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Lintel Repair: The Homeowner’s Guide

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Owning a house comes with its fair share of problems. At times, the plumbing might be causing some issues, or the heating system might be down. Other times, you might need to make a few masonry fixes all over the house. Lintels can be best described  as horizontal columns that are placed above an opening in the wall, like a door or a window. They are used to support and hold up the structure of the wall. Lintel repair is something that homeowners face on a frequent basis. But do you always need to replace the lintel or can you get it repaired by trusting a local lintel repair contractor ? Factors that Cause Lintel Damage Lintel supports can be made of steel, timber, or just stone , and each one of these materials is prone to degradation at some point. A number of factors can influence lintel degradation ranging from moisture from the environment, uneven installation or even just aging of the material used in construction. These factors can cause the lintel to damage at some places,...

4 Signs You Need a Masonry Repair Service

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Masonry may be an impressive feature of your commercial area, but Boston's weather can severely affect its beauty and foundation. Many business owners are unable to recognize the signs that a masonry repair is due, leading to extensive damage. We've listed down the top four warning signs of masonry repair to help you save your precious structures.    1.  Deteriorated Mortar Although stone and brick masonry walls may require repointing after fifteen to twenty years, weather and wear factors can damage the mortar. The initial signs of mortar joint deterioration are crumbling and erosion from the joints. Mortar deterioration  can be extremely damaging to the structure of the masonry. Due to lack of mortar between them, the bricks start rubbing against each other, which if left unaddressed can lead to expensive repairs. It's essential to call in a masonry service as soon as possible to prevent further damage.    2.    Spalling At The Shelf Angle Shelf...

4 Telltale Signs That You’ve Got a Leak on your Property

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While water leakages add a comedic element to slapstick TV comedies, they’re no laughing matter. In fact, they can actually be dangerous; not only to your property, but to your  health  as well. Moreover, leaks are nowhere near as noticeable as they are on TV. So, how can you tell if you’ve got a leak on your property? Here are four telltale signs.  1.  Moist or Stained Drywall It’s safe to say that you have drywall running throughout your property. It’s one of the primary components that make up ceilings and walls. When there’s a water leak in your house, it may seep into the drywall and slowly become visible. If you see stains appearing on the drywall or you feel that it’s moist, that’s because the water has started to pool behind it. Two main areas where this can happen are the foundation and roof of your house. In these cases the water has no place to go but to seep into the drywall, and it’s not going to stop until the issue is fixed.  2.  Wet Surfaces...

Simple Ways to Enhance Curb Appeal

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Looking to add a bit of flair to your home's exterior? Done with refurbishing the interior and want your curb to reflect some of that personality? When renovating your home, it’s important to make additions that complement the rest of your property so they don’t seem out of place. To make sure you make choices that augment your home elegantly, we've put together a list of simple ways to enhance curb appeal. Adaptable to quaint houses, expansive mansions, and everything in between, these tricks are bound to attract appreciation for passersby! 1.  Textured entrance Adding texture to your entrance is one of the quickest and easiest ways of upgrading your home’s curb appeal. Hanging plants, installing symmetrical lighting, and redoing the floor with tiles are just some tricks you can use to add oomph to your home’s exterior. Making these additions around the entrance instead of relying on a flat door and patio will give the space the depth it needs to look grand, r...

Planning Considerations to Design a Beautiful Walkway for Your Home

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The curb appeal of your home can play a substantial role in determining the value of your property. Ninety-nine percent of NAR members  believe curb appeal is important in attracting a buyer. A great way to improve the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space is by designing a beautiful walkway leading to your doorstep. Let’s talk about the planning considerations to design a beautiful walkway for your home. Are walkways and pathways the same? No. Let us walk  you through the difference (no pun intended).  Pathways are commonly built using natural materials like mulch. They’re around four to six feet wide. Walkways, on the other hand, are designed using solid hardscape material like concrete, stones, and pavers. They’re around two to three feet wide. Planning Considerations Home design The walkways should complement the exterior of your home. For instance, if your home exterior is built of bricks, you can choose a matching brown tint to create a harmonize...

Signs of Water Damage and the Health Risks They Pose

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If you want to avoid spending on unnecessary repairs, check for water leaks in your walls immediately. The damage caused by water leaks can make excessive moisture spread throughout and worsen the situation ten-fold. It’s better to catch the source of water damage immediately to curtail the extent of the damage. What is Water Damage? Concealed plumbing pipes can burst due to several reasons  and cause water to leak into the structure. Hidden plumbing leaks behind walls can be difficult to identify and cause severe structural damage. The moisture gets absorbed in ceilings, flooring and drywall, as well as wooden structures and sheetrock. Even a slow leak can effectuate large-scale damage that needs expensive restoration. Here are some signs of water damage that can alert you early on. Early Signs of Water Damage ·  Musty odor: If you can smell something moist and musty, it’s probably a sign of mold growth due to moisture. ·  Visible signs of mold: Mold g...

5 Ways to Immediately Handle Winter Storm Damage

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According to the Insurance Information Institute , winter storms caused nearly $4.2 billion worth in damages  in 2018. When most people think of winter storm damage, they envision homes buried in snow and people slipping on ice. But the truth is that there are some far more potent threats that a winter storm poses. What are some common types of storm damage? Before we move on to talking about how to handle storm damage, let’s talk about the many types of storm damage, namely: ·  Flooding: Cold weather can cause the water in your home’s pipes to freeze. This exerts pressure on the pipe wall. As a result, the pipes could burst, causing flooding in the walls and other areas of your house. ·  Fires: It’s hard to imagine fires during a winter storm, but they’re quite common. Unguarded fireplaces and flammable equipment placed near overloaded circuits can cause mass fires that result in a lot of damage. ·  Cracks in Siding: Fast wind speeds—accompanied by ...