Proving we care with every repair

Tips for Homeowners during Rainy Season

When the rainy season comes, it brings peace, refreshment, and new spirits to everyone’s hearts. However, the rainy season will cause homeowners such as roof or building leaks, slow water, and so on.

Perhaps the house’s essential aspect of securing is the roof, which homeowners often neglect. To protect the roofs, it is vital to cover the top with high-quality materials and sturdy construction before the rainy season begins.

We’ve covered some roof repair strategies that you can use during the rainy season to shield the roof of your home or office from the storm.

Check the Roof of the House Regularly

It is crucial to inspect the roof at least once every six months if you want to shield your building from heavy rain.

It would be advisable that you used the guide below to keep an eye on items daily:

  • Examine the roof of the house/office for signs of decay, injury, and sagging.
  • Inspect the roof’s waterproofing; if necessary, apply waterproofing house roof painting again. Examine the chimney for any broken, loose, or slanted tiles, as well as any holes.
  • Be sure to repair any broken, damaged, or slanted shingles before the rainy season begins.
  • With the sliding incline, check the roof area and ensure that the flashings are free of rusty stains and gaps.
  • Look for gaps in the roof’s ridge and around the parapet walls.
  • To prevent moisture leaks inside the building that can deteriorate ceilings or walls, repair weakened mortar joints as soon as possible.
  • Consider hiring a specialist roofing contractor is the problem or concern is more severe and needs more investigation.

Hence, by implementing regular check-ups of the roof, you can evade the most expensive problems that could change into much bigger expenses in the upcoming future.

Go for Waterproof Painting

Rain, snow, thunder, UV radiation, and scorching heat are the things that the roof protects the house/office.

Everyone understands that the roof is subjected to harsh weather conditions, and water pools quickly on the soil, resulting in cracks and damp patches on the inside.

As a result, choosing house roof painting options with high-quality sealants is needed. However, add paint to the roof in fair conditions.

Clean Up Waste and Other Debris

Standing water on the roof will lead to leaks and, in the long term, more severe problems for your house. Be sure the house’s roof is free of trees, grass, gravel, and other clutter. When a rainstorm comes, keep the top clean and open, so the rainwater has a clear path out.

Repair Portholes formed in the Roof

If your roof has portholes (water passageways), double-check that they’re in good working order. Water will seep between the cracks and into your home if they are not well-maintained. It can also pull essential heating or cooling into your home if it is not adequately sealed. Your energy prices will eventually rise as a result of this.

Clean the Gutters

A gutter is an essential aspect of the building’s roofing system, and its primary function is to evacuate and absorb water that collects on the roof. It also drains water from the building’s base, shielding the outer surfaces and stopping water from entering the building.

If water gets into the home, it will cause woodwork to rot, mould to expand and spread, condensation to shape, and masonry to erode. Wet patches disperse quickly, posing a danger to one’s wellbeing.

Here are certain things you should check yourself:

Remove any debris and leaves to reduce the risk of blockages during wind or rain, which may cause your gutter to overflow and cause problems for your house.

  • Check to see if your home’s drains are leaking or damaged.
  • Check that the gutters and downspouts do not have a lot of tiny debris clogging them up. The presence of granules indicates that your roof’s covering has to be closed and painted.
  • Be sure you don’t have any floors or downspouts.
  • It would be wise if you also purchased a sweeping utensil or use a small handheld tool with a smooth, pointed blade to clear dirt from your gutters.

Trim the Branches Around the House

Consider removing any hanging trees or vegetation to reduce the risk of gutter blockages and issues caused by leaves or branches that get caught in the water’s direction.

Furthermore, it would reduce the risk of them collapsing during a rainstorm, hurricane, or windstorm and causing damage to the house. This will also shield the building from rodents and diseases that they could bring.

Hire an Expert

If the concern seems major, hire a specialist roofer to inspect the roof to see if there are any shingles, structural issues, cracks, flashing, skylights, or other damage that needs to be addressed during the rainy season.

During this inspection, the competent roofer may also identify places that need to be upgraded to prevent leakage, such as roofing quality, content, etc. Also, now is an excellent time to raise questions like, “Can you fix the whole roof or just half of it?”.

Mother Nature will damage your roofing system in either season, whether it’s spring, autumn, summer, or winter. As a result, it’s important to maintain your home or office roof now, mainly when the weather is still pleasant and allows you or a licensed roofer to paint the ceiling or check the gutters, flashings, shingles, and skylights.

You can also use the above tips and tricks to enjoy the rainy season’s comforts without being bothered by problems in your house.

Five Signs You Need A Kitchen Renovation

Your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home, if not, the most important. It’s a place where you can spend time preparing a perfect intimate meal with your other half and loved ones, at the end of a long day, chucking a quick meal in the oven or somewhere to enjoy family time, preparing a large dish or baking treats. 

Below we have a list of five signs that might indicate a homeowner for his/hers need to get a kitchen renovation.

Outdated Kitchen Cabinets

If your rusty, rundown cabinets make your kitchen feels outdated, you’re not alone. The alternative is to eliminate them, but it is not in everyone’s budget for a full design remodel.

Cabinet refacing is the best way to offer a a fresh look to the old kitchen, without breaking the budget. It is easy to switch out doors and drawer fronts, allowing you access to a whole new world of styles of wood, designs, and accessories.

Inefficient Floor Planning

Have a soft spot for your current configuration, but know that more focus is needed? Cabinet refinishing may be enough for a real time and money-saver to return your present kitchen to its original glory. 

In a single day, professional washing and re-staining will usually be done!The best chance to turn your floor plan upside down is a kitchen remodel. 

Consultants in architecture will help you create a room that automatically blends as you walkabout. Function, after all, is just as meaningful as form!

Wasted Kitchen Space

A cabinet setup that doesn’t stretch to the ceiling is one thing we’ll find in many houses, leaving a foot or so of space on top. 

There are a couple of good ways to retake the area. To bind it all together, you could add expanded cabinets with increased storage space, and some decorative crown moulding.

Or connect a stylish galley rail upstairs for an even more straightforward repair. This makes a perfect room for ornamental plants, pots, knick-knacks whatever fits your style!

Another common condition, especially in older homes? Separate rooms in which to cook and dine. While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with this, in contemporary kitchen architecture, an open and integrated floor plan is always desired. 

Why not cut the separate wall if you’re considering your dining room to be underused?

Insufficient Kitchen Storage Space

The fact that kitchens lack storage space is a frequent criticism from homeowners. There is still potential to improve with many replacements, including modern shelves, pull-out pantries, wall-mounted pot racks, and drawers tucked into kitchen islands.

Also, successful kitchen architecture is about making the most effective use of the space accessible. That may involve finding a new place to store canned bulk foods, cleaning products, and appliances that are barely used. 

It should usually be stored somewhere else if it’s not a part of the everyday meal planning.

Poor Ventilation

Kitchens mean cooking, and cooking means lots of flavours of steam, smoke, and food in the breeze. Make sure you have a powerful ventilation system, one that leaves your kitchen smelling fresh and looking tidy.

Instead of venting it outside, some cheaper, low-quality hoods can re-circulate polluted air. 

This will produce a constant undesirable scent in the room, and gradually the airborne particles of grime can settle on your walls, cabinets, and floor, certainly something to avoid!

Apartment Renovation Tips and Ideas: Cost, & Duration

Are you thinking about renovating your old apartment into something new? Well, we have gathered all the required information to start your redecoration project.

Today in this article, we have gathered the necessary tips and ideas for you to start your long-awaited plan for renovating your home. We guide you through the time taken and the cost involved while refurbishing your flat.

How to start your Apartment Renovation Project?

It is a hectic process to modernize your apartment or get your kitchen redecorated. First, you need to have the budget, and then you need to understand the time and work involved.

Below We Have Enlisted a few Tips Before Starting Your Refurbishing:

1. Have a Detailed Plan

Having a plan to is the most crucial factor in starting your project. One must be very clear what parts of the room you’ll be renovating before starting it.

2. Get Inspiration

Research the internet or ask for professional advice for the style you want. You can always check for photos of freshly renovated rooms on Pinterest.

3. Take Plenty of Time

Before setting off on your plan to redo your apartment, first make up your mind to allow plenty of time. The process, once started, may end up consuming a lot of time for which you should be already ready.

In this way, you can prevent unnecessary stress when the project moves slowly than expected.

How Much does an apartment Renovation Cost?

Cost of renovating a house or an apartment may vary depending on the size of the residence, the materials used, and the style of the new design.

As per some sources, minor refurbishing may cost you up to $20,000, but if you intend to redo it, then the expenses may go over $30,000.

Factors Affecting Home Renovations

  • Size: Redesigning a full house is cheaper than just renovating a room. According to Renovation Junkies, the average renovation costs per metre ranges between $2,000 – $3,000.
  • Materials: If you intend to use quality stuff in your house, then it will cost you more. However, using cheaper materials may hurt the long run.
  • Level of Renovation: Cost may vary depending on the level of the renovation involved in your plan. Some refurbishing usually involves minor alterations while if your planning to change your apartment’s layout completely, then the expenses might be high.
  • Location: The location of your house also affects the renovating cost. The area where you reside might have a higher or lower pay scale for renovators.
  • Contractor: Different contractors in the same town or city may have varying costs and plans for your house. Although using a cheaper contractor would be cost-effective, it is always advisable to first check the contractor’s reputation and years of experience.

We have also enlisted the average cost involved in renovating different parts of your house, like:

  • Bathroom = $15 – $200 per sq (Total cost :$10,000 – $35,000)
  • Kitchen = $10,000 – $45,000
  • Bedrooms = $2,000 – $35,000
  • Living Room = 10,000 – $15,000
  • Outdoors = $ 2,000 – $10,000

How Long Does an Apartment Renovation Take?

As per some sources, refurbishing a 500 sq ft apartment accommodated with one bedroom and a small living room takes about 2.5 weeks for two workers. While renovating an entire house should take about a year.

There is no exact saying as to what time it may take to complete an entire house, but that can be shortened by using more workers from the contractor. But there’s also a downfall to the process as the cost would be higher.

Small Apartment Renovation Cost and Duration

A small apartment can easily be renovated for the cost of $10,000 to $15,000.

The total cost and duration of redesigning an apartment depends on the extent of renovations and the materials used. Basic remodelling can take up less time and can be done within a short duration, while more substantial projects require bigger budgets and are time-consuming.

However, the time can be reduced by using more workers, but that would make the renovation more expensive.

Bathroom Renovation: Cost, Duration & Ideas

Are you thinking of renovating your bathroom? We have gathered a list of information and ideas that will guide you through your bathroom renovation plans.

In this article, we talk about costs involved in bathroom renovations, the budget you should set aside, materials you should use and avoid while flooring, and ideas on the renovation. We’ll also talk about the size of your bathroom; bog or small.

How much should you spend on a bathroom renovation?

A bathroom refurbishing could cost you somewhere between $10,000 to $30,000 depending on the size of your bathroom.

According to some plumbing services in Australia, the cost of renovating your entire bathroom can cost somewhere between $17,000 – $18,000.

Many factors can affect your renovation budget such as:

  • the size of the bathroom
  • materials used in the bathroom
  • fittings you choose
  • labour cost
  • permit costs (if required)

What is the cheapest way to renovate a bathroom?

Renovating a bathroom can vary depending on your taste and the materials you use. Cutting down on some of your likings can help you reduce your expenses and refurbish the restroom in the cheapest way possible.

Also, we have listed a few points for you to look into, which can help you stay within your budget.

They are:

  1. Using cheaper lookalike materials
  2. Painting wooden floors
  3. Refinishing a bathtub instead of completely replacing them, or give it a slight touch up
  4. Installing new sink faucets in the bathroom
  5. Installing pre-fabricated showers
  6. Installing the toilet commode, bathroom vanity, wainscot, and top, on your own
  7. Painting the restroom by yourself
  8. Resist moving major plumbing
  9. Designing the bathroom
  10. Do some plumbing on your own

What is the most expensive part of a bathroom renovation?

Probably the most costly part of remodelling your bathroom is the plumbing and tile works. However, other areas in your bathroom would be expensive to redecorate.

Moving walls of your toilet can be expensive as it involves making space for a bigger bathroom, or sometimes relocating the entire restroom. This process requires labour to tear off the walls and reframing, which makes it expensive.

Tile installation can also expensive as it involves removing the existing tile and installing a new one. In addition to the demolition cost, the cost of repairing is also present.

Tiles used in Bathrooms
Tiles used in Bathrooms

Although the wood-framed floor is cheaper, installing concrete and tile floors are less expensive.

Bathroom renovating also means remodelling faucets, shower valves, bathtub, toilet, and many others. The price of these items varies depending on the materials.

How long does a Bathroom Renovation take?

Renovating an existing bathroom usually takes about 20-23 days. There is a lot of work involved while renovating a bathroom like demolition, carpentry, plumbing, inspection, electrical fitting, insulation, and many others, which are time consuming.

Also, the duration of renovating is determined by many factors like:

  • Is the remodelling just a cosmetic remodel or the entire bathroom?
  • Are you hiring a contractor, or is it your DIY project? In most cases, doing it all by yourself will take the owner to complete his restroom in a year.
  • Are you hiring a private contractor who handles his operators or is he sub-contracting carpenters, plumbers, and electricians? Working with an agent who handles all operator is the cheapest and least time-consuming way to go.
  • Are the bathroom materials easily available or they have a special delivery which might take days?

What is the best flooring for a bathroom?

The first thing to look for while choosing tiles for your bathroom floors is whether the material will sustain under stress. Stressful events usually involve bathroom flooding.

Some of the materials used for flooring bathrooms are:

  • Porcelain or Ceramic Tiles: It’s one of the best material used while flooring your bathroom. The tiles are waterproof, cost-effective and at the same time, stylish.
  • Vinyl Flooring (Tile, Plank, or Sheet): Vinyl looks good on your floors and is extremely practical. It is 100% waterproof, cost effective, and can be easily installed and removed.
Vinyl flooring in Bathrooms
Vinyl flooring in Bathrooms
  • Natural Stone: It’s a perfect choice for a bathroom but only if you have the budget for it. As we all know, stone is durable and can be resold later at an excellent price.
  • Engineered Wood: This type of wood is relatively better than solid wood that absorbs moisture. It would be the best choice for flooring your restroom if you want an authentic look on your bathroom floors. The material is dimensionally stable and absorbs less moisture.
  • Laminate Flooring: Laminate flooring is better than solid wood and looks good as it has a photograph of anything that you desire. On top of the picture is a clear coating which is known as the wear layer, which keeps the materials safe from corrosion. It is quite easy to install and cheaper than other materials.

We have listed the materials that you should avoid while flooring your bathroom, and they are:

  • wall-to-wall carpeting
  • solid hardwood

How much does it cost to renovate a small bathroom?

For renovating a small bathroom, people should not be spending more than $10,000. One should go for the budget cost, which lies between $5,000 to $10,000.

A smaller bathroom would require less equipment and also the materials used would fit within their budget. However, abiding by this cost would involve compromising with specific plumbing and electrical features.

After choosing this plan, you need to lay large format porcelain tiles which costs about $30 per square.

What is an estimated budget of bathroom renovations?

According to HiPages, one can breakdown the cost of remodelling your restroom into three categories:

  1. Premium Cost – $30,000+
  2. Standard Cost – $15,000 – $30,000
  3. Budget Cost – $5,000 – $15,000

So, decide which budget you’d go for to renovate your bathroom, and give it a new look. iCare Plumbing will be able to handle all the work for you from plumbing, electrical and carpentry. For further information on bathroom renovations, contact us today.