How to Make Home Painting Enjoyable and Efficient

Painting the house isn't exactly the most exciting activity to do--you'd have to go through the process of strenuously removing furniture in the room, scraping, sanding, priming, taking down light fixtures, and lots of other drudging prep work. This home improvement activity could also get pretty boring at times, but there are easy solutions on how to make things a bit more bearable. Here are some ways on how to make DIY home painting easy and entertaining.

Turn up the Music - Painting a room takes a lot of time, so you will need something to accompany you in the background while you cover your walls. One of the most effective ways is by playing loud, lively music. Studies say that having music in the background helps a lot in a person's concentration and productivity, so have your favorite tunes ready.

Get Some Help from Friends - Ask your friends if they are willing to help out. Having someone to talk to, joke with, or simply listen to music with always succeeds in making a dull activity a little more fun. You can also ask some family members to join in--if you have teens, this is a perfect time to introduce them to some home improvement activities that will come in handy in the future.

Use Quality Painter's Tape - After you've moved your furniture, got rid of all the dust, grime and dirt from the walls, and making sure your surface is dry and smooth, it's time to protect the doors, windows, ceilings, and other spots that shouldn't be painted.

Make sure you use quality painter's tape, to ascertain that the paint will not seep under and result to uneven edges. Some of the cheaper ones in the market have the tendency to peel off the paint as you remove tape. You will need to shell out a little bit extra money for this, but this will be a good investment.

Use Drop Cloths for the Floor - After you've covered all the necessary items with painter's tape, it's time to cover the floor. Put lots of drop cloths in the floor so it's protected from paint drips and spatters. Some people choose newspaper or plastic as covers, but these could get you in trouble if you're not careful, as newspaper tears easily, and plastic is light and slippery. Drop cloths are one of your best bets in protecting your floor while you work.

Wear Old Clothes - It's not only the wall that will get painted--your clothes and shoes will most likely get some coats and sprays as well. Make sure you use clothing that can get dirty so you can move with ease.

Use Paint with Primer - Primers act as paint adhesion protection, and water sealant. If you're painting a light shade over dark or using latex to cover oil-based paint, you will need to prime your surface first. Basically, painting on any type of non-paint surface requires priming, so this is a step that must not be missed. Normally, you would have to do priming and painting separately, but there are lots of paints with primers in the market today--using these will save you a lot of time.

Have a good time - Set your mind by thinking that once all of the prep work and all the paint processes are done, you'll have a better looking space. Painting is a tough job, but applying all the aforementioned tips, you'll be surprised at how you could easily transform it into a fun and enjoyable activity.

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Things to Consider Before Deciding to Undertake Your Own Painting and Decorating

Decorating your home yourself can be fun, but it is also time consuming and if it is done wrong you may need to go ahead and hire someone to do the job right. Painters and decorators have experience to know what will work best for your decorating needs.

What your painting contractor will need to know about the job

Before you talk to painting contractors you need to know some things about the job so you can provide important information they will need for planning the staff, supplies and schedule.

· Which walls is the contractor painting? Inside, outside, a particular room or wall? How tall are the walls? If ladders are needed they will need to prepare for that.

· What kind of walls are going to be painted (bare walls, stucco, wooden)? This is important because if it is a fresh unpainted surface for example, primer will be needed. Depending on the colour chosen for the paint, the primer may need to be tinted. Or if a home's previous owner had wall paper; you will need to indicate if the paper will have to be removed before painting. Just the removal of wall-paper changes the scope of the job with different supplies, particular staff skilled for the job and supplies needed.

· When does the job need to be completed? This is an obvious question that homeowners do not always think of when they are in the throes of planning. The job may seem so simple to slap some paint on the wall, but the devil is in the details and does not always wear a watch. You should be able to let him know when you want the job done so he can plan his schedule.

Of course, there are other questions but these are three basic ones to start the conversation. You should prepare a list of details about the job before you even begin to look into interviewing painting and decorating companies. The decision making process is hard if you do not know about their business requirements, who is skilled to do the job, or how to protect your home when they are working in it.

Start the conversation with these basic questions:

· Are you licensed or certified for home decorating and painting?

· Are you bonded and insured against onsite injuries or home damage?

· Do you have references from past clients I can see and talk to about your work?

Plan your next decorating job in your home with a list of prepared questions and answers so that everyone knows what is expected before they even get started on the job.

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Choosing Beautiful Colors for the Residential Painter to Use in Your Home

When it comes to choosing gorgeous colors to personalize the interior walls of your home, you may not be brave enough to use bold colors like deep blue, barn red, dark violet, or stunning teal. However, with a few tried and true steps, you too can begin to enjoy the bold, bright, and beautiful colors that will liven up your home! And with the help of a residential painter, those colors will delight your senses as soon as you'd like.

If you're having trouble choosing colors, narrow down your choices by choosing three of your favorite color groups. All colors fall within seven categories: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. Once your three groups are chosen, you've considerably narrowed down your options. Now it's time to take a walk around your home.

Look for colors throughout your home which fall into the categories that you've chosen. You'll probably find many shades of those favorite colors throughout your home. From the pillows on your couch to the artwork on your walls, you'll be provided with many options! Once again, take your time and choose your three favorites. Now it's time to head to the store.

At the store, search for the colors you've chosen from the items already in your home. You may even want to bring the items with you and compare the colors to the sample sheets. Begin by looking at the darkest color on the swatch. If you like that one, you can safely assume that you'll be able to use it or one of the lighter shades. However, if you begin with the lighter shades, all the colors begin to look the same. If this task is too daunting, you can have a residential painter bring samples to your home.

Before you purchase the paint, you'll also need to consider what finish you'd like. A flat finish provides color without shine. Satin (or egg-shell) offer a fairly flat finish that's easily cleaned. Satin is ideal for homes where little children live. Fingerprints and other stains are easily scrubbed from the walls without removing the paint. Semi-gloss has a glossy finish that is also easy to clean.

Once you've decided on colors, shades, and finishes, purchase a sample of each color you're thinking of using. Paint a 4-inch square on your wall and observe the effect for at least a day or two. You'll see how the color looks during the bright sunlight of the day, during the dusky morning and evening lighting, and during the low light during the night. If you still like the color, contact your residential painter and let him know you're ready to add some color to your walls!

You deserve to make your home your own and enjoy every minute you spend within its walls. Choosing beautiful colors will create an environment you'll love!

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The Best Paint Colors for a Small Space

Are you still under the misconception that a completely white color palette will make a small apartment or house appearing even larger? This couldn't be further from the truth!

You don't have to live in a stark white environment if you're trying to make the most out of a cramped living space. Instead, you can choose your color palette wisely to make small rooms appear larger and help crowded areas seem warm and inviting.

Here's where to begin...

Paint with Sharp Colors

Instead of going with a dull color palette for a tiny apartment, it's better to paint with vibrant, sharp colors in your theme. This may include electric blue, bright fuchsia, sunny yellow, and vibrant green instead of less intense hues.

The trick to painting a small home or apartment? Use sharp color combinations while leaving negative space in between to enhance the openness of a limited area.

In addition, it also helps to use unexpected accent colors to draw the eye away from a small room in a home. For example, a bright splash of color on a living room wall can add an element of excitement to a room.

You can also start out on a bold note by painting an entryway in a dark, rich hue to transition into a lighter, brighter color palette in the dining room, living room, and kitchen so that other areas of the house appear roomier in comparison.

Consider the Function of Each Room

If you're focusing on one small room in your home, like a breakfast nook, it may do best with a bright jolt of color to add energy to the space. For example, a breakfast nook can be painted in sunny yellow or a deeper hue, like cinnamon.

In a space like a breakfast nook with little natural light, deep colors often work best since incandescent lamps may be used for lighting; artificial light will help deep hues like crimson or cinnamon to appear richer and fuller.

Conversely, a tiny bathroom may fare better with soothing, cool shades like pale green, blue, or lavender. Nonetheless, this doesn't mean that you have to avoid vibrant colors altogether. A lively hue used in a small space can still pack a powerful punch.

Add a Cozy Element

When in doubt, there's nothing wrong with sticking with a neutral shade in a dark room with little lighting. For example, a small bedroom will do well with a dark, comforting paint color like gray, which can help a tiny room to feel even cozier.

In this case, a small living room or bedroom will benefit from a dark, deep color that can provide comfort and even promote relaxation in the absence of natural light. When painting with a dark color in a small room, make sure to decorate to provide balance with lighter shades of gray and cream in bedding or living room furniture.

The good news is that painting a small space to help it appear larger isn't governed by one set of rules. You can use bright hues to liven up a little room or stick with dark neutrals to help a tiny room feel cozy and inviting.

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Why You Shouldn't Try to Paint Your House Yourself

If you are moving home and trying to encourage a sale, or if you just want to give your property a lick of paint for your own satisfaction and out of respect for the neighbors and the neighbourhood, then painting your building is one of the very best ways to do this. The fact is that our walls take up by far the largest surface area of our property and so this is the best way to make the biggest impact to the appearance of the building.

When you decide to go ahead with this renovation you then have two options - to do the job yourself, or to hire a professional in to do it for you. So what do you do? Well by far the best option is to go with the professional service - and here we will look at why that is.

Time

First of all, few of us have time to paint our entire house and this is something that takes a considerable amount of time. When you hire a painting service, that's their job so they are going to work on it eight hours a day until the job is complete. This then means there's minimal time where the house is left looking blotchy and uneven and worse than it did before you started, and it means the whole ordeal will be over sooner.

Appearance

Of course a professional service is going to do a much more professional job than you will when they paint your home. This isn't a dig at your painting skills, it's just a simple fact seeing as they will be doing this on a daily basis and will have had professional training. Painting a house is harder to do than you might think, and if you try to do it yourself you will inevitably end up with streaks, air bubbles, marks where you leaned against the wall with the ladder (it takes a lot of forward planning) and places where the rain ruined your still-wet paint. If you are painting your house in order to sell then of course this rather defeats the object.

Safety

Another matter that you need to consider is your safety. If you are up on a ladder with a bucket of paint and a strong wind blows then this is very dangerous indeed and you can easily fall and seriously injure yourself. It's only safe to paint your house if you are a professional, if you have the right equipment, and if someone is there to hold the ladder. Do it yourself and you will be putting yourself at serious risk.

Cost

So painting the building yourself will save you money of course, but you might be surprised to learn that you'll save a lot less than you at first thought. You will save money on the labor yes, but you will still lose money on the paint you buy (which a professional service will get at discounted prices) and on the equipment like the huge ladders that will rarely get used again.

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What Do I Need to Make More Money As a Painter?

Marketing, competitive prices, and providing satisfactory work are all important aspects of finding clients and earning money as a painter. But if you'd like to make more money, you may find that presenting a more professional image and more professional qualifications can help you snatch up clients you may otherwise have missed out on in the past. While some are content to hire anybody with a few good references, other homeowners want to know that their painter-or any other contractor for that matter-is certified, has gone through proper training programs, and may even be a member of a professional organization or two.

According to the EPA, "federal law requires that: renovation firms must be certified under EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, individuals must be trained in lead-safe work practices, and training providers must be accredited by EPA." With the health implications of lead paint now better understood, more homeowners are concerned with hiring painters who have been properly trained in such a manner. Most painting firms require their workers to undergo proper training in this regard.

Seeking out and attending proper training programs pertaining to lead-safe painting and other subjects can help set you apart from local handymen who may not have took the time to seek such training and certification. You may find that no matter how competitive you try to make your pricing, some homeowners will not be receptive to your services if you do not have the proper training and certification. And when they're spending money to paint their home, it should only make sense they seek out the most qualified individuals around.

Being licensed and insured is also important as a painting contractor. Responsible homeowners will ensure that anybody they hire to work on their property is properly licensed and insured. This is a careful measure that all homeowners should take, as any uninsured contractor who sustains an injury on their property may leave the homeowner legally liable. If you are not insured and/or licensed, you may find that many homeowners will not hire you based simply on that fact.

So take the time to receive the proper training and certification, seek out proper licensing, and make sure you are insured. It may also help to explore some professional painting organizations, who may help you network within the industry and could even help you make a more professional impression simply based on your membership alone. It also helps to learn as much about your industry as you can, and these organizations are great ways to do that.

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Preparing a Room Ready for Decoration

In this article, I will explain the best practice for preparing a room, ready for painting and decorating. Before any painting can begin, there are a few things that have to be done first, one of which is protecting all surfaces and furniture. There are numerous different dust sheets available at all good DIY stores and it's important to get the right one for the surface that requires protecting. For carpeted floors, its best to use cotton based dustsheet as any paint that drips onto the sheet will be soaked into the sheets itself, rather than sitting on the top, ready to be walked everywhere! For wood and ceramic floors it is also best to use cotton as sheet, as they will be less inclined to slip on the hard surface. Plastic sheets are pretty inexpensive and are a good way to protect furniture and fittings, with having the added benefit of being extremely light weight, thus making them easy to move around and store. It is also a good idea to mask off all sockets and switched prior to painting, using a general masking tape that can be purchased from any DIY store.

Next, we move on to the actual preparation of the surfaces that are going to be painted or wallpapered. If the surface is going to be wallpapered, any existing wallpaper must be removed before any new wallpaper is applied. This can be achieved by using a wallpaper stripping knife, water and if the paper is really stubborn, a steam stripper. When all the existing wallpaper is removed, it's time to move on the preparing the walls ready for decoration. For holes and cracks its best to use a powder filler that requires mixing. It is possible to purchase ready mixed fillers but in my experience, these tend to be a lot more difficult to rub down when the time comes. Filler should be applied to cracks and holes in stages if they are particularly deep. It is also good practice to leave the filler slightly proud of the surface; this can then be sanded back to a smooth surface using some sand paper. For rubbing down plastered walls, I recommend using a sand paper of 120 grit or higher to minimise the risk of scratching the walls. Cracks between woodwork and walls and ceiling should be filled using decorators caulk but this should be used sparingly, using only what is absolutely necessary to fill the crack.

Once all this is completed, you're ready to get painting!

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DIY Improvements: Painting a Rendered Wall

In intense heat and sunlight, rendering can tend to crack and split, destroying the look of your exterior and exposing the materials underneath to wind, water, and more sunlight and heat. Also, applying this sealing coat can prevent moss buildup and dampness from soaking into the wall, as the surface of render treated walls are highly absorbent. Painting can be one of the most cost effective ways to improve your home's exterior, both because of the ease of application, and the actual cost of materials. Painting a cement render wall can look clean and modern, adding value to your home instantly.

Materials You Will Need

First, take note that if you have not worked the rendering yet and you are still at the initial phases of treating the wall, you can arrange to mix in one of several tinting oxides into rendering products that will completely change its color. This can save you a lot of time and money. If you are painting a pre-existing cement render application, there are several tools and products you should gather before starting work. You will need to rent, borrow, or purchase a power washer for cleaning the hardened surface of the wall. A simple water hose will not likely have enough water pressure to do an effective job. You will also want to purchase moss killer, a 4" masonry brush or a 4" exterior paintbrush, a paint stirring stick or drill attachment, primer or stabilizer solution (enough to do the job, consult guidelines on the can), a can of masonry paint (enough for at least two coats), safety equipment such as goggles and gloves, and cleanup equipment such as shop towels and protective sheets.

The Process

Painting can be the easiest task in the world with proper planning. First consider the time of year and current weather conditions before you start a painting project. Like with renderers, you do not want to paint in the hot dry months nor do you want to apply it in the pouring rain. Wait for a dry day with mild temps and you'll want at least 4 of these in a row, so keep an eye on your local weather. On the first day, power-wash the wall and get all the dirt, grime, and dust off of the wall. You will want to apply paint onto a wall that is as smooth and clean as possible for best results. Treat the wall with moss killer and let it dry overnight. On day two, apply a stabilizing solution to the wall. It is important that you wear goggles and protective gloves. Simply pour a small amount into a paint kettle and using the edge of your 4" brush (an exterior one will be easier to work with the edge) Use this to cover the wall.

Note: You cannot apply this product with sprayers use must use brushes or a roller if you are working a large area.

On day three you can lay protective sheets down and begin painting with the masonry paint. One with good moss and moisture block will be fine and you can also get these tinted at the store or buy the oxides to tint them yourself. The paint is very thick, so you will want t stir it with a stick or with a specialized drill attachment. Again, use just the edge of the brush and paint side to side, up in down, in all directions to completely cover the area. Using a masonry brush is a great idea here because you'll want to work the paint into all the cracks and creases that can form along the wall. Sometimes even the best applied renderers can crack and expose beams or joints in a wall. If this happens, you will want to seal the beams by applying primer with a rust sealant before applying masonry paint.

Finally, on day four, you simply want to apply a second coat of paint to ensure the color will last and look even. You have now finished painting a rendered wall!

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Why You Need A Builders Survey When Buying A New Home

Homes are not a low cost commodity and so you have to be sure you are investing in a structurally sound commodity when buying. A Builder's survey is one of the most sure fire ways to be sure you are getting something worth that money you're investing.

Consequences

According to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, only about one fifth of home owners actually go through with a building survey before they purchase a home. This for many has meant long and painful tenures as the home they buy is not often as it seems and there can be underlying issues you'll never realise without a survey.

Older Buildings

Builders surveys are more in depth than a home owners survey and often take about a day to complete. Though, for newer homes a home owner's survey may suffice it is advised that if you have an older property that you get a builder's survey done as they are likely to have far more issues. Older homes have structural problems as they are often built with less modern materials, are built without the knowhow of today and also are just old.

Damp

Wet and damp are very prevalent problems in the UK and though it may not be evident upon a first viewing, damp can play a terrible price on your home. Many older homes aren't damp proofed and this wet can get into walls and other areas that can really cause long term damage to the building. Damp can cause anything from unsightly stains, to more serious issues such as crumbling walls and ultimately the destruction of a home. A good builder surveyor will find any damp issues and notify you about any problems and how serious they are. Damp on timber is especially serious and as many older homes have a lot of timber in their construction, this can be detrimental.

Insulation and Drainage

For many homes insulation and drainage can be of serious issue. You may not realise how serious these issues are without an insight into the home by a building surveyor. If you understand how well the drainage in the home is working, as well as how much insulation there is you can account for something that could potentially cost a lot of money. A well insulated home will also save you a lot of money on power, heating and electricity and so can save you the price of a building survey within a year. It also has a lot to do with the damp a house may undergo.

Further Inspections

If a building surveyor under covers something that looks quite suspicious and could have a serious impact on the home and your living in the home, then he may advise you to get a further inspection. This inspection will allow you to determine how serious the problem is and then make a decision on whether you wish to go ahead and purchase it obviously.

So, as you can see building surveyors are almost essential in home buying.

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Reasons For Asphalt Option Over Concrete And Gravel Pavements

Oftentimes, you are in a quandary as to what kind of pavement should you choose. Your options can range from the gravel kinds to the concrete or asphalt. The asphalt kind is usually chosen as this is better than the other two. However, the cost of asphalt paving can be more expensive than concrete or gravel. Nevertheless, you enjoy more benefits in the decision to have asphalt.

There are homeowners who give less concern on the pavement of their driveways. But since this driveway is a part of your property, it should be made in a way that will add value to your property. Depending on where it is constructed, your driveway can be the first line of view by people passing by the property's curb.

In order to add value, money-wise or aesthetic, your choice has to be made from three kinds such as asphalt, concrete and gravel. There are kinds that need more maintenance, repair or replacement. Why would you want this kind? One that last longer may be the asphalt pavement. Although this may also require maintenance, your task will be lesser compared to the other two. Asphalt pavement had withstood the test of time. And when properly taken care of, this will maintain is appearance.

Asphalt pavement actually consists of a mixture of concrete and petroleum. Its composition enables it to handle heat, weight and wear and tear of use. This is the reason why highways and public roads are constructed with asphalt material; they can endure the wear and tear caused by thousands of vehicles traveling along these roads every day. Aside from durability, there are other advantages in the use of this kind of paving material.

Compared to gravel, asphalt is smoother and more clean-looking. It is easy to shape and spread. As this looks more appealing, it tends to add beauty to your outdoor. This can hold the appearance for longer period than gravel and concrete. Once this is laid properly and hardened, the asphalt pavement may not need replacement. Another factor why this can retain pristine appearance is its resistance to oil spills and other pavement stains.

Although this recommended driveway pavement is more expensive that concrete and gravel, the durability can compensate for the cost. In the end, since no repairs are needed, your cost will be lower in the long run.

Care for the asphalt calls for proper sealing so that it can resist the incurrence of cracks, breaks and potholes. As for maintenance, the grass that grows on the edges should be regularly removed to avoid any future problems. You should remember that when not properly sealed, this can be susceptible to damages caused by heat and ultraviolet rays of the sun. However, when this is properly sealed, it definitely is the best choice for pavement.

In order to be assured of the accomplishment of proper spreading of the asphalt pavement, you should choose the right and experienced contractors. Be sure to check on the qualifications of your contractor and the price quotes. They can vary in their prices. But then, there are great contractors offering lower prices. Check the internet.

How to Avoid Mold Menace in Your Home   Hiring and Managing a Home Renovation Contractor - The Do's and Don'ts   Radon Resistance Features and Detecting Test Interferences   What's Involved In Inspecting The Roof During a Home Inspection?   Reasons For Asphalt Option Over Concrete And Gravel Pavements   

House Surveys Explained - What Different Types of Surveys Are There?

As there are a number of different kinds of house surveys and reports it can often be a struggle to determine what each one is for and what each one meets. However, each survey has its own particular benefits and performs an individual action.

Though, they may seem the same, each has its own purpose. So, what does each report do and for what scenario is it suitable?

Home Buyer's Report

This type of report is specifically performed when looking to purchase a property. It is designed to highlight problems with the structural safety of a home and provides a general oversight of a home prior to purchase. It looks out for the most major issues with the property, such as problems with dampness, or roofing amongst, other areas. It is not meant to provide granular detail, but an overview of a property prior to commitment by the purchaser before entering into an agreement to buy a house. Generally the home buyer's report takes between 2-4 hours to complete and is carried out by an independent reporter, who will let you know of any issues that may arise and which may require further investigation at a more in-depth level.

Building Survey

This is more suited to older residences, or homes that aren't built from standard materials, such as timber homes or homes with a thatched roof. They take up to a full day to complete and are a more rigorous survey than the home buyer's report. This report will look in depth at the structural soundness of the building and determines whether there are problems. As it's more descriptive and takes a deep look into the house and its structure, it will usually show issues, though this doesn't mean you shouldn't purchase the home. The high level of detail means few homes will ever come clean from this report. Building surveys are performed by members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Naturally, the cost of a building survey tends to be considerably higher than that of a general homebuyers report.

New Build Snagging

The snagging survey, as you may have guessed, is performed on new build properties. It is usually carried out by the house builders themselves and the homeowners prior to sign off of the property as completed. Snagging list items can range from tiny paint overspills to issues with dripping taps, loose tiles, poorly siliconed sealants, right up to major issues with the property, including structural cracking and roof problems. In the event that the purchaser is unhappy with the snagging list carried out with the property developer or an issue arises at a later point with the new house, an independent surveyor may be called out to go over a snagging list again.

Valuation Survey

This survey is performed by the mortgage lender to ensure the price of the home is worth the mortgage. This determination of market value aims to ensure that the property will not go into negative equity if the lender has to sell it and the amount lent by the mortgage company will be covered at the very least (however, in a turbulent economic climate of course, this may still be unavoidable). These surveys are generally carried out in a few hours, but are often an obligatory requirement prior to release and approval for a mortgage on a property.

Energy Performance Certificate

This survey looks into the energy performance of a building and determines whether it is efficient enough to be rated above the average in the UK. The survey determines the efficiency of a building on a scale of A-E, with A-C being more efficient than the average UK home. This survey is arranged by the seller of the home and is now an obligatory requirement as part of the sales process. Knowing the energy efficiency of a building can save you thousands in the long run. The survey looks at issues such as ventilation, insulation, lighting, heating, and other 'green' elements which may affect the overall energy efficient nature of a property.

Finding A Surveyor

If you're considering finding a surveyor to carry out one of the surveys detailed above you should ensure that you compare several quotes from surveyors as you should with any type of service provider.

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4 Home Inspection Tips for a Buyer's Peace of Mind

Buying a home is a major event for most people. Since we do it so infrequently, there are many facets of the process which are not familiar to the average buyer. One very important aspect of the home buying process is getting a professional home inspection.

Home inspections can uncover hidden flaws an untrained person would not notice. Sometimes the inspectors discover defects that could cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to correct. Even when they discover minor flaws, you can add to your contract that the seller will correct them. Alternatively, you will have some ammunition to possibly negotiate a lower price. Here are a few inspection tips:

Home Inspection Tip No. 1

Be sure to select an inspector who has had training and a lot of experience in inspection. An experienced inspector will be familiar with good construction methods, and will recognize any visible defects in the structure, or in the installation of ancillary systems such as electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. He or she will likely be aware of current recalls of various appliances and what options are available to owners.

Home Inspection Tip No. 2

Choose an inspector from the local area. An inspector from the area will be familiar with local building codes. He or she will also be familiar with common problems associated with the neighborhood, and with individual home builders in the area.

Home Inspection Tip No. 3

Be sure you are present and tag along with the inspector while he or she inspects your potential purchase. Most inspectors prefer you to be there so they can point out specific defects, as well as the good features of your prospective purchase. This will give you a much better understanding of the items in his or her report. Ask questions about anything you see or don't understand.

Home Inspection Tip No. 4

Don't plan on doing your own inspection. There are hundreds of items that need to be inspected. Without formal training or years in the home construction trades, the average person will not be able to recognize many potential defects. A professional home inspection only costs a few hundred dollars to protect your investment of more than 500 times as much. This is no time to be penny wise and pound foolish.

You will get an unbiased evaluation from your inspector. You should expect to get a detailed report, with a description of both good and bad findings, along with appropriate diagrams and photos as necessary to document those findings.

Following the tips above will make you aware of any potential problems, and allow you to proceed with your transaction with the confidence that you are buying a sound property, or will be once any potential defects are addressed. A thorough inspection takes the emotion out of the equation, and gives you peace of mind knowing you are making your decision based on the facts.

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Home Buying Surveys - Essential Steps

When looking at a new property you may have organised all your searches and surveys but have you forgotten an important one?

The compulsory drain inspection only requires that the manhole be lifted and nothing more.

This means that there could be any number of problems with your drain system that will go undetected until it becomes a serious problem that could cost thousand. Replacing collapsed drains is costly, disruptive and to be avoided if at all possible. More seriously a drain seeping into the ground can affect foundations in extreme cases.

The good news is that you easily check the condition of the drains by having a CCTV drain camera survey of your drains carried out. This can be done by your local drainage contractor for a relatively low cost and will provide you with a video record of the condition of your drains. They will be able to highlight any problems such as displaced joints, cracked pipes and root penetration and will be able to give you a copy of the survey either on DVD or more commonly as an MPEG4 video.

Many of the common problems can be fixed without the disruption and cost of digging up pipes to replace them. Most drain camera systems also measure the distance that the camera has travelled so that it is easier to locate problems more accurately and other systems have a transmitter called a sonde that will allow the contractor to detect the exact location of the camera underground. This means that even if they do have to do some digging it will only be exactly where it is needed. Often repairs can be carried out without any need for digging by making use of "trenchless technology" to mend cracked and damaged pipes.

Compared to the massive cost of damaged foundations or a ruined garden getting your drains surveyed is a small investment that will give you peace of mind and could save you a lot of money and disruption. It is also a great tool if you are trying to sell your house. For the low cost of a survey you can give prospective buyers the peace of mind of having the survey but as a side benefit they will probably feel assured that you are the sort of person who looks after your home well and may feel more comfortable purchasing from you rather than a less conscientious home owner.

Call you local drainage contractor and organise a drain camera survey to make sure you don't get caught by hidden trouble.

How to Avoid Mold Menace in Your Home   Hiring and Managing a Home Renovation Contractor - The Do's and Don'ts   Radon Resistance Features and Detecting Test Interferences   What's Involved In Inspecting The Roof During a Home Inspection?   Reasons For Asphalt Option Over Concrete And Gravel Pavements   

Top Causes of Indoor Air Pollution

For a homemaker, it would be very difficult to believe that the home can be a hot spot of air pollution. After all, the family home is considered to be the safest place where one can take rest after a hard day's work in the outside world. But the truth about the matter is that there are unique situations in the home that can be a catalyst of indoor air pollution, and if left unattended, this can cause serious health problems for the whole family. It would be wise therefore for any homemaker to exercise caution and stay alert for any circumstances or signs that the home is turning from being a safe place for the whole family into a health danger zone.

There are several factors that can affect the quality of indoor air in the home. One of these factors are poorly maintained air conditioning units and heating systems (HVAC System). A HVAC system that is not properly maintained can very well contaminate indoor air with toxic pollutants. It is therefore very important that homemakers regularly check their home's HVAC system for indications of a breakdown and have it fixed right away before it comes to be a cause of serious health problems for the whole family.

How does a malfunctioning HVAC system bring about indoor pollution? There are several mechanisms by which air pollution is caused by a broken HVAC system. For example, filters that are not properly cleaned or replaced on a regular basis can contribute to indoor air pollution. Another potential source of home air pollution from a broken HVAC system are the air conditioner's vents. When vents are not properly cleaned, it breeds molds and bacteria which can very well circulate with the air inside the home.

Compared with newer homes, older homes are more likely to be affected with indoor air pollution caused by malfuctioning HVAC systems. This is due to the fact that older homes typically use older air conditioning and heating systems. Because such systems make use of older technology, it follows that it is less effective than the newer systems when it comes to the maintenance of a good indoor air quality.

The most common air pollutants that are known to come from broken HVAC system are mold spores and asbestos fibers. Mold spores is the culprit for serious health risks most notably involving the human respiratory system. Infants, young children, the elderly, and those who have particularly weak immune system are the ones who are the most prone to be affected by diseases caused by mold spores. Asbestos fibers, on the other hand, is also blamed for a variety of adverse medical conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and malignant lung cancer.

Clearly, a homemaker should not take a malfunctioning HVAC system for granted. Having it fixed right away is the only way to keep the whole family from being exposed to adverse health risk caused by indoor air pollution.

How to Avoid Mold Menace in Your Home   Hiring and Managing a Home Renovation Contractor - The Do's and Don'ts   Radon Resistance Features and Detecting Test Interferences   What's Involved In Inspecting The Roof During a Home Inspection?