Simone Says: Plumbing Tips for the Novice
Whether you are a homeowner or a tenant, at some point you will be faced with a plumbing problem. Even if you call your plumber to handle repairs, it’s worthwhile (and empowering!) to learn a little about the plumbing in your house. We spoke with plumber, Simone Smith (#girlpower!), of David Hayward Plumbing Service (DHPS) for tips on plumbing fixes anyone can do on their own and avoid a service call. Improving Low Water Pressure Low water pressure is usually most obvious at your sink faucet. The first thing to check is if the low water pressure is affecting both your hot and cold...
Read MoreBeyond Repair – How Maintenance Improves Home Value
Whether your property is an investment vehicle or ‘home-sweet-home’, as a property owner your ultimate desire is for your property value to increase over time. In order to maximize your property value, repairs and maintenance are key. “Repairs and maintenance” is often used as a general term for any work that is required at a property, but it can actually be broken down into categories. The first category is emergency repair work, which occurs as a reactive response when something goes wrong. An example would be a blocked pipe or a leaking roof. These repairs don’t improve the...
Read MoreBuyer Beware: Home Inspections
A home is typically the most expensive purchase a person will ever make. Because of this, as much as you may like that property you recently found, it’s critical to get it inspected before finalizing the deal. An inspection gives you an idea of the home’s physical condition, including the plumbing and electrical systems, the roof, attic space, walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, foundation, basement, tank and structural components. A home inspection addresses what needs to be repaired now and what might need to be repaired in the future. If you have a property inspected before...
Read MoreThe High Price of Ignoring Home Repairs
Home maintenance seems expensive – unless you’ve considered the astronomical costs involved with ignoring it. HomeInsurance.com and Redbeacon (a subsidiary of Home Depot) have teamed up to deliver this infographic, which examines some common home maintenance projects and the shocking costs that can result when they go neglected. Whilst the dollar figures are based on US costs, you still might just think twice before underestimating that leaky sink or faulty electrical outlet. Courtesy of: HomeInsurance.com and...
Read MoreKeep Calm and Hire Masterkey
Work, reading to your children, caring for elderly parents, party planning, cooking your famous chili, waiting for the plumber, dining with friends, working out, studying, cheering on your sports team, taxiing kids to their activities, finding a new tenant, fundraising, laundry, vetting quotes for your condo development, planning vacations, paying bills, volunteering, walking the dog, writing reports, grocery shopping…..and the list goes on! Your life is hectic. Your daily to-do list is overflowing with demands and you can barely manage! You seek more time, less worry and more...
Read MoreOrchestrating a Harmonious Renovation: Ensuring you and your contractor strike a chord
The buzz of the skill saw, the pneumatic bang of the jackhammer and the rat-a-tat of the hammer are the symphony of sounds that surround me. Yes – I am in the middle of renovation project! Finding a contractor who would perform quality work at a reasonable price was a daunting task. The following guidelines can help steer you away from unscrupulous, disorganized, inexperienced or financially troubled contractors who may deliver broken promises, bad work and blown budgets rather than professional results. First Impressions: In any business, first impressions are important....
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