Signs Your Home Needs Better Insulation

In the winter, insulation keeps your house warm and cozy, and in the summer, it keeps it pleasantly cool. But if it's not done right, your home will be drafty and have poor air quality. Also, your energy bills will spike up.

Here's how to tell if you have poor insulation in your house and how to fix it.

How to Tell You Have Poor Insulation

One sign that you don’t have good insulation is that you notice cracks in walls or ceilings. Another sign of poor insulation is when you hear noises coming from the attic or crawl space while you're upstairs. An additional sign of poor insulation is visible gaps between the siding and insulation on walls, soffits, eaves, and roof edges.

Insulation can improve your home's comfort and energy efficiency. It comes in lots of different varieties, like cellulose, fiberglass, and foam board. The material you choose will largely depend on what's available in your area and how much you want to spend.

Adding Insulation Is Worth the Cost

With better insulation your home will be more energy efficient. You can start saving energy as a homeowner by identifying and eliminating key sources of wasted energy. For example, if your walls and floors are much colder during the winter, this suggests you need crawl space insulation because if this part of your home is vented or open to the outside, freezing air will drift up into the rest of the house.

If your home is drafty, you might need better insulation. You'll save money on your energy bill while making your home more comfortable because insulation reduces heat transfer by trapping air between fibers. It also prevents condensation, reduces noise, and maintains the structural integrity of your home.

There are many distinct types of insulation, but they can generally be broken down into two categories: natural, like wool, and manufactured, like fiberglass. Usually, natural insulation is made from renewable resources like wool or cotton, which are eco-friendly and often recyclable. Unfortunately, one problem with using natural materials is that they aren't as effective as synthetic materials.

Final Thoughts

Regardless of the weather, improving your insulation will make your home as comfortable as possible without raising your energy bills. It is a relatively low-cost and low-effort measure that can assist you in saving money over the years. It's also an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint. Research professionals in your area that can help you upgrade your home’s insulation.

Guest Post - The 7 Day Cleaning Schedule For Every Homeowner

It is no secret that cleaning your home is an overwhelming task, especially when you are not organized and have your routine down. But cleaning your house doesn't have to take up your whole day. If you create a schedule that you will follow through the week, it will only take up to 30 minutes. If you want to make cleaning less painful, here is the best 7-day schedule for every homeowner. 

Monday

The thing that people struggle with the most is cleaning once they realize how messed up their house is after the weekend. No matter if you have a party or your kids are just playing around. There will be clutter all over the house. So to keep your home refreshed and clean for the week ahead, you have to take the time out to clean and declutter. Make sure that you start with cleaning all the clutter, and putting all the things in their designated spaces. Then you will want to vacuum, seep as well as mop all the high traffic rooms, such as the kitchen, living room and all the bathrooms and bedrooms. Your top priority on Monday is putting things away, vacuuming and mopping the floors. 

Tuesday 

When Tuesday rolls around, you should primarily tackle the dirty clothes. One of the things that will pile up the quickest is clothes, especially if you have kids or you work in an office. That is even more true if you are messy or just prone to getting your clothes stained. So, when Tuesday rolls around, it is time to start soaking those stained clothes, washing and drying them as well as putting them away. You can also dedicate Tuesdays to cleaning the linens, but once in two weeks. 

Wednesday 

Even though most people think that cleaning your house is hard labour, that is not true if you manage your time the right way. When you spread out all the chores during the week, you will have everything balanced and manageable. Dedicate Wednesdays to ensuring your whole house is dust-free. The best thing that you can do mid-week is something simple like wiping down dust and wiping down the counters and other surfaces like that. 

Thursday

Make your Thursdays dedicated to just one thing. Make sure that you focus on one single room in the house that needs the most attention. In most cases, that will be a bathroom. So choose this day to deep clean the bathrooms and then maintain the cleanliness throughout the week. Make sure that you are scrubbing the toilets, deselecting everything and charging out the towels, as well as wiping down all the counters and mirrors. As it is only weekly, think about making it a family affair if you have more than one bathroom or pass out duties for everyone. If you live alone or you are a busy parent, you can hire professional house cleaning services to help you out with deep cleans. 

Friday

We all love Fridays, so why not take that day to tidy up your kitchen space. Especially if you are a parent, dishes will pile up because you are busy with work and school. Give your kitchen a nice rest and get it tidy. But that doesn't only mean that you need to clean the dishes, make sure that you don't have mouldy food in the kitchen. It will help you have a nice clean kitchen for any guests that are coming on the weekend and help you kickstart the new week with a clean kitchen. 

The Weekend

No one wants to spend their weekends cleaning the whole house. Most people want to spend it with their families or friends relaxing and having fun. That is what you need to clean during the week and have a clean house when it comes to the weekend. But you shouldn't let things pile up those two days. Make sure that you take the time out of the day and dedicate it to picking things up around the house. It will give you the satisfaction of having a clean home without actually spending the whole day cleaning. 

Don't Forget To Refresh Your Home

As we have said before, cleaning your home is an overwhelming task, no matter if you live alone or with kids. If you have the extra force in the house, make sure that you involve everyone in the whole process. Introduce them to the cleaning schedule and have them do little things. That will not only take the weight off your back, but it will also drastically speed up the whole process. 

Always keep in mind that some housekeeping doesn't need to be done as friendly as others. By following the seven-day cleaning schedule, cleaning will be more manageable, especially when you get used to it. Now that you have an idea of how a cleaning schedule should look, modify it, so it fits your lifestyle. 

Author bio:

Alison Pearson is an interior design student. She is a writer and designer, and her ultimate passion is art and architecture. She is also a bibliophile and her favourite book is "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner. Follow her on Twitter.

What Causes Your Foundation to Fail?

Your foundation is the most critical part of your home's structure. If it does not do its job, the whole house can be damaged or even become unsafe. Unfortunately, many homeowners experience this exact problem. There are many reasons why foundations fail, but these are some of the most common.

Soil Moisture

Your foundation and footer are only as good as the support under them. When the soil beneath them holds excess water, it will shift and settle. Soon the foundation has less support in certain areas and begins to settle, leading to cracks that cause the home's walls to move and twist as well. Improved drainage can often correct the underlying soil issues, but you'll still need to repair the foundation.

Poor Installation

If you had your home built, you probably paid close attention to who was doing the work and made sure good techniques were used. However, if you bought an existing home, you have no idea who might have constructed the foundation. Inadequate use of rebar, poor-quality concrete, and poor curing conditions could all contribute to a declining foundation decades later.

Tree Roots

Landscaping adds value to a home--unless it causes damage. The beautiful shade tree you enjoy all summer could eventually push roots into your foundation, causing it to crack or shift. If you've detected this problem, the first step is to have the tree removed by a qualified service, then to contact a foundation restoration company, one like Atlas Master Co, to repair the damage.

Bad Site Preparation

Foundations need a solid and consistent base of soil to support them. If your home's lot was filled and not properly compacted afterward, there has probably been some settling taking place. This process will lead to damage to the foundation as it settles unevenly, leading to cracking and shifting.

Undetected Water

Even with good drainage management, your home could have water issues that will threaten the foundation. Leaking swimming pools are a common culprit. There may also be city water lines allowing a slow trickle of water to soak toward your house. You may even have an old well on your property that affects drainage. These can contribute to settling and erosion that damage your foundation.

Your foundation is largely out of sight, but it should never be out of mind. If you see unexplained cracks in your walls or have trouble opening doors or windows, you could have a foundation issue. Don't wait to investigate a problem! With proper repairs, the damage can be stopped.

9 Great Ideas for Bathroom Upgrades on a Budget

Bathrooms are often left in the dust when it comes to home renovations, but they don't need to be. There are plenty of simple ways you can freshen up your bathroom without breaking the bank. In this blog post, we will discuss 9 great ideas for bathroom upgrades on a budget!

Where to Start

The first step to a successful bathroom makeover is to evaluate your bathing facilities. For example, do you need a new countertop or flooring? Do you need a bathtub refinishing and a new shower head? Once you've identified what needs attention, start searching for the best prices and quality.

If you're looking for a new countertop, it's important to consider the material. An easy way to stay within budget is by opting for a less expensive material like laminate or tile that offers many of the same benefits as more expensive materials like granite or marble.

The next step in remodeling your bathroom on a budget is deciding which elements will be DIY projects and which will require professional help. If you plan on tackling the job yourself, make sure you have all the necessary tools and skill sets before starting any work!

When it comes time to update your bathroom, don't assume that spending thousands of dollars is the only option available to you. Upgrading your space doesn't have to be as challenging as it may seem at first glance!

What You Need to Know About Updating Your Bathroom

When you update your bathroom on a budget, you'll be surprised at how much of a difference such small changes can make. You don't need to get rid of old bathroom furniture and purchase all new ones; there are many inexpensive options for updating your space.

If you're looking for cheap bathroom ideas for your bathroom remodel project, here are some suggestions:

Bathroom Wallpapers

Aside from painting your walls for a fresh coat, adding some new wallpaper to your bathroom walls can be a quick way to freshen up the space. One of the best things about wallpaper is that it can provide a more modern look while still being relatively affordable.

There are plenty of ways to find cheap, yet stylish bathroom wallpaper. You can find them at local retailers or online. The best part? You don't have to worry about paint coverage because you're just applying it to the wall.

If you're looking for some new ideas, Pinterest has plenty of DIY tutorials and pre-made wallpaper choices for you to browse through. Just make sure you consider your color scheme before you choose anyone in particular!

Bathroom Lights

Lighting is a crucial part of any bathroom. It can either make a bathroom look luxurious and inviting or dark and depressing.

If you're going to update your bathroom on a budget, think about installing a new light fixture. This is a simple way to update the look of your bathroom without spending money on expensive renovations.

There are various types of lights to choose from, so it's important to do some research. For example, recessed lights will give off more light, but they will also take up more space in the room. If you want more natural light in your bathroom, consider installing floor lamps or table lamps instead.

There are many ways that you can update your bath on a budget by adding decorative touches and installing high-quality features like new countertops and flooring. The benefits often outweigh the costs!

Bathroom Mirrors

A bathroom mirror is a necessity for many reasons. It allows you to take care of personal hygiene by brushing your teeth and washing your hands. A mirror also makes it easier to style hair and apply makeup.

Different types of bathroom mirror frames serve different purposes. A beveled edge mirror, for example, produces a wider view of the face when used in the bathroom. You may also want to install a magnifying mirror if you require additional details in your grooming routine.

If you're looking for bathroom remodel ideas, consider changing out your old mirror with a brand new one to give it an update. New bathroom vanity mirrors can make a dramatic difference in the appearance and function of your space especially if you put them in the perfect spot!

Bathroom Floor

If the flooring in your bathroom is looking a little worn, which mostly happens to wooden floors, it can be a quick and inexpensive project to update that area. There are many options from which to choose, from vinyl or linoleum tiles to vinyl or carpet squares.

Linoleum tiles are an attractive option because they're durable and easy to clean. They're also easily found at your local home improvement store for a reasonable price.

Carpet squares offer another way to create an updated look for your bathroom flooring. These soft, cushy carpet squares will add warmth and comfort to your space while providing a natural look and feel. The best part? You can move them around as you please, so you will always have the perfect flooring configuration!

Add Wall Decorations.

A few simple wall decorations can make a big difference in the appearance of your bathroom. It's easy to find decor ideas online and inexpensive items from your local dollar store to cover those blank spaces on the walls.

Add a little spice to your wall decor with a framed inspirational quote or a set of beautiful art prints. You can also add a towel rack or decorative hooks to the side of your sink, for added storage space and to provide more storage for toiletries.

Use tile stickers.

One way to spruce up a bathroom space is with tile stickers. Tile stickers can be a fun and affordable way to give your bathroom's existing tiles a makeover without the hassle of tearing down the walls or updating plumbing fixtures.

It's easy to find great tile stickers that will fit your decorating style and budget. As an example, you can find gorgeous stone wall tile stickers that will transform your white tiles into beautiful brick patterns for just $14.

Another option is fabric wallpaper stickers, which come in many different colors and patterns, such as this $16 patterned design with bright colors and gold accents:

To create the best effect, place these wall decals on top of old paint or worn out tiles so they appear seamless with the grout lines. This will allow you to change your look without having to spend a lot of time or money!

Accessorize your bathroom.

One of the easiest ways to spruce up a bathroom without breaking the bank is by updating accessories.

Accessories and adding new hardware play a big role in how a room feels and looks. It gives it personality and warmth. With a little bit of effort, you can transform your bathroom from tired to trendy in no time!

Start off by snagging some affordable bathroom accessories, like toothbrush holders, from budget-friendly stores like Target or Walmart.

For example, add some color with towels, add a few picture frames to hang above the toilet, add a few decorative plants, or add some scented candles for that spa-like feel when guests visit.

These additions will not only make your bathroom feel more comfortable for you and your guests, they'll also help perk up the look of your space!

Tidy up by decluttering.

If you want to make your bathroom look more spacious, take a moment and declutter. You'll find it's one of the most effective ways to make your bathroom feel fresh and new. We recommend looking through your items and deciding what you can live without.

Start by removing anything that is broken or doesn't work anymore — like old light fixtures or leaky faucets. You should also get rid of any personal items that don't belong in the bathroom, like shoes and dirty clothes. And finally, think about making space for things like family photos and extra towels!

Decluttering and cleaning your bathroom will help you free up essential space, so it looks less cluttered. Cleaning up will also help you maintain a cleaner home since the clutter was causing an illusion of messiness!

Change your shower curtains

If you're looking to spruce up your bathroom, but don't want to completely redo the space, consider changing out your shower curtain with a new one.

A new shower curtain is a quick and easy way to add a personal touch to your bathroom. Shower curtains come in all kinds of patterns and colors, so it's easy to find something that matches your style.

Changing out your old curtain with a new one is an easy way to update the look of your bathroom and make it feel new again. You might even find that you'll start feeling refreshed every time you take a shower!

Conclusion

The benefits of a bathroom renovation often outweigh the costs. You'll soon find that many upgrades will actually save you money in the next few years by decreasing running time and heating costs. For example, installing a water-efficient toilet will help to save water and energy, which is good for the planet and your wallet!

Whether you are on a tight budget or just need some quick fixes, there are plenty of ways to upgrade your bathroom on a budget. Follow these 9 easy ideas to get your bathroom looking fresh and on-trend without breaking the bank.