Category - Home Renovations

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Common Siding Problems and How to Fix Them

Residential siding can improve the durability of your home and steadily increase its value over time. By installing residential siding, you are making an investment that will not only protect your home from the elements but safeguard its contents for years to come. But aside from these benefits, siding also causes a multitude of problems for business owners and homeowners alike. Continue reading to find out which siding problems are likely to give you a headache and how to fix them. 

Cracks 

Cracks are perhaps the most common complaint when it comes to siding and particularly vinyl siding. Whether it’s a single crack or the detachment of an entire panel, cracks are likely to appear sooner or later. There are several environmental as well as man-made factors that can cause cracked siding. These include adverse weather, sports equipment, home renovations and just general wear and tear. A residential siding company can usually repair or replace cracked siding for a competitive price and provide a lifetime warranty that protects against any further damage down the line. 

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Water Damage 

Although wood siding is perhaps more vulnerable to water damage, no material is safe from damage as a result of excess moisture. External walls that have been water compromised and left untreated for a prolonged period of time can minimise the structural integrity of the entire building. A residential siding company can repair moisture damage by removing the affected panels and replacing them with new boards. Regular inspections and maintenance can prevent the need for costly, time-consuming repairs. 

Paint Chipping 

Wood or vinyl siding that has been painted may require regular repainting to ensure it stays looking brand new. This should not be a problem if you treat your siding to yearly touch-ups. Siding that has been neglected may require a complete paint restoration which can be cumbersome and expensive depending on the size of the house.  

Pests  

As well as water damage, wood siding is also more likely to be prone to pests. Termites, bees, and ants are amongst the worst offenders, but wood siding can also attract woodpeckers, wasps, and mice. There are a number of preventative measures you can take to repel any curious pests from burrowing their way into your home. Spray your siding with insecticides or hot water at regular intervals throughout the year and more often during warmer months. Prevention or early detection is key to keeping your siding pest-free. If, however, you do find yourself overwhelmed with an infestation, you should get in touch with someone like https://www.pestcontrolexperts.com/ who will be able to come out and get rid of any unwelcome visitors in your siding.

Fading 

Although siding is designed to be long-wearing and sun-resistant, its appearance will alter over time due to general wear and tear. Constant exposure to ultraviolet light over time will cause gradual discolouration to your siding. Depending on the position of your house in relation to the direction of sunlight, this can affect one portion of your home or the entire house. This can cause an uneven appearance and may require regular replacement which may seem futile and unnecessary. 

It is important you are aware of the potential problems that may arise when you install residential siding as well as how to prevent or fix them. 

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Home Renovations Shop the Room!

7 Top Tips for Basement Gyms

A basement can be a great way to have a home gym without needing a specific space in your general home for that gym. However, if you’re not careful, a basement gym can also end up causing problems in the rest of your home. With these seven tips, you can make your basement into the perfect home gym.

1. Manage Basement Moisture and Humidity Early On

Working out in your basement means you’re going to be sweating, which can cause the moisture levels in the basement to rise exponentially. Invest in waterproofing strategies and possibly a basement dehumidifier to avoid these humidity problems.

2. Protect Your Basement Floors

Especially if you’re going to be lifting weights, it’s a good idea to do whatever you can to protect basement floors in your gym. Having a weight fall on an unprotected floor can leave cracks and even cause serious foundation problems.

3. Consider Your Installation Process

Most basements require that you bring things into the basement through the door, which can be surprisingly small in some cases. Make sure you can fit anything in your basement gym through the basement’s door.

4. Add Media Elements to Your Basement Gym

Sometimes, exercising can be a little easier if you just have the ability to watch a little TV or listen to some music while you’re doing it. Sure, this isn’t perfect for everyone, but for many people, media can help create the perfect exercise.

5. Warm Up the Basement Floor

Basement floors are often concrete, and that concrete sits directly against the outside floor, which can cause incredibly cold floors. There are, however, floor warming systems that can make it less bone-chilling to step directly on the cold floor for yoga or Pilates.

6. Think About Your Home’s Structural Strength

This is something many home gyms don’t have to think about, but some gyms absolutely do. For example, if you’re planning on adding a punching bag or a dance pole, you need to make sure the structure of the home can handle the stress this can place on the overall structure.

7. Make the Most of Your Basement Height

Basement height is often something that people think about when they’re considering an extremely large basement, but even in your home basement, you can probably make the basement seem taller than it is. An exposed basement ceiling can add a few inches to your basement height, making it feel a bit less constricted.

Conclusion

If you want to make sure that your basement home gym is working as expected, one of the most important things you can do is make sure you have a healthy basement before you install the home gym. That may mean talking to an expert before you go forward with your home gym plans to make sure everything ends up working out appropriately. No matter what, the safety of your home should always be your first consideration, even when you’re turning your basement into a home gym.

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