3 Reasons Why There is Standing Water in Your Yard

It would be futile to put all your efforts in clearing puddles on your yard if you don’t address what’s causing the water to stay in the first place. Here are some of the most common cases:

Low Spots
There is a good chance that you have—or will have—standing water in your yard if your property lies at the foot of a hill and your region gets a lot of rain. You can also suffer from having low spots in particular areas of the yard, even if you don’t live at the foot of a hill, where the terrain slopes down.

If a low spot is causing water to collect near your house, the first thing to do is correct the grading around your house foundation to prevent water from seeping through the foundation. This is more important than dealing with water pooling elsewhere in the yard. Source: TheSpruce

Non-Porous Soil
Hard soil and sticky clay soils don’t allow water to soak into the ground past the surface, which causes excess water to accumulate. In particular, hard subsoil, also known as hardpan, is a thick layer of soil that doesn’t allow any water through. You may have this soil on your lawn from natural causes or as a result of construction equipment densely compacting the yard. Source: HouseMethod

Gutter Downspouts
The gutters on your home could be contributing to the mass of water collecting in your yard. As your home’s gutters collect rain, they eject it through the nearest downspout. If your downspouts are emptying into an area that runs uphill or tends to collect water, it might be time to redirect your gutters.

You can attach a rigid drain pipe to the end of a gutter spout to carry water away from problem areas. Or, if it’s feasible, simply dig a dry creek bed for your gutter to empty into that will carry water away from problem areas. Source: HGTV

Don’t let standing water damage your lawn and create problems for your home. Call us today and you’ll get a free estimate!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

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

3 Tips to Sell Your Home for More Money

Are you planning on selling your home this year? Find out how you can easily increase the price tag of your home by following these simple pieces of advice:

Improve your curb appeal
How a home looks from the outside has a huge effect on how many potential buyers walk through the front door.

Than Merrill, CEO of FortuneBuilders, suggested investing in a new front door. If buying a replacement door is not within the budget, “consider repainting it for a fresh, clean look,” he said. It’s an affordable renovation you can make for less than $1,000. “Also, pressure washing the driveway and front walk — and trimming the hedges and trees — contribute to the overall look of the house.”

For people with a higher budget for renovations and repairs, Cannon Christian, president of Renovation Realty, suggested replacing worn vinyl siding. New vinyl siding can have an 80 percent or higher return on investment, according to Christian.

“It’s easy to install, cheaper than other alternatives like aluminum and wood and requires little maintenance,” he said. Source: GoBankingRates

Declutter
Clean everything out of the basement, the attic, and organize closets and pantries. What doesn’t go to storage either donate it or give it the heave ho. I know from very recent experience that a 10’ x 20’ storage unit will cost you less than $125/month (not including the sweat equity of moving everything out). It’s money well spent. Look at the exercise as an opportunity to streamline your life—believe me it will make your life easier when you actually move. Source: Forbes

Let light in
Maximize the light in your home. After location, good light is the one thing that every buyer cites that they want in a home. Take down the drapes, clean the windows, change the lampshades, increase the wattage of your light bulbs and cut the bushes outside to let in sunshine. Do what you have to do make your house bright and cheery – it will make it more sellable. Source: HGTV

We can help make your home’s exterior look like it came straight out of Canadian Living. Call us today to get your free estimate!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

from Kerrisdale RD https://ift.tt/36k7VhC

New Year Resolutions for a Better Home

If you are looking to create a better version of yourself this year, why not create resolutions for your home as well? Try including the following on your list:

Keep the gutter clear
A 1,000-sq.-ft. roof will shed about 620 gallons of water during a 1-in. rainfall, or about 103 gallons per downspout if you have six downspouts. That’s a lot of water dumped right next to your basement. Although it may seem obvious, clean and properly functioning gutters with downspouts that empty away from the foundation are key to avoiding major and expensive home repairs. Source: FamilyHandyman

Organize your documents
If paperwork terrifies you, don’t make it too complicated this year. Simply take a pack of card document wallets and mark each one with categories, for example – ‘gas’, ‘electricity’, ‘broadband’, ‘school’. Pop each letter or bill into the relevant file and find an accessible place to keep them all. Better still, opt for paperless billing whenever possible. Source: HouseBeautiful

Cut down energy use
How about trying to improve the planet as well while you’re improving yourself? Going green could be a great way to make this year truly remarkable. You could start with solar panels or a hybrid car but those are not the only things that can make a difference.

Learn to properly recycle, remember to turn off lights while you’re not using them and turn the taps off when you’re brushing your teeth. This way, you’ll not only contribute towards a better planet but also cut down your bills significantly.

You can trim energy use by sealing and insulating your ductwork. This increases the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by almost 20%. It will make your home more comfortable and also extend the life of your furnace, heat pump and air conditioner. Source: LifeHack

Make your home better and safer this year. We can help you take on home improvement projects you’ve been delaying for years. Call us for a free estimate!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

from Kerrisdale RD https://ift.tt/3639VLq

Home Trends to Get On This 2020

Your home is your sanctuary. You should always feel good whenever you’re in it. However, if your home is starting to look outdated or cluttered, you’ll often feel uninspired. Start the New Year right with a change of environment. Plan your remodeling projects using the following tips:

Low upkeep outdoor materials
Natural stone will still be a big trend in 2020, however, for elements like pavers, large and simple ones will replace ornate trends of the past. Composite decking is as always a popular choice for its longevity and low maintenance. Corten steel will make a return. As a material that requires little maintenance and develops a beautiful rust-like appearance over time, it fits in perfectly with the overarching theme of home trends of 2020 – simple, lived-in and warm. Source: HomeBunch

Environmentally friendly options
2019 has seen awareness around eco-friendly, green and sustainable materials and practices grow substantially, so expect to find biomaterials in homes in 2020, such as building supplies made from recycled products or ethically sourced materials, and homewares designed with an environmentally-friendly mindset. Source: BHG

Climate change-ready
Extreme weather patterns are spurring more homeowners to invest in disaster-resistant home improvements. “Eighty-two percent of millennials are anxious about how climate change will affect their children’s quality of life,” explains Suzanne Shelton, president and CEO of the Shelton Group, a marketing firm that specializes in sustainability. Source: BobVila

Smart homes
One trend that will continue into 2020 is arguably becoming the new norm: If people are installing it in their homes, chances are it connects to Wi-Fi. Stephen Ferrara of Compass Real Estate in New York City points to products such as Sonos speakers, Nest thermostats, and Amazon Echo voice assistants as affordable examples of smart technology.

“Technology will continue to shape how people renovate,” he says. “Something as simple as a $20 smart plug used in conjunction with the app gives you full control over lighting without having to even be home.” Source: Blog.Cheapism

2020 is a good year to work on the big projects you’ve been putting off for some time. Give your home its much-needed update this year. We can help with roofing, drainage, and all kinds of home repair. Contact us for a free estimate!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

from Kerrisdale RD https://ift.tt/39KDggy

How to Unclog Drains

Do you notice water backing up from the toilet or the sink? If you constantly hear gurgling sounds when using bathroom fixtures, it may be a sign that you have a drainage problem. Here are the best solutions you could try:

Pour in Some Bacteria
Whether it’s hair, grease or food, some sort of organic matter causes most drain clogs. Fortunately, there’s a type of bacteria that breaks down organic matter in your drains. Add the bacteria to your drains and it will consume organic matter which helps prevent clogs. You can buy drain-cleaning bacteria in granular or liquid form.

Bacterial drain cleaner is noncorrosive so it won’t harm pipes, and the bacteria won’t interfere with the bacteria in your septic system. Follow the instructions on the package. Add the bacteria when drains won’t be used, like right before everybody goes to bed, to allow it time to work. Drain and trap cleaner is available at home centers and hardware stores. A package should last several months, depending on how many drains you treat. Source: FamilyHandyman

Use a Hose or Power Washer
You may need more force to clear an especially stubborn main drain clog, and you should apply it through one of the drain cleanout fittings. You should have one or two of these in the basement and more outside. Open one of them by unscrewing the cap with a wrench and have a bucket handy to catch water. You’ll also want to wear protective clothing, goggles and gloves because the water may be under pressure and could spray when you open the cleanout.

If water does spill out, you’re on the right track because it means the clog is downstream of the fitting. Insert a hose with a high-pressure nozzle or preferably a power-washer wand with a 0° (red) or 15° (green) tip. Place the bucket under the cleanout, point the nozzle downstream, pull the trigger and stand back. Source: Hunker

Get Help from Professionals
Don’t run the water or flush the toilet! If you don’t add water to your drain system, you can’t make the problem worse (that is, if the clog is in your line and not the city’s main; see below). As an added precaution, you can shut off the main water supply to the house so that no one runs the water by accident. Tell everyone in the house not to use water, then call a plumber or drain specialist to have the drain cleared. These professionals have special equipment, including motorized augers, to quickly and effectively remove large clogs in the main sewer drains. Source: TheSpruce

Don’t wait for your drainage problem to get worse during the holiday season when everyone will be at home. Call us to book an appointment today!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

from Kerrisdale RD https://ift.tt/34X36ul

Safety Roofing Tips Every DIYer Should Know

Planning to repair the roof on your own to save some money? Here are useful tips you should remember before starting your weekend project.

 

Check the weather
Fussing to try and find a leak as soon as it happens is something that could put you in the hospital. Meddling on a roof while it’s raining or covered with ice and snow isn’t the ideal way to find a leak. Trying to temporarily fix a leak could be highly dangerous. If you want to do it right, there is no quick-fix. Just take your time, and be very patient and careful to wait for Mother Nature to give you the green light. Source: DIYNetwork

Get a gutter guard
One way to keep your ladder safe and steady and to keep your gutters protected as you’re up on the roof is to use a gutter-guard. The gutter-guard basically consists of any scrap piece of wood or plywood that you fasten to the roof deck, put a notch in it, lean the ladder legs against the notch and tie in place. You can also put some shingle bundles against the feet of the ladder to help keep it steady and make sure it doesn’t slide.

Create a toe hold
This tip is also particularly good if you’re working on a steeply pitched roof. In order to help keep your balance and prevent slippage, you can install your own temporary toe holds to help your feet keep their grip. Simply take several wood cleats measuring 2 by 4 inches (you can also use adjustable roof jacks for this) and nail them to the roof deck. When you’re done with your work, simply remove them. Source: DoItYourself

Find someone to help you
Let someone else know when you’ll be up on the roof – someone who will be with you at home that day, or else a neighbor who can keep an eye on you. In fact, it’s best if at least two people work together on even a minor roof job. Someone needs to be there to help or call for help in the case of an emergency. Source: YourAmazingPlaces

If you’re unsure how to handle roof repairs, it’s better to leave it to the professionals. Our roofing crew have the right safety gear to guarantee that no accidents will happen.  Book an appointment today!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

from Kerrisdale RD https://ift.tt/2M9keWR

3 Important Chimney Safety Tips You Should Keep in Mind

Imagine this: you’re trying to stay warm by hanging in front of the crackling fire with a cup of your favorite drink, hand-knitted blanket wrapped around you. All of a sudden, fire broke! Way to ruin the moment, right? Prioritize safety and have peace of mind by following these tips:

Avoid creosote buildup
Creosote is a chemical mass of carbon formed when wood, tar or fossil fuels are burned. Creosote can linger in chimneys and you would have no idea from the outside. When creosote is not removed, can become a thick coating of debris in the flue and chimney. Most chimney fires start in the smoke chamber/smoke shelf area so it’s important to clean those areas. Creosote ignites at 451 degrees Fahrenheit and once it starts burning, it expands like foam sealant and can build to more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit in less than a minute. Source: FamilyHandyman

Don’t remove ashes right away
Fireplace coals can remain hot enough to start a fire for up to three days, so always wait at least that long before removing the ashes. At that point, close the damper to prevent cold air in the flue from stirring up excess dust while you’re removing the ashes. Be sure to wear a dust mask and open a window in the same room as the fireplace to prevent negative air pressure. Use a shovel to scoop the ashes into a metal container. Store the container far from combustible materials and surfaces and wood floors. Source: HGTV

Install a safety screen
Keep a fireplace screen in front of the fireplace when in use. A fireplace screen should be at least 3 feet (0.91 m) high, and most common models are be made of fine, crossed wire on a flexible, three-part frame. This screen will catch any live sparks that leap out of the fire, and will also prevent larger logs from falling out.[6]

A screen is a necessity if you have small children or animals in the house, as they could easily run or stumble into an open fire. If there are more durable models of fireplace grate available at your local hardware store, it may be wise to purchase a heavy grate in addition to (or instead of) a lighter screen. Source: WikiHow

Let us take a look at your home’s chimney to see whether there are damages that need repair. Book an appointment today!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8296 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4C6
(604) 360-2114

from Kerrisdale RD https://ift.tt/2Yv0VMS