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HOME REPAIRS + MAINTENANCE

HOME REPAIRS + MAINTENANCE

How to make Your Roof More Weather Resistant

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Roofing is expensive and the labor to install it is also expensive. So, it is to every home or commercial building owner’s advantage to make each roof last as long as possible. Good roofing material quality and good installation help roofs last longer. But, there are other tips to make a roof more weather resistant and long-lasting. Choosing the right roofing company and the best roofing product for the location is a good first step.

Choose a Good Roofing Company

Choosing a good, reputable roofing company is the first step in getting a roof that will last over many years. Make sure the roofing company is licensed and insured for the community. Getting bids from two or three reputable roofing companies is also a good practice. Choose the roofing company that offers the best product, installation, and completion schedule.

The roofing company that will come in and remove the old roofing and installs the new roofing in the shortest time possible, without open roof time in between, is the best choice. No one wants to endure a rainstorm with an open roof, even if it is tarped. There are roofing companies with two teams of workers, one to remove the old roof and another crew to install the new roof. If the company overbooks and leaves days between the two crews doing their jobs, the house can suffer.Keep the roofing company information handy so if there is a bad storm or other roof damage, they can come and repair it. The same company can do periodic roof inspections and repairs to keep the roof in good condition for more years, saving the building owner money.

Weather-Proofing Roofs helped Them Last Longer

When choosing a new roof or after a new roof is installed there are 6 tips roofers list for making the roof more durable and weather resistant.

1. Choose the roofing materials that are right for the building location and weather conditions.

2. Consider installing one of the new cooler roofs. These roofs are lighter in color to reflect the sun’s heat. There are also cool roof paints or cool-colored roof tiles. All of these roofing products make the roof more resistant to heat and more energy efficient. New technology has devised formulas for shingle topping granules to reflect more heat.

3. More people are considering eco-friendly roofs or green living roofs. These roofs cut down the building’s carbon emissions and are natural insulators.

4. Make efforts to windproof the roof. This can include installing truss bracing and other efforts to make the roofless prone to wind damage. Some of these efforts include using adhesive on the roof edges, using more roofing nails, and better securing the hip and ridge parts of the roof, using improved drip edging, and more.

5. Make the roof fireproof by picking non-flammable roofing materials such as tiles, asphalt shingles, and metal roofing.

6. Avoid ice build-ups by having the roofers install a layer near the lower edges that has water-repelling properties or install de-icing cables on lower shingles, gutters, and downspouts. In addition, insulating the attic helps stop the thaw-freezing cycle that causes the ice build-up.

Roof Maintenance Helps Roofs Last Longer

Maintaining existing roofs can add years to their lives and make them better able to resist weather damage. Have older roofs inspected and repaired regularly? Trim tree branches away from the roof, and have the roof cleaned to get rid of algae and other soil build-up that might degrade the roofing material. Inspecting a roof after a storm to replace missing shingles or re-apply loose shingles is important. The attention a building owner gives their roof can save them damage and expense later.

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CLEANING, HOME DECOR, HOME REPAIRS + MAINTENANCE

Carpet care tips – If You Have Pets at Home

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Ideally, pet owners should consider other flooring options for their home other than carpets. Carpets and pets do not go well, generally. Why waste a good carpet or rug when you know that dogs and cats will most likely scratch the heck out of it? Even with your best puppy training skills, animals will still do what they do -scratching, biting, and peeing over stuff. But we understand that sometimes you must have carpeted floors and you just have to make adjustments to make it co-exist with your pets.

Carpets will definitely accumulate pet hair, absorb stains, and retain odors, but these can be dealt with if you know how to take care of fabrics from the mercy of your pets.

Here are some tips on taking care of your carpet as a pet owner:

#1 Choose Stain-resistant Fabric

This is the least you can do if you insist on having carpeted floors even with pets inside the house. Stain-resistant fabrics are usually more expensive than ordinary ones, but the toughness of the fabric makes this carpeting last for a very long time, thanks to protective layers inserted into the fibers. You can vacuum, spill, and steam-clean all you want with this fabric and it will still come out looking good even after a while.

#2 Apply Scotchgard on Non-stain Resistant Carpets

Scotchgard is a line of water-repellent products that protect fabrics from spills, stains, and other liquids. If your carpet is not stain-resistant, you should consider putting these protective guards on the fabric. It’s better to have this done professionally to make sure that every inch of the carpet gets treated. If you do this yourself, you might miss a spot, which leads to those spots still vulnerable to stains. You may have to repeat the process after a while and if you intend to keep your carpet for a long while.

#3 Learn How to Take Care of Pet Urine

No matter how good you are at puppy training, your adorable pooch can still have accidents and pee on your carpets. The key here is to act immediately when your pet urinates on the fabric. The quicker you get to it, the better the chances of removing the stains.

A classic trick is to press an old terrycloth towel over the stain to remove as much moisture as possible. This is not enough though, because you also have to clean the spot with a mixture of warm water and liquid dishwashing detergent. Several drops of this will do and then you have to rinse the area with water and towel. Next, you blot the surface with vinegar and water mixture. The smell will discourage your pet from soiling this spot again.

#4 Use Tiles or Hardwood For Your Home Entrance

Keep your dog’s muddy paws from soiling your carpets by putting tile or hardwood at the entrance of your home. Your dog will walk through this first and his paws will be clean by the time he steps on the carpet. You can also place a towel near the entrance so you can easily wipe your dog’s paws off before letting him enter the house.

#5 Trim Your Pet’s Nails

Scratches are another common problem you have to deal with in relation to pets, especially with cats. Your kitty can use your carpet as a scratching post. Numerous scratches will eventually make the fabric unravel and ruin your carpet after a while. Nip this problem in the bud by trimming and filing your pet’s nails.

#6 Sprinkle Carpet Powder

Spread the powder over the carpeting and allow it to remain on the fabric according to the time indicated on the product’s package. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly afterward and go over the length of the fabric twice.

#7 Vacuum Your Carpet Twice A Week

This removes not only shedding but dander as well. Running the vacuum over the carpet at least twice a week should accomplish this. Remember to move the furniture if necessary in order to vacuum hard-to-reach areas. Hair and dander can travel and spread underneath furniture.

#8 Have Your Carpet Steam-cleaned At Least Once a Month

This will clean your carpet thoroughly and will remove all hair, dander, and saliva squeezed into the fabric. Only mild cleaners should be used in order not to ruin the structure of the carpet file.

Carpets do require high maintenance, whether you are living with pets or not. Having your furry friends indoors means you have to put in extra work in keeping carpets clean and tight. It’s important to keep this in mind just in case you are choosing which flooring options to put in your home.

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HOME REPAIRS + MAINTENANCE

3 Steps to Prepare Your Home for Winter

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As summer winds down, many homeowners know that winter is fast approaching. While the fall months still offer warmer temperatures, now is the time to get ready for the harsh weather that the summer can bring.

Preparing the home for winter can help make those cold months a little more comfortable. Various steps taken can ensure a warmer home and lower costs to keep it that way. These steps can also prevent problems that can arise when the temperatures drop.

#1 Seal the Exterior

Protecting the home from the extreme temperatures, snow, and ice that winter can bring is very important. Sealing the exterior of the home can help minimize heat exchange and prevent damage from the wintry storms. Exterior coating can provide homeowners an easy method for accomplishing this task. Homeowners can get more information about how this product can help at their site.

One of the earliest methods for protecting the exterior of a home is paint. Paint can help prevent the natural elements of winter from destroying the exterior of a home. Unfortunately, paint fades, chips, and peels. Not only does this reduce the protection it provides, but it also diminishes the look of a home.

Another method for protection is the siding. Siding can prevent the weather from damaging the home. It can even help prevent heat transfer. The colors also last a lot longer than any type of house paint. Unfortunately, it does not provide the complete protection that exterior coating provides a home.

#2 Inspect the Roof

The winter weather can really wreak havoc on a roof. Small cracks or areas of wear can be vulnerable to water seeping between the materials. When the temperature drops, that water can freeze and expand. This can create larger cracks and damage to the roof. Eventually, the home may face leaks or other issues.

It is important to have a roof thoroughly inspected before the winter sets in. This should be performed by someone who is trained to identify even minor roofing issues. If problems are found, steps should be taken to correct those issues before the winter months.

It may also be a good idea to inspect the fireplace and chimney during this time. It is important to check for any debris or nests on the chimney cap. The mortar and bricks should be inspected for damage. The liner and flashing should also be checked for damage to prevent problems during the winter.

#3 Clear Gutters and Insulate Windows

Autumn brings a lot of fallen leaves. These leaves can easily build up in the gutters. When the winter months come, it can prevent the proper flow of water. Eventually, this can create an ice dam. This can cause damage to the gutters and even allow water to saturate the ground and damage the home’s foundation.

It is important to have the gutters cleaned out at the end of the fall season. It may also be a good idea to check to ensure that all the gutters are in good repair and lined up properly to the downspouts. Worn or damaged materials should be replaced to ensure proper drainage away from the home.

Windows should also be checked during the fall. Windows are the main culprit to allow heat to escape during the cold winter months. Checking the insulation or even replacing damaged windows may be a good idea to prevent costly heating bills this winter.

If the home is in an area that gets extremely cold in the wintertime. It may also be a good idea to ensure that all water pipes are insulated to prevent them from freezing or breaking. These handy steps can help protect a home from many of the issues the winter can bring.

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