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A power washer is a worthwhile investment for the home. When you regularly wash your house’s exterior and eliminate the buildup of dirt and mold, you avoid expensive repairs down the road. With that said, there is a cost involved. Rentals cost around $90 per day and purchases typically cost between $100 and $400.

If you’re going to take the leap and buy a power washer for your home, it’s wise to get your money’s worth and wash as many surfaces as possible. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that not all surfaces around the home can be power washed. In fact, it can cause a lot of damage if you’re not careful.

Safety is an important consideration as well, not only for preventing damage to your home, but also for avoiding personal injuries as a result of incorrect usage. For example, never point the power washer wand at anyone, keep both feet on the ground, and be sure to use the correct nozzle and pressure.

Speaking of safety, wearing protective gear is imperative. You should always wear boots or other types of heavy shoes when using a power washer. The most vulnerable body parts when working with a power washer are feet, hands and eyes, so keep that in mind when preparing protective gear. Before you begin, read the power washer’s user manual for a comprehensive list of safety and operation procedures.

For more information about power washing around the house, take a look at this infographic, which is a useful guide to help you determine which surfaces around the home can and can’t be power washed.

Author Bio: Debisree Saha is Senior Marketing Strategist at SIMPSON, a leading manufacturer of electric and gas pressure washers. She has 10 years of experience in the industry and focuses on marketing strategy and execution.

You probably don’t think about your plumbing unless there is a problem. For most people, washing your hands, flushing your toilet, doing laundry, or taking a shower is something you do without a second thought.

However, the minute there is a problem with your plumbing, you realize how essential it is to your modern life. While you may notice problems like no running water or a burst pipe, there are several other subtle signs there might be plumbing issues in your home.

If you are not sure when it’s time to hire a plumber, here are six signs you should look for.

1. Gurgling Sounds

If you are hearing gurgling water from your toilets or sinks, you should start looking for plumbers in your area. Gurgling water is usually a sign of faulting venting in your plumbing. The gurgling is caused by built-up air pressure that causes the water to run back up the pipes.

2. No Hot Water

If you suddenly have no hot water, consider hiring a plumber. This is generally caused by a build-up of sediment in your water heater. Depending on the age of your water heater, you may need a replacement rather than a repair.

3. Low Water Pressure

If you’ve ever had low water pressure, you know it can be a frustrating experience. Low water pressure can be caused by several problems, including water leaking from tiny cracks in your pipes. This is not typically a DIY fix, so contact a plumber for hire if you are experiencing this problem.

4. Leaking Water

If you are wondering when to hire a plumber, the answer is if you have leaking water in your home. While small leaks are common, they are usually a sign of a larger problem within your plumbing. If you notice excessive leaks, contact a professional immediately.

5. Sewage Smells

Sewage smells are never pleasant, especially when they are coming from your sinks or toilets. Bad odors can be caused by a faulty valve or by something that is caught in your pipes. This is a problem that can quickly become serious so it’s best to contact a plumber as soon as possible.

6. Running Toilet

At some point, everyone has experienced a running toilet. While this is usually more of an annoyance, it can also be a sign of a problem. A toilet that won’t stop running is usually a sign of a broken flapper or fill valve.

Hire a Plumber If You Notice Any of These Six Problems

If you notice any of these signs, you should hire a plumber immediately. Gurgling sounds, no hot water, a running toilet, and low water pressure are all signs you may have a plumbing problem.

If you notice leaking water, sewage smells, or rusty water, you should contact your local plumber. Contact your plumber immediately to stop these minor problems from becoming major problems.

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Just yesterday when my husband, son, and I were heading on the tram to fetch our daughter from her gymnastics academy, we arrived with a sweet scent in the air.

You see her training center is separated by a 3-car parking lot area from a state of the art football pitch, the kinds you see on TV with the manicured edges and symmetry of lines flowing up and down as far as the eye can see.

But what we were blessed with was the aroma of fresh blades of grass having their hair cut, a joy to those who know what it’s like to arrive early to sports matches, or waking up before the birds to a dewy garden crisp with droplets on the pristine lawn. Yes, I may sound like I’ve found the winning lottery ticket but until you sense it, you’ll never know.

Having a home or a house where the greenery is taken care of and looked after, a regular maintenance plan ensuring you are always ready for those unexpected ‘judgy’ family members who can’t seem to stay away, is a simple design element that can transform an overall look within a day.

The care and attention that I have seen our garden care company take when it comes to sorting out the backyard never cease to amaze me. See some great transformation images here https://www.pinterest.co.uk/rochellegreayer/before-after-garden-makeovers/ for inspiration when it comes time for your next project.

It always looks a shambles when they are busy, then I go inside to make a cup of tea for everyone and when I come out my garden area looks like a centerfold for house and home magazine. Stunning. Sorcery I am happy to partake in.

5 Advantages of having your lawn manicured and maintained by professionals.

Besides the fact that you get to simply sit with your feet up and watch the garden experts trim and tack the foliage into elegant shapes and sizes all the while sipping a cold glass of wine, there are plenty more reasons so let’s take a quick look.

• Time. This is something we seem to never have enough of, and if you’re like me that has a household full of kids and a husband to match then you’ll know that time is not on your side when it comes to fitting in a garden mow into the schedule. Take the weight off your shoulders and let the pros do what they know best.
• Quality. I can preach to this because if you have ever come around our house when my other half has got his DIY cap on, decided to ‘landscape’ the garden after watching too many YouTube videos, and has his mindset, it’s not a good look. Besides looking less like a garden when he began, the heat of the day has him stopping halfway through.
• Over-deliver. A great perk to have in a qualified and reliable company like Mr Lawn who has qualifications in not only using a lawnmower, but trimming, edging, and even pruning trees and shrubs if need be. Chatting to them about what you need beforehand can give you great peace of mind and you’ll know you’re in safe hands.
• Knowledge. You may consider a professional firm hire a luxury, but if you are completely unaware of what needs to be done to properly grow and care for your lawn you could end up doing more damage than before. There are products targeted for specific purposes and they are trained in knowing when to use which and for what.
• Aesthetic. This goes without saying, similar to coming out of the salon. When you look good you feel good, thus when looking out to the yard or hosting a summer night dinner and the grass is top-notch the neighbors will be knocking on the door for the number for who you use. That or jealous sideway glances, either way, it’s a win-win.

Ok, so you have decided to go for it, it is an investment after all into the overall value of your home, financially and aesthetically, now comes the tough choice of knowing what to look for in a company to suit you.

Features to consider when ‘shopping’ for a garden maintenance company.

If we had our way we would opt only for hot summer days and the work to be carried out by Italians with an accent, am I right ladies? But alas I don’t think this will down as well with our partners so, fewer looks and more skills might be the best answer. (Boo)

The old school method, and quickest essentially, is asking family and friends who they use and are happy with, this way you know what you are getting yourself in for and family would have no issue to state a complaint if need be and what to look out for.

Then there is the new-age way of going online, most business who pride themselves in their work will be registered in service directories and have their website with testimonials and images to represent their work. Writing down options and comparing prices can give you a quick insight into costs and services available filtering down into what you’re looking for.

See some tips in this link if you are new to all this and just beginning the care routine of your newly purchased home, simply jotting down what you think you are looking for is a great way to start in seeing who offers the necessary services.

The small details but still important are seeing how well they have designed their site, is it easy to navigate, or are their big flashy banners blinding you any which way you look at it? It shows their attention to details and a sign of the quality of service you are likely to receive.

Do they have easy to find contact details in case of an issue, a review section from satisfied customers?

The main objective is to get the job done right the first time around, take a minute, and do your homework, it will be worth it in the long run.

The roof over your head is such an important part of life. It keeps your home structurally sound and protects you and your family rain or shine. If you’re living in Denver, you know how dramatic the weather can be. Hailstorms can throw anything from pea to softball-sized hail down on the city. Therefore, it’s even more important to be diligent about taking care of your roof. Here are five things you may be doing that you didn’t know are actually hurting your home.

Are you planning to buy a home? Why do you need to do so? Homeownership is one of the biggest and most significant investments you will make. It is a significant decision that is full of benefits. Note that there are non-financial and financial considerations you need to make before you buy a house and you need to ensure you are not making rash decisions.

But if you have been planning to buy a house, you may have already saved enough for the down payment. Perhaps you have identified a nice property at Movoto.com. Go ahead and buy that property; you will not regret you did it. Below are some of the rewards of owning a home.

1. Reduced Interest Rates

Rates of interest have been over the years low. This means it is cheap to borrow money, and repaying the mortgage is way affordable. Also, the low-interest rates may mean buying a house is less expensive than renting. However, you should take into consideration water rates, strata fees and other costs.

2. It is a Better Investment

In the short run, prices of houses move in cycles. But its value may appreciate after many years meaning you can earn a reasonable return if you sell it. If you stay in a rented apartment, use a buy vs rent calculator to determine which option will give you the most benefits for the time you plan to live there. Ensure you also add assumptions like rent increases in future because most of the times landlord raise rents over time.

3. Building Equity

After you deduct the remaining amount you need to pay to settle your mortgage loan from the home’s total value, the figure you get is your equity. This equity is the value of your house that is yours. Equity is built in two ways:

a) With monthly loan repayments because the more you repay the loan, the higher the value of the home which belongs to you. In a way, loan repayment is a saving because it builds your equity. You can tap into these savings years later by selling the house.

b) Over time, the value of homes increases, creating more equity.

4. Fewer Tax Deductions

Owning a house can reduce the amount you pay in income taxes. Property tax and mortgage interest payments can be exempted from federal taxes in addition to other state taxes. Discount points on loan and specific closing costs also may be deducted from the tax you pay. When you have just started paying your mortgage, it can be draining, and these tax deductions will save you some money.

5. Stability and Peace of Mind

Knowing you own a home gives you peace of mind. Renting a house comes with uncertainties because you are not sure how many years or months you will live in it. You also keep on searching for the next house you would like to move to. The owner of the house may also have listed it for sale, meaning you need to relocate. If you want to stay in a particular area for many years, it is better you buy a home instead of renting.

After retirement, you want to settle in one location, and that means you need to purchase a home early to avoid paying mortgages when you are old, which can be stressful.

6) Create Your Own Home

There is a way you desire your house to look like and that one cannot be done on rented property. When you buy a house, you can paint it the way you want, have pets and furnish it your style.

7. Inflation Hedge

Rents and housing costs usually outpace the inflation rate. Even though the US rates of interest have been kept low by the Federal Reserve, soon inflation will make buying a home costly. Think why in the United States, there is a high demand for houses at the moment. Homes are hard assets that keep your money in the long term.

8. Borrowing Power

The more you clear your mortgage loan, the more equity you build meaning you can get a home equity loan to fund other home purchases, children’s education, pay medical bills, buy a new car etc.

9. Capital Gains

What is a relief? The 1997 Taxpayer Relief Act states that you can be exempted from paying capital gains taxes on your initial gain of $250,000 if you are not married, and first gain of $500,000 if you are married as long as you reside in the house for two years in the previous five years. Every two years you can benefit from these exemptions.

10. Credit Builder

Paying your mortgage loan improves your credit history, which lenders use to determine if they can lend you, amount, terms and rates of the lending. Access to credit can help you buy another home, pay other debts or improve the house.

Summary

Buying a house is a great investment, and if you had not yet decided to purchase a home, hopefully, these benefits will help you make the right choice.

When it comes time to design the home of your dreams, the process can feel a little overwhelming. There’s a lot to consider. You need to worry about money, hiring the right contractors, and finding a way to turn your dream into a reality.

However, once finished, having a custom home design will be incredibly rewarding. You’ll have a brand new home that’s 100% unique to you and your family.

We want to help simplify your process and make things less stressful for you. Keep reading for our top five tips on how to design a home and keep your sanity.

1. Determine Your Budget

First, you need to start out by determining your budget. It may be worthwhile to get preapproved for a new home loan to verify how much money you’re working with. It would be terrible to spend countless hours designing a home you have no hope of affording.

Figure out your budget and look into the local housing market to begin the process of designing your home, starting with finding the right lot. Then you can start thinking in terms of size, features, etc.

2. Come Up With Design Plan

Now comes the fun part – coming up with your design plan. Will you choose a rustic, bohemian, or modern look? What about architectural features?

You probably already have a good idea of how you want to design and style your home. However, here are some interior design styles you can use as a reference. It never hurts to have some inspiration.

3. Identify Your Top Priorities

Next, we recommend coming up with a list of your top priorities when designing a house. Things will likely come up that will eat into your budget, set you back, and make you change directions. While this is to be expected with custom home design, you should determine ahead of time where you are and are not willing to compromise.

4. Don’t Forget About Function and Flow

Learning how to design your dream home means paying attention to the function and flow of your home as well. It’s not just about interior design and decoration. You need to make sure your home provides a comfortable space for all of your family members.

This means carefully planning the layout, size of rooms, number of bathrooms, storage space, and more.

5. Communicate Clearly With Your Home Builders

Finally, one of the most important home design tips is to make sure you and the builders are on the same page. They need to understand and embrace your vision for your custom home design. This also means establishing a reliable method of communication.

If you have a question or concern, you need to be able to get ahold of your builder. Similarly, they need to be able to contact you as soon as possible should any issues arise during the building process.

Need More Help With Your Custom Home Design?

If you need more help figuring out how to finalize your custom home design, we’re here for you. Our blog is dedicated to helping people like you with things in their everyday life. Be sure to check out some of our other articles for more tips and advice about home improvement, decor, and design!

In 2015, the National Association of Home Builders discovered that the average cost to build a single-family home was $460,000.

If you have the money to build a custom home, it’s one of the best options to choose to ensure that you get everything you want in your house.

But are you on a time crunch? You may be surprised to learn that the time it takes to custom build a home may not be as long as you think.

A Good Rule of Thumb

In general, most houses can be custom built in as little as a year or as long as two years. This will largely depend on all kinds of things, and that time may end up being shorter or longer than you anticipated.

If you want to custom build a home but don’t want to wait that long, you can choose a partially-customized home that can be built in around six months to a year. However, a lot of things will have to go perfectly right for it to be built in six months.

However, this time frame is based solely on how long the construction process will take to actually construct the home. This doesn’t factor in designing and pulling everything together before construction.

With those phases factored in, you might want to add another three to nine months, depending on who you hire and if you know what you want.

Other Factors That Come Into Play

While each person’s custom house will take a different amount of time to build, there are some things that can play a factor in how slow or fast the whole process goes.

There are some obvious things, like the size of your house, what details you want, and what extra additions you’d like added.

But there may be some other factors you didn’t even think about.

The Authorization Process

Before the company can start building your house, they’ll need to get permits and approval from the Planning and Building Departments. The requirements will be different depending on where you are trying to build.

However, getting these approvals can take up to a month (or more if there is a zoning or property issue).

Weather

The weather could also potentially delay your home’s construction.

This will depend on where you live, what weather is there, and what season you decide to build in. A little bit of bad weather here and there won’t cause too much of a problem on your home’s timeline, but there are some issues that will stop the progress altogether.

For example, if it’s raining too much, they won’t be able to build the home. Whether it’s snow, sleet, or rain, your home will have to wait. Even when it stops raining, there could still be issues with construction. For example, there may be too much mud caused by the rain to do anything.

Another thing that could be an issue is shifts in temperatures. Depending on where you live, weather that is too hot could be dangerous for the crew working on your home, causing them to have to stop. For weather that’s too cold, they may not be able to work on the home because concrete won’t harden or the paint can’t dry.

Location

The weather will also factor into the location aspect of what could be a potential problem with your home.

Before you decide where you want to build your home, make sure that you research everything that you can about it. You’ll want to search for things including what type of soil is on the site.

If it’s soil like clay, it will be even harder to dig up and put a house there.

There might be other things like rocks or hills that could cause potential problems. Talk to the construction crew about the environment of the plot of land before you commit to building a home there.

How to Make the Process Faster

While these factors can hinder the progress of your new home, there are a few things you can do to help smooth out the process.

Following these few steps can make it less stressful and potentially shorten the time it takes.

Choose the Right Company

Before you even start designing or building your home, you should research a bunch of different companies, like these custom home builders.

When you interview a company or call them for a quote, pay attention to a few things. Do they seem organized and professional? Or do you feel like they’re running around trying to meet deadlines and can’t communicate with each other?

Ask them about who the architect, subcontractors, interior designers, and other vendors are. You should make sure they have a good team to work with. If they don’t, this could cause you delays later on down the road.

Figure Out What You Really Want

Once you’ve found a good custom home builder, you’ll need to decide what you really want. Before you start planning with an architect, you should have a rough idea of what you’re looking for.

Make sure you do your own research and take your time making the right decisions. You’ll have to plan out every single thing, from where the lights are to where the outlets are.

It’s better to get this ironed out now so you aren’t changing it halfway through the design process and prolonging the construction.

Discover More Tips on How to Custom Build a Home

This is only a rough estimate of how long it takes to custom build a home, but it really depends on all kinds of factors.

Building a new home and moving into it can be exhausting and overwhelming, but thankfully we have you covered.

If you enjoyed this article, make sure that you explore our website to find more just like this one!