New Homes - Common Issues During Winter

Whether you have just moved into your house or have lived there for several years, you are bound to eventually face issues in the winter. If you live in a region susceptible to cold weather and snow, you definitely want to stay vigilant and be ready for problems that crop up while you are trying to stay warm. Here are just a few of the more common issues you, as a homeowner, could face in the later months.

Leaky Roof - If you find you are running your heater at a higher level than you should, it could be an indication that your roof has a leak. Roofs are built to ventilate properly so you don't experience too many problems with your HVAC system, but a leaking roof allows heat to escape your home at a faster rate, which in turn causes your heater to work harder. Your energy bills, as a result, rise. Therefore, it's wise to have a roof inspection before the weather gets too bad.

Moisture Problems - Notice any condensation streaking down your windows on the inside? When your windows are cold from the winter weather, the humidity in your home turns into moisture. If left untreated, you could find a growth of mold in your home, which in turns causes health problems for those breathing in the air inside the house. It's important to make sure proper ventilation keeps this from happening.

Freezing Pipes - You turn on the shower or sink and nothing comes out, or if it does the water flow isn't consistent. There could be a problem with pipes freezing in the wintertime, so it is good to take precautions to make sure it doesn't happen when you need hot water the most. You may wish to consult with your plumber for precaution so your water flows uninterrupted during the winter.

Garden Problems - Some plants are capable of surviving harsh weather, but if you want to keep your landscaping up through the colder months you may want to consult with a professional lawn service for advice on properly winterizing your grass and shrubbery.

Home ownership instills pride, and when you take care of your home it will take care of you through the later months when it is cold. Be aware of problems that could arise when it starts to snow or sleet, and you'll be ready to tackle them easily.


Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia Beach roofing and Palatine plumbing services.

After the Hurricane - Checking for Home Repair Possiblities

Nature happens. If you live in an area that is highly susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms, chances are you know the drill - you have your evacuation route planned, an emergency pantry in place, and plenty of strong tape and boards for windows and doors. After the storm hits, however, you should know to put a new plan into action and quickly assess any damage done. This means being watchful of possible repairs to make to walls and plumbing.

What To Look For After The Storm

Once the wind and rain has subsided, you need to inspect your home to ensure minor problems now don't become more troublesome issues later. Broken windows and felled trees are easy to spot, but leaks in your pipes and malfunctioning HVAC systems can be more difficult to spot - even if those problems existed before the big storm, you must contact a contractor or repairman to handle replacements before the weather gets cold. Some things to look for in the aftermath of bad weather include:

1) Bugs: Heavy winds and standing water left after a storm can introduce all sorts of unwanted critters in your home. This is a good time to inspect the weatherstripping around the house and make sure the darker corners of your basement and attic are free of pests.

2) Pipe Leaks: If by chance a tree in your yard uprooted, you might experience problems with your pipe system as well. Watch the way water flows in your toilets and faucets, and look out for slow drains. A call to the plumber could be in order.

3) Mold: The chance that mold will grow inside your walls rises after a storm, especially if the foundation and structure were faulty to begin with. If you think you might have a problem, check it now before it effects your health.

Home repairs, while a seeming headache, won't appear as bad if you tackle the problems quickly and efficiently. If your home weathers a hurricane, do your best to make sure it stands well in any season.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia Beach home improvement, Virginia Beach awnings and Virginia Beach window replacement.

Green Plumbing Options Improve Your Home

A big concern for the homeowner these days is how to "green" the homestead. It seems automatic to recycle plastic and paper, keep unused lights off and use resources sparingly, but did you know that by making a few adjustments to your bathroom fixtures can greatly reduce the strain on your surrounding environment? Plumbing mechanics are training to offer green repair and installation options for home owners to ensure strong resources for the future.

Why Hire a Green Plumber

There's no question that employing the services of a "green" plumbing company benefits your property and the economy. Environmentally conservative fixtures and repairs to your home can increase its value over time, and help save money on energy and water bills. You also gain the peace of mind that you are working to reduce your carbon footprint and improve the natural resources in your surrounding area. Neighbors who happen to see a green plumber working on your home may be inspired to hire one as well, thereby increasing consciousness of the environment.

What a Green Plumber Can Do for You

Besides save you money, here are some things that can be done to improve the functionality of your bathroom.

• Water efficient commodes - The less you flush, the less water wasted and the less running through the tank. If you're not a fan of jiggling the handle after use, maybe look into this option.
• Solar hot water system - What's hotter than the sun? Rather than expand expensive energy on heating your water, install a solar powered system to keep down costs.
• Environmentally friendly tank and drain maintenance - When you pour chemicals down the toilet or sink to undo clogs, you could be releasing dangerous toxins that eventually wind up in the soil underneath and around your house. If you have a garden, you especially don't want that! Green alternatives include additives made of natural resources that won't harm the earth.

The next time you're in need of plumbing repair around the house, confer with a company that applies eco-friendly techniques. The work you do now may alleviate the need to do so in the future.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia Beach handyman services, Virginia Beach window replacement, and Virginia Beach commercial plumbing.

How To Spot And Avoid Home Improvement Scams

The decision to employ a contractor for a home improvement job, room addition, or home repair might not always be an easy one to make. Sometimes, however, it is absolutely necessary to call a professional to handle a job you are unable to do yourself. If you are ready to renovate a bathroom or remodel a kitchen, you want the best person for the job, quality worksmanship at a reasonable priced. Nobody wants to be scammed out of good money for a poor job, but unfortunately it does happen.

Oftentimes, older people are preyed upon in home improvement scams. Taking advantage of a senior citizen's tight budget, a scam artist may try to double-talk a homeowner into expensive, unneeded repairs, then take the money and run. If any work is done on the home, more than likely it isn't enough to justify the payment, and also the work may be shoddy and leave the house in worse condition than it was. Such scams are not always perpetrated on older homeowners, however. Therefore, it is important to know what signs to look for so you don't become ensnared in a fraudulent remodeling job.

What to Look For in a Home Improvement Scam

One possible sign of a con-artist contractor is the approach. If a contractor approaches you for home improvement work unbidden, be warned, especially if he or she is aggressive. Don't let anyone talk you into repairs or additions you feel your home doesn't need, and do not allow anyone to come off the street into your home for a "free estimate." This could actually be a way for somebody to case your home for a future robbery. Even if this person claims to have done work in your area you will want to be on guard. Many contractors find work through customer referrals, so if you are in need of home repairs it is best to get referrals from trusted sources like friends and family.

Be mindful, too, of contracts and payment. If a contractor wants cash up front, or is reluctant to agree to certain terms on a contract, that is usually a red flag. If financing is needed and a contractor insists upon your using his or her referral, that could be another sign. It is not uncommon for unscrupulous contractors to receive kickbacks from creditors they bring into a job. If you need financing, go through your own bank or resource.

Does your contractor have a physical address and phone number, or work primarily through a PO box? This could be another sign of dubious intent. You want to be certain the contractor you choose can easily be found, and is properly licensed and insured. You may wish to avoid anyone who refuses to provide such information.

Be aware of anyone and everyone you approach with a possible home improvement job. Take care to explore recommendations of people you trust and examples of work by potential contractors, and know your legalese before committing a signature to any contract. This is the best way to ensure a job well done without any problems

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Virginia Beach handyman services and Virginia Beach window replacement.