home repairs Archives — Beating Broke

Being a homeowner comes with a great deal of responsibility. To keep your home from falling apart or becoming a safety hazard, it’s important to do regular maintenance. Whether it’s roof inspections, power washing, or preventing air leaks, there are several ways to maintain your home. While spending more time and money on your home may seem like a burden, it’ll pay off in amazing ways you may not have expected!

1. Inspect Water Sources

As water flows into and out of the home, you must be mindful of the source and plumbing. 13 million households in the U.S. use water from private drinking water wells. The last thing you want for you and your family is to drink water that’s been contaminated because you didn’t maintain your well. Waterborne illnesses can cause gastrointestinal problems. Your local plumber should do inspections to ensure your pipes aren’t corrosive or create leaks. Leaking pipes not only waste tons of water in American households each year, but they can also cause water damage to the home.

2. Clean the Exterior

According to Zippia, there are over 9,424 pressure washers currently employed in the United States. Any algae growth can be unsightly and can create damage due to moisture. Regular power washing is a great way to remove it along with dirt and other bacteria from the exterior. It also aids in your home’s curb appeal, which is helpful in case you ever sell your home.

3. Add Security

Do you feel secure with your doors and windows? The doors and windows of your house should properly be sealed to prevent air leaks, water leaks, as well as intruders. If a person steals property or services worth $1,000 to $1,500, this is considered class B felony theft. However, if a person steals property or services worth more than $1,500, this is considered class A felony theft. You can help avoid any type of theft by installing custom steel or iron doors. Upgrading your home security system with smart locks and video surveillance is a great way to ensure there are always eyes on your home, even when you’re not there.

4. Protect Foundation

You simply can’t live in a house without a strong foundation. The best way to protect your foundation is to be mindful of any vulnerability to water damage. That’s why you should never skip your annual roof inspections. In the event of inclement weather, such as heavy storms, you should also have your roof contractor check your roof afterward. Water damage can creep into the foundation and lead to mold. Mold is a health hazard to you and your family’s respiratory health. By preventing mold, you can avoid costly mold remediation services or hospital visits for asthma. You’ll also protect your home value.

5. Utility Bills

Paying utility bills is a part of home ownership, and the better you maintain your home, the less you spend. As mentioned earlier, leaky pipes waste tons of water, which can lead to a high water bill. When you have cracks and other vulnerabilities in your roof, windows, and doors, it makes it easy for air to come in and out of the house. Such exposure makes it impossible to truly insulate your home during cold winters and hot summers to keep the air temperature comfortable for you and your family.

These are just some of the ways that you can properly maintain your house. Property maintenance goes a long way in keeping you secure and safe for years. You’ll save money on costly utility bills, prevent mold, and more. For more information on how maintaining your property can save you money, contact our team today.

Your master bathroom should be one of the most luxurious parts of your home. It’s where you go to prepare for your day in the morning and where you unwind at night. However, bathrooms become dated over time, and renovations can be very costly. Fortunately, there are many budget-friendly ways to transform your space.

Transforming Your Space with a Cost-Saving Strategy

If you’re sick of your bathroom, you are certainly not alone. According to Statista, in 2020, 33% of homeowners who renovated their master bathroom did so because they couldn’t stand the way it looked anymore. You might have installed a brand new bathtub or shower, and at the time, you couldn’t wait to bathe, but now it shows signs of wear and tear.

Trends come and go, and what looked stylish 10 years ago will seem dated today. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take inspiration from modern features and current color schemes, but consider that you’re about to devote a lot of time to creating your dream space.

Classic Versus Trendy

A common mistake people make is not separating classic versus trendy styles. Categorize the features in your bathroom that you know are popular right now and the ones you’ve seen in houses throughout the years. If you’re worried about your budget, the more classic styles you follow, the fewer long-term maintenance costs you’ll have.

Create a Blueprint

Before you begin, put a plan in place. It might sound obvious, but once you start building the room, overdoing the space might be tempting. Since you’re on a budget, you’ll need to get creative. Take some time to look at pictures, even if they’re of bathrooms that you could never afford to install as they are, and use that as inspiration for your blueprint.

Start with the basics. If you want to create a more peaceful room, then your instinct might be to pick a color scheme and paint the walls. Now, choosing the right shade will certainly optimize your space, but choosing the right lighting is crucial.

Choosing the Right Lighting

Bright lights can be too strong, and dim lights can be depressing. Overhead ambient lighting should be between 4,000-8,000 lumens. If you’re worried about it being too bright, consider adding a dimmer to tone it down. The lighting around your mirror should be at least 1,700 lumens. You can get creative when you pick the actual light fixtures; they don’t have to be expensive. Many of your local hardware stores will have economical options and a plethora of places to find what you’re looking for online.

Wall and Cabinet Color Schemes

People often use colorful paint on their walls and neutrals for their cabinets. Soft colors like lavender, light yellow, or sky blue will make the room more tranquil. Using a color like navy blue, a dark accent wall can also make it feel bigger. Think about the shades that make you feel the most peaceful, and swatch the walls before you begin, as sometimes the color looks different in the can.

According to a survey, almost 33% of homeowners prefer white finishes for their bathroom cabinets. It gives them a fresh and clean look and guarantees that they will match no matter what color you paint your walls. Even better, white paint costs a lot less than brand-new cabinets.

Decorative Pieces and Keeping Your Space Manageable

Choose some decorative pieces that enhance the space but keep it manageable. There’s a fine line between the two, but you don’t want to go to all this effort for the room to be cluttered. Choose some accent towels, a picture or two for the walls, and some candles.

Home renovations are expensive, but being on a budget shouldn’t stop you from creating your dream space. With some creativity and research, you’ll have a tranquil and inviting bathroom while expressing your style.

5 Ways to Invest in Regular Home Maintenance