Entries Tagged 'Basements' ↓

Your home is likely your biggest asset. Whether you just bought your first home or have nearly paid off your mortgage, home improvement projects, both large and small, are always popping up. During tough economic times like these, it is often difficult to know what home improvements are good investments and which simply cost too much with too little return. There are six homes improvement tips that won’t break your bank or your back.

Many of these improvements are inexpensive and can be financed when you apply for a Plain Green Loan.

1. Doors and Windows

Doors and windows should let light in and keep your heated or cooled air in. Even small breaks in their seals can result in a major drain to your pocket book. Consider inspecting all your doors and windows. Check their seals and any weather or pest strips. Replace seals or re-caulk as needed.

2. Gutters

Gutters can become clogged with leaves and other debris. Not only does this impede the flow of water during rain storms, but it also can cause additional problems, like ice dams, in areas that are snowy. Instead of regularly cleaning out your gutters, install leaf guards. They are inexpensive and easy to install.

3. Insulation

If your home has an attic space, take the time to inspect the insulation and reinstall it if needed. This is a simple and inexpensive way to help keep your heating and cooling costs down.

4. Basements

While finishing a basement is a bit more expensive than the previous repairs, a finished basement will add a lot of value to your home. In some cases, it can double the living space. Keep costs down by using a drop ceiling. Consider working on this project over several months and apply for a Plain Green Loan to defray the costs.

5. Plumbing

Consider replacing the plumbing under all of your sinks with PVC and changing your fixtures. Updated fixtures look great if you’re attempting to resell your home. Additionally, while you’re making the replacements, you can address any leaking or dripping faucets.

6. Lights

Change all your lights over to LED lights. The bulbs put out far less heat than traditional bulbs, are less expensive to run, and are environmentally friendly.

If you are having difficulty financing any of these home improvements, apply for a Plain Green Loan. Each of these home improvements will add value to your home and, in many cases, save you money.

Fantastic- Your house has a basement! Basements are fabulous spaces that add value to your home and space for family, friends, or stuff to spread out.

However, a lot of basements are more akin to caves than family rooms, and only washing machines and old stuffed animals are making use of them. If that sounds like your lower level, maybe it’s time you reclaimed it…right? You don’t have to bring in a crew to make your basement functional; just check out these 5 simple improvements that will let you take the fun—not just the laundry—downstairs.

1. Protect Against Water Damage

Basements have an unpleasant tendency to attract water—and who wants to spend time in a damp, drippy basement? Assess problem areas and bring in professionals if necessary to patch or fix them. Invest in an excellent sump pump, back-up system, and warning system to thwart flooding. Do you have flood insurance for your home? Considering a basement’s tendency to flood, it’s a safe-guard worth going for.

2. Take Advantage of Pluses – Natural Lighting

Most basements these days are equipped with an egress window—a place for easy exit if necessary. That means there’s some natural light to use. Walkout basements have plenty of light, but the small egress requires a bit of creativity to take full advantage of it. Arrange spaces so all can have some light if possible. You may even consider enlarging your window or having one installed—talk to a pro for the how-to and pricing.

3. Fix the Negatives – Cold, Hard Flooring

Unfinished basements have the trademark concrete flooring; uncomfortable, cold, and hard isn’t exactly welcoming, especially if anyone has foot problems. Once you’ve waterproofed your basement, put in some inviting flooring. Carpeting is great, but go for something you won’t mourn the loss of should some unexpected water show up. Tile, laminate, or hardwood can be softened with cushy rugs.

4. Purge and Rearrange

No one will want to take their party to the basement if the poothat l table is covered with boxes of old scrapbooking supplies. Basements are great for storage, but there should be some method to the madness. Devote an area or room to storage and invest in tidy containers. As for other stuff… have a garage sale, hock it on eBay, or make use of the local dump.

5. Talk to a Pro

If you want a truly functional and finished basement, you may want to bring in a pro. A professional can help you plan your lower level, install walls and drywall, take care of plumbing and electricity, and advise on tricky spots. Some of this is DIY if you have the right tools and a little know-how, but some stuff requires a professional job. It’s probably best not to guess with those wires…

With these steps, having a basement you can actually enjoy isn’t just a future dream after all! Now, you really can have that music studio you’ve always wanted… just double check on flood insurance for your home…

A big part of home improvement is about repairs. When something is not working correctly it is important to get it fixed. Additionally, by fixing a problem as soon as possible, you will
prevent further damage.

I have identified two such areas: Basement Waterproofing and Septic Tanks issues. These two issues can soon become huge problems which can easily compound into major expenses for you.

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Dany Daylight of the Waterproofing Foundation lends us his insight with 9 tips on keeping your basement dry:

* Place gutters on your home. Otherwise water will gather at the basis of your home, next to the foundation walls. If this occurs, the water may end up in the basement.

* If you happened to have a roof drainage system installed, make sure that it is functioning properly. Roof drainage systems effectively collect water off of the roof and send it to the downspouts. Make sure that the downspouts are transporting the water as far away from the home as possible.

* Where ever a paved area meets the foundation wall, apply some caulking or sealant. Caulk and sealant can play a bigger role than you may have expected in maintaining a dry basement.

* One reason you may be experiencing water problems in your basement may be because of “construction moisture”.

While installing a poured wall basement and floor slab there is about four hundred gallons of water in the concrete. In block construction, the floor slab would have about two hundred gallons of water.

This water escapes into your basement in the form of humidity. To help prevent this water vapor, circulate air into the basement and run a dehumidifier for three to five weeks. Humidity can play a major role in preventing you from having a dry basement.

* Another reason you may have water in your basement is due to the internal moisture. To reduce the moisture in your basement, you should make sure the plumbing is leak-free. Keep the doors going into your basement closed, and chemically or mechanically dehumidify the air. Be sure to empty the drain pan!

* Another area to check in your basement, are the window wells. Are they clean and well maintained? You may want to use plastic covers and metal housings for window areas.

* Check the ground around your home. Make sure that the ground has a positive slope of drainage away from the home. Dirt needs to be added around the home every couple of years due to settling.

* Another thing to be advised about is ventilation. As discussed earlier, concrete absorbs moisture. In the summer months, the humidity can make a basement damp or wet.

If this is a problem with your basement, a dehumidifier is the suggested cure, once again.

* If using a sump pump, make sure it works and is running in good condition. If you don’t have a sump pump, check into getting one.