Baking soda and citrus can help get the smell out of your carpet.

How To Get Smell Out Of Carpet

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When you make the big decision of purchasing a home, you want to remind yourself that this investment requires upkeep and maintenance. Having pets that wander your carpet or spills that occur on the carpet could cause a few concerns. In most cases, homeowners do not think of the overuse of their carpets. Some homeowners will hire a carpet cleaning company once a year to clean the carpets. However, this doesn’t necessarily solve all of the issues. Luckily, if your carpet smells, a carpet cleaning company might help. Wondering how to get the smell out of carpet? There are a variety of ways to get this done, baking soda, and vinegar are always an option.

Let’s take a look below at how you can keep your carpet smelling fresh.

Vacuum the baking soda out of the carpet after it has had the time to soak up the smells from your carpet.

What Are The Steps?

Every home project requires a particular level of instructions or directions. Let’s take a look at how we can get the foul odors out of the carpet.

  1. Sprinkle the Baking Soda – Baking soda has many uses in your home. As a natural odor absorber, it can be used in your closet, garbage, garbage disposal, or on your carpets. Spread the baking soda around your carpet.
  2. Spread the Baking Soda – With your shoes on, walk around the carpet to spread the baking soda around the carpet. It is important to spread the baking soda around.
  3. Let it settle in – Allow the baking soda to settle into the carpet for roughly 30 minutes. You want the baking soda to seep down to the base of the carpet. Not only will it soak up odors, but it will also grab excess moisture.
  4. Suck it up – Grab your vacuum cleaner and vacuum up the baking soda.
  5. Still smells – Repeat these steps until you no longer have a smell.

How Can I Keep My Home Smelling Fresh?

Luckily, if the baking soda trick doesn’t work, there are a few other tricks that you can pull off. Let’s take a look below at what those other options might be.

  • Essential oils – Masking the smells in your home with essential oils is a great way to naturally eliminate odors. If you don’t have an oil diffuser, just mix the correct amount of oil drops with water into a spray bottle. Then spray the mixture onto your carpet.
  • Fruit peels – Cut up the fruit peels for oranges, limes, or lemons, and grind them into your garbage disposal. This will create a fruity smell in your kitchen that can mask other odors in your home.
  • Crockpot – With the lid off and the crockpot on the “low” setting, mix baking soda and water and let the heat from the crockpot do the trick.
  • Vinegar and water – If you have a mildew smell coming from your carpet, mix 2 cups of warm water with 1 cup of distilled white vinegar. Gently spray the vinegar solution onto your carpet. Once the carpet dries, you will no longer smell the vinegar scent.

Keep in mind that you can also look to cleaning products such as hydrogen peroxide or carpet shampoo. You will want the area dry and if not, use a fan to air dry the carpet.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you have an idea of how to get a smell out of your carpet, you can begin reading up on how to remove mold from your carpets. Mold is a likely proponent of your smelly carpet. Understanding how to remove the mold will determine if you need to replace the carpet or simply get it cleaned.

Next, while using a carpet cleaner or scrubbing away mold and stains, soap is likely to settle on the carpet. Removing the soap from the carpet is important. You will want to read up on how to clean soap out of your carpets. This will ensure that the carpet gets properly dried.

Lastly, the moment that you start cleaning your carpet, you will want to know how long it takes the carpet to dry. If you do not dry the carpet promptly, then you risk the carpet breeding mold and mildew. Consequently, if this occurs, you will be back to square one about getting smells out of your carpet.

Hire a professional carpet cleaning service if you do not have the time to remove smells from your carpets.

When Do I Call A Professional?

Carpet cleaning services are fairly prevalent in most communities. If you do not have a local carpet cleaning service, it is possible that you could rent a carpet cleaning machine from your local hardware store. Once you have completed the recommended cleaning steps above, determine how effective they were. If you aren’t satisfied, reach out to your local home inspection team. They can inspect your carpet and other floors. Also, they can refer a reputable carpet cleaning company.

Conclusion

After you have attempted to get the smells out of your carpet keep a record of how many times this maintenance occurs. Consequently, this might be a situation where it is time to replace your carpet. In some cases, the padding underneath the carpet can get moldy and soggy and creates a constant smell. This would be a good time to get a home inspection. They can conduct a thorough inspection of your carpet and flooring. Reach out to Inside and Out Property Inspectors in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas to get your home inspection done today.

Removing the drain from your bathroom sink is easy.

How To Remove A Drain From Bathroom Sink

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Owning a home requires you to complete a lot of maintenance and projects. One of those rare projects deals with clearing your sink drain and keeping the P-trap free and clear. If you don’t want your bathroom sink drain to clog, you will want to ensure that it is cleaned out on a regular basis. Ever wonder how to remove a drain from a bathroom sink? Believe it or not, there is a simple nine-step process to remove your sink drain.

Let’s take a look below at how to remove the drain from your bathroom sink.

If you need to remove the drain of your bathroom sink you will want specific tools. Let’s take a look at what those tools are.

Loosening the P-trap can be fairly simple with the right tools.

What Are The Best Steps?

Believe it or not, the steps to removing your bathroom sink drain are fairly easy. If you don’t have the tools or the patience to complete this project, reach out to your local professionally licensed master plumber. Let’s take a look below at what those steps are.

  1. Place your bucket under the P-trap that is located under your sink.
  2. Turn off the water for both of your hot and cold faucet lines.
  3. Pull the stopper and then remove the spring clip attached to the pivot rod and then unscrew the pivot nut from the connected drain pipe under the sink.
  4. Then remove the drain stop from the drain pipe.
  5. Unclog the drain with your hair removal tool.
  6. Now unscrew each section of the P-trap from the main drain pipe.
  7. Use hot water and vinegar to rinse the drain pipe and clean it from any gunk that is remaining.
  8. Pop the drain pipe from the sink to remove the drain pipe.
  9. Clean the drain pipe and the sink.
  10. Use a plumber’s putty and replace the drain pipe in the sink so that you have a tight seal.
  11. Re-attach the plumbing below the sink and clean all areas that are still dirty.

Following these steps allows you to pop the drain stopper and remove the sink stopper to clean the stopper. If you want to remove the bathroom sink drain assembly, then unscrew the nut and take out the bathroom sink stopper so that the drain opens are keys.

How Much Does It Cost?

The good thing about removing a drain from your bathroom sink is that it is fairly simple to do. However, if you don’t have the tools or the energy to get this project done, you can call on a local master plumber. The average labor charge for a project like this is between $40 and $50 per hour.

Now that you know how to remove the drain from your bathroom sink, you can check on why the sink drain pipes might be leaking. Once you determine the issue, you can use a patch and clamp with some epoxy putty to stop the leak.

Next, while you are checking your plumbing, you can work on your kitchen sink. Make sure that the kitchen faucet is tight so that there are no leaks. Use the wrench that you used to remove the drain from your bathroom sink to tighten the kitchen faucet.

Lastly, if you have a clog in your sink drain and cannot remove the drain from your bathroom sink, consider pouring salt down the drain. Pouring salt down the drain and rinsing it with hot water allows the salt to emulsify and work to remove the clog in your bathroom sink drain.

Getting the drain cap off to remove the bathroom sink clog is fairly simple.

When Do I Call A Professional?

If removing the drain from your bathroom sink becomes an issue, call on a local master plumber. Not only can they replace your bathroom sink drain, but they can also clean it and check all of the plumbing in your bathroom. Keep in mind, calling on your local home inspection team is also a great idea. Additionally, they can inspect your entire plumbing system. Also, they can refer a reputable Master Plumber.

Conclusion

When it comes to removing your bathroom sink drain, can be a fairly simple project. However, if you don’t have the tools or the strength to remove the drain, you will want to call a professional. Consequently, using a master plumber can allow you the opportunity to have all of your sink drains removed for cleaning. Also, call on your local home inspection team to inspect your entire plumbing system checked. Contact Inside and Out Property Inspectors in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas to get your sewer scope inspection done today.

Toilet tank cylinder float fill valve.

How to Adjust the Water Level in a Toilet?

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One of the few frustrating maintenance items in a home involves your toilet. When the fill valve in your toilet begins to malfunction, it could cause the water levels in your toilet to be off. Once you flush the toilet, the fill valve will work to refill the toilet tank and bowl. Unfortunately, if the fill valve is not working in unison with the amount of water needed in your toilet bowl overflowing could occur. How do I adjust the water level in the toilet? In most cases, use your screwdriver to adjust the fill valve float in your toilet tank.
let’s take a look below at what this means.

Ball and arm float valve.

What Type Of Fill Valve Do I Have?

Before you decide how to adjust the water level in your toilet, you need to know the type of fill valve that you have. Take the lid off your toilet tank and look at the type of fill valve. Let’s take a look below at what type of fill valves could be in your toilet tank.

  • Cylinder style float – This style of fill valve looks like a plastic cylinder that has an opening going through the middle of the cylinder.
  • Ball and Arm float – This style of fill valve has a metal arm with a ball attached at the end of it.

How Do I Adjust Each Fill Valve?

Adjusting the water level in your toilet tank and toilet bowl should occur with the fill valve. Each type of fill valve can be adjusted so that your water levels can shift to meet your needs. Let’s take a look below at the steps to adjust each type of fill valve.

Ball and Arm Float

  • Remove the toilet tank lid.
  • Check the current water level in the tank so that you know how to adjust the float.
  • Check the height of the floating ball that is connected to a metal rod. You will see a plastic ball that is floating at the water level.
  • Turn off the water. Twist the water line feed into the off position. There is an oblong handle that you can turn clockwise until the handle is tight.
  • Flush the toilet to empty the water from the toilet tank.
  • Now, adjust the water level by turning the screw that is connected to the ball and arm float with a screwdriver.
  • Turning the screw clockwise will raise the water level.
  • Turning the plastic screw counterclockwise will decrease the water level.
  • Flush the toilet to test the water levels and determine if you need to make any other adjustments.

Cylinder style Float

  • Remove the toilet tank lid.
  • Check the current water level so that you know how to adjust it.
  • Find the cylinder float on the shaft of the fill valve.
  • Turn off the water. Twist the water line feed into the off position. There is an oblong handle that you can turn clockwise until the handle is tight.
  • Flush the toilet to empty the water from the toilet tank.
  • Look for the release clip that is connected to the change stem. Also, this connects the float to the stem.
  • Gently pinch the release clip to raise or lower the float.
  • If that doesn’t work, get your screwdriver and gently twist the plastic screw located on the cylinder arm.
  • Turn the plastic screw clockwise to lower the cylinder float.
  • Turn the plastic screw counterclockwise to raise the cylinder float.
  • Check your desired water level by flushing the toilet and testing out the level each time you twist the screw.
  • Make adjustments based on the water level.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you learned about adjusting the water level in the toilet, let’s take a look at other areas of maintenance.

One of those areas is the toilet leaking. If you see water outside of the toilet on the floor near the base, you want to stop using it. This is because the water has bacteria in it and will ruin the floor. You will want to make sure the t-bolt is in place and check the wax ring.

The next area is a gurgling bathroom sink. If you have a gurgling bathroom sink, this can be due to a vent pipe clogged, a bathroom drain clogged, a clogged garbage disposal, a P-trap that is busted, or a clogged drain.

Lastly, if you see that you have low water pressure in the sink, it can be due to a few things. It can be the aerator, a blockage in the faucet, or pipes. Once you figure out what it is, you can also flush the water heater to increase the water pressure.

Cylinder style float in toilet bowl.

When Do I Call A Professional?

Dealing with the maintenance of your toilet bowl and toilet tank can be rather frustrating. In most cases, it is best to hire a local master plumber. Not only can they update the fill valve in your toilet tank, but they can also check for leaks. If you aren’t sure who to call, reach out to your local home inspection team. Consequently, they can inspect your entire plumbing system and recommend any plumbing repairs. Also, they can refer a reputable local master plumber to complete the project.

Conclusion

Having to mess with a plumbing project can be rather frustrating. Most homeowners don’t have the tools to loosen or disconnect parts involved with a toilet. Additionally, having the strength to disconnect the various parts could be troubling. Luckily, you can reach out to your local reputable master plumber. Before you do that, go ahead and reach out to your local home inspection team. They can inspect and assess your entire plumbing system. Contact Inside and Out Property Inspectors in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas to get your sewer scope inspection done today.

Use a drain snake to remove a clog from your bathroom sink drain.

How To Fix Gurgling Bathroom Sink

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Being a homeowner comes with many tasks and chores. The idea of maintenance is usually the last thing on a homeowner’s mind. Unfortunately, some things come up and you have to deal with them. For example, what do you do when something is gurgling in your pipes? In some cases, a toiler or even sink may be gurgling. How to fix a gurgling bathroom sink? Since there are a few reasons why this could occur, you will need to troubleshoot.

Let’s take a look at the best ways to determine what is causing a gurgling bathroom sink.

What Causes This

Dealing with a gurgling bathroom sink can be frustrating. Unfortunately, there are a lot of different reasons that could cause this to happen. Let’s take a look below at what those reasons might be.

  • Vent Pipe clogged – if your exterior vent pipe is blocked by debris like leaves and bird’s nests you will need to clear the line so that air can properly escape.
  • The bathtub drain is clogged – if your bathtub drain is clogged, a build-up of pressure can occur, creating a gurgling sound in other parts of your plumbing.
  • The garbage disposal is clogged – just like with your bathtub, if open areas of your plumbing get blocked, it can create trapping of air, which could cause gurgling.
  • A busted P-trap – when your P-trap is busted, this will cause your water to drain slowly due to a vacuum being created.
  • If any drain is clogged – the trapping of water and air in your plumbing will cause gurgling sounds to occur.
Consider using a plunger to unclog your bathroom sink.

How Can I Fix It

Luckily there are a lot of ways to ensure that the gurgling goes away. Some of the obvious ways are simply clearing out any clogs. So, how can you best clean out a clogged pipe, let’s take a look.

  • Drain cleaner – do your best to use an environmentally friendly drain cleaner. Some drain cleaners can be harsh on your pipes. Consider using vinegar and baking soda with hot water to clear a clogged drain.
  • Use an auger or drain snake – purchase a drain snake or rent a drain auger from your local hardware store. This will allow you to get deeper access to your plumbing and see if you can remove the clog.
  • Consider a plunger – if the clog is small you can use a plunger with petroleum jelly to create a good suction seal. Push straight up and down on the plunger to suck out or loosen the clog in your pipes.
  • Replace the P-trap – replacing the P-trap could do the trick. In some cases, the P-trap can have a clog, and removing the P-trap to clean it or simply replacing it can solve the problem.
  • Flush out the main system – run hot water done your drain for 15 minutes and see if the clog gets loosened.
  • Air admittance valve or main vent blockage – when you flush the toilet and hear a gurgling sound in your sink, it is usually the case of a blocked main vent. The main vent or air admittance valve is typically on your roof and above the bathroom. Clear the blockage with an auger or try using a water hose to flush it through. If you don’t want to risk it, hire a master plumber to fix the clog.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you are aware of how to fix a gurgling bathroom sink, this would be a great time to read up on how to get the hair out of your sink drain. This could be one of the reasons why your sink is gurgling.

Next, another item in your home that could be affected by a clog in your plumbing is the toilet. If you find that the toilet is overflowing, it could be due to a clogged drain, a blocked vent pipe, or a higher float.

Lastly, read up on the best way to keep sediment from building up in your water lines. This could be a big reason why your sinks are gurgling. Hire a professional master plumber to come out and clear your water lines from any debris or buildup.

You might have to remove the P-trap to remove the clog in your bathroom sink drain.

When Do I Call A Professional

When it comes to any projects regarding plumbing you should read up on the best solutions to the issue. If you cannot find a solution that works for your issue, call on a master plumber. Also, reach out to your local home inspection team. They can inspect your entire plumber system by conducting a sewer scope of your pipes. This will create a list of concerns that a master plumber can then repair. Also, they can refer you to a reputable master plumber.

Conclusion

Whenever you are dealing with something regarding your plumbing, you should hire a master plumber. They can troubleshoot the entire reason why you are having an issue like a gurgling bathroom sink. If you want to learn more, call on your local home inspection team. They can inspect the plumbing system and determine what is wrong with your plumbing. Save money by getting the whole plumbing system inspected at one time. Contact Inside and Out Property Inspectors in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas to get your sewer scope inspection done today.

Cleaning a hardwood floor.

How To Remove Stains From Hardwood Floors

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Homeowners have many concerns when it comes to their homes. It is such an investment to purchase a home and then maintain it as required to increase longevity and resale value. In that regard, keeping your floors looking clean and new is very important if you want your home’s resale value to be maintained. Unfortunately, flooring is the most highly trafficked area of your home. Whether it is carpet or tile or even hardwood floors, they are going to get stained at some point. How to remove stains from hardwood floors? It depends on the type of stain. The quicker you remove it the better the floor looks.

Let’s take a look below at how to remove stains from a hardwood floor.

Pet stains are some of the more common hardwood floor stains to deal with.

What Type Of Stains

Depending on the type of stain, will determine your best approach to removing it. If you are concerned with removing pet stains, dirt stains, oil stains, or water stains, your approach will vary. Unfortunately, there are no one-way fixes at all. Let’s take a look below at how we can handle each stain type.

  • Dirt stain – when it comes to these types of stains you will gently rub the area with warm water. Use a wet cloth or rag and simply scrub the dirt or wipe the dirt away. You can use a furniture polish spray or white vinegar to help loosen the dirt and grime.
  • Oil stain- for this type of stain you will want to use mineral spirits to lift the stain and then soapy water to absorb the stain and mineral spirits. Work quickly so that the mineral spirits don’t settle into the hardwood flooring. Follow up with some furniture polish to clean and protect the area.
  • Water stain -light stains are easier to remove than dark stains. Apply mineral oils across a wide range of the floor, not just on the spot of the stain. Use a soft cloth to scrub the area of the stain and the area around it. Let it sit for 12 hours and then go back and scrub and wipe with your soft dry rag. At this point, the stain should be gone. If the stain is darker, you will likely have to buff the stain out until it is gone. Then apply a new finish with wax or polish. Buff the area so that the new finish is blended into the old finish.
  • Pet stain – use hydrogen peroxide or another enzymatic cleaner like baking soda, to lift pet stains from your hardwood floor. If the pet urine isn’t cleaned up quickly, you might end up having to buff the area of the floor and refinish the area. This is the only way to guarantee the stain is gone and the urine smell is too.

Always keep in mind that removing stains from wood such as removing water stains or removing black stains could require different stain removal methods. Be sure to use the correct method on parts of the stain so that you don’t damage further damage the wood grain.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you understand how to remove stains from your hardwood floor you can focus on whether or not they are squeaky due to a structural problem, or improper installation. Read up on why your floors are squeaky because you might need to get them replaced before worrying about removing any stains.

Next, determine whether or not you have a tougher stain to remove like paint. In some cases, when homeowners are painting their walls, paint can get dripped onto the hardwood floors. This would require a special cleanup in order to protect the hardwood floors. Be sure to read up on how to remove paint from your hardwood floors.

Lastly, understand that not all stains occur on hardwood floors. In many cases, homeowners elect to have carpet in their bedrooms or other less trafficked rooms in the home. In some cases, that can include removing mold from your carpet.

Hire a professional to buff out your hardwood floors and apply a new finish once a year.

When Do I Call A Professional

When it comes to hardwood floor stains, it is essential to call on a local professional contractor. Not every homeowner has the tools or materials to correctly remove a floor stain from their hardwood floors. That said, don’t be afraid to get your hardwood floors cleaned by a professional. If you aren’t sure who to call, reach out to your local home inspection team. They can inspect your hardwood floors for stains and their structural soundness. Also, they can refer you to a reputable professional contractor to help get your hardwood floor stains removed.

Conclusion

Removing stains from your hardwood floors is not easy. Most homeowners do not have the time or patience to worry about stains on their hardwood floors. However, it is important to remove stains from your hardwood floors the moment they occur. The longer you wait to remove the stains, the worse they can become. If you aren’t sure how to remove the stains, call on your local professional. Start with your local home inspection team. Reach out to Inside and Out Property Inspectors in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas to get your home inspection done today.

Ceiling damage to water intrusion in the home.

What Is Water Intrusion

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Homeowners have many responsibilities when it comes to buying or building a home. You should always consider the materials of the home and the location of the home. Making sure that you aren’t in a flood zone or if you are, the house is properly water-proofed is key. Pay attention to the weather patterns so that you know when to touch up your home’s waterproofing. This could include new paint or a seal with caulk around your doors and window frames. Doing anything that you can to prevent water from intruding into the home is key. What is water intrusion? When water gains access into the home or a building and causes major damage to the materials inside the home.

Let’s take a look below at what is involved with water intrusion and how you can notice it when it occurs.

How Do You Define Water Intrusion

The main definition of water intrusion is simple. When water gains access to a home or building structure and causes damage to the structure and building materials and it’s working parts. Some damage that is a result of water intrusion would be mold, structural damage, and any wall, floor, or ceiling damage. Let’s take a look at possible sources of water intrusion.

  • Pipes that break inside the home.
  • A roof that leaks due to damage or wears and tear.
  • The sprinkler system is spraying water into the cracks of the home.

What Does It Look Like

Water intrusion into a home or building structure is typically specific to that building. Materials that each builder uses can often be different and those varying material types can respond differently to water. Let’s take a look at some of the symptoms of water intrusion.

  • Musty or stale smells.
  • Obvious signs of mold growing on your walls.
  • Paint that is touched by water can bubble up.
  • Wallpaper and linoleum can lose their finishes.
  • Wood flooring types will begin to buckle and warp.
  • Tile flooring could end up popping and cracking loose.

The moment that you experience water intrusion into your home you should call a professional water intrusion company to come out and inspect the damages, as well as begin the drying out process.

When the ceiling has water intrusion it looks like this. Paint peels and cracks.
Cracking and peeling of paint due to water intrusion on your ceiling.

How Does It Damage

The moment that water gets into your home a variety of things could occur. First, you are likely going to notice structural damage to your walls, floors, ceiling, and windows or doors, depending on the movement of water. If the water is not immediately noticed, you will have excess moisture and are likely going to develop mold growth.

With that being said, not only have you gone from having to replace any water-damaged structures, but now you will need a mold remediation team. Additionally, the water that intrudes into the home could end up causing damage to appliances and other expensive equipment that you might have in your home.

Make A Water Intrusion Plan

Before you even get into a scenario where you need a professional water damage repair company, make a water intrusion plan. Make a note of how often it rains in your area, and where the water runoff is going to go. Having gutters installed and regularly maintained is a great way to ensure water stays away from the home. Additionally, have a look at the slope of the yard, and what the city sewer situation is.

You never want to experience a backup of water and waste in your home. Also, check the structural integrity of the home itself. Ensure that it is holding up against any rains, even if it is an older home. Lastly, make sure that you are aware of the main water shutoff location. You might end up with a leaking pipe or plumbing leaks and need to shut down your water flow to prevent a larger amount of damage to the home.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you know about water intrusion, here are a few other areas to take a look at for maintenance. One of those is the dryer. if you take a look at your laundry room and you see water on the floor, it could be from your dryer. The dryer can leak water if there is a ventilation issue or if it is the condenser dryer.

Another area to take a look at is water damage in the walls. Unfortunately, water can get into the home due to numerous reasons. However, there are signs you can look for such as wet or dark spots, cracking, bubbling, flaking, the smell of mold, musty, or dampness.

Lastly, finding a water leak inside the wall is difficult. However, calling on a home inspection company that uses a thermal imaging camera and moisture meter is essential. They can find a leak inside the walls that are not visible to the human eye.

Water intrusion on your hardwood floors is not a good thing.
Immediately clean up any water intrusion on your hardwood floors.

When Do I Call A Professional

Whether water intrusion occurs before, during, or after the construction of your home, you will need to reach out to a professional water damage company. They can come out and assess the damage that water intrusion has caused you. If this occurs during construction, you will likely get the builder to make the necessary repairs.

Additionally, if you aren’t sure where to start, reach out to your local home inspection team. They will likely conduct a home inspection before, during, and after your home is built. Also, if you have purchased a home and have experience water intrusion they can recommend a reputable water damage repair company.

Conclusion

As a homeowner, when you come home from a long day at work, the last thing you want to see is water on the floor or a water-saturated ceiling. Any signs of water damage to your home are not a good scenario. If you aren’t sure where the water intrusion may have occurred, go ahead and call your local home inspection team. Inside and Out Property Inspectors can conduct an infrared thermography inspection on your home in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine, FL areas.

Professional tiler installing a bathroom wall.

What Do You Tile First Floor Or Walls

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When it comes to owning a home, there are many projects to consider. Homeowners should also keep in mind that some projects are best left to professionals. Finding the right professional contractor requires a lot of research. A job like tiling is a very specific and detail-oriented project. If you do not hire the right professional tile contractor, then you might as well just attempt complete the project yourself. If you aren’t sure how to do this, reading up on the ins and outs of completing a labor-intensive project like tiling is key. What do you tile first floor or walls? There is no set way, however, tiling the walls first seems like the best choice.

Let’s take a look below at what is involved and how the choice of the floor or the walls can vary.

Why Should I Tile My Bathroom

Taking on the project of tiling your bathroom could be a daunting task. However, it is a necessary one as it produces many positives in your home. Let’s take a look at the reasons for tiling.

  • Cost – durability and moisture resistance allows you to enjoy tile longer than any other material. Even though the upfront cost is higher for tile, you will enjoy the tile a lot longer and have reduced replacement costs.
  • Moisture resistance – with tile being waterproof, you will be able to use soaps, shampoos, and other strong cleaners in the bathroom without causing damage. Tiles are great at keeping the water from being absorbed into the walls and floors of your bathroom.
  • Durability – a hard material that can last a long time. Most stone tiles will last 100 years and ceramic tiles can last up to 75 years.
  • Heat absorption – tiles are great at keeping the heat in. This keeps your shower at room temperature in the summer and even warmer in the cooler months. Also, they will not damage or crack due to the changes in heat levels.
  • Ease of maintenance – if mold or mildew begin to show up on your tile, they are very easy to clean. Any wet environment in a home promotes mold and mildew growth. So, being able to use soap and water or any other solution and simple scrub away the mold and mildew with a sponge is a huge plus.

What Do I Need For This Project

A project such as tiling can require a lot of extra tools and equipment. Before you decide to take on this project yourself, go ahead and price out all of the equipment and materials and compare that with your time costs. Let’s take a look at what is required for successful project completion.

Materials

Tools

Professional tiler installing a bathroom wall.
Installing a bathroom wall.

How Do I Tile The Wall

Just like every home project, there is a list of instructions that you should follow to tile the floor or walls. Let’s take a look at the recommended instructions for tiling a wall.

  1. Attach a baton in the horizontal position, on the datum point that you have originally measured out. Double-check that the baton is level for your initial starting point.
  2. Begin adding tiles from the middle of the wall and work your way outward. Make sure to apply tile adhesive in an even covering of the entire tile.
  3. Continue to work along the wall and use tile spacers to ensure that each tile is evenly spaced as it is affixed to the wall. As you approach a smaller area on the wall, go ahead and use your tile cutter to cut your tiles to fit the area.
  4. As soon as you have finished your first row of tiles and can verify that they have stuck, you can remove the baton and begin working downward.
  5. Using an edging strip to conceal a raw edge will require you to place it at the bottom edge underneath the end of the tile in your first row. You can then continue to place the tiles on top as you work up the wall.
  6. After giving the tile adhesive time to dry you can begin removing the tile spacers. You will also dig out any excess adhesive to create an even grout line opportunity.
  7. Now you will begin grouting your tile lines. Do your grouting in small sections as you go. You will want to give yourself time to sponge the excess grout off the tile before it hardens.
  8. Now you will take your damp sponge and wipe away the grout residue. After the grout has had a couple of hours to dry, you will take a dry cloth and buff out any excess dried grout to create a nice shiny finish on the tiles surface.
  9. In your wet areas of the shower, use a water-proof silicon to seal the joints.
Tiling is difficult so using a professional for the floor or walls is key.
Bathroom floor installation.

How Do I Tile The Floor

As you read above, there are instructions for every project. Following these instructions will all but ensure successful project completion. Let’s take a look at the instructions to complete the tiling of the floor.

  1. Your first step is verifying that the floor you are about to tile is strong and solid. In most cases, you will be affixing your floor tile to the concrete slab foundation with tile adhesive.
  2. Layout your tile pattern the way you would like to see it. This way you can be sure that the tile design fits your original planned idea. If you are working in a square space, you will likely work from the middle of the floor and fan-out from there.
  3. Make sure that the first row is straight. Use your level and ruler to measure out the room dimensions. Once you have placed your first middle tile, you will work toward the edges of the room. Only spread adhesive in an area that you can tile quickly. If you adhesive the floor too much, it could dry too quickly and would cause extra work.
  4. Be sure to use spacers in the same manner that you used them on the wall tiles. This keeps your floor tiles evenly spaced. Keep in mind that it is recommended that you use a lash clip system on any tiles that are considered polished and finished. Always use what is necessary to ensure spacing and leveling.
  5. The moment the floor tiles are dry, you can begin grouting the floor tile. Remember to use a sponge to wipe away excess grout.

Is There A Right Or Wrong Choice

Believe it or not, there is no right or wrong answer to tile the floor or walls. Depending on the design of your bathroom, will determine your best course of action. In most cases, professional tilers recommend tiling a wall first. This ensures that no damage is brought to the tiles on the floor. It can get messy with grout and accidental tool drops, and you wouldn’t want to crack or stain the floor tile. In addition, by tiling the wall first, you can move onto the floor without waiting for the wall to completely dry. However, if you were to tile the floor first, you would have to wait for the tiling to completely dry before starting on the wall tile.

Other Recommended Maintenance

While you are adding tile to to the floor or walls in the house, there are other areas to pay attention to as well. If you have a baseboard that is coming off or need to replace it, you should know how long it takes for caulk to dry. Silicone takes 24 hours to cure, while fast drying takes 30-60 minutes. This is important to know so you have an idea of how quickly you can finish a project in the house and you give the caulk the time it needs.

Another area is the washing machine. As homeowners, we often forget maintenance around the home because of busy schedules. One of those maintenance areas is removing mold from the rubber seal of the washing machine. This is something that needs to be done when you see mold growing. There are a few ways you can avoid this such as leaving the washing machine door open after using it so it airs out. Another way is not leaving wet clothes sitting in the washing machine as this promotes mold growth.

Lastly, if you notice that your water heater is leaking water, you can still use the water in the home. This will give you time to call a professional to come to the house and allow you to continue on with your daily water needs. Unfortunately, you may be looking at a repair of the pressure relief valve, or temperature gauge or an aging water heater. However, a professional can help you determine the issue.

Use a professional to tile the floor or walls.
Professional tiler installing a bathroom floor.

When Do I Call A Professional

Calling on a professional tiler for this project is probably the best choice. Oftentimes homeowners do not have the tools or the patience and time to spend the weekend working on tiling a bathroom floor and wall. Leaving this one up to the professionals will save you money and ensure that the job is done correctly. If you aren’t sure who to call in your local area, reach out to your local home inspection team. Not only can they refer a reputable professional tiler, but they can also look for other potential bathroom repairs during the home inspection. Keep in mind, that they might find that other bathrooms or rooms in the home could benefit from a professional tiler. Always use your resources first before spending money.

Conclusion

When it comes to a flooring project, it can be very stressful. Making sure that your tiles are level and the design flows is very important. If you don’t have the tools or the time to complete this project, it is highly recommended that you call on a professional tiler. Before you begin any major upgrade to your walls or flooring, make sure to call on your local home inspection team. They can ensure that you don’t have other issues such as mold growth or water leaks in the walls. Contact Inside and Out Property Inspectors in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas to get your home inspection done today.

landscape rock

Does Rock Landscaping Attract Bugs

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Landscaping the yard can be fun with all of the choices there are to make the lawn look nice. Some people prefer mulch, while others may look at rubber strips and landscape fabric. On the other hand, some homeowners may choose to use rock. Does rock landscaping attract bugs? Fortunately, no. There is no food source and unlike mulch, it doesn’t decompose so it is a great choice for your landscaping needs.

Let’s take a look at rock landscaping and how it compares to other types of landscaping materials. We will also look at the pros and cons so you can decide what works well for your yard.

Landscape rock in a landscape design in a yard.

Landscape Rocks VS. Mulch and Ground Cover

Landscape Rock Doesn’t Decompose

Landscape rocks, unlike mulch, don’t decompose so they last longer. It can actually last a lifetime. Usually, you need to add more or change it out if you lose some rock to flooding or if you want to change the landscape itself. This is something to think about in your next landscaping project.

Mulch decomposes and becomes part of the soil so you may need to replace it and this is usually each year. However, organic mulch is made up of plant or animal materials that was once living and include wood chips, straw, and bark. It also suppresses weeds and looks great in the landscape design.

Landscape Rock Doesn’t Attract Pests

Unlike mulch, rock landscaping doesn’t attract bugs. Some pests may hide underneath the rocks, but since there is no food source, they won’t stay. Mulch on the other hand decomposes and then attracts pests. Also, depending on the mulch you buy, it can attract termites so keep this in mind as well.

Trampled on ground cover is a positive for using rock instead.

Ground Cover Can Be Trampled On

Ground cover can be trampled on by feet and furry animals. Animals can also destroy ground cover by digging as well as using it as a place to go to the bathroom so it will attract bugs. Also, the ground cover needs maintenance because of weeds and fertilization. On the other hand, landscape rocks hold up to animals and people walking. Also, you can lay landscape fabric down so no weeds grow between the rocks, as well as you can lay a thick cover of rock to protect the ground.

River Rock Absorbs Water

River rock is another type of landscaping rock and it absorbs water, as well as helps with runoff. It also helps in sloped areas in making sure the soil stays in place.

Here is a video about how to prepare the bed for landscape rock

Cons of Landscape Rock

Landscape rock does have some cons and things to think about.

  1. Injury from rock – When mowing the lawn, make sure that the landscape rock doesn’t get caught in the mower. It can fly at a high speed and cause injury. Taking care to avoid the rock is essential.
  2. Rock can sink into the ground – even though the rock looks nice, unfortunately, it can sink into the soil. This happens more often if there is a lot of foot traffic. If the sinking does happen, you may need to add more rocks.
  3. Landscape rock absorbs heat – this rock will absorb the heat so the high temperatures in your area will make it hot to the touch. Also, if there is enough rock, it may even heat up your home so you need to be careful.
  4. No nutrients for the soil – rock, and stone don’t provide nutrients for the soil such as nitrogen and phosphorus so they can’t help the flowers and plants grow.

How Much Does It Cost

The national average cost of medium to large landscaping rock is $500 to $1500 to install.

Homeowners may pay as little as $460 or as much as $1,000 to purchase and install medium to large rocks, stones, and boulders in their yards. Depending on the material, the range is $25 to $105 per cubic yard of stone. Additionally, if you have a professional do this for you, you will need to add in that extra cost.

Landscaping rock ready to be delivered.

Recommended Maintenance

Now that you know about landscape rock and different ways to spruce up your garden, there are a few other areas to think about.

One of the areas to think about is what to put around the foundation of a house. The answer is simple: flowers, plants, and grass if you decide not to use rock. Also, in some cases, mulch is a good idea. It depends on where you live as to what works best.

Another area to think about is the brick pavers. Your brick pavers will need to be cleaned as they will get dirty over time. To clean them, you will need baking soda and detergent. You also will need to make sure you have time to move the patio furniture and get the weeds out of the pavers before cleaning.

Lastly, if you are lucky enough to have your own swimming pool, you will want to know what the signs are that you have a leak. A few of them are losing 1/4 inch of water each day or the grass around the pool is wet. There is also a bucket test, water pooling in the yard, bubbles in the return lines, cracks in the pool or Ph not balancing well. Keeping an eye on these areas will hopefully allow you to catch the leak sooner than later.

When to Call a Professional

When you have questions about the type of landscaping you want to have or the rocks in your garden, contact a professional for help. Sometimes if it is complicated or confusing, a professional who specializes in that area can help. This is also true of a home inspector or pest inspector as they can tell you what might work best. If you are finding other issues, this might be a great time to have a full home inspection completed.

Conclusion

Planning the landscaping for your home can be fun but also stressful. The good news is there are pros and cons to all types of materials so it depends on what you want and what works best. You now know that landscaping rock does not attract bugs so it should be fun to pick out what will look good in the yard.

Always remember that if you don’t have the time to troubleshoot the problem, you should call on your local home inspection team. This can save you time and money as the inspection team will identify all of the necessary fixes and repairs they find in and outside of the home and solutions. Contact Inside and Out Property Inspectors in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas to get your home inspection done today.

Condensation on the windows in the summer.

What Causes Condensation On Outside Of Windows In Summer

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Often times one of the many areas that homeowners neglect to notice is condensation on their windows. Most homeowners are too busy with the hustle of life and rarely take a moment to look outside of the window. If you are a homeowner that does look out your windows and notice condensation, then you probably get frustrated at the sight. It can block your view of your prestine backyard and the nature around your home. What causes condensation on outside of windows in summer? The variation of moisture between the inside and the outside of your home.

Let’s take a look below at what condensation build-up on the outside of your windows means.

A sweating window in the summer months.
Summer window condensation.

Why Does This Happen

There are some clear answers to what causes condensation on outside of windows in summer. The answer is condensation builds up when cold air meets hot air. In the winter months, when you have the heat on inside the home and it is very cold outside the home, condensation can build up on the interior windows. In contrast to that, in the summer months, when the AC is on cold and the outside temps are rising, you could see some condensation build-up as well. A great option, in this case, is to install energy-efficient windows. The design of these windows allows the exterior glass to stay at the same temperature as the exterior air. Also, the interior glass stays at the same temperature as the interior air.

In some cases, you will need to wipe away the condensation from your window frames.
Just wipe away the condensation when it seeps into the home.

How Can I Prevent It

Believe it or not, it is not really likely that you can always prevent condensation on the outside of your windows in the summer. However, you can try using a water repellent on your windows in the same way that you use a water repellent on your car windshield. By using a water repellent the condensation will not have the chance to collect on the exterior of your windows. This allows you to maintain a clear view outside of your home.

The next way that you can try to prevent condensation on your windows is by making sure that all seals are intact. If you have a double or triple pane window and the seals have become damaged, water condensation may build up in between the glass. You can rectify this situation with a simple seal replacement. Also, make sure that you re-caulk all areas of your windows so that moisture cannot build up.

Also, if you want to maintain a no condensation build-up of your exterior window, you must maintain your moisture levels inside. Make sure that the humidity in your home isn’t competing with the humidity outside of your home. When the cold air inside meets the hot air outside, condensation can form. Always be sure to keep your inside moisture levels in check.

Lastly, don’t forget that plants and shrubs can also assist. If they are near your windows the plants and shrubs should be trimmed and maintained. This allows them to absorb the moisture in the air and help create better air circulation. As the sun heats the windows the water will begin to evaporate and the plants will absorb the condensation. This occurs in the same manner as when the dew point is reached on the grass in the morning and the sun begins to heat the air and the dew evaporates.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you are aware of what causes condensation on outside of windows in the summer, it’s a good idea to look into other potential reasons why your windows might leak when it rains. Understanding the ins and outs of your windows is important. It is possible that you purchased a home that needs to upgrade the windows. Also, you could end up seeing another simple solution as replacing the caulk seals around your window frame. No matter the reason, getting your windows inspected for leaking and condensation can go hand in hand.

Next, make sure that all windows are inspected. If you have a skylight, you will want to make sure that it is also sealed properly. Most homeowners never bother to look up through their skylight unless it is at night and they are looking at the stars. In many cases, your skylight can develop condensation on the exterior and interior portions of the glass as easily as your other windows. Always remember that what you have done to one window should be done to all windows. This ensures that the windows are all updated at the same time and you aren’t spending time trying to remember which window needs fixing next.

Lastly, there is so much to learn about windows depending on the type and style that is in your home. Every window is designed a little bit differently as each manufacturer tries to put their spin on window design. If you have a double-pane window you will begin to notice some dirt and grime built up. You might even notice some condensation build-up. If this occurs, you will want to know how to clean a double-pane window. Always remember to read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean and maintain their products. In this case, how to clean a double-pane window.

Simple window repairs can include new weather striping and caulking.
Window repairs can be simple.

When Do I Call A Professional

Whenever you are having issues with condensation on your windows, you should look into why this is occurring. It could be something simple, like adjusting your ac temperature. Also, it could be something a bit more complicated, such as replacing the weather stripping or seals in the window. Depending on the solution to the problem, you will want to reach out to a professional handyman or window repair company to inspect the issue. If you aren’t sure who to call in the area, reach out to your local home inspection team. This might be a great time to get a full home inspection completed. The home inspection team might find that other windows and even doors are needing some updating. They can refer a reputable handyman or window repair company to ensure that you aren’t overspending on the necessary repairs.

Conclusion

The moment that you notice condensation on your exterior windows you shouldn’t freak out. There could be a simple solution like adjusting the moisture levels in your home. The solution might be as simple as purchasing a dehumidifier for the home. Always remember that if you don’t have the time to troubleshoot the problem, you should call on your local home inspection team. This can save you time and money as the inspection team will identify all of the necessary repairs and solutions. They might discover that you need more than just new window seals to fix the condensation issue. Contact Inside and Out Property Inspectors in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas to get your home inspection done today.

Composite decking installation

How Long Does A Composite Deck Last

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Many homeowners like completing projects that can enhance their living style and curb appeal. A great way to do this is by expanding your outdoor living space with a deck. Unfortunately, there comes a time when you as the homeowner have to decide what you can and cannot afford. When it comes to decking, you have an option to choose between a variety of materials. Always remember that all materials are not created equally. The idea that you get what you pay for is certainly true in all cases. Keep in mind that choosing between a composite deck or a treated wood deck can be difficult. In one case you are choosing a deck that lasts a long time with minimal maintenance. In the other case, you are choosing pressure-treated wood that is cheaper and requires more maintenance. How long does a composite deck last? Depending on the manufacturer, they can last from 20 to 25 years. In some cases longer.

Let’s take a look below at what is involved with ensuring a composite deck last a long time.

Installing a composite deck.
Installing a composite deck.

What Is A Composite Deck

The reason why composite decking is so desirable is its durability. The decking pieces are made of a mixture of plastic film and wood fibers. The reason for the durability is that the plastic film usually consists of polypropylene or polyethylene. This material does a great job of blending with the wood fibers and making the material stronger and more durable than your average 100% plastic.

Why Is It Better

Believe it or not, composite decking has many benefits. In most cases, homeowners consider the obvious, such as maintenance and repair. Luckily, there is more to the benefits of composite decking than just maintenance and repair. Let’s take a look below at how composite decking is better than pressure-treated wood.

  • Molding or rotting – composite decking is impervious to mold. If it will not rot or break down due to mold. If mold becomes present, it can be washed off fairly easily.
  • Coloring – wood decks are known to need repeated staining in order to keep the wood looking brand new. On the other hand, a composite deck won’t break down and become weathered to where its color fades. In fact, composite decks will continue to look brand new after 25 to 30 years.
  • Splinters – no one likes splinters. When wooden decks start to break down, the first thing that occurs is elevated wood chips. They often get into your skin and create an uncomfortable feeling. Most wooden deck boards will begin breaking apart after 10 years. This doesn’t happen to composite deck boards.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you have determined composite decking lasts a long time, it is time to read up on the installation process. When you are building a deck, whether it is elevated or not, you will use some concrete. Most of the time the concrete is used in the footings of the deck. Planning your project out is a good way to avoid the rains that could get in the way. Also, remember that not all concrete can be poured in the rain. In this case, you might be ok but read up on the needs of the project.

While you are outside and exploring your next best projects. Have your local home inspection team take a look at the foundation of your home. Before you go building a deck off your home, you will want to make sure the foundation is looking strong. If there are any cracks in the stucco or concrete block of the home, go ahead and make the repairs before building the deck.

Lastly, while you are working to upgrade your home value, have your local home inspection team also check your windows and entryways. This might be a great time to get a recommendation for a hurricane shutter installation company. Once your new decking project is complete, you can turn your attention toward hurricane shutters. This could save you money on insurance and bring added value to your home.

A composite vs a wooden deck.
A composite vs a wooden deck.

When Do I Call A Professional

Calling on a professional contractor to quote you on deck installations is key. Not only can they offer you the best materials and a price range for installation. They can also pull the permits necessary for a successful project. Always think about your time and money before you decide to complete a do-it-yourself project like a deck installation. Oftentimes you will need some equipment and tools to assist with the installation and these could run your costs higher. If you aren’t sure that you have the right place to install the deck, reach out to your local home inspection team. They can determine if your deck placement will hurt your home’s foundation or cause a flood issue down the road.

Conclusion

Purchasing a home and venturing down home improvement projects are always fun. Selecting the correct decking for your home’s added curb appeal is not always the easiest. For a project that large, you should always consider the future of the investment. Settling for a project just because your budget is tight should not always be the case First find out what gives you a longer-lasting value. Then, save the money up to ensure that you can select the best materials for the project. If you aren’t sure which contractor to use, call on your local home inspection team. They can inspect the outdoor landscaping of your home to determine where you are best to build a new outdoor living space, and refer you to a reputable contractor. Contact Inside and Out Property Inspectors in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas to get your home inspection done today.

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