Before you give your home a much-needed makeover, there are countless things you need to decide on as well as consider. In every area, you’ll find numerous options and home improvement ideas that make it difficult to make a decision. However, there are a few questions you should be asking yourself as well as your contractor in order to ensure that the home improvement ideas you’re making are the ones you need.
Here are the most common frequently asked questions about home improvement.
Do HVAC and Plumbing Need to Be Upgraded?
There is new equipment entering the market on a regular basis, but that doesn’t mean you should be upgrading your heating or plumbing devices every year. On the contrary, as long as you’re using a contractor that provides regular maintenance, you can ensure the longevity of your equipment without having to resort to upgrades. When it comes to heating and air conditioning systems in your home as well as plumbing, My Trusted Contractor recommends hiring a specialist to be able to spot any issues before they become critical and end up costing an arm and a leg in repairs. Weather conditions can have a negative impact on water heaters and softeners and getting the required maintenance on a regular basis by an expert residential plumber can help identify big concerns preventing you from needing to consider massive changes and pay hefty sums on HVAC and plumbing when thinking of renovating your home.
How Frequently Do Roofs Need to be Replaced?
Knowing the lifespan of your roof and taking good care of it is pretty essential as roofs act as the barrier between you and the outside world. Without a proper roof, you could find leaks in your home when it rains, feel the cold in your bones due to holes or problems with the roof. One frequently asked question when thinking of home improvements is how often should a roof be replaced? The answer to this question varies according to the type of roof you have installed. For rock roofs, the regular lifespan is between 12-15 years and it is recommended to get it checked and maintained every few years. As for composition shingles, the roof can last between 12-20 years, depending on weather conditions and other environmental factors. If your roof is made of shake or wood shingles, they could last between 20-25 years making it an investment you should consider if you’re planning on a long-term home. But the longest life span when it comes to roofs go to metal roofs and clay roofs which could last between 50-100 years. After the lifespan provided for different types of roofing, it is advisable to schedule residential roofing replacement to avoid costly damage.
What Areas Need to Be Sealed to Prevent Air Leakage?
Air leakage not only makes your home feel colder, but can also end up increasing your bills. That’s because you need more energy to heat up or cool down air that is escaping through the air leaks. When renovating, you should focus on sealing off all areas to ensure that it is airtight. But how do you know which areas need to be sealed? Most of the major air leakage areas will be ones that you’ve already identified and are familiar with, but you should always check around windows, doors and electrical outlets. While these might be the most obvious places, you should also check your loft, basement or even around the chimney.
Do My Floors Need to Be Changed?
Whether the floors are giving you trouble and need to be replaced or if you’re just looking for a renovation idea to give a new feel to your home, there are many options you can use to change your flooring. You’ll know that your floors need to be changed when they come out of place, or scratched, cracked or show mold, or even when they appear to be uneven due to plumbing issues. If you choose to replace your flooring, you should definitely consult with an expert on the available options that will best suit your home, but consider using natural materials to provide comfort as well as help protect the environment. If you have vinyl flooring, it is best to replace it after a while as it tends to emit toxic VOCs after a while which could pollute the air inside your home and lead to lung problems.
While there are many home improvement questions to consider, these are some of the most common ones that are frequently asked and will help you understand what you need to change in order to aid in your budgeting plans. Once you know exactly what you need, you’ll be able to resort to a fixed plan and make the best decisions concerning your home improvement needs. It is best to always consult experts like residential kitchen remodeling contractors that will give some ideas on your project.