Month: February 2012 - page 2

Professional Restoration Companies Service Water Damaged Homes

Water damage specialists should be called in anytime you find yourself with a water situation.  Whether you have water in the basement, the hot water tank has sprang a leak or a pipe has burst it is best not to attempt the cleanup effort on your own.  Calling in a water damage expert will ensure that the house is cleaned and dried to industry standards to prevent any more issues from arising down the road.

Hiring a professional to handle issues will help with the following:

  • Mold Problems:  When your home has issues with mold it is in your best interest to call in water and mold damage experts.  Leaving mold untreated will only allow it to multiply.  Treating it incorrectly will also lead to more issues.  Structural damage to your home is common when mold issues appear.
  • Mold Detection:  A water damage specialist can help detect if the home has a mold issue.  After a long winter or an incredibly rainy season it is important to hire a water damage specialist to inspect your home.  Things a professional will look for are leaks, water damage and potential damp areas which could harbor wetness that would allow mold growth.
  • Water Removal: If water has leaked into your home via a flood, leak, or broken pipe water specialist will have the equipment necessary for water removal.  Many homeowners think they can take care of the water damage themselves however a specialist will be sure to check for any structural damage that could wreak havoc with a home.
  • Drying: Drying and dehumidifying the areas within the home affected by water damage is a key element in making sure mold damage does not occur after the initial damage that has been done by the water. Specialists bring in high powered fans to thoroughly dry out carpets, rugs, flooring and affected areas within the home. Exposing the home to fresh, circulating air will help with the drying process.
  • Deodorizing:  Water damage leaves a strange odor within the home.  A water damage specialist will go through and deodorize the areas.  Ionizing the area will not cover the scent however will actually completely remove the odor.
  • Restoration: Water damage restoration specialists are the experts in home restoration.  When water has affected the home more likely than not some sort of restoration will need to take place to make the home as good as new.
  • Sanitation Work: Water damage can come from any area in the home with water.  This can mean the toilet, the dishwasher or other plumbing devices.  On most occasions a water damage expert can provide the same services as a plumber with additional cleanup done for the same price if not cheaper.
  • Assessing Damage: It is a safe bet to have all water damage woes assessed by a specialist before any work is done.  A professional can tell you exactly what needs to be done so that you, as a homeowner, get a clear picture of what needs in the home are.

 

The Benefits Of A Fenced In Backyard

What benefits are there for homeowners to have a fenced in backyard?  This is a question many people ask themselves when looking at homes on the market with yards that are fenced in verse one that aren’t.  There are many great selling points about a home with a back yard fenced in. I always tell my buyers the same thing; it is a good thing the owner did it now you won’t have to.  Eventually people who buy homes in neighborhoods will install a fence.  It is just a matter of time.  If you happen to be the homeowner “without” a fence it is only because the neighbors installed theirs first enclosing your property in the process.

It is clear fencing is necessary when living in areas where many homes are built within close proximity to one another.  Really who wants to be outside enjoying time with their family only to have the intrusion of a neighbor’s backyard event?  Having a fence gives your yard its own space.  One of the main reasons I think fencing is a must have is for the privacy is allows you.  It is a physical boundary that shows your space verse the neighbors.  Privacy is at a premium in society today.  It is a luxury and should be preserved especially in your own backyard.

Another great feature fencing offers is controlled accessibility.  This is never truer than with home that have a swimming pool or hot tub in the backyard.  Adding a fence with a gate lock allows you to police the entrance of guests.  Pool safety is incredibly important.  The last thing any homeowner wants is to have a child drown in their backyard pool.  A tall pool fence with a locked gate will control the access into the pool area and allow for more peace of mind when little ones are playing.

Another great feature fencing offers is the deterring of unwanted pests and people into your yard.  Whether it is critters or a trespasser a fence is a barrier that will often deter them.  Why hit a house up that has obstacles when a house down the street offers up much easier access.  Not only does the fence keep critters and trespassers out but it also keeps your little critters in.  Children and pets, such as the family dog, will find it very difficult to leave the yard if a fence stands between them and the road.   Fencing offers a secure area for little ones to play safely away from the hazards of busy neighborhood roads.

Fencing is also an incredible aesthetic outdoor feature for your home and yard space.  Fencing comes in a variety of materials, colors and styles.  For ultimate privacy and security electronic gates and automatic gate openers can be installed.  These fences allow the utmost privacy and complete control over access into your space.  Often time’s electronic gates are installed with custom fencing that is eight to ten feet high.   If security is not the reason you are choosing a fence then perhaps aesthetics are. For this purpose fencing comes in several colors and a multitude of styles, heights and material choices.

Adding a fence to your home or upgrading an existing fence offer more value than what is visually seen.  Your needs will determine exactly what fence you choose for your backyard. My girlfriend for example added a chain link fence to the border of her backyard. At first the fence was installed as a barrier for the dog.  Years later they installed an in-ground pool and decided that a more secure fence was needed to secure the pool area.  They installed a wrought iron fence about five feet tall with a locking gate.  This fence provides safety keeping the pool area secure for when an adult is not outside. The chain link fence keeps people inside the space and the wrought iron fence keeps children and pets out of the pool.  Your fence must meet your family’s needs. A fence will only add values to your home and is an upgrade that will pay for itself.

Personalized Children’s Toys Alternatives To Generalized Gifts

What do you purchase for a child in your life when they already have everything?  You might be thinking about all the gifts the child in your life would enjoy.  What about a personalized children’s gift.  Personalizing a present for a child in your life is one way to show them how important they are to you.  Making something theirs, and only theirs, by personalizing it with their name it allows them to stake claim to the item.  Who doesn’t love something they can say is all theirs?

Sometimes personalized children’s toys can also have the child’s birth date on it.  This is a special way to personalize a present that is being given as birthday present.  It is a keepsake.  A personalized present to a child will have more of an impact than a generalized present any day.

My favorite personalized children’s toy is not really a toy at all.  For every baby shower we attend the baby is given a toy box with their name inscribed on it.  I was given one for each of my children and it is a keepsake they will have forever.  I keep all of the items that mean the most stored in the box for them.  Now that they are growing up that silky blanket they wouldn’t let go of until they were a bit older needs a place to live.  As do the yearbooks, first soccer shirts, ballet slippers and ever sentimental thing mom’s and dad’s tend to keep forever.

Options in personalized children’s toys and furniture are endless.  Some common gifts include pillow cases, plates, silverware, play kitchens, black belt holders, stools and cozy comfy chairs & bean bags.  Personalized gifts are best for children ages two to about eight.  From there a bit of the appeal may be lost.

Children in this age group find something ultra appealing about to be able to tell and show the world that something it is there’s.  So children that find their name engraved or painted upon something it is just that much more theirs.  This was so true when it came to the personalized pillows that my husband and I had made for our kids.  In fact my thirteen year old still sleeps with hers!  Those pillow cases go on every sleepover they have.  It was such a terrific gift.  My son’s nickname is Bear and he loves soccer so his is all about that.  Our daughter is a softball player.  We knew it from the first tee ball game.  Her pillow case is personalized with softballs and her name.

Another great present is a blanket that is made and embroidered with the baby’s name, date of birth, time and weight.  This gift is one that will grow with them and most likely become a personalized favorite.  A personalized gift basket filled with things all about the child is also a great way to personalize a gift.  Say you have a soccer fanatic like mine.  A gift basket filled with everything soccer from stickers to coloring books make a terrific personalized child’s gift.

A Land Survey Is Critical To Buying Property

It is important to be informed no matter what you are proceeding with in life.  This is true from the little purchase such as a new car to the large ones like a new house.  Being informed is important for several reasons; it lets you make decisions based upon facts instead of pressure and it leads you to explore each piece of a puzzle before settling.  It is important to note that purchases where money is exchanged need to be thought about.  This is especially true when it comes to purchases that need to be financed.  Purchasing a home is the biggest decision of many people’s lives.  It is a must to involve professionals into the picture to clearly understand what your dollars are buying.  When purchasing any type of property a land surveyor is a professional to count on.

It is critical to have any land surveyed that you are intent on purchasing.  There are several reasons for this.  The first is quite critical; you want to protect the investment you are making.  You are entitled to know exactly what your dollars are purchasing.  As a purchaser you want to know of boundary lines, any encroachment issues and where the easements lay.

A land survey is advisable before a purchase is made to clear up any information about where your land is.  When you look into adding onto that new purchase or installing a fence it will be important to know exactly where your land starts and stops to avoid encroachment issues with the neighbors.  Many neighborhoods are adding special by laws in about the property amount in comparison to the size of the home and any out buildings. They want to maintain a natural appeal to the neighborhood keeping natural landscaping and maintaining a ration of lawn to non-lawn.  This helps prevent an eye soar on people’s property.

You will want to know exactly what you are getting for your buck with land surveying.  The cost associated with land surveying will depend a little upon the type of survey that needs to be completed, the land type and how much has already been documented in previous land surveys completed upon the parcel of property.  Many times in existing sub-divisions home buyers get lucky and there is already a substantial amount of information known about the parcel.  If this is the case you may get away with corner monument being verified or line stakes placed on the property lines.

If you are looking to cut costs in the land survey process you will want to find copies of the homes current title and deed.  If you have already made the purchase before the land survey, which is unadvisable, clearing brush along the proposed property lines helps on your own will help decrease fees.

When choosing a land surveyor you should base your decision upon the surveyor’s competency and experience. Ask to see examples of previous jobs and find out before you hire them if previous jobs they have done are similar to what you are asking them to do for you.  A good survey meets your needs and will help you legally if boundary lines are ever questioned.

It is important to be informed no matter what you are proceeding with in life.  This is true from the little purchase such as a new car to the large ones like a new house.  Being informed is important for several reasons; it lets you make decisions based upon facts instead of pressure and it leads you to explore each piece of a puzzle before settling.  It is important to note that purchases where money is exchanged need to be thought about.  This is especially true when it comes to purchases that need to be financed.  Purchasing a home is the biggest decision of many people’s lives.  It is a must to involve professionals into the picture to clearly understand what your dollars are buying.  When purchasing any type of property a land surveyor is a professional to count on.

It is critical to have any land surveyed that you are intent on purchasing.  There are several reasons for this.  The first is quite critical; you want to protect the investment you are making.  You are entitled to know exactly what your dollars are purchasing.  As a purchaser you want to know of boundary lines, any encroachment issues and where the easements lay.

A land survey is advisable before a purchase is made to clear up any information about where your land is.  When you look into adding onto that new purchase or installing a fence it will be important to know exactly where your land starts and stops to avoid encroachment issues with the neighbors.  Many neighborhoods are adding special by laws in about the property amount in comparison to the size of the home and any out buildings. They want to maintain a natural appeal to the neighborhood keeping natural landscaping and maintaining a ration of lawn to non-lawn.  This helps prevent an eye soar on people’s property.

You will want to know exactly what you are getting for your buck with land surveying.  The cost associated with land surveying will depend a little upon the type of survey that needs to be completed, the land type and how much has already been documented in previous land surveys completed upon the parcel of property.  Many times in existing sub-divisions home buyers get lucky and there is already a substantial amount of information known about the parcel.  If this is the case you may get away with corner monument being verified or line stakes placed on the property lines.

If you are looking to cut costs in the land survey process you will want to find copies of the homes current title and deed.  If you have already made the purchase before the land survey, which is unadvisable, clearing brush along the proposed property lines helps on your own will help decrease fees.

When choosing a land surveyor you should base your decision upon the surveyor’s competency and experience. Ask to see examples of previous jobs and find out before you hire them if previous jobs they have done are similar to what you are asking them to do for you.  A good survey meets your needs and will help you legally if boundary lines are ever questioned.