Answer the Big Home Addition Question: Building up or Building out

Lack of adequate space can make coming back to your home a dreadful task. No one likes a crammed space. When you feel that your home is bursting at the seams, a home addition project can come to your rescue.

Building Up or Out: Find an Answer to the Home Addition Dilemma

Before beginning with the project, there is one important thing that deserves your attention. Do you want to increase the size of your home vertically or horizontally? Would you like a second story addition or is a simple bump out sufficient for you? Here’s how you can make a choice between building up and building out.

• Does it solve the Space Problem?

If you have additional space around your home and there are no zoning restrictions, homeowners consider building out to be the best solution. But, remember that the right decision comes with the right understanding of your requirements. Think about the current floor plan of your home. Do you think that a simple room addition will solve your space problems? Will a rear addition make the home spacious? Is a garage addition or a garage conversion the best solution for you? Home addition will make everlasting changes to your home. So, don’t forget to consider your future needs as well.

• Does it require more Efforts?

Building out or ground floor additions are easier than adding a second story to your home. It is because they cause less disruption. And, you may not need to alter the entire floor plan of your home. You can use an existing doorway or window to add a new room, saving you the efforts of tearing down the walls. On the other hand, if you are adding a whole new floor with bathrooms, you will need to extend the power lines as well as the drainage lines.

• Time is the Key

If you want to add space to a kitchen, it will not be a time-consuming task. It is because a small bump out doesn’t involve putting additional weight on the existing foundation. The home additions contractor will dig out the required area in the yard and lay a foundation to build the walls. It is as simple as that. But, a building up project will require him to make the foundation capable of bearing extra weight.

• The Burden of Money

When the home addition is complicated and time-consuming, your expenses will be high. But, it doesn’t mean that building out will be less expensive than a second-story home addition. If the access to the construction area is constrained or you need to install HVAC for the new room, the cost can increase. Even specific plumbing requirements can add to the cost. So, it is essential that you discuss the different cost centers before making the decision. 

Building Up or Building Out: The Final Decision

When it comes to choosing between building out and building up, it all comes down to making optimum use of available sources. Consider your preferences, the zoning laws of your area and choose the option that is the simplest, in terms of efforts, time and money. 

Remember that making the right decision is essential because it has the potential to put a permanent end to your space constraints. So, take your time and decide whether building up or building out is the right choice for your home.

Handy Tips to make your Home Halloween-Ready!

Thanksgiving is just over! You toiled hard in the kitchen and hosted a great dinner. But, do you think your home did not look as impressive as the wonderful dinner on the table? Do you want your home to be the talk of the town on Halloween? If you want to sway the guests on your upcoming Halloween party, you must start working on it. You not only should focus on finishing the home improvements tasks that you have listed down a while ago but also ensure that you bring out the scary Halloween decorations in style. 

How to impress Guests by decorating the Home for Halloween? 

When you are decorating your home for Halloween, scaring the guests becomes your prime purpose. But, it is all fun until a mishap happens in the form of fires, injuries, and falls. Here are a few handy tips to make sure that your home doesn’t prove to be a death trap IRL. 

Do not take it ‘Lightly’

Lighting can transform a beautiful home into a scary mansion. You can bring jack-o-lanterns to life with the right type of lighting. Even sensor-based lighting can give a thrilling look to your home. If you concerned about the electrical cost, consider using solar-powered pumpkin string lights or solar powered LED lights.

While setting up the lights, make sure that you follow electrical safety tips for Halloween. Make use of products marked for outdoor use and avoid open flame. Remember that darkness can add an eerie feel to your home. But, proper illumination will ensure that your guests, especially little costumed visitors, can walk easily and avoid injuries.

Simply look Sinister; not be

The walkway to your home may have a broken step. You may have several potted plants on the patio. The window panes may be broken. You will have to take care of every single thing that your guests may encounter while entering your home. It means decorating the landscape in such a way that it looks scary, at the same time, it guarantees safety. 

Rake dry leaves; fill in potholes and park the car in garage to clear the yard. Remove plants from the walkway, fix the wobbly railing, hammer down the nails in the deck, secure the scary decorations firmly to the ground and create a safe environment for everyone. 

A Trick-Proof Home

Halloween pranks are common, especially on “Devil’s Night”. But, you would never want miscreants egging or TPing your beautiful home. Also, you will have to think of preventative measures against theft and burglary. Remember that locking the doors and windows is not the only way to secure your home. You can hire a licensed electrician to install motion-sensor lights and alarms systems around your home. It will discourage miscreants from entering the property. Also, installing security cameras is a great way of keeping the burglars away.

If you are going to have a party in your home, it is essential to check the condition of smoke alarms. It will enable you to take prevent fire hazards. 

DIY is not the Right Answer to Every Question! 

Pinterest may have you believe that you can do every type of home improvement project on your own. While it may be possible for a few, not every homeowner can repair the patio, clear the driveway, trim the leaves, paint the deck and still have time for Halloween decorations. 

When you need your home to look scary good for Halloween, hire a handyman. You will find that several handymen not only offer professional home repair and maintenance but they also provide Halloween decoration services. Hire someone who offers comprehensive home improvement services that includes installing security systems. You can hire his services to take down the decorations as well. It will take the burden off your hands and make sure that you enjoy 31st of October along with other guests.

Halloween is known to be a scary, frightening holiday, but it doesn’t mean it should turn into a dangerous nightmare for you, your family and your guests. Hire a handyman to get your home ready for Halloween and enjoy spooky, safe night with your loved ones. 

Looking for an expert to take care of Halloween decorations? The Home Improvement Group is a home renovation contractor that offers comprehensive handyman services in Toronto. We will install the decorations efficiently. Our licensed electricians will take care of lighting installations and ensure that your home is Halloween-ready in no time.

Hire an Expert for repairing the Foundation of your Home

Homeowners spend money on cosmetic changes but they forget about the structural integrity of their homes. If you are a homeowner, do not think of making the mistake of ignoring the foundation of your home. If it is not strong enough to sustain the weight of the structure, no amount of home renovation projects can save it from deterioration.

It is essential to maintain the foundation of your home. If you see a problem, you must consider addressing it immediately. Repairing the foundation before it becomes a huge problem is the most affordable and cost-effective way of maintaining your home. 

Inspection is the Key

Not every issue in your home is the result of a foundation problem. So, do not worry about every small crack in the structure. But, it is not wise to adopt a lackadaisical attitude towards your property either. It is necessary to inspect it properly and look for foundation problems. Here are a couple of things that manifest problems with the foundation of your home:

• Are there multiple cracks in the walls of your home?
• Do you have doors and windows that do not close properly?
• Did you witness bulging floors and lopsided ceilings?
• Is mold growth a problem in your home?
• Is there a water infiltration problem?
• Have you noticed gas infiltration in your home?
• Have you experienced increase in humidity?

If you have found one or more problems in your home, it is wise to call a foundation repair contractor. Remember that it is essential to repair the foundation before it becomes a big risk to the health and safety of your family members.

If your home is old, it is essential to conduct regular inspection of the property. It will reveal hidden issues that have the potential to damage the foundation. Remember that the longer you wait to inspect the property, higher will be the costs of repairing the foundation. 

The Expertise of a Foundation Repair Contractor

If you are facing a foundation problem, do not worry. You do not have to tear down the structure and build a new one. Today, there are several methods of restoring the structural integrity and repairing the foundation that ensure minimum use of resources. 

Choose an expert foundation repair contractor who has a wide experience of managing different types of foundation problems. Find someone who offers you high-quality service and honest diagnosis of the situation. Discuss the foundation problems with the contractor and make a hiring decision after you consider your budget. 

Also, make sure that he provides service in your area. If you hire a contractor who doesn’t serve your area, he will charge you extra money for providing his services. So, hire a local expert to carry out the repair work. 

The foundation of your home is an integral part of your property. And, any foundation problem can cause a major financial trouble in the future. If you are interested in undertaking a home renovation project, do not focus on cosmetic changes only. It is because painting the walls and increasing the size of the kitchen can wait but repairing the foundation cannot.

Consult the expert foundation repair contractor of Toronto, PourConcrete.ca, to take care of the foundation problems in your home. We leave no stone unturned in providing you with a strong foundation. Get in touch today for foundation repair as well as foundation underpinning services in Toronto.

Install a Heated Driveway; Melt your Troubles Away

Winter is coming!

The motto of House Stark is a reminder to be vigilant. And, if you live in a cold region, you must start preparing for the winter season now. If you are a homeowner, you should consider renovating your home and think of ways to make your life simpler during the cold months of winter.

When you are thinking of caulking the doors and windows to prevent heat loss, do not forget the driveway. Homeowners do not consider driveway as an important part of the home and avoid renovating it. But, remember that a damaged driveway can cause accidents as well as ruin the curb appeal of your home. So, it is ideal to repair or replace a driveway before the arrival of the winter season.

Ready the Driveway for the Winter Season

Do you have to shovel snow off the driveway every day? Are you frustrated by the fact that you have to pay someone for removing snow? There is a solution to your problem. You can install a heated driveway and forget the trouble of tackling a shovel. It is the best way of melting your troubles away. 

It makes Sense

A heated driveway makes sense if you live in an area that receives heavy snowfall every year. For example, if you live in the Sudbury area of Ontario, a heated driveway can be a good option for your home. It is because the area receives an average annual snowfall of 103.7 inches. You can consider installing it even if you are living in other parts of Greater Toronto Area because the region receives heavy snowfall throughout the winter season. 

You may consider it as a luxury item and avoid it. But, before making any decision, remember that it provides you with multiple benefits such as:

• Protects your family from accidents
• Increases the life of the concrete driveway
• Reduces the damage by controlling the freeze-thaw cycle of the concrete material
• Reduces physical labor of removing snow from the driveway

If you do not want a heated driveway, you can buy a snow-blower. But, the machine is expensive. And, as it involves using the machine in low temperatures, it can become a nuisance for you. So, it is advisable to spend money on a heated driveway because it is a long-lasting solution to your problem. 

How does it work?

A normal driveway becomes cold in the winter season. So, it doesn’t melt snow effectively. It can cause problems in driving a car properly. But, if you have a heated driveway, the heat mechanism ensures that snow melts quickly and provides safety to you and your family members. 

Make a Choice 

Installing a heated driveway is not a DIY job. Hire an experienced concrete contractor to ensure your safety. But, it doesn’t mean that your work ends by hiring a contractor. In order to install a customized heated driveway, you have to make a choice between the two types of common heating systems.

1. Hydronic Heating System

It involves circulating hot water or anti-freeze liquid such as glycol through pipes in order to keep the driveway warm. The initial investment for installing the hydronic heating system is high because boiler and pipes are costly. So, the system is considered as an ideal choice for large driveways only. 

2. Electric Heating System

It involves using electrical cable for heating the surface of the driveway. Homeowners prefer the option because it doesn’t require a huge amount of initial investment. If you want to install the electric heating system, contact an electrical contractor to assess the electric panel of your home. 

Do not make a hasty decision of choosing the heating system. Remember that a heated driveway is a long-term investment that will make the unbearable winter season comfortable for you. It has the potential to melt your troubles away. So, consider your budget as well as your future needs before making a decision. Discuss your ideas with the concrete contractor and opt for a sturdy heated driveway within your budget. 

Pour Concrete, a Toronto’s trusted concrete contractor, is famous for installing heated driveways as well as repairing concrete driveway. Get in touch with the Toronto’s concrete expert for a free estimate.

Basement Lowering Technique: The Perfect Solution for strengthening the Foundation of your Home

A foundation of a home is similar to the legs of a human body. Just as strong legs support your body, a strong foundation will support your home. It is the key to a long-lasting concrete structure.

If the foundation of your home is not strong, you should strengthen it. One of the most suitable ways to build and maintain a strong foundation is the basement lowering technique. It not only adds extra space in your home but also gives you adequate scope for strengthening the foundation. 

In simpler words, basement lowering technique can be described as digging the basement floor and creating a new floor at a lower level. The technique is commonly used for increasing the overall height of the basement. But, it also guarantees a stronger foundation for your home. 

Benefits of the Basement Lowering Technique

The basement lowering technique is beneficial for homeowners in the following ways:

• It will increase living space for you and your loved ones.
• It can be used as a rental space and help you earn extra income.
• It will increase the overall value of your home.
• A healthy basement will keep the home free from molds, cracks, mildew and odor.
• It will allow you strengthen the foundation.

There are many benefits of employing the basement lowering technique. So, is it advisable for every homeowner? Remember that it is expensive. You will have to hire an experienced basement lowering contractor to supervise the work. So, it is necessary to employ the technique after thorough consideration. If you are on the fence and want to make a decision, consider the following points: 

Older the Home, Higher the Need

If your home is too old, basement lowering technique can prove to be a savior. It will not only strengthen the foundation of your home but also provide you with extra living space. If your home is more than 30 years old, chances are that the basement was not constructed with the purpose of utilizing it as a living room. You can employ the technique and lower the basement floor. It will help you to create additional living space in your home.

Fury of Weather

Harsh weather conditions can ruin a well-constructed building and damage the foundation. It will lead to problems such as basement flooding, entry of moisture, foundation cracks, water leakage, etc. If the foundation of your home is damaged, you can opt for the basement lowering technique. By employing the technique, you will be able to repair the foundation as well as improve its structural strength.

Problems in the Basement

The basement remains a neglected space in homes. But if you pay attention and make minor changes, you can transform it into a useful living space for your family. The basement lowering technique will help you increase the basement area and allow you to use it according to your will. You can create an entertainment area for the kids or create a home-office for your spouse.

If you are thinking of employing the basement lowering technique, you must consider your financial situation and the condition of your home. The technique is beneficial but it is definitely not a DIY job. Employ the technique only when you think it is necessary. Also, do not forget to hire an experienced basement lowering contractor because he will ensure total safety of your home. 

Pour Concrete is a basement lowering contractor with wide experience of foundation underpinning in Mississauga, Toronto, Brampton and other parts of Greater Toronto Area. Also, the contractor is a trustworthy name when it comes to bench-footing the basement.

Bid goodbye to Basic Plumbing Issues in your House

If you own a house, a basic knowledge of plumbing is a must. Many a times, sudden leakages or unexpected blocks disrupt the entire water flow of the house. Also, hiring a professional plumber is expensive and should only be done in case of a severe problem. 

Small DIY jobs such as fixing the basic plumbing issues cost you very little time and is less expensive as compared to hiring a professional plumbing contractor in Toronto and other areas of GTA. With a few quick tips in mind, you can sort out most of the plumbing issues on your own.

1. Know the Drainage Pipes

It is the foremost requirement, even if you own the house or not. You need to be aware of all the major and minor drainage pipes that lead to different parts of the house. It is important because when the need arises, you can know what the root cause of the problem is.

2. Proper Usage of Bathroom

Bathrooms are the most exploited areas of the house as major leakages and drainage blockages occur here. Many a times, people treat it as a garbage disposal alternative. Flushing of materials such as paper towels, cotton balls, hygiene pads, diapers, etc. can lead to severe blockages and bursting of drainage pipes. So, make sure the bathroom drainage pipe is free of all the waste materials.

3. Filters are your Friends

Wherever possible, try to install drain filters. They prevent the drains from clogging up with all the unnecessary clutter and debris. Remember to clean the drain filters from time to time so that any residue or oil is not accumulated because it can become a major obstacle for a free flowing drainage system.

4. Train with the Tools

Last but never the least; know all the plumbing tools available in the house. There are so many videos on the internet that can tutor you to operate them efficiently. Know which tool is supposed to be used in solving a problem before beginning any kind of repair work. A small mistake might cause you more money. So, it is better to start off with small repairs, rather than taking a big step in the beginning.

If you keep the above tips in mind, you can take care of basic plumbing issues arising in your house. Keep yourself updated with the latest tools and try to research online regarding the same. You might find numerous solutions for a single problem. So it is important to look for information properly and understand it thoroughly. Educating yourself about such small issues arising in the house can save you a lot of money and time. Also, it will help you in becoming highly independent.

Pour Concrete, a waterproofing contractor Toronto can ensure long-last solution to the moisture problem in the basement. If you want to get rid of damp floor and leaky walls, get in touch. The contractor even offers affordable basement underpinning services to increase the height of your basement.

Moisture Problem in the Basement: A Silent Killer of your Home

The best way to approach any construction related problem is to find a long-lasting solution to it. Similarly, with moisture problem in any part of the house, especially the basement, the best approach is to remove or control the source of moisture. 

A homeowner does not use the basement as much as any other part of the home. Usually, there are recurring problems of damage in the basement due to moisture. Excessive moisture can destroy the walls. It can cause the growth of microbes such as molds and mildew and lead to health problems. In short, it will kill the look of the basement and destroy the foundation of your home as well. 

Moisture problem in the basement can be solved through a planned way. The first step is to understand the cause of moisture. You need to analyze where the water is coming from, and what mechanisms permit it to enter the basement. Once you know the cause, only then you will be able to solve the problem efficiently. 

Causes of Moisture in the Basement and their Solutions

1. Improper Grading

During grading of the construction site, if the slope is inclined towards the walls of your home, then water will definitely get directed towards the basement. As a result, the soil used during the construction process will get loose and settle around your home. 

Solution: Fill the slope with a lot of dry sand so that it directs water away from the foundation walls. Once the soil takes the place of water, the basement can remain protected from moisture. 

2. Structural Defects

Cracks in the concrete blocks can lead to accumulation of moisture. Also, if floor joints are not properly connected to the foundation wall, it can lead to movement of the wall and allow water to enter the basement. 

Solution: You must take utmost care while building the foundation and footings. Also ensure proper connection between the foundation wall and structure above it. If the foundation of your home is damaged, you must contact a foundation repair contractor and obtain his expert help. 

3. Defective Drainage

Missing or defective gutters and downspouts from the roof redirect water directly to the foundation walls. Also, if a downspout has no extender, then a huge amount of rainwater will be deposited at a single location near the base of the foundation. 

Solution: Downspouts should be fitted correctly at required places where roof water gets collected. Take care of leakage from downspouts using correct waterproof sealers. Extensions, if any, should discharge water at least a few feet away from the walls of your home. If possible, build concrete slopes around the foundation walls to avoid water collection. 

4. Poor Construction of Window Wells 

An improperly constructed window well can be the source of moisture problem in the basement. It will direct water towards the foundation, rather than away from it. It might also lead to a situation of severe flooding. 

Solution: If you want to build a window well, make sure that it is covered properly so that it doesn’t allow water to come inside the basement. You must check the cracks in the window well and seal them regularly. 

Waterproofing Solution to end the Moisture Problem in the Basement

 

It is a good decision to manage a moisture problem with waterproofing solutions. You can select interior waterproofing solutions or choose exterior waterproofing solutions to keep moisture away from the basement. If the moisture problem is not severe, you can opt for interior waterproofing solutions as they are less expensive.

If you do not address the moisture problem in the basement, it can prove to be a silent killer for your home. So, follow a systematic approach of identifying the causes and find relevant solutions to them. It will lead you to a moisture-free home. 

A waterproofing contractor can ensure long-last solution to the moisture problem in the basement. If you want to get rid of damp floor and leaky walls, get in touch with Pour Concrete. The general contractor will provide effective waterproofing solutions as well as take care of foundation repair in GTA.