Home Improvement Blogs – Airdrie

Home improvement advice for Airdrie, Alberta residents by Justin Havre & Associates.

Found 24 blog entries about Home Improvement Blogs – Airdrie.

The Straight Facts on Mold RemediationMold remediation can be a complex issue for homeowners if they have little to no experience with it. Mold removal is very important if a homeowner is considering selling their home. The sheer number of mold species would be enough to exhaust anyone before even getting started. Understanding mold risks and remediation starts with addressing the serious nature of the substance. Unlike mildew, mold typically can't be treated with regular cleaners. Here are a few tips for homeowners if the moisture in the surrounding air is causing an unwanted mold infestation.

Illness Risks

Mold can cause respiratory problems if residents are exposed to it over a prolonged period. Experts recommend seeing a doctor if anyone in the home is experiencing

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A Room by Room Guide on How to Upgrade Home LightingThe lighting needs of each household differs according to the interests, hobbies and preferences of the people who live there. In most homes, the original lighting cannot shine brightly enough to fully illuminate all corners of each room. New construction homeowners can overcome this problem by upgrading the light fixtures in the kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms and entryway. This guide can help with the selection of the best lights for each room.

Kitchen Lighting

With sharp knives and other tools in use on a regular basis, the kitchen needs to have bright, focused lighting on all the work areas. Softer lighting all around can also help make the kitchen an inviting place for the household to gather.

For this reason, strategic placement of

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How to Stay Safe at HomeAccidents at home can be deadly, but many of them can be avoided. For those who are new to home ownership and who want to keep their home safe, especially if they are considering selling their home in the near future, these tips can help people avoid accidents in various rooms around the house.

Fire

Around 7,000 residential fires occur per year in Canada, and the death rate in these fires is approximately 1%. Fires can be caused by many things including electrical problems, problems with fireplaces and ovens, lit cigarettes and lit candles.

Although there are many ways that homeowners can protect themselves from residential fires, perhaps most important is to keep operational smoke detectors in every room of the house.

Smoke detectors

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How to Fix Unpermitted WorkUnpermitted work is more common than many homeowners realize with as many as 70% of all homes in the country boasting some type of unauthorized repair or renovation. Previous homeowners may not have realized they needed to ask permission in order to make improvements to their own home, leading to confusion about what was done, when it was done, and how it was completed. Those who suspect they're living in a home with unpermitted work will need to take the following steps to make home improvements and rectify the situation.

Understand the Rules

The rules regarding permits are there to ensure the safety of the property, its neighbors, or the future inhabitants of the area. The expectations for each homeowner will vary from neighborhood to

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What You Should Know About Home PaintingPainting is not only a fun way to make a change, it's also an inexpensive way to improve a home's resale value. It can smooth over some of the cosmetic flaws of a home when staging to sell, helping it look more attractive to both homeowners and passerbys alike. Here are a few tips to get the best possible coats on the exterior of the home.

Make Prep a Priority

The importance of caulking, patching, and cleaning the home first cannot be overstated:

  • Check the sides: Dirt and mildew have a tendency to form in some of the most overlooked corners.
  • Pressure wash the exterior: This step is usually the best way to clear out any peeling paint or other impurities that may have formed over time.
  • Seal the cracks: Caulk all joints (e.g., where
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Is It Time To Replace Your Roof?An old or deteriorated roof can be a big problem for a homeowner. Without being repaired or replaced, a roof leak may lead to wood rot and structural damage. Knowing when to repair or replace a roof is an important part of being a homeowner and caring for a property.

What Causes A Roof to Deteriorate? How Can You Prevent It?

A roof can last anywhere from 20 years to 200, depending on the materials used and the maintenance practices of the homeowner. Deterioration may happen for many reasons. UV rays and exposure to the elements take their toll on roofing materials. Other events that can cause damage to a roof include big storms and natural disasters, ice dams, poor maintenance practices and pest infestation.

Establishing a regular

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Everything You Need to Know About Your Home's FlooringThe flooring that a homeowner selects for their house will have an affect on their home's comfort, style and functionality. Some types of flooring require a lot of maintenance, others require very little. Some flooring can last for centuries, other types will only last a few years. Homeowners who are trying to make their decision should be aware of all the differences in the different types of flooring, so they can choose the type of flooring that works best for them.

Carpeting

Carpeting has the benefit of being soft and relatively warm. It also comes in a range of colours, so it can match just about any interior decor. For seniors and homeowners with small children, carpeting is often a preferred flooring material because it provides padding

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Improvements can help sell a home quicker. Some also have a high ROIIt is a common belief in real estate that often a home will be sold based on its bathrooms and kitchen. That, however, doesn't mean these are the smartest areas to make major investments in. This is especially true if someone selling their home is looking to get the best return on investment (ROI). In fact, investing a large amount of money in a kitchen or bath may help sell the home quicker but it is likely not going to pay off in terms of ROI. A list of the home improvement projects that offer an attractive return on investment may contain some surprises. What are these areas sellers should consider when focusing on ROI?

The Entry Door

A new steel or designer entry door can pay off in multiple ways. A brand new door makes a great first

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3 Hidden Hazards Lurking in Canadian HomesLives may be at risk when Canadian homeowners fail to monitor and attend to potential dangers within home. From smoke to carbon monoxide to other hidden dangers, how can occupants reduce potential home hazards? Learn about common hidden dangers found in residences today.

Fire In the Home: Where There Is Smoke…

A smoke alarm may be installed but not be operating as intended. Know that monthly testing is suggested for smoke alarms and that batteries need to be replaced not once, but twice a year. A properly functioning smoke alarm can provide early detection of a possible fire. Protect household members by installing and maintaining smoke alarms as fires in a home can lead to serious burns, injuries and worse.

In case of a fire, all

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Solid Foundation Repair Options for HomesAre the signs of foundation problems becoming undeniable within the exteriors and exteriors of the home? While the most common issues often begin subtly, foundation cracks and shifts caused by soil settlement or sudden natural forces can lead to major home structural issues without proper resolution. Fortunately, there are several modern home foundation fixes that can restore the dwelling's integrity.

Minor cracks caused by shrinkage can generally be repaired with masonry sealants and patches while vertically moving foundations will generally require slab jacking or push pier/piling procedures. However, the best solution will be determined by geographic location, soil quality and the specific condition of the slab itself. Read on to learn more

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