Home Improvement

Moving into a new home is incredibly exciting. It gives you a chance to start fresh and upgrade your life. Who knows, maybe you and your new neighbors will become life-long friends. However, before you get ahead of yourself, schedule a home inspection to confirm the condition and quality of the home. If you're putting an offer on the table, make sure the seller knows it's contingent based on the results of the inspection. The only question is, how do you find the best home inspector? We're here to help. Keep reading for everything you need to know to find a qualified home inspector to check out your new home. Verify Their Qualifications First, know what you're looking for in terms of home inspector qualifications. They need to have a state license to operate legally. However...

Have you ever wondered about the energy efficiency of your home?  Studies show that the United States uses 17% of the world's primary energy. Your power bill is probably higher than you'd like and could be costly. Are you looking for ways to reduce your energy consumption and save some money on your utility bills? Luckily, there are upgrades you can make to improve your home's energy-efficiency home and help the environment. We can help you learn about the process, so keep reading for all the details. Repair or Replace Your Roof  A well-insulated and energy-efficient roof can save you money on your energy bills and help reduce your carbon footprint. The best method for making your roof more energy efficient will depend on your roof type. If you have a shingled roof, you ...

There are a whopping 10.4 million residential pools in the United States. So, there are plenty of Americans just like you who are preparing to open their pools for the summer.  However, you need a bit of help with yours — you need a lesson (or a refresher) on how to open a pool. It's easy enough once you learn the process. Here are the X steps to take this summer and beyond to prepare yours. Take Off the Winter Protection You'll start the process by removing the winter protection that you have in place. Pump out any excess water that's on top of the cover and remove the debris, too. Then, remove the cover and grab your net to skim away any debris you didn't grab in round one.  Inspect Everything Next up, you'll want to have a look at every part of your pool to make...

What makes a great city? Is it the buildings, the parks, the restaurants, or the people? Some would say it is all of those things and more. But what happens when a city falls on hard times and its citizens are struggling? Does it still make sense to invest in that city? Birmingham is one such city that is looking for investors for 2022. Let's take a look at why this might be a good investment and some of the pros and cons of doing so. Why people are looking at Birmingham property Affordable housing prices and high rental returns are just some of the many reasons that more investors are turning to Birmingham as a prime location for investing in real estate. With its steady demand from renters, consistent economic growth, and predicted increases in the city's population over the co...

Over 3% of U.S. homes are powered by solar energy. Not only is it more sustainable than fossil fuels, but it’s also much better for the environment. For one thing, it doesn’t produce any greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. It also requires very little water compared to traditional electricity sources. Did you recently install solar power panels on your roof? Wondering what you should do in terms of maintenance? If so, you’re at the right place. We’ve put together a solar panel maintenance checklist below. Keep reading to learn more! 1. Determine If Your Panels Need Cleaning  Solar panels are made of tempered glass and aside from tracking mounts, they don’t contain any movable parts. This makes them extremely durable. Having said that, you do wan...

After a tiring day, what better way to relax than coming home to a cozy and inviting space? That means turning your home into a place where you can feel safe and secure, surrounded by things that make you happy. It doesn’t take much to make your home a haven—just a few small changes can make all the difference. Here are some tips on how to make your home more relaxing: Add plants and flowers. Plants are a great way to add natural beauty to your home, and they also have health benefits. Indoor plants can improve air quality, and according to studies, they can help reduce stress levels. Incorporating plants into your home décor is a simple way to make it more relaxing. Many types of plants are perfect for indoor use, such as spider plants, ferns, and peace lilies. You can try...

Experts argue that nearly half of all the water you use outdoors during the summertime, which includes watering your lawn, goes to waste. You'll have a high water bill and brown grass when you don't water your grass correctly. Properly watering your lawn gives you healthy grass, avoiding wasting water. Good lawn care is also good for the environment. Here are several reasons why it's essential to water your grass properly to make your neighbors green with envy. Watering Your Lawn and Healthy Grass Giving your lawn about one to one and a half inches of water each week will make it green and healthy. Watching the weather forecast as you plan your lawn care is essential. You need just the right amount of water to make it look spectacular! The root systems of your grass will...

Did you know that around 2.9 million Americans said they saw rodents and roaches in their houses over a one-year period? If you're hoping not to see unwelcome critters in your home, you'll need to be vigilant. When you know the common signs, you can know when to call pest control. Stick around to learn the tell-tale signs that you have a pest infestation in your home! Look for Evidence of Nesting While you might not mind a bird's nest showing up in a tree, you don't want to find critter nests in your home. Look for shredded paper or grass near cracks in walls or floorboards. These scraps are an indication that rodents might be building a village behind your walls! Make a point of photographing these common signs of nesting. And get more info on how pest control can help you...

Is your outdoor ottoman bringing you anxiety and stress instead of joy and relaxation? A dirty ottoman ruins the style of your outdoor living space, but how do you best clean it? If you're not careful, you may end up ruining the fabric. That's why we've put together a simple guide that'll give you all the knowledge you need to clean your ottoman furniture without fear. Check out everything you need to know down below! Understand the Fabric Material Do you know the type of fabric that covers your ottoman? This is the first step to having clean furniture. If you don't respect the unique properties of the different fabrics, you're bound to create more problems for yourself. Ottomans come in all kinds of fabrics including: Leather Vinyl Cotton Wool Microfibe...

Have you noticed that your roof is looking a little past its best? If you've got an asphalt roof and you've had it for over 20 years, it's probably time to start thinking about a replacement. Wooden roofs may last a little longer, and slate roofs will outlive us all. But when it comes time to choose a new roofing material, there are pros and cons to each type to consider. Join us as we explore the many roof shingle types so you can find the best choice for your home. Asphalt Composite Roof Shingles America's most popular roofing material, they're much loved from Maine to California. They are one of the most cost-effective roofing materials out there, and they're relatively lightweight. This means that they go on fairly easily, being easy for installers to trim. Repairs are a...