Tag: Tips

Tips on Preventing Foundation Failure

Tips on Preventing Foundation Failure

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Foundation failure undermines your house’s integrity, presenting a severe safety hazard for your family. Turning to local foundation repair services is vital, but so is knowing when you need help. Learning to spot early signs of damage lets you respond as soon as possible, preventing the situation from growing worse.

A Sinking Feeling

It’s not uncommon for houses to “settle” over time, typically early on in its life. However, too much settling is a bad sign, as your house sinks into insufficiently backfilled soil underneath it, straining the foundation in the process. This is one of the most common causes behind foundation failure. Telltale signs that house settling is a serious issue include:

  • Stair-step cracks form in walls and siding
  • Doors and windows jam and fail to close
  • Floors and roof slope or sag noticeably
  • Chimneys lean away from the house
  • Water damage, often from cracked pipes

Depending on soil and foundation conditions, the foundation may sink uniformly or one section may sink more than the rest. The latter is a more serious situation, causing even more strain on the house and forming larger cracks and fractures as a result.

Common Foundation Threats

In many cases, foundational damage stems from problems during construction, when the underlying soil isn’t packed enough or the concrete is poor quality. Sometimes, though, the damage begins to set in some time later. Soil that was stable at first can be compromised by prolonged drought or excessive moisture, causing the soil to—depending on its composition—shrink or expand. Tree roots draining soil moisture, or poor drainage causing excess water to seep into the soil, exacerbate these conditions. If your house is on a slope or hill, gradual soil movement can, over years, cause the house to settle similarly. Such a house is also at risk of the underlying soil eroding during heavy rain.

When something feels off in your home and you suspect a weakened foundation is to blame, performing an inspection, or hiring professionals to do so, can be critical in preventing damage from worsening and costing more to repair.… Read More..

3 Best Ways to Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal

3 Best Ways to Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal

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Is your home in need of an exterior makeover? By selecting the right home improvement projects, you’ll be able to transform the appearance of your home. Here are three tried and true tips that will help you lift your home’s curb appeal.

1. Update Your Landscaping

Head outside and spend some time in your yard and garden to give your home an instant curb appeal lift. Keep your lawn green by mowing and trimming it regularly, and plant plenty of colorful flowers throughout your property to give your landscaping some added visual appeal. If you need help creating your dream landscaping, professional landscape services Memphis TN will help you give new life to your outdoor spaces. Once your landscaping is in excellent shape, you’ll watch your curb appeal truly blossom.

2. Repair or Replace Paved Surfaces

If your hardscape, including walkways and driveways, is looking cracked and damaged, you’ll need to get these areas in good shape if you want to improve your home’s curb appeal. Make small repairs and patches yourself, but larger paved areas should be replaced by a professional paving company. Instead of plain poured concrete, make your hardscape unique by upgrading to stamped or stained concrete.

3. Add Outdoor Lighting

Just like lighting sets the mood in your home’s interior, the right lighting can truly transform the exterior of your home. Place outdoor lighting throughout your property. Spotlights are great for highlighting the architectural qualities of your home, as well as your landscaping features. Use downlighting under eaves and above your garage door to give your exterior walls a soft, warm glow. You’ll be surprised at just how impressive your home will look with the right lighting.

If you invest in these home improvement projects, you’ll see a significant boost in your home’s curb appeal. You’ll soon have a more attractive place to call home!… Read More..

Tips for Maintaining an Aquarium

Tips for Maintaining an Aquarium

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Keeping a home beautiful brings to the fore people’s creative juices. For many pet lovers, keeping some sea life in an aquarium is their idea of decorating their homes. However, owning an aquarium comes with some responsibility. Here are some tips to help you maintain an aquarium at home.

Check on the pH Levels

When you have an aquarium, you are responsible for ensuring the cleanliness and health of the water. The most crucial part of this is monitoring the pH, and you can use a test kit to do so. The recommended pH level in an aquarium containing freshwater fish is 5.5 to 7.5. For saltwater fish, a pH level of 8.0 and above is suitable.

Provide Good Air Supply

An aquarium needs to be fitted with aeration systems that should be checked on from time to time. Automated electric systems work best provided there is a constant power supply. Another option is an open-top aquarium.

Replace the Water Frequently

Aquarium water needs to be changed often, and it is vital that the water doesn’t become stagnant. The waste that the fish produce, even though the water is filtered, can be harmful to their health, so make sure that a percentage of the water is replaced on a regular basis. With each water change, condition the water by adding the appropriate chemicals. Clean the sides of the tank each time so that the water stays clean and clear.

Ensure There Is Room To Roam

Fish are not static beings and will always be on the move. A mistake that many people make is having a small aquarium that is overpopulated. Buy a large enough tank so that the fish can swim freely without competing for space.

These tips can help any homeowner or pet lover become a friend to their fish. Most importantly, appropriately maintaining your tank should result in healthy fish that are fun to watch.… Read More..