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The change of seasons is often a good time to inspect your home’s systems and take care of maintenance and repairs. There are a few things you can do on your own and with the help of an electrician to ensure the electrical system in your home is up to date and safe. From All Red Electric Ltd. in Calgary, here are some tips on how to prepare your home’s electrical system for winter.

Check your electrical panel

With winter on the horizon, you don’t want to run into problems during the cold weather. It’s a good idea to have your home’s electrical panel tested before the winter to catch any problems. This way, if there’s an outage or some issue in the winter, you’ll be prepared. An electrician will be able to test the different breakers and alert you of any issues that may require repairs. Having an electrician catch potential issues beforehand is ideal because, if left unkept, these issues may damage other components of your home’s electrical system, costing even more to repair.

Check any wiring around your home

Damaged wiring can be hazardous for not only your home but your family too. Wires that are frayed are at risk of starting a fire or short-circuiting the power in your home. An easy way to do this is to check for sockets that may have blackened shadows or burn spots around them. A burning smell or buzzing noise are also signs of a problem. Another way to check is to check the wires connecting to any electronics in and around your home, so they can be repaired accordingly. If you notice any problems with any of these, contact an electrician as soon as you can.

Unplug things!

This is an easy one, a small thing to do that has a big impact. Energy bills likely rise for homeowners in winter as additional heat and power are needed. With these potential added costs, one simple way to help save money is to unplug things that aren’t in use. It can also help reduce the chances of short-circuiting from overloading electrical sockets. Unless the socket is essential, unplug things!

Look into a surge protector

Sometimes with weather changes, your home may be prone to a power outage. This can not only affect your appliances plugged into walls, but may affect crucial functions like your home’s heating system. It reroutes surges of electricity that may begin concentrating in one area of your home. Surge protectors can prevent this when a power outage strikes. It will keep your electrical panel functioning properly when winter hits, and keep the system safe.

Check your home’s HVAC system and thermostat

Controlling the heat in your home is important to have throughout the winter. Not only will your home temperature drop, but the lack of heat can damage other features of your home, including plumbing. It’s a good idea to get an electrician to inspect your HVAC system and thermostat before winter hits. Running into problems with either may be more difficult to repair in winter and could leave your home colder for days at a time. Just to be sure that your home’s heating system is good to go for the winter, have an electrician take a look.

Electricians in Calgary

All Red Electric is a full-service electrical contractor. They provide start to finish solutions for all types of construction projects in Calgary and the surrounding area. They strive to offer the best residential, commercial, and industrial services to all our customers. Although they are a new company, they use decades of electrical experience to provide the highest quality services.

For more information, check out All Red Electric today!

Click to Find >>>>> Electricians in Calgary

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Installing drywall can be an exciting part of a home renovation because you’re that much closer to completing the project. However, some homeowners may not know that there are many different kinds of drywall. Each comes with their own benefits, giving you more choice than you may have originally thought. Here are the different types of drywall and their benefits from Emerte Ltd. in Edmonton.

White board drywall

White board drywall is the kind of drywall you’re most likely to see in homes. It comes in large panels that can easily be cut into different sizes to fit your walls, even in awkward corners and spaces. It’s reliable to use in your home but may not come with other features you might be looking for. It’s the standard, but there are more options available.

Green board drywall

Some walls in your home are prone to get wet, rooms like the kitchen, bathroom, mudroom, or laundry room. Green board drywall is a more moisture-resistant type of drywall that can withstand water and not damage as easily than white board drywall would. It may be a pricier option, but it will keep your walls safe and last a long time.

Blue board drywall

Taking the green board drywall a step further, the blue board drywall has higher water resistance. It also protects against mold or other water damage that may occur. Again, this is commonly used in rooms that are more likely to have water spillages, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Paperless drywall

Similarly to the green board and blue board, it has water and mold resistance. However, this kind of drywall is built a little differently. It uses fiberglass that gives it the extra shielding which also gives it a bit of texture. It will need to be finished, but once it is it will last for many years to come.

Soundproof drywall

Soundproof drywall has extra layers built in to lessen the amount of sound passing through walls. It’s made with fibers, like the paperless option, wood, and other polymers. It’s a stiffer drywall material, so cutting it will be more challenging than something like white board drywall. However, the extra work will be worth it when will durable, longlasting, and noise-proof walls.

Drywall Contractors in Edmonton

Emerte Ltd. specializes in residential and commercial services. You can get a thorough consultation to give you accurate options that fit your budget from the start. They strive to save you both time and money by combining experience, high-quality equipment, and great service.

Book an appointment with Emerte Ltd. today!

Click to Find >>>> Drywall Contractors in Edmonton

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Getting a new asphalt roof is a great investment that will last for the next 20 years. That said, any colour choice will also last for the duration of your new roof. Just as a new roof can boost curb appeal, picking the right colour is just as important.

Xtreme Roofing in Vancouver is a professional roofing company. They share some tips when it comes to choosing the right colour for your new asphalt shingles:

Start with your home’s colours

Your roof takes up a sizeable visual percentage, but so does the rest of the house. When looking at new colours, you want to match shades or choose a complementary contrast. For example, white houses can easily be paired with any range of colours and will look good. To choose a colour then, look at the trim colours on your windows or door. Matching the roof to those will create a nice balance that helps draw in those colours. Earthy homes, for instance, brown, beige, or cream, can either match with similar shades or a darker variant. Beige and cream homes can be paired with green shingles for an attractive combination. Or, dark browns and even blacks can look just as striking.

Factor in climate

As attractive as a dark roof may look, would it be suitable in your local climate? If, for example, you live in an area that generally gets hours of sunlight each day, a dark roof may not be suitable. The attracted heat may increase heating and cooling bills and make the colour less beneficial in the long run. Alternatively, areas that see a range of weather, from sunny to rainy and cloudy, are less affected by colours. In that case, it may be a personal preference regarding a new colour. With proper attic ventilation as well, a dark coloured roof will still have a long lifespan and without increased bills.

See what the neighbours have

You want your home to stand out and be a feature attraction when selling, but not so much that it’s drastically separate. Once you have a list of colours and shades, look at what other home roofs look like. Are the majority using darker shades, or is it a light and dark range depending on the house? Complementing the overall look, while still picking just the right colour to make your home stand out, will add much more appeal.

Complement the architecture

A great way to double up on curb appeal is to match your roof to your home’s architecture. If you own an older, more traditional home, such as a Victorian style, stick with traditional colours. Shades such as greys and blacks, or browns are simple and classic choices. More modern homes, however, can benefit from bolder and less traditional colours. Dark greens, bright reds, or blended browns can all provide that modern and eye-catching addition.

Roofers in Vancouver

Quality service and the right price is what Xtreme Roofing is proud to provide. They offer a range of roofing services from metal, synthetic, asphalt, and more. Every project is always handled with the highest-quality materials, techniques, and years of experience and skill. Their professionals can help with any roofing job, whether big or small.

Contact Xtreme Roofing today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Generally, living rooms are included in kitchen renovations as part of an open layout concept. Other times, the renovations are specific changes like adding new stone masonry or paint colour. But just like any other room in your home, living rooms have great renovation potential all on their own.

Tkon Construction in Edmonton offers professional general contracting and renovation services. They share some transformative tips and ideas for your living room renovation:

Expand the space

Don’t settle for a small, closed-off living room space, especially when open layouts are so popular. Living rooms are often merged into a kitchen design, but that isn’t the only choice. Simply adding more space, like removing a wall, will add that open, spacious feel. If you have a deck or sunroom by the living room, install new windows and a door leading outdoors. Just be sure to work with a general contractor to handle any wall removal or construction. Not only is it messy, but you won’t want to take out a load-bearing wall accidentally.

Add a feature wall

Feature walls are perfect interior design elements that add eye-catching focal points and appeal to any room. Living rooms are especially beneficial, as most tend to have large, spacious walls in them. There are also a few ways to design a feature wall beyond just the traditional bold new paint colour. Add texture with a stone veneer addition, install a new fireplace or a mounted TV with shelving on either side. If you do want a painted wall feature, choose light, calming colours like blues or pastels. Otherwise, bold, dark colours like black or dark red and green will create a striking new look.  

Update the lighting

This two-in-one renovation is perfect for changing the look and in a cost-effective way. If the living room’s layout and design isn’t an issue, focus on lighting and fixtures instead. Better lighting, in any room, can help brighten it and highlight features with accent lights. With features such as a fireplace, brick wall, or even wall shelving, install spotlights to shine on them. That will naturally draw the eye and add a focal feature. Use general ceiling lights such as recessed to help brighten the room overall and chase away any shadows. As for fixtures, go for bold, statement styles. Living rooms with tall ceilings will pair perfectly with stunning chandeliers for a touch of traditional and luxury.

Change the floors

Floors are just as important to factor into the overall design and if you want to boost value even more. Unlike bathrooms or kitchens, living rooms aren’t limited to specific flooring types because of moisture risks. For a timeless and value-boosting option, you can’t go wrong with hardwood. The different species of wood alone can be used to really customize the appearance. At the same time, laying down runners or rugs can add some interior design appeal. Natural stone is another stunning option that brings a blend of traditional grandeur to a modern home.

General Contractors in Edmonton

Need home maintenance, improvements, or renovations? Then Tkon Construction is the right company to call. They offer not only those services, but also with guaranteed quality and skill every time. No matter how big or small a project, Tkon Construction is ready and waiting to help.

Contact Tkon Construction today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Written by No Payne Roofing Inc.

If you’re not sure whether you need immediate roof repairs, check and see the following signs to help you learn more about your roof’s condition. In doing so, you can be sure that you’d want to work with a contractor quickly to fix the following problems.

More Than 20 Years Old

The typical lifespan of an asphalt shingles roof is about 20-35 years. If you’re using clay or slate tiles, you can expect it to show signs of deterioration beyond 50 years even with efficient roofing maintenance services. Therefore, if your roof passes the 20-year mark, it would have most likely suffered damages resulting from normal wear and tear or weathering.

Having professional Calgary AB roofers ensure that you can prolong the roof’s lifespan and performance without having a full-on roof tear off and replacement. This is especially important to do during the spring because the summer rains are fast approaching.

You Have Standing Water In Your Gutters

Your gutters are the smallest yet one of the most important parts of your roof. If you’ve left standing water in your gutter system for too long, chances are they’ve dragged and pulled the entire roofing system. Sagging can cause your roofing materials to stretch, which makes it important to have specialist roofers address it as soon as possible.

In addition, long-standing water in your gutters will have damaged the entire system, which will warrant a replacement.

Thermostat Bills are Rising

If you notice your thermostat bills are rising; insulation leaks may be the problem. If that’s the case, this is a clear sign that the outside temperature has begun to massively infiltrate the internal temperature of your property. While the cause could be wall cracks and basement damage, it’s damaged roofing underlayment that is the primary cause for most cases.

Having a roof repair team survey and perform all the necessary repairs on your roof is essential when this happens. It also prevents the possibility of attic leaks due to the increasing cracks and crevices on your roof underlayment.

You See Signs of Water Damage On Your Walls

Staining and bloated-looking wood moldings on your internal ceiling may be a sign that your roof is suffering from water damage. When your roof underlayment is compromised, the leaks from the rain start permeating through the attic and down to your ceilings and walls. Wood molds are often left to absorb and later dry up with the rainwater. Prolonged inaction against these leaks can result in bigger water damage in the future.

A Hailstorm Has Previously Passed

All roof materials have adequate resistance against hailstorms. However, some storms can be more severe than others especially if you’re hearing high-velocity hailstones impacting against your asphalt roof shingles or clay tiles.

If a recent hailstorm has passed, it’s best to immediately contact a professional roofing team in Calgary to learn about the roof’s condition and your best course of action immediately.

Work Only With The Finest Contractors in Calgary AB

If you have yet to find a reliable roofing company in Calgary, you can depend on us at No Payne Roofing. Working with an exceptional team of professionals armed with the right knowledge and equipment, we guarantee only the best results for all your roofing needs. Contact us today!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

When you think about landscaping, you might think about trees, grass, and flower beds – but there is so much more to landscape design.  Hardscape features, like patios, walkways, retaining walls, and fireplace areas can turn a regular yard into a usable, beautiful outdoor living space. From SS Landscaping & Construction in Calgary, here are some ways you can use concrete to improve your landscaping.

Structural retaining wall

Is your yard on a slope, therefore underutilized? The addition of a structural retaining wall allows you to maximize the space of your yard. It can also add visual appeal to your yard too. Regardless of how sloped your yard might be, a professional landscaper can create flat, usable tiers in the yard customized to your space and needs.  A great feature of concrete is how versatile it can look. Different design elements, colours, stones, and textures can be added to the concrete, making it unique to your yard.

Paver stones

Paver stones are a great material to work with if you’re looking to add a personal touch to your walkways and patio. These stones come in many different styles and colours that can be mixed and matched to create your dream outdoor space. These stones don’t only have to be used for walkways and patios either; they can be used to frame flowerbeds, gardens, and fireplaces as well. Paver stones can be placed in many different ways to create unique patterns and designs. With a wide range of options, they add a personal touch to your backyard. The right stonework can help your outdoor living space take shape, so you are drawn to spend more time outside.

Other concrete work

Concrete is a great material to work with because it can have so many different applications and appearances. You can choose from a range of different finishes with concrete for your driveway, patios, walkways, and steps. One way this is done is stamping the concrete. Stamping can make concrete look like an entirely different material, like brick, granite, slate, or other natural stone materials. Other concrete finishes include polishing, staining, colouring, and patterning. All of these finishes take your concrete hardscaping to a whole new level, adding curb appeal, value to your home, and character to your outdoor space.

Landscapers in Calgary

SS Landscaping & Construction complete projects efficiently and on schedule, while going above and beyond to form lasting relationships with their clients. They offer all types of work from small flower bed retaining walls to large structural retaining walls. If you’re in need of help for your next landscaping project, SDD Landscaping & Construction has got you covered.

Contact SS Landscaping & Construction for a free estimate today!

Click to Find >>>> Landscapers in Calgary

Click to Find >>>> Concrete Contractors in Calgary

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Natural gas is not only clean and convenient, but it’s also incredibly cost-effective to use. It may also be that you already own a gas line, but your pipes are worn out and need to be replaced. Either way, knowing why and when your home needs a new gas line can save money and add convenience.

Resilient Plumbing in Vancouver is a professional plumbing and heating company. They share some reasons why you should consider installing a new gas line:

Your gas pipes are old and worn

If you already use gas in your home, it is worthwhile checking how old those pipes are. Gas pipelines have a lifespan of 50 years, but older homes may already have older pipes. The entire pipeline may not need repairs, but a line repair is sometimes necessary. It may also be that older pipes need a maintenance check now and again for any minor repairs. If you notice strange smells, sounds (like hissing from the walls), or the grass above a line is dying, call a professional. A leaky pipeline is a dangerous problem that must get repaired or replaced right away.

You are adding more gas appliances

Similar to upgrading your circuit panel when you need more power, new gas appliances also need access to new gas lines. Each new appliance will need to be supplied with its own gas source to run properly and avoid overloading the gas line with too many appliances. Before you buy any new appliances, call in a professional plumber to inspect your gas line. They’ll be able to tell you if your home has enough BTUs (British Thermal Units), which measure how much thermal energy is necessary. New appliances will typically have a sticker with the BTU output, which a professional can reference for your new gas line. Never attempt to install a gas line for a new appliance yourself.

Switching away from electricity

Swapping from electricity to natural gas appliances can save around 30% on utility bills making it a worthwhile choice. Compared to electricity as well, natural gas is a top contender when it comes to clean energy. While this isn’t an uncommon switch for homeowners, keep in mind that the initial installation cost is much higher. New gas lines and gas appliances will need to be installed first, which accounts for that spike in the initial expenses. However, some utility companies will offer rebates to help offset the overall cost. Talk to a professional plumber to plan for the costs and see what those long-term savings will look like.

Building a new house

Planning a new home is the perfect chance to maximize any energy-saving features, like natural gas, before you move in. Not only that, but you can decide now if you want an outdoor barbecue, garage heater, or a gas fireplace. With a natural gas pipeline, the value it adds to your home is a long-lasting addition. A new home is a big investment, but those future monthly bills will be lower, and the resale will be higher with natural gas. Just be sure to involve a professional plumber for any gas line planning and ideas. Aside from their professional help, they may have some design ideas and features to consider.

Plumbers in Vancouver

Resilient Plumbing dedicates themselves to providing high-quality and efficient plumbing and heating services for your home. Their professionals are all fully-licensed, experienced, and skilled at their work. Whether your home needs plumbing, heating, gas, or drainage services, their company is the one to call.

Contact Resilient Plumbing today!

Click to Find >>>> Best Plumbers in Vancouver.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Painting Your House? Tips from Our Craftsmen

Painting your house can be a large job, if you want to repaint your entire home it may be a good idea to call the professionals. House painting is no easy job and can be dangerous if you are climbing on ladders to reach the higher areas. However, there are many aspects to consider when deciding to paint your home and some of it you can handle on your own. 

Take the Weather into Account

Even if you plan on hiring professionals you should consider hiring them during a span of good weather. Weather can be unpredictable but if you have rainy springs, consider waiting until the summer or fall to have your home repainted. Low humidity days are also best! 

Choose a High Quality Paint

High quality paints may be slightly more expensive but they also last longer and you will be able to go longer without repainting your house again. The quality of the paint is definitely important to consider. 

Hire Professionals

Once you have picked a good time of year and a high quality paint, it may be time to call in the house painting professionals. 

Clean the Exterior of Your Home

Before painting it’s always good to prep the surface. Cleaning the exterior of your home is the best way to prep your home for paint. Power washing is a great option to really remove any dirt, mildew or old chipping paint. 

Scrap and Sand Your Home

Part of the surface prepping process is scraping and sanding the exterior of your home as well. Make sure you wear a mask during this process because you won’t want to inhale any of the old paint or wood debris coming off your home during this process. 

Fill and Patch

Next you will want to patch and fill any cracks, holes or areas of rot before you start painting. There are some really affordable materials that are great for filling cracks and holes. 

Prime

Lastly, before you can start the actual house painting you must prime your home. A primer is incredibly important and you should not skip this step. There are many different primers to use depending on your need and house material. Pick the right one for your home. 

Painting

Now it’s finally time to paint your home. It’s important to hire the professionals to paint your home especially if you have to climb on ladders to reach high areas. Adding a fresh coat of paint to the exterior of your home is also a great way to add curb appeal and more value to your home. 

At Handyman Connection our highly trained and skilled craftsmen can ensure a seamless house painting experience. Call or text your local Handyman Connection office for exterior and interior house painting services as well as other homer repair and improvement services. 

The post How to Paint your House and When to Call the Professionals appeared first on Handyman Connection.

A home addition is a good choice if you need more space but don’t want to move. Sometimes, a home addition doesn’t include adding to your home’s footprint, like adding a new room or sunroom. Instead, it could mean transforming a space to have a completely different function. An example of this would be turning a basement storage room into an additional bathroom. Or an unused bedroom into a master ensuite bathroom and walk-in closet.

Because the types of home additions range so drastically, it is difficult to pin down the average cost of one. However, HomeAdvisor gives some statistics that can provide a clearer idea of price points for your big project.

Lambert Brothers Construction is a full-service general contracting company, offering major renovations like home additions. They share more:

The average cost of a home addition.

According to HomeAdvisor’s statistics, the average cost of adding a room or building an addition is $43,602. Most homeowners will spend between $21,000 to $70,100 with high end additions averaging around $130,000 to $270,000. As mentioned, it all depends on what type of addition you want to build.

Adding a small, basic room:

The report states that an additional room could cost up to $200/square foot, but you should always consult with a general contracting company before creating a firm budget. They can also tell you about any building code requirements and permits you’ll have to obtain for the project, adding to the cost.

Sunroom additions:

For a sunroom addition, you can pay between $20,000 to $70,000 or more. The price difference depends on the square footage and if you require footings or a slab foundation. Consider add-ons like electrical wiring, heat, and other finishings.

Bathroom additions:

According to Remodeling, a mid-range bathroom addition can cost up to $49,500. An upscale addition can cost up to $91,200. The price range is determined by the complexity of the addition if it adds to the home’s footprint or not, structural changes required and the quality of finishings you included in the renovation.

Master suite addition:

Always wanted a larger master bedroom? Remodeling estimates that a mid-range master suite addition (added to the footprint of your home at ground level) can cost about $136,000. An upscale addition, complete with a luxury bathroom and seating area with a fireplace, can run up to $282,000. This example is a major addition built off the side of a home at ground level.

Major Renovations and Home Additions in Edmonton

Lambert Brothers Construction offers full-service residential renovations for both the inside and outside of the home, including home additions. Serving Sherwood Park and the Edmonton area, their services start at the concept and dreams for your project. Then they help create a design and manage the entire project through completion. They believe that every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Their work is not good enough for their customers until they are proud enough to put their name on it.

Lambert Brothers Construction will guarantee that our last job is their best job.

Contact them to discuss your major renovation!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Ready to tackle home repair and home maintenance projects? With our downloadable home exterior and home interior inspection sheets you can easily discover items that need to be addressed in your home. Download our printable sheets to get started on your home inspection.

The post Home Interior and Home Exterior Inspection Sheets appeared first on Handyman Connection.