You are here: Home / Archives for Jerri @ Simply Sweet Home

Create a Perfectly Cozy Reading Corner at Home

February 13, 2021 Leave a Comment

We all lead busy lives and if you have some spare time, then it can feel like a real luxury. However, if we have a dedicated space in the home that is set up to relax in and to spend that precious downtime, then it will make it easier to enjoy that time, rather than think about fifty other things that you need to get done. If you have a corner of the home that can become a dedicated reading nook, then this could be just what you need. With a book and a chair, you can read anywhere. But with a reading nook it can be a corner of the home that is dedicated to relaxation and downtime, and a perfect cozy corner to lose yourself in a book. What are the best ways to design a space like this, though? Here are some things to think about and get you inspired.

Soft materials

There isn’t a lot more that says cozy, than a soft chair to relax in, covered in soft cushions and throws. When looking for a chair or a bean bag for the reading nook, then look for one that is soft and comforting, in a material that you love. Add throws, pillows, and cushions, and other texture from decor, and it will be a place where you can instantly feel comforted. 

Add a bookshelf

Having a bookshelf in a reading nook is kind of a no-brainer. The style that you choose will totally depend on the space that you have, though. For example, if you have a reading nook by a bay window, could you use some of that window space to create a built-in bookshelf? You could also choose floating shelves and bookends, or you could choose a bookcase on https://tylko.com/shelves/bookcase/, for example. Make it fit the space you have, fill it with your favorite books and personal trinkets, and then you can easily get cozy and reading whenever you have the time.

Complete with pops of color

The colors that you use in a home can be very powerful, and can be just the things that you need to create some instant happiness, as described here: https://mymove.com/room-color-and-how-it-affects-your-mood/. If you have a reading nook that is designed to be your little retreat or happy place, then make it feel like that, with all of your favorite colors, or just inject a shot of your favorite. It could be using color on the walls, in artwork, in furniture, rugs, throws or cushions. Whichever you choose, just make sure that you love it so it helps to bring a smile to your face.

Lighting

The lighting is important in a reading corner, because you could be there late into the night when you get reading a compelling book. If you are going to be by a window then natural light will be helpful in the day, but what about at night? Having a floor lamp that can be angled or moved easily is a good idea, as well as smaller fairy lights, strung around the area. Creating mood lighting and having different levels of light will be nicer than just one big harsh bright light.

Filed Under: Home/Garden

5 Steps to Building a Better Future

February 12, 2021 Leave a Comment

No matter where you are with your life, it’s worth halting the busy schedule every so often and considering where you want to go. Do you want to get on the career ladder, the housing ladder, or pursue a passion you have always had? In this article we look at five steps you can take to build a better future starting today. 

Consider Your Future 

How often do you think about your future? And when you do think about it, do you think about it all at once, or in bits and pieces. If you’re like most people, ideas and motivation will arrive gradually. 

Considering your future is an excellent way to create a direction for your life that will lead to happiness and fulfillment. Decisive actions are needed, but it’s important to make the right decisions to avoid ending up in the wrong place. 

Since most of us don’t sit down and plan our futures as if we were drawing lines on a map, keeping a journal for this purpose is an excellent idea. Whenever you have a thought relating to your future, write it down. Reflect on these periodically and look for patterns. 

Explore Key Questions 

To design the future life that you want and dream of, it’s important to ask and answer some fundamental questions. Where do you want to live? What kind of work do you want to do? Do you want a relationship, if so what kind? 

These questions, and more, are all key to the betterment of your life in the future. Once again, keeping a journal is recommended since you may not get the best answer exactly when you expect it. Instead write the questions you want answered then let them sit. 

In business, managers and owners often make plans for five years into the future. A five year plan is far enough time to make realistic plans that can be measured and goals that can be obtained. If you want to move home and need dependable movers, work out how to achieve this within five years. 

Focus on the Present

If you want to build a better future, build a better present. This is wise advice that works for many people and can help you to meet your life aims sooner and feel fulfilled without projecting all your needs and desires into an abstract future. 

Focusing on the present can be challenging, especially if you have some difficulties in your life. Even so, it is the best and most effective way to deal with your issues and move forward. Think about it, you will have to deal with these issues at some point anyway, so why not now.

Some things may take time to achieve. Not everyone has the funds to buy a house immediately for example. But if buying a house is your future ambition you can design a semi-long term living situation that meets your needs and allows you to save. 

Find Your Passion 

You don’t necessarily need to live out your passion. For instance, you need to be passionate about your job to do it well and be successful. However, even if you don’t pursue a passion as a job, it is still good to know where your passions lay and how to pursue them. 

Whether you know it or not you will have several passions that motivate you. These might be things that give you joy and happiness, or life ambitions you are committed to achieving. If you think you have no passions, get ready for a journey of discovery. 

Finding your passions and living them out, whether for work or play, is fundamentally important to the wellness of human beings. With passion in your life, you may find that you become lethargic or depressed. Don’t be afraid to try new things and keep notes in your journal. 

Play to Your Strengths

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses in life. We look at some people and think we will never be able to do what they do, which can of course lead to self deprecation and a feeling of worthlessness. However, you probably have unique strengths too. 

A lot is made of focusing on our weaknesses to improve our all round performance at work or with a hobby, interest, or passion. There’s no doubt this is good advice but not at the expense of playing to our strengths. Playing to our strengths helps build confidence and security. 

If you want to build a future on strong foundations begin by identifying your strengths in all walks of life and playing to those. This will help you to advance more quickly and help you get the best out of your performances. Later, you can think about weaknesses and how to improve on those. 

Filed Under: Lifestyle

Tips for Stress-Free Family Ski Holiday

February 12, 2021 Leave a Comment

We want our ski holidays with kids to be the most memorable. How should we prepare to get up the mountain with our family? Where and when should we go? What essentials do we carry? The answers are here. So go ahead, start looking at those Jettly flights and get ready for an unforgettable holiday.

Best Time to Ski with Family

Most ski resorts are crowded when schools close. The charges escalate at that time as well. Christmas breaks, Easter, and half-terms are some of the most expensive times. But we can find good deals if we properly plan family ski vacations. Booking early eliminates a lot of stress when it comes to finding the right accommodation.

The Gear

Clothes are probably the most critical considerations before heading to the ski slopes. We shouldn’t get wet, and much less our children. To make our kid’s experience better, we can buy them more comfortable ski clothes. Base layers, socks, and gloves should keep them warm. Some of the best base layers are made of merino wool. Gloves, hats, and mittens should be waterproof. Helmets are a must-have gear at the slopes while bright jackets help in identification.

Family-Friendly Ski Spots

Beginner slopes are ideal for our little children. We can save a few bucks by choosing a smaller resort with fewer crowds. When kids are learning to ski, they don’t need to explore acres of terrain. Steep slopes will not be of much help. Conveniently located resorts with nursery slopes are great for tired kids.

Childcare Facilities

Childcare facilities are very common in most resorts these days. But they are not designed the same way. We can avoid places that do not take care of little ones by asking the right questions before

booking. It is important to check the age they provide for to avoid disappointments. Some resorts accommodate nannies throughout the family vacation period.

Booking Ski-School in Advance

We ought to book a ski school before leaving home. We often make the mistake of looking for lessons when we get to the skiing destination. Many times, there is no room because families book ahead of time. If we have to hire an instructor, we must be sure they speak our kid’s language. The resort website should display such information so that parents can pre-book instructors and lessons before they leave home. Ski lessons are useful when kids are afraid to explore the slopes. They might need to spend some hours with teachers to familiarize themselves with the environment. With the right gear and knowledge, they can be confident when sliding around.

Accommodation

Family-friendly hotels offer the best stay with kitchen facilities so that we can cook for our kids. We need delicious and healthy meals while on vacation. Self-catering options are the best for fussy eaters, but we have to book early. If we are traveling as a group of families, it would be wiser to fill a chalet. It gives all the fun that we need for a weekend-long ski vacation without worrying about spoiling other people’s holiday. On the other hand, club hotels are the best when we have teenagers on board.

Limiting Time on Snow

Kids love winter holidays, but they may be demotivated by strange attire and boots on the snow and foreign land. Their source of encouragement is seeing other children do the same thing. However, we must not force them to learn or continue skiing when they are tired. It doesn’t matter if we have paid for multiple lift passes, it is good to limit the time they spend sliding on the snow.

Weatherproofing

Young babies going to an alpine environment need protection from intense sun, cold, and snow reflections. For the cold, there are many options available. The sun, though? This is where their cute sunglasses come in. But the best protection against cold and snow is ski goggles. They are particularly good when heavy snow is falling or in cold winds. Goggles are more secure than sunglasses. Well-ventilated double-lensed goggles help to control misting.

Mixing Up with Non-Skiing Activities

Many ski spots today are trying to create havens for young kids by incorporating other activities. Combining skiing with ice-fishing, berry picking, and pirating on snow can prevent monotony.

Magic Carpets

Magic carpets are better for kids than drag lifts. The carpet lifts do not require too much concentration, unlike drag lifts that can instil anxiety among kids.

Teaching kids to ski is not a simple thing. But good preparation equals fun multiplied. Let us choose child-friendly resorts and get good quality gear for safety and comfort.

Filed Under: Travel

Pest Problems and How to Avoid Them

February 12, 2021 Leave a Comment

With all of the stress of the past year, the last thing anyone needs is to be dealing with a pest problem at home – indoors or outdoors. Indoors is a given, as we are all hunkered down due to the COVID-19 pandemic but maintaining your outdoor property is equally as important since, come spring, we will all be spending socially distanced time enjoying the weather in the backyard with friends. Just the word “pest” sounds annoying so keep the following simple fixes in mind to help keep the creepy crawlies and critters away:

Call in The Experts:

One of the best things that you can do when you start to experience a problem with pests is to call in the experts, like the ones at Smith’s Pest Management, because your issue could get out of hand very quickly. It’s also important for the process to be as eco-conscious as possible, which Smith’s offers. Once a pest problem goes too far it not only becomes unsafe but can severely damage your property. Hiring the experts will also take the guesswork out of solving the problem yourself, which is crucial as time is of the essence when dealing with pests because the issue is only going to escalate.

Do a Deep Clean:

A nice, clean house is a safe house as some bugs and critters are attracted to dust and clutter or crumbs and countertop produce in the kitchen or dining area. Maintaining a pest free home includes dusting regularly, vacuuming up any crumbs, and clearing spaces of clutter so that there is nowhere for the pests to hide. Don’t forget your garage as well as the drainpipes in your kitchen and bathroom, which can attract bugs when clogged.

Patch Up Any Holes:

If there are any cracks or holes in your house, it gives any type of pest easy access into chez vous. Inspect your house carefully both indoors and out and be sure to take note of if there are any tears in your screen doors or windows or any gaps in the doors. Replacing a screen door or window and patching up holes could be

something that you could tackle on your own. However, if you are unsure, call in an expert so the job can get done properly. Cutting off any access into your house will be essential for keeping it pest free.

Do Your Research:

There are tons of great tips online to help repel pests and, even if you aren’t experiencing a problem, they can be good to follow so that it stays that way. Did you know that there are certain plants that repel mosquitoes? There are even plants that eat the bugs, themselves! You can also use a jar with a bit of apple cider vinegar in it to help trap little fruit flies (The worst!).

If there are any pests that you are worried about dealing with come spring and summer, especially since you will be having company, it would be wise to start seeing which preventative measures you can utilize in the next few months. I, for one, don’t think I could enjoy a lemonade on the patio and all the while pests are making the property their own!

Keeping a pest free home ensures the safety of your family, pets, and property. Major problems are also a definite way of lowering your curb appeal in the neighbourhood. Remember, if you are ever unsure of anything when it comes to doing home maintenance or pest control, there is no shame in calling a professional, as you definitely are not alone, shown here. Having the job get done right is the most important thing so that you can continue to enjoy your property worry free.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

3 Steps to become an organised hoarder

February 11, 2021 Leave a Comment

Are you ready to organise your hoarded items and take on the challenge to remain organised? With just three simple steps everyone can become an organised hoarder! As you’re organising, it might be sensible to arrange a junk removal collection and liberate yourself from all unneeded items in just one batch!

Did you know there is little difference between organised people and hoarders? Well, as a hoarder you literally have your stuff all over the place which makes it hard to find anything you may need. Be it your bills you can find in time to pay them or that one bottle opener albeit you know you probably have 20 of those flying around – somewhere. Organised people often hoard almost as much as you do as a hoarder, but simply in a more organised manner. They may also have 50 cans of chickpeas in their storage, next to a bunch of useful lunchboxes of all sizes. Yet, they’re more organised and can find anything they need with just one glance. Would you like your home to become as organised? Simply follow these 3 Steps!

Start you junk removal project with a friend

Organising your junk removal is certainly not an easy task. The longer you live in one place, the more stuff you accumulate without realising how much you truly have. Once one thing gets out of hand, it can get overwhelming easily. Most often time, you will just be staring at that huge pile, not knowing where to start. Ultimately, you don’t start at all, just because it’s too much.

However, if you had a good friend taking on that challenge with you, wonderful You’re not alone. You can make jokes while you’re sorting your stuff and listen to your favourite music to make the endeavour even more fun. With someone at your side, it’s also a lot easier to let go of things you don’t need anymore. There’s a reason why you’ve kept this much stuff of all sorts. The reason usually is emotional attachment and the notion you could need it one day. If you were alone, you’d automatically keep a lot more than you need and not really make as much progress. A friend could help you with supporting questions about every single item, such as:

● “Have you used this during the last year?”

● “Why do you need 100 bottle caps?”

● “When do you ever wear your 50 pairs of shoes?”

● “When did you last check the expiry date of your tomato sauce?”

You could reflect on all those questions yourself, but with a friend on your side, things will be more into perspective. You may even laugh about yourself having kept 100 bottle caps for the art project you never started. It’ll be easier to realise you never wear all of the shoes you’ve accumulated and usually stick to just two of them while you probably keep one pair for those special occasions.

Start small and don’t quit

If you decide to organise your junk removal in one go, it’s going to be quite a marathon even if you have a friend to help you. Avoid taking on an overly large project and ending up as a quitter. Instead, start with a small area you can handle and don’t stop until you’re done

Begin in one room and imagine what you’d like it to look like. What would your living room look like if all those piles of magazines, newspapers and books were gone? At the end of the day, you won’t enjoy your place being that crammed that you can hardly move around.

There’s no use in having such a stuffed closet that it’s hard to find anything you’d like to wear. In order to start organising, you could start in one particular area of one room, such as at a chest of drawers, a particular cupboard or also a closet. It doesn’t matter where you start, as long as you keep it simple. Arrange a few cardboard boxes for keepers, giveaways, and tossers. If you’re not sure about an item, put it into a maybe-box to sort it through at the end.

While you’re at it, you may feel demotivated. Just tell yourself if you stopped now, it’ll never get done and turn into Beethoven’s Unfinished. At the same time, you could find stuff others may need much more than you do or find something you can sell. Imagine how great it’d be to have friends coming over for dinner instead of having to eat out all the time and spend even more cash you need more urgently for your bills. Remember, your life won’t change until you are more organised.

Be The Flash

… or a roadrunner. The key to organising all your hoarded items to also act fast about it. With a friend at your side, you spend less time reminiscing about every single item. The longer you spend with your memories of each item, the longer it will take to organise your treasures. And the longer you take, the sooner you’re going to feel fed up, not wanting to go ahead.

You can be a lot faster with your junk removal if you think less about each item whether to keep or not. Simply stick to reflecting if you’ve used it within the last year or not. If not, toss it. If you wonder whether you may need it at some point, toss it anyway. Most of the stuff each one of us keeps we don’t end up using one day. Even if it’s the yoga mat you bought a couple of years ago and haven’t used. If you don’t commit to starting yoga right away after that much time, another one will be more than happy to give your yoga mat a new home where it’s used.

Consider the same approach for an item that’s of sentimental value for you. If you can’t give it an honorable spot where you can proudly look at it every day, toss it. It may sound harsh, but that’s the only way to quickly overcome with your challenge. The sooner you’re done with junk removal, the happier you will be to have turned your home into an organised hoarding cave.

Filed Under: organizing

Should Your Sell Your House As Is Or Do Needed Repairs

February 11, 2021 Leave a Comment

Selling a house can get tricky depending on whether it needs repairs or not. Fortunately, there are investors who are looking to buy houses, regardless of whether they are move-in ready or in need of repairs. Just check out https://webuyhousesinatlanta.com/ to see how to sell your house for cash in as little as 7 days!

A crack in the foundation of your home could cost a couple thousand dollars to fix. This might raise the question of whether or not it’s worth selling because the homeowner might believe that the full value of the home will rise after fixing. However, unfortunately, this might not be the case. The homeowner might fix the crack but the house still doesn’t rise in value and now it’s a waste of money when you could’ve just sold the house as it is. 

Anything from getting your lanai screens repaired to fixing the foundation of your home could raise or lower your home’s value. It shows buyers that other issues could happen and the home might not be worth as much as they think. Tolerating small issues with your home is fine if you’re not selling but those small details could stop buyers from sending offers if they aren’t fixed. Read on to find out if you should sell your home as it is or repair it first.

Repairs That You Should Look Out For Before Selling

Faulty wires and electrical problems should be one of the first things you examine before selling your home. These typically require small repairs such as lost wire nuts, destroyed junction boxes, free wiring and faulty light switches for outlets. You can save an average of $65 to $85 an hour plus the cost of materials by examining the wiring of a home and getting it repaired before selling. This is a significantly less price to pay before deciding to sell your home and it’ll give your home more value.

Another thing to look at should be your drainage and gutters. Poor drainage can be referred to as how water from rain and melting snow is guided away from your home. Backed up rain gutters, screwed up downspouts, stains from water and soft soil around the foundation of your home are all big signs of issues that you need to fix up your drainage situation. Some fixes are cleaning the gutters and also adding extensions and can stop your gutter from clogging. The future homeowners coming into your house won’t need to worry about any damage from water or drainage which can be a huge relief if they need to move into the home quickly.

The roof is one of the most important components of the house because it can be expensive to replace and hard to keep up with if you don’t know the history of the house. Clogged up storm gutters can lead to water damaged shingles and wood rot, but if you’ve got a little water leaking into your home during storms, you can fix your roof issues by replacing ruined weatherstripping and shingles for only a couple hundred dollars. It is best not to let a ruined roof or other detail scare away buyers because you know that this will be something they will ask about immediately.

Foundation problems hopefully will be minor and easily fixed for you. Typically, you want to look out for foundation problems as your home settles over time. Basic repairs to a foundation are usually between a couple hundred and a couple thousand dollars and that’s without counting in additional costs such as slab jacking and the fees of a structural engineer to come out and assess the damage for you. Some early signs of foundation problems that you need to look at in your home include things like slanted floors, windows and doors that don’t close all the way or are damaged. Also, visible cracks in the exterior foundation can severely damage the foundation and make it almost impossible to sell your house so this is definitely something you want to be on the lookout for.

Horizontal Cracks In A Foundation Wall are one of the issues to be aware of. These cracks can indicate significant shifts in the soil underneath or potential water damage. If you’re considering repairs that you should look out for before selling, addressing these foundation issues promptly can significantly impact the value and marketability of your home. Ensuring your foundation is in top condition can provide potential buyers with peace of mind and make your property more appealing in the competitive real estate market.

Selling Your House As Is

Selling Your House As Is

Selling a property without putting money into it to fix it up might seem like a dream come true but there are some setbacks when it comes to this. For starters, most bank loans require that new homeowners let the bank do a walkthrough of a property so that they can see what it looks like before they lend their money to the new homeowners. If this inspection goes poorly because of a lot of damages, you’ll lose your potential buyer and more future potential buyers until it can be fixed.

Additionally, many people consider selling a home as is because they don’t have the money to put back into the house for repairs. Once again, this seems like a good idea if you’re short on cash, but it could bite you in the butt if a homeowner demands you make some changes to the home when they look at it. This is when working with a local home buyer in Allentown, or elsewhere, can provide a much smoother exit strategy. These investors can purchase properties for cash, meaning they don’t rely on traditional bank approvals or demanding inspections, which allows homeowners to walk away from the property without lifting a finger for repairs. Buying and selling homes is a costly process that you might need to work on getting more money before you decide to do so.

Also, if you’re thinking about selling your property as is, you have to keep in mind that the property value needs to be undervalued to get a sale. You can’t just take the overall value of your home and subtract out the amount of work that needs to be done to it to meet your selling point. The lanai screen repair previously mentioned might cost more for the buyer than they would for you.

The buyer needs to feel like they’re getting a deal buy purchasing your home as is. They need to feel like they’re getting the property for less value if they’re willing to put the cash into it to do repairs that need to be done. So, if you’ve got to put work into a property, you need to be selling it for even more of a discount than just subtracting the repairs from the home from the value. If you sell at far less value then hopefully that will make sense to the buyer and make them more likely to purchase it. Most buyers will be able to justify putting that cash into it especially if they are looking for a fixer-upper home or a discount.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

How Often Does A Residential Roof Need To Be Replaced

February 11, 2021 Leave a Comment

A lot of people tend to not know what it takes to make sure their roof is in the best of conditions or when they should replace it. The trickiest part about this is that there are a lot of factors, such as the type of material used. There are many different roofing companies in Villa Hills that can help a person with replacing their roof when it is time to or needs to be done.

Average Time Before Replacement

The lifespans of a roof depending on the material that was used on the roof. This is because each material reacts differently to things thrown at it, such as the elements and debris actually being thrown at it. Here is a breakdown of the different types and how long they should last. If a homeowner does not know how old the roof is, a professional should be able to tell them after inspecting the roof.

Asphalt Shingles

There are two different kinds of asphalt shingles: 3-tab and architectural. 3-tab shingles are the most common kind used as they are the most affordable. They can last 15 to 20 years as long as nothing major happens. Architectural on the other hand is made out of a more resilient material and can last about 30 years.

Clay or Cement Tile

This is one of the most expensive roofing materials, but it is worth the price when one takes into consideration how long they last. These tiles are very thick and resilient to what mother nature can throw at them, so it is common for these to last anywhere from 50 to 100 years before needing to be replaced.

Slate

This is the most durable option that a person can pick for their roof. It usually lasts at least 100 years but often lasts longer than that before having to be replaced.

Wood Shingles

When it comes to a material that has to have a lot of maintenance, wood shingles would be considered at the top of this list. If the roof is not kept clean of debris and moss, which is common to find growing on wood shingles, then it can make the shingle last only 25 to 30 years. If they are properly maintained, they can last for about 50 years.

Wood Shakes

This roofing material is just like the wood shingles, meaning it has to be maintained to last longer. With these being a thicker material than the shingles, they can last for 35 to 40 years. Now, just like the shingles, they can last longer if they are maintained.

Metal

When it comes to metal roofing, there are two different lifespans that the different materials can be divided into. The most common materials are aluminum and steel, and they tend to last for about 50 years. On the other hand, copper and zinc can last for 100 or more years.

Signs Of Replacement Before Its Time

As stated above, different things can play into the lifespan of a roof. Some very important things should be looked out for as they are a clear sign the roof needs to be replaced. A roof is one of the most important factors of a home and can cause a lot of problems if not maintained properly. That is why it is important to look out for signs of problems and get the roof replaced as often as needed depending on the lifespan of the material.

Holes and Leaks

If a person was to go into their attic space and can see the sky through their roof, then it requires replacement. Cracks and holes can form naturally over time as the roofing material ages, but it can also be caused by things mother nature tosses at it, such as tree branches. Leaks are caused when there is a hole or crack in the roof. Sometimes these are so small that a homeowner may not even know they are there until they notice the leak. If there are not many of them, a person might be able to just get it repaired. If the material is towards the end of its lifespan though, it should be replaced instead of repaired, or more holes are going to form.

Water and Moisture Stains or Damage

These happen when a leak is not found and gets really bad. The water coming through the roof has nowhere to go then into the home and often soaks into the ceiling. When a ceiling develops a yellowish or brown stain, there is clearly a bad leak and water is building upon the ceiling. If it is not taken care of, the ceiling will begin to sag. The color that forms in the ceiling is caused by the dirt and other debris that is within the water. The coloring might also be caused by the installation being destroyed and forced down into the ceiling.

Exterior Damage

This is the most obvious sign of the roof needing to be replaced but also one often overlooked by homeowners. If there are missing shingles or rot starting to form, then the roof needs to be replaced before it starts letting water into the house if it has not already. There might also be obvious damage done, such as a tree branch crashing through the roof. Mother nature can do a lot of damage when it is storming outside, and some shingles are not made to withstand what could be thrown at it.

When Should the Roof Be Replaced?

Now that there is a basic understanding of roof materials, a person can easily decide on when to contact roofing companies in Villa Hills KY to have their roof replaced. If they are not sure when the roof was installed, they can always have someone check it. A professional should be able to give a close estimate on when the roof was installed.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Friday Favorites Linky Party Week 568

February 11, 2021 Leave a Comment

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Lisa at Condo Blues – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small Things – Pin

Penny at Penny’s Passion – Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer – Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

You can show your love for this week’s favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week’s favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week’s linky party! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Friday Favorites

Pool Deck Repair- Fix The Concrete Around Your Pool

February 11, 2021 Leave a Comment

A cracking or sinking swimming pool patio is always easy to overlook until you are jolted by the pain of hitting your toe on the raised slab. A cracking patio not only looks ugly but also provides room for the growth of moss, weeds, and piling up of dirt. There are many reasons for the cracking, sinking, or lifting of a swimming pool deck. An example is the growth of trees that extend their roots under the concrete slabs. Shifting soils and the freeze-thaw events are also responsible for raising the slab and widening existing smaller cracks. Follow these steps to repair your swimming pool deck.

How to fix the cracks

1. Clean Out the Crack

Start by widening the crack. Hold a concrete chisel and tap it lightly with a hammer. Widen to about 1/4 inch width. The V shape will help the filler material stick better for a long time. Brush the crack thoroughly with a wire brush to remove any bits of loose concrete. Impurities such as debris, dry leaves, and even dust will prevent the filler from sticking to the healthy concrete. Vacuum the crack with a shop vac as well as you can.

2. Fill The Crack With Repair Cement

Start by putting solid crack filler into the crack if the crack extends a depth of 1/4 inch.

Trowel a fair amount of the concrete mortar into the crack. Use the sharp edges to push the cement as far as possible into the gap. Put more concrete mortar until it forms a mound on top of the crack. Scrape excess concrete and use a trowel to level the repaired surface. Leave the concrete to dry.

3. Coat with Epoxy Sealant

An epoxy-based sealant will protect the concrete mortar repair as well as make the surface watertight. Spread a thin coat of an epoxy sealant over the surface. Be sure to cover the joint in between the pool deck and the repair area. You should fill any remaining gaps using the epoxy. Leave the epoxy sealant coat to dry.

4.Inspect the Seal

The epoxy seal is meant to prevent water from soaking into the repair surface. It is time to test the Seal. Pour water on the sealant and leave it for some time. Observe. If the water remains on the surface, then the Seal is good. If the water seeps into the concrete, you’ll have to seal the surface again when the water has dried. Leave the patch to cure.

How to Repair Sinking Concrete

1. Inspection

The first step is inspecting the deck to determine how to best approach the repairs.

2. Install a three-pier system

Install the three-pier system under the slab to lift it. The pier system below the slab will allow for smaller holes to be drilled in your concrete slab. A slab bracket also reaches across a large area of the floor, which allows for even weight distribution so that the slab will not crack.

3.Install Steel Tubes

Drive steel tubes down through the slab bracket into the firm souls beneath. Hydraulics will be helpful in this step. You should choose steel tubes made up of galvanized steel since they’re resistant to corrosion, which ensures the slab pier system’s quality and longevity. These steel tubes transfer the home weight to the firm soils below, which is the pier system’s real strength.

4.Move the slab weight to the soil

The piers will transfer the concrete slab weight to the firm material under your swimming pool deck. The concrete patio’s sinking movement will permanently stop as the system lifts the concrete slab.

5.Inject Grout Filling

Lifting the slab will leave a void underneath the deck. If the deck has been sinking due to washout or compacted soil, a gap was present before the installation. You should pump grout carefully under the slab to fill all the voids present.

6.Finishing

Finishing is the final step. It involves all the finalizing operations. Now, fill the holes you drilled into the concrete slab with cement. Level it properly so that the patches look uniform with the rest of the slab. Sweep all the dirt and debris generated by the process.

Filed Under: Home/Garden

Top Tips For Giving Your Bathroom An Upgrade

February 11, 2021 Leave a Comment

bathroom of the hotel rooms, with a shower and a few washbasins.

Your bathroom is a room that gets a lot of use and therefore it is natural that over time it can become tired and worn. Bathrooms can be expensive to get re-done, but due to their nature, it is important that you get them done properly. The last thing you want is for it to leak or break not long after you have got it renovated. That being said, you don’t need to break the bank to get it done, you just need to do your research and look into reviews of products and items. You can also shop around and see if you can buy the same item cheaper from a different shop. The cost of your bathroom will depend on if you are doing a complete renovation of everything from your team poly septic tanks to your lighting, or if you are looking to give it more of a cosmetic upgrade. Here are some top tips for giving your bathroom an upgrade.

  • Decide on a budget

This is the most important thing you need to consider when looking to get your bathroom done. The costs of a bathroom upgrade can quickly rack up, so you want to ensure it fits into what you are looking to spend. Some of the main things that you will need to think about are if there are elements that you can do yourself, what are the things you place the most value on in the room, and if you are looking to sell soon or if you are looking to stay in the house for a long time. The best way to do this is to make a spreadsheet, list out everything that you will need to spend on from the items to go in the room to the labor costs, and work out what you want to spend on each area.

  • Think about the usage of your bathroom

How are you going to use your bathroom? Is it going to be a family bathroom with young children getting plenty of use, will it be a luxurious wet room for you and your partner, or will it be an en-suite? When it comes to deciding how you want your bathroom to be designed, you will need to consider all of these factors. A family bathroom will get a lot more wear and tear as it is being used by so many people, whereas for a more luxurious bathroom for just your partner and yourself, you could (literally) splash out a little more on it. If your bathroom is smaller you could also spend more on items such as tiles as you won’t need so many as if you were re-doing a large bathroom. 

  • Consider the lighting you will use

Lighting can have a considerable impact on a room and this is the same for your bathroom. Consider what sort of lighting you will want as soon as possible as bad lighting can really have an impact on the room. Natural lighting is usually the best choice and if you can, try to get a skylight or large windows fitted in somewhere. If you are planning on having a vanity mirror, it is a good idea to put this where you will be facing the window so you can make full use of the natural lighting. You will also need to remember that artificial lighting will be used a lot and this is just as important. If you want more of an ambiance, you could consider spotlights with a dimmer switch, or low-level lighting. Try to avoid bare bulbs or harsh light sources which are not very relaxing! 

  • Choose materials that are made to last

As we’ve already said above, bathrooms get a lot of use, so you will want materials that are built to last. It can be tempting to go for something based on the aesthetic, but you want to make sure that it is just as sturdy and practical as it is nice to look at. Be sure to look at reviews online and also speak to your builder if you have any doubt. They will have experience in this and be able to advise on what is best! You want tiles that are non-porous (porcelain is often a good choice for this) and if you are getting cabinets fitted, stay away from cheap particle-board materials. These can quickly become damp, swell, and chip. When it comes to your plumbing fixtures, it can be tempting to opt for plastic as they are cheaper, but it is better to spend more on something such as brass that will last forever.

  • Add in some luxuries

To add luxury to your bathroom, you can opt to add some freestanding bath tub with its minimalist and compact design which is ideal for small areas. Since it is freestanding, it is flexible to be placed at any part of your bathroom.

Once you have decided on your budget and how you want your bathroom to look, it is time to think about any added luxuries that you will want to add in. Some good ideas for this include underfloor heating and heated towel rails. These could be a bigger upfront cost, but you will be much more comfortable – particularly during the winter months! You could also get a more luxurious shower such as a rain shower or a bath with jacuzzi jets. These are things that you can look out for when you know what you want to spend! Consider how much you will treasure and actually use these features before becoming swept up in the excitement of it all!

These are just a few things to think about when you are looking to redo your bathroom. It is important to keep your budget in mind throughout the project and get upfront costs wherever possible. If you just say yes to different things as you go along and then add it up at the end, you are likely to lose track and go way over your budget. Make sure to take before and after photos of the project for you to look back on too! What are some top things you have considered in the past when doing up your bathroom? 

Filed Under: Home/Garden
« Previous Page
Next Page »

To the Top