Category: Home Improvement

How to Properly Repair a Gas Fireplace

Noel M. Torres December 29, 2022

How to Properly Repair a Gas Fireplace

You’re not alone if you’ve been attempting to determine how to fix a gas fireplace correctly. If you own one or are considering buying one, it’s essential to know what to do to keep it running smoothly. To get started, you’ll want to inspect the wiring, check the thermostat, and clean out the burners. Then, if you notice any issues, you’ll know how to deal with them.

Cleaning

When cleaning a gas fireplace, there are plenty of ways to go about it. However, if unsure, you should check with the manufacturer or a professional.

The first step in cleaning a gas fireplace is to turn off the system. Then, you’ll want to vacuum out any debris that has built up. You can do this with a vacuum cleaner or a handheld vacuum. You can also use a soft-bristled brush to clean the burner unit.

The best way to clean the

… Read the rest

5 Stylish Ideas for Your Home Bar

Noel M. Torres December 22, 2022

5 Stylish Ideas for Your Home Bar

When it comes to entertaining, having a home bar is one of the most sophisticated ways to impress your guests. But finding stylish ideas for your bar can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve put together this list of five trendy design elements that will instantly upgrade any home bar from basic to luxury status! From statement lighting and marble countertops to flamboyant artwork and luxe materials, these chic decorating tips will surely add an elegant flair that’ll make every cocktail hour unforgettable.

1. Use Wasted Space

Many homeowners have a lot of unused space in their home bars that you can transform into valuable and stylish storage. Add floating shelves or open shelving to store barware, glasses, or other decorative items. You can also utilize space underneath the countertop to hang hanging glass racks or use it as a mini wine cellar for your favorite bottles. Alternatively, if your … Read the rest

Why is My House Subsiding?

Noel M. Torres December 14, 2022

Why is My House Subsiding?

Subsidence, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, is ‘the process by which land or buildings sink to a lower level’. Although quite rate, it is something that can affect some homes. But what causes it, and can it be prevented? 

What Causes Subsidence? 

There are many different causes of subsidence. It occurs when the ground below a building begins to shift or collapse. When it does, the foundations of the home sink with it. This can lead to one side of the building sinking lower than the other, which can lead to deep cracks in the walls. To that end, below are a few examples of what can cause subsidence. 

Unsuitable Soil 

Some soil types are not suitable for construction and laying foundations on top of them can result in subsidence in the future. Soil engineers do not recommend building on top of soil that contains clay or peat. … Read the rest

Modern Residential Architecture: Eichler Homes

Noel M. Torres October 26, 2022

Modern Residential Architecture: Eichler Homes

The conundrum about how houses can be mass producible yet personalised is nothing new; making good architectural design and build accessible to the ‘middle class’ is a foundation of the modernist movement.

With 11,000 homes built in the suburbs of the San Francisco Bay area between the mid-1950s to 1966, property developer Joseph Eichler enjoyed a measure of financial and critical success.

Born in New York to an Austrian father and German mother, Eichler initially earned a business degree. Later in life, after two years living in a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, he developed a passion for modernity and, in the mid-1940s, started a business selling prefabricated houses.

Ten years later, he hired architectural firm Anshen & Allen who designed a standardised prototype: the first Eichler Homes. His building system meant designs were simplified so that they could be produced with near assembly-line efficiency. Yet they were still … Read the rest

Questions To Ask Your Landscape Company

Noel M. Torres October 21, 2022

Questions To Ask Your Landscape Company

When you are looking for a landscape company to take care of your property, there are a few questions you should ask before making your decision. Here are four important questions to ask any potential landscape company:

What experience do you have?

If you’re thinking about hiring a landscape company to work on your property, there are a few things you should consider before making your decision. One of the most important factors to consider is the experience the company has. You’ll want to ask them about the types of projects they’ve worked on in the past and what their success rate is. This information will help you determine if they’re the right fit for your needs.

It’s always a good idea to ask a landscape company about their experience before hiring them. Here are four reasons why:

1. You’ll be able to get a sense of what they’re capable … Read the rest

Which of the Most Common Foundation Repair Methods is Right for You

Noel M. Torres May 19, 2022

Which of the Most Common Foundation Repair Methods is Right for You

When it comes to repairing foundation issues in your home, there are many different options. Some repair processes are less expensive. Depending on the severity of the foundation problem and your financial circumstances, you should carefully evaluate each option to find a repair method that works best for you. If you have a minor issue, you are able to tackle it yourself at a low cost. If the issue is more serious, you may be able to repair it at a low cost. Or, if repair is impossible, you may want to consider expensive repairs that will not only make your home safe but last a long time. There are 4 types of foundation repair methods. Let’s explore each one:

Sneaker foundation repair

Sneaker foundation repair is the least expensive repair method and the quickest and easiest way. If your home has a concrete slab foundation, you can repair a … Read the rest

Building Safe Community Shelters

Noel M. Torres May 4, 2022

Building Safe Community Shelters

When the news shows major disasters, you often see images of people leaving the area and going to shelters. These shelters are set up with facilities to provide restrooms, showers, water and food. Cots are set up for sleeping spaces, and emergency medical spaces provide needed care. What you don’t see is where the facilities get the extra capacity to house large numbers of people escaping the disaster. Whether the disaster is a fire, flood, earthquake or storm, shelters have to be set up quickly.

When public spaces have to be transformed into shelters, governments will turn to an emergency relief company for support. These companies can provide bathrooms, medical equipment, sleeping arrangements and other things to give people safe shelter while an emergency area is being stabilized.

Emergency shelters are usually set up in large gathering places like gymnasiums or community event spaces. These sites are made to

… Read the rest

5 Essential Renovations to Add Value to Your Home

Noel M. Torres March 16, 2022

5 Essential Renovations to Add Value to Your Home

Making additions and renovations to your home is a great way to add value, both in the short-term and long term. Whether you’re looking to update your kitchen or install a new roof, certain projects are essential for every home. Here are some of the most important renovations to consider if you’re looking to increase the value of your property.

1. New Roof

Having a new roof installed is usually the number one thing buyers using Southern Title to find homes look for. If you’re selling your house, this should be your top priority. Replacing a roof is something that can increase the value of your home by as much as ninety percent, and even if you’re staying, this will likely be one of your biggest expenses.

2. Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations

A new kitchen will add thousands of dollars to the value of your home. When buyers are looking

… Read the rest

These Are The Most Searched DIY Tasks – But How Confident Are Brits In Their Ability To ‘Do It Themselves’

Noel M. Torres February 19, 2022

These Are The Most Searched DIY Tasks

One in ten of us admit to just hiring a professional to tackle even basic home repairs according to a new survey – but around 67% of Brits say they would try and give it a go first. 

The survey comes from online retailer Chums, who polled 1000 UK residents across different generations to understand how confident each age group feels in tackling home repairs and finally put to bed the idea that young people are hopeless at DIY! 

Chums analysed over 100 common home repairs and took the respective average Google search volumes of each one in order to narrow down which specific tasks. 

In order to determine which DIY jobs people generally find the most challenging, Chums analysed over 100 common home repairs and took the respective average search volumes of each one using phrases such as ‘how to….” or “tips for…”. 

So which home repair tasks have … Read the rest

4 Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home That Never Fail

Noel M. Torres February 4, 2022

4 Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home That Never Fail

These days, everyone is looking to make more money and hold onto the amount they have. One creative way to do this is to actually invest in the improvement of your home. If you are considering selling or think that you might want to move to a new location one day, it’s important that you focus now on improving your home so that it will be in a better position to be sold in the long run. Here are four tasks that will always increase the value of your home

1. Adding On

Adding on to your home is always a good option. Consider getting some conceptual home design done to your home to see how you can add on to improve the structure and architecture.

2. Coat of Paint

Changing the color of your house by putting a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest, most affordable

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Way to Find the Plumber That Works for you

Noel M. Torres August 14, 2017
Way to Find the Plumber That Works for you

Our plumbers are everything to us especially if we have an issue at our business or home. The pipes can go down or it could be something a lot more serious. Either way, you will be faced with making the grand decision of who you want to bring on board to do the job. The job could be something minor or it could be big to be the plumber and his crew need to dig up your yard. You can list a few things that you would need done to tell your plumber quite easy, so you have something to go by. That being said, you might find yourself still trying to find the right fit for your professional plumber. Here are some ways to find the best plumber to work for you.

Experience

Plumbers can work in a lot of areas of expertise. It’s not only just residential as … Read the rest

Building Homes with Tankless Water Heaters

Noel M. Torres April 22, 2017
Building Homes with Tankless Water Heaters

As new homes are springing up around your city, they are showing up with new and improved homes needed for your everyday living. Having a tankless water heater is one of them. They are better than the old water heaters and if you have one, you know why. It’s good to change things up when newly constructed homes are coming up to make life better for people wanting something different. If you are one of those people looking for a better way to live in your home with the latest in what technology offers, a tankless water heater just might be for you.

The Tankless Water Heater

When dealing with the standard water heater in most homes today, you will find that if someone turns on the water in one area, it will turn cold while you are in the shower or rinsing dishes in the sink. Another issue is … Read the rest