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Improvement GUIDEHome

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2 SMART HOMEHOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

Since the systems are so intricate,it’s beneficial to work with an expert inthe field, so you don’t miss out on life-changing features.

Since many home automation in-novations require a solid internet con-nection to work flawlessly, it may benecessary to upgrade your currentsetup. Call area providers for the bestvalue while investing in quality down-load speeds and connectivity reliability.You should also make sure you have acapable smartphone or tablet as thesedevices may act as a remote control foroperation.

If you’re unfamiliar with home au-tomation systems, check out some ofthe cutting-edge technology yourhome is missing.

AUTOMATED DOOR LOCKS

With a high-tech lock, you willnever worry about leaving your frontdoor unsecure. Typically, these ad-vanced devices connect to a smart-phone and are operated with the touchof a button. The software also allowsyou to analyze if a door has been un-locked without your authorization, giv-

ing you a chance to contact emergencyservices if necessary.

Another benefit to automated doorlocks is opening the door for a housesitter or friend if you are uncomfortableleaving a spare key while you’re away.

TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENTS

Do you notice a climbing heating orair conditioning bill during the chang-

ing seasons? Consider investing in athermostat that allows you to alter thetemperature while you’re away. Someunits will adjust to your work schedulewithout interaction to alter the comfortlevels before you arrive home. Manymodels also can be operated remotely,allowing you to crank up your HVACequipment to create a comfortable en-vironment on the way home from work.

CONTROL YOUR LIGHTS

According to the group Clearly Energy,an incandescent light bulb will cost youabout 75 cents for every hour it is left on.

If you have a bad habit of forgetting tokill the lights before leaving for the day,the costs can add up on your utility bill.

Learn how to save money by pur-chasing smart lights that are operatedby smartphone or another device.

Technology has changed theway homeowners care forand protect their homes. If

you’re looking for an upgradethat enhances safety while

boosting convenience, totalhome automation is aninvestment to consider.

Benefits of Home Automation

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3HEALTHY HOMEHOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

If your home is older, it’s especiallycrucial to analyze it for safety condi-tions that may be impacting your andyour family’s health.

The United States Consumer Prod-uct Safety Commission banned the useof lead paint in residential properties in1977. Asbestos is another hazardousmaterial used in insulation, drywall,floor tiles and cement.

According to the U.S. Environmen-tal Protection Agency, the substancewas banned to manufacture, distributeor process in 1989. If your home wasbuilt before this time, it’s imperative tohire an expert to determine if danger-ous wall covering or insulation is pres-ent and prepare a strategy to remove itsafely.

Check out these other dangerousconditions that may be found withinthe place you call home as recom-mended by the Robert Wood JohnsonFoundation.

COOL INDOOR TEMPERATURES

It’s crucial that your HVAC systemand home’s insulation is operating cor-rectly to warm and cool your house.The National Center for BiotechnologyInformation suggests that low indoortemperatures can lead to these serioushealth conditions.

• Inflammation of lungs and circu-lation inhibition.

• Increased risks of respiratory ill-nesses like asthma.

• Cardiovascular damage like heartdisease, stroke and even death.

If you have trouble staying warmduring the winter, consider talking toyour electricity company about per-forming an energy audit. They can eas-ily analyze your home to find outwhere you’re losing heat and recom-mend steps to correct the problem.

PEST INFESTATIONS

Homes that are infested with pestsand rodents have a risk of more thanjust degraded structural integrity. In-habitants are also exposed to harmfulbacteria when these nuisances arepresent.

If your property is overrun withpests, don’t be embarrassed to call aprofessional exterminator. Check outthese statistics from the National PestManagement Association to realize youare not alone in the struggle.

• Nearly 30% of American home-owners have had a rodent problem intheir home.

• Termites cause over $5 billion inproperty damage annually.

• About 63% of homes containcockroach allergens, which can causesevere allergic reactions

• One in five households have had abug infestation or know someone whobattled an infestation.

There are numerous ways a home in poor condition canaffect its occupants. In some cases, necessary upgrades can

be lifesaving or boost the healthy livability of a space.

Upgrades that Enhance Health

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4 CURB APPEALHOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

Fortunately, upgrades to refresh thespace don’t always have to cost a for-tune. There are numerous ways youcan give your home a modern touch-up on a budget and many projects canbe handled by the homeowner with alittle knowledge of repairs.

Before investing in upgrades to yourproperty, analyze the lawn for unat-tractive features like cracked sidewalksor overgrown weeds. A little TLC toyour yard can make a significant differ-ence when improving the looks of theexterior. A good way to find problemspots is to drive by the home and lookfor problems that are visible from theroad. Make a plan to resolve landscap-ing issues to instantly add curb appealover a weekend.

ADD LIGHT FIXTURES

Adding or upgrading exterior light-ing is an easy project that can enhancethe visual ambiance of a home andprovide more security. When searchingfor new fixtures, look for options thatinclude motion sensors, capabilities toutilize brighter bulbs and housings thatblend well with a home’s designscheme.

Homeowners should consider up-grading to LED lighting to providelong-lasting illumination that can leadto savings on utility bills. According to

the United States Department of En-ergy, approved bulbs use at least 75%less energy while lasting 25 timeslonger than incandescent lighting

NEW SHUTTERS

The simple addition of shutters toexisting windows will make the outsideof your home stand out and provide anupdated look. Before buying new ac-cents, make sure to measure your win-dow and purchase the appropriate size.

In some cases, the correct dimen-sions may have to be special orderedand custom built. Simply bring your re-quired dimensions to the local homeimprovement store and ask an expertfor their recommendations on styleand installation tips. They may be ableto recommend a local pro to do the in-stall.

Consider hiring a professional topressure wash the exterior of yourproperty prior to updating the shutters,

so they are installed on a clean back-drop.

STAIN YOUR DECK

As a wooden deck becomes weath-ered and dated, the visual appealquickly degrades. Save your deck byapplying a layer of stain and weather-proof clear coat.

Before beginning the project, makesure to thoroughly clean the patio, pro-tect exterior walls with painter’s tapeand acquire the right tools for the job.

Since the exterior of yourhome is typically the first

impression people get of theproperty, ensuring it’s well-

kept is essential.

Easy Exterior Upgrades

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5THE PROSHOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

Attempting a repair with which youare unfamiliar can lead to more severedamage and the resolution can be costly.

Before tackling a project, do your re-search to discover if it’s something youcan complete yourself. A few ideas in-clude watching DIY videos of othersdoing the same repair or reading homeimprovement books focusing on therenovation.

There is no shame in hiring a profes-sional when you want the job done rightthe first time. Consider calling an expertbefore attempting these difficult homerepairs if you lack the experience.

WINDOW INSTALLATION

Installing new windows is not a taskfor every DIY homeowner. A faulty jobcan lead to leaks, energy inefficiency orlackluster results. When looking for anexpert to complete the project, Con-sumer Reports recommends looking forthe following specific traits.

• Speak with several contractors forthe best price and their experience inconstruction.

• Determine how long the project willtake during the quote process.

• Research the construction com-pany via online reviews and word-of-mouth referrals.

• Make sure the install is properly in-sured and licensed in your state.

When choosing windows, considerpricing glass that is ENERGY STAR certi-fied as they are efficient in keeping theoutside air from leaking in.

PLUMBING CHANGES

While most homeowners can handlethe repairs of simple leaky faucets andpipes under the sink, a major renovationshould be accomplished by an expert.

Especially if you are performing projectslike moving the washing machine or hotwater heater, setting up an area forplumbing can be overwhelming.

A plumber can efficiently tap into theexisting system and reroute pipes to en-sure they are free of leaks and insulateexposed pipes. According to the Insur-ance Information Institute, water dam-age and freezing ranked fourth in claimsseverity between 2014 and 2018; the av-erage claim expense was $10,849.

ELECTRICAL UPGRADES

Whether you’re installing new outletsthroughout the home or making majorelectrical changes, hiring an electricianis a valuable resource. Working with a li-censed professional ensures that theproject is performed correctly and safelyto protect your home and livelihood.

It is also possible that your home-owner’s insurance will not cover damagecaused by DIY electrical repairs. Make sureto check with your provider before youconsider tackling a project on your own.

Many home upgrades can becompleted on your own. When

the improvements seem toodifficult for your level of

experience, however, don’thesitate to hire a local expert.

When to Call an Expert

For all of your plumbing needs call on ourprofessional, experienced staff!

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6 EASY UPDATESHOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

While the desired outcome may besimple to imagine, the actual process ofrestoring stairs can be difficult.

Before you make your mind up re-garding which color to repaint the banis-ters, flooring and surrounding wall, it’sbeneficial to analyze the existing cover-ing to see if it can be refurbished. Inmany older homes, you may discoverquality hardwood that can be easily re-stored.

Try to start in a small, inconspicuousarea and apply paint stripper to find outhow the rest of the project will look.

Of course, if the thought of poten-tially ruining expensive wood isn’t whatyou have in mind, hire a professionalcontractor to carefully begin the process.

Once the flooring has been stripped,consider these tips from Better Homesand Gardens to flawlessly redecorateyour staircase.

PAINTING THE HANDRAIL AND BALUSTERS

Prior to painting the componentson your staircase, apply coats to thewall that holds the steps and rails toensure the chosen colors will blend to-

gether. Be careful to use quality laddersif the area is out of reach.

Once the backdrop is dry, youshould mask the stairs with heavybutcher paper and painter’s tape toavoid dripping as you paint around it.

As you coat the handrail, make sureto pain with the grain rather thanagainst, to ensure an even coat. Next,

cover the decorative balusters withyour chosen color. Even if these com-ponents will be the same color as thestairs, it’s a good idea to wipe up anydrops, as uneven drying may lead tounattractive lumps.

BEGINNING AND FINISHING THE STEPS

Once the stairs are ready for their

upgrade, it’s a good idea to beginpainting the underside of the firstnosing before moving on the initialriser.

Try to start at the top and workyour way down. If you will need to usethe staircase before the paint can dry,only cover every other step. This willgive you a path to use.

The home’s entry point to asecond story can quickly

become a focal point in anyroom. Whether the staircase

features dated carpet orwood with cosmetic damage,touching up the covering cantotally change the feel of the

entire interior.

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7TRENDSHOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

DIYers are finding unique ways torepurpose the high-quality wood inpallets, typically found in warehousesto store and organize inventory. Theseunique structures are easily obtainableand can be used in a plethora of ways toupdate both the interior and exterior ofyour home.

When committing to trying yourhand at creating a one-of-a-kind dis-play for a home improvement project,finding pallets isn’t always difficult.Simply ask business owners in yourarea if they have any extra units to spareor ask others where they found theirs.

Don’t be hesitant to acquire morethan your venture requires, as not all ofthe boards may be usable. Getting rid ofthe extra wood is simple and can leadto a fun bonfire with family andfriends.

Here are some ideas to get youstarted on the journey of pallet repur-posing.

CREATE A PALLET WALL

You can give your home an attrac-tive accent wall by covering it withdurable pallet wood and a little crafts-manship. Before you get started, meas-

ure the area to determine how muchmaterial will be needed. You shouldalso gather tools like construction ad-hesive, a nail gun, a measuring tapeand a table saw.

The first step is to apply a coat ofdark-colored paint to the wall thatwill be covered. Since pallet wood israrely uniform, this will help cover

gaps or small holes featured on thewood.

Next, sand the boards down beforeapplying the caulk to the back andholding them in place with bradnails. Starting at the top, stagger theboards’ lengths so they don’t line upwith the pieces above or underneathto give your new wall a unique twist.

SAVE SPACE

If you’re looking for a way to de-clutter certain areas in your home,pallet shelves can be a great way tosave space. Consider building a winerack to empty space in your cabinetsor cooler. A shoe shelf is a beneficialstorage creation to keep the entirefamily’s items in an organized area.

If you follow arts and craftsor custom furniture

communities on socialmedia, you have likely beenexposed to pallet projects’

growing popularity.

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8 EXTERIOR PROJECTSHOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE

When you feel uncomfortablemaking the upgrades, simply searchyour local area for competitive pricesfrom numerous landscaping busi-nesses. With their help and some cre-ativity, you can create an outdoorparadise just outside your door.

When searching for a company toexpertly renovate your outdoor livingspace, be sure to research their profes-sional profile. Ask them about theirexperience based on a particular proj-ect and inquire about before and afterphotos they might have in a portfolio.Ensuring you find the right expert forthe job is crucial to receiving the de-sired results.

ENTERTAINMENT AREA ON A BUDGET

If outdoor entertaining is your pas-sion, you probably have numerouspieces of equipment like a barbecuegrill, pellet smoker and patio set.

Consider keeping them in one areaby building a perimeter of pavers foryour gear and fill in the middle withmulch or a weed-killing area rug. Ifyou have space and electrical capabili-ties, enhance the space by installing atelevision in the gathering area.

Use weatherproof covers to encap-

sulate the screen and seal other essen-tial components from rain.

PLANT PERENNIALS

Perennials are flowers that returneach year with attractive blossomsand pleasant scents. Save money byinvesting in these unique plants andcreating beds around your property.

Each year, as your perennials beginto sprout, your investment will con-tinue to pay off.

For the best results, pay close at-tention to the planting instructionsduring the initial process and find outhow to protect them during the win-ter. Many should be cut back and cov-ered with mulch.

BACKYARD ACCENTS

You likely incorporate your interiordesign with accent items to tie theroom together. Your backyard shouldbe no different as it benefits fromminor aesthetics that provide signifi-cant results.

Consider laying stepping stonesthroughout flower beds or solar lightsto highlight a desolate part of the yard.

Is your backyard due for anupdate? Sometimes simple

landscaping or a newentertainment area willcompletely change your

yard’s appearance.

Backyard Upgrades on a Budget

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