Basements can be heavily underutilized, especially when used to store all the extra stuff in the house. Sometimes, the basement is also a makeshift laundry room, gym, playroom, or all rolled into one. However, if planned well, it can become a valuable living space. The right upgrades in this space can also enhance the resale value of the house. So, if one is planning to renovate the basement, they should avoid the following mistakes:  1. Not obtaining the right permits It is mandatory to get a permit for basement renovation. Not getting a permit is not only illegal but can also prove to be dangerous. This is because the permit ensures that the renovation job is done according to the safety laws and code of the city. One can get a permit by calling the local municipality office and informing them about the type of work one is planning to undertake in the basement. Then, board inspectors will visit and periodically monitor the work to ensure all rules and regulations are followed. 2. Skipping inspection As a basement is right underneath a house, it is prone to structural issues that can develop over the long run. Further, for one moving into the existing house, a professional inspection can help them detect all issues, from water seepage to pest infestation, that can cause potential damage. If these problems are discovered after the renovation, it will mean re-doing everything and incurring huge expenses in the process. So, it is crucial to get the basement inspected before going through with any modification or renovation. This step will help one plan better and prevent issues.  3. DIY renovation without experience DIY renovation can seem easy on videos online. Also, taking on a project solo may seem tempting from the cost perspective. But if one does not have the necessary skills or expertise, DIY renovation can be a mistake.

The cause of a flooded basement may be varied, from seepage problems to foundation issues, but cleaning it up afterward is a borderline nightmare. In the worst cases, one may lose cherished items like books, frames, or even furniture and flooring. Cleaning up a flooded basement requires safety, patience, hard work, and sometimes professional help. Here are some immediate steps one can take to deal with the dread. Knowing these steps beforehand can help save one’s property and reduce stress. Ensure safety The first thing to do in case of a flooded basement is to ensure one’s safety. The water collected in the basement often disturbs electric wiring, which can be fatal if tampered with bare hands. Turn off any electrical supplies, appliances, as well as gas supply. Find the source of leak Try to find the source of the leak and close it off to avoid further damage. Some common types of leaked sources include running tap water, overflowing bathtubs, blocked toilets, and broken water heaters. In case of natural causes like heavy rain, one might have to wait until it has passed to get down to the cleanup. Dry out the place Leaving a flooded basement even for a day can lead to the formation of mold on dampened fabric, which can cause irreparable damage to the furniture and give out a musty smell. So drying out the place as soon as possible is a must. Here are some ways to do this: Open windows and doors to boost ventilation. Using fans, heaters, and dehumidifiers can also help in the process. Invest in products like moisture meters, highly absorbent towels, and SOPs to be prepared for such times. Use a gas-powered water pump, pool pump, or wet vacuum. It is then necessary to dehumidify the enclosed area to avoid mold growth.

There are numerous pest control services available nowadays. Homeowners looking for a service provider are likely to come across at least a couple options that offer the same service. However, choosing a pest control service that suits their needs is a difficult task. It is important to consider certain attributes of any given service before investing money in it. Here are some valuable tips for finding and selecting the best pest control services: Checking documentation Proper documentation separates the genuine service providers from the novices and fraudulent ones. Initially, when customers ask service providers to show their documentation, they will take time to provide them with the paperwork. Nevertheless, it is worth waiting before putting one’s hard-earned money on a service provider. Service providers that delay showcasing their documentation even after repeated reminders need to be avoided. There are mainly two kinds of documentation one should look for when hiring a pest control service provider. Firstly, the registration information is necessary to check whether a company is registered with the homeowner’s state’s Pest Control Regulatory Agency. This helps ensure that the service provider is legitimate and operates within the law. Secondly, it is vital to check for a document that confirms the presence of a licensed and certified applicator on staff. This information indicates that the service provider has adequate expertise and support to deal with pest-related issues. A licensed applicator can also provide training to train employees, which ensures that they are knowledgeable and capable of handling pest control procedures. Looking into the service provider’s credentials Individuals can check online details, and information about a given service provider on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the state’s Attorney General’s office, the state’s department of agriculture, and the state’s pesticide regulatory office to evaluate the service provider, check their customer record and grievance redressal.  Checking the company’s experience and longevity Newer players on the block may offer economical prices and flashier features, but one must strictly consider the experience and longevity of a given service provider.

Most residents have access to clean and safe drinking tap water. The water supply chains receive regular checks and maintenance so people do not have to face inconvenience. However, since it is a huge supply body, it is difficult to control the contaminants with which the water comes in contact. Sometimes, even some minor corrosion can have a huge impact on people’s health. It is, therefore, essential to have an effective water purifier at home. Water quality The first step to selecting the right water filter for your home is to identify its need. Individuals can test their water quality with available water testing kits or contact the local facilities or water supply offices for water quality analysis. This step will help them identify the contaminants present in the water. Generally, heavy metals like arsenic, lead, chloride, pesticides, microbes like bacteria, viruses, and other parasites are the contaminants found in water. One might not necessarily find all of these contaminants and impurities. However, understanding the pollutants will help them determine the right kind of purifier required for home water purification. Remember to choose the right purification system based on the contaminants rather than high-performing technology ratings. Purification technology The next step is to research the different water purification technologies and their effectiveness. The time spent on this step will help determine whether or not the individual ends up making the right choice. Reverse Osmosis or RO purification system is one of the most commonly available technologies in the market. It is used in water purifiers to help effectively purify water against heavy metals and dissolved solids. Ultraviolet (UV), on the other hand, helps eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses, and other parasites that can lead to health concerns. Activated carbon filtration systems provide devices for heavy metals like chlorine and lead, harmful organic compounds, and pesticides.

Maintaining a house can be tiring. Luckily, no one needs to do it alone! Plenty of handyman services are available on hire to help people take care of their homes professionally. A handyman is an experienced person with lots of knowledge and skills to tackle home improvement tasks. They charge a fee depending on the kind of work undertaken. Below are the 12 most common services for which people contact a handyman. Stopping plumbing leaks Leaking fixtures can quickly rack up water bills and raise the risk of mold or mildew growth, leading to health issues. Thus, it is crucial to fix them promptly. One may spot leaks under the sink, showers, toilets, washing machines, or even refrigerators. However, finding the main cause or source of the leak can be difficult. For small fixes, one can quickly call up their local handyman service instead of waiting for a plumber. Keeping the exteriors in check Many tiny fixtures outside the house must also be maintained frequently to ensure they work well. These include the siding, roofing shingles, gutters, light fixtures, doors, etc. Since people rarely come in contact with these things, their upkeep is overlooked. Hiring a handyman to check the fixtures outside the house twice a year can help keep them in good shape. Assembling furniture Setting up flat-packed furniture is challenging for a lot of people. While it is a great bonding exercise, it can quickly become frustrating. Calling a handyman service can help take this task off one’s shoulders. The expert can help one set up just about anything, like beds, bookshelves, tables, desks, cabinet boxes, and wardrobes. They may even move this furniture where needed, so the homeowner does not have to stress about it later. Repairing drywall Drywall bruises can make the house look shabby. While repairing it is not that hard, making it look seamless and as good as new can take a lot of time and patience.

Home improvement projects can be a lot of fun but also very tiresome and stressful. There are a number of decisions to make and so much information to gather. Even a simple task like choosing the right front door can take a lot of time. If someone is at this stage of the home improvement process, they should research well and ensure that they do not make these rookie mistakes. Measuring incorrectly Taking incorrect measurements is among the biggest mistakes one must avoid when finalizing a front door for the house. Before ordering a door online, individuals must check the measurements at least two to three times to be sure. Most retail platforms have a guide that shows people how to measure the door, which is helpful. Anyone getting a pre-hung door should be extra careful and ensure to measure the rough opening or the opening in the wall before any framing is attached. One should measure from the header at the top of the door to the sub-floor and then from jack stud to jack stud. Also, individuals should measure from three different places: the top, the middle, and the bottom for the jack studs, and the left, the right, and the middle for the header. One should consider the smallest of the three measurements if any variations occur. It is generally said that fixing a slightly smaller door is easier than fixing one that is too large. Choosing the wrong material The material affects not only the front door’s appearance but also its durability. Stronger materials are necessary for security and safety reasons. Doors that have MDF or veneers on low-quality insulation are not sturdy and easy to kick down. Experts say one should pick doors with solid wood. Individuals can research how different types of wood work in various weather conditions and choose what best suits their location.

Roofing is an important part of construction and renovation. It involves installing a roof, which is necessary to avoid damage caused by water and other environmental factors. Improper installation or mistakes while replacing and installing a new roof can lead to further damage, eventually compromising the structure of the house. This can end up costing one even more. So here are a few common mistakes that should be avoided when installing a roof: 1. Laying new shingles on old ones When installing a new roof, one of the biggest mistakes to avoid is laying new shingles on old ones. Doing so can leave gaps where water and dust might begin collecting on the roof. Over time, this can damage the roof even quicker, requiring the homeowners to shell out even more money to repair their roof. Plus, if there has been a lot of damage due to water and dirt, homeowners may spend more than they initially did. Removing the old shingles before installing the new ones is vital to avoiding these hassles. 2. Failing to lay shingles on the overhang correctly The next aspect to take care of when installing new shingles is to secure them properly at the overhang. This means that shingles need to be installed so that they protrude out. But even this little extension should be properly measured. Suppose the overhang is too small. This will create a risk of water seeping through the roof’s rake and damaging it. If the overhang is too big, the shingles at the end may not have the best support and could get blown off in strong winds and storms. The ideal shingle overhang size is between 6 and 10 mm. 3. Nailing the shingles incorrectly There are certain rules that contractors need to follow when using nails for roofing.

Innovation and imagination form the basis of home decor today. Contractors and decor experts prefer to use materials that can serve multiple purposes while being reliable and resilient. Regarding versatility, few materials excel quite like glass, and glass doors and screens are steadily becoming a home decor staple due to their inherent visual allure. Here are some great glass wall and door ideas for homes to level up the aesthetics of one’s home. Pivot doors for large entryways Pivot doors make even mundane doorways incredibly dramatic. These doors can add incredible flair to how people enter and leave a room. Pivot doors are straightforward and functional, meaning they do not sacrifice practicality for hollow visual appeal. A glass pivot door rotates on a pivot box, enabling it to slide inwards or outwards. If a room in a house has an extra large entryway, pivot doors make the entire design work and give homes a distinguished feel. Pivot doors may not be to everyone’s tastes, but using them is a unique and exciting design idea for one’s home nevertheless. Using French doors to enhance the design French doors are surprisingly modern and classic due to their sophisticated design elements. These doors can be molded in a design sense to make homes and rooms look office-like and professional, artistic, and casual for everyday usage. Glass French doors cost more, so one must be ready to invest a lot of money in accommodating one in their house. French doors involve single-hinged doors that meet in the center. They are primarily seen in trains and some buses. These doors facilitate excellent ventilation and light recycling in a home or a specific room. Using traditional single-hinged glass doors Purists usually prefer design themes and elements that have been tried and tested for decades. One such traditional design element that can be brought to life with glass doors is the single-hinged glass door.

All fixtures, furniture, and appliances in a home require regular upkeep. Here, windows and doors also need cleanup and maintenance to prevent cracks, wear and tear, and drafts. Further, a problem in the windows and doors of a house could affect insulation and temperature regulation. However, one may make a few mistakes that can worsen the problems. So, here are some such errors to avoid with door and window maintenance:  1. Irregular cleanup Doors and windows can quickly accumulate dust, grime, and other debris. Not cleaning them regularly not only makes them look dirty but can also affect their functionality. Dirt and debris on the door and window frames and tracks can hinder their ability to open and close smoothly. Further, certain parts can get corroded, also limiting the ability of doors and windows to open and close with ease. Regular cleanups can keep such issues at bay.  2. Ignoring signs of damage One of the most common mistakes one could make with doors and windows is ignoring clear signs of damage, like cracks, warping, and chips. Such issues must be addressed immediately to prevent moisture damage and structural damage. If left unchecked for a long time, minor issues can become huge problems that can be expensive to repair. Alternatively, one may have to replace the windows or doors completely, which can be an expensive affair. So, one should address all issues immediately. 3. Not inspecting locks Damages are not limited to hinges, frames, and tracks of doors and windows. The locks can also require repairs and maintenance. An issue with the door lock could put the house at risk, being easy to break into. Moreover, a window lock that is compromised could also hamper its ability to keep the frame up in place. This could also make the home vulnerable to break-ins or could lead to accidents while closing the window.

Water filtration systems are indispensable for homes and workplaces. They are responsible for providing people with safe drinking water. They help keep the water people consume clean, purified, and free of harmful bacteria and other disease-causing agents. Given their importance, one must invest in a well-performing filtration system. This includes being aware of certain mistakes to avoid when choosing one. Here are some such water filtration mistakes one must avoid: 1. Not getting water professionally tested Installing a filtration system is critical for the health and well-being of the people using it. Therefore, professionally testing the water that comes out of it is necessary after it is installed in a facility. Annual water testing is useful to ensure that the water remains clean and safe to consume. A water tester determines whether a given water sample has contaminants and health-threatening elements. Before installing a filtration system, testing helps buyers know which type of filtration system will be best suited for their consumption. Overlooking water testing results in people not knowing which elements are to be filtered out of the water they consume. Therefore, water testing is not a luxury but a necessity for filtration systems. 2. Not looking into underlying issues Many contaminants and disease-causing bacteria are difficult to detect in a glass of water. This makes it increasingly harder for people to eliminate them from the water they consume. Many individuals try to detect the underlying water issues by smelling them. So, if a given water sample has a rotten egg odor, it is assumed to be impure. While this may work in certain situations, it does not help people identify the exact underlying problems with the water. For instance, the odor could be due to the presence of sulfur in the water or other reasons. Therefore, before purchasing a water filtration system, people must fully understand the main contaminants polluting their water.