Rain Barrels: Why are They Important for Your Home?

Though water is available in our homes and can be used for various purposes but how nice it would be if we make the most from other natural resources and save our bills. One of the best ways of saving water is to use rain barrels for storing rainwater.

 

Rainwater is the purest form of water that is considered to be freshwater. If you reside in a region where rainfalls are frequent, then having rain barrels to store the rainwater can be beneficial.

 

Using the tap water for your plants, garden and cleaning the outdoor living space can cost you a lot on your water and electricity bills. This is when these rain barrels come to the rescue.

 

What is a Rain Barrel?

 

Rain barrels serve as a reservoir to collect rainwater that runoffs through downspouts from the roof during heavy storms. Rain barrels can include special features like filters spigots for attaching garden hoses, insect-proof mesh, child and animal proofing. Rain barrels can store up to 80 gallons of water depending upon the size and shape of the container. Mostly the stored rainwater is used for gardening purposes because it is healthy for plants and soil as it is free from chemicals.

 

Rainwater harvesting is becoming popular in many other ways as well that has lead people to install rain barrels with the help of experts. Let us look at the advantages of rain barrels-

 

1) Reduction in Rainwater Runoffs-

 

Rainwater runoffs are a huge problem in urban areas that causes the clogging of gutters and downspouts exerting force on the roof. Apart from blocking the drains, rainwater runoff carries all sorts of chemicals and dirt that pollute our waterways. This could be stopped using rain barrels that can collect rainwater and help in clearing the streams so that plants and animals can rely on them.

 

2) Prevention of Soil Erosion-

 

Soil erosion caused by fast running stormwater can damage the foundation of your house and wash away the nutrient-rich topsoil from your garden. Therefore, runoffs could be prevented by deploying rain barrels near the roof, that will preserve the topsoil for your plants and prevent damages to your landscaping.

 

3) Provides Water During Droughts-

 

With the change in weather conditions and the onset of summers, having water for serving the needs of your garden is essential, especially during the driest part of the year. Watering your plants in the sweltering heat will not be enough and plants can dry or die. Collecting and preserving rainwater can serve the purpose by providing extra moisture to the plant for the betterment of their growth.

 

This is useful, especially during drought and water restriction period. Without having to rely on limited community resources, you can make your landscape green and bountiful.

 

4) Saves You Money-

 

It is a free supply of water that gets replenished whenever there are showers. Apart from saving tap water, it helps you save on your electricity and water bills.

 

Simple Ways to Improve the Exterior of Your House

Are you looking for some easy ways to enhance the beauty of the exterior of your house? If so, then this post is for you. In this article, we have jotted a few ways that can help in bringing charm to your home’s exterior.

 

The exterior of your home is like the cover page of a book. It set standards for what’s inside. So, it is crucial to have a splendid outer appearance of the home. And for this reason, necessary improvements are a must. Moreover, if you are interested in selling your home in future, it will help in boosting its value.

 

Now, let us see what the simple changes are that you can bring to the exterior of your house.

 

#1. Stain the garage door – Installing a new garage door may be an expensive option, so you can go for staining it with a different color to get a new look. Don’t forget to power wash the door completely before staining the surface. Just painting the old looking and dull garage door can contribute a lot towards improving the outer look of your property.

 

#2. Have a clear and attractive walkway – A well-defined and clear driveway make your home more inviting. So, make sure to sweep all the leaves, debris and dirt off your paths on a regular basis. You can also rent a power washer to remove dirt and stains that don’t get cleaned with a hose.

 

To make walkway visually appealing, you can use stones, bricks and rocks in the bedding area to create artistic and unique exterior appeal.

 

#3. Add some lighting – The right light can improve the ambience of your house. No doubt, they can lit only at night, but they have the power to change the entire feel of your property.

 

Landscape lighting is the best and the cheap way to enhance the exterior curb appeal of your house. These lights look amazing and give warm and welcoming feels.

 

#4. Have clean gutters – If gutters are not looked after timely, they can bring you the chaos. Dirt, leaves and debris accumulated in the gutters for a long time can lead to water damage and mold. So, it is highly recommended to keep a check on the gutters and get them cleaned when necessary.

 

Remember, this is the most essential step if you want to have a properly functioning and a good looking home inside out.

 

#5. Frieze boards and decorative mouldings installation – Frieze boards and decorative mouldings are innovative products that have the power to beautify the exterior of your house.

 

Frieze board is the trim detail installed horizontally below the soffit, and its size ranges from 1×6 to 1×10. Moreover, they provide a design with a colonial appeal and are pocket-friendly too.

Why Soffits and Fascias Are Important: A Guide for Homeowners

What are Soffits and Fascias?

Soffits and fascias are an important part of households and roof topping. A fascia board is where the roof meets the outer house walls, while soffit board lies under it. A fascia is located at the lower edge of the roof, while a soffit can be easily visible from the streets. They help in protecting the rooftop against the wreck of rains.   Besides giving a finished look to the exterior of your home, soffits and fascias help in giving a sturdy protection to the house. They keep away pests, birds, squirrels, etc along with giving ventilation in attic. Soffits and fascia are made of wood and capped with aluminum to can withstand severe weather conditions.

If you are planning on selling your home or want to improve the aesthetic appeal of your property, here’s how soffits and fascia can play an important role.

Why are Soffits and Fascias important?

Soffits and Fascias have a lot to do than just giving a pleasing appearance to the home structure. Soffits have great importance and are located below the rafter tails. They prevent water seeping in the house after rains. They help in providing airflow to the attics, providing them with proper ventilation. Moisture in the attic can disturb the structure leading to dampening of walls. They also help in releasing heat from the attic during summer months. Besides, they also help in catching any insects like bees, pests, wasps or squirrels before they get into the house. One should keep a check that these soffits are not damaged or broken.

Fascias are also not less important. They form the end of the rafters and are visible from distance as well. Since they are located at the lower end of the roofs they provide a support system to the lower edge of roof tiles and bricks. Another major importance of fascias is, they hold the gutters that are attached on them. The gutters have a plethora of uses for one’s home, be it channelizing the waste water from the rains to the drainage systems, or preventing soil erosion, etc. They also protect and maintain the landscape around the house as well. Fascias are visible to everyone, so they can help in making the house look attractive and stylish, increasing the curb appeal.

The material that you choose for your soffits and fascias should be researched beforehand. Aluminum soffits and fascia are a popular choice because of its ease of installation, durability, and curb appeal. Aluminum soffits and fascia require less maintenance and can be installed in a range of environmental conditions. As a malleable metal, aluminum can be adjusted to fit into sharp, tight spaces like attic. Moreover, as a low maintenance material, aluminum soffits and fascia doesn’t flake, peel, warp, or rot.

Soffits and Fascias serve an important use when it comes to protecting the integrity of the house. One should keep a check that they don’t get damaged so easily. If you see their paints peeling off, getting cracked, becoming infested with pests, or with gutters leaking, prepare a check and get them repaired as soon as possible. Soffit and fascia cladding helps seal and insulate these spaces from the elements. Thus, Fascias and Soffits both have their own uses and merits. Fascias support the outer structure of the home and thus protects the interior from rains, snowstorms etc. While soffits protect the attic from getting moist and heated up, it also prevents growth of moulds and pests infestation on the rooftops. So if your soffits and fascia are damaged, make sure to repair or install new fascia and soffits in your home as soon as possible.

5 Signs of Damaged Soffits and Fascia That Needs Replacement

If you think soffit or fascia just add an aesthetic appeal to your home, you’re absolutely wrong! There’s no doubt that soffits and fascia gives a more finished look to your home, but these key elements of your roof also perform some serious functions. Both these parts of your roof are responsible for keeping out water, rodents, and debris from your home.

You can find soffit located beneath the rafter rails while fascia is the board present at the end of the rafters (between the roof edge and the gutter). The function of fascia is to support your gutters on the side of your roofing, while soffit, on the other hand, provides proper attic ventilation and prevents entry of outside elements. In view of the functions performed by both these parts of your roof, it becomes necessary to maintain them.

After some years of installation, soffits and fascia start deteriorating if not maintained properly. It’s good practice to keep checking the signs of damage so that you can repair soffit and fascia on time and save your roof and money in the long run. To help you maintain the health of your roof, here we have listed the common signs of soffits and fascia damage. If you notice any of the below-mentioned warning sign, it time to either repair or replace your roof’s soffits and fascia.

 

  1. Peeling, Cracking or Flaking Paint

Both fascia and soffit of your roof play a functional as well as aesthetic role. If you notice peeling or flaking paint, it’s an indication of damage. Moreover, cracking paint also impacts the overall appearance of your roof. The cracks in the paint could result in leaks and water damage. So, before the problem gets serious, it’s best to hire an experienced soffit or fascia repair contractor to remove the damaged pieces and install new soffits and fascia system.

  1. Leaky Gutters

Fascia primarily provides structural support to the gutter system and prevents your home from moisture. Both fascia and soffit are extremely close to the gutter which makes them vulnerable to water damage. When gutters begin to leak, it can cause water damages to the soffit and fascia. As such, your droopy or leaky gutter is an indication of fascia replacement.

  1. Ventilation Issues

The basic purpose of installing soffits and fascia in your home is to provide ventilation to attics. Soffits not only offer proper ventilation for the attic but it also gives protection from the harsh weather and other harmful elements. A properly installed and maintained soffit will help in minimizing moisture and heat, thereby improving the efficiency of air conditioning. However, when soffits and fascia get blocked or damaged, you’ll experience problems with your home’s ventilation. If you’re facing any such ventilation issue, it’s time to call a professional for help. The soffits and fascia contractors will inspect the condition of your soffits and fascia to determine whether you need repairing or replacement.

  1. Pests and Rodents

If you find annoying pests or rodents in your home, it’s a sign of a problem with roof’s soffits and fascia. Both these components of your roof are designed and installed in a way to keep bugs, rodents, and pest out of your home. However, when there’s a problem in your soffits and fascia system, these pesky creatures may find their way into your home and damage your roof.

  1. Check Asbestos

Asbestos is not only extremely dangerous to your health but also cause severe damages to your roof. Any sign of asbestos in soffits and fascia should never be avoided. In addition to this, you should also look for water in the roof void. To prevent damages, it’s recommended to check your soffits and fascia to make sure there’s no water leak in your roof void.