Got an Asphalt Driveway? How to Seal It up Properly

Many people make mistakes when sealing their driveways. Homeowners with asphalt driveways over-seal them, while those with concrete driveways do not seal their driveways at all. A sealed asphalt driveway appears fresh with a black finish, but you should seal the driveway at least once in two or three years. Frequent sealing of an asphalt driveway leads to peeling and an unsightly hairline. The following is a guide on the proper sealing of an asphalt driveway.

Small Cracks

An asphalt driveway with small potholes or cracks is easy to reseal, but it can be messy. To seal a small crack, begin by removing dirt or any plant matter from the crack using your garden tools. You can also use a wire brush to remove dirt from cracks. Purchase sealing products specially made for asphalt driveways for cracks of about an eighth of an inch.

Large Cracks

Repairing large potholes and cracks on asphalt driveways can be challenging. Before you seal a large hole, fix it first. A ½ inch crack can be covered with a liquid crack sealer. The sealer is available at a home improvement store near you; check the building materials section. Sealcoating of more enormous potholes and cracks is done using a cold patch, a type of asphalt sold in a bucket, can, or bag. If you have numerous potholes in your driveway such that you are consuming two or three buckets of cold patches, you should consider seeking the services of a professional.

How to Apply Cold Patch

Start by cleaning loose debris from the hole or crack. At an angle, chip away asphalt to make the crack bottom larger than at the surface level. This is the tricky part of sealcoating large cracks. The older asphalt rim at the crack surface will hold the patch together. Pour the cold patch into the crack until it is slightly higher than the adjacent driveway. Use a square tamping tool to tamp it down firmly. If you don’t have a tamping tool, place a plywood board above the patch and drive across it. Seal the edges with liquid crack filler.

It would be best if you resealed an asphalt driveway once every three years to protect them from oil damage and cracks. After sealing the driveway, give it time to cure, and remember to clean the surface before sealing. Place barriers at the driveway entrance and keep pets and children away for at least one day to allow the seal to cure.

Guest Post - The Most Common Garage Door Issues and How to Solve Them

Your garage keeps your cars protected from outside elements. Over time, your garage door can begin to wear down due to repeated use. Here are some common issues to look out for and how to fix them.

1. Your Door Won’t Open or Close 

Having your door open or close easily is essential. This is especially helpful when you’re in a rush to get somewhere. Failing to use your door for a while or keeping up with proper maintenance could be causing the problem, which is why upkeep is vital. 

Here are some regular maintenance tips to consider:

• Apply lubrication

• Tighten the hardware

• Clean out any dust

• Check for cracks or broken rollers

• Replace the lock  

Even with proper maintenance, your door can tighten over time. Here are some other common reasons you’re having trouble opening and closing it:

• Your remote is dead

• The door opener motor burned out

• The close-limit switch is improperly adjusted 

• The weather has been colder

You can fix most of the problems with a simple battery replacement. However, you may need to contact a professional when dealing with your door’s open motor.

2.  Broken Garage Door Springs 

This is one of the more common garage door issues. There are multiple types of springs, such as torsion, extension and Holmes one-piece options, and any one of them can fail at any time. If you’re at home, you are likely to hear the break. If you notice your garage door isn’t functioning properly, check to make sure all the springs are there. 

Here are some other signs to look out for:

• There are balance issues

• You hear excessive squeaking

• The top half of the door is misaligned

• The door only opens a few inches

• The cables attached to the spring are dangling

Once you notice your springs are broken, call a professional for help. This is especially true if you have metal torsion springs. To keep yourself safe and your garage door intact, leave it to the experts. 

3. The Photo Eye Sensor Isn’t Working Properly 

A photo-eye sensor is a safety feature. It lets you know if something is blocking the door from fully closing. It’s usually a couple of inches off the ground and the size of a pea, and the sensors direct beams toward each other. The circuit breaks if there is any disruption, which prevents the door from closing. 

If your garage door isn’t properly functioning, then your photo-sensor could be blocked. You may also want to check to see if the cord broke.

Here are some steps to adjust your device:

1. Make sure the sensors have a lit LED light 

2. Check them to see if they are dirty

3. Adjust the pivot bracket by loosening the bolts and screws

4. Move it slightly in and out and up and down until the light comes on 

5. See if the wires are mounted at the same height

4.  The Door Isn’t  Responding to a Keypad or Remote 

Having a remote or keypad makes operating your garage door more convenient. If you’re remote isn’t responding, you may be out of range of the antenna. To fix this issue, make sure the antenna isn’t broken and try reprogramming the keypad. 

This is something you can do yourself. If you have any questions, contact your manufacturer for more information. 

Here are the steps to take to reprogram your garage door opener:

1. Access your door motor

2. Reset the motor

3. Enter a new code

4. Reprogram the remote

Make sure your remote batteries are charged before making any adjustments. If they’re not, you’ll want to replace them first. 

5. The Motor Won’t Stop 

When you close your garage door, the motor should stop once it reaches the top. If it continues, there may be an issue. Most motor-related problems require an up-limit switch adjustment, which you can either fix yourself or hire a professional to do. You will need to access the limit switch and turn the adjustment screws clockwise for a DIY repair. 

Common Garage  Door Issues 

Your garage door experiences wear and tear over time. Look out for these common problems and solutions to keep things running smoothly for years to come.

Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.

Why You Should Upgrade Your Electric Panel

Our homes run on electricity. These days, you wouldn’t be able to get through the day without your gadgets or appliances. Whether you need your daily coffee intake courtesy of your electric coffee maker or the latest news from your television, it’s evident that electricity plays an essential role in our daily lives.

Now, what would happen if the power went out? 

It would be pretty nerve-wracking, and you wouldn’t be able to do things the way you usually do. Our homes don’t magically get electricity. What keeps electricity running in your home is your electric panel. 

Electric panels are usually in your basements or garages, making them easy to overlook. Although they are pretty durable and rarely need to be replaced often, they are obsolete and can become rusty over time.

When left unchecked, an outdated electric panel can cause a lot of problems for homeowners. An outdated electric panel can cause fires due to faulty wiring and damaged parts. Although a fire is terrifying enough, it isn’t the only reason you should upgrade your electric panel.

In this article, we’ll break down three reasons why you should get your electric panel upgraded.

The Safety of Your Home

The most important reason for upgrading your electric panel is to keep your home safe from potential dangers such as fires. According to research, faulty wiring and electric panel problems are some of the leading causes of house fires. 

Instead of waiting for disaster to strike, you should get your electric panel checked to see if you need to upgrade it or not. Investing in an electric panel upgrade will not just keep your home safe from electrical mishaps. Upgrading your electric panel is one of the most beneficial improvements you can do for your house other than remodeling it. Besides keeping your home safe, it will also increase your home’s value— perfect for those planning to move out or rent their homes. 

Overusing Power Strips

Another reason you should consider upgrading your electric panel is due to overusing power strips. If your home is filled with power strips, then it might be time to upgrade your electric panel. 

Today, we need electricity to charge our phones and appliances. If you’re using more and more power strips and extension cords to keep your gadgets charged, you are using more electricity than your home can supply. 

Tripping Circuit Breakers

Have you ever plugged in a new electrical appliance, and a minute later, your power gets cut off? This happens when your circuit breakers trip. It’s a safety feature in your home to prevent electrical mishaps.

However, if you notice that your circuit breakers trip constantly, it probably means that your home can’t handle that much electricity. This is a sure sign that your electric panel needs to be upgraded.

Wrapping Up

Your electric panel is just as important as any part of your home. It might be the most important thing since it keeps your house running. Upgrading your electric panel can help prevent many issues in the future, such as potential fires, faulty wiring, tripping circuit breakers, and excessive electricity use. 

If you’re unsure whether or not your electric panel needs an upgrade, you can hire a professional to help you out. Electrical emergencies are never fun to deal with. When in doubt, call a professional because they can help you determine what steps you need to take and make sure your electric panel is in good condition. 

6 Reasons Quality Carpet Flooring Underlay Will Change Your Home

A beautifully laid flooring doesn’t occur overnight, it requires planning and the right execution. There are several aspects that work together to create beautiful flooring, and one such influencing factor is the flooring underlay. Don’t go by the myth that you can choose just any underlay. The right kind of underlay impacts the final appearance of the flooring and there are different types of flooring underlay options in the market that ensures you find the one as per your requirement. In this blog, we are going to discuss the underlay and their importance.

Benefits Of Flooring Underlay

They rest beneath the flooring and offer a host of benefits. They act as a protective layer for flooring and prevents it from heavy wear and tear. Besides, there are other advantages of using an underlay, and they are highlighted below:

1. Ensures Comfort

Choosing thick and spongy underlay for carpets provides good underfoot. Their cushioning effect will make the flooring comfortable to walk on. Due to the cushioning effect, they can easily absorb impacts.

2. Enhances The Look

The flooring underlay enhances the overall appeal of the house. With the right kind of underlay, you can give the desired finishing to the carpets. Also, they can effectively absorb the shock and impact of the footfall. The absence of underlay on carpet flooring can reduce this effect, and when you walk on such flooring, it will mark the foot on the carpet. The underlay prevent the piles from curling and losing their texture. Hence, it keeps the carpets as good as new. 

3. Improves Insulation

While buying underlay for carpet flooring, you must choose the one that comes with higher tog ratings.  The higher the rating, the better the is the insulation. The thick and dense material prevents the warm air from escaping. Thus it helps in maintaining the temperature of the room. It eventually helps you cut down the energy bills by up to 15%. 

4. Reduces Noise

The underlay not only help in providing the cushioning effect but also acts as an effective barrier to sound, which eventually helps create a peaceful ambience in the house. The underlay have proven to help reduce the noise level by up to 30%. 

5. Enhances The Longevity Of The Carpet

In addition to the above-mentioned benefits, flooring underlay also act as a shock absorber and prevent the wear and tear of the carpets, thus extending its life. Besides, it also acts as a protective layer for the carpets by keeping the moisture away, which otherwise could impact the life of the flooring. 

6. Improves Hygiene

Cleanliness is paramount. When you have carpet flooring, dust and dirt become a key point of concern as it easily settles on the surface and cleaning it is a different task altogether. The dust particles can easily penetrate through the piles and loops of the carpet and hide beneath it, but with the carpet flooring underlay, you can preserve the carpet pile. It acts as a barrier to the embedded dirt. Cleaning carpets becomes much easier, thereby ensuring cleaner indoors. Besides, it also resists moisture. All this increases the life of the carpet and makes them look good. 

Choosing the right type of underlay is important. Some popular options are felt underlay, sponge rubber underlay, crumb underlay, PU foam underlay. Based on your requirement you must choose the right type and size of underlay for a comfortable flooring and long life.

Wrapping It Up

Carpet flooring looks luxurious, and amounts to a huge investment. It is important to choose the right type of carpet flooring underlay that enhances the carpets life and aesthetic value.