Heavy rainfall runoff can be detrimental to your home, your landscape, and the environment. A creative solution to that gully washer is to channel the water into a colorful rain garden. Here’s how to do it. Why you may need a rain garden Water pooling against your house can cause the foundation to become structurally… Read more »
Maintaining consistent soil moisture is vital to keeping the foundation of your home stable. You may need to water your foundation with persistent high temperatures and drought. At other times you may need to take steps to keep water away from it. Here’s what to know about protecting and maintaining your home’s foundation. Soil responses… Read more »
Homes with a crawl space are at risk of soil moisture creating a humid environment, resulting in mold and wood rot to the beams and floor decking above. Mold can cause health problems, and rot can cause expensive structural damage over time. A vapor barrier is needed to prevent this damage. Moisture can come from… Read more »
A new roof, foundation or HVAC system may not be as exciting as a kitchen or bathroom remodel, but all of these can add value to your home. How does the condition of your home’s major components and systems affect its value? Professional examinations of systems When you sell your house, two professionals come to… Read more »
There may come a time when you decide a tree or shrub in your landscape would look better in another spot. You can successfully transplant these plants as long as you use TLC to protect the plant’s root ball. Here’s our guide to transplanting trees from right here to over there. Before you start America… Read more »
Structural engineers assist homebuilders in making sure residences are strongly and safely designed and constructed. They are trained to determine how forces such as gravity, wind, temperature and shifting soil affect buildings. You expect to hire an inspector or perhaps other pros when you buy a house, but do you need to hire a structural… Read more »
Does your otherwise attractive home have an unsightly foundation wall that spoils its curb appeal? Here are five ways to make that ugly wall disappear. Paint it. Typically, the foundation wall has a thin veneer of concrete mortar spread over it similar to stucco, for a smoother cosmetic look. Choose a masonry paint that works… Read more »
It’s the house repair every homeowner fears: foundation problems. Before you panic, here’s how to tell whether those scary looking cracks are “no big deal” or a sign of real trouble. No worries. If you are living in a new construction home, expect minor settling that causes small cracks here and there. Hairline cracks that… Read more »
The foundation of your home is arguably its most important structural component, since every part of the home depends on it remaining firm and level. Different foundations are available and each is made for certain types of soil and other environmental conditions. Let’s look at the four categories of foundations along with the pros and… Read more »
