Intro: Adjusting To Disaster

Purchasing a home is likely to be the single most expensive investment a person makes in their life. Unfortunately, the costs for maintaining your home do not end after closing. HVAC systems break down, roofs need to be replaced, and natural disasters happen. Everyone should have homeowner’s insurance in order to mitigate these risks, but even that could cost you in the long run. Insurance providers are looking to save as much as possible, and sometimes that means taking advantage of clients who do not know any better. Every claim you make on your insurance policy could lead to higher premiums, or to you being dropped completely. So how do you know when it is worth it and when you would be better off paying for a repair out of pocket? There are some simple rules one can follow in order to ensure they are making the best decision for their situation, and they could save you exponentially in the long run. Take a look at the accompanying infographic for a better understanding of what those are, and how you can best protect your investment. Adjusting to Disaster: A Claim Filing Checklist by Expert Public Adjusters
What Tools You Should Rent Not Buy

Rent versus buy is not just a decision you make when deciding where to live. It is a decision home owners and even some renters make on a regular basis. If you make the wrong decision, you end up with a garage full of rarely used depreciating tools. Let’s learn what tools you should rent, not buy. Rarely Used Seasonal Tools Seasonal tools may be heavily used. For example, some people will use a leaf blower every weekend in the fall. And they’ll get even more out of the leaf blower if it can clear snow from their walkway, too. However, the wood chipper used to cut up dead trees or plants pulled up in an annual garden clearing should be rented, not purchased. Snow blowers are probably best rented, though you may not be able to get to the store when you need the item. Rent the brush cutter to clear the property before you plant your first garden, because you may not even need it again next year. Note that it will clear roughly one acre an hour, so give yourself enough time to get things done. For much larger jobs, you might want to hire help. And rent the rotary tiller the one or two times a year when you require it. Tools Only Used for a Single Project Rent that power auger to drill post holes. Realistically, you’re probably never going to do this again. Rent a tile saw or demolition hammer that you’ll only use for that one construction project. You’ll never get an adequate return on the investment as a homeowner, whereas the professionals will use it on a regular basis. Rent heavy plant machinery from Mteevan for digging ponds, pools or foundations, these are incredibly expensive. Even if you were to buy to sell on after your project they may lose a lot of value. Tools That You Should Only Use Once This category includes tools that you really shouldn’t use twice on the same job. Rent the drain cleaner used to clear your gutters or drainage pipes, because you may not use it again. If the blockage isn’t cleared or reoccurs, you shouldn’t run the drain cleaner through the pipes again. Instead, you need to call in a professional to identify and resolve the root cause. After all, you don’t want to risk the blockages getting worse over time or getting so bad that you can’t clear it temporarily with a heavy-duty tool. Floor sanders fall into the same category. You may be able to sand and refinish a floor once. However, you shouldn’t refinish the same floors if you make a mistake. This is because the wood floor only has so much material that can be safely removed before its performance will start to degrade. If you screwed up the floor you just installed so badly you have to rent the floor stripper to remove the new one, stop and call in a professional before you make things worse. Rent a pressure washer to clean an outdoor surface like driveways or the exterior of your home. If the problem isn’t resolved, you’ll want to consult with a professional. For example, you don’t want to keep washing algae and moss from the roof when it is clearly coming back. And it is probably damaging your roof in the meantime as it spreads under the roofing shingles.
How To Care For Your Concrete Floor

Concrete floors are an affordable, durable alternative to stone, wood and tile. They can be stamped to resemble stone or brick. The concrete can even be mixed with coloring and made to look like wood floors. However, modern concrete flooring come with a different set of care instructions. Here are some concrete care tips from a Concrete Flooring Solutions a leading installer of concrete floors. Have It Sealed Concrete floors are stain and water resistant if properly sealed. If the floor isn’t sealed, then pet and drink stains can seep into the concrete and are almost impossible to remove. This is why you want to know that the floor is sealed before you mop it or risk spilling anything on it. The floor will need to have the sealer reapplied every few years. You can improve the life of the seal by having the floor waxed regularly. This will protect the concrete floor’s seal from abrasion and debris. Use commercial grade floor wax that is designed for concrete floors. Clean It The Right Way Concrete floors that have been sealed can be swept forever. And you can use a damp mop to clean up messes. Use a microfiber cleaning pad to minimize the effect on the concrete floor seal. While you can use a harsh brush to scrub the floor, you’ll end up replacing the seal sooner. You can use a swing buffer or auto scrubber on the concrete floor once in a while. Don’t use harsh cleaning products like bleach, citrus, ammonia or vinegar. That can damage the seal or etch the surface. Know that the cut patterns on the concrete and any stamped patterns will trap dirt. These areas may require additional scrubbing, or you could clear the grooves of debris using a vacuum cleaner. What if you have unsealed concrete? Clean it with a brush or blast of water first. If that doesn’t work, then you can use soap on the stain. Ammonia is a last resort but can be used on unsealed concrete. Never use muriatic acid on concrete if you hope to have it sealed in the future. Then get the concrete sealed so you don’t have to go to that much work next time there’s a stain on your concrete floors. Plan Your Cleaning Schedule Sweep or mop the concrete floors daily. This removes dirt, debris and crumbs. The latter need to be removed to prevent pests. Mop stains as soon as they occur so that the mess can’t seep into the concrete. This includes standing water and pet messes. While the concrete seal should prevent that matter from seeping into the concrete, you don’t know the state of the concrete sealant until you see that the stain is starting to become permanent. Minimize The Need To Clean Set up indoor floor mats or rugs at entryways to trap dirt. Consider setting up outdoor floor mats, too, to minimize how much junk gets tracked indoors. If you’re in an industrial environment, get sticky mats that pull dirt and debris from people’s shoes. Protect The Concrete Floors Mats and wax can only do so much. They’ll take the rough treatment of foot traffic, but it won’t prevent damage when someone drags heavy tools across the floor. Require heavy loads be moved on trolleys or dollies instead of pushed or pulled across the concrete floor.
How To Fix Underground Pipes

While leaking pipes in the walls threaten the integrity of those walls and can ruin your floors, they’re relatively easy to repair once you can access them. Furthermore, you can often find wet spots and mold that inform you that there is a leak in the first place. Underground pipes that require repair are infinitely more difficult to deal with. You may not know there is a leak in the buried water pipes until your water bill is insanely high or the water is literally overflowing. Wastewater pipe leaks may not be noticed until you have a puddle in your front garden or it starts seeping through cracks in the floor. Fixing underground pipes is difficult but not impossible. Let’s learn how you can fix underground pipes. Locate The Pipe Ideally, you’ll know exactly where the buried, damaged pipe is located. You may know where both the pipe and the leak are because there are patches where the grass is too green or a sinkhole has formed above the leaking section of pipe. In some cases, metal detectors or other sensors are used to find the pipe. Then the pipe can be dug up so it can be accessed if the leak can’t be fixed using a tool other tools. Access The Pipe You’ll generally have to dig down and around the pipe to access it so it can be repaired. This is often done by the drainage experts you hired to repair it, though that will increase the repair bill. If you start digging down to the pipe yourself, don’t use heavy equipment so you don’t cause further damage to the pipe. Dig around the pipe, as well, to give yourself room to work. Repair / Replace The Pipe The average home owner is not qualified to cut through their pipe, cut a new length of pipe and weld it into place. Consult with experts like ASL Limited to measure, cut and install the new pipe section. A side benefit of calling in plumbing experts is that they’ll be able to identify any other pipe leaks while they’re there. This could be done non-destructively using technology like closed circuit television surveys of all the pipes. Then you can get other cracked pipes repaired all at once. And they’ll be able to tell you if there is a leak under the foundation in addition to the one that you noticed in the yard. Rebury The Pipe Once the pipe has been repaired and all cracks sealed, the pipe can be reburied. In general, you want to use the same materials used to cover it before. That means you don’t want to fill a hole in your foundation with dirt. However, you can put fine gravel in around the pipe to give it more support. At this point, you can replace the grass you ripped up unless you want to re-sod the area. What if you had pipes damaged by a shifting foundation? You may want to have the foundation fixed and then the pipes re-surveyed to make sure no new leaks were found?
Some Quick Roof Tips That Will Help Your Home

An excellent roof protects you and the home from the dangers Nature can throw to you. If there is a problem with your roof, weather changes can result in catastrophe. Learning how to care for your homes roof saves you trouble over time. Browse through the below article for excellent tips Roofing Contractors Oakland County Michigan, that follow in order that you’re prepared properly. Look over your homes roof carefully one or more times each year. Roofs tend to suffer one of the most damage early in the year time. Consider your climate when thinking about roofing. Clay roofs are good for dry climates and could keep the house cool. Clay tiles in wet climates will deteriorate quickly. Or else sure where to start, ask. When you are picking out a roofer, ask your family members, friends and co-workers for recommendations. Enquire about the position and when they feature warranties are given. Should your contractor cannot make time to perform the repairs to the roof right away, it is possible to put a bandage on your own leaking roof. Get a sheet of heavy duty plastic and you may nail that over the leaking area. Always be sure that you don’t pay the whole project before it’s all done. It is possible to pay about 25% to start out the task, but avoid paying anything more. You wouldn’t would like them perform a low-quality job or less work than these people were designed to. Make sure the roofer you hire is trained and skilled. You could try to get referrals from friends and relations for roofing contractor recommendations. This will be significant as you don’t want an expert experience. You never desire to climb atop the roof to examine for damage. For those who have question regarding the structural integrity, work with a professional to perform an inspection. You certainly don’t want to have the rooftop unsuspecting because it caves in under the feet. Be sure a roofer has current, and be sure they are current. Nearly every locale features a license requirement, so be sure that they already have the correct licensing. A roofing team operating in unison can achieve good results quicker. A full time income roof is comprised of enough soil layers where you may grow plants and flowers. Not handling your roof can result in disaster. In case you have the information here, you are able to avoid that trouble. Put these guidelines to utilize in maintaining your homes roof, and there is no doubt that the roof will work its job in protecting your property.
Ways To Find The Right Roofing Contractor

Do you need to find the best roofing contractor for the project? Well, if you are searching for the best roofing contractor, then you will have to focus on every single detail that will allow you to manage things in the right way. Make sure that you are exploring your options and focusing on the things that will help you in the perfect way. It is always necessary for you to focus on the things that will allow you to manage things in the right way. By paying close attention to the things that matter the most, you will be able to come up with a great solution. Make sure that you are checking things in detail so you can come up with a great solution. We are going to share all the important factors that will allow you to choose the perfect roofing contractor out there. Let’s have a look at how you can make things easier and better for yourself. Ask to provide references First of all, you should ask the contractors to provide references. If you are getting references from the contractors, then you should get in touch with them so you can make things easier and better for yourself. It is the right way to proceed so you can avoid all the problems that you are facing. It is always necessary for you to focus on the things that will allow you to manage things in the right way. You can also take help from the roofing contractors canton Michigan so you can complete your projects with reliable contractors. Choose licensed contractor The next thing that you will have to focus on is to choose a licensed contractor. It is always necessary for you to select a licensed contractor so you don’t have to face any problems later on. It is the perfect way to proceed so you can make things easier and better for yourself. Make sure that you are checking things in detail so you can manage things in the perfect way. Know your requirements The next thing that you need to focus on is to know your requirements. If you are well aware of your basic requirements, then you will be able to make things easier and better for yourself. Make sure that you are focusing on your requirements to get the desired outcome. These are the things that you need to focus on so you can manage things in the perfect way.
Best Home Remedies For Getting Rid Of Roaches

Cockroaches can live in any kind of building. To get rid of them people often turn immediately to pesticides. Pest control with pesticides works, but between treatments, people use home remedies that don’t harm pets and children. I have few ideas for the best home remedies for roaches to help you cheat them of the shelter and food they need. Boric Acid Boron is an element found naturally in food and in the earth. Boron is mixed with sulphuric acid which makes boric acid. It’s a white powdery substance. When roaches crawl through it, it gets on their legs and antannae. They go back to the common meeting grounds with others, lick themselves clean, and die three days later. It rubs off on other roaches, who lick themselves clean, and die three days later. Diatomaceous Earch Diatomaceous earth is tiny fossilized sea creatures. Their shells mixed with algae and stones give the treatment its sharp, cutting edges. It works by absorbing moisture, fats, and oils from the shell of the pest. The sharp, cutting edges then cut into the hard outer shell of the pest. This allows moisture to seep out of the bug’s body, thus dehydrating him and killing him. The powder is blown into place by a bulb duster. The roach walks through it, takes it back into the common gathering of pests, passes it around, and they die in about two weeks. Essential Oils Roaches hate the smell of peppermint. Ten drops mixed in one cup of water in a spray bottle is all it takes to prevent roaches. To really disgust them, add about eight drops of cypress essential oil to the peppermint. Cedar has always been known to repel pests, termites, and other unwanted guests. Cedar is the only essential oil to actually kill pests. Mix ten to fifteen drops in one cup of water in a spray bottle. Your house will smell like a log cabin, but one without pests. Studies have shown oregano essential oil to repel 97 percent of bugs, and they stayed away for one week. Mix ten to fifteen drops in one cup of water in a spray bottle and spray. Catnip The herb that gets your cat wacky also drives away roaches. A part of the mint family, catnip contains nepetalactone, or the active ingredient in the kitty treat. It won’t kill pests, but just like peppermint, it will keep them out of any area to which it’s applied. Place small sachets of catnip around areas pests frequent such as plumbing, behind the stove and fridge, and outside by doors, and you should be pest-free before long. Baking Soda And Sugar These are not harmful to humans or pets but are deadly to pests. One of the best home remedies for roaches, it takes a couple weeks to kill them, but it works. Sugar attracts the pests, but it’s the baking soda that kills. When the pests ingest the sugar and baking soda, they drink water. The baking soda then forms a gas that makes the pests’ stomach swell and burst, killing them. Use a small container like a Pringle’s lid or something like it. Place the sugar/baking soda mixture in it. Place a container of water nearby. Rinse and repeat. Bay Leaves Just like peppermint and catnip, bay leaves are a smell roaches can’t stomach. Crushed, powdered, or whole, the leaves repel roaches very well. They last for up to a year. Do yourself a favor and don’t buy the dried leaves in the grocery store. Fresh leaves last longer and smell better (worse to them.) You can get these at whole foods stores or online. Place them beneath appliances, in cabinets, and around plumbing and outside doors. Final Thoughts Most people aren’t aware that pests eat away rotting trees and vegetation. Without them, our world would be awash with rot. The snag to that is the pests walk through sewerage and other unhealthy stuff and bring it into our homes. Pesticides are bad for humans, pets, and the environment. That leaves us with natural pest control methods. We’ve tried all of these ourselves, so we feel confident you’ll find a method that works best for you. Let us know which you chose and how it worked for you.
Renovation Traps: How Not To Lose Money

Like it or not, not all renovation projects are equal. No, today’s post isn’t going to tell you the difference between a garage conversion and a kitchen project, but rather the types of scenarios that tend to “greet” you when you sign up to such projects. Whether you are a builder in the profession, or a homeowner looking to make the most with your property, take a read through the following traps which tend to wreak havoc with renovation projects up and down the country. Trap #1 – You Don’t Budget For The Weather You might follow all of the tips that we are about to outline through this guide, but it will all be for nothing if you don’t budget for the weather accordingly. Put simply, the weather is something that can put the brakes on projects that even seemed to have been planned perfectly. It’s something that can delay construction for months, and ultimately cost you money. What’s the best way around it? Well, not building in winter is one solution, but failing that just budgeting more time for your project once you know that it’s during these months. Additionally, making sure that contractors are wearing adequate protection and making sure that equipment and materials are stored appropriately can make the world of difference as well. Trap #2 – You Don’t Think About The Legislation We’re not going to talk too much about this point, as in truth legislation across the world just varies so much. If we look at the UK as an example, you have to contend with planning permission and building control to name two forms. The former is something that has resulted in homes being pulled down after failing to get the adequate permission, so it goes without saying that this is a serious business which you need to stay on top of. Trap #3 – You Turn To Cowboy Builders (Or Cowboy Contractors) As the home owner, turning to cowboy builders is going to cost you significant sums in the long-term. It’s something that might seem cheap at first, but over time it can cost you a lot more than you can ever imagine. Let’s not forget that any work that is “botched” will have to be repaired, and this can mean that your final bill is significantly higher than your initial budgets. The same rules apply as a tradesperson as well. If you are turning to self-employed contractors, you carry similar risks and need to be aware of this long before your project starts. Trap #4 – You Don’t Keep On Top Of Your Costs There are very few projects in the world which are able to stay on budget. Quite often, we all get carried away, and don’t think about contingencies and other points that can add sums onto your final budget. What’s the best advice? Go as granular as possible, as early as possible. Don’t make estimates – try and retrieve hard and fast price figures as soon as you can.
Here’s Why You Should Hire A Professional Scaffolding Service

If you are in the construction business, you would agree with the fact that most of the construction projects today are impossible to carry out without scaffolding services. Providing a safe working environment for your employees is a priority for any socially responsible business, and this is why scaffoldings are an integral component of any construction project. For those who are not familiar with the term, scaffolding is basically a temporary structure that is used to provide assistance to workers during the construction or repairs and maintenance of a property. Most large properties today have more than two stories as part of their structure, and because of this, workers often find it impossible to work on the building without the support of an elevated structure. Whether you are working on a high-rise commercial property or a large-scale domestic project, portable scaffolding services can make the task on hand so much more easier to carry out. Hiring a professional scaffolding service is vital for the smooth running of your projects. They will take care of everything from start to end, from erecting the scaffolding to taking it down once you are done. This is a task that is impossible to carry out without specialized skills and equipment. Here are some reasons why you need to hire a professional scaffolding service for your project: Safety The first and most important reason to hire a professional scaffolding service is safety. A professional company will ensure the safety of all the people working on the project. Their scaffoldings are designed by experts in the field and thoroughly checked for any safety concerns beforehand. This will not just ensure the safety of your employees, but also of all the equipment and materials being used on the project. Remember, any accidents don’t just tarnish your reputation, but also put you at risk of serious legal consequences due to the failure to provide a safe working environment for your employees. Moreover, many scaffolding companies perform site audits and inspections. This can give you an independent opinion on the safety of your work practices, allowing you to ensure that your project is free from the risk of any accidents. Use Of High-Quality Materials A professional scaffolding company has platforms that are made from top-quality resilient materials like aluminum and iron. These materials ensure that the structure is as sturdy and safe as possible. Additionally, railings are erected on each structure to ensure there is no risk of workers falling off during work. No Hassle Of Erecting And Dismantling The Scaffold Professional scaffolding companies will provide staff that will help your workers with the erection of the scaffolding. Once your project is complete and you no longer need the scaffolding, they will dismantle it by themselves, which can be a very time-consuming process. Your company will be free to pack up its own tools and equipment and get busy with another project in the meanwhile. This saves your business considerable time, money and hassle. You do not need a truck to bring the scaffolding and take it back. Moreover, you do need a storage space to keep the scaffold when not in use. Scaffoldings are large structures that require a large space to store if the business owns one. Skilled And Experienced Staff Professional scaffolding companies will provide staff who have years of experience and extensive knowledge in working with scaffoldings. This knowledge and experience is sure to be of benefit to your business and eliminates the need to hire additional staff for your project. Depending on the terms of the agreement, they might even provide a supervisor who will ensure that the work is carried out according to your requirements. Greater Efficiency Scaffoldings that have been designed by experts will allow your workers to reach difficult areas like high walls and ceilings easily as they will be able to work from the height required to get the job done. Although ladders are also used for the same purpose, they cannot match the safety and stability that a professionally-built scaffolding can offer. With a scaffolding, there is a solid base for workers to sit or stand on while they work, improving the quality of work as well as the speed at which it can be carried out. Customized Solutions If you are a contractor, it is likely that you work on many different projects from time to time. Every project has its own scaffolding requirements, depending on the scale and type of work you have been assigned to carry out. From suspended and cantilever scaffolds, there are different kinds of scaffoldings, and you are likely to require a different one for each project. For this reason, it doesn’t make sense to invest in one kind of scaffolding for your business. Instead, you should consider hiring professional scaffolding services as and when you require them. Not only will you save the heavy investment required to purchase your own scaffolding, but you will get customized scaffolding solutions for each of your projects. Ensure Timely Completion Of Your Project Delayed building projects can be very frustrating and expensive for any construction company. Hiring the services of a professional scaffolding company will ensure that your project runs smoothly and is completed on time. If you are worried about the cost of hiring the services of professionals, it is important to consider the potential risks and costs associated with not hiring one. Failing to work with the scaffolding you require can result in serious accidents and significant work delays, which could cost more in the long term. Availability Of Other Tools Many companies providing scaffolding services also provide other tools and equipment such as genie lifts, ladders, and trolleys on hire that can be used to ensure efficient execution of your construction project. Therefore, for projects that require a number of different services, it makes sense to negotiate an attractive deal with a professional company that can meet all your requirements. Summary Every construction business tries to find ways to minimize the …
Live Comfortably With Novacon

Do you need a home addition contractor in Toronto? If you need it, the Novacon Construction Incorporated is a general contractor who specializes in home addition, rebuilds and complete renovation. In case you didn’t know, they offer services in basement, kitchen and bathroom renovations. So, what are you waiting for? If you need of a little bit renovation of your home, head to Novacon Construction services. Stay feeling comfy with your new renovated kitchen. And live with a homely vibe in your new house. Stay tuned as we talk about what this company can offer to you, and help you choose. A brief background about the company for you to understand it. Novacon is a family owned general contractor and a home addition contractor. They have a 30 plus years’ experience in the construction industry. We are licensed company and we carry a $5 Million Dollars Liability Insurance. What’s more the best is Novacon has a full-time employee and a selection of few skilled sub-trades. You can trust us because our employees have been working to uphold our highest standards and making sure that each project is carried out by qualified tradesman. So, if you need a trusted contractor to handle your home renovation, we got you. Are you curious what this company offer? Alright, we have list out the services that we offer for you. We offer home addition contractors in Toronto to boost your house’s square footage. This service offer will help you ensure the end result that you are dreaming of in your house. You want a custom home construction? You can still avail it to us. Our business specializes in building your dream house, from the ground up. So that you can live safely and comfortably that cater your needs. We are a professional custom homes contractor in Toronto with heaps of experiences to build a custom home. But if you need only renovations don’t worry, and we still provide home renovations contractors. Other renovation services we offer are basement, kitchen and bathroom renovations. However, we can meet your precise requirements and ensure to give your house a perfect new look. Do you want to renovate your house by experts? Any risk? Novacon Construction Incorporated have a long experience in renovations in Toronto with an exceptional guaranteed result. We carry our project with integrity, reliability, and professionalism. Also, we complete our projects in exact harmony with superior building standards.

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