There’s no better time than the winter to turn your boring bathroom into a spa retreat. While replacing a faucet, re-grouting tile, or repainting are relatively easy for the do-it-yourselfer, more ambitious jobs like replacing the tub or adding tile floor might be better left to a professional.
While a complete remodel might be a bigger investment, it’s worth considering.
Many older homes were not built using mold-resistant drywall, so if you’re going to make an investment in upgrading your bathroom, that’s one of the best places to start. Knowing what’s going on behind the walls is important before making expensive updates.
There is also a lot of plumbing involved with replacing bathtubs, sinks and toilets, which requires an expert to ensure it’s done right. Once the walls are closed up, a small leak can go unnoticed for a long time, resulting in serious damage and possibly a complete remodel.
Our philosophy is that if you’re going to invest in a project, do it right the first time.
With home improvement projects, sometimes it’s the things that are used the most that are noticed the least. Like all the doors in your home — in and out of rooms, to closets and utility rooms. But after a closer look, the scratches, cracks, old hinges and outdated style can be hard to miss.
Replacing interior doors is an affordable way to give your home an updated look versus an expensive remodel. Most of the homeowners that come to us are looking for doors that have a unique or more modern look than what they have.
There are a lot of options that many people might not even think about. For example, double doors are a much more functional and attractive alternative to sliding doors and bi-fold doors, while French-style doors can add natural light and architectural detail to a space.
A big thing with customers right now is not so much the door, but the hardware. Homeowners are choosing update hinges and doorknobs with more modern colors like brushed nickel or aged bronze.
While installing interior doors can be a job for do-it-yourselfers, it can quickly turn into a bigger job than expected, especially when replacing doors in older homes.
Most doors are not going to just fall into place. The jobs we do involve cutting, trimming and shaping the door to size, and sometimes replacing the molding.
We advice homeowners looking to replace interior doors is for them to do their homework, know their budget, and have an idea of what they like.
What better way to brighten and warm your spirits this winter than with new lights, lamps or ceiling fans. Not to mention it’s an easy and affordable way to update the style of any room.
We get a lot of customers during the winter who are shopping for new lights to get ready for the holidays or to accent kitchen and bathroom renovations. They are also looking to save on their energy bill with ceiling fans which push heat back down.
LED-style lights, which come in contemporary and bold styles, also provide a money-saving option. Installing dimmers in areas like the family room or dining room saves money, while allowing homeowners to customize the ambiance.
In addition to pendant lighting, another style that is growing in popularity is Steampunk, which is a cross between vintage and industrial designs. But for a softer more romantic feel, a crystal chandelier is still a timeless choice.
When it comes to installation and dealing with electrical issues my advice is to hire a professional so you know it’s done right. Especially with ceiling fans, you want to be sure they aren’t loose or wobbly.
For homeowners looking to spice up their kitchen without spending a pretty penny, adding a backsplash is a great solution, not to mention the perfect project for a cold winter weekend.
For several hundred dollars you can completely change the look of your kitchen, as well as customize it to fit your personality. Place like Home Depot offer classes to show you how you can easily do this yourself.
Just a few years ago The Home Depot had only about 40 tiles to choose from. Today, the store has more than 400 different styles and sizes, ranging from classic subway tile to natural stone to metal. While adding more functionality to a kitchen, a backsplash can also help accessorize and emphasize countertops, cabinets and appliances.
Installation is a relatively simple process, but it is very tedious and time intensive, we recommend making it a weekend project. Home Depot offer products like the Simple Mat and peel and stick tiles that save time and eliminate a lot of the mess.
Two pitfalls we warn you do-it-yourselfers about are not taking the time to prep and lay out a template which can result in irregular lines or spaces. And not cleaning off the grout completely, which once dry can result in a nasty haze that is almost impossible to get off.
Many of us who have their own business or company are always trying to think of ways we can get our name out there and get more clients. We sometimes feel a little threatened when we encounter someone who does the same type of work that we do. Our natural instinct is to find out what they are all about and figure out the things we do better, we’d like to think that no one does what we do but we all know that is far from the truth.
In my many years of being the construction industry I have worked very hard to build my portfolio and set of skills. At New Earth we are particularly passionate about building and repurposing furniture. We have a saw mill on location in which we build all sorts of things like: tables, armoires, closets - you name it and we do it! That however doesn’t mean we have mastered all every single building skill there is out there. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and as a successful business we realized very quickly that we weren’t perfect.
Our competition may have a better set of skills with certain things in which we may not as experienced or don’t have the tools to do. In our many years in business we’ve realized that some people perform better than we do in certain areas and that we can a lot of the times offer something that someone else can’t. We’ve built a network of business in which we relay work when we are not able to take it on ourselves. This keeps the integrity of our business and instead of helping us build enemies we build a friendly network of contractors that refer business back to us. Think of it as free advertisement and a way for people to talk about you through word of mouth in a positive light.
Instead of shying away talking to other businesses because you think they pose a direct threat to you, think of them in a positive way and how you can help each other out. If a customer comes to me, I can’t perform the job and know of someone that can but don’t let them know, we all lose.
Next time you talk to a business that lives in the same industry as you are, embrace them and ask them ways that you can help each other out.
For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit: NewEarthVA.com
Since you're stuck inside staring at the walls, why not give them a new look. Adding modern trim work, crown molding and a bold coat of paint can completely change the look of a room without the expense of doing a complete renovation.
Contrary to what many homeowners might believe, you can use paint in your home without opening up every window as long it’s an environmentally friendly and waterborne paint, which has virtually no fumes. Plus, the dryness of the colder months can actually produce faster results.
To really add visual interest to your walls, homeowners could go with a new or dramatic paint color or use painter’s tape to create stripes or patterns.
Wallpaper is making a bit of a comeback thanks to home improvement shows. It can definitely be a do-it-yourself project or you can get professionals to do it.
Replacing interior doors is an affordable way to give your home an updated look versus an expensive remodel.
A resonable investment of $500-$800, can get custom trim and crown molding which can really make a difference in the way that a rom looks. Wider baseboards are something that is pretty trendy right now.
This is just one of the many projects we will be covering in the next couple of weeks that can be done during the fall and winter seasons.
For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit: NewEarthVA.com
Do you enjoy working on home projects? Ever find that your blades can be a little dull or not perform as well as they used to? This handy video shows us how to clean blades and bits to restore them to their former glory. Just because they are not as sharp as they were when they were first purchased doesn't mean your tool isn't working anymore, it just needs a little tune up!
For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit: NewEarthVA.com
It's been raining a few days now in Richmond, VA and this couldn't really be a better time to check for leaks to see if there your house needs repairs before it's too late! Leaks can be quickly and easily repaired if you catch them when they are still small, this also prevents greater and irreperable damage to your home.
Make sure to check the attic for leaks if you have one, the tutorial also talks about what to do when it is not actually raining. Bring a hose to your rooftop to check for leaks, pretty clever! You'll probably need someone inside the house if you do decide to run a hose so they can help you spot the place where the roof is leaking, when it is raining you won't have this issue.
Moisture or wet spots are all things that you should be checking for on a regular basis on your ceiling, because sometimes a leak can be so small that it needs some time to show.
Unless you know what you're doing we don't encourage anyone to get on their roof to fix it although most of the fixes can be done in a couple of hours. You could potentially damage your roof further or you could put yourself in danger.
For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit: NewEarthVA.com
Winter is coming and you need to make sure that things like insulation and outdoor home maintenance are all taken care of. One of the most important pieces of home maintenance is your fireplace if you have one. This needs to be given proper maintenance or it could cause major damage both inside or outside your house. The most obvious problem is blockage which can cause a fire but here are some general rules and tips to remember when you have a fireplace. The first thing to do is to look for build up, there are usually indicators of buildup such as Creosote which is a dark or black substance that surrounds the fireplace opening. It is usually recommended for this to be cleaned at least once a year. Another give away of the fireplace having too much buildup is if not all the smoke is traveling outside. This is an indicator of buildup through the flute leading outside or even blockage on the top portion of the chimney, which is usually covered with a mesh to help prevent animals from building nests or flying in. That mesh can also get clogged with leaves or other obstructions and requires maintenance also. Choosing the right type of wood such as hardwoods like maple, oak, ash and birch, to burn will also have an impact on residue left behind which in turn can cause less blockage. Make sure that after each few uses that you clean it out throughly, this will help with its efficiency.
Dipping a roller in some paint and slapping it on a wall seems like such a simple task—and to an extent, it is. But there are a few tips and tools that do make the job quicker, easier, and result in far less paint in your hair.
I'd painted dozens of rooms before I finally read an article on the proper way to roll on paint, and I'll be honest, I rolled my eyes at the idea of it. I typically bought cheap brushes, cheap paint, and didn't much care for painting rooms, but it didn't seem too difficult.
As it turns out, just because it seemed like a simple task, there were plenty of things that made the job easier that I wish I would have known several houses ago. Here are a few of them.
Learn to Roll Paint Properly
There's an actual technique to this, and I found that when I had a system down like this, I got more consistent coverage (which meant fewer coats and touch-ups,) I also realized I hadn't been loading my roller with enough paint in the past, which meant I was pushing the roller hard into the wall to get enough paint on it. Not only does that get tiring, it can leave streaks where paint gets pushed out of the ends of the roller. Once I had a system down, like the one described in this video, things got a lot easier, and the wall looked much better in the end.
Use a Bucket Instead of a Tray
This doesn't mean you need to buy five gallons of paint. Instead of pouring from a gallon into a tray, you can dump the whole gallon into a five-gallon bucket with a paint screen. It's far easier and less messy to load paint this way. I still use a tray if I'm doing a small space—like a hallway or bathroom—but if I know I'm going to use a gallon or more of paint, a bucket is the way to go.
Add an Extension Rod to Your Roller
My favorite extension rod is actually the 24-ish inches that snapped off a wooden broom handle at some point—proof that just a little bit of extra reach is helpful. Of course, if you want something fancier you can get actual extension rods at any hardware or big-box store.
Buy Good Brushes
Good paint brushes feel ridiculously expensive so for a long time I wouldn't spend the money. Then, I bought one of these rubber gripped edging brushes, and the difference was amazing. I thought it was just hype, but these are super comfortable to use (I tried a short-handled wooden version too and it wasn't nearly as comfortable in my hand) and they give you a great line. I'm not always responsible with my painting equipment, but I always make sure to clean and wrap the bristles on these to keep them in good shape.
Note: These brushes work so well that I stopped taping off rooms years ago, and just rely on the brush and a steady hand for cutting in all of the walls and trim. It actually works beautifully and saves me a ton of time, mess, and materials taping everything off.
"Cutting in" is when you use a brush to paint all of the edges and corners of a room. It often requires being on a ladder or step-stool for the edge around the ceiling, and you have to reload your brush with paint quite often. While I try to avoid any tools that feel "gimmicky" I've found the HANDy Paint Pail or similar lined paint pails to be quite useful.
They use liners which, yes, are more expensive, but it's one less thing to clean so I find the expense is worth it for me. It also has a handle which, for my small hands, is way easier and more comfortable than trying to grip a quart of paint in one hand while climbing up and down a ladder. That scenario has ended in disaster for me more than once.
What to Avoid
This is purely my personal opinion, but I feel like you get the best results spending money on high-quality basic tools like paint, brushes, and rollers. There are a lot of gimmicks out there that profess to make the job easier or fool-proof, like edgers, automatically loading paint rollers, things like the Point N Paint and any number of other "as seen on TV" tools. (Can we just universally agree that any tool that substitute "N" for "in" in it's name can't be trusted?)
This is just a DIYers perspective on tips and tools that have worked surprisingly well for me in the past, but there are a lot of ways you can paint a wall. If you have your own tips, I'd love to hear them.
For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit: NewEarthVA.com
Anyone that has ever picked up a screwdriver has experienced this at some point or another, your screw is stripped down and it is impossible to deal with. Fortunately A Concord Carpenter shows us there is a somewhat simple solution to this little problem. Watch below...
If that doesn't work for you because you don't have the right drill at home, check out this other solution from ApartmentTherapy.com that involves a rubber band
For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit: NewEarthVA.com
Beautiful newly rennovated retail/office space located in historic Manchester Richmond. 1500 sqft. Can come furnished with office equipment and furniture upon negotiation. Two bathrooms one is handicap ready and backroom space, skylights, vaulted ceilings, central air/heat.
$1500 a month is a steal for this space, if you are interested or know of someone who may be call us at (804) 955-0257 or email us at info@newearthva.com
For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit: NewEarthVA.com
Contractors are great! They come to our homes and fix the things we are having problems with, for a fee of course. But we often get questions on what are some repairs in which someone may not necessarily need a contractor. Here are three things that New Earth recommends you to do on your own with some confidence.
Grout
This is something that should be done not for just looks but also because this is something to be done because it will be more hygienic to do so. The best thing to do is just to take out the grout completely and replace it with new one. Depending on how thick the grout is you may be able to do this by hand with a tool and if not you can get a rotary tool to help you out. Replacing your grout is a good and inexpensive way to give your bathroom or kitchen a new shine. This is an afternoon or weekend project that won’t take very long and that is very cheap to do.
Toilet Issues
Most of us don’t really know the first thing about toilets, however there are certain things you can do to fix a leaky toilet or a toilet that is not flushing correctly. The reason why most toilets don’t flush the way they are supposed to is because of the built sediments around the holes in the rim. Simply clean out those holes out with a brush with stiff bristles and you will see an increase amount of water pressure coming from the water pipe.
As far as leaky tanks, your first line of defense should be to check to see if the septic tank is too full. This can be caused by the ball inside floating too high, meaning it is allowing more water than is supposed to come in. You can typically fix this easily by bending the part that is attached to the ball a little so that it won’t float as high. Another reason why your toilet could be leaky is because of the flapper, which costs about $5.00 to replace. Just remember to clean the area throughly to avoid any more leaks with the new flapper.
Squeaky or Sticky Doors
So you have a door that doesn’t quite close like it should, or you have a door that squeaks a whole lot. These have to very easy solutions, the first is to use colored chalk at the edge of a door and when you close it you will see where it established the most contact making it sticky. You can shave this off with different tools, our favorite tools to use is a Dremel XPR and if you don’t have access to one you can use a wood shaver but this may require patience and precision.
A squeaky door can easily be fixed with some petroleum jelly since its consistency is a lot thicker than using oil.
Visit our blog on a regular basis for more tips and tricks on how to make home improvements on your own.
For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit: NewEarthVA.com
At New Earth we are always looking to expand the number of materials in our inventory from which we are able to create our craft. Our latest addition to our catalog is the Kentucky Coffeetree from which we will carve a full dining room table from.
From Wikipedia "TheKentucky Coffeetree,Gymnocladus dioicus,is atreein the subfamilyCaesalpinioideaeof the pea familyFabaceae, native to themidwestofNorth America. The seed may be roasted and used as a substitute for coffee beans; however, unroasted pods and seeds are toxic. The wood from the tree is used bycabinetmakersandcarpenters. From 1976 to 1994 the Kentucky coffeetree was the state tree ofKentucky, after which thetulip poplarwas returned to that designation."
We are very excited to have this opportunity to showcase our craftsmanship and our appreciation for materials that are not only eco-friendly but that have very unique natural beauty.
To keep track of progress of this project and other New Earth projects, please visit bookmark our blog.
For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit: NewEarthVA.com
Someone who lives in Richmond, VA has probably noticed a big difference in temperature in the past few days. As the climate changes and you need to ensure that you are being as energy efficient as possible, for more than one reason: first you could be saving money and second it's just better for the environment. It's really just a win win for everyone. So where should you start?
Windows
This should be your first line of defense when it comes to energy deficiency. Most homes will lose a lot of their energy because of faulty or old windows. This is why it is important to consider windows that have double panes, which tend to be a bit more expensive but are able to contain both cold or hot air a lot better. Also, there could be drafts coming from faulty seals around the windows. These can deteriorate with time so it's a good idea to check these periodically.
An article found in curiosity.com estimates that someone who switches windows to energy efficient ones can save between 5-10% but probably won't save anymore than 25%.
Window frames to expand and contract as temperatures drop and rise, and eventually that change creates permanent creases and gaps. Metal ones tend to have much better resistance but still encounter problems over time. These small changes, if not addressed quickly can do some serious damage to your electric bill.
For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit: NewEarthVA.com
New Earth is always looking for quality durable products to feature in its lineup of services. We're really excited to tell our customers that we are currently offering Pella products as part of our offerings. Pella is a company that we really like because they have been around for many years and they offer quality construction in all of their windows and doors, so you know that you will be getting a product that not only lasts but also looks nice.
They have an extensive product catalogue so our customers can find different home solutions that fit their budget and are also energy efficient. They've made it a point to specialize in doors and windows and not over extend themselves so they can get it right, every time. We are strong believers of the Pella guarantee and want our customers to join us in that belief.
Give us a call today so you can get more information about how New Earth can incorporate Pella products in your home, your satisfaction is very important to us. (804) 955-0257
Gardening doesn't stop after Spring or Summer, in fact the only season you may be able to take a break is Winter in Virginia. This is why it is important to keep some basic maintenance tips in mind to keep things in order. Our friends at HouseLogic.com offer some really great tips if you don't know where to start!
Spread Mulch
“Fall mulching is better for the plants than spring mulching,” says Dan Taft, owner of The Cutting Edge in Chantilly, Va. “It helps protect roots from frost and helps retain moisture during a cold and dry winter.”
Spread 2 to 3 inches of fresh mulch around shrubs and trees. Taft warns home owners to avoid using free mulch from municipal piles, which often contain disease spores; instead, buy hardwood shredded mulch from home and garden centers, he says.
“Cheap, dump mulch mainly is made from trees that have died from disease,” Taft says. “Many diseases will linger in the mulch, like leaf spot and pine bark borers. You don’t want ground-up diseased plants around your landscaping.”
Remove the Dead and Dying
Fall isn’t the time to prune, because that encourages growth when healthy plants should remain dormant. But don’t shelve your shears and loppers yet. Fall is the time to neaten your landscaping before putting it to bed for the winter.
“If you remove dead landscaping in fall, you don’t have to look at it all winter,” Taft says.
Remove dead annuals.
Deadhead spent blooms, and cut back dead and desiccated ornamental grasses and perennials.
Lightly prune dead and dying branches from shrubs and trees. Carefully remove dried blossoms from hydrangea, but don’t remove dead-looking stalks, where new buds will form in spring.
After the first frost, cut back tea roses to about a third of their height.
Wrap Delicate Shrubs
Heavy snow, ice, and high winds can dry and split your delicate and pricey shrubs. To protect your landscaping from the winter elements:
Hide small plants under overturned plastic pots or buckets.
Wrap shrubs, such as boxwoods, in burlap.
Surround vulnerable trees with shredded leaves.
Take Advantage of Fall Sales
Early fall until the ground freezes is a good time to plant trees and shrubs. Not only do cooler weather and autumn rain put less stress on young landscaping plants, nurseries often have sales to empty their shelves before winter.
“They need to sell every plant by Dec. 1,” Taft says. “Nurseries generally pay a third of the price that you’re paying. So don’t be afraid to offer less than the asking price. If you’re buying several things, the manager may give you a break.”
For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit: NewEarthVA.com
Autumn is here, and temperatures are about to drop to weather that is a little bit nicer and cooler. As the seasons start to change here in Virginia, specifically in the Central Virginia and Richmond areas, we will see the leaves colors change. It is truly a beautiful sight to see, however with each season there are somethings that we should all look for when we are a home owner or renter. Check the Gutters We've talked about it in the past, but this is reminder that all those pretty leaves that will cover the ground this autumn will also be clogging your gutters. This can cause a number of problems including but not limited to: -Creating puddles of water in your roof, which can lead to leakage and both internal and external damage to your home -A concentration of dry leaves is prone to fires, this can be of catastrophic proportions -Creating nests for animals, pests are never a good thing -It just doesn't look good. No further explanation needed on that one. Structural Damage Before you know it, it will be winter. Checking and fixing structural damage when it is raining or snowing is a pain in the butt and in some cases impossible. Take care of that stuff now, it is just proper home maintenance and it can help you prevent some other serious issues in the future. This includes: wall cracks, faulty roofs, damaged floors. Fireplace and HVAC Not everyone has these but anyone who does knows how expensive it can be to repair a chimney flute or their HVAC system, so instead of having to pay an expensive repair have someone come and check these out so they can be properly maintained and so that you can have a care free winter and fall.
For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit: NewEarthVA.com
The big day on which a new iPhone is being announced is upon us, but with so much attention to this little gadget that has transformed the way we interact with technology, what are some of the most useful apps out there? We at New Earth are always looking for innovative ways to conduct our business. Let's review some of our favorite apps in honor of a new iPhone being revealed.
One of the best iPhone and iPad apps for the construction industry, it lets contractors and architects collaborate with all their project plans, specs and photos. You can upload PDF drawings to plangrid.com and they will automatically sync to all your teams in real time.
The app offers a range of calculators for Android smartphones and iPads, including feet-inch-fraction math calculators, and a version that can be used to estimate materials needed for stair railing and fence projects.
iBlueprint for Apple devices has a new user interface that lets users create and export custom floor plans and lets contractors access blueprints on job sites.
Voted one of the best construction calculators for iPhone and Android, BuildCalc allows for complete layout of railing and staircase balusters with less guesswork and easily adjusts to the flexibility you need for a custom job.
The Apple app features more than 400 formulas for electrical, carpentry and plumbing calculations. It also includes concrete and excavation formulas for estimating the concrete and bricks required for a job.
Before you know the holiday season will be here, we're already starting to see all the Halloween decorations at some of our favorite stores and soon after it will be Thanks Giving and Christmas. Home improvement projects may not be feasible as the the holiday season approaches, so it may be smart to get those projects out of the way before it is too late to get them done.
Kitchen Remodel
Have you been thinking about redoing your kitchen? Well, it does take a little bit of time especially if you're thinking of expanding it and getting new appliances. The average kitchen remodel can take anywhere between eight to twelve weeks if you are doing an overall makeover which means you are already running late.
Bathroom Remodel
Want to impress your visiting relatives with a shiny new guest bathroom? This too can take sometime to get done, primarily because you need a contractor, a plumber and possibly an electrician to get this home improvement done. You can start doing all the shopping in advance and keep everything in storage until you have all the right contractors lined up to get this task done.
Carpentry (Doors, Crown Moulding, Casings)
Even though this isn't a project that is terribly time consuming or hard to do, it still needs to be coordinated throughout the house and requires proper planning. Some stores may not have everything that you need in store so you may have to special order some items adding to the projected timeline. You'd be surprised what a shiny new door can do for your home and how it can change the look of a whole space.
Roof Repairs
We've covered in the past how crucial it is to repair your roof is, but there is no better time to take care of this than now. If your roof does need repairing, waiting until there is a rain storm or even worse, a snow storm, is a bad idea. Repairs are much harder to do in damp weather and if there is structural damage it may even be impossible to do. So take care of that now before it ends up costing you more.
For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit: NewEarthVA.com
