Leaks | South Eastern Connecticut Landscaping

19 Jan

Learning From Your Mistakes: When Home Projects Go Bad

Author: admin // Category: Home Gardening, Tips

If you are reading this, then you are someone who loves the idea of fixing up your own home or making home repairs and saving money on hiring a professional. There is an awesome feeling you get when the drip on your faucet stops or the washing machine leak goes away and it is all because of you.

Then there are the other times. You know the ones I am talking about. The times when you get in over your head, screw it up or can’t even put it back together. These are going to happen, and when it does, there are do’s and don’ts you should follow, so you don’t end up making it worse. Instead, learn for the future.

1. Can you do a do-over. Certain repairs and remodeling can be done again without much issue. If the room you painted didn’t quite turn out or if after the pipes are all put back together but the sink still leaks, then it’s simple to just re-paint or work on the pipes again. This is not the case if you tore down a wall or disassembled a complex machine and can’t remember how to put it back together.

2. Ask some friends. So, you wanted to wallpaper the room, but by the time you finished, it had more wrinkles than an octogenarian. You have no idea what to do next. Then you remember that Phil wallpapered his den a few months ago, so why not give him a call? Friends are great for asking advice, especially if you know they have done a similar project before. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice if something goes wrong.

3. Stop where you are. If the time comes to actually call a repairman, then you might be tempted to put things back together again and save a little face. If you started taking apart the furnace to figure out why it’s knocking and just ended up littering your basement with furnace parts, then putting it back together again might actually make things worse for you and harder for the repairman. The last thing you want is the repairman asking, “How’d that get here?”

4. Watch the repairman. He may not like having someone over his shoulder all the time, but you’re paying, so he’ll get over it. Just because you couldn’t figure it out doesn’t mean you can’t watch how he does it and learn. Don’t be afraid to ask questions so you understand everything that’s going on. Then, next time something like this happens you can go, “Oh, I need a 3/4-inch Pinckney flange for this to work.”

A repair mistake or getting in over your head on a project isn’t the end of the world. Remember, we learn more from our mistakes than we do from our successes. Next time, you will do something different, and it will all come out OK in the end.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/juhansonin/3162532430/

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17 Jan

What’s In Your Crawlspace?

Author: admin // Category: Tips

crawlspace

Most of today’s homes have crawl spaces, but few of us ever venture up there. No one really likes to think of crawling up into that tight space, but there may be a few reasons to consider it. It is important to schedule an annual checkup for your crawlspace, since this can help you spot potential signs of trouble and get them stopped before they become larger issues. Let’s take a look at how to inspect your crawlspace for a very common problem and how to fight it.

If you live in a humid area, or your area gets a lot of rain, you may notice a mildew smell in the house that you can’t get rid of. Chances are, your crawlspaces have become damp and the mildew is forming up there. It is important to get rid of this problem as quickly as possible, since mold could also be forming inside that crawlspace. Take this opportunity to check your crawlspace and see what is going on up there.

Once you’ve determined that your crawlspace is indeed a bit damp, there are a few things that you will need to do. First, it is important to ventilate the area. Most crawlspaces are closed up all year round and little air can circulate through there. This creates the ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew spores. If your home does not have a vent, you will need to install one.

You can find appropriate vents at your local hardware store, and the process of installing them is quite easy. Locate a spot on an exterior wall and cut a hole through to the outside. Place the vent in, and properly secure it. You now have a way to get rid of that moisture buildup!

This will help, but you may also need to see what is causing dampness in your crawlspace. If the mildew is not severe, it may just be the side effect of living in a moist climate. If it is severe, chances are you may have a leak. You will need to inspect all the walls inside that crawlspace and look for any leaks that may be occurring. If you do find a leak, repair it immediately. Overtime, this can lead to serious water damage on your ceilings and walls.

Lastly, it is a very good idea to completely clean out your crawlspace. If you are storing excess insulation or even household items up there, remove them and find a new storage space. Insulation is a particularly nasty culprit when it comes to mildew and can be the source of a lot of mildew odor problems. If your crawlspace is permanently smelly, get fiberglass insulation that has a vapor barrier. Install this throughout the crawlspace, with the vapor barrier facing the top of the crawlspace. This will help keep the odors inside the space instead of in your home. This is a great solution if the damage has already been done and you need to get rid of the smell of mildew in your home.

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