Smooth Move

I think anyone who has been through the process of building a home can agree that it is both exciting and frustrating all at the same time. However, believe me when I say there is a way to make the process run more smoothly.

When my husband and I built our home we had no idea where to start and feared that we would become overwhelmed with all the details to stay on top of. We did some research and found Software for Home Builders and thanks to them our home build ran on schedule and we didn’t pull our hair out over it!

The software kept us up to date on details that could have been overlooked and we were definitely able to stay organized. If you’re thinking about building a brand new home, my husband and I highly recommend you take the same route; you’ll be glad you did!

Preventing Digging

Whether it is your pet or a wild animal, a lot of people have experienced holes popping up in their yard. Animals who are capable diggers often like to dig under your deck or shed. If you want to keep them away, putting up a fence may not be enough.

To prevent animals from getting into your yard as well as under your property, you need to install an L-shaped footer. Extend wire meshing out from the bottom of your fence as well as beneath the ground to prevent animals from digging underneath. While it isn't absolutely necessary to place the wire underground, ideally we recommend extending it a foot below the ground.

If you have any questions about installing wire fencing to keep animals out, contact a Hendersonville TN fencing professional!

New Home, New Fence!

My husband and I recently moved our little family into a new home. The backyard is great for the kids and we’re thinking of even putting up a swing set! However, we want to get a fence installed before letting the kids play freely in the yard without supervision. My husband and I called our local fence contractor in Eagan MN and we’re so happy we did!

Thanks to their great work, my husband and I now feel comfortable letting our kids play in our safe and enclosed yard. Next to-do on the list, build a swing set!  

Finders Keepers

To avoid being locked out, I used to leave a spare key for myself under a potted plant near my front door. One day, I came home to find that my spare key was gone and so was my laptop and jewelry. I was so mad at myself for letting this happen; if only I had chosen a better hiding place!  

I immediately called my local commercial locksmith in Estero FL to come change my locks. Thanks to them I feel safe in my home again. Unfortunately, I had to learn my lesson the hard way but I'm hoping you can learn from my mistake.

How the Heat Affects your Fence

With the summer starting to wind down, it is important to think about fence care. Just like a lot of other materials, your wood fence is affected by extreme weather. Some types of wood expand enough in heat to cause issues with your fence. If your Bluffton IN fences weren't built with enough room to allow the wood to slightly expand, you may see pieces of wood warp and get bent out of shape.

Another aspect of the fence that summer weather can effect is the appearance. Intense sunlight can cause colors to fade, making the fence look washed out. It is important towards the end of the summer to examine your fence and look for any damage or needed repairs.

If you have questions or need repairs done on your fence, contact an expert in residential or commercial fencing in Meridian MS.

Wood vs. Vinyl Fence

If you're starting the process of replacing your fence, a big decision you have to make is what material you want your fence to be made of. Wood and vinyl and both popular materials that people choose. Here are some pros and cons of each material.

Pros of Wood

• Some people like the traditional look of wooden fences.
• Wooden fences are cheaper to install than vinyl fences.
• More color options.

Cons of Wood

• Yearly maintenance required to keep fence in good shape.
• Need to reapply paint or finish.
• Boards can warp.

Pros of Vinyl

• Can be purchased as ready to install strips. Don't need to paint or add stain.
• Low maintenance and easy to clean. 
• Don't damage as much as wood. 

Cons of Vinyl

• More expensive to install.
• Can't replace a small section or single strip like you can with wood. 

If you have questions about what material fence is right for you, don't hesitate to ask an Austin TX fence replacement professional!

Damaged Shingles

Roof issues can often cause home owners to panic. However, that doesn't always need to happen. If you notice that shingles are falling off of your roof, don't overreact and think that you need to replace your entire roof.

The first thing you should do when you find shingles that have fallen off your roof is try to locate the area on the roof that they belong. If there's only a small part of your roof that has damaged shingles, chances are low that you'd have to replace your entire roof.

The next step you should take is going in your attic and examining the roof from the inside. If you are able to see any daylight coming through any holes, that is a serious issue that needs to be fixed promptly. Other issues that you might see are water damage or the roof plywood warping and bending.

Have an independent contractor come to your home and get his opinion on what work needs to be done to your roof. Shingle repair and replacement is possible to do by yourself but can be dangerous. Usually, your best option will be to hire a Fairfield CT roof repair company or expert.

DIY Roofing Story

My dad has always been a DIYer. For everything from cars, to carpentry, to electronics, he's loved learned a new trade and fixing things on his own. While a lot of the time it can drive me and my siblings nuts because his projects aren't perfect, it has always been enjoyable to see the joy he gets from doing these projects.

When it came to redoing our roof, we weren't sure how comfortable we'd be letting my dad handle it. Not only because  he has no roofing experience, but also because roofs can't have any mistakes or weaknesses. After doing some research on my own, I decided to call an expert on roof specifications in Sanibel FL to get his opinion.

I ended up having the roof specifications company come out and design our new roof. It made me feel much better than my dad would be working off a professional plan and design.

Cool Down with a New Roof

Many people think the only reasons to replace a roof are because it is structurally damaged or because it looks old. While those are definitely reasons to get your roof examined and possibly redone, there is another why you may want a new roof.


The material your roof is made from as well as how it was built can greatly impact the temperature in your house. If your attic or upstairs of your house is significantly hotter than the rest of your house, the issue may be your roofing. Where traditional black shingles absorb heat into your home, a lighter color such as white or even brown will help keep some of that heat out of your house. Also, having a new roof installed can improve your roofs ventilation. These two factors can greatly impact the temperature of your home.


If you are interested in getting a new roof or have questions about your roof, contact a company for commercial roofing in central New Jersey!

Prepare Your AC Unit for the Winter

Many people either don't think to or just neglect preparing their air conditioning unit for winter. While you may think that AC maintenance is only a summer issue, it is actually important to keep up with over the winter. While it is unlikely that your unit will break due to cold temperatures, the winter weather can shorten its lifespan.

The first step you should take to prepare your unit is to clear off and hose down any debris that has accumulated on or around it. It is important to be proactive with this and not wait until it is already cold out.

After you have cleared it off, schedule a local Lansing MI commercial mechanical contractor to check your unit for any issues and determine if any foam covering needs to be added to the unit or pipes connecting to it.

Last, make sure you regularly check your unit throughout the winter to make sure no pipes are damaged and their is no other noticeable damage.

Kitchen Remodeling Tips

Kitchens are one of the most popular rooms that people remodel and rightly so. Kitchens should be able to comfortably fit your family as well as have plenty of space to cook. It is important to make the most of your available place by placing cabinets and furniture in specific locations. Here are some tips from custom home builders in Franklin TN on how to optimize your kitchen for your family.

• Strategic storing: When deciding which cabinets and drawers to store silverware or food, take into account where in your kitchen these items are used. Store dishes in cabinets close to the dishwasher to ease the process of doing the dishes.
  
• Accessible to all: Keep snacks and dishes for your kids in cabinets that they can easily reach below the counter.
  
• Stay connected: Identify places in your kitchen that you usually use electronics such as a blender. When remodeling your kitchen, make sure to include outlets that are easily accessible to these locations.

Moving Pains

Earlier this year, my son started college. As excited as I was, I didn't realize how big of a process moving him into his dorm would be. With everybody moving into his dorm on the same day, the lines for the elevators were ridiculously long so we ended carrying heavy items up four flights of stars multiple times. 

For the next few weeks, I had a lot of pain in my back. I figured it would go away on its own if I rested and iced it routinely. However, after the pain didn't diminish after about a month, I went in to see my local Severn MD chiropractor. Thankfully, they were able to diagnose my issue and put me on a physical therapy routine. It was a long process but finally I'm no longer in pain. 

It feels like just yesterday that I was starting college myself. Unfortunately, this back injury reminded me that maybe I'm not as young as like to think I am. 

Home Security Technology

My friend recently had his house broken into. Understandably, his family was pretty shaken. After hearing of what happened, I got online and started researching home security systems. I had no clue how advanced some of the new technologies being used by security companies and home owners are.

The coolest technology I came across revolved around the front door of the house. A lot of burglars ring the doorbell of houses to see if someone is home before the decide to break in.  These cameras start to record video when someone is at your doorway. They can also send an alert to your phone when someone rings your doorbell regardless of where you are. The home owner then has the ability to speak to the person at their door even if they aren't home. This can help ward of potential intruders by tricking them into thinking that someone is home.

This seems like a great idea and something I would definitely recommend to my friend. If you're interested in increasing your home security, ask an expert in security systems in Scarsdale NY.

Pros and Cons of Getting a Vinyl Floor

When remodeling a room, one decision you have to make is what material you want the floors to be. While vinyl isn't as popular a choice as hardwood or tile, that doesn't mean it might not be a good option for you. Here we discuss some of the pros and cons of having a vinyl floor.

Pros:

• Relative to other materials, vinyl is inexpensive to have installed. Prices usually vary from $1 to $5 per square foot.   
• Vinyl doesn't transfer sound. Installing vinyl in your laundry room can held reduce sound from your laundry machines.

Cons:

• While vinyl can be made to look like wood or tile, most people believe it doesn't look as good. 
• Vinyl dents easily and can be a challenge to clean. 

If you have questions or would like to ask an expert if vinyl is right for you, contact a Chesapeake VA hardwood flooring expert.

Don't Be The Neighbor With An Ugly Roof

Do you have that one neighbor on your street that has a dilapidated roof? Or are you that neighbor? Aside from roofing protecting your home, it can make its overall appearance more appealing. Signs you need a new roof are missing shingles, shingles that are curling and/or bulking, and roof age.

If you need assistance with their roof contact your local commercial roofing Mason MI!

Beware of Tree Stumps

Tree stumps are a hassle to remove from your property. However, removing that pesky tree stump can save you frustration in the long run! Anyone can fall and hurt themselves if they come in contact with an unexpected tree stump so it is important to stay on the safe side and remove the stump before that happens. If it happens to be someone outside of your family that falls, you will be held liable.

Contact your local stump removal Ann Arbor MI for help!

Plumbing Tips: Don't Let a Clogged Tub Ruin Your Morning Shower

Whether the water in your tub is draining at a snail's pace or not draining at all, dislodging the offending clog doesn't need to become a huge hassle. By using tools found mostly around your home, you can rid your drain of the hair, grease and debris that has slowed or stopped the tub's ability to empty. Although calling a plumber for tougher clogs is highly recommended, following the procedure provided below can save you time and money on less critical clogs.
What You Need

·         Kettle for boiling water

·         Thin wire or coat hanger

·         Plunger

·         Vinegar and baking soda

Hot Water
To begin, remove your tub's stopper. In most tubs you can simply pull the stopper out, however, you may need to unscrew it. Once detached, place the stopper off to the side in a safe location. Now head to your kitchen to boil a kettle of water. Pour the water into your drain to soften the debris clogging the pipe. Let the water sit for 15 to 20 minutes. If the clog is still present, boil a new kettle of water and try one more time.
Thin Wire or Coat Hanger
Insert either a straightened coat hanger or a piece of sturdy wire into the clogged drain. Once you reach the softened obstruction, slowly pull the wire out. Repeat this step until your pipes are mostly free of the hair, grease and debris clogging them.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
Combine 1/3 cup of undiluted white vinegar with 1/3 cup baking soda, and slowly pour the foaming liquid into your drain. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before flushing your tub drain with hot water. If the clog persists, remake the mixture and repeat the process.
The Plunger
After performing the 3 previous steps, grab your plunger and get to work. This final effort should get rid of the remaining debris. If it doesn't, you're probably dealing with a deep clog. Unfortunately, a much more invasive technique may be needed to clear the gunk out of your pipes. When this is the case, it's better to rely on a professional plumber.
If you're looking for an experienced and trustworthy plumber, please contact us today and we'll be happy to help you with your plumbing needs.

For assistance contact your local bathroom remodeling Waukesha WI!