Category: Real Estate

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3 Signs That You Have a Termite Problem

Being a homeowner means keeping a watchful eye out for any problems that can have devastating effects on your home. One of the most important things to keep an eye out for is signs of termite damage. Termites live in dry wood such as door and window frames, or even in the foundations of your house. Here are three signs that you may have a termite problem. If you notice any of these things in your home, it’s important that you research professional termite treatments Fort Myers FL right away.

Flying Termites

If you are vigilant, you may be able to see the termites flying around your home before they infest the wood. These are termites that have left a nearby nest in order to build a new colony. Discarded wings are another sign of potential trouble, as termites shed their wings after finding a mate.

Hollow Timber

An area that has termite damage will sound hollow when knocked on. If the damage is severe enough, your finger or hand may even go right through the wood. This is because termites devour wood from the inside out, which leaves only a thin covering of wood behind.

Strange Sounds

Although termites are small, you can actually hear them working if you press your ear to the walls! They are noisy eaters, and you may be able to hear a rustling or munching sound as they work. If soldier termites feel that they are in danger, they will bang their heads against the wood to create a rattling sound in order to warn the rest of the colony.

If you suspect that your home has termites, its best to get control of the problem before serious structural damage occurs. Reaching out to to an exterminator early on can avoid costly repairs down the line.… Read more

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Why Your New Build Home Should Include a Fire Sprinkler System

New build homes are attractive to buyers, as they often include new features that are unavailable or expensive to retrofit in older construction. Buyers may be especially interested in homes under construction because they can select finishes, materials and technologies to be installed. Here’s why you should consider installing a fire sprinkler system in your brand-new residence too.

Detecting and Stopping Fires Quickly

Modern sprinklers detect fires and put them out. Activation through early detection helps to quickly stop the spread of flames, not only giving you and your family time to escape and call 911, but also minimizing damage to your home and belongings. These automated systems are always on and take protection further than smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Reach out to a provider of fire sprinkler certification California to keep your setup maintained as part of a smart safety plan.

Delivering Value

By design, flames will be detected and extinguished by the nearest sprinkler only, so the potential water damage will usually be less costly than that of an uncontrolled blaze. Given the added protection of the home, owners may pay lower insurance premiums, too. Additionally, a built-in system can also be an attractive feature to future buyers.

Finding the Right System

Sprinkler configurations can be selected based on your home’s needs. Common types include the following:

  • Pre-Action schemes contain air and allow the flow of water only after detection, preventing water damage from false alarms.
  • Dry pipe sprinklers also store air, but they quickly release water, making them ideal for locales where freezing pipes are a concern.
  • Wet pipe setups are low-maintenance and cost-efficient and continuously hold water for quick release.
  • Deluge nozzles make use of detectors and are a good choice for spaces where flammable liquids are stored.

Furthermore, individual sprinklers also come in various styles and orientations, maximizing options for placement and incorporation into your home’s architecture.

A home fire sprinkler system is a worthwhile investment. It provides an extra layer of protection through quick heat detection and dousing. It can also be customized to meet the needs of your household.… Read more

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How to Prepare for an Open House

Getting your house ready to sell can be a lot of work. You want to make sure everything that needs to be done is so that you have the best possible chance of selling. Check off each item on this list to ensure that your home is in top shape before the big day.

Clean

This occasion calls for more than just a basic cleaning. This would be a good time to splurge and hire a maid service Olney MD. Many places even specialize in deep cleaning homes for just this type of event. You want to make sure that every area sparkles and shines. If you do decide to do this yourself, don’t forget about dusting and scrubbing down the bathrooms.

Paint

A fresh coat of paint can bring a whole new look to a home. You don’t necessarily need to worry about every room, but it is always a good idea spruce up the main living areas and rooms that have noticeable chips. Going too bold with the color may deter people, so in this situation you may want to go with something more neutral.

Repair

This is a good time to take care of any major repairs. Make sure all lights are working, the roof is in good shape and there are no plumbing problems. Look at the flooring in each room and replace or fix any areas that are chipped or scratched. If steam cleaning doesn’t get your carpet looking presentable, you might want to go ahead and have it replaced, or you can always put that out as an offer for potential buyers who may want to choose their own.

One of the best things you can do before an open house is to find a good real estate agent. Look for somebody who you can trust and who has your best interest in mind. Ask friends and family for recommendations on someone they have used before.… Read more

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Year Round Roof Care

You may be grateful to have a roof over your head but are you taking care of it, or are you just telling itself it’s probably fine? Roof maintenance is expensive, inconvenient and sometimes requires professional work. It’s tempting to ignore it, but there’s no denying that it’s necessary. Don’t wait for disaster to strike before you pay attention to the roof over your head.

In the Fall, Prepare for Winter

Fall maintenance, such as cleaning the gutters, is going to be about preparing your roof for the coming snow and ice. Make sure you have roof snow removal plans and a way to deal with ice buildup. Gutters need to be clear of leaves once the leaves are done coming down. No one enjoys cleaning gutters, but it’s better to clear your gutters now than to have your clogged gutters cause snow and ice to build up on your roof.

In the Spring, Check for Damage

Among other spring cleaning and springtime household maintenance tasks, look for damage from the previous winter. Check the gutters again: if you missed cleaning them in the fall, you may have put stress on your roof over the winter. And if you had an unusually snowy or icy winter, there may be unusual amounts of strain or damage. Look for signs of leaks and stress on the rafters and beams in the spring, so you have plenty of time to deal with the issue before next winter.

Keep an Eye on the Inside All Year Round

Remember that even a small leak may be a serious one. It may not be easy or safe to get out on your roof in the winter, but you can always check the insides for signs of wear and tear. The roof over your head is just as important as the rest of your house, perhaps even more so. You don’t want to neglect it.… Read more

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Which Valve Lock Should You Choose?

When it’s time to perform maintenance or repairs on a pressurized valve, it’s necessary to shut off whatever material is in inside. Valve locks perform this critical role, one which can prevent potentially harmful accidents. But before you install one, it’s important to know that valve locks are not one-size-fits-all. There are several different types which are engineered for specific valves.

It’s more likely than not that your valve is one of the three most common: Ball valves, butterfly valves, or gate valves. Here’s how their corresponding valve lock systems work:

 

Ball Valve Locks

Ball valve lock systems combine an outside handle with an interior ball to control flow through the valve. You simply shift the handle to the off position to do so. They typically range from one half to eight inches in diameter and will work on a wide variety of pipes, including ones constructed of stainless steel, brass, bronze, chrome, titanium, PVC, CPVC and others.

 

Butterfly Valve Locks

Butterfly valves themselves are discs positioned in the center of a pipe. When given a quarter turn, they control flow. They are generally cheaper than ball valves because of their lighter weight. Butterfly valve locks, like ball valve locks, can be used on different sizes of pipes, but have a more limited range of 2.5 to 4 inches in diameter.

Gate Valve Locks

Gate valve locks work by blocking access to valve handles. They are thermoplastic covers in the shape of half circles. After they’re installed, a padlock or hasp can be used to secure them in place. Gate valve locks are mostly used with larger pipe diameters (from 2″ to the largest pipelines).

Valve lock systems have a wide range of applications: manufacturing, mining, utilities, municipal service, and oil and gas. But before choosing one, always make sure it is the right fit for the valve you need to shut off.… Read more