If you have stumps in your house and reside in a flood-prone area, then you probably know all too well that the most significant threat to your home’s foundation is moisture. This is true especially for homes supported by wooden stumps which are relatively common among traditional homes of the past.

Now there is nothing wrong with using hardwood for house stumps as they are very hardy. That said, they do degrade over time due to continuous exposure to moisture and pests. Having your home restumped is the very best method to make sure that you are safe from any impending disasters that could threaten your home and your family’s security. How is this so?

Restumping reveals the condition of your home’s foundation

There is an old saying goes — what you do not know cannot affect you. However, when it comes to installing adjustable house stumps , the exact opposite is true. You might be casually going about your day to day life, with no clue that the foundation of your house is falling apart.

Unless you understand what you are searching for, house stumps might look ok from the outside, while inside the wood could be degrading rapidly due to bugs and weather condition. Having them restumped is one method to examine the state of your stumps and have the comfort of understanding that you will not have to worry about it for at least a decade or so.

Prevent Dry Rot

Old homes that have been resting on the same wooden stumps for an extended period are highly likely to have dry rot in places, which can spread to the rest of the house.

Nowadays, when houses are restumped, the products utilised are produced specially to prevent this from happening, where formerly the technology was not there that we have today. When you have your house restumped, you are given the alternative of picking fresh wood, concrete or galvanised steel. The latter is much more powerful and provides more security versus dry rot. Throughout the restumping process, you might have the ability to assess any decay that has already made it up into the beams of your house, and have them replaced too.

Protecting your valuables

For most people who have lost their home due to severe flooding, the most gut-wrenching part of the experience is losing their memorabilia and collectibles due to water damage.

Restumping allows homeowners the opportunity to prevent this from happening by raising the house a few inches off the ground. This gives your home additional breathing space in the case of rising flood waters.

Increases the Resale Value of the Property

If you are planning to offer your house whenever shortly, or if you are renovating with the possibility of selling your home at some point, then restumping is one element that will make your home appealing to would-be buyers.

In most cases, people are prudent enough to consider future upkeep before purchasing a house. Hence restumping can be used as a …

Many people invest in the real estate industry due to the numerous benefits that come along with it. Similarly, there are so many people looking for properties for their businesses. Hence, real estate investors always have their buildings occupied due to the alarming demand for their property. Therefore, during construction, it is essential to have a beautiful building with the right design to suit the needs of clients. Thus, the choice of a denton tx commercial contractor is a significant determiner of the type of structure that will be constructed.

Choosing a Commercial Contractor

There are various characteristics to look at when hiring a commercial contractor. A decent contractor should be able to make sound decisions for the entire project while putting time and budget into consideration. Therefore, below are essential factors to consider to come up with an excellent contractor for commercial buildings.

Licensing and Insurance

A well trained and experienced contractor should be licensed and insured. Licensing is an important factor since it guarantees the property owner that the contractor has the mandate to work as a contractor in his area by the regulatory body. Thus, he fully understands all the safety measures and regulations for a commercial building. Also, having a license is very crucial for a contractor. In the event of an accident at work, the insurance body will compensate for the harm and injury endured.

Excellent Communication Skills

A skilled contractor should be friendly, approachable and communicates effectively with the owner of the project. Communication is a very crucial factor when it comes to working relationships. Therefore, the contractor should be friendly such that the owner of the contract can contact him anytime concerning any matter of the project. As well, the contractor should be in a position to advertise the project to potential clients. He should portray a great image of the project that has been completed, to attract people to rent the business space.

Interviewing Contractors and the Project Team

After determining the requirements of a project, the client can poll the potential contractors.  He should meet with the contractor together with other people who will be involved in the project for success. The team may include the architect, contractor, engineer and expert plumber. The excellent relationship between the team will enhance the satisfaction of the project.

The client should ask the team about the background information of their companies.  It is to ensure that they have existed for some time and it is financially stable to provide facilitation of the project success. He can get the previously completed project updates for verification of the team expertise. It helps in making sure that the appropriate knowledge is used in the project and that the right decisions are made.

Moreover, the client must ensure that the contractor is available during the project as scheduled. The design team makes critical decisions with the availability of the contractor. A contractor who is not available can be a nuisance to your project making you have headaches and …

Home Décor trends change and advance at different paces. Everything that is designed in your home will always turn to be in line with the current trend. This allows you to forego past trends and embrace the good in the new trends. In 2019 there are several new trends that you should look for when you want to upgrade your home.

1. Large and Bold Plants

In 2019 big bold plants are one of the year’s head trends of home interior design. Using any palm tree can make you have a stunning look at your home. It is the most outstanding home décor trend this year. The plants can either be placed on each side of the sofa or one corner of your room.

2. Painting of Ceilings

Considering that the ceiling has been overlooked for a long time, in 2019, it will be put into consideration as your fifth wall. Painting the ceiling will help you to create a great moment in your spaces; it also adds image interest. You can choose to paint the ceiling with the same colour as your room or decide to give it a unique colour.

3. Creation of multi-functional spaces

In 2019, multifunctional furniture does not only have to be small apartments. In the multi-purpose trend, people will come up with ways of using their furniture and rooms for more than one purpose. This proves to be cost-effective and thus a trend one should embrace.

4. Exploration of more bold colours

Many bold colours such as navy blue and deep red are going to be significantly explored in 2019. Therefore, it is recommendable to design your home in a way that you incorporate these colours to bring about some form of excitement to your room.

5. Addition of mission style details

This is a trend that aims to bring some warmth to contemporary spaces. The mission style details are about adding quality to nature to a room. When trying to keep up with the 2019 trends, website is one of those who can help you achieve the desired look for your room.

The Range of Styling and Decorations

Property Styling does specialise in many internal looks. This is because they have to keep up with many different environs and have an exceptional building and architectural approach. The interior designers are highly trained and experienced to work with you to ensure they bring you your particular idea to life.

Such designers have successfully worked with several companies and have gained a lot of experience. Designers dealing with bigger clients tend to have a great knowledge of how to set up things and make them look inspiring where they created both formal and informal areas, rooms according to the needs of clients as well.

Decorating the living spaces, dining area, prayer area, play area and many more is all that they can do with the best skills. Depending upon the location they work and get the optimal results by showcasing their skills.

They choose the right accessories, materials and colours …

Turning your home into a dream French cottage is not as hard as you think it is. There are only a few steps that you need to take to get the results that you want, and each of those steps can be taken at any time. You could do the whole makeover at one time, or you could do little things here and there that will make your home look a little more French. Use the steps below to turn your home in a dreamscape that you could not get any other way.

1. The Floors

You must make sure that you have nice floors in your home that people will take notice of the moment that they come into the house. This is a very good way to make the house look bigger, and you could bring in hardwoods that look like they were cut just outside Paris. You need something that is dark and rich. You need hardwood floors that are ways to take care of, and you must have them installed by a professional.

2. Softer Light

Your French cottage should get some nice sunlight during the day, but you also need recessed lights that make the house look that much more exciting. Lighting & interior design is one of the most important things in any house. Because of this, you need to be sure that you have lights hidden around the house where they are not so obvious. You must find a lighting contractor who will install the lights in ways that they are not obvious at all. The technician can create new locations for fixtures, and they can hide all the wires for these lights.

3. Paint

You must paint your home in soft colours that people will take notice of when they come through. Most people who are trying to make their home more beautiful should turn to the pastel colours that they might have imagined in a French landscape. You could paint every room a different, and you will find that the house looks much nicer when you are using colours that make you think of the Impressionist period.

4. Furniture

The furniture that you put in the house can give you an air of elegance that you will not get in any other place. The majority of people who pick furniture will find that they need to go for the most rustic pieces they can think of. Most people who are trying to have a good time when making their home into a French cottage should not only focus on the furniture that is meant for the French style. Anything that is rustic will look good in a house like this, and you should also consider what you can do to make it feel warmer.

5. The Kitchen

You should create a much more rustic kitchen that includes tone and appliances that have the facade of the old days. People who live in these old cottages often have old appliances, and you could choose new appliances that …

Gutter cleaning might not be the most straightforward or most fun task to do. However, if you do not clean your house gutters regularly, you are asking for trouble.

In this post, we go over the value of keeping your home gutters clean and the possible consequences when you fail to do so. Only then can you appreciate the significance of the latter.

How dirty gutters can lead to disaster in your home

In the 18th of January 2003, a firestorm ripped through more than 900 homes located in West Canberra. The fire claimed several lives and caused millions of dollars worth of lost property. To make matters worse, most of the homes afflicted by the disaster did not have enough insurance to cover the damage (if any at all).

After an extensive investigation on the incident, it was found that one of the underlying causes for the disaster is the state of the gutters for the majority of homes in the area.  Many of them have dry leaves and bark accumulated in the gutters — the perfect fuel for a firestorm like the one that devastated the area. For this reason, the value of gutter maintenance and cleaning cannot be disregarded.

What about water damage?

Now keeping your home gutters clean is not just about avoiding a fire hazard. The thing about gutters is that also accumulates damp waste which includes rainwater, dirt and gunk that may end up being a part of your roof gutters and then trigger any blocking of the drain.

Though it is more time taking in to clean up the damp waste, a suitable pressure cleaning hose would suffice. Overlooking the matter can lead to clogs that don’t let the rainwater circulation quickly through the gutter. As a result, water usually starts to overflow, and it may harm the inner walls of the house too. The paint can be ruined, and even the structure of your home can be damaged because of extreme water retention.

Insurance problems due to unclean gutters

Another factor that might open your mind to the significance of gutter cleaning is that insurance companies can typically refuse to file claims if they find that the incident is due to clogged gutters. If you haven’t already, check your policy and you might see that such terms apply to you as well.

The good news is that there is that you do not have to face the task of gutter cleaning alone. If you do not have the time or energy to tackle the job yourself, then you can always opt to hire an expert for gutter replacement and cleaning . Such professionals approach the task with specialised tools, and you can expect them to do the job quickly with excellent results.

Now you might think that accidents like the one mentioned above would not happen to you but do you want to take that chance? A small spark can fire up anywhere in the summertime, and much damage is triggered by …

Most people would agree that the most daunting part of any floor renovation project is the scraping and removal of the old flooring. It is a tedious and messy task that we would instead get out of the way as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Flooring material such as ceramic, plastic and carpets are not easy to remove especially in high traffic areas. Fortunately, there are professionals out there that can undertake the task for you.

Contractors and property owners utilise all sort of products to get rid of flooring– anything from a conventional hammer & chisel to huge ride on floor scrapers .

Consider the following when dealing with any floor removal project:

There are a couple of questions that you might want to ask yourself before tackling the task of floor removal. Getting answers to the following will enable you to choose the right strategy and get the job done in as little time as possible.

• Where is the flooring located? This factor alone determines many things such as access to power, square footage and whether or not a loading dock is required for tools and equipment. It would help if you also considered whether the area is currently occupied and whether the job might present an inconvenience to people in the area.

• What is the flooring material that you need to remove? Specific equipment and tools do a better job than others when working with certain types of material than others.

• What is currently wrong with the flooring? The present condition of the rug is likewise an important factor that one needs to consider? Is the covering all worn-out, flaking or solid. In the case, of the latter, removal might require the use of power tools.

• What Will Be Applied Over The Prepared Surface area? Some additional Surface Prep work might be needed for the new flooring/ covering.

• How big (or small) is the job? This gives you a clear idea of how long the situation is going to take.

• Is the area in an enclosed space and not well ventilated? If so, then you might need to use a vacuum dust extractor to prevent breathing-related illnesses . Airborne dirt is harmful to your health and wellness. Making use of some dirt prevention is safe and also decreases job duration.

Recommended tools/equipment for floor removal

Self-propelled floor tile removers

These are equipment that combines the power of a ride-on flooring stripper with the measurements of a smaller sized stripper. Its self-propulsion drive automatically pushes the device with floor covering material. It’s excellent for removing all kinds of hard and soft flooring materials from wood and ceramic blocks to vinyl and carpet mediums. It is also ideal for eliminating specific flooring material such as rubber membranes commonly used in sporting areas.

Manual ceramic tile removers

Power tools that can eliminate roughly 200 square feet of soft flooring material per hour.  These tile removers are portable, easy to use and draws power from an ordinary wall socket or solar …

Harsh sunlight can make it unbearable for people to spend a significant amount of time outdoors especially during the summer. In many cases, people avoid being anywhere near a window because of the glare and piercing heat. If that sounds a lot like the problem you are having, then you ought to be looking into ways for introducing more shade around your home.  That is precisely what retractable awnings have to offer.

With awnings, you can quickly put up a shade on areas around your home that tend to draw in excessive light or heat such as porches and windows. However, are they truly worth the investment in time and money?

Of course, you might be wondering if a retractable awning is indeed the best option available to you.  If so, then we urge to read on about the benefits of the latter and how they compare to typical blinds and shutters in Australia. Only then can you decide if such awnings are a worthwhile addition to your home.

Advantages of having retractable awnings

Developing a more comfortable space outdoors is just one of the benefits of a retractable awning. If comfort is not reason enough, then there are plenty of other reasons why retractable awnings are an option worth considering which include the following:

Added convenience and security

Putting up retractable awnings for homes  is an excellent way to ensure enjoyable relaxation in your lawn or on your patio. These awnings can help protect the household and visitors from the ill effects of the harsh sunlight. After all, you do not want excessive heat and UV exposure to become factors not to delight in a picnic on your deck or an outdoor party for children.

If you have spent time and money into your lawn and outdoor activities, it is essential you can enjoy them without stressing over how the harsh elements can ruin everything for you. Covering these areas will also provide a measure of privacy between you and some prying eyes.

Simply put, retractable awnings turn outdoor spaces into a haven for your household and guests looking to have a good time while staying protected from the harsh elements.

Awnings can help you save money

When you consider how much sun gets into your home, it is easy to forget that the heat doesn’t just decrease comfort levels, but it can also jack up one’s cooling expenses.

In one research led by the Department of Energy, it was found that a simple awning can lessen solar heat gain by as much as 77%.  Hence setting up these awnings can be a simple and straightforward way of reducing one’s electricity bill.

Now the difference might seem significance over the course of a few months but think about how much money you’d be saving over the course of a few years. For this reason, it is safe to say that retractable awnings ultimately pay for themselves over a year or two.

Enhancing outdoor areas with retractable awnings

Awnings …

If you are among the people that embrace conducting drainage and sewerage repairs by yourself, this text will attempt to highlight why it’s essential that you bring in a professional to offer repair services. The most vital aspect of a home drainage system is that it assists in preserving a plumbing system. If you notice that your drainage has become slow or if you hear funny sounds inside the pipes, then the drainage system is not clean, and it needs a thorough maintenance works.

Most homeowners have taken it into their hands the responsibility to drain and clean the drainage system leaving out very crucial details. At times they worsen the situation because they don’t have a clear strategy of how to address the situation.

Clogged Drains

If you attempt to unclog your toilet, there are chances that you will only fix the menace temporarily. Solving such a problem without the intervention of a professional will potentially inflict damages to the pipes. Furthermore, the drainage will not be clear meaning that the problem will re-occur. Professionals ensure that the drainage is clean and water is running smoothly and efficiently. If a drainage system is not flowing freely, it will clog.

Clogged sewerage brings up several faults. When a toilet is flashed, there is a possibility that there will be an overflow. Your homestead will also be filled with a foul smell that is not welcoming. The only way to avoid such a problem from re-occurring is to call a professional plumber to address the problem and accordingly solve the situation.

Slow Drains

Slow drainage indicates a fault in the system. Most homeowners attempt to fix their toilets when they notice that it’s becoming slow. If you do this, you may end up addressing the wrong problem because the diagnostic is not correct. Slow drains indicate that there may be something wrong with the main sewer line or probably your system is getting clogged.

Professional plumbers know where to target when addressing such a situation. Slow drains distribute sewer odour around your home. This odour is challenging to get rid of until you bring an experienced plumber. If the flow of the drainage was poorly done, it might be the cause of all the problems. The Relining Company should be called in to check how the sewer pipes are placed and then judge accordingly if it’s the pipes causing the drainage to clog. At times regular drainage cleaning and maintenance can assist curb this situation.

When unclogging the drainage yourself, you may live in foreign objects that may proceed to clog the main sewer line. Cleaning is a simple process that can only be undertaken by a professional; anyone else makes the process more challenging.

Cracks

If sewer material builds up, it can overflow and cause the pipe to crack and cause severe health problems. It’s crucial that you ensure that the pipes are well cleaned to ensure that your homestead is free from odour. Doing this by yourself will …

Times are bad. We all know it. It makes us dissatisfied with everything; our jobs, our homes, our families. But sometimes all you need is a small change…something won’t break the bank, but will still give you something to smile about when you return from your from looking for one.

When we can’t afford to go out a lot, our home becomes even more important. It needs to be a place where we can feel content, comfortable and secure. And what can help us do that better than a quick, inexpensive face-lift for our favorite rooms?

If you are walking into your family room and your eye sees only the stain in the carpet, or that damaged wall, stop right there. Yes, it would cost too much to repaint the room or replace the carpeting (or whatever else is on your floor). Enter the world of area Rug Appraisal.

Area rugs can fix an awful lot of problems. Place one over that stain and turn that area into a conversation grouping. If it’s in the center of the room, use a larger one, leaving the older flooring as a border. If you use the room for more than one use, visually divide it with two area rugs, giving you your office or media area on one side and your family gathering or conversation area on the other.

Area rugs make great wall hangings. Not only do they cover damaged walls, but they also add warmth, absorb sound, and carry color themes up visually. If you are tired of that taupe sofa on that beige carpeting, why not add an area rug on the floor that brings in some vibrant earthtones, add a few throw pillows to the sofa in coordinating colors, and then add a wall-hung tapestry or area rug to that unsightly wall?

You have changed the whole look of the room, given yourself a new color scheme, and actually bought very little that was new into your room. Area rugs are perfect in children’s rooms, in front of drippy areas like sinks, showers, and tubs, as hall runners, and for added warmth when you set your feet down on that cold floor when you get out of bed.

Area rugs can be very pricey, depending on what kind you buy. Hand tufted, imported rugs from the middle east can be very expensive. Cotton, chenille, and synthetic rugs are much cheaper. However, there is a huge market for used and discontinued patterns. Estate sales, flea markets, consignment shops, thrift stores, garage sales, and, of course the web…Craigslist, eBay, and countless other online sources all offer amazing prices that you will be able to afford.

So spice up that bedroom, bring new color and life to that family room, and love coming home again.

Southwest Area Rugs – Styles

Many people have the misconception that Southwest area rugs are all kind of the same. This is not the case at all. In fact, within the general categorization of southwestern …

With furniture being one of the most important aspects of a condo’s interior design, it is important that you take time to think about the interior design of your condo. Here are a few ways on how you can decorate your Thai condo.

Royalty Free Photo

Enhancing Your Condo

With many new build condos being partially decorated, decorating should be quite simple and straightforward to do. You will also find that the walls will be painted, and the bathroom should have tiled walls. If you have purchased an old condo, the chances are there will be a lot of work that you will need to do to get it up to a running order. A new lick of paint can do wonders for your condo and help bring it back to life. If you are planning to rent a condo, make sure that you have a look at a Pattaya apartment for rent, so you know what kind of standard your condo should be to attract people.

Basic Decorations

Once you have established whether your condo is a new build or an old build, you can then decide on what type of decorations you want to purchase. With a vast selection of options available, you will easily be able to find paints and wallpapers that can be found in big shopping malls. There are also various DIY shops that you will find in major towns, which sell an array of decorations and furniture for your condo.

Visit Weekend Market

If you are looking for unique and quirky pieces of furniture to make your condo stand out, it could be worth visiting a weekend market. Thailand has many markets dotted around the country, which are filled with eye-catching stalls selling a wide variety of products that you could incorporate into your condo. If heading to Bangkok, make sure that you take a visit to the Chatuchak market, which will sell everything your heart desires.

Recycled Teak

One of the most popular types of materials that are used in a condo is teak wood. The smooth finish and rich brown colour will instantly transform your room and give it the Thai ambiance you want. However, be warned that teak wood furniture can be incredibly expensive. There are also many fake replicas that are sold to unsuspecting buyers, so it is best to do your research to ensure you are getting the genuine product.

Showroom Shopping

Visiting a showroom can be another great way to find furniture for your condo. Many showrooms supply matching furniture such as tables, chairs, and sofas, which will ensure the aesthetics of your room work perfectly. Another advantage to shopping in a showroom is that many of the stores can ship your products straight to your door. Although it will cost more, if you are planning to buy multiple items, you should find that the delivery price is acceptable.

It is important that you draw up a plan before you begin to decorate your Thai …