After a big storm...

Wow, what a week we've had here in Central Virginia. With so many unexpected rain storms that made some of our homes shatter to the very core. We've also had a very significant amount of hail in some areas, not to mention some of the trees that have fallen down in some of our neighbors yards.

Some of us might have experienced a little light leakage here and there in our windows. Most of us might not really see any signs of damage after a big storm so we might think everything is all and well. This can be true for the most part but it is always a smart idea to check out for leaks throughout the house especially in your roofs.

Roof repairs can be extremely costly and with every storm and season our roofs begin to wither and deteriorate. Over time you want to do periodic checks on your roof to ensure there are no major issues with it. Here are some of the things to check for:

• Overall appearance. Are there cracks or any general signs of wear and tear?

• Debris. Is your roof covered in branches and leaves? If so this needs to be cleared out to get a better picture on the state of your roof

• Drainage. Your drains and gutters need to be clear of any accumulations of leaves because blocking of these channel could cause water collection and eventual leaks

• Roof joints can be especially prone to damage so make sure these are inspected as well

If you do discover that your roof needs services, check to see if you have warranty with the manufacturer or with your contractor because this can keep repair and replacement costs down. However if you don't have a warranty you need to call a contractor or roof specialist to come and check out the roof as soon as possible. Leaks and punctures can cause thousands of dollars in damage to the interior of your home ruining: electrical equipment, furnitures, appliances and can cause flooding.

For all your home improvement needs, renovations and restorations - Call New Earth for your consultation (804) 955-0257

To read more on roof maintenance click here to visit Facilities.net

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Historic Home Restorations

There has been a great appeal for newly renovated history homes. Home buyers gravitate more and more to houses that have an antique exterior with historic moldings and accents but modern appliances and bathrooms. Young professionals with families are more prone to be interested in this type of property. Richmond is the perfect location for those who have interested in that specific type of architectural style. Areas like the Fan, Churchill and Northside have an increasing number of homes that are being renovated and resuscitated to new life with kitchen and bathroom additions. Part of the renovations also include opening the space, making common living room spaces larger to give the illusion that one sits in one large room. This wasn’t very typical of old homes since they were separated into small rooms. 

The decor of these houses is usually a combination of antique looking furniture with modern art pieces, chrome lighting fixtures, chandeliers and neutral wall colors. The flooring typically remains made out of wood unless it is a bathroom or kitchen were tile is being used. Different kinds of rugs and curtains are used to create multidimensional textures. Accent pillows and blankets are also used all over the property to create a sense of homeyness. Windows are expanded and exposed to enable as much natural light as possible in every room. 

We’d like to see more of these homes preserved, because even though they might not be in all of their original glory they can be transformed into livable and upgraded houses that retain some of their original charm.  

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DIY Friday

Home improvements can be very costly and a lot of them don't have to be done by a hired professional. There are small hacks that you can do around your home that can result in increased productivity or efficiency of space. 

Below we outline some projects that can be completed with some simple tools, a little bit of patience and some basic building skills. If you're good with your hands then you'll really enjoy these projects!

Wall mounted standing desk

This project is fairly easy to do as long as you have the right tools. There has been much debate on whether or not a standing desk is actually better for you or not. Whatever your personal belief is on the matter you can throw this together over the weekend.

Click on the link below for instructions for this project - Image Credit: Lifehacker

http://lifehacker.com/this-wall-mounted-standing-desk-offers-storage-and-flex-1577707816

Shallow pegboard cabinet

Need a little more room storage room in your house or apartment but don't really see where you can get the extra storage space? Consider a shallow pegboard cabinet for your home, it installs pretty easily and can fit in pretty much any closet. This is a great way to add additional space without taking up any of your floor space.

Click on the link below for instructions for this project - Image Credit: Handyman

http://lifehacker.com/build-a-shallow-pegboard-cabinet-for-extra-storage-1578478873

Bar Shelf

Bar equipment is usually considered a specialty item which can lead to an elevated price tag. This particular project is great because it repurposes pallets which are disregarded after being used to transport goods. You can get them free from any large local retailer if you ask nicely. It might take you a couple of hours max and you won't need to purchase much for it. 

Click on the link below for instructions for this project - Image Credit: Lifehacker

http://lifehacker.com/this-diy-bar-shelf-is-made-from-reclaimed-pallet-wood-1577147127

There are countless projects that you can do yourself and if you'd like to check out more home improvement ideas make sure to visit http://lifehacker.com/tag/diy

Having said that, it is important to know which tasks are too ambitious to do on your own. They can be very time consuming and even if you have the time, one mistake can result on unspecified damages to your home. If you are in doubt call a professional such as New Earth. We provide consultations for all kinds of home improvements. For more information please visit: www.newearthva.com

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Tips for Spring

Spring is here and soon it will be summer, before this wonderful weather runs out there are a few projects that you should consider doing that our friends at Forbes Magazine suggest. 

1. Gutter Check

This one seems simple enough  but most people overlook it. The reason why you should check your gutters is because a lot has accumulated over the Fall and Winter. Having a backed up gutter can cause all kinds of problems to your home including leaky roofs and fire hazards. This is a project that will not take very long but can save you a lot of money. 

2. Chimney Sweep 

A lot of older home in Richmond, VA have fireplaces. Again, they could be heavily backed up from use over the winter to all kinds of debris coming in from the outside. If a chimney is not properly kept it can be a major fire hazard. Do it now so you don't have to worry about it later on! 

3. Water Pipes

This one is definitely one that can be easily missed. Water pipes can freeze over the winter, especially in Virginia. Water freezes and expands in the pipes, sometimes rupturing them. This can be a very costly problem if it is not address immediately. Broken pipes can cause floods in unexpected areas of the house costing thousands of dollars in repairs.

4. Air Conditioning

Summer will be here before you know it and with that you'll have a vey expensive AC bill. Optimizing your home for climate control is a good idea for saving money down the long run. Make sure that you don't have any leaks in windows, doors, attic, etc. Also ensure that your AC unit has all the properly maintenance done: filters, cooling liquids, etc. You can find different set on AC maintenance by visiting different resource sites on the web. 

5. Roofing

Your roof has taken a beating over these couple of seasons so it is smart to check to make sure everything is in order. This is something that if you suspect could be a problem, you might want to call a professional to inspect your roof. It can be a dangerous spot to check yourself so if you have any doubts we recommend to leave it to the professionals. 

To read this article in full please visit Forbes.com

To find more about New Earth VA and our work click here

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