Tag: improvement

6 Signs You Need Foundation Repair in Baton Rouge Area

Rachael

Your home’s foundation probably isn’t something you think about on a daily basis. Out of sight, out of mind- and a foundation is about as “out of sight” as you can get. Its job is to silently support your home and keep everything level as it should be.

However, nothing lasts forever- and that includes your foundation. It’s important to keep your home in good shape for as long as possible, and part of that process is knowing the signs of disrepair around the house. Here are 6 signs that you should start thinking about calling a local company for foundation repair services. This information is presented by our company for foundation repair in Baton Rouge.

1.    Sagging Floors

A dip here and there on the floor, especially during the winter, is normal. There may even be a few creaky or low spots when you move in. However, what’s not normal is a dip in the floor that appears suddenly, worsens over time, or feels weaker than the rest of the floor when you step on it.

Floors may sag due to foundation problems. If the walls of the foundation are being pressed inwards by an external force, such as soil expansion, then the floors won’t have as much support and may develop dips or sags. Waiting too long to fix these issues can result in further damage to the floor joists and then foundation in general.

2.    Cracks in the Wall

Perhaps the biggest sign of foundation problems is cracks developing in your walls. Over time, your foundation can sink or weaken, especially in the middle. When this happens, the walls lose their support and start to weaken as well, leading to cracks.

Cracks in your basement walls can be caused by soil expansion as well. Especially in areas that have large amounts of clay, spring rains cause the soil to expand and press inwards on the foundation walls, breaking them down and forming cracks. If they are smaller than ⅛ of an inch, or small enough that you can’t slip a dime into them, you may not need to worry about them just yet. However, any bigger than that and you’ll need to start thinking about calling a Baton Rouge foundation repair company.

3.    Water Damage

Cracks in your foundation are, unfortunately, a way for all sorts of things to make their way into your home. This includes water! Water damage is particularly likely if you have cracks in a basement foundation, since these allow groundwater to seep in from the soil around it. Heavy rains in the spring can contribute to this problem, flooding a basement in no time. Now you have two problems to deal with: cleaning up the water damage and fixing the foundation.

If you suffer water damage in the basement, don’t panic. You may need to contact a flood cleanup company along with the foundation repair company, or one company may do both. Either way, get it addressed as quickly as possible … Read more ...

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What Are the Leading Causes of a Sagging Roof?

Rachael

Do you remember when you last looked at your roofs? Unfortunately, you are not alone. Most of the time, homeowners don’t even get time to do so. 

Sagging is a situation where the roof shows signs of distress. Some roofs may even start showing signs of sagging a few days after building. If left alone, roof sagging can lead to roof damage or, worse still, roof collapse.

Once you notice roof sagging in your house, call a professional like roofers Ridgeland-based for appropriate remedies. Understanding some causes can assist you in preventing roof sagging. Here are common causes of sagging roofs:

Too Much Weight

Once the roofing structure cannot support the roofing material, your roof risks sagging or even collapsing. All the roofing material should be strong enough to offer support. Otherwise, you’ll notice the roof sagging, especially during winter when snow overloads your rooftop.

Water Drainage

Water infiltrating into some parts of the roof may cause wood rot, damaged insulation, and molding. All this kind of water damage is a recipe for a sagging roof. During rains, water penetrates through the roof. As time goes by, the same water forms an avenue for the growth of mildew and molds. Later, the molds weaken the roof, leading to roof sagging.  

Any single leak can bring down the whole roof if this is ignored. The strength of the top determines the vulnerability to water damage. While it may cost extra, water-resistant roofing materials are the most reliable option.

Old Age

Like any other thing, roofing material has a limited lifespan. Most roofs will start showing signs of weakness after serving for some time. However, this depends on roof maintenance and repair—the older the roofing structure, the higher chance of deterioration. 

Experts can easily foretell the likelihood of roof sagging following regular roof inspection and maintenance. If you know that your roof has existed for decades, don’t hesitate until it collapses but instead make the necessary arrangements for roof replacement. An expert will determine the right time for a replacement if they find it fit.

Final Thought 

Understanding the cause of your roof sagging can put you in a better position to salvage the situation. It’s vital to know the extent to which your roof is damaged so that you choose a suitable solution. For example, sagging due to old age is better solved through replacement, while sagging due to excess weight may only need a few repairs. … Read more ...

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5 Reasons You Need A New Roof In Worcester

Rachael

There are many things that a homeowner must do to keep their house in excellent condition. One of them is keeping their roofs inspected annually. However, since the roof is on top of the house and out of sight, it’s easy to forget about it. Unfortunately, negligence is the reason why so many homeowners end up needing an entire roof installed.

Failing to get regular inspections and fixing problems when they are small can add up to more significant issues. For example, small cracks and missing shingles that would have only cost a few hundred dollars when they surfaced may turn into thousands of dollars. This is because the cracks and missing shingles may have damaged the roof decking and caused leaks. The homeowner will need to replace the roof, remediate the mold, and fix the drywall.

Damage isn’t the only time a roof will need to be replaced, however. Here are some of the common reasons that a homeowner will need a new roof installed by roofing contractors Worcester, MA.

Microorganisms Have Destroyed Your Old Roof

A homeowner in Worcester may need a new roof because the roof has moss, lichen, or algae growing on it. Moss is green-colored, while lichen is usually white crust-like patches. Algae is black, and it looks like a stain spreading over the roof. However, all of these are living microorganisms. These growths are typically present when there is a moisture problem with the roof. They extend all over the roof, causing damage that eventually leads to premature roof replacement.

Damages from microorganisms not only destroy shingles but can also destroy the roof decking and allow moisture into the home. Not only will homeowners have to pay up to $12,000 to solve the roof problem, but they may have to pay a couple of thousand dollars for mold remediation if mold is present. They will also have to pay up to an additional thousand dollars to fix the ceiling. Thus, these seemingly harmless growths on the roof can lead to some very costly problems. And worst of all, since these growths usually indicate a homeowner’s neglect, home insurance policies won’t likely cover the damages.

Current Shingles Are Missing or Severely Damaged

Microorganisms can lead to premature roof replacement, but sometimes the shingles on the house can be damaged due to changes in the weather. Severe dry spells can cause the shingles to start to crack and fall off the house. Once this happens, it leaves the decking open to moisture. Thus, these extremities in the weather cause a host of problems with the roof, leading to replacement. The most significant cause of cracked or missing shingles is black algae. This black-colored organism eats away at the shingles, particularly asphalt shingles removing the UV protection layer from them. Therefore, when the sun shines on the home, this dries out the shingles, making them brittle. Aging can also cause the shingles to become brittle and start to crack.

There Are Many Stains Showing Inside Your

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Tips On How to Save Money When Building a House

Rachael

One of the major investments people make is building a home. This sort of investment is not cheap, and be prepared to part with a substantial amount of cash. However, as a homeowner, your choice of the piece of land, contractors you hire, home design, and other things go a long way to how smooth the process will be. If you make smart decisions and plan early, building a home can be done without breaking the bank. Still, keep in mind that going over the budget is pretty common when building a home. Here are a few ways you can save money in the process.

Have A Budget

It is very unwise to start building a home without estimating what your budget will be. Assess how much you can comfortably spend on constructing your home. It is actually better to meet with a financial advisor even before you buy a lot. They will advise you on the amount of money you should spend on building a home, depending on your financial position. Budgeting will also help you track your expenses so as not to go overboard. It is easy to overspend when you do not have a budget. You will find that you are splurging on roofs, only to discover that you are short on another area, such as labor costs. A budget reminds you of how much to spend on various elements.

Pick Your Builder Wisely

Builders are a huge determinant when you are trying to stay within budget. Your goal needs to be finding affordable and respected home builders Huntsville Alabama-based that will deliver quality work in a specific timeline. Research various home builders and go with the one that offers the most for your budget. Also, take note of things like reviews, reasonable upgrades, and projects completed recently. Once you find a builder, let them know your budget and what your priorities are. Some builders are always happy to advise you on different ways you can cut costs.

Go With a Small Footprint

Every square footage counts when building a home. The bigger the size, the higher the cost. How much space does your family need for a happy and healthy home? If you have a small family, then a basic one-story is recommended instead of a mansion. If you have three or more kids and pets and enjoy hosting people regularly, you will need a bigger space to accommodate your lifestyle. The point here is not to end up with something smaller than you need, but enough space that works for you.

Save Where You Can

It is important to look at areas where you can DIY. Labor costs can drive your building costs up. However, where you can confidently DIY, you should do it. Some easy tasks to do include painting, installing light fixtures, assembling furniture, installing a kitchen backsplash, and caulking windows.

Building a home does not have to break your wallet. You only need to research and stick to your budget. Be … Read more ...

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How to Hire a Flooring Contractor in Chicago, IL

Rachael

Hardwood floors are beautiful and luxurious. They add a timeless elegance to the home and create an inviting atmosphere for family and guests. However, hardwood floors can also be difficult to maintain because they require different care than carpet or tile. Despite this, many homeowners prefer hardwood floors Chicago has to offer. 

However it can be difficult to know who to call when you want to install wood floors or refinish them.   It may seem like hiring a flooring contractor is simply finding the cheapest bid and choosing the lowest price. However, this can come with hidden costs. You could end up with cheap flooring installed or a poor installation job that won’t last very long or will need to be replaced in just a few years.

To help save you time, money, and headaches when it comes to hiring a flooring contractor, we’ve put together some tips on what to look for when hiring someone to install or refinish your floors.

1. Find a contractor who is qualified

One of the most important things you can do when hiring a flooring contractor is making sure they are qualified to do the job. This means checking their licensing and insurance. A qualified contractor will also have extensive experience in flooring and installation services.

2. Get bids from contractors

It’s important to get multiple bids before hiring a contractor. This will give you a better idea of what the average price for the work is. It will also allow you to compare different contractors. You should be able to tell the difference between high, medium, and low bids. If there is a bid that is substantially lower than all the other bids, it may be that the contractor is unlicensed or is not ensured. Remember to consider all aspects of the bid when deciding which is best for you.

3. Get a contract before the work begins

It’s important to have everything spelled out clearly in writing so there are no misunderstandings or confusion about the project. Make sure you know exactly what will be done, how much it will cost, the time frame of the work being completed, and if there are any penalties for delays.  This not only clarifies the scope of the work but it also gives you peace of mind.

4. Read reviews and check references

It’s always a good idea to get recommendations from friends or family members who have recently had any type of construction work done. If you don’t have a friend or family member who has done this type of work, it may be helpful to visit the website of the contractor you are considering to see what other people have said about them online.  If they are well-established, they will likely have many positive online reviews.  Take time to read them.

5. Make your Flooring Choice

Before hiring a contractor, make sure you are clear on the type of flooring you want and the cost. This will help you get a … Read more ...

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