Home Maintenance Tips & Ideas

1. Once a year, vacuum the refrigerator coils underneath the appliance.

2. Have the fireplace chimney inspected and cleaned annually.

3. Inspect window and door caulking and weather stripping yearly.

4. Replace furnace filters quarterly, or as recommended by the furnace manufacturer.

5. Test your garage door opener monthly to ensure that it reverses when it hits an obstruction or when its sensor beam is interrupted.

6. Vacuum the clothes dryer's exhaust duct at least once a year. If the duct is plastic, replace it (it's a fire hazard). Rigid sheet-metal ducting is best.

7. Accumulating fats and oils are the main cause for clogs, so never pour fats or other oils down your drains. This includes oils that are not solid at room temperature. If you accidentally spill oils or fats down the drain, run hot water down your drain along with a healthy serving of dishwashing liquid. The soap will emulsify the fat or oil and move it on down the pipe, preventing a clog.

8. Some climate control systems have in-duct humidifiers that help keep air moist and healthy during the winter when artificial heat systems are in use. But when these systems aren’t working properly, they become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria, which can cause serious air quality issues.

9. There is nothing more frustrating than turning on the hot water in your shower and instead receiving cold water. Water heaters, like other appliances, need maintenance to increase longevity and reduce the possibility of damage.

10. The main cause of leaky faucets is worn out washers. The washers inside of the faucet handles are rubber and tend to wear out quickly. Replace them by turning off the main water supply, unscrewing the leaky handle that controls the flow of water to the spout, removing the old washer, and dropping in the new one.

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Basement Flooring - The Home Service Club

Choosing a floor is already a very difficult process with all the flooring options available in the market and the basement flooring is even worse as it more often than not represents a moisture problem that may render some flooring options unviable. The easiest way to check on the moisture level of the basement floor is to take a non porous material and seal the material with tape to a couple different places around the basement floor.

Some of the flooring options that are always recommended for the basement flooring are:

Concrete flooring: They can be stained and or painted to almost any design as well as look, cheapest choice and good insulation can make concrete flooring nearly as warm as any other flooring option.

Stone tiling: Softer and faux stone may not hold up in basements and tougher and natural stone is often cost prohibitive but not every stone material is a natural for the basement flooring but more durable stones are a popular choice.

Laminate flooring: This flooring is composed of a wood core and aluminum oxide surface and each laminate is slightly different and some are not designed to be used in basements.

Ceramic and vinyl tiling: These tiling options will work for the basement flooring but only if the sub flooring remains dry enough for the adhesive.

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Home Renovation Strategies

When it comes to home renovations, the Refresh team has done (and seen) it all! We’re more than happy to share our experience and expertise!

 

Bedroom addition

Incorporating a bedroom in the basement is a great way to make room for guest and create extra storage space. But it also means making sure there’s a legal egress in case of fire - typically a window with an opening big enough to allow escape, as well as a window well deep enough to facilitate that hasty exit. And yes, you’ll need permits. $2000 to $3000 for window supply and installation.

Wall insulation

A basement’s outside walls often aren’t well insulated, so opt for spray foam or rigid insulation. You’ll spend a few extra dollars but it will pay off in the long run, since your furnace won’t need to work as hard to heat up your home. $3000 to $4000 to insulate a standard basement.

Temporary accommodation while renovating

Shipping containers are ideal as temporary accommodation when you are renovating because it means you can move out of your house, yet remain on site.

As well as the convenience, the great thing about containers is that they are versatile and can be adapted to a customer’s specific needs.

Royal Wolf has a number of different accommodation options that range from temporary accommodation fitted out with a bed, a shower and toilet, through to a “container office” that is fully insulated with a heat pump and/or air-conditioning.

The result is a temporary building that is warm and spacious. It’s also a more homely option than parking up a caravan or motorhome in the driveway.

 

Home Renovations, Remodeling and Additions - The Home Service Club

Home renovation has become big business. Increase the value of your home for future sale or simply make your home more comfortable to live in now or Thinking of remodeling your home. we provide a variety of services to cater to your unique needs. We offer superior interior designer services centring on functionality, practicality, and energy-efficiency, allowing you to increase the overall value of your property, enhances its style, and reduce your costs in the long run.

As you know Making major changes to your home is never easy — but the unexpected snags (and there are always snags) make the experience that much harder.

So here few Essential Things to Know Before You Hire a Renovations Contractors are :-

1. Don't expect perfection — expect quality.

2. Your contractor is making judgments from the moment he steps in your home.

3. Good negotiators can get a better price.

4. Safety is your responsibility, too.

5. Feel free to hire subcontractors — but don't go over your contractor's head.

6  Nice to the crew.

7. Pay attention to the warning signs.