15 Quick Fixes for Common Home Problems

Have stinky sinks, scratched hardwood floors or temperamental toilets got you at your wits’ end? Get ready to tackle 15 deceptively simple common home improvement problems....read more

A House Built on Rock is Stronger Than a House Built on Sand

Homeowners often find that maintaining your investment can be a costly endeavor. Often you’ll end up picking and choosing what you’ll get done now and what must wait. Repairing your foundation is not the best choice for putting off until later. Foundation work can be costly, but it can be far more costly to wait too long.

Foundation damage affects every part of your home. As your foundation settles more and more, you’ll start to notice more and more problems in the interior of your home. Walls will begin to crack, floors will begin to buckle, even your kitchen cabinets and bedroom doors will start to stick. Flooding is more likely, and plumbing and sewage lines are in danger if it goes too far. Repairing the foundation as soon as you notice a problem will mean less cost in the future.

The base of your home is built on ever-shifting ground. Often that will mean that your foundation shifts in ways that are detrimental to the structure. That can be corrected by a qualified and licensed professional. High level engineering and quality work are important when you’re talking about the space that supports the rest of the construction.

Foundation problems can affect whole neighborhoods, depending on the area. It could be that the space where your property is located is particularly prone to that sort of problem. Weather and climate contribute as well; frequent freezing and hot spells take a toll on concrete and masonry. Or perhaps poor water diversion, unfortunate landscaping decisions, or shoddy workmanship at the time of construction at your home specifically has left you with a mess. Either way, you’ll want to correct the errors and repair the damage before too much time has passed. And you’ll want an expert opinion on the cause of the damage so you can prevent it from recurring in the future.

If you’re planning to sell your home, then that’s further impetus to get things sorted out now. Potential homeowners aren’t interested in a home that requires repair, and selling a home that needs work means taking a hit on the selling price. An inspection at selling time will show any damage, so you’re better off to go ahead and bite the bullet now while you have an opportunity to shop around for a high quality and cost effective contractor.

It’s unfortunate to need foundation repair. But if you need it, don’t delay. Delay will only mean compounding the problem further.

If you or someone you know is looking for a dependable foundation contractor in Carlsbad, check out this website.

Fall Decorating Around the House

Add some autumn to any room with these seasonal ideas from HGTV Magazine....read more

Why Colorful Concrete Staining Is a Fun Idea for Your Home Floors

Whether you already have concrete flooring or are considering getting it, it doesn’t have to be plain and boring. Did you know you can have the concrete colorfully stained? An acid stain is applied to the flooring and reacts with the lime in the cement. It’s an affordable and durable way to add some fun to your floors and obtain these perks:

• While ideal for interior floors, it also works on patios, driveways, pool decks, and other exterior areas. It can even be used on kitchen countertops.
• Staining gives the surface a classy look.
• It doesn’t chip or flake like paint. The color penetrates the cement and results in very rich, translucent hues that last for years.
• There are a variety of colors and designs from which to choose.
• It can imitate the appearance of wood, tile, rock, or brick. You can also use different colors to create a customized pattern.
• To create an even more stunning look, you can combine staining with cutting and other techniques to make decorative designs.
• Even if you go with just one color, the composition, porosity, and age of the concrete makes the final appearance unique.
• It doesn’t hold dirt, allergens, or mold as carpeting does.
• It’s a very economical choice in flooring and is low maintenance compared to other options.

Staining shows just how exciting and beautiful concrete can actually be. It’s an easy way to make your floors colorful and personalized. To learn more about concrete staining in Carlsbad, go to this website.

Concrete Pool Edging

Concrete is a material thatis rapidly growing in popularity for residential pool edging. With its ability to resist slipping, low cost and great aesthetic potential, cement is an excellent option for your backyard pool.

How to Remodel Your Home on a Tight Budget

Remodeling your home can be an exciting process. It’s fun to consider new designs, décor, appliances, and lighting. However, adding up the cost of creating your dream house can ruin your enthusiasm and make your desires unaffordable. Don’t give up hope yet. There are ways you can remodel your home to your satisfaction on even the tightest of budgets.

• Know what you want before you start. Having a clear vision and clear communication with your contractor will help you avoid unplanned expenses and delays in labor.
• Have it done during the off-season when contractors are more available. Not only will the work be completed faster, but you may even receive a discount for scheduling when business is slow.
• Design the remodel with stock sizes in mind to avoid the costs of custom fabrication.
• Try not to move toilets and sinks. It’s more expensive than you think. If it must be done, consider also upgrading the pipes to save money in the long run.
• Ask your contractor to use leftover materials from other jobs if possible.
• Focus on details. Minor changes can give you the improved look you want but without the high price tag. For example, install new switchplate covers, door knobs, and crown molding.
• Instead of remodeling an entire room, simply update the color through a paint job or wallpaper and new accent pillows, curtains, lampshades, plants, and other accessories.

These tips, along with many others, show that it’s possible to enhance or redo your home without a large budget. To learn more about affordable home remodeling services in Carlsbad, visit this website.

Bedroom Remodeling

Although kitchens and bathrooms are some of the most commonly remodeled rooms, there are many ways that you can spruce up an ordinary bedroom—from new coats of paint to electrical rewiring.

3 Ideas for Remodeling the Kids’ Bathroom

With such high use, your kids’ bathroom will eventually need to be remodeled. Or maybe you moved into a new home and want to turn an existing bathroom into a more kid-friendly one. Either way, here are three practical remodeling ideas.

Safety and convenience come first. Avoid glass and other easily breakable items. Choose faucets that are easy to turn on and off. Opt for a toilet with a quiet flush and gently closing lid to reduce fears in little ones who are too scared to use the potty.

Children have ever-changing tastes, sochoose classic or modern designs and fixtures instead of cutesy ones. Use bright yet sophisticated colors fitting for both a toddler and teen. Then just change the accessories, such as shower curtains and wall décor, as your kids’ likes change so you won’t have to spend lots of money redoing the bathroom for every stage of childhood. Even if your kids eventually want to change the colors, repainting is much cheaperand easier than remodeling.

The bathroom can easily become a mess. Installenough cabinets and drawers to hold everyone’s stuff. Keep racks low enough for kids to hang up their towels, or buy a stepstool. Make use of bins and baskets to keep toys out of the tub and hair accessories off the counter. Include a hamper so dirty laundry isn’t left on the floor.

Keep these three ideas in mind when you start the process of remodeling the kids’ bathroom. To find a bathroom remodeling contractor in San Diego, visit this website.