If your home has an unfinished basement or a basement that is need of a serious remodel, you probably have already spent quite a bit of time contemplating what your ideal use for your basement will be. Perhaps you are planning on building your dream games room decked out with a pool table and a fully functional wet bar, maybe a playroom for the kids to keep all their toys and fully explore their imagination, or possibly you are looking to build an in-law suite for any out of town guests to have their own private space. We have put together a list of 5 things to consider when finishing your basement, no matter the use of your newly purposed space.

 

• Not Having a Thorough Plan

 

Having a rough idea for your basement is not the same as having a plan. A common mistake by many DIYers is to get started without having a firm design. Having a plan that you can refer back to will help you in any tough decisions or unexpected surprises. Incorporate the number of rooms, the intended use for each room, any electrical and plumbing that is needed, and where they will be installed. A plan will ensure you don’t miss anything as you move through the project. A professional renovation company will always provide you with a plan before they start the project, so why wouldn’t you have one prior to beginning?

 

• Ignoring Potential Water Concerns 

 

Basements are prone to flooding, it’s just the nature of their design, they are essentially a concrete box buried in the ground. Water can get into your basement in multiple ways. Above ground flooding, through cracks in your foundations, from backed up water lines, from broken plumbing lines in your home, even accidental water emergencies such as a broken toilet or laundry machine will lead to water getting into your basement. Not having a proper basement waterproofing strategy in place prior to finishing your basement, will not only cost more money in the future. That finished work will need to be ripped out to access the concrete floor and get under your foundation.

 

• Using Wooden Studs

 

Even though wood studs are a reliable material for framing a home, in the basement it could lead to major issues. Basements are humid and the wood absorbs moisture, this can lead to a potential mold issue. Metal framing studs should be used for your basement renovation project, not only do they not absorb humidity, in the case of a flood, metal studs will remain fairly unharmed.  

 

• Foregoing a Subfloor

 

Installing a subfloor will help keep your basement warm and more comfortable for day-to-day use. Installing tile or laminate directly on top of your concrete basement floor will allow for the cold to be transferred through the material, leaving your basement feeling much colder than you would like, especially on areas that have harsh winters. Your subfloor also plays an important role with minor water issues, as it allows for leaks to flow under your finished floor to the drains.

 

• Insufficient Lighting  

 

Being located below the ground does not allow for much natural light to enter your basement to begin with. Skimping out on lighting can leave your new space feeling dark, shadowy, and uncomfortable. Installing pot-lights (recessed lighting) everywhere in your basement will help brighten up the area. You can always install a dimmer switch to control the amount of light based on your mood. 

Every home requires upkeep and maintenance over time, and as a homeowner, you may even opt into an upgrade or redesign here and there. Some items in your home require regular maintenance or adjustments, and others can go 20+ years without you even thinking about them. Window replacement falls into the latter category, as most windows have a minimum life expectancy of 15-20 years, you may have never had to deal with this process before. There is more to updating your windows than just getting the look and functionality you want. You need to depend on and trust the contractor that is installing your windows, even the highest quality windows can yield poor results due to sub-par installation. 

Being informed is one of the most important steps to choosing the right replacement windows, so we put together a list of several questions you should ask your window consultant prior to committing: 

 

Tell me about your company?

Knowing about and being comfortable with the company that will be providing and installing your windows is a necessary step in putting your trust in them. The sales consultant should be passionate when relaying the company’s history including how long they have been in business, what services they provide, do they use their own installation team or do they subcontract, if they manufacture their own windows or who their preferred suppliers are should all be covered when asking about the company. After all, they will need access to both the interior and exterior of your home when they are working, trusting the team is not optional.

 

Can you explain the key features and operation of the windows?

All windows are not made equally or function in the same fashion. It is important that your consultant elaborates on the type of windows you are investing in. Efficiency, security, maintenance, and function should all be covered by your consultant.  Things such as double-pane VS triple pane windows, low-e or Energy Star qualified, and how the window opens can all affect the price. You want to make sure that your investment gets you the windows that meet your needs and wants and that you are not just getting a quote you are happy with.  

 

What type of warranty is there?

Understanding the warranty on both the manufacturing of the windows and the workmanship is important. If there is an issue down the road, you want the reassurance that your contractor will be there to support you. Many contractors provide a 1-2 year warranty on the workmanship, and usually, any problems with the installation or the manufacturing of the window will show up quickly, allowing you to utilize the warranty. Make sure the warranty details are provided in writing prior to signing an agreement. 

 

How much time will my project take?

Many times, replacing your windows is just a piece of a greater home renovation project. In these cases, you have multiple contractors working around each other and possibly waiting for each other to finish. So, understand the time frame between ordering the windows until the installation beginning and how long it will take to install all the windows is key for planning other projects. Even if you don’t have other renovation projects on the go, it is still good to have an idea of when the replacement windows will be installed and how long the process will take. 

 

What’s included in the quote?

Fully understanding the quote will reduce the potential for any hidden surprises down the road. Look for an itemized quote that outlines the cost of materials and labor separately. Is cleanup and disposal of your old windows part of the package? Are any additional materials covered, such as replacing any rotted wood? Is the interior and exterior window finishing included or do you need to pay extra or possibly find someone else to complete the task? Understanding everything that is included in the quote will help you plan for any additional work or any surprises that are exposed once the windows are removed. 

Asking the right questions will help you make an informed decision on your windows replacement project and ensure you get the best quality and value for your investment.

Boiler service is an essential service that many homeowners neglect. Having your boiler serviced regularly is important to ensure that it’s operating safely and efficiently, as well as to prolong its lifespan and prevent costly repairs. Therefore, it’s important to organize an annual boiler service. 

What happens during a boiler service?

You’re probably wondering “what should I expect from a boiler service?” Well, here are 5 things that happen during a boiler service:

1. Protecting Your Home

A qualified and insured engineer will come to your home and lay down floor coverings and other protective measures to ensure your home remains clean throughout the boiler service.

2. Visual Inspection 

The engineer will perform a visual inspection on your boiler. This includes checking that the boiler, pipework, and flue are all positioned correctly, as well as look for any leaks or corrosion. 

3. Boiler Inspection

The engineer will check to see if your boiler is working safely by taking off the boiler casing to see how it’s working internally. The engineer will be looking for electrical connections, that seals are intact, correct gas pressure and flow, correct flue and combustion operation, and fans and other components are working correctly. 

4. Safety Checks 

The engineer will carry out safety checks in order to ensure that your boiler still meets correct standards and safe to use in your home. 

5. Recommendations

The engineer will report what they have found. If it’s working as intended or it needs to be repaired. 

 

Why boiler service is important?

Here are 3 reasons why you should get your boiler serviced: 

1. Prevent Breakdowns

You might be tempted to put off getting your boiler serviced. However, a boiler service will help to keep heating bills low and spot a potential fault. 

2. Keep Heating Bills Low

Your boiler can become less efficient as it gets older. This means it needs to use more fuel to heat your home which will cost you a lot more. An annual boiler service will help to ensure that all of the components are operating safely and efficiently. 

3. Safety

An annual boiler service will help to identify safety issues such as carbon monoxide leak. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas because it’s odourless and colourless. You might be unaware of a carbon monoxide leak and it could result in nausea, vomiting, headache, unconsciousness, or even worse death. 

When it comes to bathroom finishes, there are a lot to choose from. Sometimes making a small change such as the fossette in your bathroom, can add a completely new look to the whole thing. Let’s explore some current trends as well as some classic finishes.

1. Matte Black

This type of finish goes really well with a white backsplash and other matte black finishes. It especially comes to life against a marble countertop and other light color elements.

2. Brass

We all remember brass and its shiny finish from back in the 80’s. Brass is back and not in its shiny fashion. Satin Brass is what is in right now because of its fresh modern look.

3. Chrome

This is the most common and most popular finish because it works well with lots of different styles and finishes. It is very inexpensive and easy to maintain; however, it does show water and fingerprint stains.

4. Copper

Copper is not as durable as some other finishes and it is harder to match with other accessories. Copper does give you that feeling of luxury and it matches really well with marble countertops. It also has natural anti-bacterial properties.

5. Brushed Nickel

This is one of the most durable finishes, seldom showing wear and tear, watermarks or fingerprints. Its price point is somewhere in the idle between chrome and oil rubbed bronze. Brushed Nickel matches well with lots of different styles of accessories except stainless steel.

6. Oil-Rubbed Bronze

This is a more traditional finish. It is easy to clean and it will stand the test of time. You won’t have to worry about water stains and fingerprints with an oil-rubbed bronze finish. The only downside of this finish is that it is quite expensive.

When doing bathroom renovations it is important to match your finish with every other element in the bathroom to give it a consistent and clean look.

You know there is looming structural damage when your basement starts getting easily flooded or damp. Aside from the structural damage, it causes, a damp or flooded basement promotes the growth of fungus, mould and mildew which will totally deface your home and also cause health complications such as asthma and severe allergies.

Putting in place preventive measures to keep water out of your basement will save you hundreds of dollars in water damage restoration. To help you prevent such occurrence, we have carefully scoured the internet to help you find 5 easy ways by which you can keep your basement completely dry.

1. SEAL THE FLOORS AND WALLS OF YOUR BASEMENT

Cracks and leaks are the chief cause of flooded or damp basements. Before having to deal with this, you can take proactive measures to prevent cracks and leaks in the walls and floor of your basement. This waterproof sealant will act as extra membrane protection on the walls and floor of your basement, sealing off the water and keeping it completely dry. Sealants can’t act as a remedy for cracks and leaks. This is why it is very important to apply a thick coat sealant on the wall and concrete floor of your basement before the appearance of leaks and cracks.

2. KEEP WATER AWAY FROM YOUR FOUNDATION

Your basement can easily get damped or flooded if water seeps through your foundation. This majorly happens when your home becomes waterlogged as a result of poor slope or blocked drainage. When your drainage is blocked, water spills over and seeps through the foundation of your home, causing a damped of a flooded basement. Ensuring your drainage is never clogged so water can easily flow through is a good way to prevent this. Poor topography can also cause water to seep through your foundation. You can correct this by properly grading the slope of your home to direct water away from your foundation. This will keep water away from your foundation, making your basement as dry as it can be.

3. PATCH HOLES AND CRACKS

As your home age, you’re bound to find cracks and holes in the foundation. Contrary to popular opinion, this isn’t due to poor construction work. Most home bear crack and holes in their foundation over time due to shrinkage, regional complications like frost heave and settlement. It is important to discover these cracks in their early stage so they can be easily fixed. This is best done by watching out for dampness on the walls of your basement and tracing the source of the leak to get it fixed immediately before it worsens.

4. GET A DEHUMIDIFIER

The basement is the most humid part of the home and this is due to the amount of moisture constantly permeating the walls of the foundation. Another major factor contributing to this is the amount of humid air present in the basements of a home. Getting a dehumidifier is the best way to tackle this effect. A dehumidifier capable of keeping the humidity level of your basement between 30 to 50% will work just fine in eliminating dampness and moisture in your basement.

5. INSULATE YOUR COLD-WATER PIPES

On very hot days, cold water pipes tend to give away moistures that take the form of sweat around the pipe. This can be a major source of moisture in your basement if not corrected. This can be corrected with foam insulations which are cheap and easy to install. The foam insulation will prevent condensed water from dripping and making your basement damp.

Bathroom renovation can be both simple and challenging. And many homeowners spend a lot of time with their DIY projects, as they don’t take the time to research the steps in a bathroom renovation. Anyhow, if you are planning a bathroom renovation, this article might help you make the best out of this experience. Let’s see up next how to start bathroom renovations to achieve the best results.

1. Choose a realistic budget

The first thing you need to do is think about your budget. This will help you determine what type of bathroom renovation you aim for and how to cover for the costs. Experts say you should never start a renovation project if you didn’t sketch up a realistic budget.

2. Take time to plan the demolition process

When a bathroom renovation project begins, you will have to start with demolition. Hence, as a homeowner, you need to take your time and think about how you will dispose of the debris. Keep in mind that anything made out of glass or ceramics needs careful disposal methods, as these can shatter in numerous small pieces. Our recommendation is to opt for a professional junk removal team so that everything goes on smoothly.

3. Consider electrical wires

If you live in an older home, your bathroom renovation will include changing the electrical cables. The age of your home and can pose serious safety risks for a house. So, you should asses their status and consider replacing anything that got damaged in time.

4. Consider plumbing

It is only reasonable to experience some plumbing issues in a home. And because you are doing a bathroom renovation, it might be a good idea to assess your plumbing system. It would be best if you looked for leaks or cracks, along with anything that might tell you there is a potential problem going on. also, you might require the help of a professional plumber, so that you are sure you won’t skip any plumbing or drainage issue.

5. Upgrade ventilation systems

Most bathrooms have a problem with ventilation. This is why a bathroom renovation is a perfect moment to deal with this problem. Consider installing a newer ventilation system, so that you keep moisture and mould at bay.

6. Install bath-appropriate surfaces

You probably know that the bathroom is the one that experiences the most condensation, moisture, or any other similar problems. As such, you will have to carefully select the floors, walls or furniture, so that they don’t face any damage in time. There are plenty of materials recommended for use in a bathroom, including porcelain tiles, granite, marble, or quartz composite.

7. Don’t forget about the final clean up

Most homeowners feel like there is not much to clean after a bathroom renovation. But to tell you the truth, there is plenty of dust and debris that might escape the naked eye. Hence, it is always best to do some professional cleaning after the renovation process is finished. In this way, you will make sure everything is properly maintained, and there are no harmful chemicals left on site.