Clean & tidy, not your typical waste room

We all want to do our best for the environment. In our daily lives that begins with household recycling and garbage. 

Municipalities throughout Metro Vancouver have added various initiatives to encourage recycling, and they’ve also added financial penalties to trash haulers who have recyclables in their garbage pickups.

Regulation changes have continued with the addition of organic waste, aiming to separate out food scraps and reduce overall waste by another 30%. 

That is all well and good, but most building’s waste rooms exist somewhere between messy, disgusting and revolting. What if your property could start to resolve this issue? 

It may be as simple as organizing the space, adding colour to the walls, and encouraging greater respect for common areas.

The idea began with recognizing that people need to understand quickly how to sort their recycling and waste products. Otherwise, confused by a room full of green bins, blue containers, and garbage cans, many people give up and toss it in the closest bin.

By organizing the space, it shows an increased commitment to resolving an ongoing problem.

By colour coding with coordinated bins and wall colours,  it clarifies and simplifies what goes where. The result will be a clean & tidy waste room.  

If you are encouraged by the idea, contact us 604-882-5155 or info@remdal.com, and we’ll meet you, discuss your situation and provide a Waste Room Makeover proposal for your property. 

 

The post Clean & tidy, not your typical waste room appeared first on Remdal.

from Remdal https://ift.tt/2ZqbBQA

3 Things Every New Homeowner Should Do

Buying a house for the first time feels surreal. Finally, you have a place of your own and you will probably stay here for a long time, if not for the rest of your life. It’s important that you take good care of it so your home stays safe. Follow the tips below:

 

Find the main water shutoff valve
Water from a burst or broken plumbing pipe can spew dozens of gallons into your home’s interior in a matter of minutes, soaking everything in sight — including drywall, flooring, and valuables. In fact, water damage is one of the most common of all household insurance claims.

Quick-twitch reaction is needed to stave off a major bummer. Before disaster hits, find your water shutoff valve, which will be located where a water main enters your house. Make sure everyone knows where it’s located and how to close the valve. A little penetrating oil on the valve stem makes sure it’ll work when you need it to. Source: HouseLogic

Keep a home maintenance checklist
One of the new expenses that accompany home ownership is making repairs. There’s no landlord to call if your roof is leaking or your toilet is clogged. To look at the positive side, there’s also no rent increase notice taped to your door on a random Friday afternoon. While you should exercise restraint in purchasing the nonessentials, you shouldn’t neglect any problem that puts you in danger or could get worse over time. Delay can turn a relatively small problem into a much larger and costlier one. Source: Investopedia

Update the locks and have spare keys
One of the first things many homeowners do is change the locks on their new home. You don’t need to be particularly handy to install new door hardware, and a set of basic doorknobs and locks for your front and back door will only set you back $20-$80 or so. It may seem unnecessary, but there’s no way to know whether there are copies of your old key floating around, and who might have them if so. Investing a bit of money and time today can protect you from burglary down the road.

While you’re at it, get an extra copy of your key made and leave it with someone you trust, so you don’t have to shell out $100 to a locksmith when you inevitably lock yourself out. Source: TheSimpleDollar

There are many damages you can definitely repair on you own, but there are some that are better left to the professionals. Give us a call so we can help you out!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8279 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4W1
(604) 360-2114

from Kerrisdale RD https://ift.tt/2NKoLm6

What To Do With Water Stains on Ceilings

It’s frustrating to see a brown spot when you look up at the ceiling. What’s even worse is that it’s not just an aesthetic problem, it can also be a sign of a bigger issue. Find out how to deal with water stains below:

Find out what caused it
It shouldn’t be too hard to figure out from what area of the home the water is coming. Whether it’s the roof or an upstairs bathroom, whatever is above the ceiling is usually the source of your moisture problem. If you can’t identify a possible water source above the ceiling stain, you may have a leaky pipe. It’s also not uncommon for water to run along rafters or piping before dropping onto your ceiling, obfuscating the true source of the problem.

Old caulking is a common source of water seepage. Piping or a shower pan that has come into disrepair is also a possibility. Bad piping can mean you have a leak or it can mean your pipe is sweating from inadequate insulation. You may also need to figure out whether your pipes are old and need to be replaced or, if other circumstances, like hard water, is causing premature damage to your pipes. Source: HomeAdvisor

Check the roof
If the roof is to blame, find and repair crumbling shingles, compromised flashing (the weatherproofing material installed on the roof), or weakened seals around roof vents, all of which can give way to leaks. If you cannot patch the leak in the roof, you may need to replace it. Source: BobVila

After fixing the damage
Prepare what you need
Move any furniture and spread the drop cloth on the floor under the stained ceiling. Wear protective eye goggles and gloves because you will be applying chemicals to the ceiling.

Use bleach mixture to remove stain
Mix a solution of half bleach and half water, and then apply this with a sponge over the stains. This will lighten the stain and remove any mildew. Use clean water from your spray bottle to rinse away as much of the bleach mixture as possible.

Finish with paint
Blot the ceiling as dry as you can with the cleaning rags, and allow it to air dry the rest of the way. Then brush on a coat of stain killing primer or mildew resistant primer and allow this to dry. Paint the ceiling area with one or two coats of matching paint. Source: DoItYourself

Prevent damages from getting worse while making sure that the pesky water spots will never come back by letting us do the work. We offer free estimates! Call us now!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8279 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4W1
(604) 360-2114

from Kerrisdale RD https://ift.tt/2RP2aD2

When to Repair or Replace Your Roof

Depending on what has happened to your roof, you might face the decision of whether you should repair or replace.  Find out more about whether you should repair or replace with the following problems:

Damaged Shingles
Replacing shingles due to wind damage or a fallen limb is a relatively easy and inexpensive. Torn or damaged shingles can be removed, and new ones can be slipped in place. The downside is that unless your roof is relatively new and you happen to have saved some spare shingles from the job, your patch job may not match the existing roof. But that is a small price to pay if the repair would extend the life of your current roof for another 10 or 15 years! However, if you plan to sell your home in the next few years, ask your contractor to order shingles that match as closely as possible. A roof with a prominent patch is unattractive and will not inspire a potential buyer’s confidence. Source: BobVila

Roof Leaks
If you check the condition of your roof at least once a year, you should be able to plan in advance for necessary repairs. Early signs of trouble include dark areas on ceilings, peeling paint on the underside of roof overhangs, damp spots alongside fireplaces, and water stains on pipes venting the water heater or furnace.

From the outside, you can assess your roof’s health by viewing it through binoculars. Warning signs include cracked caulk or rust spots on flashing; shingles that are buckling, curling, or blistering; and worn areas around chimneys, pipes, and skylights. If you find piles of grit from asphalt roof tiles in the gutters, that’s a bad sign, since the granules shield the roof from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays. Black algae stains are just cosmetic, but masses of moss and lichen could signal roofing that’s decayed underneath. Source: HouseLogic

Damage Caused By Typhoon
Did the damage occur as a result of something like a recent tornado or hurricane? If so, then you should definitely consider replacing the entire roof. Very often, there’s a level of damage beyond what you are easily able to see. Bigger problems can be lurking around the corner and it’s much better to be safe than sorry. Source: MoneyTalksNews

If you’re looking for quality roof work that can suit your budget, then give us a call!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8279 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4W1
(604) 360-2114

from Kerrisdale RD https://ift.tt/2Jbd8yL

3 Causes of Basement Flooding

Keep your basement safe from water damage by making sure that your home is not affected by the following problems:

Deteriorating Exterior
A flooded basement is sometimes the byproduct of a damaged home exterior. Check the outside of your home for signs of deterioration before entering your basement; working in a structurally unsound environment can be dangerous. Storms and heavy rain can exploit weak parts of your home and cause flooding. Falling trees and tree limbs can also damage your exterior and create a wet basement. Additionally, storm-related destruction can affect power and gas lines. Call a pro immediately if you notice downed power lines or smell gas near your home. Source: TheSpruce

Improper Installation
A drainage system that has been installed incorrectly leads to leaks. If the downspouts of your house have been placed too close to the basement wall (within 6 feet), or if they drain towards it, they may overload the weeping tile and cause leaks in your basement. Ideally the downspouts drain towards the street or the backyard, not towards your basement walls or those of your neighbor. Source: DoItYourself

Sewer Backups
Sewer backups also cause basement flooding. Suburban homes usually have a sewer tie-in line that is lower than the floor of the basement, allowing dirty water from tubs, toilets and sinks to be carried away. If this sewer line becomes clogged or damaged and its waterline rises above that of your basement floor, expect water to come rushing back into your home.

In communities built on swamp or marshland, a sump pump failure can cause the flooding. Sump pumps are set in basins drilled into the floor of the basement and act as a fail-safe by mechanically pumping out excess water. Experts recommend installing a back up sump pump in case the primary pump fails. Source: AngiesList

Drainage repair and maintenance is one of our main specialties. As a family business that’s been running for more than 50 years, you can rest assure that the quality of work we provide is worth every dollar. Call us for a free estimate!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8279 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4W1
(604) 360-2114

from Kerrisdale RD http://bit.ly/2XXd7VB

Common Gutter Problems You Should Avoid

Gutters perform an important function in keeping your roof and home safe from water. To stop a problem before it arrives, proper maintenance must be followed. Here are some signs of top gutter problems and how you could solve them:

Sagging gutter
A number of culprits can cause sagging gutters, but the most common causes for sagging gutters include:
– Placing a ladder against them to hang Christmas lights or do roof work
– Large build-ups of debris like leaves or dirt from neglecting to clean your gutters
– Heavy rainfall
– Snow that partially melts, then freezes in your gutters to form a heavy chunk of ice

If your gutter sags enough, it won’t drain water to a downspout but instead create a stagnant pool of water that is perfect for mosquitoes to breed. Eventually the gutter will start to leak, allowing water to get behind your walls and damage your home. Source: AngiesList

Drainage too close to home’s foundation
Downspouts need to extend several feet from the house, or they’ll dump right into the basement. Gutter extensions attached to the bottom of the downspout will discharge water well beyond the foundation. They’re inexpensive and easy to install.  Source: HouseLogic

Poor pitching
If you live on a slope, it is important to make sure the gutters are angled correctly. If not, water could have trouble making it to the downspout and end up pooling and overflowing. Since fixing this problem requires taking measurements and properly rehanging the gutters, you should call a professional roofing contractor to adjust the pitching.

Leaks
Gutter leaks can be caused by many things, including punctures and joint gaps. While these leaks may seem minor, they can eventually cause considerable damage to your home’s siding, as well as flooding in harsh weather conditions. Durable caulking, gutter patching kits, and gutter sealants are all inexpensive ways to fix leaks. Source: NearSay

Roof and gutter work can be dangerous if you don’t have the right equipment. Leave it to us, and rest assured we’ll solve your problem in no time.

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8279 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4W1
(604) 360-2114

from Kerrisdale RD http://bit.ly/2K82ax5

3 Signs of Main Drain Clog

Home repairs always happen at the most inconvenient times. If you don’t see the signs early, then one day, you might get caught with your home’s main drain clogged at a very annoying time. Avoid that from happening by observing the following:

Bathroom fixtures are malfunctioning
An obvious sign of a sewer drain clog is when more than one plumbing fixture backs up at the same time. Toilets are often the first fixture to experience problems, but any other low-lying fixture can also be involved, such as a shower or bathtub on the main level of your home. If you suspect that you have a sewer drain clog, start by checking the toilet, followed by other fixtures. Source: TheSpruce

Observe along baseboards
Look for evidence of a leak along the base board of walls near the location of your plumbing fixtures. Pipes that contain water under pressure can become corroded, develop loose fittings, or crack because of freezing, allowing a continuous loss of water until repaired. Mildew or mold, darkened surfaces, or even puddles of water may occur below leaks. If the problem is inside the wall cavity, it may be necessary to remove the paneling, plaster, or wallboard to correct it.

Pipes also may sweat when cold water passes through them in warmer interior air-spaces in the home, and this water condensing on the surface of pipes may drip, causing moisture problems to appear where no leak exists. Source: WikiHow

Check for overgrown tree roots
Tree roots are the primary cause of a clogged sewer line, especially in an older home. In newer homes, common sources of clogging include feminine hygiene products, paper towels and even certain types of thicker toilet paper.

“A lot of people have broken-down drains in the ground that have tree roots in them,” says Jay Bedell, of Bedell Plumbing in Carmel, Indiana. “That would be the No. 1 reason why people have drain problems. They have older pipes that trees in their yard have actually crushed.” Source: AngiesList

We specialize in roofing and drainage problems, and as we’ve been in the business for more than 50 years, rest assured we can take care of any repair you need at home. Call us today!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8279 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4W1
(604) 360-2114

from Kerrisdale RD http://bit.ly/2WFVKej