Gutters are constructed as an integral part of the roof system to keep the rain water from flowing down the walls of the house and lead them away. A broken gutter can do harm by creating a mini waterfall right on your path, leading water to run down the sides of the house, damaging its paint and finishing. It may cause the wood elements to rot. It can cause flooding inside the house right down to the basement if the overflow seeps through walls and windows. That is why when renovating or remodeling a house, gutters are of important consideration, especially when leaking rainwater has become a problem.

Gutters can be made from wood, which is now obsolete, vinyl, aluminum, galvanized steel, stainless steel, copper, or synthetic material. The most popular material used is aluminum. It is installed in the lower edge of the roof, and connected to a downspout to lead the rainwater to the ground or any desired receptacle. The task is best accomplished by a mason or a gutter specialist.

Why Aluminum is Better

Aluminum gutters are preferred by most homeowners because, although steel is sturdier, aluminum doesn’t rust. Leaves and debris left sitting on the steel gutter along with stagnant water may cause it to rust. Another plus factor of aluminum gutters is its weight. It is light and easy to install. It is suitable to all types of climate and less expensive.

How Do I Deal With Leaking Water Behind The Gutter?
When shopping around for new gutters, an aluminum gutter of at least 0.32 inches thick is suggested. Something thinner than that may dent when a ladder or any object is placed against it. Choose also a type of paint whose finish will last for years. Perhaps, the better choice is a pre-painted one that matches the color of the roof. A gutter that is of lesser quality may bend and sag after a few years, and water may seep through its folds and creases.

A big problem would be the accumulation of debris. Leaves can clog the outlet that leads to the downspout, causing rainwater to collect and overflow and leak behind the gutter. Nobody likes to go up the ladder and clamber to the rooftop every now and then. Choose the kind that makes the cleaning task easy.

Cleanliness on our surroundings cannot be overstressed. Aside from the junk, we do not want mosquitoes to breed on the stagnant rainwater above our heads and cause mosquito-related diseases.

A rusty gutter that allows water to leak and seep through the walls should be replaced before another rainy day comes. Call a competent man to accomplish the task.

First of all …

First of all, as in all general projects, is the planning stage. Remodeling the kitchen is a giant task, so look for a competent contractor to handle it. He will ask questions or make suggestions. Will there be addition of cabinets or a change of flooring? Would you like an expansion or a complete revamp?

Think about the layout that will make the kitchen traffic smooth. It can be a one-wall or two-wall kitchen, an L-shaped or a U-shaped kitchen. How would you arrange the appliances to make meal preparation and cleanup organized? The layout would depend on the size of your kitchen and the proposed expansion space.

The Flooring.
Floors may be of vinyl material, tiles, wood, or laminate. This should go with the complete look of the kitchen.

Vinyl tiles are the cheapest option and work is done in a day. Tiles require a lot more man-hours, because there are several steps involved. Both materials are water-friendly, making the cleaning of spills easy. Hardwood is not so popular because it rots and warps with water, and needs special care. However, this is also a possible option for the diligent homemaker. Laminate flooring is another popular choice, because this is not affected by moisture.

Utilities have a place too.
Consider the plumbing and the electrical lines. Where does the sink go? Existing water pipes tell you where, but changing the location entails rerouting and adding new pipes, and additional costs. The same goes for gas and electrical lines. This may seem intimidating, but your master kitchen specialist who knows these intricacies will guide you.

For a great look in your kitchen, you can have several lighting options instead of the ordinary single ceiling light.

• Mini lights inside the cabinets to display beautiful glassware
• A light under the cabinet
• Recessed lighting
• Dimmer switches for controlling the amount of light
• Have bigger windows to let in more natural light

Cabinets and countertops
They are also included in the agenda. Would you use old cabinets,  install it in another space, or add new ones? Would you like it constructed according to your design or buy ready-made ones from the local supplier?

The countertops are where you prepare meals and place your dishes. It may be of ceramic tiles or granite or marble. The choice may be according to the general theme of the kitchen.

Don’t forget the color scheme from the ceiling right down to the flooring.

After the planning …
Having done with the planning, it is now up to your kitchen contractor to start the actual work, which begins with dismantling and tearing down. Sit back and relax as they do their job while you envision your new sparkling kitchen.

A bathroom remodeling project may be one of the following:

• Changing or adding a fixture
• Changing the flooring
• Changing the layout
• Putting up a new bathroom wall to expand
• Complete tear-out/remodel.

Remodeling or renovating the bathroom is not something we do every day, and yet we want it beautiful and functional to serve our family’s needs. How do we pick the right man to handle the job?

There are things to consider when faced with the task of how to find a good bathroom remodeling contractor.

What is a contractor?

The dictionary describes him as a person or firm that accepts contracts to supply materials, services, and labor for a building. He is someone who supervises the over-all task until the building’s completion. He knows his job about building and dismantling, costing and pricing, and because this is his specialty, he should be able to establish good communication with the suppliers, the laborers, and the client. He should be fair, honest, clean, organized, punctual, and courteous.

Where can we find him?

In looking for a good contractor to remodel the bathroom, it is not enough to just open the yellow pages and dial. Ask your friends and neighbors and talk to business acquaintances who had experiences of hiring a contractor. Here is where you can pick up tidbits about the workmanship and integrity of the character of the man you want to hire.

The contractor should be open to suggestions on how you want your bathroom done. Experience counts a lot, and he may suggest this and that, but he must not be domineering and overbearing. It’s your bathroom after all. Never hire someone you are not comfortable with.

He should discuss with you how the job will be done. “From day 1 – we tear down this wall. Day 2, …” This way you’ll know what to expect, and not be caught by surprise in the middle of it. If it’s the only bathroom in the house, you should discuss with him the options about addressing the family’s bathroom runs on a daily basis.

It would be a good idea to get a good estimate from two or three different firms or contractors, given the same exact project or job order. This way you can compare prices. When the estimates are established, what would the deciding factor be?

Would you get the lowest bidder?

This would not be a good idea, although it may be very tempting. A low-priced contract may mean something was overlooked, and you may make additional payments in the end to cover up for the omission. It may also be a contractor’s “desperate” way to get the job, and might make up for the low price by “cutting corners” in materials and labor. In other words, low price, low quality.

Neither should you get the highest bidder, unless the price is only reasonably slightly higher. Consider the man/firm’s experience, reputation, and integrity.

There must be a schedule of payments that are understood by both parties. A down payment of one third of the amount of the contract price would be reasonable. Remember, there are materials that should be purchased. The second part may be paid out while the renovation has substantially progressed, and the balance handed out when the work is completed. One reminder though: the original contract price may change as they work their way through your house, especially if it’s a renovation project. Problems concerning the structure may be discovered along the way. When this arises, the contractor and the owner should have a good dialogue.

The types of roofing materials are:

1. Composite shingles – made of fiberglass and asphalt and mineral granules.
2. Wood shingles – it provides good insulation, especially in cold areas. The disadvantage: it is prone to termites and other wood parasites. It can rot and have molds.
3. Clay tiles – they don’t burn and they are termite-proof, but they are fragile. Falling twigs from nearby trees may cause them to break.
4. Slate – it is expensive but durable because it’s real stone. It can last up to 200 years.
5. Metal roof – it can be made from different kinds of metals: zinc, aluminum, copper, steel, lead. They can be painted with a roof paint of any desired color, or they can be obtained pre-painted.

Metal Roofs Vs. Shingles
Composite shingles are the least expensive kind. They are easy to install, because they can be nailed over the existing rooftop. On the other hand, initial cost in installing metal roofing is higher. A professional who specializes in metal roofing is needed. In the long run, metal roofs are more durable. Its life expectancy lasts as long as the house stands, protecting its occupants from rain, snow, and strong winds.Therefore this is the better choice, and because of this, its standard warranty is 50 years, as compared to shingles which is 15 years.

Both types of materials need little or no maintenance, but metal roof is more long lasting. It can withstand harsh weather and it is fire retardant. It has a Class A fire rating.It is energy-efficient because they can be heat-dissipaters for the building because of its insulating properties. Metal reflects heat from the sun, and therefore minimizes the heat gain. Composite shingles may decay over time with severe weather changes. Cheap varieties may shed grains within a few years.

Noise – one of the drawbacks of the metal roof. The sound of gentle rain beneath the roof may be pleasant to some, but disagreeable to others. They can however be controlled by installing sound-deadening barriers.

Lightning -  there has been no documented case of lightning striking a metal roof. High trees and other high objects are hit, but not the roof itself. For safety reasons, however, they can be grounded by a lightning protection company.

With the above mentioned advantages and disadvantages, it is now for the homeowner to weigh and decide. Whatever one may choose, it is best to leave the actual job to the professionals. We want the best protection for our families, and roof over our head is best handled by the specialist.

To remodel the flooring of an existing basement, there are points to consider:

Moisture – water is the number one enemy of basements. Water may come from flooding or a condensation on the walls, or from underground moisture. Granting that the area is not flood prone, the dampness of the floor should still be tested.

To test its dampness, leave several pieces of waterproof material on the basement floor for a day or two. Then, check if there is moisture on it.

Moisture can also come from a faulty water pipe, so have a plumber look into it before starting any flooring project.

Use – usually, a basement is a storage area to keep seldom-used things, as in old clothes, old toys and equipment. When the need for an extra room arises, the underground hideaway comes to mind. It can be a relative’s bedroom. It can be a gym for daily workouts. It can be transformed into a movie room or an entertainment room.

Existing basement floor – usually, it’s a concrete slab laid during its original construction. This must be carefully examined for cracks and holes. If any is present, they must be filled before laying new flooring. Make sure the surface is leveled. A professional may give advice on this.

Types of basement flooring:

1. Concrete – if it’s the original existing slab, it doesn’t need so much materials to redo for style. It can be simply painted and the cracks sealed along with the paint. In the event of flooding, there’s nothing much to worry about regarding floor damage.
2. Tiles – they can be laid directly on the concrete floor. Some types of tiles can be expensive. When laying them, ensure that there are no cracks on the foundation, or these tiles will crack themselves.
3. Resilient flooring – this is also known as linoleum, vinyl tiles or roll, plastic laminate, or cork. It has a cushioned feel beneath the feet. It has a wide variety of colors and patterns to choose from. They will need a special adhesive to install. Advantage: inexpensive. Disadvantage: if floodwater is left standing long enough, it may seep in, because of its multiple seams.
4. Wood Laminate flooring – it is easy to install and easy to clean. A 100 % waterproof laminate is available.
5. Carpeting – although expensive, the nice thing about carpets is the cozy and comfortable atmosphere it radiates. It gives the look of warmth to the place. The downside is the cleaning. It needs more time for its cleaning and maintenance. When submerged in an unexpected flood, it may need a drying machine similar to those used in industries before molds set in. Carpets are nice if the basement is going to be used as a gym or a home theatre.
6. Hardwood floors – they are expensive and not suitable for flood-prone areas because wood rots and warps.

Our homes are one of the best investments of our life. That is why it is always best to have a professional to do the remodeling job, rather than by ourselves.

Thermal imaging is a technique using a special camera that detects heat radiation from the objects in focus and converts then into images according to the infrared spectrum. A warm body or object emits enough heat that when placed against a cooler object, shows different colors in the screen. The hottest objects will appear white or bright colors, and black is emitted in low-temperature objects.

Originally a military surveillance tactic, the science of thermography spawned during the Second World War. The presence and the movements of the enemy can be well-detected without using any form of light, especially during nighttime. In the 50’s, the medical field started to employ this technology to scan possible diseases and treat them accordingly.

The application of this technique expanded as the years rolled by and researches and developments were implemented. In the recent 2009 A H1N1 pandemic, airports used the thermal imaging camera to detect incoming passengers afflicted with the virus.

What is the relevance of Thermal Imaging to house remodeling and energy conservation?

Scanning the house with the Thermal Imaging camera is an efficient way to detect leaks and holes that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

1. Energy loss – small crevices in doors and windows are sometimes overlooked by the owner, thereby wasting precious heat in cold weather and cold air in summer. With thermal imaging, we are given a clue as to where sealing is needed to prevent the escape of heat and cold air from the air conditioning. This is also applicable to finding missing insulation in walls.
2. Water leaks – it could be rainwater travelling from a roof hole right down to the floor, or a busted underground pipe. Hard-to-find source of a ceiling leak can easily be traced with a roof image using this camera. It can also remove a lot of guesswork when dealing with water seeping from the ground.

It can also be useful with the following:

• Air conditioner and compressor leaks
• Electrical faults
• Structural problems and defects
• Detecting the presence of molds

Benefits of thermal imaging

1. Energy conserved = money saved.Precious energy is prevented from being lost by easy detection using the thermal imaging camera. This equals to savings on our hard-earned money.
2. Knowing the repairs to prioritize.And knowing where to zero in on the repair area. You need not tear down the whole ceiling, and you don’t have to change the whole roof, if you can pinpoint the source of the problem.
3. Anticipates and prevents future damages.
   Upon the discovery of a tiny loophole in the house, you can now work on it before it becomes a full-blown problem. For example: a tiny water leak, if left unattended for long, can destroy the wood finishing of the interior. Electrical overload can be detected in time before it becomes a disaster.