Thursday, 29 September 2016

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.

Install a Heated Driveway; Melt your Troubles Away

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

Snow Clad Driveway is a Hazard in 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.

Tuesday, 27 September 2016

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.

Basement Lowering Technique for Strengthening Foundation
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.

Monday, 26 September 2016

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

Different Types of 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

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

Examples of Drain Filters

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

Plumbing 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.