General Articles

There are a lot of people who prefer to DIY when it comes to home maintenance projects. Not only does it save homeowners a lot of money, there is a certain satisfaction that comes from accomplishing projects around the home. Unfortunately, there are times when it’s best to leave projects to the professionals. In order to prevent extensive damage to your home or harm to yourself, here are instances when you should leave the work to the experts.

Pest Control

Many homeowners make the mistake of handling pest control on their own. Picking up a can of ant or spider spray at your local grocery store does not count as pest control. When it comes to pest control services, a professional company has the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to eliminate any pest infestations in and around your home.

Major Remodeling

Any time that you need to get a …

Getting more from your home can be beneficial in a number of ways. Making the right improvements helps you maximize how you use your house and may even help you add value to your property. If you’re looking to make some important changes around the house, now is the time to act. Consider these ideas and find the right adjustments for your home.

Cosmetic Changes

First, you may want to think about changes you can make to your house’s appearance. Some of these tasks can be simple and are easily accomplished in a weekend. Make a project out of painting your kitchen cabinets, for example, and you can infuse some new life into the room with minimal effort. If you’re looking to tackle something a bit more complicated, hire professionals to paint the exterior of your home. This can boost its curb appeal and make it look like a …

The quality of indoor air is often overlooked but should get more consideration. Poor air quality can lead to short-term health problems and also cause lasting health issues. The best way to negate the effects of indoor air pollutants is often to reduce exposure. Improve the air quality in a home by incorporating a few extra measures into the cleaning schedule.

Change Air Filters

Keeping air filters clean is usually imperative for good air quality. This is usually a simple process that does not require hiring a professional to complete. An air filter may need replacing every two or three months. A good tactic for determining when to replace an air filter is to check it monthly for at least a year. With the information gathered, it can be easy to set up an air filter changing schedule.

Sweep Chimneys

Having the fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned at least …

If a home renovation is on your agenda, consider a few improvements that will make your home more energy-efficient and sustainable. A few updates can improve the impact your home has on the environment, and your bank account. Sustainable homes can go a long way into saving money on bills.

Insulation

Whether adding an addition to your home or renovating a room, the insulation used impacts the energy efficiency of a building. Updated spray foam solutions for insulation may be the best bet for efficiency. Regarding performance, spray foam insulation is substantially more effective than standard fiberglass insulation. Spray foam insulation can also have a lifespan of more than four times that of fiberglass.

Windows

Certainly, when installing new windows opt for an energy-efficient option. If your windows do not need to be replaced, a more cost-effective solution is to guard against air leaks by ensuring windows have proper weather-stripping. …

Ponds, streams, fountains and koi ponds: You’ve seen them at hotels, public venues and perhaps even at someone’s home. The clear water is beautiful and relaxing. You’ve decided that you want that for your home. You plan and build, then finally, you have the water feature you wanted. However, it looks cloudy and brown or green, not at all the look you were hoping to achieve. What went wrong? The key to clear water: lake aeration.

What Makes the Water Murky?

Water naturally contains minerals that may affect the clarity of the water. Soil and plants can also color the water feature. As plants decompose, they produce phosphates. Those particles of minerals, soil, and plants become suspended in the water, creating that cloudy, murky appearance. Algae occur naturally in all water and are not necessarily harmful. However, increased levels of phosphate can lead to an overgrowth, known as algae …