If you have problems with moisture build-up in your basement, they could bring with them other problems. There may be a constant musty smell in the basement but this is just the least of your problems. Moisture also makes it easier for mold and mildew to grow which can be a real threat to the health of you and your family. These are just some of the fixes for consistent moisture problems in the basement.

Use latex water proofer

Latex water proofing mixes can be found in your local hardware store and should be used to fix small cracks in your wall that is allowing water to make it into the basement. First, clean the crack out with a stiff brush and then dampen the wall. Next, apply the water proofing mix to the crack. Start at the bottom and work your way to the top of the crack and make sure that the whole crack is filled in and sealed. You need to then soak the wall with some water and allow the mix to set in for at least 12 hours. Applying another coat after the first coat has set is highly recommended. These cracks in the wall can often lead to more cracks and may also get bigger themselves requiring more extensive repair. So, get to them before they become a bigger problem.

Use mortar

If you find larger holes in the basement walls, you may need to use some fresh mortar and use it to fill it in. You should start by chiseling a dovetail groove into the area that is cracked and stained from excess moisture. After removing all the debris, use a trowel to fill it in with mortar.

Use concrete sealer

Concrete sealer can be used to waterproof the walls of your house. You can apply a coat or two of sealer to all your walls. The sealer can also be applied to damp walls which makes it easier. Additionally, the sealer can be decorated to match the aesthetics of the rest of the basement.

Use a polyethylene membrane

A polyethylene membrane will prevent water from moving through the walls. You need to measure the area of the all you want to cover before you go out and buy the membrane. However, it does nothing to water which is already in the walls, so you may need to remove this water using a sump pump before you start.

These are some protective measures to keep water out of your walls. If you still have problems with moisture, consult a professional for more thorough solutions.

If you are thinking of installing new flooring in your kitchen, you have a lot of options in terms of the material you can use for the floors. This is a discussion of hardwood and vinyl. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages and this article will discuss some of the more popular flooring options for your kitchen.

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring is a good aesthetic choice. Hardwood is classic and modern at the same time and it will never look dated in your kitchen. In fact, most wood will weather beautifully over time and can look better with age. Hardwood flooring is also very durable and can last for several decades. Hardwood is best used in kitchens with an open floor plan to give it a nice warm and cozy feel and look.

You can also get pre-finished hardwood which is very resistant to moisture and can take spills very easily. In general, hardwood flooring requires very little maintenance. You also have the option between engineered wood planks and solid wood strips. Engineered wood planks, with their veneer of real wood and plywood at the bottom is a better choice because of its stability and resistance to moisture and temperature changes that will be common in the kitchen.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is best for kitchens which get a lot of use and where a lot of cooking is done. This is because they are the easiest to clean and maintain and is a resilient flooring option. It is also cheaper than most of the other options for kitchen flooring and is soft. This softness if good if you spend a lot of time hurrying around the kitchen as it will be easier on your feet and muscles. You can also have cushioned vinyl floors for even softer floors.

If you have a large kitchen, you will have to use several sheets which will mean that seams will be present and these can collect dirt and moisture.  Vinyl comes in a large number of textures and colors so you can find one that fits your kitchen quite easily. Vinyl flooring will also have a layer that is resistant to wear and can keep scratches and scuff marks off the floor. Linoleum is also a similar product but it is not as soft or durable. However, it offers a more eco-friendly choice of flooring.

Ask your contractor about the best option for you depending on your budget and needs.

Your kitchen is one of the most used areas in the house and is very hard to survive without. You may lose the use of it for a long time if you decide on renovating it, so make sure that you are properly prepared for the process. These tips will help you with a list of ideas for how to cope without a kitchen and how to make sure that all the work goes smoothly.

Be ready for increases in time required and budget

Estimations are never exact and you should be ready for the work to need more money or time, so you should always plan to budget more time and money than you think the work will need. Plan for the kitchen to be out of order for a few weeks.

Make sure the contractor has all the paperwork

Your local government may require the contractor to obtain permits, make sure they take care of this and that they have the permits before they start work. Get a timeline from them to know when the demolition will start and what the payment schedule is.

Clear out your kitchen

Start early, maybe a week before work is due to start, and begin clearing out your kitchen. Take this opportunity to get rid of items you do not use or need and then pack away the items that are used in very rare cases and label the boxes clearly so you know where to find them after work is finished. Transfer your essential kitchen supplies to the area where you are going to set up your temporary kitchen.

Prepare the furniture

Cover all furniture near the kitchen area with plastic or old cloth sheets and secure these with tape. This will keep your furniture clean and make cleaning the area easier once all the work is finished.

Setting up the temporary kitchen

You should set up the temporary kitchen in an area that has plenty of power outlets for the appliances. You can also get hold of disposable plates and cutlery to make cleaning up after a meal easier. You may need a microwave, toaster, coffee maker and hot plate and these may be sufficient for the time it takes to renovate your kitchen.

With these tips you should be able to minimize some of the inconvenience that a kitchen remodel can cause. You should always be well prepared and make sure that you reduce the strain on you and your family.

Making changes to your home decoration or a new home renovation may require a sizeable investment. It is best to make sure that you know the exact amount of the financial burden before you start planning and executing a home remodel. There are also several options available that can help when it comes to financing a home renovation. These steps will guide you through the process of financing.

Calculate the equity on your home

You should start by calculating how much equity you have in your house. This should let you know if you have enough to finance the cost of the renovation. Adding together the balances of current mortgages and subtracting this from the value of the house will give you an idea of the equity you have on the house. You can find a tax assessed value of your house on county auditor websites in your area.

Calculate the amount of money you will need to borrow

You need to figure out how much money you need to borrow and then calculate the loan to value. This can be done by adding the new amount loaned to any outstanding loans and mortgages you have on your house and then dividing the sum by your property value. This will give you your new loan to value ratio after you get the loan. This ratio is important as it will determine the interest rate you are charged.

Find the best lender to borrow from

Contact different lenders in the area and inquire about their rates and terms. It may be good to start your research with a lender you already borrow from as they may be inclined you offer you better rates or waive certain fees. The values you calculated in the previous steps should help you talk to the lenders and figure out the terms and rates.

Understand all the terms

After choosing a lender, discuss all options of equity you have available to you. Have your accountant or a friend with expertise explain the terms to you properly and make sure you understand all the terms fully. Inform your contractor about the time table of financing so they are ready to work as soon as you are ready with the financing.

These tips should help you understand the process of obtaining financing for your home renovation. It is important that you do not overextend yourself. A home renovation is a great investment into a house and will help its value rise.

You may need urgent repairs to your roof that you do not have the skills or the times to carry out yourself. This may mean that you need to bring in a professional roofing contractor. While this is the best idea in most cases, here are some things you should find out before you hire a roof repairing contractor.

Make sure they have the right licenses and permits

Most state governments require that the roofing contractor have a license from the state before they can start working on roofing. Always ask to see the license from the contractor before you hire him. Some states will also ask that the contractor obtain a permit for each project and make sure that the contractor you hire knows how to go about obtaining a license from the local government.

Ask for references and know their experience

Any good contractor will provide you with a list of reference to clients he has worked for in the past. You may give these clients a call and ask how the work was done and what kind of work it was. If you find that your chosen contractor has never taken on a project like yours before, you may want to find someone else.

Make sure you get a written estimate

Getting a written estimate will mean that you can challenge costs that you may find extraneous. You can ask that the contractor give you a detailed summary of all the work that is needed, what materials are needed, the expected completion date and the total cost of the project. You should also settle on payment terms and make sure that you do not pay cash up front.

Make sure your contractor has insurance

Your contractor needs to have insurance coverage for any damages that he may cause to your property while working on it. Any injuries suffered should also be covered under their insurance plan. This will make sure that you are not financially liable should anything go wrong

Ask for a warranty on the work

Make sure you get your contractor to stand behind their work by getting them to give you a warranty should anything go wrong with the repairs they have made. This will mean that should the repairs fail within the agreed timeframe, they will redo them without any charge to you.

With these safeguards, you will have less to worry about when you get your roof fixed.