Author: Sylvia

What Happens if You Don’t Invest in Paver Cleaning & Sealing in Sarasota?

Sylvia

Regular paver cleaning and sealing in Sarasota is an excellent investment for any property. The state’s harsh weather conditions often wreak havoc on clay and stone pavers, risking fading and cracking. On the other hand, cleaning and sealing ensures an attractive property in good condition throughout the years.

To ensure you’re keeping your property in tiptop shape from the ground up, check out some details about paver maintenance. You can then discuss your property’s needs with a power washing contractor in Sarasota. He or she can offer added suggestions for ensuring a safe, clean outdoor space you’re sure to love.

Is Paver Sealing in Sarasota Necessary?

To understand its benefits, consider the process of paver cleaning and sealing. First, power washing removes dirt, mud, oils, and other grime from paver surfaces. Second, a contractor adds a specialty sealant or coating over those exposed pavers, stone, or brick.

This sealant acts as a barrier against damaging water, dirt, automotive fluids, food stains, and other debris. In turn, you can easily wash away harmful materials before pavers or concrete absorb them. Additionally, sealant prevents pavers from cracking and chipping under heavy foot traffic or harsh weather conditions. Your pavers then last longer and look like new when you invest in cleaning and sealing.

Lastly, that sealant also provides a barrier against weeds and grass that would otherwise grow underneath or around pavers. Not only does weed growth look unsightly around pavers but this also risks premature cracking and other damage. On the other hand, regular sealing helps stop weeds in their tracks, before they damage those pavers!

Do You Need to Seal Pavers After Power Washing?

Contractors typically recommend sealing pavers after power washing for a variety of reasons. One, pressure washing exposes pavers to weather, sunlight, and other damaging elements. Two, power washing creates a clean surface, ready for that sealant layer!

Additionally, a power washing contractor might offer sealant services along with cleaning. In turn, you can have your outdoor areas cleaned and sealed in just one visit. These services create a clean, welcoming area that’s ready for relaxing or entertaining. Additionally, cleaning and sealing are excellent choices before you expose outdoor surfaces to foot traffic, potential food stains, and the like.

Do You Have to Seal Pavers Every Year?

Many homeowners find that cleaning and sealing pavers every few years is sufficient for their property. However, the state’s harsh weather conditions can risk premature damage to any outdoor surface. Additionally, airborne sand, silt, chlorine residues, and other materials often build up on area patios and pool decks, risking damage.

Consequently, many area property owners find that annual paver cleaning and sealing is an excellent choice. Yearly power washing removes that built-up dirt and grime as well as sand and silt worked into those pavers. Sealing then provides added protection against fading and other damage. Scheduling this service annually can then keep your outdoor spaces looking like new.

Bringing Pavers Back to Life

Professional power washing is the best choice … Read More...

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What Does a Roofing Contractor Do? (Homeowners Guide)

Sylvia

Homeowners who are looking for someone to do work on their roof might be looking at a roofing contractor. What exactly do these roof contractors do? Well, a lot of these contractors work specifically on the roof area because of their knowledge and passion for roofs. Roofing contractors are the ones that will come to repair or replace your roof when needed. Roofing contractors repair or replace commercial and residential roofs. They are also the ones installing new roofs on new builds. 

What Exactly Does A Roofing Contractor Do?

Roofing contractors are professionals who specialize in roofing. This means that they repair and replace roofs for both residential and commercial buildings. They also are the ones installing new roofs on commercial and residential buildings. Many homeowners might not ever need a roofing contractor unless it’s for an “emergency fix.” This typically means that the roof is damaged due to high winds, storms, or other damages that can happen to your roof. 

Roofing contractors’ jobs aren’t just limited to a specific type of repair. These contractors do everything that is involved with a roof. A roofing contractor’s job includes everything from the inspection of your roof, to the repair of your roof, and the cleanup of the site. Below are a few of the jobs that you can expect from a roofing contractor, but their job is not limited to just these jobs. 

  • Pre-inspection of the roof
  • Repair leaks 
  • Sealing areas of the roof
  • Replacing broken tiles
  • Gather, measure, and cut all materials
  • Level and smooth surfaces
  • Install piers 
  • Cleanup of the labor site

Remember that roofing contractors do everything needed to repair or install your roof. Their job is not limited to the jobs listed above and can go well beyond those jobs easily. Each job for a roofing contractor is different, so they will not know much about the work they’ll be doing until the inspection, especially if the job is to repair a roof. 

What Is The Difference Between A Roofing Company And A Roofing Contractor?

Roofing contractors and roofing companies are essentially both licensed to work on roofs and do similar jobs with them. The main difference is that roofing companies are usually a group of licensed professionals who come do the roofing job while roofing contractors are typically just doing the job themselves, possibly with a partner. Both options are safe to choose for your home roofing job, but it’s important to know that roofing companies do have more requirements to go through before the professionals are hired on to work for them including background checks and individual licensing. 

Roofing contractors are just as good as a roofing company and choosing one over the other won’t necessarily yield a better result. The only thing that we recommend is that if you’re looking to choose a roofing contractor just make sure that they are legit and that the work that will be done is being done by a professional. There are a few questions that you … Read More...

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Is It Reliable To Buy Online For Your Home Furniture?

Sylvia

Buying furniture can be a daunting experience. With so many options and styles, it’s hard to know where to begin. Luckily, today, shopping for furniture has become far more accessible than before. You can now purchase virtually anything you want at the button, thanks to the internet. In addition, there are quite a few review websites with constantly updated online customer reviews sharing their experience with furniture stores, including compliments and complaints about companies. Additionally, these review websites help you determine whether you are buying from secure websites while answering your questions such as “is La Redoute legit”.

Pros of Buying Furniture Online

Buying furniture is a significant investment, and the last thing you want to do is make a wrong decision to regret it for years. That is why it is essential to do your research and shop around before making any purchases. However, buying online can be convenient when you’re in a rush or simply don’t have the time. After all, you can shop around for the best deals and discounts without purchasing in person. Accordingly, you also don’t have to deal with pushy salespeople or high-pressure sales tactics.

Furthermore, you have easy access to various textures, colours, patterns, and furniture options. Moreover, buying your furniture online allows you to compare prices between retailers to find the most worthwhile deal that will enable you to save money. Finally, you have the option of easy returns when you buy your furniture online. If you are unhappy with the item’s state, the courier service will pick up the furniture from your home and return it to the retailer or manufacturer.

Cons of Buying Furniture Online

Although shopping online for your home furniture may seem like it has many advantages, there are a few downsides. For starters, you never know what you’re going to get. This means that you risk receiving damaged or defective products, including missing parts or simply not what was described. Whereas when you shop at a brick and mortar store, you get to feel the bed frame and test the mattress or the cabinet drawers before you purchase it. Second, many furniture retailers will mark up their furniture significantly more than traditional retailers. Additionally, retailers charge shipping and delivery fees which may be high if you buy internationally and often include extra import taxes. Moreover, online customer reviews can be misleading on particular products because they fit other customers’ preferences and might not suit yours.

Pros vs Cons of Online Furniture: Which Overrules?

As you weigh out the pros and cons of purchasing furniture online, buying your furniture online is not a terrible idea. However, perhaps you should be careful about the particular items you choose to purchase. No matter what you are buying, you will have enough time to evaluate and return items under the return policies of online furniture stores. To label online furniture shopping as untrustworthy is a relic of the past, and as people’s faith in these online retailers … Read More...

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Can Tree Removal Cause Foundation Issues? (Expert Advice)

Sylvia

The presence of trees too close to the foundation of a home has been identified as one of the causes of foundation issues. When this happens, the most common recommendation is for the tree to be removed. However, you shouldn’t just go ahead to remove the trees on your property for fear of foundation damage without knowing why you are doing so or whether it is even a solution to your foundation issues in the first place.

In this article, we answer the question of whether tree removal service can cause or solve your foundation issues.

Can a tree cause foundation problems?

When the roots of a tree keep spreading towards the foundation, it starts to absorb moisture from the soil beneath and around the foundation, thereby causing harm to the foundation. With time, the ground begins to sink as the tree roots continue to dry out the water. As a result of this, the foundation of your home shifts, cracks, twists, and settles. When a tree has dried out the soil on one side of the structure, the house will end up leaning towards the invasive tree.

One of the common misconceptions about invasive roots is that to cause damage to a foundation, they have to physically invade it. However, this is not necessarily true. What you need to understand is that for a tree to cause damage to the foundation, it must either be planted very close to the foundation or, in the case of trees with very invasive roots, the roots may find their way to cracks in the foundation, further causing damage to the concrete.

How do you know if tree roots are damaging a foundation?

One of the signs of foundation damage caused by tree roots is vertical cracks in the foundation. Vertical cracks usually occur when the soil around the foundation has been dried out by the roots of the invasive tree, thereby causing the foundation to sink. One other sign that your foundation is being affected by invasive tree roots is that the house may start to sink on the closest side to the tree. It can also manifest itself through slanted floors or a structure visibly slanting toward the tree.

Your foundation can be damaged by large trees planted within thirty feet of your home. So, you want to watch out for trees such as Black Walnut, Sugar Maple, and Oak close to your house. Small trees such as Dogwood, Crabapple, and Japanese Maples should not be within 10ft of your home as they can cause damage to the foundation. 

Even when planted at a distance of 100 feet from the home, trees that have invasive roots can cause damage to the foundation. This includes Cottonwood and Silver Maple.

It is important that you know the kind of trees on your property and how close they are to the foundation. Some signs of foundation damage caused by trees include cracked windows, vertical cracks in your concrete foundation, visible surface roots close to … Read More...

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Foundation Issues: Are They a Deal Breaker for Your New Home?

Sylvia

You’ve been pre-approved for a mortgage and, after months of looking, found the home of your dreams. The sellers accepted your bid, and all the paperwork has been signed, and all you’re waiting on is for it to pass the inspection. But when you received the results, you found out that it has foundation issues.

The good news is this doesn’t automatically doesn’t mean the deal’s off. It does, however, mean that a professional foundation expert will need to inspect the foundation to find out the extent of the damage. Once you have this information, you can decide your best course of action.

Read on to find out if a home needing foundation repair is a deal-breaker or just a small bump in the road. This information is provided by our professionals for foundation repair Cincinnati OH.

What Is The Purpose of a Home’s Foundation?

A home’s foundation is what gives the house stability. It helps it to resist movement from temperature fluctuation and other external factors. It provides insulation to keep cold air out. Plus, it prevents insects, rodents, and moisture from invading your home.

Foundation Issues That Are Deal Breakers

Some foundation issues are simple fixes that are no big deal, while others are pretty extensive. If the structural engineer finds any of these issues, you should consider walking away from the agreement.

Cracked, sagging, or uneven foundation

Nearly every home will have cracks in the foundation due to the house settling over the years. However, a good builder will engineer a foundation to withstand settling without creating issues for the rest of the home. When caught early enough, these are relatively simple fixes. However, it’s crucial to have a professional inspect the foundation to give you an estimate of the cost for repairs.

Major home foundation repairs may cost thousands of dollars. Make sure your contract has contingencies to protect you against issues that haven’t been disclosed. There are a few things you can do if extensive damage is found. You can ask the seller to repair them renegotiate the sales price, but if you’re getting a mortgage for the house, the lender may back out. If the seller refuses either of these options, then walk away.

Foundation Leaks or Flooding

It doesn’t matter if a small leak is discovered or a flood; this type of foundation issue is a sign that there’s a problem that needs to be taken care of quickly before it gets worse. This issue is usually much more expensive than needing a few cracks repaired, and a professional needs to inspect the house before you commit to buying it.

Below are the most common causes of foundation leaks

  • Groundwater Leaking

Water can enter the home through cracks in the floor or the wall. However, the most common place is through joints in the wall or the floor.

  • Sump pump failure

The good news is sometimes fixing the issue with a sump pump can be as simple as hitting the reset button. … Read More...

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