By blogger Design 0 Comments

Rainwater Harvesting for Your Garden: Follow Easy Steps

If you have a beautiful backyard or a garden, maintaining it requires efforts. If you want to see your garden flourish with lush green grass and blooming flowers, you need to provide them with all the resources including fertile soil, exposure to the right number of natural elements, and water. However, some of the resources require money. You can expect a higher water bill when you have an entire garden to water every day. It is then when people think about rainwater harvesting.

 

Rainwater harvesting can help you cut cost on your water bills, and simultaneously, it is an excellent way of moving towards a sustainable environment. You might have read online or in several books regarding how people are indulged in installing rain barrels, recycling water and using it for various purposes. The thrifty idea of recycling water from precipitation has solved problems associated with the limit access to groundwater.

 

Coming back to rainwater harvesting, here are some easy steps to follow with most of the things present in your house required for the process.

 

Step1: Select a section of your roof- If you are looking for a catchment area for water to roll into your collection tub directly, you must consider the roof of your house. Choosing your roof will make you collect water immediately without setting up any other catchment area. All you need to do is, find the steeper side of your roof and designate the downspout for the accumulation of water that is installed on the steeper edge.

 

Step2: Look for a steep area where water collects naturally- Mostly people choose the site of their gutters for rainwater harvesting since the water from downspouts falls a few feet away from them. That place could be used to install rain barrels for collection of water. Besides, you are not limited to the gutters as you can go for choosing any natural shallow area around the foundation of your house.

 

Step3: Purchase a rain barrel- Rain barrels make the perfect choice for harvesting rainwater, especially for your garden. Make sure to install the rain barrel just below the downspout so that the rainwater directly pours into the rain barrel passing through the downspout. Remember to keep the opening narrow so that the critters like birds and small wild animals don’t litter the water inside.

 

Step4: Water storage must be closer to your garden- Since the barrels upon filling will become quite heavy to move, make sure they are near to the area where you wish to use the harvested water. It will be easy for you to drive water from the barrel to your garden if it is placed near to it.

 

Step5: Filter the harvested rainwater if you want- Filtered and stored rainwater can be used for drinking purposes too. If you wish to filter the rainwater, you can use a mesh to screen the water or other filtration methods. Doing so will filter the germs, bacteria and other sorts of microorganisms in the rainwater. So, harvest rainwater to make the most of natural resources and cut down your energy bills.

 

By blogger Construction • General Information 0 Comments

Benefits of Installing Soffit System

For a homeowner, the stability and security of a home often takes precedence over beauty and aesthetic. While most people tend to focus on installing security systems, CCTV cameras, window shutters and so on, the integrity and protection that your roof needs is often overlooked. This can be quite detrimental, since the roof of your house is the first line of defence against most natural agents like wind, water, heat and hail. This is where a soffit system comes in handy.

A soffit system is installed on the underside of the overhanging section of a roof. This structure ensures the stability of the roof and also makes your house look nicer. We shall look at the various benefits that come with installing a soffit system in your house.

 

  1. Protects the roof.

Any effective roofing system needs to have soffit installed to protect its structural integrity. The roof bears the brunt for most of the damages that is borne by any structure; hence it needs adequate support and stability to not come crumbling down. Installing soffit system ensures that the underlying rafters are not damaged by rain, heat or snow, this protecting your home.

  1. Easy to maintain.

You may think that installing another home system will be extra work in terms of money and maintenance, but you will be shocked to hear the prices for these installations as well as their easy upkeep. Soffit systems do not require any cleaning or maintenance, and are cleaned only once a year, if not less. They are not suited for replacement very soon since they last for very long.

  1. Roof insulation.

Soffit systems also act as roof insulation in cold winter months. They are designed to conceal the ventilation of rooms and they help to keep away moisture. This combined action enables the system to act as a source of insulation for the roof.

  1. Reduce expenses on utilities.

You may end up spending a large amount on your energy bills every month, simply because your home loses too much heat or cold which makes you overwork your heating and cooling systems. Installing a soffit system ensures that the loss of energy from your home is minimised, making you save on utilities.

  1. Increases resale value.

Anyone looking to buy a home would prefer one that has all necessary systems such as soffit, installed in advance. You can get a guaranteed return for your investment if you decide to sell your house with soffit installations in the near future.

  1. Aesthetic appeal.

Overhanging roofs look very aesthetic and vintage, but they have beams underneath them, which can dampen the overall appeal of your house. Installing a soffit system under the roofing will make your house look more ornate and beautiful by concealing these beams.

By blogger General Information 0 Comments

What Are The Benefits of Installing Exterior Shutters?

In most old styled homes, shutters on the windows provide a sense of security and protection, in addition to enhancing the aesthetic of the home. Exterior shutters serve a multitude of functions which makes them relevant and popular even today. Due to their versatility in style and purposes, they can work with any kind of architectural design. Read on to know why exterior shutters are beneficial even today.

 

  1. Privacy

Windows are meant to provide you with a space of your own without any outside influence. Installing exterior shutters can give you complete privacy. There are a range of styles and designs for you to choose from, where you can find the right exterior shutter for your house that goes with the architecture, improves aesthetic and also gives you complete privacy in your space.

  1. Protection

Since most windows are made of glass, they do not always offer complete protection against rain, heat and cold. Moreover, over time, continued exposure to natural elements can damage the glass. It is easier to break into homes by breaking windows. Installing exterior shutters (usually made of basswood) resists heat of the sun, damage caused by rain, snow and hail and is physically much stronger and offers more impact absorption, making it harder for burglars to break in. Thus, not only does it increase aesthetic, it is also practical.

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Exterior shutters on windows provide an additional layer of insulation in cold winter months. They can help regulate the temperature indoor by blocking cold winds. In summer, it does not allow excess heat to enter the house. To an extent, exterior shutters are also useful in insulating from noise, in case you live in a noisy neighbourhood.

  1. Ventilation

This is another benefit that comes with installing external shutters. They can allow the hot air to escape from indoors and act as vents, especially if they are installed at a height. This is especially useful in small spaces like the attic, basement and storage areas.

  1. Controls sunlight.

No one likes to be woken up earlier than usual by sunrays streaming across their face. It is aesthetic and maybe a tiny bit romantic? Yes, but not every single day. By installing exterior shutters, you can regulate the amount of sunlight that enters your room. Shutters keep out sunlight in a much more affordable way than other window installations. Since you can control the amount of light in your room, you also can protect yourself from harmful UV rays.

  1. Curb appeal.

Finally, exterior shutters will give your home a vintage look, in addition to providing security, protection, ventilation and privacy. Installing them automatically makes your property look brighter and more refined, which enhances market value once you decide to sell your house.

By blogger Construction 0 Comments

Top Three Reasons Why Installing Gutters In Your New House Is A Must

Gutters play a very important role in your house as they collect the rainwater from your roof and direct it away from your house. This way the foundation of your house remains protected and does not get destroyed due to rainwater. Gutters are considered as the main element of roofing systems, therefore once installed helps you cut down the cost of unnecessary repairs.

Before installing gutters or understanding the need to install them or leaving your house as it is, it’s essential to understand the main purpose of these rain gutters and why they are important. The primary motive of the gutter is to collect rainwater or water from melting snow running down your roof. Then the collected water is directed away from your house.

Gutters help keep your foundation strong and protected from rain. They also keep your exterior and siding safe from being damaged due to water. Gutters are very essential specifically for newly built houses in order to protect them from getting damaged due to rain, hence holding onto its beauty.

Below given are top three reasons as to why installing gutters in your new house is a must :

Ceases the entry of pests in your home :

  • Installing gutters in your home is very important as they collect the rain water and direct it away from your home which prevents water standing at one place. Pooled water attracts pests and insects into your home.
  • Presence of insects is very harmful for your and your loved ones well-being. Some of the common insects to be found around stagnant water include mosquitoes, flies, gnats, etc and this water acts as a breeding ground for these insects.
  • But when rainwater is directed away from your foundation or siding it eliminates the chances of pests entering your home.

 

It protects your siding from getting damaged :

  • No matter whatever type of siding you install on the exterior of your home it is at high risk of getting damaged by water and various other elements if there’s absence of gutter on your roof.
  • Gutters keep rainwater and melting snow water away from your home which safeguards all the external components of your house including both siding and foundation.
  • The collected water is directed into downspouts or drains where they are recycled and reused. If you do not install proper gutters around your house then your siding and foundation will get destroyed after some time due to exposure to excessive moisture.

 

Controls the growth of mold :

  • Mold usually grows in places where moisture content is high and lacks proper ventilation. Without installation of gutters the water keeps on collecting and damages the foundation causing leakages in the basement of your house. This water then can lead to cracks in the walls and substitutes to be the perfect environment for mold growth.
  • Gutters can help reduce the amount of moisture getting into your home thereby collecting water and directing it away from your home.
By blogger Design 0 Comments

Why Is Siding Important

Siding is very essential and has a dedicated purpose to serve when it comes to your home. It acts as a shield and protects your home under all circumstances and harsh weather conditions. Moisture is one of the biggest concerns since it induces certain damages in your home. In case the insulation gets trapped in between the walls then it might cause mold and mildew to grow.

Siding plays an important role in keeping water and debris away from your home and it doesn’t allow insulation to build up thereby reducing the chances of moisture making its way into your house and causing damages. Basically siding protects the foundation and other exteriors of your home. Majorly during rain, snow, wind and other such weather conditions siding provides total protection and reduces the chances of damages.

In addition to all of that, siding adds to the beauty of your home. Since it is installed on the exteriors and covers the outside of your house, they play a very important role in enhancing the beauty of it. Different types of sidings are available in the market including vinyl, aluminum, etc and each of them have their own significance. Depending on your preferences, living and budget, you can select the material of siding accordingly.

Below are reasons as to why siding is important :

Stops water from entering your home :

  • Siding acts as a shield against water and stops it from entering your home. No doubt roofs, gutters and foundations act as strong barriers against water but siding also plays a very important role in preventing water damages.
  • If moisture leads its way into your home then it can completely damage or even destroy your home interiors. It can damage your doors, windows and affect the foundation of your home. In addition to that excessive moisture can also lead to growth of mold in your house. Siding stops moisture from making its way into your home and waterproofs it as well, thereby increasing the life of your home.

 

Ceases pest infestation :

  • Along with keeping moisture and water away from your home, siding also ceases the entry of pests into your home. Nowadays siding materials are designed in a way to last long that too with minimum amount of effort and maintenance.
  • Pests can’t make their way inside your home without cracks and warping. In addition to that if you want an effective treatment against pests then choose a good quality siding material. Poor quality siding can allow moisture to form a way in your house thereby making an easy pathway for pests as well.

 

Prevents all sorts of damages :

  • Siding prevents all sorts of damages. It acts as a safety shield and protects your home under all weather conditions such as rains, strong winds and extreme heat. Siding is very essential for the health and well-being of our homes. Poor quality siding can worsen the effect and increase the possibility of damages. Whereas good quality siding will provide total protection and prevent damages.
By blogger Do It Yourself • General Information 0 Comments

Helpful Tips to Take Care of Home’s Foundation

For any house foundation is the most crucial yet overlooked part. Many homeowners just focus on visible components of the house to make it attractive. They don’t pay attention to the foundation until something serious happens. But, it is something that should not be forgotten because the entire house stands on it. Remember, ignorant behavior can lead to the failure of the whole structure of your home. Thus, it is imperative to get timely foundation repairs done.

 

Keep gutters in a healthy state – Gutters play a vital role in the maintenance of the foundation of the home. If your gutters are not clogged or damaged, only then you can expect your foundation to be in sound condition. The rain water that moves towards the foundation of your house can be prevented if you have professionally installed and well-maintained gutters at your home. Gutters can deflect rain water falling from the roof, which protects the ground from getting wet and this, in return, prevents foundation weakening or damages. So, it is highly recommended to hire gutter repair experts on time if you notice a leakage or any issue with them. If needed, get the gutter system replaced so that the structure and foundation of your house stay in the right condition.

 

Plant trees away from your home – It is suggested to plant trees away from the house because otherwise, the roots of trees will compete with soil for moisture. This can lead to uneven settling of the foundation, and cracks can be formed. For this reason, it is advised to plant trees and shrubs away from home.

 

Maintain good moisture levels – Keep a check on the soil around your house and make sure that it does not get too wet or too dry. As the moisture level changes, the soil expands and contracts that causes cracks. To avoid cracks and to ensure that moisture levels remain perfect, have an automatic lawn sprinkler installed in your garden. Sprinklers sprinkle only the needed amount of water, and in case of the rainy season, it does not sprinkle water. Thus, an automatic sprinkler can prove to be extremely helpful in maintaining right moisture levels.

 

Perform annual plumbing checks – Plumbing issues are also among the common reasons for foundation damage. Plumbing problems can lead to seepage of water underground that further damages the foundation of the house. Thus, to protect your home’s base, it is recommended to hire professional plumbers if you notice leaks or cracks.

 

Ensure that your home is constructed on a fine slope – Proper slope is mandatory if you want the water to drain away from the foundation. The slope should be constructed in such a way that the water flows away from it.

 

Hire a contractor for foundation issues – Lastly, if you suspect any problems with your foundation, then prefer talking to a foundation expert. Get the condition of the foundation evaluated by the professionals so that the potential problem gets uncovered and fixed on time.

 

 

 

By blogger Eavestrough Repairs 0 Comments

Tips to Extend the Life of Your Gutters

You might be well aware of the important role that gutters play in your house. Properly functioning gutters take water away from the foundation of the house and aids in preventing the integrity and structure of your home. For this reason, homeowners try their best to maintain gutters in their healthy state. Moreover, many people also pay attention towards prolonging the life of gutters because they know that its replacement can turn out to be an expensive and messy job.

However, remember, that you can only extend the life of your gutters and at some point in life you will have to get the gutter system replaced for the sake of the structure of your home. After all, it is your small investments on maintenance, repairs and replacements that help in protecting the biggest investment of your life, i.e. your home. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to increase the life of gutters as the replacement day will not arrive soon.

So, without wasting time, let us discuss some amazing ways to lengthen the lifespan of your gutters.

Keep gutters clean – The first and the most prominent step towards increasing the life of gutters is to keep them free of dirt, dust, leaves, twigs and debris. Over time, the gutters fill up with rubbish, and it is crucial to clear it out from the gutters on time. Many people overlook the cleaning part, but let us tell you that debris can damage your gutters, causing rusting and warping. Moreover, blocked gutters can cause water seepage inside home and foundation damage. Not to forget all this can worsen the situation for you as harmful mold can grow in your home in hidden areas. Scared? But this is the truth. In case you couldn’t clean the gutters because of a busy schedule, then prefer hiring gutter professionals at least twice a year.

Additionally, you can also get leafguards installed by experts if there is a tree near your gutter and it fills with leaves and dust too often. Leafguards are extremely beneficial as they work as gutter protection and don’t let debris to get accumulated inside gutters.

Get the repair and cracks repaired on time – Don’t turn a blind eye to the visible cracks, leakage and damages on the gutter system. Your neglecting nature can bring costly expenses your way as you may have to replace the entire gutter system because of not getting the required repairs done on time. For your knowledge, let us brief that ruined gutters can direct water towards your home instead of making it move away. The water can even enter your basement, making you spend more on repairing the damages that happened there. If you want to keep such a headache at bay, it is recommended to hire gutter repair professionals on time.

Trim trees near gutters – Another apposite step that you can take towards extending the life your gutters is to trim down the trees near them or around your house. If you do not do so, then the branches of the tree will knock against the gutters, causing dents and cracks.

 

 

 

By blogger Tips and Tricks 0 Comments

6 Tricks to Enhance the Energy Efficiency of Your House

Apart from making your home appear aesthetically beautiful, it is important to make it more functional too. One of the essential points that most of the homeowners’ miss is enhancing the energy efficiency of their house. They often fall prey to increasing electricity bills and stress that come along. Hardly anybody comes to a conclusion and solution of why is it happening to them?

Taking a few simple measures such as using electricity when needed, sealing the windows and doors with exterior shutters and drapes, repairing worn out windows and doors and improving the ventilatory tract of the house can save you a lot on your electricity bill, not instantly but gradually.

Here are some good reasons to make your home more energy efficient-

 

1) Insulate your loft- One of the major causes of energy wastage is the poorly insulated walls and roofs. Having your attic appropriately covered or insulated can help you save a lot every month. However, it totally depends on the walls and roof structure of your house and the type of insulation you go for.

2) Upgrade your heating and cooling appliances- Inefficient, old and tattered appliances such as heaters, coolers, air conditioners, and boilers can add a few hundred pounds to your electricity bills. Upgrading your appliances can cut the unwanted expenses of your bills. Markets are flooded with devices and machines made with the latest technology that reduces your home’s carbon emissions. Therefore, invest in a new one.

3) Repair worn-out windows and doors- Worn-out windows and doors lead to the escape of inner heat during cold winters. Cracks, broken bolts and loose hinges add to the same. Therefore, if your home has old windows, either get them repaired or replaced with new ones.

Do not just focus on the windows of your main floor, if your home has a basement, keep the windows and door closed when not in use and simultaneously inspect any breakage or leaks through windows.

4) Insulate your doors and windows- Sometimes sticking to simpler solutions can prove to be beneficial, such as hanging thick curtains, installing exterior shutters to block the inflow of air or sunlight, placing glass sheets and blindfolds. Such options can be used both in summers and winters to save energy.

5) Watch your energy consumption- You might have never thought about the amount of energy you consume on a daily basis. Monitoring your energy usage gives you a fair idea of your utilization and the bills associated with it. You become more resilient with the consumption of energy. One of the best ways of doing is to switch on lights and fans only when in use and the same goes with other appliances.

6) Other things to consider- Besides saving electricity, focus on saving water too. Replace buckets with showers and general faucets with dishwashers. Do not use a lot of water during cleaning. Look for green options around and you will see a gradual decrease in your bills.

By blogger Construction 0 Comments

Why is it Beneficial to Hire Commercial Gutter Repair Company?

When it comes to gutter systems, most of the people only pay attention to the ones installed at their homes. They don’t give importance to the eavestrough of their commercial buildings. But, in reality, residential as well as commercial gutters are of equal importance. You and your staff have to spend a major part of the day in the office because of which it becomes paramount to ensure that the gutters are installed rightly and are in proper working condition.

 

Unclean, leaky, damaged and clogged gutters can destroy the commercial building and can harm its foundation too. In the worse situation, mold can grow everywhere and the building can become an unhygienic, unhealthy and unattractive place.

 

Just give yourself a thought; can you afford replacing your gutter systems and fixing all the problems created by them that too amid your office work going on? Things will get messy off course. But if you keep a check on the maintenance of gutters and get them repaired on time; then you can save yourself from all the hassle and costly expenses.

 

To get the gutters repairs done makes sure to hire the most trusted commercial gutter repair contractor only. You will come across several gutters companies, but make sure to check their background and details before hiring. Check their license, insurance, reviews and website before reaching any final decision. Also, make sure to get the list of references of past clients to talk to them and to ascertain that you are hiring nothing less than the best. If you get successful at hiring the right gutter repair professionals, you can experience the following advantages.

 

Experts will perform the job efficiently – If the gutter repair contractor is experienced enough, he will surely do the task assigned to him efficiently. Moreover, for experienced and reputable companies, their profession is of utter importance to them, and they put their best efforts to make their clients happy. They understand that if they repair the gutters correctly, then their clients will refer them to others, and this way, they will gain popularity and success.

 

Experts will use their best knowledge to help you find the issue and repair it – This is another important benefit of hiring well-learnt professionals. Because of the knowledge that they have accumulated throughout their working life, they can spot the problem easily and thus can serve you with the best repair services. DIYing or hiring an amateur gutter contractor cannot prove to be helpful because of lack of knowledge and experience. But hiring highly trained and knowledgeable professionals can put your gutters in the right condition, and they can last longer.

 

Experts will take necessary safety measures – Gutter repair professionals have invested good time in learning installation and repair of gutter repairs. Along with it, they have learnt all the safety measures to be taken while fixing and installing gutters. Therefore, they can safely perform the job without any trouble. God forbid if some mishap occurs at your commercial property during repairs, the professionals will have insurance to protect you from falling under debts.

 

By blogger Construction • Design 0 Comments

Why Install De-Icing Cables this Winter?

 

If you reside in the region which is prone to heavy snowfall and winters, there is a wide chance of witnessing ice dams over your roof. Even if the roof of your house is slanting, the ice tends to freeze over it. Do you wonder why and how? That usually happens when the melting ice doesn’t entirely flow into the gutters through roof and downspouts. As the temperature drops, the resulting ice blockage creates a dam that further resists the melting ice from flowing.

 

The ice does not only cause a nuisance but also results in damages of roof coverings, gutters and downspouts. The melted pool on the roof can leak into the building leading to the dampness of walls and ceilings, form icicles over ice-filled gutters and so on. The interior damage by the leaky ice water can result in expensive repairs or maybe reconstruction.

 

The old school way to deal with ice dams is, shovels and other ice eliminating tools, but using them can be dangerous if you are not a pro. However, with modern equipment and options like roof de-icing cables, you can get rid of the roof ice dams easily and effectively.

 

What are the De-icing Cables?

 

De-icing cables are installed by the edges of the roof. They do not keep the snow away from the roof; instead, these wires generate heat that melts the falling ice, prevents it from freezing further and creates a path for the snow to fall directly into the gutters and downspouts.

 

The reason for installing de-icing cables near the edges is as the ice dam begins to melt because of the low temperature, the melted ice refreezes near the sides of the roof, creating a thick barrier of ice along the edges of the roof. It is because of this reason that de-icing cables are fastened into position over the eaves (inside gutters sometimes) so that the heat from the wires can melt the thick layer of ice.

 

It is prudent to minimize your vulnerability by using affordable and most direct easy-to-install de-icing cables that can offer adequate protection where you cannot turn the weather conditions. Made to resist the exposure to weather conditions like storm, heat, sunlight and ice, de-icing cables provide long term dam ice prevention.

 

The Benefits Over Utility Costs-

 

Being a homeowner and running a home means paying daily bills which might make you think that installing de-icing cables means adding to the electricity bill. Many homeowners believe that they are simply driving up the cost of their electricity bill whereas these cables are only used during winters.

 

I would like to ask them to think otherwise- Would you rather like to pay for the damaged roof, for changing the roof drainage system or remodelling the walls of the house caused by ice dams? The constant repair work will cost you more than the little increment on your electricity bill. Save your home this winter by investing in de-ice cables and sit back stress-free.