Top Remodel Tips for Safety and Structural Integrity
Your home is one of the biggest investments that you will ever make, but keep in mind that it also provides one of life’s basic necessities: shelter. It has to withstand both freezing temperatures and sweltering summer heat. The weather might be dry one minute and pouring rain the next. Over time, weather will exact quite a toll on your home, but just like your vehicle and personal health, taking care of your home will keep it safe and sound for decades to come.
Prevention Is Key
The best defense against fires, leaks, and other accidents is prevention. When it comes to remodeling, basic construction and utilities — electrical, plumbing, heating and air, and properly sealed exterior walls — are just as important as aesthetic or functional upgrades such as new kitchen cabinetry. We understand that most people have a limited budget and a dream bathroom or kitchen in mind, but if some of your electrical outlets are sparking or a shower is slow to drain, those issues ought to be addressed before any finishing touches such as new flooring or molding are added.
Put Security Above Your Head
One of the very best structural remodels in which you can invest is a brand new roof if your current shingles are curling, the plywood sheathing sags when you walk on it, or the roof is simply at the end of its life expectancy. Roof leaks always get exponentially worse with time — water damage, mold, and rotting insulation are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to headaches you’ll encounter with rain making its way inside your home. A new roof can cost thousands of dollars, but it’s a fraction of what you could end up paying for reconstruction.
Windows of Opportunity
Leaky windows can make you uncomfortable when it’s hot, cold, or humid outside, and you’ll end up paying more for utilities, but most people don’t realize leaky windows can also make their homes more vulnerable to high winds. Some of the newest research into tornadoes and hurricanes shows homes with properly sealed windows and doors fare better than homes with porous exteriors.
Other common structural remodels include:
- Upgrading electrical and plumbing to meet modern codes
- Installing underground drains to channel water away from your home
- Repairing footers and strengthening your home’s foundation
What to Do After a Fire or Flood
Fire damage often looks worse than it actually is after a small blaze. Even if your home’s studs are exposed and slightly charred, we can often save your home’s original structure, which saves you money. Smoke damage on drywall typically requires nothing more than a fresh coat of primer to seal the odor and then two top coats of paint to match your home’s existing colors.
Accidents still happen, and if you have a leak or fire in your home, first make sure that you and your family are safe. Turn off all water to your home in the case of a leak, and contact the restoration professionals at Paul Davis.
The post Renewing Your Home Inside and Out appeared first on Paul Davis Restoration Blog.