Tag Archives: home repair

How Improper Tiling Will Wreak Havoc On Home Value & Your Health

ICYMI: Poorly installed tile can cause serious health issues due to mold, and significantly decrease  home values. Gregory Norman, founder of BathMasters, highlights the advantages of hiring a professional for tiling projects and encourages homeowners to resist cutting corners.

(Clearwater, FL) —The homeowner improvement and repair market reached $317 billion USD in 2017 alone and continued to hover around that mark right up to this year-even when factoring in Covid, (1) and the number of homeowners utilizing DIY and unlicensed contractors for renovations is also on the rise.

13% of all households undertook a bathroom remodel or replacement project in the past 5 years, and of those, 42% failed to use a licensed contractor.(2)

The risks associated with improper renovations—especially tiling—can not only slash a home’s value, but also prove hazardous for homeowners’ health, warns bathroom renovation company BathMasters.

When it comes to bathroom overhauls, homeowners are generally unprepared for surprises, such as mold or leaks that can be hiding inside walls and beneath floors.(3) Improper tiling performed by a homeowner or unlicensed contractor can inadvertently allow water to seep in, facilitating accumulation of mold spores and thereby causing serious damage to a homeowner’s house and personal health.(4) Per BathMasters founder, Greg Norman, statistics show that in all remodeling projects, tile showers are the number one botched renovation.

Norman says the room for error is vast; if the underside of the shower pan is not waterproofed, or the membrane going to the drain is improperly installed, costly leaks and mold can – and likely will – occur.

(3) And the risks are alarming: mold and water damage under shoddily-installed tiles can cause heightened asthma problems, skin rashes and even autoimmune diseases.(4) Per Norman, preserving health and the value of the home are invaluable to cutting corners on a renovation project.

“No home renovation project in the world is worth putting one’s health at risk,” said Norman. “Additionally, home renovations are intended to increase the value of a home; DIY projects or renovations done by unlicensed contractors run completely contrary to that.”

Although it may seem like homeowners can save money by not using a licensed contractor, even a small defect can significantly devalue a property. Most cities require homeowners to tear out walls, along with any ceramic wall tiles, if the renovation project wasn’t inspected by the city beforehand. Also, a home appraiser may not include a non permitted addition in the square footage for the home value, which could cost homeowners thousands of dollars.

When considering home renovation projects that include electrical work, plumbing jobs, tiling or knocking down walls, hiring a licensed contractor is key.” Norman went on to say that when hiring a contractor, homeowners need to do their homework by checking reviews and ensuring that permits are being pulled consistently.

“BathMasters regularly replaces showers that have been done incorrectly by unlicensed contractors, generally within five years of installation.

The company is dedicated to providing the highest quality work; as such, its team is equipped with specialized training from the Tile Council of North America in South Carolina, enabling its contractors to offer customers the highest standard of work for all bathroom renovations. For the Silo, Ashley Richardson.

About BathMasters:

BathMasters is a Virginia plumbing, electrical and building contractor with showrooms and warehouses in Northern Virginia and the Tampa Bay Area (Florida). BathMasters is rapidly expanding to meet the demand of its customers for high-quality, full-service bathroom renovations and tub-to-shower conversions built to withstand the test of time. With thousands of custom bathroom remodel jobs under its belt, BathMasters has become the premier choice for all bathroom renovation needs.

Co-founders and brothers Gregory and David Norman grew up in a family of masters: their father was a master plumber, and their uncles worked as a master electrician, master carpenter, and class A home builder. The Norman family legacy has always been about high-quality work, never cutting corners, and an unparalleled commitment to communication, honesty and integrity in their dealings with homeowners. It is this legacy that Gregory and David carry forward at BathMasters. Their mission is to improve the skill level of bathroom installers through their extensive workforce training programs, to the benefit of homeowners and the industry itself. Visit BathMastersVirginia.com and BathMastersFlorida.com.

  1. Donahue, Kerry. “STRONG AND STABLE GROWTH PREDICTED FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT AND REPAIR MARKET IN 2017.” Joint Center for Housing Studies. N.p., 19 Jan. 2017. Web.
  2. Webb, Craig. “Homeowners Hired Pros to Remodel 66% of Kitchens, 58% of Baths, NKBA Survey Finds.” Remodeling. N.p., 11 Jan. 2017. Web. 09 Mar. 2017.
  3. LaPonsie, Maryalene. “7 Reasons to Back Away From DIY Home Improvement Projects.” Money Talks News. N.p., 22 Apr. 2015. Web. 28 Feb. 2017.
  4. Is Your Home a Death Trap? How Mold Affects Your Health and Your Home’s Value. N.p., n.d. Web.

How to Use Your Home Equity to Deal with Unexpected Housing Costs

If you don’t have any available savings, your home equity can provide an immediate source of funds. 

Even the most responsible homeowners can find themselves faced with an unexpected home emergency repair or maintenance issue without the cash on hand to deal with it. If this is you, you are not alone. There are solutions available that can help you tap into your home equity to fund those projects without having to take out an expensive loan with the bank. 

Consider a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) 

A Home Equity Line of Credit enables homeowners to access up to 85% of the value of their home for what they need. If you have owned your home for a number of years, then you have built up equity that can be used as collateral.  

A Home Equity Line of Credit is designed specifically to help homeowners cover these unexpected costs without worrying about their level of savings or credit score. Taking out a HELOC is a fast and convenient borrowing option because you can access the funds you need, pay it off and borrow again if needed. 

To calculate your home equity, simply follow this equation: 

The value of your property – the balance remaining on your mortgage = your home equity 

In many cases, you will pay less to borrow against your home equity than if you were to get an unsecured loan or line of credit. When you choose to work with a mortgage broker instead of the bank, you can get access to more lending options and at a lower interest rate.  

Take Out a Second Mortgage 

Many homeowners are aware of HELOCs but haven’t considered that second mortgages are also an available option. Essentially, a second mortgage functions as an additional mortgage loan. Both mortgages will need to eventually be paid off but because they normally come with much lower interest rates than unsecured loans, they can be an appealing option to borrow much needed funds. 

With the value of Ontario homes increasing due to the booming real estate market, many homeowners are using this opportunity to access the value of their home.  

You can use your second mortgage for anything as long as you continue to make your repayments. So, if you have a home maintenance or renovation project in mind, then it’s a good idea to consider a second mortgage now instead of waiting until it becomes an emergency situation. 

Work with a Trusted Mortgage Broker 

A mortgage broker acts as the intermediary between the financial institution offering the loan and the individual seeking the loan to buy real estate. The mortgage broker works with both parties to ensure the loan gets approved. The main benefit of working with an experienced mortgage broker is that he or she can work with a wide variety of lenders to find the best terms and rates. 

For those who are self-employed or don’t have stellar credit, working with a mortgage broker is advantageous because they are experienced at working with complex situations. This is especially critical for anyone who requires fast funding and has been turned down for a loan by the bank. 

A mortgage broker like Burke Financial specializes in handing challenging applications and works with people who have varying needs and circumstances.  

Regardless of whatever life problem you are facing, a mortgage broker can help you explore your options and find a solution to your problem so you can get back to other life tasks. For the Silo by our friends at Burke Financial.

Little Known Facts About Modern Sewer Repair Technologies

When dealing with damage to your house or municipal sewage system, you may have numerous concerns regarding your repair choices and preventive actions you may take to avoid future damage. Going through your repair choices and acting against sewage damage may be a lot easier with expert assistance.

Any pipe repair expert like pomplumbing.ca will tell you that there are methods available that offer long-lasting, reliable repairs without causing damage to your property or interfering with municipal traffic. We have taken the first of these repair measures for you in this article by presenting some little-known facts regarding contemporary sewage repair. 

1.) Modern Line Replacement is Extremely Effective

When we speak with homeowners about broken water lines or other severe plumbing problems that may arise under a number of conditions, we often discover that they are astonished to learn that repairs can be finished in only one day. What makes this possible?

By removing the need for significant work and physical digging, trenchless technologies enable plumbing experts to replace whole water lines in a matter of hours. Using sophisticated underground procedures, these experts can completely replace your water line pipes in a fraction of the time that conventional methods need. 

2.) Trenchless Alternatives Maintain Your Lawn

Trenchless experts may patch in or repair underground portions of broken pipe without digging the pipe out using epoxy Perma-liner solutions. The experts construct tiny, non-intrusive entrance ports and line these solutions along the walls of existing pipes using air pressure.

Specialists then cure the pipe to the interior walls using a long air bladder, resulting in a fully repaired pipe in a matter of hours. This avoids the need for costly pipe digging, or “trenching,” while still delivering high-quality water line replacements.

3.) Water Line Replacement Is Affordably Priced For Any Budget

The absence of digging, the smooth installation procedure, and the minimal overhead expenses all add up to one major advantage for homeowners: substantial savings. Trenchless line replacement makes sense not just from a practical perspective, but also from a budgetary one.

The effectiveness of trenchless replacement leads to significant savings in labor expenses, just as minimum grass digging reduces the need for costly landscaping. Trenchless restorations make sense in both the short and long term since the new pipe sections will last at least 50 years. 

Burst Pipes Causing Flood and Water Damage: The Facts – ServiceMaster of  Lethbridge

4.) A burst pipe may cause an existing water line to expand.

Pipe bursting, a water line replacement method, may potentially enhance the flow and efficiency of your current water lines. A replacement pipe is attached to a pointed bursting head and fed through badly damaged pipe sections in this manner. The bursting head actually bursts through the existing pipe, clearing the material away with its expanding, conical form.

This method clears the way for the larger (and more efficient) replacement pipe. It is a “two birds with one stone” line replacement method that addresses a broken pipe emergency while also improving general performance for decades to come.

5.) Trenchless Replacement is more secure than the alternative

Because trenchless water line replacements remove the need for significant digging, workers are less likely to uncover dangerous subterranean gasses, guaranteeing the safety of both the workers and your family.

Subterranean mold and asbestos are always a significant worry when it comes to trenching replacement techniques. Fortunately, with trenchless treatments, the worry of inadvertently coming across a hazardous mold concentration is a thing of the past. 

6.) Unrivaled Lifespan of Trenchless Water Lines

One of the most important things homeowners should know about trenchless water line replacement, as we said briefly earlier in this article, is how long the improvements can be anticipated to endure. While you may believe that Perma-liner, PVC replacement options are less dependable than other materials, this is a clear misunderstanding.

Homeowners should anticipate their new pipes to endure at least 50 years, if not much longer. Not only are these new pipes simple to install, but they also provide the peace of mind that homeowners want in their plumbing. 

How to Deal With Burst Water Pipes

7.) These Solutions Are Capable of Repairing Any Type of Damage

Before replacing your water line, trenchless plumbing experts will inspect it using snaking video technology to determine the amount and kind of damage. However, this is not the expert deciding whether or not they can repair your pipe; rather, it is for assessment reasons.

In fact, trenchless methods may repair damage from any cause or kind of damage. Trenchless replacements may address your line repair requirements whether they are caused by corrosion, root incursion, shifting soil, or fracture. 

8.) Trenchless technologies shield you against larger, more costly repairs.

Many people underestimate the usefulness of trenchless repair techniques as preventive measures when dealing with water line problems. The sooner you act, like with any other kind of house damage and repair job, the better.

Responding promptly to water line damage and finding creative trenchless repairs early on may save you from far more costly and extensive upgrades later on. When homeowners take action and treat their water line issues seriously, they will be able to obtain the repairs they need at much more suitable and inexpensive times. For the Silo, John Brooks.