Home Repairs Archives - Page 5 of 9

July 19, 2019

What are the Ways in Which Moisture Gets to The Crawl Space?

Not every homeowner takes good care of their crawl space! There are times when water seeps into the crawl space, leading to cracks and foul smells. It is essential to address these issues. Also, you need to know the way moisture makes its way to the crawl space. When you join hands with a professional waterproofing service provider, you can get resolve a damp crawl space. The companies also inform you about how water enters the crawl space, such as:

The plumbing leaks

Today, several plumbing pipes supply the drain and supply lines. These pipes can run through the crawl spaces and leak as well. Not every homeowner visits the crawl space weekly. That is the reason why crawl spaces can leak and remain unnoticed. If that happens, it can lead to other issues as well. To know more about this, you can get in touch with Foundation Repair Kansas City.

The foundation vents inside the crawl space walls

The crawl space walls can also result in excess moisture. The reason to invest in these vents is to keep the crawl space dry. Sometimes, water vapor is responsible for the presence of moisture. The moment the outdoor air enters through the crawl space vents, it can maximize the humidity, and that can lead to crawl space problems that need to get remedied at the earliest.

Soil can also create result in crawl space problems

The other moisture source in crawl space is the uncovered soil. A part of the earth remains dry and uncovered for a long time. Homeowners think that this doesn’t place excess moisture in the crawl space air. But that isn’t true. Sometimes, a section of the soil gets covered with the plastic vapor barrier and can become wet. The main reason for uncovered soil to look dry is because it is always soaking in water inside the crawl space air.

Foundation walls

It might seem rather strange, but the foundation walls can also contribute to the moisture levels. The moisture can seep in from the outside ground, entering through the foundation walls. The crawl space that has vents doesn’t have a perimeter drain or a damp-proofing drain on the surface. Hence, the damp soil available out of the crawl space area can make its way inside.

There are several ways in which the crawl space gains moisture. In some homes, the backyard can slope down from the house and place an increasing amount of hydrostatic pressure against the empty concrete wall. It at times can make the crawl space accumulate water up to an inch or two. When it rains, the situation becomes more aggravating.

These are some of the ways that make the crawl space damp! Since not every homeowner examines this frequently, there are chances of crawl space dampness getting ignored until it becomes a severe issue. It is best not to be that careless about your crawl space. You can inspect this region frequently to have a clear understanding of the way it works. For this, you can deploy a house inspector as well. And as the moisture issues get detected, you can join hands with an ace service provider and resolve the water leaks and accumulation.
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May 4, 2019

5 Important Questions to Ask Your Plumber Before Hiring

What you should know before hiring someone to perform services in your home

You need the expert help of a professional problem with any complicated plumbing fixture defect. From clogged drains and sewers to leaky faucets and backflow of wastewater, an expert plumber is the only solution on offer. However, there are a few key questions that you need to ask your expert before hiring him.

We have compiled a list of 5 important questions for you to ask your plumber to ensure you get deal for your buck. Plumbing is a difficult and tricky job, and since the workers will be working inside your property, it is important that you make your decision regarding Sewer line repair Virginia Beach only after favorable reviews from previous employers of the service.

So let’s have a look at the questions

Are they licensed?

This is the big one. A license holder ensures that the service and the workers are legal, trained workers and insured. Never miss out on the point of the valid certification for your expert plumber. Always ask first and make sure that you review at the very least three plumbers with respect to licensing and quotations.

What is the total cost?

Most of the professional services offer free estimates, but you should ideally get it in writing. A visual check is essential for an accurate quote so be wary of services who want to do this over the phone. Some estimates might look good on paper, but the cost goes up with the requirement of materials and fixtures.

Is it an hourly rate or flat rate?

You need to make sure of the payment policy for the plumbing service you are thinking about employing. There are two structures at work, the flat rate, and the hourly rate. The second one might be unfavorable for some as the longer the work continues, the higher you have to pay. So make sure you know the details to avoid unwelcome surprises later on.

When is the payment due?

You need to ask the plumber when he expects to get paid. The payment protocols are different for various services and plumbers. If your expert is asking for the full payment before the job, you should be walking away. Most plumbers use a system of “milestone” which means paying off a certain percentage once a significant part of the work has been completed. Some will use the “number of day” system and ask to be paid after a certain number of days at the job. Always ask your questions before investing in a service.

Who will be doing the work?

When you are going for a professional plumbing service chances are they will have a number of plumbers at their service. There will be a fleet of experts and work laborers working with the service. You need to ask about the plumber and workers who will be working at your property and about their experience, levels of professional courtesy and punctuality. If you do not feel comfortable with the personnel and they don’t not match up to your standards or the service cannot provide the details, you should keep looking.

Always invest in thorough research before investing in plumbing service. This will help you save time and money in the long run.
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May 2, 2019

What Can Go Wrong When You Try To Unblock Your Drains Yourself

Some jobs are best left to the professionals, and no matter how excellent your DIY skills are, you could end up making a situation worse and causing more damage by trying to do things yourself. As a result of this, a small problem can turn into a more significant problem, with the costs to fix the issue also being more significant. There are plenty of excellent advice you can find from articles available online on the use of drain cleaners, and if you carry on reading below, we will tell you why you need to be careful when it comes to fixing a blocked drain.

Image Source: Pixabay

Chemical Drain Cleaners

It is common for people to purchase a chemical drain cleaner from their local grocery store, and these can be okay for small blockages and ones that are close to the drain openings. However, among problems with a drain cleaner is that these chemicals can be corrosive and can end up damaging sinks and pipes if it is left to sit, so it is essential that if you are using chemical drain cleaners that you can flush them through the system entirely.

Physically Removing The Blockage

You can also try products such as a drain snake, also known as a plumber’s snake, which you can use to remove blockages in your pipes and drains. These can be tricky to use for the inexperienced and you can end up causing more damage to pipes if they are not in good condition. Applying too much pressure when trying to clear a blocked drain can also cause cracks and breakages along the pipe, and you could end up having to call in a professional anyway.

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Get The Professionals In

If you do end up damaging your drains, you will need to look for a pipe relining specialist covering Sydney, which will be much more cost-effective than digging up and relaying the pipes. Most professional plumbers offering this service will inspect the length of your drains using CCTV and clear any blockages that they find. Using the latest technology, they can then reline the pipe where the problem occurred and fix it with as little disruption as possible. To ensure that you do not have to call a plumber to clear blockages and make repairs regularly, you should also learn how to take care of your pipes and prevent damage from happening in the future.

Taking Care Of Your Pipes & Drains

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If you take the time to learn what to do to maintain your pipes and drains, then you are less likely to have to call on a plumber in the future, and you can avoid expensive costs. You can add things such as screens in the sinks of your home and catch debris before it falls down the drains. You can also try and soften your water if you live in an area that has hard water, doing so will reduce the mineral build up on the inside of your pipes. You should also never wash grease, oil, or fat down the sink as this can build up and be the start of blockages occurring.

Being aware of what could go wrong when you attempt to unblock your drains yourself or the signs that tell you that you need a professional to do the job will save you a great deal of time as well as prevent bigger problems from occurring.
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April 29, 2019

Signs That your Roof is in Need of Repair

Image Source: Pixabay

The roof is by far the most important component of any structure, as it provides essential protection against the harsh Australian climate, and the best way to ensure that your roof is always in good shape is to have regular roofing inspections. There are many things that can go wrong with a roof, regardless of what it is made from, and with that in mind, here are a few tell-tale signs to tell you that your roof is in need of repair.

Damp Patches on the Ceiling – If you should notice a damp patch on one of your ceilings, the chances are you have a leaking roof. Fortunately, there is Sydney slate roofing repairs and installation from an established roofing company and no job is too small for these roofing experts. Even a couple of missing roof tiles can cause rainwater to enter the internal roofing structure, which is why you should have your roof inspected periodically.
Water Running Down the Exterior Walls – Your guttering system is designed to channel excess rainwater away from the roof, and should it become blocked, this will result in water running down the exterior walls. Blocked guttering is a common issue, especially if you have overhanging branches above the roof, and with a regular clean out, the guttering will perform as it should. There is also an informative article on how to tell whether or not your roof is in need of repair.

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Soffit & Fascia – The fascia and soffit boards protect the underside of the roof, and should they become damaged, this will result in water entering the internal roof structure. If your fascia and soffit boards are made from timber, they will eventually need to be repaired, and for many homeowners, replacing these with PVC is the solution. The PVC lengths come in many attractive colours and with concealed fixings, they will give your roof added appeal. If you would like to know more about PVC fascia and soffit boards, contact your local roofing company and they can pay you a home visit and discuss the many options.
Storm Damage – We all know how gale-force winds can take debris into the air, and very often this causes roof damage. Pitched roofs are more at risk from storm damage, and you should closely inspect your roof after heavy storm weather, as any damage should be promptly repaired. High winds can bring down mature trees, and if your roof has trees overhanging, it is very important that you check the roof exterior after a period of bad weather.

Image Source: Pixabay

It sometimes happens that a roof becomes damaged and this is not evident, and as time passes, this can cause serious damage to the interior structure, and that would be a very costly repair. If you want to be certain that your roof is in good shape, ask your local roofing contractor to carry out a thorough roof inspection, and with a written report, you can rest assured that your roof is in good order.
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