Author: Editor

A fireplace is a functional and cozy addition to any home. To keep a wood-burning fireplace operating smoothly and efficiently you need to stay on top of maintenance a bit more than you would a gas fireplace. What should you be looking out for?

Chimney

The chimney exists to remove byproduct gasses from inside the home. It should be inspected at least once a year to make sure that creosote isn’t building up and that cracks aren’t forming. You should take action if you see creosote built up higher than 1/8 inches in between inspections. You can protect your chimney and extend its life by installing a lining. The lining should also be inspected once a year, and sometimes requires Maryland chimney relining.

Ash

Some ash in your fireplace is a good thing. About an inch of ash in the firebox facilitates a longer-lasting fire. However, it should be cleaned out if it gets too high or reaches the grate. If you have an ash door, dump or chute you should be using that. Removed ash can be sprinkled in your garden as nutrients. To avoid inefficient fires that cause soot and creosote be sure to burn hardwoods, not … Read the rest

Asphalt pavements last more than a decade or a decade and a half. The material requires little maintenance, which explains why several people opt for asphalt for their sidewalks. Unfortunately, as soon as the asphalt is laid in your home or business premises, it gets exposed to conditions that start to degrade it. It would be great to understand some enemies of asphalt paving so that you know how to maintain it and extend its lifespan. While some factors that degrade asphalt paving are natural elements, you can take control over the other factors. Here are some common asphalt enemies.

Standing Water

If water, from a well, rain or sprinkler comes into contact with your asphalt surface and it sits for a long time, it damages it. Divots or cracks in asphalt create a place for standing water, and the water weakens your asphalt. Once the surface is weakened, it makes the cracks worse than before and encourages potholes. That is why you need asphalt resurfacing pittsburgh pa to repair cracks before they develop into potholes.

Oil Stains

Oil stains coming from parked vehicles can slowly degrade your asphalt paving. You should address any oil stains on an asphalt parking … Read the rest

Getting your commercial space ready for leasing might require some renovation to the building itself. Updating the facility will add value to the property as well as allow you to ask more for rent. Here are a few steps to follow before you get to work.

Analyze What Needs To Be Done

First you need to determine what should be repaired before you call a contractor. Check out major expense items such as the commercial plumbing geneva il, the heating and cooling system, and the roof to see if they ought to be replaced. Examine the windows to see if additional insulation must be added. If you would like to see two tenants use your building, look into what it will take to add walls, additional doors, and other necessary amenities.

Find a Contractor

Once you have an idea of the renovations you want to make, hire a contractor to complete them for you. Call for multiple quotes on the job and research which one will be right for the changes you want to make. Ask around to get opinions of the work your selected builder has done before you hire them. You can also ask the contractor for … Read the rest

The official start of winter is nearly here. The strong winds, harsh temperatures and excessive precipitation can take a heavy toll on your business’ rooftop. Too much winter damage can also affect the rest of the building, disrupting your commercial operations and driving customers away. Prevent these costly incidents by following these winter roof maintenance tips.

Remove All Snow and Ice

One of your first priorities this season is to eliminate as much snow and ice from the roof as possible. While it can look nice on your building, it can also lead to large problems. Too much precipitation on the roof can create a heavy weight that can lead to collapse. Additionally, the constant melting and freezing of water forms ice dams, which create a water buildup that damages shingles and leaks water inside. Remove as much ice and snow as you can, and call a roofing service for assistance.

Clear the Gutters

Another way of preventing water buildup on your building’s rooftop is by removing all obstructions in the gutters and drain systems. This blockage can manifest through either leaves and debris leftover from fall or accumulated frozen water and snow. Both elements prevent water from draining … Read the rest

Almost everybody agrees that the heart of the home is the kitchen. If you aren’t able to remodel your entire, it is worth focusing your energy in this room of the house to produce the most resale value. What are some updates most people look for?

Countertops

Laminate or tile countertops no longer cut it in today’s housing market. People consistently look for granite countertops when buying a home. A seller like granite countertops lewisville tx can measure your space and give you an estimate. If your budget doesn’t quite cut it, materials like quartz or bamboo are also trendy and acceptable to most young buyers. Just don’t use marble- even though it looks great, it’s very high maintenance and porous.

Appliances

Old or outdated appliances will catch the eye of a prospective buyer right away. Even if they still work great, if they aren’t stainless steel or modern-looking you are most likely to have a negative reaction from people touring your home. It could be a worthwhile investment to replace them. You can always donate your old appliances if they are still in good working condition, or bring them with you to your next home.

Walls

It is common … Read the rest