Three Popular Home Repairs That Won’t Break the Bank

Home repairs are a fact of life. Whether it’s mold and mildew in a bathroom or pool area, a deck that needs some TLC or a non-responsive garbage disposal – making minor repairs from time to time can greatly improve both the look and the safety of your home.  Local companies like Deck Helmet and national home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s have reported a surge of interest in “do it yourself” and professional home repairs.

Home Repairs

Here are three very popular home repairs:

Mold and Mildew: Mold and mildew are likely the result of either a water leak or very high humidity. This can be very damaging to both your property and your health.  She Knows.com writes that if you suspect you have mold or mildew have your home inspected for leaks.  However, if you already have extensive mold or mildew, make sure you hire a contractor who specializes in mold remediation repairs, according to Energy Star.

Decks: Decks can easily get run down by the weather -- rain, snow, ot sun – which makes deck upgrades a very popular home repair.  Allowing decks to become unstable by not inspecting and fixing it from time to time is dangerous – especially if it is a raised deck.  Jason Apter, owner of Maryland-based Deck Helmet reviews the most common deck issues faced by homeowners: Split or rotting wood; loose or missing nails, screws, or anchors where the structure is attached to the building; missing, damaged, or loose support beams and planking; wobbly handrails or guardrails.  That said, the North American Railing and Deck Association or NADRA suggests getting your decks inspected and repaired on a frequent basis to prevent any unfortunate accidents that could damage your property and possibly even harm your family or friends.  “It’s why Deck Helmet has invested so much in their patent pending system to eliminate yearly maintenance and permanently protect a homeowner’s deck for ten years,” says Apter.

Garbage Disposals:  It can be very disheartening to have a garbage disposal that simply won’t work – especially you have already poured a ton of food into it.  According to About.com, you can try and fix it with a few simple tricks:

• If it is plugged in then press the Reset button found on the bottom of the unit. If it has reset, the button will be popped out.
• If that does not work, check to see if the circuit breaker has tripped and turned off in the electrical service panel.
• If the breaker has not tripped and the reset button is not popped out, then it's either a faulty switch or a faulty garbage disposal
• Turn power back on at the service panel and check the disposal for operation.
• If the disposal will still not turn on and makes no noise, the garbage disposal is beyond repair and needs to be replaced.

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5 Great Home Renovations for Under $5,000

Keeping a house up-to-date and safe for its occupants is never cheap but you can install many home improvements that can keep your house safe, warm and decorative without losing the bank.  Here are a few renovations one can make to spruce up the home for under $5000 and in some cases, under $1000.  “It’s amazing what a small investment can do to improve your enjoyment of your home and increase your home’s resale value,” says Jason Apter, founder and CEO of Deck Helmet in Bethesda, Maryland.

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1. Update and Refurbish the Deck: Making renovations and improvements will improve the look of your deck as well as make it safe for your family and guests, according to the folks at Deck Helmet.  Check for loose screws and floor boards, as well as rotted wood and get those fixed ASAP.  Prices for improvements can be a few hundred dollars for buying new wood boards and screws to $1000 dollars to hire a contractor to seal the deck.   The Deck Helmet Revolutionary Deck Resurfacing System transforms your old worn out deck to a beautiful low maintenance composite deck at a fraction of the cost of deck replacement.

2. Paint the outside of the house: No one can deny a fresh coat of paint on the outside of the house can do wonders.  Depending on the size of the home this project can run anywhere from $3,000 to $5000 – but it does means carefully choosing your contractor.  Make sure to get references from your contractor and make sure your contractor uses a “…fresh coat of paint or sealant every two to 10 years for wood siding and every 15-25 years for fiber-cement,” according to AOL Real Estate.

3. Replace Kitchen Countertops:  Most homeowners want very much to upgrade their kitchens but the pricing can be prohibitive -- but not if you do the basics like replacing the countertops.  Moneypit.com says that there are “budget-friendly materials to choose from, including green options like stainless steel, cast concrete, and solid surfacing and terrazzo composites made from recycled materials.”  Also, you can spruce up the look by adding new knobs and drawer handles to your cabinets.  MoneyPit.com also says new countertops can be done for $1000 upwards.

4. Replacing the Roofs: No one can deny that a sturdy, leak-proof roof is a luxury – especially during rough weather seasons.  New roofs now come with 30-year guarantees so a one-time cost from $3000 to $5000 can help you outlast a lot of cold and wet winters – not to mention increase the value of your home.

5. Wood fencing: Putting a nice wood fence in your backyard is always attractive and you can do so affordably – go to your local home improvement or lumber center and do some searching.  AOL Real Estate suggests “…take a look through magazines and around the neighborhood. There are more options within your budget than you realize.Costs can be up to$2,858.

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