January 12, 2021

Everyone wants to feel safe in their own home. No matter what sort of neighborhood you live in or how often you leave town, it is wise to take a few precautions to ensure that your space is secure. There are a few simple ways you can increase the security of your home and silence any worries you may have.

1. Make Sure Your Entryway is Sturdy

One simple step you can take to prevent a break-in is giving some attention to the main entry points. Namely, make sure your doors are structurally sound and that your deadbolts function properly. You may also wish to consider strengthening your windows and any glass panes in doors. You could look into window and door replacement San Francisco CA to install glass that is much more difficult to break.

2. Install a Security System

There are many security systems available today that are easy to use and affordable. You can choose from alarm systems that require a code upon entry or even a surveillance system that allows you to look into your home if you are out of town. Many such systems can be self-installed and monitored via your phone or computer.

3. Rely on Trustworthy Neighbors

Even with newer technology, it is still a good idea to find a neighbor you can trust to keep an eye on your home if you are away. This person can alert you if there is any suspicious activity or even if you simply received a package on your porch. You can return the favor when this neighbor next goes on a trip.

Although you no doubt hope to never face a home security issue, it is prudent to take some precautions that may help prevent such problems from ever arising. With updated materials, new technology and old-fashioned neighborliness, you can stop worrying about the safety of your home.

Gearing up to sell your house? Real estate experts always stress the importance of getting your property in great shape well before your first showing. Here are three easy projects that you can do inside and outside the house to give prospective buyers an excellent first impression.

1. Update the Flooring

Homebuyers who enter a property with worn or damaged flooring immediately see this as a project they’ll need to take on later. Luckily, you don’t necessarily need to completely replace your floors to get them looking great again. Carpeted floors need a once-over from a steam cleaner, while wood floor cleaning services Turnersville NJ gets hardwood looking gorgeous again.

2. Declutter and Clean

Decluttering and cleaning the inside of your house helps buyers focus on the big picture instead of unnecessary distractions. Remove excess clutter from all areas of the house, including overstuffed closets, storage spaces and even your garage, and put it in an offsite storage unit if necessary. Once the clutter is taken out, clean all interior surfaces and use baking soda on tile, stone, sinks and appliances to get them sparkling while removing odors.

3. Create Curb Appeal

Homebuyers love a house with plenty of character and charm, and it all starts with curb appeal. A couple of simple updates make quite a difference for your home’s exterior. Remove landscaping debris and trim trees in a way that frames the view of the house and draws buyers in. Also consider painting the front door to make it more of a focal point.

Whether you’re selling in a hot market or not, spending a little time improving areas around the house is always a good idea. Following the tips above allows you to spruce up the inside and outside of your home in the most effective way possible.

Ask any stucco and drywall contractor Scottsdale AZ and he or she will tell you that cracks in the surface are not always a cause for concern. Cracking is natural for a cementitious product such as stucco, and a little bit is to be expected. It is only when the cracking becomes excessive that there is cause for concern about degradation of the stucco assembly.

Even though some cracking of stucco is normal, you may observe that newer houses have more cracking than older homes do. This may be the result of changes to construction techniques since the 1950s or practices that are not quite up to code.

1. Stucco Thickness

Stucco is to be applied to a minimum thickness of seven-eighths of an inch to be up to code. However, some contractors cut corners and only apply three-quarters to five-eighths of an inch.

2. Plywood Sheathing Installation

The American Plywood Association recommends that when installing sheathing, panels should be separated by one-eighth of an inch at minimum. Instead, it is often installed end-to-end, with abutment of the edges. It is not clear whether installers are not aware of the recommendation or are aware and willfully ignore it. Whatever the case, it can result in cracking because when the plywood swells with weather conditions, there is no space to accommodate it. As a result, the swelling gets deflected outward.

3. Lumber Changes

The lumber used for studs in construction prior to the 1950s came from much older and sturdier trees. Due to legitimate environmental concerns, old growth trees are no longer harvested for construction. In the past, the studs were also kiln-dried and cut to a size of two inches by four inches. This has since been reduced. All of these changes have resulted in more warping and bowing of studs, resulting in stucco cracks.

Despite some expected cracking, stucco remains a durable home exterior. Unless cracks are large and excessive, they are not cause for concern.