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Home Improvement and DIY

    Home Improvement and DIY

    Home Ownership 101: Issues With Mold In Cavity Wall Insulation

     

    Hello friends and welcome back for another post in my Home Ownership 101 Series! It’s winter, but instead of beautiful, glistening snow, we have had rain, rain and more rain in our region for months! Having dealt with mold problems in the past and suffering from Mold Biotoxin Illness as a result, I am vigilant about keeping my eyes (and nose) open for any signs of mildew or mold. With all the snow and rain in winter which carries right on into spring, there is always a chance for leakage in basements and cavity walls throughout the wet months. Mold cannot be ignored, and prevention is the best cure! *This post contains affiliate links and/or sponsored content.

     

    Mold in the wall cavity from a water leak in the adjacent townhome

    (Mold in the wall cavity from a water leak in the adjacent town home) source

     

    While most people are aware to check around the foundation of basements, crawl spaces, under sinks and around the shower, sometimes mold can be missed altogether because it is inside the wall in the insulation. Cavity wall insulation problems are rife despite many believing that it’s one of the best methods of insulating your home. While its sole purpose is to stop the cold air, rain and snow from getting into the home and to prevent the warm air from escaping into the atmosphere, there are numerous issues – although the majority of the problems seem to stem from poor installation methods by people who have attempted to do it themselves or, worse still, by people claiming to be professionals.

     

    (Moldy stud cavities) source

     

    First and foremost, if you have a leaky roof, take care of this right away by hiring a roofing contractor before you proceed with insulation. Damp problems are among the most common issues that can arise when the job isn’t done properly. For instance, the insulation has the potential to rot away whole walls and floors causing them to collapse and the process of rebuilding the walls or floors will be substantially higher than the initial cost of insulating the home. The biggest issue that leads to problems with insulation – of all forms, not just cavity wall insulation – is that people trust ‘experts’ to do the job for them and they haven’t done their own research. 

    Kitchen Extension - exterior cavity wall insulation

    (Cavity Wall Insulation) source

     

    While experts will tell you that cavity wall insulation is one of the best ways of keeping your homes warm, unfortunately damp is a common issue. This can lead to mold and the need for a mold remediation contractor. One of the most common cavity wall insulation problems occurs when it is incorrectly installed.

     

    Why to Always Choose Professional Cavity Wall Insulation Installers
    Some DIY projects are incredibly simple, especially if you are confident in your own abilities. Others are slightly more complicated and should only be done by professionals. One such example is with cavity wall insulation installers who have been trained to install this form of insulation correctly using the right materials for the job. The very best installers might be cavity wall insulation installers or DIY enthusiasts, but the difference is that they’ve been trained in this process so that you get your money’s worth from the job and you don’t have to spend money trying to do it yourself, then again getting a professional to finish it (or repair what you’ve tried yourself, which can be even more expensive!) The problem with cavity wall insulation is that it is such a specialist project that equipment is required that meets certain industry standards and expectations that the everyday DIY enthusiast just can’t get their hands on.

     

    How #Mold is Affecting the Public

    While DIY might be a strong point, compromising the structure of the home is not something you should attempt on your own no matter how much you believe in your own ability so those with all of the equipment, expertise and experience should be tasked with removing any insulation. You can also risk permanent health damage to yourself and family members if mold remidiation isn’t handled properly.  For more information on Mold Biotoxin Illness read here.

     

    When it comes to toxic mold, we assume there are respiratory issues, but these symptoms of toxic mold exposure may surprise you!via It Takes Time

     

    Well dear friends, I am happy that we have not had to deal with much mold at all in our yellow brick home, although the outdoor molds have been an issue. I am highly allergic to indoor and outdoor molds so I am vigilant about mold avoidance, detection and prevention. If you suspect mold anywhere in your home, be sure to do lots of research on the best methods of remediation and hire a reputable professional company. Hopefully you will never encounter mold issues, but it is always good to be aware of what to look for. Click here to read about how you can identify signs that will help you know if you need a mold inspection. 

     

    Mold damaged my health, so I can’t stress enough the importance of being vigilant when avoiding and fighting mold.

    Tfor stopping by today! I pray that your life, health and home is completely mold free dear friends!

    Amber

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    Garden Thyme, Home Improvement and DIY

    Five Simple DIY Improvements For Gardens and Outdoor Entertaining Areas

     

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    Spring is here and that means it’s time to dress up the exteriors of our homes with fresh flowers and a well-maintained landscape. While we often put a lot of time and effort into the interior design of our home, sometimes the garden and exteriors can tend to become a bit neglected, and this is especially true over the long winter months. A fresh coat of paint on the front door, or even refreshing your black top driveway can drastically improve your home’s curb appeal.

    The most rewarding outdoor spaces are those that evolve with the seasons. They are colorful, provide structure, and are full of life, all year round. Creating a garden like this isn’t about constant effort; it’s about thoughtful planning, smart choices, and understanding how nature works in cycles. If you approach your garden with a long-term mindset, you can enjoy a space that always feels alive, regardless of what month it is.

    *This post contains affiliate and/or sponsored links. Read more

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    Home Improvement and DIY

    Five Beautiful Small Pool Designs

    Spring has just arrived, but summer will be here before we know it! If you have been considering installing a swimming pool or planning a pool resurfacing Las Vegas project, chances are you are making plans now. Maybe you have always wanted a pool, but you have limited space to work with on your property. Have you heard of “spools?” This is the new term for trendy smaller pools in all different shapes that can allow you to enjoy the benefits and luxury of having your own private pool without having to take up a lot of yard space. If you have always dreamed of having an in-ground pool but space is an issue, today I am sharing five beautiful small pool designs that just might work for you. *This post contains affiliate and/or sponsored links. Read more

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    Home Improvement and DIY

    Home Ownership 101: Save Time, Money and Stress By Making Smart Home Improvement Purchases

    Spring is here and many homeowners have big plans for making home improvements and investments to increase their home’s property value. Others may simply want to refresh their home’s interior with new decor, paint and accessories. It is easy to make our homes feel cozy and welcoming with family photos and other decorative accents which reflect personal tastes and style trends.  *This post contains affiliate and/or sponsored links.

    Top 10 Best Ways to Display Family Photos

    Source

    If you are looking to update more than just your home’s decor, here are few ideas for  possible investments that can save you time, money, and stress.

    Conserve resources, save money.

    When it comes to home improvements, I am always looking for ways to improve our home’s aesthetic, but I also want to make wise investments that are not only cheaper to purchase, but that will pay off over time. Depending on the project, it might be easier to apply for a loan if there is a large initial investment of capital. However, most of the time we just go the old fashioned route by saving up our extra income. We are in the process of replacing our hot water tank and we are considering switching to a tankless system due to the huge amount of money we will save in the long run.

     

    Toilet Water Saved - American Standard Toilets

     

    As we have been planning our new guest bathroom addition, I also became aware of water saving toilets. These are not much more expensive than traditional toilets, but can really make a difference in conserving energy costs. They are also an environmentally friendly option which is always a plus.

     

    Another easy option for saving money is to simply switch to cost effective  LED lighting. Finally, you must go the extra mile to change the way you interact with the facilities. There is little point in having a modern device if you do not use it correctly. Moreover, turning appliances off at the wall socket is a far smarter idea than leaving TVs and other items on standby overnight

     

    Decluttering and Cleaning

    How To Declutter Your Entire House - Tory Stender

     

    When it comes to keeping an orderly house, it is important to keep up with decluttering and purging junk on a regular basis. Investing in storage shelveing or attractive storage such as baskets or totes can also help keep things looking neat and tidy.  Don’t forget to declutter pet toys and animal care supplies that are no longer needed. By the way if you are looking to adopt a pet but you have allergies and want to maintain a clean home, consider a hypoallergenic dog or a even breed of cat that doesn’t have any fur.

     

    DIY Outdoor Clean Up

    Gardening and landscaping can be enjoyable and rewarding pastimes that also improve the curb appeal and property value of a home. But let’s face it, most of us don’t really enjoy the “dirty” outdoor property mainetnance jobs of scrubbing the deck, washing down the siding and other outdoor structures. Doing these jobs by hand can be tedious and time consuming, but absolutely must be done on yearly basis (at least). When you create a cleaning routine,  consider creating a simlar outdoor routine cleaning schedule. This will help you keep on top of big tasks before they get out of hand. 

    Although you can always hire someone to come and do the work for you, investing in a pressure washer like the ones at  Wash Wisely can save you lots of money and time when you DIY on jobs like these. If you create an outdoor cleaning routine that is When you create a cleaning routine,  consider creating a similar outdoor routine cleaning schedule. This will help you keep on top of big tasks before they get out of hand. 

     

    12 Uses For A Pressure Washer

     

    Roof repairs are very important, but don’t let it stress you out! Many people have a penchant for worrying about their roofs. People widely regard them as being the cause of the most insidious of household maintenance issues. And if there’s even a scrap of stray moss on them, then it is cause for alarm! Of course, most roofs aren’t in bad condition. And even if they look a little worse for wear, most of the issues are purely superficial. Plus, if you’re one of the unlucky few whose roof is genuinely falling to bits, it is not as expensive to put right as you might imagine, as professionals such as Hometown Roofing ATX make clear. Often all you need to do is replace worn out bits of the structure, and it goes back to being good as new.

     

    Save Money on Utility Bills

    When lost heat and energy is at the top of your agenda, you need to consider replacement & vinyl windows  as well as energy efficient doors. Poorly installed frames can leave gaps, while inferior glass can also lower the efficiency rating. Modern front doors should provide protection and insulation, as well as a new aesthetic. Maintaining heat efficiency can extend to internal doors and individual rooms. Draft excluders are an ideal inclusion. One easy way to keep things cooler in the summer is keep curtains closed or install blinds. Blinds can help reflect the light away from your home, eliminating most of the heat. There are plenty of stylish and affordable blinds that will suit your home’s decor.

     

    Barn Light

    Installing a home hub with your smart appliances will allow you to remotely turn things on and off in your home, meaning when you return, your home will be as cool as possible. Thanks to smart technology, you’re now able to control the temperature of your home from your phone too!

     

    What an amazing outdoor space. This boho patio is s true paradise! #bohoparadise #bohopatio #patiodecor #patio #summerpatio

     

    Utilizing the backyard and outside spaces on a more regular basis can work wonders for energy-efficiency. An outdoor kitchen will prevent you from having to heat up the oven during the summer. Grilling outside can save a little bit of money, and  BBQs can provide fun entertainment for the family at the same time.

    Home Security

    As homeowners it is easy to get excited about all of the “fun” renovations and home improvement projects we make to our dwelling places, even if we have to put in a lot of time and elbow grease to make our dreams a reality. It only makes sense to protect our homes (and the people we love) by taking steps to increase our home’s security.

     

    improve home security

     

    A safe home is a happy home, and nobody should overlook the importance of bringing increased security to the property. Swann CCTV, alarms, and automated gates are all great additions that can be made at minimal expense. Furthermore, the installation is usually very easy, meaning you can reap the rewards within a matter of days. Aside from the monetary gains in property value, you’ll notice that you gain far greater peace of mind. 

     

    Feeling overwhelmed by how to organize home projects into an actionable plan? This free home project plan printable will help you get your home organization and improvement projects planned and completed!

     

     

     

    As you start making plans and a budget for all of the projects on your home maintenance and home improvement to-do lists, consider how making energy saving upgrades, doing outdoor jobs yourself and investing in home security can reward you over time by saving money, stress and time. And don’t worry if you can’t keep everything looking perfect all the time…no house is perfectly clean  (it’s just not possible unless you’re manufacturing semiconductors in an air-filtered clean room!) 

    If you are on a tight budget, don’t forget there are always opportunities to make money, (such as having a big rummage sale!)  as well as ways to invest, save and, ultimately, bring yourself to the point  where you can make your home improvement dreams a reality.

    I hope you have found this post helpful as you plan your home improvement projects. Thanks for visiting today!

    Amber

     

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