil. Its moisture leaked without your knowledge and control. If there are leaks in your plumbing, it’ll cause some problems on your foundations.

Poor Soil Condition

Weather can be a burden in some places. Droughts may happen during summer, and spring season may bring lots of rain. Long dry spell will cause the soil beneath your house to shrink while heavy rains might cause the soil beneath your house to expand. It might be detrimental to your home foundation. A quadrant of your house has lesser soil compared to some 3 quadrants. In this instance, it may cause some parts of your house to settle while the rest of it could stay in place. Your walls may crack, doors are jammed, and you should call foundation experts to know why.

If your home foundation has one of those problems, make sure to seek for the help of professional Cleveland, OH basement contractors. The best experts can inspect your foundation and if there are some problems, they will execute the right repair to ensure that your foundation will do its job properly.

Proper roof replacement is the difference in years of a lasting roof over your head and a roof with leaks and other problems. Properly done, your new roof should come out looking nice, and neat, with nothing but straight lines running from top to bottom, side to side. If done wrong, your new roof may end up coming out unlevel and crooked.

Whether you’re getting new architectural shingles, cedar shakes, or regular three-tab shingles, you’re going to want a professional roofing company that knows all the right steps and things to do when it comes to installing your new roof.

The Roof Replacement Process

Before we go in-depth into each step in the roof replacement process, here is a short list of the major steps that are going to happen when you get your new roof.

1. Tear Off
2. Re-Felting
3. Applying New Shingles

Now let’s touch on each subject individually so you, the customer, will have an idea of what exactly is going on when those roofers are up on your roof banging away for hours.

Tearing Off

Often, the most grueling part of the entire roof replacement process is the tearing off of your old roof. Nearly every time, your old roof is going to need to be taken off and eventually hauled away to a dump before you can put your new roof on and fix any problems you may have with your old roof.

Every inch of old shingles must be taken off and the whole roof cleaned and swept away of any loose debris before the next step of putting on felt can occur.

Re-Felting

After your old roof has been removed, and any old nails or loose debris is removed, a clean layer of felt, or tar paper, must be laid down to help prevent your roof from any leaks.

The felt is laid down on top of the roof’s plywood and goes in between the plywood and the final layer of shingles.

Felting a roof helps to prevent the ingress of moisture and to further waterproof your roof.

Tar paper or felt is not very wind resistant or sun resistant but does help prevent moisture from being trapped in your roof. The layer of shingles that goes on next will be what is going to protect your roof from the elements really

Application of New Shingles

The final major step in your roof replacement is the application of new shingles over the layer of felt that we just discussed.

The new layer of shingles that are put on must be aligned properly and cut perfectly for everything on your roof to match up and come out looking great. Roofers will often “cut lines” with chalk to ensure a straight roof from end to end.

Customers have choices on what type of shingles they want, and different shingles offer different warranties for how long your roof will last.

Whichever type of shingles you choose to go with, you now know the steps of what will be going on when it comes time for your new roof replacement.

Contact us for roof and foundation repair in Syracuse, NY.

A roof is arguably the most important part of a home as it protects the occupants of a home and their property from elements of weather. Unfortunately, most homeowners tend to overlook roofing problems until they go out of hand. All roofing projects should be entrusted to a professional roofing contractor.

A professional residential roofer offers many roofing services including; roof repair, roof maintenance, replacing shingles, fixing water damage, constructing drainage systems, vent pipes, chimneys and so forth.

Why is it important to hire a professional roofer?

Safety

Roofing projects are quite risky, especially when handled by an inexperienced technician. A professional roofing contractor has access to safety equipment needed to work on roofs. Besides, a roofing expert does this on a daily basis, hence they have experience in handling the work safely to avoid injury.

Speed

A roofing expert gets everything done faster. The expert has the required materials and equipment, skills , and experience to complete the job quickly and effectively.

Save money

Hiring a professional residential roofer is actually cost effective as they have the required experience and expertise to do the job right the first time. The roofing experts have access to cheaper roofing materials hence allowing homeowners to save money. Since they have all the required tools to complete the job, homeowners can save on buying roofing tools and equipment.

Moreover, a professional residential roofer provides both short-term and long-term roofing solutions to prevent a roof from future damage.

Ever consider metal roofing? Steel and aluminum costs more up front, but can be a great investment for homeowners.  Metal roofing in Syracuse, NY stands up to harsh snow and rain storms that the area tends to receive.

Insurance

A licensed roofer is insured to protect their staff and clients in the event of unfortunate incidences such as accidents. Moreover, they offer a warranty on their workmanship . This gives their clients peace of mind in case something goes wrong and they need repairs in the future.

Quality workmanship

A reputable roofing contractor has access to a wide range of tools, equipment, and technology to ensure a roof is strong and sturdy. Due to their expertise, they offer detailed inspection on a roof to identify the cause of the existing roofing problems and fix them properly to avoid them from re-occurring in the future.

How to find the right roofing contractor?

1. How long has the contractor been in the industry?

Its a good idea to hire a roofing contractor with more than 3 years of experiencing in roofing projects. A homeowner should ask the contractor to provide them with a list of their previous clients . Check the company’s reviews and gauge the level of satisfaction among their previous customers.

2. Check if the residential roofer is licensed and insured.

A reliable roofer should provide a copy of their license and insurance certificate for validation. Not having the necessary insurance cover may lead to litigation between a client and the roofing contractor in the event of unfortunate incidents like accidents.

3. Ask for referrals

A homeowner can find the right roofing contractor by asking for recommendations from family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. They could be knowing a reliable contractor who is familiar with local rules and code regulations.

4. Price

Its never a good idea to choose a roofing contractor based on their price. Cheap can be expensive down the road.

5. Check the contractor’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings

Its advisable for a homeowner to look up a particular contractor on the BBB website and establish what their score is. Roofing contractors who do not exist on BBB.org cannot be trusted.

6. Do they have a warranty?

Its important to know the kind of warranty a particular roofing contractor provides and what risks it covers in order to save money in case something goes wrong down the road. Choose a roofing contractor with comprehensive warranties.

Find out if the roofing contractor has all the necessary permits. Usually, a reliable residential roofer will ensure all permits are filed and the work is done within legal frameworks and adheres to building codes.

A roof is a significant investment for most homeowners and therefore its important to hire the right roofing contractor for the best results.

When it comes to the budget required to remodel a bathroom, it depends on the size of the bathroom and the type and quality of the objects you choose to install in the bathroom. The average cost of remodeling a bathroom is around $10,000. But it depends on the place and size of the bathroom. The cost is the sum of costs required for the necessary components: Showers and tubs, toilets, sinks and faucets, flooring, countertops and cabinets.

Changing the layout: Increasing the square footage of the bathroom involves changing the electrical wiring in the walls, adding more flooring, and possibly more plumbing. All of this will increase materials and labor cost. There can be additional issues while changing the layout, hence experienced contractors should be hired for such jobs.

Pipe installation cost: If you are building a new bathroom, you first need to add new plumbing pipes and connect these to the sink, shower and drain pipes. On an average around $1000 is the cost of installing new plumbing pipes.

Changing the appliances: You need to replace the current appliances with new ones. This increases the cost as the old ones have to be properly removed and new appliances have to be fixed accordingly. Refinishing some of the appliances can help in cutting this cost.

Electrical costs: In some cases, while remodeling your bathroom, you might need to set up new plug points and other electrical appliances. This requires labor and capital. You should not compensate with the electrical costs and highly skilled electricians should be employed as electrical work should be given special attention in bathrooms due to water and plumbing used. So, such items should be properly insulated and live wires should not be put naked.

There are various other installation costs such as faucet installation costs, flooring costs, sink installation costs etc. In regards to tile installation costs, you can expect to pay an average of $25 per square foot, depending on the grade of material that is used. For a medium-sized shower, the price can cost about $2,000. When it comes to bathrooms, one thing which should be a high priority is bathroom waterproofing. Water leaking into your floor and wall spaces can rot structural timbers and cause damage. So, primer should be properly applied and the gaps should be sealed with silicone. The water proofing agent should be applied properly. Bathroom waterproofing can cost as little as $40 per square foot, but that is the low end of the scale. In general, expect to pay between $500 and $750 to completely waterproof an average sized bathroom.

Remodeling a small bathroom can cost around $5000- $8000 where as normal bathrooms cost about $8000- $10000. Modern bathrooms can cost around $15000 but again, all this depends on the amount of work you want to do during the remodeling process. You can even reduce the amount below $5000 by compensating at few areas.

For less than the cost of a week at your favorite spa, you could transform your own home into a spa oasis. When you transform your home into an oasis of relaxation, you can enjoy the health benefits of stress reduction and relaxation every day, without traveling to a far off spa or puffing a crimp in your wallet. With a few simple techniques and a few simple materials, you can transform every room of your home into a relaxing spa-like environment.

Transforming each room of your home one at a time gives you time to work, and allows you to work within virtually any budget. Transforming your own home into a home spa is not as expensive, or as time-consuming, as you might think. By starting small and working consistently, you can create the best spa in town — right under your own roof.

Master Bedroom

The master bedroom in your home should be an oasis of relaxation, and a place to let the stress of the day melt away. With a few simple changes to your bedroom environment, you can enjoy all the amenities of the typical spa, without the high cost of a spa visit. You can start your transformation with your bed. If your mattress is old and uncomfortable, it is no doubt impacting your ability to enjoy a good night’s sleep and a relaxing nighttime environment. Consider buying a new mattress complete with comfort items like a pillow topper or memory foam insert.

This can help you sleep through the night, reducing your stress level and even improving your health. Taking the time to create a relaxing library can also enhance the spa-like environment of your master bedroom. Stock your bedroom bookshelves with books about meditation, yoga, massage, biofeedback and other relaxation techniques. Enjoy a few pages from those books as you fall asleep each night, and implement the best ideas you glean from those pages.

If you have a sitting area in your master bedroom, consider creating a “pamper station” where you can not only apply your makeup and condition your skin but relax away from the stress of the day as well. Stock your pamper station with an assortment of lotions from your latest spa visit, and take some “me time” each day to pamper yourself with those great items.

Master Bath

If you want to turn your master bathroom into a relaxing oasis in the middle of your stressful life, the master bath is the perfect place to start. Consider replacing that old worn out bathtub with a whirlpool spa or Jacuzzi. These relaxing bathtubs are staples of the spa industry, and when you install one in your master bathroom you can enjoy their relaxing waters every single day. And best of all, installing a Jacuzzi or whirl pool in your master bathroom can cost less than a single treatment at a professional spa.

Kitchenette

Your top floor kitchenette can be an integral part of your home spa experience. The kitchenette gives you a place to prepare healthy meals, but it can also play a role in your new and more relaxing lifestyle. One of the best ways to recreate the spa experience at home is by creating a healthy smoothie station in your own private kitchen.

One of the reasons why spas are so effective is that the clients of the spa eat healthy meals and enjoy all overall healthier lifestyle during their stay. You can recreate those healthy meals with a bowl of fruit and a blender; right in the comfort of your own home. Stock your home spa kitchenette with an assortment of attractive glasses, just like at the spa, and you will be ready to go. And since you probably already have a blender, your cash outlay will be minimal.