Category: General

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Purchasing an Old Home? 3 Problems To Look For

Living in an old home is the dream of many as the majesty and history of the unique building draws them in with the stylish construction designs. There is a grandeur in many older homes that can not be found in modern constructions. However, there can also be problems with the historical constructions. If you are purchasing an old home, look for these three problems before you buy.

Lead Paint

If the home you are considering buying was built before 1978 there is a good chance it has lead-based paint. If there is any peeling, chipping, chalking, or flaking, have a company come in and sand the area down. When the paint begins to chalk, the surfaces can be especially dangerous to children because they touch areas and then put their hands into their mouths. Lead paint is considered toxic to pets and children by the EPA.

Foundation Cracks

Old homes have had many years to settle, and they can do that several times as the earth tremors occur, nearby blasting happens, earthquakes a few hundred miles away shake the area, or ice storms move the silt or land in your yard. Cracks can appear in your foundation, and sometimes you need foundation repairs Tulsa OK to keep the home from leaning or tilting. Signs the building has settled unevenly include cracks above windows sills or finding doors or windows that no longer open or close.

Asbestos Issues

Asbestos products were commonly used in building construction for almost a century. About 20 years ago, that ended. The problem with asbestos is that you can’t see it, but the fibers can come loose and enter your bronchial passages, sometimes leading to breathing problems. The only way to makes sure your home or building is asbestos free is to have an inspector

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4 Things To Think About When Building a Home in the Middle of Nowhere

Your parents left you a large plot of land, filled with trees, shrubs, undergrowth, and a million rocks. Now you are getting ready to build a home on the property and are trying to figure out what type of house you want, which direction the building should face, and how to get the utilities to the property. Here are four things to think about when building a home in the middle of nowhere.

Your Social Life

Living in the middle of nowhere means your social life may suffer – and your family life. Making new friends when your nearest neighbor is a farmer on the other side of the ravine 10 miles away may be more difficult than you know. You should also consider how you will handle family visitors.

Your Rocky Land

Deciding how much land you want to clear around your home, which trees to leave standing, and how level you want the ground may be a bigger consideration than you first thought. If you have concerns about what you are allowed to do on your land, contact a mulching western Canada service for information.

Your County Zone

The property may belong to you by title, but the county you live in owns the land by right and can limit what type of building can be constructed on the site, how many buildings can be built, and if out-buildings are allowed. If you are considering a commercial venture on the property, contact your county zoning board to find out what is permitted.

Your Water Problem

Did you know that not all properties have drinkable water and some property rights do not allow you to dig a well? Before you begin building, make sure you have a viable water source that can sustain you for years into the future.

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Keeping Pests Out of Your Yard and Home

Fleas and ticks are more than nuisances—they can pose a health hazard to your pets and your family by carrying diseases. However, at the same time, you want to make sure that the solution to these pests is not a danger to your children or animal companions. If you’re looking for child and pet friendly tick control, here are some steps you can take to keep everyone safe.

Lawn Maintenance

An unruly lawn can provide a safe haven for fleas and ticks. Tall grass and overgrown shrubs provide shade that fleas seek and vantage points from where ticks can latch onto a host. Regularly trimming grass, shrubs and tree branches makes the lawn less hospitable to these bugs—plus, it often makes for a nicer-looking yard. If you live adjacent to a wooded area, pay special attention to managing the brush there or consider applying a gravel or mulch border that discourages ticks from traveling across.

Preventative Pet Care

Practice checking your pets for ticks regularly, especially after a day of roughhousing outside; focus on the ears, neck, upper legs, underbelly and the base of the tail. Regular baths, vacuuming and washing pet bedding are good ideas, too. If you can, purchase flea and tick medicine, generally in a topical form, and apply it every few months. Make sure to consult a vet.

Responsible Spraying

If you must spray, consult a vet on products that are minimally toxic. Some products use natural ingredients that repel fleas, ticks and other pets, but make sure that they don’t come from any plants that are toxic to dogs or cats. Keep in mind, too, that these won’t kill pests and thus work best alongside other methods of prevention. Also, even at their least toxic, avoid using sprays around where pets or children often

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Things to Consider When Downsizing Your Home

There are many reasons that people choose to move to a smaller place. Once your kids are grown, you may find you don’t need as much space as you used to and having a big house can become a burden. There are a lot of things to consider before you actually decide to take the plunge though. Here are some things to figure out first.

What to Get Rid Of

You most likely will not be able to take all of your belongings to a smaller place as they simply won’t fit. Start by making a list of the things that are most important to you so you can be sure you have room for those. You can then separate the rest into things you’d like to keep and items that you want to get rid of. When looking for your next home, make sure it has enough room for the things you can’t live without.

Where to Live Next

You need to decide if you are going to live in a house, apartment or even in senior housing Denver Colorado. Are you going to stay in your current city or move somewhere new? These are things you should decide on before you start looking. Going into the process knowing what you want will make it a lot easier.

What it Will Cost

Just because you are moving to a smaller place, doesn’t necessarily mean it will cost less. Sit down and have a serious discussion about your finances before you start looking. Having a budget will help you know what you can afford in advance and cause you less stress.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by all of these decisions, know there is help out there. Find a good realtor to ease you through this process and handle

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Beautify Your Lawn in a Few Easy Steps

Your front yard is the first impression people have of your home. Colorful plantings full of blooms and texture make a yard interesting and eye-catching. A well-manicured lawn gives the yard a healthy and fresh look. Here are a few tips to help keep your lawn in great shape.

Hills and Valleys

Gentle, rolling mounds like those found on a golf course, can add interest and texture. Add a shallow ledge here and there with a natural stone or rock wall edge. If you have unwanted low spots, you may want to bring in some topsoil to level them out. If the problem is that the lawn has settled over sewer or water pipes, you may want to have trench breakers installed, similar to those used in construction projects to reinforce and support the soil above.

Fertilize and Treat Weeds

Fertilizer is a good way to thicken a lawn. Choose one that is high in nitrogen to bring out the green in your lawn. If it is not responsive, you may need to

use some humates, or humic acid, to make the soil more receptive. For thin or bare areas you may possibly need to overseed the area. Treat the lawn for clover, chickweed and crabgrass if needed. You can choose from granules or liquid seed treatments. The fertilizer can help thicken the lawn and choke out the weeds.

Water

Don’t underestimate the power of water, but don’t overdo it either. If you have a sprinkling system, it only needs to be set to go off for about an hour and a half a couple of times a week. If you water early in the morning, the cells of the grass are still open and receptive, they can more fully absorb the water and should not require more

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