Category: Home

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Adulting For the Home Home

5 Smart Reasons Why You Need A Wet Room in Your Room

Your house needs an upgrade, and if there is one space you should start with, it’s the bathroom. It’s often the least considered room because of its size, but it’s also a space you can make utterly beautiful! For most people, renovating a bathroom is cheaper than the rest of the house, but you should consider making it a wet room.

A wet room is still a bathroom, but it’s sealed with a waterproof membrane to keep the water in the room while you shower. It’s designed with a sloping floor, too, to encourage water to drain out to the middle.

Wet rooms are a wet environment so everything inside can be splashed without issue. You wouldn’t put outlets in a wet room, and the most common appliance is a rain shower without a curtain or anything else to “step” into. Instead, a glass wall is used to prevent your toilet seat from getting wet. Your renovation needs the help of experts like PlumbersStock, so while you can choose the tiles and the fixtures, you should get help for this one.

wet room
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Benefits of a Wet Room

1. It’s Accessible

Whether you have children or an elderly parent to look after, wet rooms are all on one level. There are no steps into baths and no need to climb into showers. There’s no need for a shower liner, making it navigable even if you have an accident and restricted mobility. 

2. Your Property Value Goes Up

When you renovate your bathroom, the value of your home increases significantly. Renovating your bathroom is a beneficial change to the property, and you won’t have to worry about water in the structure afterward, either. The remodel can make a big difference if you choose to sell your home.

3. You’ll Use the Space Better

If your bathroom is small, you don’t have to install a bath or other bulky options in the room. A wet room can improve how you use the space. Small bathrooms are harder to organize. With a wet room, however, you take out all of the worries about storage.

4. It’s Low Maintenance

Instead of spending hours scrubbing the room, you will find it far easier to clean and maintain. You can keep it cleaner, and it will be much easier than in a traditional bathroom.

5. You Have Many Design Choices

You can turn your wet room into a beach-themed space, or you can go for a full tropical wet room theme. Either way, you’re going to be making a beneficial choice for your wet room space.

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Adulting Finances For the Home Home How To

Are These 5 Surprising Things Decreasing the Value of Your Home?

Decreasing the Value of Your Home

When it comes to selling your home, several factors determine how much it is worth. The location, size, and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms are the top things considered. Many other aspects factor into the worth of your home, however, and typically, it’s surprising things decreasing the value of your home.

While most of these factors are hard to change, there are some things that you can do to make sure you get the best offer. But how many things about your home are actively decreasing its value?

A few DIY projects left incomplete may have some impact but is unlikely to pay too high a cost when it comes to you getting your asking price. However, letting your home fall into a state of disrepair will certainly decrease its potential value. 

While most people looking for a new home will have varying tastes, a home that offers flexibility to suit a versatile population will be more in demand than a home designed only for one particular lifestyle.

So what are some of the most commonly overlooked things that may be devaluing your home? Keep reading to find out. 

Decreasing the Value of Your Home

Surprising Things Decreasing the Value of Your Home

The Condition of The Neighborhood 

Many aspects in a neighborhood can result in lower or fewer offers. Living close by to an airport, a major road, or train tracks can result in noise pollution, which could set to devalue your home. 

Additionally, power plants and landfills both negatively affect the value of a home. It could be that since you moved in, features such as unsightly cell phone towers have been erected in the area. Or, a new business with less than desirable clientele has opened nearby. The same if your street is renowned for criminal activity. While times change along with neighborhoods, the value of your property is likely to suffer if your area has a bad reputation.

Unfortunately, there is little that you can do. After all, a bad neighborhood is likely to be the reason you wanted to move in the first place. It is up to your realtor to point out the positives of your area to ensure you get a high offer for your home. You should still document any neighborhood complaints and bring law enforcement into the picture when trying to deal with them, though.

Being the Best Looking House On The Worst Looking Street 

You’ve taken time and pride in making sure your home has the best curb appeal, and it can make photos of your home seem appealing to potential buyers. However, when it comes to potential buyers viewing the house, they have to drive down your street. This drive might not be good news if your neighbors don’t care about how their homes look. Some issues could be excessive trash on the front lawn, loud pets, or broken windows or fences.

Your neighbor’s colorblindness when it comes to the appearance of their homes will do more than be an eyesore for you as you see it every day. That same eyesore can put off potential buyers and pose a risk of decreasing the value of your home.

Sadly, there’s not much that you can do about these issues. Aside from giving your neighbor some information about where they can find some new aluminum windows or doing dome DIY fence repairs, it’s best to make the most of what you can when it comes to your home. As much as you’d like to control your neighbors, it just isn’t possible. 

You’re Overlooking Some Key Things Inside 

Like your neighbors can become blinded by the chaos outside their homes, there may be a few things that you’re overlooking inside your own. When potential buyers take a look inside your home, they’ll quickly judge what they see. You can take care of clutter, overflowing garbage, large amounts of personal photographs, dim lighting, dirty bathrooms, and dust. If you don’t, then you may have problems getting your asking price.

It’s also a great idea to address things such as paintwork. Consider giving your home a refresh. Neutral colors are preferred, as this will help buyers see themselves in the house and determine how they can make their mark on the space. Avoid overly odd colors or wallpaper that seems like hard work to remove. Address anything that seems like a headache to potential buyers instead of selling points.


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Try to look at your home from an outsider’s perspective. What would you think of the space if you were looking at it for the first time? Are you drawn towards the loose flooring or clutter showing a lack of storage? Those issues are likely to be something that potential buyers will notice, too.

You want to create a space that looks warm and inviting but not overly lived in and personal looking. Before you let people in to look around, clean up and store things away. Make sure the house is light and airy. Change any bulbs that are starting to dim, and use odor neutralizers to eliminate any weird smells, too. Create a space for potential buyers to envision themselves in their new space without adding up the costs of all of the work that will need doing before they’d even be ready to move in.

Your Kitchen Has Seen Better Days 

The kitchen holds the most value per square foot, so this is one of the most carefully examined rooms during a viewing. Lots of people looking to sell their homes may consider remodeling their entire kitchen. However, unless your kitchen is in an awful state of disrepair, then it might not be worth it- especially if you don’t end up getting the return on your investment that you’d hoped for. 

Instead, focus on the specific areas that need attention. Common areas include the sink, countertops, and cabinet doors that surround your current appliances. New modern cabinets and shiny sinks are what draw people in and bring offers.

On the contrary, outdated cabinetry and stained, old countertops can detract from the value of your kitchen. When people buy a new home, they don’t want a reminder of a time you accidentally left a hot pan on your countertop or spilled red wine on the carpets. If you have left any significant marks, then it’s time to erase them ASAP.

Making high-quality improvements in the kitchen can add value to your home. Use highly recommended professionals to get a perfect finish and avoid paying twice to cover mistakes of a former job. Or worse, avoid being offered a significantly lower price for your home.

If you are into DIY, you can paint your cabinets and countertops. Check out my post on how to paint your countertops for a quick, easy, and inexpensive transformation.


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Your Bathroom Has Been Overlooked 

Finally, taking care of the bathrooms will ensure you get as much money for your house as possible. Buyers pay close attention to bathrooms to make sure they can get the best deal for their money.

While renovations can help increase the value of your home, going overboard is unlikely to get you a good return. Instead, try sticking to more traditional, neutral designs that will serve you better if you decide to sell.

Avoid using wood for counters and cabinetry as this can rot in areas with a lot of moisture. Stick to neutral colors such as whites, greys, and pale blues. Avoid gimmicky decor such as fish and anchors that can look tacky and make a bathroom look cluttered and dirty. 

Pay attention to the bathroom floor, too. Consider installing flooring that is easy to clean and won’t turn into an ice rink when wet feet touch them. Good flooring options for bathrooms are non-slip tiles and waterproof wood panels. Avoid linoleum flooring, which becomes dangerous if it starts to peel off from water exposure. Carpet in bathrooms is another no-go because it poses serious hygiene issues that will put buyers off.  

Things That Could Be Decreasing the Value of Your Home

There are certain things about your home that you cannot control, such as the location and your neighbors. However, within your control, there are some surprising things that could be decreasing the value of your home.

Address any issues that you find right away. The sooner you take care of them, the less damage they will do. Plus, when you decide to sell your home, it will be ready to go without requiring major updating.

Other Tips Include:

  • Before a viewing, make sure that your home smells inviting and not overwhelming with strong-smelling perfumes and air fresheners. The cliche is having freshly baked bread or brewed coffee going as people enter. These aromas are inviting and help potential buyers imagine themselves in the home.
  • Hire professional cleaners to give your home a deep clean when you put your house on the market. You’ll be surprised at how much better a deep clean can make your house look and feel. That way, you’ll only have to keep on top of basic chores before people come to look around. 
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For the Home Home How To

4 Practical Tips to Making Your House Smell Good Always

Making Your House Smell Good

Everyone yearns for a fresh and sweet smell in their house. However, there’s a difference in what someone calls a good smell because it can be the floral aroma, spicy scent, minty fresh or medicinal antiseptic smell. But you agree that despite the difference in taste, everyone wants an appealing smell. No one ever wants foul odors like smelly socks or rotting vegetables to strike them. Scientifically, a good scent is beneficial to individual wellbeing, so making your house smell good is essential. 

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Tips to Making Your House Smell Good

1. Use Natural Air Fresheners

Your pantry is a magic worker if you want the house to always smell good. Whether you’re masking odor from cigarette smoke, fresh paint, pets, or from other sources, check on your pantry for ingredients that will absorb the unwanted smell. 

Deactivated charcoal, vinegar, baking soda, lemon water, coffee grounds, peppermint, or vanilla extract absorbs odors, leaving your house smelling good and fresh. Placing them in an open bowl will ensure good smells at all times of the day. 

Of course, you can also give things a helping hand by buying some gorgeous smelling room odorizers, like bolivian rock – your home will smell fresh and lovely if you try it. 

2. Spray Essential Oil

Essential oils are amongst the best products when you yearn for a good smell. Putting them on a filter is another genius trick to have a fresh home always. You can sprinkle drops of the oil onto the furnace filter to have the scent pumped across the house. 

If not, spray it manually using a spray pump to get the desired scent. You can have the fragrance of essential oils such as vanilla, lemon, lavender, cinnamon, peppermint, or tangerine. 

3. Use Scented Candles

Making Your House Smell Good
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Over the centuries, candles have been excellent for medicinal healing and giving restful thoughts. Today, its decorative purpose is gaining popularity, and every interior decor enthusiast can’t go without it.  

Besides creating ambiance, you can use scented candles for aromatherapy. It is best to choose candles from scents like lavender, spicy cinnamon, sweet baked goods, and many more scents.

4. Contract Expert Cleaners

While you may think your home is clean, sometimes it’s best to seek expert services. You can contact an air duct cleaning contractor to make your house dust-free and smell fresh. 

The experts will help you remove debris, dead insect remains, and other undesirable things in the HVAC air duct, purifying your air. When you occasionally hire professionals, you will be keeping respiratory diseases like asthma and allergies at bay, and your home will always smell good. 

Making Your House Smell Good

Making Your House Smell Good

Making your home smell good doesn’t have to cost you a lot. These smart tips will make a massive impact if you incorporate them into your interior décor activities. Besides, they are budget-friendly and available anywhere.

You can try one and then move to the next, or use them simultaneously to get the sweet and fresh smell. The goal is to get your home smelling good always.

Do you have any other tips for making your house smell good? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Adulting For the Home Home How To

4 Home Modifications That Will Increase The Value of Your Home

Are you looking to increase ROI on your home? As a homeowner, you want to choose modifications that will increase the value of your home. In some cases, home modifications can be futile depending on how much you plan to spend and the maximum value of your home on the current market. Negative equity is a problem many homeowners face and making changes that won’t directly impact your ability to get the best price can be a fine line to walk.

Increase The Value of Your Home

Home Modifications to Increase The Value of Your Home

A New Roof

While many people are concerned with how their homes look on the inside, neglecting the roof can lead to some serious issues. These issues include dampness and less protection from the elements. Your roof is a major component of your home, so ensure it is in good condition at all times to avoid internal problems and damage. Replacing your roofing can add around $12,000 to the resale value of your home and increase insulation by around 60%

Basement

Basements are becoming more and more popular, especially with high-income buyers. Even unfinished basements can add value to your home. The actual price increase depends on the size of your basement and the level of finish and utilities.

For example, if you have electricity and running water, your basement could add more value to your home. Finished basements can add anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000 depending on house prices in your area and the size and finish.

Remove Walls

Never attempt to remove internal walls without checking if they are load-bearing because it can cause serious structural damage. However, open-plan homes are still popular with buyers, so freeing up space by removing internal walls and doors will help. Not only will it give your home a fresh look, but it will also increase the ROI.

Exterior

The curb appeal of your home can make all the difference when it comes to the sale value of your home and the type of buyer it attracts. Adding siding to your home can instantly revive an old and tired exterior and hide any imperfections. Before you do this, make sure you aren’t covering up any structural damage that needs looking at. If you cover structural issues, it will still be an issue even with a new facia on your home. Typically an investment of around $10,000 to install stone cladding to your home can recover up to 96% at resale.

Increase The Value of Your Home

It is important to weigh the value of adding new features to your home, especially if you are selling soon. The resale value is also affected by the level of finish, the quality of products used, and artistry.

Leave a comment and let me know if there is anything you’d add to the list!

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Adulting For the Home Home How To

How You Should Approach Storm, Fire, And Flood Damage to Your Home

During certain times of the year, your home will be battered and bruised by winds, rain, and dry spells that can become disastrous. It’s only when something bad from these events happens, that we begin to think about plans to protect our home. By then, it may be too late. Don’t wait for your home to become a wreck before you put in place some countermeasures to prevent your home from becoming damaged in the first place. These are some simple things you can do, to fight flood, fire, and storm damage to your home.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Damage to Your Home
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How to Fight Damage to Your Home

Fire Damage

Fire damage is the rarest type of holistic damage that your home will face, but it’s the worst. It rips through everything, killing everyone and anything, as well as destroying the structural integrity of your home. To avoid this, take the following safety precautions:

  • First, always make sure that your fire alarms have a working battery. The newer the battery is, the louder the alarm could be. 
  • Always have fire prevention equipment on both floors of your home. Fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and even sprinklers could be fitted in your home.
  • Always have a fire damage repair service in your contacts list so you can call them as soon as possible to begin the process of recovery. They’ll inspect the home, make sure it’s safe to sleep in, and repair your items as best they can.

Flood Damage

Flood damage is perhaps the second-worst kind of damage your home can experience. When water floods into your home, it damages the electrics and wiring, causing long-term issues. This is why you consider the equipment that can block water from entering into your plugs in the first place. Here are some things you can do to save as much of your home as possible from floodwater.

  • Buy sandbags and store them in your garage or shed, somewhere dry preferably.
  •  Air brick covers should be fitted over your ventilation holes which can be found on the outside of your home.
  • Make sure you raise your electronics after unplugging them. It’s a good idea to unplug your TV and computer and take them upstairs. 
  • Close the doors only after putting towels down by the underside of the doors. This won’t prevent the flood but it will slow it down. This gives you more time to grab anything you need and head upstairs or leave the property.

Storm Damage

Although storms are scary, they can be fought against if you make the right plans. One of the main things you need to be aware of is loose things in your home that could present a danger due to high winds.

  • Install storm shutters that can protect your home from flying objects such as pebbles or stones from your garden. 
  • Trim your trees. Branches are often ripped off trees and hurled through the air by storm winds.
  • In case the mains area is affected by the storm, have a small diesel generator which you can use to stay warm, cook food, and use your electronics to communicate with people or watch the news.

Prevent Damage to Your Home

Every home can be protected from the big three shouts of mother nature. You just need to prepare and make the right choices for your prevention plans. What will you do in your home to avoid damage to your home? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Adulting For the Home Home How To

3 Ways To Fix Up Your House And Make All The Neighbors Jealous

The state of the properties in a neighborhood tend to mimic each other. You find beautiful accommodations in one part of town, and then dilapidated buildings side by side in another. Even if you are in a bit of a run down area, there’s still plenty that you can do to fix up your house and make all the neighbors jealous. 

As a homeowner, though, you don’t always know where to start. Intellectually speaking, you understand the financial benefits of home restoration. But, putting your plans into practice is never easy. 

Fortunately, in this post, we clear up any confusion you might have around the subject. Check out the following guidelines for making your property look new again. 

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

How To Fix Up Your House

1. Clean Up Your Siding Or Cladding

How To Fix Up Your House
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If your home has siding or cladding, try cleaning it up and repainting it. Begin by sanding down the old paint and then washing it with sugar soap. Doing this will help remove any dirt and debris. 

Next, apply a coat of primer to the surface of the siding. This will provide a base on which you can apply new layers of paint. Then simply gloss the surface or hire a professional company to carry out the work for you. The result will be an exterior that essentially looks brand new.

2. Sand And Treat Your Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring can look amazing. If you don’t look after it properly, though, it can eventually lose its character and let you down. The best approach here is to begin sanding it down using a large, wheeled sanding machine.

Next, as with the siding, you’ll need to wash the floor gently to remove any dust and dirt and then repaint with fresh varnish. The result should be a floor that looks just about brand new. Please note that you should only use fine-grade sandpaper. Coarse versions could leave marks on your floor. 

3. Retile Your Kitchen

Fix Up Your House
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It’s amazing how much of a difference something as simple as retiling your kitchen can make for how your home feels. Putting tiles on the floor and walls can change the entire character of the room. What’s more, when you choose cozy colors, it makes you feel more at home.

For the kitchen, your priority is to fit tiles around the kitchen sink to act as a backsplash. You also want a row of tiles running along your countertop wall to make it easy to clean any splatter from food prep off the walls. 

You might also want to consider tiling the entire floor. This way, you can easily mop up food spills. 

As a final note, if you like the look of tiles but need something more affordable, there are now many good imitation products on the market. Mock vinyl floor tiles, for instance, look almost as good as the real thing. 

Fixing up your house to make the neighbors jealous is something anyone can do. It’s all about making your property look new and luxurious without spending a huge amount of money. 

How to Fix Up Your House and Make Your Neighbors Jealous

Fixing up your house doesn’t have to be impossible. You can do it yourself and save a ton of money that way. Leave a comment and let me know any tips you have to fix up your house!

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Adulting Allergies For the Home Health Healthy Living Home How To

5 Ways To Naturally Purify The Air In Your Home

Naturally Purify The Air In Your Home

The air in your home can easily become contaminated with irritants such as pollen, dust, mold spores, and pet dander. These irritants can be particularly harmful if you have an allergy and asthma. Luckily, there are a few ways to naturally purify the air in your home to keep it healthy.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

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How to Naturally Purify The Air In Your Home

1. Houseplants

Growing plants in your home could help to purify the air. While plants aren’t as effective at removing large particles like dust, they can be effective at getting rid of microscopic toxins like VOCs. Plants also produce oxygen, helping to make the air in your home fresher.

Plants can neutralize odors while releasing fresh, natural scents. Some houseplants are more effective at purifying the air than others – check out this list of air purifying plants for some good examples. 

2. HEPA Filters

Most standard air purifiers work by sucking in air and trapping particles in a filter known as a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. After the contaminants have been removed by the filter, clean air is then pumped back out. You’ll have to regularly replace these filters once they get dirty. You can find these filters in tabletop devices, floor-standing devices, and even in some HVAC systems. 

3. Ultraviolet light

UV air purifiers use ultraviolet light to remove harmful pathogens from the air. They are effective at neutralizing bacteria, viruses, and fungi. So, if you want to prevent the spread of illness or tackle a mold problem, a UV air purifier could be a great solution. You can buy these air purifiers as standalone devices, but they can sometimes be incorporated into HVAC systems. 

4. Activated Carbon

Activated carbon is a good solution against smoke and bad odors. Unlike many air fresheners that cover up smells, activated carbon is scentless and simply works by neutralizing these smells.

You can buy activated carbon bags containing bamboo charcoal to place around your home. They are particularly effective for removing smells from enclosed areas like a musty shoe cupboard or a smelly fridge. Activated carbon is sometimes incorporated into electric purifier devices with HEPA filters, helping to remove particles and remove odors.  

5. Electrostatic precipitators

Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) are another form of air purifier worth looking into. These devices use an electrostatic charge that causes solid particles like dust and pollen to get stuck to a metal plate inside the device. It’s a bit like how your hair might get stuck to a static balloon.

The metal plate (known as an electrode) traps the particles while activated. Once you turn the ESP off, these particles fall off into a collection filter, which can be emptied or replaced. ESPs are effective at removing just about anything from dust to bacteria but are less effective at reducing odors. 

Humidifiers For Your Health And Home

You can also consider adding humidifiers to your home so that you can breathe better. Check out this infographic to learn more.


Infographic Provided by American Residential Services

Naturally Purify The Air In Your Home

By working to naturally purify the air in your home, you will make the air healthier for you and your family. Eliminate harmful particles from the air by trying these methods. If you have a way that works to naturally purify the air in your home, leave a comment and tell me about it!

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Adulting For the Home Home How To Learning Life

Is Your Home Calling Out For Some Love?

Home Calling Out For Some Love

It’s easy to forget that our home needs a bit of TLC from time to time. After all, we don’t tend to react until something goes wrong. By that point, however, you will likely have an expensive repair bill and a lot of damage to deal with. You must ensure your home gets the attention it deserves on a regular basis by watching for signs of your home calling out for some love.

By performing frequent check-ups around your property, you can preserve the condition of your home and avoid expensive repairs in the future. With that in mind, read on to discover some warning signs that your home deserves a bit of TLC.  

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Is Your Home Calling Out For Some Love? Signs to Watch For

Squealing, Clanging, and Rattling

If you are hearing any funny noises around the home, don’t ignore them. Boilers and furnaces can make quite a bit of noise if they are not taken care of properly. Or, it could even be your air conditioning system that is the problem. A clanging sound can occur if parts have loosened, which is often the case over time. No matter what the issue is, it’s essential to get it addressed right away.

Water Damage

Over time, water damage can build up, causing expensive problems for you to deal with. The sooner you deal with it, the fewer issues it will cause.

Some signs of water damage include stained ceilings and running water when no one is using it. If you have noticed any ceiling damage, your roof could be the problem. Calling in a water damage restoration professional is vital, as water damage can have a detrimental impact on the structure of your property.

Worn Countertops

One of the biggest indications of wear-and-tear in a property is worn countertops because countertops are designed to be long-lasting. If they start to become dull, chipped, or burnt, it is a good indication of your home calling out for love. Not only will new countertops add to the aesthetic appeal of your property, but they can boost the value of it too.

Clutter

If your home is covered in clutter, it’s time to make a change. Clutter can be difficult to live with. Not only does it look bad, but it can also make you feel stressed.

Coming home to a cluttered home is the last thing you want when you’ve had a difficult day at work. By getting your house to the stage where it is clutter-free, you will notice a massive difference in how you feel and how much you enjoy your home.

Mold and Mildew

Not only does mildew and mold look awful, but it can have an adverse impact on your health too. Hiring a specialist to remove the mold and mildew is essential, and then you must take steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again. It is also worth assessing the ventilation in the rooms that have been impacted.

Is Your Home Calling Out For Some Love?

Being a homeowner can be tricky because it comes with so many responsibilities. Watching for signs of your home calling out for some love is essential to preventing worsening issues and expensive problems. Don’t ignore these things, no matter how little they seem at first.

If you have any other tips, I’d love to hear about them in the comments!

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Adulting For the Home Home How To Learning Life

3 Essential Areas To Inspect Regularly at Home to Prevent Major Problems

Areas To Inspect Regularly at Home

Whether you’re buying or selling a home or staying in your current one, regular inspections ensure your house is in peak condition. Inspect visible areas like the roof and walls, but choose a home inspector for the rest. There are a few areas to inspect regularly, and it’s always best to get a professional’s opinion on these areas.

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Essential Areas To Inspect Regularly at Home

Plumbing System

There’s a reason you should always get a professional to do your plumbing inspection. The home’s plumbing system is a network of complicated elements that only an expert would know to look at. 

However, you can easily detect damages by noticing leaks through your roof or moisture. When this is the case, consider getting a water leak detection service to quickly identify the plumbing issue and repair it on the spot. 

A plumbing issue is not something you want to sit on and get to when it’s convenient for you. On the contrary, it can cause significant damages to your roof, walls, floor, and even furniture, reducing your home’s value.

It’s best to have a plumbing inspection as often as every six months if there’s no evidence of pre-existing damage. Doing so will help you prevent massive home renovations that could cost more money, time, and a lot of work.

Roof and Surrounding Structures

The roof is perhaps the most obvious place to detect any malfunction. This is because structural issues often affect the ceiling first, making it one of the major points for inspection.

You want to check for leakages, dents, cracks, or changes in your roof’s texture and color. If you discover one of these damaged roof signs, it’d be pertinent to call for a home inspection and repair STAT as it could indicate a bigger structural issue.

More importantly, resist the urge to climb on your roof for a close-up, and leave that to the professionals. Some roofs may be slippery, uneven, and unstable, deeming it risky for you and even experienced personnel to climb on.

However, home inspectors leave nothing to chance – they inspect, study and document their findings right there and then for accuracy. So you can expect short notes, photos, and a request for a full report.

Preferably, do a roof inspection twice a year to uncover issues before they get out of hand. In the long haul, you’ll be pretty happy you did.

Electrical System

Checking your electrical system is essential because faulty cables could lead to severe consequences like a house fire. If you live with your family and kids, take that as your inspiration to inspect your electrical network regularly.

A thorough home inspection covers all bases of your interior and exterior points. Because electrical systems can be inside and outside, you’re sure to have an extensive assessment of your electrical network.

Areas To Inspect Regularly at Home

Prevention is the best way to avoid major problems in your home. You may experience some structural damage in your home over time. But, you can quickly find and fix the issues with regular home inspections.

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Adulting For the Home Home How To Life

8 Things to Consider When Deciding How To Organize Your Home Renovation

How To Organize Your Home Renovation

Renovating a house is a major project that can be complex and difficult. Planning a project like this can be tricky, but it helps to organize your home renovation first. With organization, you know exactly what needs to be done at each stage. 

How To Organize Your Home Renovation
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How To Organize Your Home Renovation

Design and Planning

Design and planning could include detailed architectural plans, a quick sketch, or at least a clear idea of how your renovations should go. It will be much less expensive and stressful if you can correct any problems before the renovation begins. Make sure you have your budget prepped and ready, too. 

At this stage, write a list of which projects you can do yourself and which projects you will need to hire professionals for. Find the contractors or subcontractors for the professional jobs. This is also the time to apply for any permits you might need. 

Major Areas

Start with the biggest jobs like repairing or fixing the roof, the best foundation repair, repairing siding, or installing new windows. The big projects should be done first as smaller projects are usually impacted by them. 

Structural problems should be figured out first. Secure the foundation and make repairs to things like walls, joists, and beams. Repair the roof, replace damaged windows, and replace any broken siding.

While most of these repairs are straightforward, it would help to work with a trusted window company, John McCarter Construction if you need help replacing your windows and giving your home the elegance it deserves.

Demolition

Next, take on demolishing any sections of the house that will be rebuilt during the process. Rent a container for waste so you can dispose of everything correctly.

Demolish all areas of the house that will be renovated. If you won’t be living in the house during the project, demolish all areas at once. However, if you will be living in the home, demolish one area at a time so your entire living space isn’t gone.

Structural Carpentry

Your next stage is any carpentry that supports drywall, walls, windows, or doors. This would include moving existing walls, building new walls, adding beams to support upper floors, putting in new doors, removing existing doors, or enlarging or constructing window openings. 

Electricity, Plumbing, and HVAC Ductwork

While your walls and ceilings are open, get your vital services installed. Now is the ideal time for your HVAC company to put in the ductwork needed for heating and air conditioning. It’s also the right time for fitting any new plumbing and electrical systems. Get inspections done now too. 

Windows

Putting in new windows, whether in the whole house or just one room, is common in a renovation project. This is where it should go on your list if it is something you need to have done.

Insulation

Lay the insulation in your walls, ceilings, and attic. This is usually a fast job, so book the drywall company right away to avoid delays in your project.

Drywall

Close up the walls with drywall. Bring in the electrical and plumbing inspectors for a second check before you close up the walls, though. Drywallers can then hang sheets of drywall, apply drywall compound, and let the compound dry. Once it’s dry, they can sand it smooth for you to paint.


Infographic Provided by Rock Solid Stabilization & Reclamation, Inc.

Organize Your Home Renovation

With quite the list of things to address for your home renovation, getting organized is essential. You don’t want to do things out of order and cause more work for yourself later. Plus, having to go back and re-do things will cost extra money.

Avoid those types of problems by implementing these tips to organize your home renovation. It will make the entire process less stressful.

If you have done a home renovation, leave a comment and let me know how you organized it!