Pull out shelves have become a home improvement option that not only makes it easier to organize your kitchen and pantry cabinet and also greatly improve the access to those deep pantry shelves and base kitchen cabinets. But adding pull out shelves in your kitchen and pantry cabinets can add value to kitchen remodeling or improve home re-sellability.

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All walls need some kind of insulation otherwise you’re risking a loss of heat in your home through cool drafts, thermal leakage, or actual condensation and damage along the inside of the wall itself. By adding this barrier between your walls, you will be able to reduce drafting, dust build-up, noise pollution, and the temperature on your thermostat, creating savings on your utility bill. However, if you live in an older house with no pre-existing form of interior padding, then your best option is blown-in insulation. Unlike the common batting which is often installed in walls as the original construction is being performed, this loose fill material is literally pumped into the pre-existing wall through a small opening made by your contractor.

Does your home contain contaminated Chinese Drywall? This testing advice from the New York Times can help a homeowner determine if he or she is one of the thousands in over 30 states with the poisonous plasterboard.

Some ways to tell if you have Chinese Drywall in your home:

– Sulfuric smell. (Also a sign that you have descended into the less-favorable Afterworld. It’s best to inspect for fire, brimstone and the tortured souls of the eternally damned to eliminate this possibility)

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If you have an unfinished basement, a garage or a storage shed, you can store much more in it if you have shelves. Built-in shelves are great, but if you’re renting or want the flexibility to rearrange the shelving units, you might want to make some free-standing shelves. Here’s a simple method for building some inexpensive storage shelves — and you can build them without power tools.

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Pest control is a difficult task. Learning how to get rid of fleas, ants, mice, rats, crickets, roaches, and bees is no walk in the park. Even bug zappers offer a false sense of security; do it yourself pest control may not always be the best option, especially when termites have invaded your structure, potentially wrecking the foundation of your home. Learn more about pest control in these articles, and find out how to best find a pest management solution for your own home.   Read more…

Everything always comes back into fashion. Whether its retro clothing, vintage cars, or designer antiques, people love it when the past catches up to the present again. But bringing a little history into the home isn’t just limited to decorative knick-knacks and old-fashioned furniture. It can extend to the actual construction of the house as well. Reclaimed wood has become a popular way to recycle pre-existing wooden structures by incorporating them into newer homes.

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The size and shape of families living under one roof is changing – kids stay home longer after college graduation, adult children welcome their parents into their house to ensure their safety, or an adult struggling financially finds refugee in a relative’s home. Whatever the reason, many families are looking to increase their living space.

Most homeowners have two options: build an addition or expand unutilized space by renovating the basement.

When considering an addition, make sure you are aware of a number of things: architecture costs, neighboring markets home value, timetable for completion, how much of your time and money you are going to invest, and disruption of your personal life. Also remember that the bones of the job – foundation, framing, roofing, and siding – are just a portion of your cost. The finishing details will also add to your final bill. According to Money Magazine 2002, a home addition can cost anywhere from “$150 to $200 a square foot”.  Read more…

Installing replacement basement windows can be a cost-effective way to improve moisture protection and energy efficiency in your home. At the same time, replacement basement windows can add light and appeal to a dark and cluttered space while improving the value of your home.

Evaluating replacement basement windows begins with energy performance ratings, considerations of size and local building requirements. Are the windows going to open or remain fixed? Be sure that any replacement windows provide security as well as ample egress in the case of emergencies. You’ll find a range of materials from vinyl and wood, to metal or composites.

Energy Ratings for Replacement Basement Windows
All replacement windows today carry ratings from The National Fenestration Rating Council. Generally speaking, you’ll want windows that perform well in terms of R-value, visible transmittance, air leakage, and U-value. U-value measures the window’s heat conduction, while R-value measures the actual resistance to heat flow. With replacement basement windows it’s best to find the models with the lowest U-values that fit your budget.

Then, consider functionality. If you have slider replacement basement windows you’ll have the widest opportunity to let in air. Hopper windows only tilt open, but are typically the most affordable option. Awning windows are frequently the most-expensive option, but can offer the greatest flexibility in controlling ventilation.

Many homeowners prefer using vinyl window frames to help fight moisture, rot, and mildew common to basements. Vinyl also tends to offer greater natural energy efficiency over other materials.

Diagnosis:
The source of your problem could be a water leak or high humidity. Both can lead to mold, mildew, or other biological growth. Depending on the severity, conditions can lead to rot, structural damage, premature paint failure, and a variety of health problems. Water can seep into your house from the outside through a leak in the foundation, or small gaps around windows or doors. Water can also come from inside your house from a leaking water pipe, toilet, shower or bathtub. High indoor humidity caused by normal activities of everyday living, such as showering, cooking, and drying clothes, can also be a source of your problem. A damp basement is commonly caused by moisture migrating through a concrete foundation. There may not be a sign of any leak or standing water, but the moisture evaporates, increasing indoor humidity. Another common cause is condensation on the cold concrete walls and floors during humid months.

Prescription Checklist:

• Where does the problem occur? Below a bathroom? Ceiling? Corners? Where the problem occurs can lead to what is causing the problem. If the problem is localized (a spot on the ceiling, wall or corner it is possibly caused by a water leak. If the problem is in a large area, like a whole wall or room, then it might be caused by humidity.
• If you suspect a mold problem consult EPA’s Brief Guide to Mold in your home for more information.
• If you plan to remodel your basement, it is important to control moisture problems at the before doing anything else. Corrective actions can be relatively easily but sometimes, depending on the severity of the problem, they can be difficult and expensive.

Stop water leaks

• If a leak is the source of your problem, have it fixed first.
• If you have standing water on the floor of your basement after a heavy rain then it is likely from a leak in the foundation.
  • Clean rain gutter and redirect downspout runoff away from the foundation.
  • Make sure the ground around the house slopes down away from the foundation. If necessary, re-grade so the ground does slopes away.
  • If you have a sump pump, make sure it is working properly.
• If you have water stains on the ceiling or wall under or near a bathroom it could be a leak from a water pipe, toilet, bathtub or shower. Hire a plumber to repair the leak.
• If the leak has caused substantial water damage or mold you will want to hire a contractor who specializes in mold remediation and water damage repairs.

Reducing indoor humidity

• If your basement has a dirt floor, cover the floor completely with plastic to slow down water vapor coming through the soil.
• Use ventilation fans in kitchens and baths to control moisture. Check to make sure ventilation fans venting directly outside. In some cases the vent fan may have been installed to vent into the attic or become disconnected or blocked.
• Your clothes dryer should be vented directly to the outside. Inspect the vent duct. Make sure it is attached securely to the dryer. Check that it is clear of obstructions (e.g. lint). Check for holes that leak air. If vent duct is damaged replace it with a metal duct. The vent duct should be cleaned at least once a year. The Consumer Products Safety Commission additional safety tips for dryer vents.
• Ask a heating and cooling contractor to check your heating and cooling system to make sure it is sized and operating properly to remove humidity. If you system is too big or the airflow incorrect your air conditioner will not remove humidity like it should. Also, ask the contractor to check your duct system for air leaks, and proper size and air flow to each room. To help you find a contractor, please refer to our recommendations.
• Sealing air leaks (Home Sealing) and sealing duct air leaks can help to prevent high humidity levels in your home.
• During hot humid months, using a dehumidifier in the basement can reduce condensation on the walls. This may work better after you’ve sealed air and duct leaks to reduce the amount of humid outdoor air you are bringing into the basement.

Article Source: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_solutions.hm_improvement_dampbasement

A properly insulated basement can help reduce your energy costs. However, basement walls are one of the most controversial areas of a house to insulate and seal. You need to carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages, not to mention moisture control. Read more…