Category Archives: How To (How I Did)

Today I have a guest post that outlines 3 Signs it is Time to Update the Driveway of your home.  I admit I have a couple of these at my place.

If your home’s driveway could talk, it would probably plead for a complete overhaul long before you would likely think it needs more than minor renovations or resurfacing. As if automobiles weighing several tons each rolling up and down the asphalt every day wouldn’t exert a hefty enough toll, annual seasonal cycles of freezing winter temperatures and precipitation, a springtime thaw, sweltering summer heat and a full-circle arrival back around to snow and ice inevitably leave cracking patterns like varicose veins from one end of your driveway to the other. As a homeowner, you have two choices: mind your driveway’s wear and tear on a timely basis or wait until the elements and steady daily traffic convert neglected yearly maintenance into a horrendously costly replacement project. Heeding these three telltale warning signs should convince you to update your driveway before compounded damage leaves you no choice but to break the bank replacing it.

Cracking and Potholes

The ground beneath your driveway flexes and shifts constantly. Eventually, as cars pass over the pavement constantly and changing temperatures cause everything beneath it to contract and expand, cracks can eventually deteriorate into potholes. Ignore these troublesome craters long enough at your own peril. Your car’s tires and suspension will drive the point home inevitably if subjected to them long enough to cause mounting damage. Remedy shallow potholes with a basic resurfacing, but don’t wait too long before making a date with a construction material delivery service and investing an afternoon in making over your rough-hewn asphalt. Deeper holes may require a more expensive resurfacing down the line.

Pooling and Drainage Issues

Believe it or not, few variables will wear a driveway down more persistently than moisture. If water runs right down the middle of your driveway or pools in conspicuous places, drainage issues may have already jeopardized its lifespan. This is a bigger problem than just sidestepping puddles while walking up and down your driveway during spring showers. When moisture seeps into surface cracks, freezing and thawing cycles will gradually expand, contract and weaken the underlying ground. Timely resurfacing locks out water and optimizes drainage, giving your driveway even better odds for a long life before you need to consider replacement.

Weathering, Crumbling and Erosion

A sun-faded driveway is one thing. Once your surface starts looking especially beaten-up, the entire structure has probably weakened to the point where bigger problems may soon develop. A crumbling, eroded driveway is harder to drive or park atop without accelerating ongoing damage to a car’s tires, wheels and suspension. Even pedestrians need to tread lightly, since a craggy surface invites twisted ankles and ugly trip accidents. Erosion is a methodical process, but the sooner you buckle down and resurface, the better your chances of spending several times more to repave or replace the entire thing.

Knowing when to update your driveway is not rocket science, but don’t let that fact undersell its importance. Remember, your vehicles call this little landing strip home between commutes. Just as importantly, it leaves an immediate curb-appeal impression capable of instantly elevating or depleting your home’s value. All things considered, you will almost always be better off erring on the cautious side by addressing visible structural concerns sooner much rather than later. You never know what a difference 12 months can make until you step outside and wonder when your assault evolved into an array of lunar craters and stray chunks of pavement.

Over the last several years, contractor fraud in the construction industry has increased significantly, leaving many homeowners and business owners at a steep financial loss. Contractors are an integral part of the construction business, but as more contractors go rogue and fail to perform the work they promised, reputable construction companies and individual contractors take the hit. In a recent case in Washington, D.C., a residential home improvement contractor was found guilty of making false statements in bankruptcy proceedings and taking undue funds from government programs as part of his contracting business. From 2008 through 2015, the contractor stole from several homeowners by lying about his credentials and skills, requiring many of them to find other solutions for their home improvement needs.

As contractor cases like this continue to make the news, it is imperative for legitimate, licensed and bonded contractor businesses who hire contractors as well as homeowners to recognize the, warning signs of fraudulent individuals. There are several ways fraud can take a toll financially, but those who hire contractors can pay close attention to the following in an effort to stop fraud in its tracks.

 Licensing and Bonding Requirements

One of the most important steps in hiring a reputable contractor in construction is checking on the licensing and bonding credentials in place. Nearly all states require a contractor to hold a license, which requires an application and some proof of training or work history. In addition, a surety bond is also mandated by many states. Contractor surety bonds are an expense to the contractor, similar to insurance for a business, except that the surety company promises to pay up to the bond amount should the contractor fail to perform the work up to industry standards. These two critical pieces of information are a telltale sign that a contractor is, at a minimum, able to legally operate in the state where the project will be completed.

It is important to note, however, that simply because a contractor has a license and a bond it does not necessarily mean they will conduct themselves in the most professional manner. Those who hire contractors must also take the steps below to ensure they receive what they pay for without instances of fraud.

 References and Work History

Another smart way to check the legitimacy of a contractor is to ask for references and previous work completed. When contractors are willing and able to provide past customer references, be sure to follow up by calling those customers to ask about their experience. In most cases, legitimate contractors offer up references they know will put in a good word for them, which can make it difficult to know if fraud is on the horizon. To spot check these references, do an online search for the contractor or business name to see if there are any negative reviews or fraud alerts. Avoid hiring contractors who have several complaints against them with regulatory agencies or popular online review sites.

 Payments and Billing

The final protective step in avoiding contractor fraud may be common sense, but it is arguably the most important. Any contractor who asks for a significant up-front payment on a contract should be questioned as to why there is such a large need. In most cases, a small percentage of the project’s value is due at the time a contract is signed, but not the full amount. Any ask over 20% of the total payment may indicate the contractor isn’t operating legitimately. Large initial payments give no incentive for contractors to come back to complete the work, so it is best to choose a different hire.

Contractor fraud in construction is not completely avoidable, but there are steps consumers and business owners can take to safeguard their bottom line. Always start with a check of licensing and bonding, and follow up with work history and references when possible. Be sure to save the bulk of payment until the contract is successfully completed to avoid financial loss in any construction project.

Author:

Eric Weisbrot is the Chief Marketing Officer of JW Surety Bonds. With years of experience in the surety industry under several different roles within the company, he is also a contributing author to the surety bond blog.

Link to photo: https://www.jwsuretybonds.com/img/jwteam/Eric-Weisbrot—Marketing-Manager.jpg

Replacing your existing window is something that you should take seriously. Apart from being a huge investment, it’s also a relevant improvement that enhances the overall appearance of your home. While it’s considered a cheap expense, knowing the right time to replace your window is of paramount importance. So if you want to save on energy costs, here are some essential signs that allow you to know if your window needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

Windows are difficult to open and close

When you find your windows difficult to open and close, it may be about time to replace them right away. The difficulty may be caused by the shifting of the shape of the window frame. In the end, you need to be able to open and close your windows properly to keep your home safe and secure.

There are cold spots near windows

If there are gaps outside the disintegrated frame, it’s a clear sign that warm air escapes from home during winter and cool air leaks out during summer. When this happens, replacing your window may be your best option.

You hear outside noises

Your windows may be to blame when your home frequently experiences outside noises, thus you can’t even get a good night’s sleep. Remember that older windows can no longer block the noise out properly from a nearby area. Furthermore, it would be better to change your old windows with a new noise-reducing one to make your home a quiet place of resting after a busy day.

Windows are rotting

An essential sign of severe structural damage is a rotten window. When your windows are already rotting, don’t think twice to have it replaced immediately. Apart from difficulty closing and opening, rotten windows don’t look good for your home. To stay on top of your safety, be sure to check your windows from time to time.

Window glass is broken

Once your window glass is broken, replacing it is the right thing to do as a homeowner. Besides, you don’t want a broken window to affect the security of your home. There are several window replacement options offered by professional companies that you can actually take advantage of. Instead of having an individual piece of window replaced, you can make use of many options for an entire replacement at an affordable cost. That way, you’ll have the opportunity to upgrade your windows without spending a lot of money in the first place.

You can barely see outside

Windows are supposed to help you see the outside surroundings. But if you can barely see out of them, then a window replacement can be a good consideration to make. Besides, your windows are already affected by discoloration, fading, and even condensation. Take note that the fading of your windows can lower the value of your home as well as affect its curb appeal.

You have high energy bills

The unusual increase in your energy bills has something to do with your windows. Even if you have an air conditioning that works properly, leaky windows that allow too much outside air can be partly to blame for the high energy bills. If possible, try to compare your bill from last month and if it’s significantly higher than the previous one, it’s a warning sign indicating a possible need for window replacement.

Conclusion

Your home remains a valuable investment you’ll ever make in your entire life. In fact, replacing your old, outdated windows can go a long way in improving the overall look of your home as well as the value of your investments. However, knowing the need for window replacement isn’t as easy and simple as you ever thought. With the essential warning signs mentioned above, you’ll surely be able to recognize the necessity of making this upgrade to your home. If you consider replacing your window now, then seeking assistance from window installation companies like Window Film Depot can be of great help.

If you clean your house regularly, then you must also pay heed to the nasty smells in your house. Many times external cleaning leaves stench and smell in your house. So, it’s important that you consider internal deep cleaning at least once every week.

This will keep your house germ free and odor free. You can also consider House-cleaning services for complete cleaning solutions. Here are 14 All Natural Ways to Get Rid of Smells in Your House read on.

Wash trashcans

Wash your trashcans with hot water or soapy water at least once every week. This will help to remove tiny bits and debris that cause odor and smell in your house. You can also use softener sheets for your kitchen trash cans to eliminate the foul smell.

Wash your dishwasher

Wash your dishwasher regularly with a part of vinegar and distilled water. You can simply place the solution on the rack and then cycle it through. This will also help to eliminate the foul smell.

Clean your freezer

You can reduce the smell from your freezer with the help of coffee beans. Simply put some dry coffee beans in a clean sock and place it inside. This will deodorize the bad smell in no time.

Clean your microwave

If you don’t clean your microwave often, then you must. The smell of burnt popcorns and baked foods can also cause a foul smell. Put some lemon juice in hot water and add some cinnamon. Place this in your microwave and bring it to a boil. This will reduce the smell to a good extent.

Washing machine odor

You must wash your appliances from time to time including washing machine. Wash the drum of the washing machine with a special washing solution once every fifteen days. This will help to eliminate the foul smell.

Smells in carpet

If your carpet is washable, wash your carpet every week for foul smells. Or, opt for house cleaning services in NJ that offer carpet cleaning services. You can also use vinegar to clean your carpets.

Wooden cutting boards

Clean your wooden cutting board with the help of lemon juice or baking soda. You can also use mineral oils to eliminate the smell from the wooden cutting board.

Cut the cooking smell

Spicy or fried food can also cause a foul smell in your kitchen. You can boil vinegar with hot water. This will cut the cooking smell and deodorize the kitchen area.

Clean your bathroom regularly

Wash and clean your bathroom on a regular basis. There are maximum germs in your bathroom, so it is important that you clean it on a daily basis.

Cigarette smells

Simply use a good air freshener to get rid of foul cigarette smell in the room. Also, keep your windows open to get rid of cigarette smells.

Musty mattress smells

You can use baking soda to get rid of foul or musty smells of your mattress. Just sprinkle some baking soda and let it dry. Use a vacuum after this process to clean it.

Your Closet

You can use coffee grounds for deodorizing the smell in your closet too. Or, you can also use an air freshener.

Keep your windows open

Always try to keep your doors and windows open to eliminate foul smells from your house. This will keep your home fresh.

Use natural disinfectants

Use natural disinfectants like vinegar, lemon and baking soda for keeping your house fresh and clean. This also helps to eliminate foul smells from your house.