Home Renovations You Should Not Do Yourself

Home-Renovation-Image-Julie-WhitmerDo it yourself (DIY) projects are more popular than ever. They’re a great way to ensure you get the exact update you want, and they can save you quite a bit of money in the process.

Paint the walls, switch out light fixtures, and tear out the carpet, but when it comes to other projects, they’re best left to the professionals.

Here are four home improvement projects that you should never do yourself.

Replacing a Roof Home-owners-should-hire-professionals-for-roof-replacements

Roofing systems can be expensive, and it’s easy to see why. They are a home’s first defense against the elements. Unfortunately, many homeowners make the mistake of trying to replace their roof on their own only to end up with the very thing they were trying to avoid—a damaging leak.

It’s really best to hire a professional for the job. They will make sure everything is installed properly. You can even look into roof financing options that will make the replacement more affordable.

Electrical Work

There are some electrical home improvement projects you can do on your own. Changing outlet covers and replacing light fixtures are two DIY projects that most homeowners can handle, but when it comes to in-depth electrical work, you need to hire a professional electrician.

Dealing with electricity can put you in danger of being shocked. A bad electrical job can even cause a fire and destroy your home. If you’re looking to install an outlet or a light fixture where there isn’t one, or the wiring in your home needs an update, don’t do it yourself.

Major Plumbing Repairs

Electrical work is especially dangerous for a homeowner. That isn’t the case with major plumbing repairs, but doing it wrong can end up costing you a lot of money.

Without the right plumbing repair or replacement, you could end up with a leak, or worse yet, flooding your home. All that water can result in mold growth and costly remodeling repairs.

A few plumbing projects that should be left to the professionals include:

  • Toilet installations
  • Shower and tub installations
  • Water heater installations
  • Valve and tube replacements
  • Sewer pipe work

Structural Changes to Rooms

Tearing out a wall sounds like the easiest DIY project of all. You just need a sledgehammer and a strong arm! Unfortunately, it’s not that easy.

Before you tear down the wall, you have to consider what’s inside it. There could be electrical wires or plumbing located in the wall. If you’re living in a two-story home, you could be dealing with a load-bearing wall. In order to make sure you don’t end up with even more costly repairs, it’s best to leave knocking down any walls to the professionals.

When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to call in a professional team to assess your project. It costs less in the long run to do it right in the first place than it does to botch the job and end up calling a professional to fix it anyway.

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3 Ways to Make Your Home’s Roof More Environmentally-Friendly

More homeowners are becoming cognizant of their impacts on the environment. From opting for low-flow toilets and pipes as a way to save water to participating in local recycling programs, these small steps can make a big impact.

One major source of environmental strain is the roof. From the materials to their insulation effectiveness, the roof you choose can help your hurt the environment. Here are three things to consider whether you are repairing your roof or replacing it entirely.

Invest in a roof that lasts for decades.

One of the best things you can do to help the environment is to cut back on waste. When fewer materials need to be created, you can help preserve natural resources and help plants and animals that rely on those resources to live. If you want to invest in an environmentally-friendly roof, get one that will last.

Additionally, investing in a long-lasting roof keeps waste out of landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 569 million tons of construction and demolition (C&D) debris was generated in 2017. The worst offenders were large, bulky demolition materials like concrete, plastics, and asphalt from the roofing. Asphalt shingles are some of the least durable on the market, meaning they need to be removed and replaced frequently.

A quality roof doesn’t necessarily need to be an expensive one. Ted Halstead of the Climate Leadership Council explained how climate solutions need to be affordable for working-class Americans in his TED Talk. Consider looking for metal roofing options or slate roofing alternatives, which look nice but have the durability you crave.

Choose roofing materials that reflect the sun.

The roofing materials you choose can increase or decrease your electricity bills, which can directly impact your carbon footprint. When the sun beats down on your roof in the summer, the rays will either be absorbed or reflected. When they are absorbed, they get hot and tend to warm your house, increasing your air conditioning bills. However, reflective shingles bounce the rays back, reducing your need to cool your home.

There are several modern shingle brands that will reflect the sun’s rays. Along with opting for these shingles, also inspect your home’s insulation – particularly in the attic. You want to lessen the amount of indoor air that escapes while preventing the outdoor air from seeping in. With this, you will feel more comfortable in your home and lessen your environmental impact.

 

Consider buying solar panels or solar shingles.

Once you reduce your energy needs with better insulation, look into switching to clean energy with solar panels. Many solar panels are developed to sit on top of your roof. They collect the sun’s rays and provide energy to your house.

Before you invest in this energy, make sure you get your roof inspected to know if it can handle the weight and size of solar panels. Consider calling Buccos Roofing, a local roofer Pittsburgh, to sign off on the health of your roof.

As an alternative to panels, you may want to get solar shingles that replace the roofing of your home. In 2019, Elon Musk at Tesla debuted solar glass roof tiles that are meant to replace standard tiles on a house. These shingles are certainly an investment. They cost more than traditional panels but can increase your home’s value and significantly reduce (if not eliminate) your electric bills.

As more homes invest in solar energy, panels become easier to find and cheaper. You can lead the way toward clean energy through roof-based panels.

If society is going to reduce the impacts of man-made climate change, then everyone needs to work together. Improving your home’s roof might not seem like much, but if everyone took the steps you did, there could be a hugely beneficial impact.

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How Much Do You Need for Roof Repairs?

Tips-to-make-sure-your-roof-is-taken-care-of-using-a-reliable-contractorA house turns into a home not only because the people inside love each other dearly. It is also vital that each one feels comfortable in their abode. So, as joyous of an occasion as it is to choose and buy one that suits the family’s needs, the maintenance of a house is quite tedious to envisage. If there is one part of the house that seems amiss, it would not be effortless to stay relaxed inside the home, so homeowners need to jump on their feet and get it fixed as soon as possible.

However, maintenance sometimes is not a priority. One of the things that get put aside for a long time is roof repair. Even if it leaks whenever it rains, or rusts fall from the roof, most people try to place a temporary measure and hope it lasts for as long as possible. Even so, why do people put off roof repairs? The primary reason is budget constraints.

How Much Does a Roof Repair Costs?

When it comes to roof repair, people tend to put it off for as long as possible. Some try to fix it themselves with temporary solutions or call someone to do it for them when they need to (i.e., big, irreparable holes, a significant chunk of the roof is dysfunctional). So, what hinders it?

Depending on the problem/s that need a solution, a roof repair is quite costly. On average, homeowners need to shell out anywhere from $150 to $3,000 and even more. Of course, there are still a lot of things to consider. Try to take the following as an example.

Do Minor Repairs Cost A Lot?

The most common roof problems that homes have are leaks. It is usually caused by rusting, water retention, or missing shingles. While it seems like an easy fix, the price of repairs varies. It depends on the size of the area, material, and how long the entire process would take. At the minimum, for a small space or a few shingles, it would cost about $150.

How Much Would Major Repairs Cost?

Generally, any cost depends on the type of repairs, materials to be used, and how many people would need to work on it. Major repairs constitute heavy labors like fixing the content under the roof’s outer layers, which can result in other maintenance as it can damage the integrity of the house. Also, it depends on how big the area which needs shingle replacement is.

Here are some sample computations:

  • A roof made out of asphalt would cost from about $500 up to $1,000 per square feet of area to replace the shingles.
  • For metal roofs, it cost an average of $500 to $1,500 to correct improper installation, fix unsteady seams, or even damaged fasteners.
  • On a side note, wood or cedar materials seems to fit most aesthetics, which is why a lot of homeowners opt for this material. However, it also brings a lot of problems that weaken the structure of the roof. Generally, a roof repair for wood deals with moss growth and or termites, which can damage the materials as well. On the repairs itself (excluding termination), the bill could wind up to $1,000.
  • Stone-like roofs, on the other hand, usually need crooked application correction, which often causes leaks. Most of the time, shingles would need replacement and cost anywhere from $550 to $1,500 per square foot of area.

If the roofing contractor is an accredited and reliable one, it will take a long time before homeowners would even need to worry about any roof repair. If it does require some fixing, it is better to think of it as an investment than an expense. A properly installed roof would keep the family inside as comfortable and as safe as possible.
[…]
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Signs That your Roof is in Need of Repair

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.

How to tell whether or not your roof is in need of repair                         Image Source: Storyblocks

  • 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.

You should closely inspect your roof after heavy storm 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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