Avoiding Moisture Problems in the Home

Avoiding Moisture Problems in the Home

Feb 5, 2021 | Homeowners

There are many hidden sources of moisture in your home that can lead to serious problems, such as mould.

To keep moisture levels in check, consider these tips:

  • Bathrooms are an obvious source of moisture build-up. Contractor and TV personality Mike Holmes recommends keeping the fan going for at least half an hour after a shower.
  • Check regularly for water infiltration around window and door sills, as well as other intakes into the home, such as dryer vents and cable wiring.
  • Determine the humidity level in your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, it should be 30-60%. (Keep in mind that humidity may vary greatly from room to room.)
  • Regularly inspect caulking around sinks, tubs and showers. Even a tiny break can cause water to leak gradually into the wall or floor, causing damage you may not notice for months.
  • Clean up wet spills as soon as possible. Be particularly careful with hardwood floors, as water can seep through and become trapped.
  • Repair leaking faucets and pipes immediately. Even a small drip can add significant moisture inside a vanity or kitchen cupboard.

Being mindful of moisture today can help you avoid potentially high repair bills later on.

Email Beth for more information
**Article provided by Ixact Contact Solutions Inc.
Moisture on the Windows

Moisture on the Windows

Mar 5, 2020 | Homeowners

You’re standing by your window admiring the view.  Then you notice it.  Moisture has built up around the edges of the glass.  Should you worry?

 

Well, it all depends on the reason for the build up.

Assuming you have traditional double-pane glass in your windows, there are a few things to look for if you notice moisture.

Often, moisture at the bottom of your windows is simply caused by too much humidity in your indoor air.  If that’s the case, simply adjust your humidifier.

If the moisture is on the outside of the window, typically there’s also no problem with the window itself.  It may have rained recently, or the outside humidity may have spiked causing the accumulation.  Generally, there’s no reason for concern. 

If the moisture is in between the two panes of glass, that indicates that the seal has broken

However, if the moisture is in between the two panes of glass, that indicates that the seal has broken and surrounding air – along with it’s water content – has made its way in.  This disrupts the thermal barrier of the window, reducint it’s energy efficiency.  In fact, the glass might feel noticeably colder than your other windows on chilly days.  In that case, you’ll need to replace the pane.

Similarly, if the moisture is coming in through only one spot – the bottom right corner for example – then you might have a leak.  If you have a wood frame or sill, you may also notice a growing water stain.  It’s important to get leaks fixed quickly.  There may be water damage occurring within the frame that you cannot see.

Patio Upgrades to Consider

Patio Upgrades to Consider

Feb 21, 2020 | Homeowners

Outdoor spaces are being reclaimed by more and more homeowners every year, as they realize the pleasures of enjoying their property’s value to its fullest. If you’re looking to upgrade your patio, deck or garden space, consider a makeover approach that’s similar to the way you might approach your interior décor. Start with a plan. Define the features within the sightlines of your area and make a note of where the sun tracks through the day. Identify the areas that are exposed or shaded at specific times of day and use that to determine where you might want to create dining, leisure and/or social areas.

Once that is clarified, it’s time to fulfill your aspirations. Begin by choosing the surface of your patio or deck space. Look at stone, wood and composite decking options. Then consider how to make your outdoor space more liveable with an umbrella, tent, awning, gazebo, or removable panels or screens. Next, it’s time to consider weatherproof furnishings and décor. Determine whether you want to extend visual patterns from indoors or create a new oasis outdoors. Don’t forget the importance of lighting, and other powered amenities like a fountain, fan, music system and outdoor refrigerator.

Beyond Boxes

Beyond Boxes

Feb 6, 2020 | Homeowners

As you can probably guess, when you’re preparing to move, you’ll need boxes and tape – and, perhaps some bubble-wrap or old newspapers to use as protective wrapping for delicate items.

But that may not be all you need.  Take a look at this list and see if you’ll want any of these on hand while you’re packing, or on moving day.

  • Colour markers for labelling boxes. (Tip: colour coding boxes by room will make unpacking much easier.)
  • Stretch wrap to protect larger items that can’t fit into a box.
  • Small plastic bags to store dis-assembled parts, such as sofa legs, cabinet hardware, etc.  (You don’t want to lose them!)
  • Moving blankets to protect floors.
  • A dolly or hand ruck to move heacy items.  (You can rent these.)
  • Mattress moving bag.  This helps prevent stains and tears during your move.  You can also buy specialty bags for sofas and tables.
  • Reusable foam furniture sliders, to protect floors when furniture needs to be pushed into palce.
  • Foam corner protectors.  This prevents furniture with sharp corners from banging and damaging other items during a move.

Planning ahead and having the right packing materials on hand will make your move less stressful and, hopefully, damage free!

What to Fix Up In Your Home Before You Sell

What to Fix Up In Your Home Before You Sell

Dec 6, 2019 | Homeowners

If you have a home that is overdue for a renovation, you might be worried that it will be difficult to sell as a “fixer-upper”. In fact, you might delay listing your property for that reason.

The good news is, you don’t need to fix up everything in your home to prepare it for sale. You can be selective and choose only those projects that are most likely to help your home show well and sell quickly.  

  • Repairs. Few things stand out more during a viewing than something in obvious need of repair. That includes minor issues, like a dripping bathroom faucet, as well as major concerns, such as the central air conditioning unit not working. Get these repairs done.
  • Painting. Painting is one of the easiest and most affordable DIY projects you can do. Yet the impact it can have on your home is stunning. Some rooms are completely transformed by a fresh coat of paint.
  • Kitchens & Bathrooms. Buyers love to see great looking kitchens and bathrooms. In fact, there are even magazines devoted just to those rooms! You don’t necessarily need to do a major renovation of these spaces, but a makeover can be a good idea. Consider replacing sinks, countertops, and/or cabinet hardware.
  • Floors. If the floors in any of your rooms have become worn and unsightly, look at options for refreshing them. Consider replacing carpeting, refinishing hardwood, and/or getting tiles professionally cleaned and polished.
  • Outdoors. Sometimes you can compensate (a little) for a less-than-ideal interior by sprucing up the outdoor space. Explore ways to improve your deck or patio, walkways, and landscaping. 

Even if your home is older, you can make it more attractive to buyers with any one of these projects.

Want more ideas for finding eager buyers for your home? Call Beth today.

Contact Beth!
DIY-Friendly Bathroom Makeovers

DIY-Friendly Bathroom Makeovers

Nov 29, 2019 | Homeowners

Want to make your bathroom look fantastic without having to do a major renovation? There are a lot of projects you can do yourself. In fact, there are some improvements you can get done in less than a day that will transform the look and feel of your bathroom. Check out these ideas:

  • Update the sink. IF you have some basic plumbing knowledge this is a project you should be able to do on your own. A new sink can make the entire vanity look new.
  • Buy new decor. New shower curtains, towels, window coverings, mats, etc. can transform the look of a bathroom.
  • Install new hardware. Replacing cabinet hardware may not seem like much of a change. However, it can have a surprisingly big impact. Shiny new hardware is like jewelry. It stands out.
  • Replace the vanity mirror. Even if there are no scratches, an older mirror is like an old pair of glasses. It can become foggy. No amount of cleaning will make it any clearer. When ordering a replacement mirror, be sure that your measurements are exact.
  • Paint. There’s no doubt about it. A fresh coat of paint makes any room look better.

These bathroom improvement projects can make a huge impact on the look of your bathroom. And, they can all be done affordably and in just a day or two.