Down Home Living

Do cracks in your basement walls keep have you worried about what’s to come? A lot of homeowners may not notice a hairline crack or two right away, which may not be a major issue. However, understanding what causes foundation cracks can help you know how serious your structural damage is and how to address it the right way.

What you should look for

You might find the first warning signs of structural damage in the interior of your house. Besides drywall cracks you may witness signs such as bowed walls, gaps where walls and floors meet, nails popped out of drywall, bouncy or tilting floors, jammed doors or windows, or cabinets that open by themselves.

Turning to the outside, small cracks in the exterior walls of the structure typically aren’t serious. The most prominent and least severe kinds of cracks are vertical in nature. They run up and down and are often caused by foundation settlement. The good news is that foundation settling is common – even in newer construction.

You might also see diagonal cracks that run at an angle. This type of cracking is the result of differential settling. In this instance, one side of a house’s foundation is sinking lower than the rest of the structure.

The most serious type of cracking run horizontally. These cracks are a symptom of a more serious structural issue, such as soil pressure or hydrostatic pressure that cause the basement walls to tip, bow and buckle. The weather in your area can be a factor as ice and snow, excessive heat or rain, or extensive flooding and droughts can lead to the contraction and expansion of soils.

How to make repairs

The first method is you can do it yourself.

The process of patching cracks can range from a quick trip to Home Depot or Lowe’s to paying hundreds of dollars to professionals that specialize in basement repair.

Hairline cracks generally don’t require professional assistance. With a small amount of online research and a couple video tutorials, you can find out how to patch tiny cracks on your own.

There are a many substances that can fill smaller cracks. They are polyurethane, silicon or latex concrete caulk, and hydraulic cement, to name a few. However, the best method for fixing hairline cracks is an epoxy injection that is flexible, lightweight, and waterproof. These injections can provide permanent sealing of foundation cracks.

If you believe the are more widespread and severe, and indicate other structural issues in the foundation or somewhere else in the residence, or are symptoms of larger complications, it’s wise to consult with a professional contractor. In this case, filling cracks with epoxy and hoping it holds for years to come is not a wise plan.

If your foundation problems are more advanced, it’s time to call in the pros. Call up a reputable foundation repair contractor (like Buffalo, NY Foundation Repair) and have them carefully inspect your concrete slab, crawl space, foundation or basement. The contractor may call in a structural engineer to provide a detailed report.

The contractor will discuss repair options with you. Make sure to get a written estimate prior to anyone doing work on your home. It’s worth it to aske ask if the contractor offers a warranty, or a transferable lifetime warranty, which add value your home.

Finally, be ready to pay a lot for repairs. Most homeowners will shell out $3,000 or more for foundation fixes. Repairs involving major stabilizing work can cost even more.

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Stucco is an exterior finish that is popular for homes in warmer climates, such as Arizona, Florida and Texas. What is it made from? The eco-friendly material is fabricated from concrete, stone, and limestone. It is well known to improve the look of raw building materials. Also, it acts as a reliable insulator.

Do you know that it is very porous? This leads to easy staining that makes it look unattractive. Unfortunately, the plaster absorbs water as you try to clean it.

It is also good to know that sandblasting can destroy the textured finish. Therefore, you should regularly clean it to keep it in good condition. If you clean it more often, you will maintain the stucco’s luster and condition. Here is a simple three-step process to clean dirty stucco.

1. Fit a jet nozzle

Where can you get a jet nozzle? They are available in hardware stores like Ace and big franchises like Lowe’s and Home Depot. All that you need to do is to set it to low so that there can be gentle water pressure. You should slowly wet the wall from the bottom part to the top, making sure to cover the entire surface. Also, stand far from the wall. In that case, you will be in a position to keep the pressure low at all times, eliminating potential damage to the stucco.

2. Mix household cleaner and water

TSP is a known household cleaner that can effectively be used to clean stucco without harming it. Mix TSP, bleach and warm water to create a cleaning solution.

3. Start cleaning

After making the solution, you should apply it to a soft bristle brush. Use the soft brush to scrub the entire surface of the stucco. Brush areas that are more badly stained. Make sure not to brush too hard as it may damage the stucco. Make sure to rinse residue and dirty solution from the brush regularly during cleaning.

4. Rinse

Once one section of the wall is cleaned with the brush, take your hose and blast away the leftover residue right away. If you permit the solution and dirty water remnants to settle in the stucco, they can make for even greater stains. Follow the same process as you finish each section. You may notice that a few spots need to be brushed again. Do so and rinse.

Regular cleaning can save your stucco from repairs and other necessary maintenance down the line. Cleaning once a year is preferable. If you need assistance in the Phoenix area, call on the stucco company in Gilbert, Arizona.

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Heavy rains often result to homeowners dealing with a sump pump that stopped working all of a sudden. Nothing is worse than looking down into your basement only to see it flooded, with your furniture destroyed, the flooring ruined, and a big mess left for you to clean. Basement flooding is not just frustrating as it only means you have to invest in repair, remediation, and replacement.

Knowing what to do when your sump pump stops working can do wonders as it can help lessen your frustration and reduce your unexpected expenses.

Check Your Power Source

Power outages could be the reason why your sump pump stopped working. Before you pull your hair out in annoyance, ensure that your pump gets enough power. Make sure the cord is properly connected to the power outlet. Inspect the circuits or fuses. Remember that even if electricity still works in your house, electrical issues can cause the sump pump to fail.

The best way to prevent flooding because of power failures is having a backup battery sump pump system. If you have an existing backup system yet your pump still doesn’t get power, check the water level of the backup system. Add distilled water if necessary. If this doesn’t work, you might need to replace your batteries. Batteries have an average lifespan of 3 to 5 years.

Look for Debris in the Sump Pit

Jams and clogs are the most common culprits behind sump pump failure. To check for these issues, open the lid of the pump and check the pit for any debris. Remove as much debris as you can. You don’t have to be surprise if you find unusual objects there as lots of things can end up in the sump pits.

Inspect the Discharge Pipe for Leaks

It is possible to visually inspect the sump pump discharge pipe for any leaks. Search for water signs outside where the pipe exits the foundation of your house. Leaks in discharge pipe can cause water to back up into the basement.

Check for a Faulty Float

A malfunctioning or worn out float is often the reason why sump pumps stop working. Fill water into the sump pit to make the pump start by itself. If it fails to start, you may have to replace the float.

Clean the Weep Hole

You can find a weep hole in some sump pumps that can get clogged as well. This weep hole can be found between the pump and the check valve. Use a narrow object to carefully clear this hole like a toothpick. Just be careful so that you don’t break off anything into the hole.

Examine the Impeller

There is a small filter in your sump pump called the impeller. If the sump pump stops working, it could be because of a clogged impeller. Your pump will return to its normal function if you clean or replace the impeller.

Before heavy rains start pouring, make sure you check your sump pump to avoid serious problems.

Learn more about sump pumps from the basement water proofing contractors in Detroit.

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A septic system should be cared for properly to avoid the cost of replacing it. When properly maintained, it can last for a very long time.

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When you are a carpet owner, one question which constantly gyrates in your mind is the lifespan of your beloved carpets. You cannot deny the fact that this textile flooring adds a different and special dimension to any room in your home. It can be used as a decorative item to transform the floor according to your unique tastes. Research has been done on the types of carpets and various factors affecting their lifespan. All the research has been narrowed down to four major factors for how you can extend the life of your carpets.

The first factor anyone can think of is the type of material used in making the carpets. Most of the carpets contain these fibers: nylon, wool, cotton, and olefin. Each material has its own characteristics. Nylon carpets are preferred over others as it has more stain resistant and durable compared to most others. Olefin carpets are widely used due to its cheap availability. When it comes to lifespan, nylon stands out way ahead of olefin or polyester.

Second major factor which helps to extend the life of your carpets is proper cleaning. The secret mantra is to blot the stains. DO NOT RUB THEM. Rubbing creates pressure and the stain is evenly spread which gives it a yellow shade. Rubbing can result in breakdown of the fibers used in carpets. Another point to mark is to clean the stain as soon as possible to avoid absorbance. The stain slowly gets absorbed into the fabric which makes it difficult to be cleansed.

Third factor is to give extra importance to the high traffic areas. Some parts of the room have more use compared to various corners. It can be hallways, or the areas around the furniture or the sofa sets where we constantly put our feet. These areas should be given special protection against wear and tear. Special rugs are available which should be kept at proper places to protect the carpet.

Fourth factor is to take the proper precautions. Some of them are listed below:

• Do not wear shoes inside the room. Shoes gather dirt rather quickly and this can ruin the carpet and reduce its life- expectancy.
• Rotate furniture once in a while. Some areas are left unattended due to the furniture which covers the place. So, it is advisable to move the furniture once in a while so that all the areas are covered in cleaning. This also reduces continuous pressure at a particular spot.
• The entryway matting with nylon face and vinyl back is suggested.

These factors when properly employed can increase the lifespan of your carpets up to 20-30% of the normal life-expectancy. However, it should be kept in mind that every human made carpet has an expiration date, and it is always wise to upgrade or renew the object.

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If your beige walls are driving you up the wall, it’s time to paint your room. Adding color to your home’s walls is the easiest way to transform a room from plain to stylish. It’s also the cheapest; changing the furniture and flooring in a room costs thousands of dollars, while a gallon of paint costs just $50.

And unlike installing hardwood floors, painting a room requires no special skills. With a bit of time and patience, you can transform your room in one weekend. But don’t rush out and buy the first color you see on a paint chip. Colors can change depending oil the light; a paint chip that looked yellow in the store might look green on your living room walls.

If your beige walls are driving you up-the-wall, it’s time to paint your room. Adding color to your home’s walls is the easiest way to transform a room from plain to stylish. It’s also the cheapest; changing the furniture and flooring in a room costs thousands of dollars, while a gallon of paint costs just $50.

And unlike installing hardwood floors, painting a room requires no special skills. With a bit of time and patience, you can transform your room in one weekend. But don’t rush out and buy the first color you see on a paint chip. Colors can change depending oil the light; a paint chip that looked yellow in the store might look green on your living room walls.

Never stop painting mid-wall; if you need to stop for the day, finish at the comer of a wall to avoid dark lines and paint pulls. Most paint jobs require two coats. Let the first coat dry completely before starting on the second. Follow the recommended drying times. On the paint can: if you are painting in humid weather, you might want to add an extra hour or two of drying time. If you want to paint your baseboards and trim, follow the cutting-in technique you used on your walls.

Use a small, angled sash brush to cut in along the edge where the trim meets the wall. If you are using a semi-gloss or a high-gloss paint on the trim, lightly sand the dried surface between coats. Once the paint on the wall is dry, take the tape off the electrical outlets and light switches. Lift the tarps off the floor, and move your furniture back into the room, taking care not to scratch your now pristine walls.

Store any leftover paint in re-sealable plastic containers; if your kids or pets scratch the walls, you can use the leftover paint for touch-ups. The last step is the easiest – sit back and admire your work.

Painting a room can be laborious and tedious, but the result – a stylish room that is the envy of all your neighbors – is well worth the effort.

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