4 Tips on Paying for Roof Repairs

Buying your home was likely the largest financial transaction of your life at that point. However, you have to keep spending money on it. The roof you bought with the home won't last forever. Roof repairs will occasionally be necessary, and knowing some tips on how to pay for them helps you manage your home and money better.

Get Multiple Quotes

Don't do business with any roofer that won't give you a free estimate for their work in advance. Know what you're getting into. It might seem like a hassle to get multiple quotes, but until you get at least three, you won't have any idea what the potential price point spread is for that kind of work.

Buy Your Own Materials

Sometimes, you might be able to buy roofing materials on your own. You can possibly do this online or through a local brick-and-mortar store. It might mean being able to skip the markup that roofers might have on material costs. However, they might also have volume discounts and industry connections that make their own materials cheaper, so take the time to verify which route will actually save you money.

Let Your Insurance Cover It

With some policies, insurance roof repair costs are already covered. You'll need to make sure you use an authorized contractor to do the work. You can either find out if a particular roofer is qualified when you have an estimate done by them, or you can contact your insurance carrier to get a list of authorized local professionals you can use to do the work.

Work With Your Neighbors

If your roof has suffered damage because of a recent storm, then it's likely other homes up and down your street have also suffered damage. Talk to your neighbors to see if they also need roof repairs. If they do, you might be able to group together and negotiate a bulk discount with a roofer where they work on multiple homes at once. They might offer all of you discounts for the chance to work up and down the same street on the same day.

A Symbiotic Relationship

You need to keep your roof covered financially with occasional repairs. Doing so means it will keep you and your family covered physically and protected from the elements inside your home. You and your roof are counting on each other for protection.

What Parts of Your Roof Will Your Roofer Check Before Giving You a Quote for Repairs?

There is more to a roof than just the shingles. When a roofing company checks your roof, they will inspect all parts of the roof. A thorough check will help the roofer give you an accurate assessment of the shape of the roof and a quote for repairs.

Shingles or Tiled

A roofing company will check the roof for signs of damaged and missing shingles and tiles. Wind can bend the shingles and cause creases, which can cause the shingles to lose their waterproofing ability. Granules from the shingles in your gutters and downspouts can also indicate worn-out and damaged shingles. These are signs you probably need new shingles.

Roofers also look for missing nails and loose shingles. Other signs of damage can include dents or indentations in a few shingles due to hailstorms. In these cases, replacing just the damaged shingles might be all that’s needed.

Flashing

Your roofer will check the flashing on the roof. The flashing is the metal that seals the areas around chimneys, vents, and skylights. Flashing is usually made of a thin metal material and keeps water from coming into the home.

Flashing can become cracked, bent, or blown off the roof during storms. If the flashing becomes damaged, water can enter the home's interior and cause mold and other damage.

Structure

A roofing inspector will check for any signs that the roof is sagging and for uneven roof planes. Other areas of the roof’s structure that will be inspected are the gutters, soffits, and fascia. The soffits and fascia make up the eaves.

A complete roof inspection might also include checking for cracks in chimneys, improper venting, and signs of water damage in the attic and interior ceilings of the home. Improper venting can cause ice dams to form on the edge of the roof, which can also cause water to leak into the home’s interior.

Each year, your roof goes through damaging storms like heavy snow, hail, and high winds. You shouldn’t ignore the roof until you notice the roof leaking or some other problem.

It makes good sense to have a roof repair company periodically check your roof before something minor turns into major damage. Over time, the shingles, flashing, and other parts of the roof can wear out. And this can cause water to leak into the home and, if not repaired soon, a complete roof failure.

An inspection of the roof includes all parts like the shingles, the roof's structure, signs of interior leaks and the flashing. A roof repair contractor will make a complete inspection of the entire roof before giving you a quote for any repairs that might be needed.

Common Home Appliance Problems and Their Solutions

4. Home appliances like washing machines and microwaves are incredibly helpful for day-to-day life. However, homeowners may experience frustration, inconvenience, and horrifying visions of soaking their clothes in an outdoor tub when they stop working.

Some machine malfunctions require professional assistance, and sometimes they even need to be replaced. However, in most cases, you can solve many appliance problems on your own. Here are five common home repairs you can do yourself.

1. Gas Range Won’t Light

You won’t have this problem if your kitchen has an electric range. However, homeowners with a gas stove are commonly faced with this issue. They can smell the gas coming out, but there’s no fire. 

A quick solution is to use a match to light the gas by hand. However, be careful as excess amounts can cause a large flame. The long-term solution is surprisingly simple – in most cases, taking the stove apart and thoroughly cleaning it will fix the issue. 

2. Dishwasher Isn’t Cleaning Properly

Dishwashers are supposed to save you time by cleaning your dishes so you don’t have to. If they stop working, you may find yourself doing double dish duty – putting them through the machine and then rewashing them because they’re still greasy. 

Check to make sure none of the parts in your dishwasher are broken. Important components to examine include the circulation pump and the wash arm, which sits underneath the dishes. If you notice any leaking, contact a professional right away. 

3. Thermostat Isn’t Functioning

Thermostats give you access to easy temperature control in your home. This keeps you comfortable and protects your house and possessions from overheating in the summer or freezing in the winter. Your thermostat can also give you clues about how well your AC unit is functioning. 

If you notice your home’s temperature doesn’t seem to match the numbers on your thermostat, it may be broken. Change the batteries and clean the thermostat to see if that makes a difference. You can also move it to see if it reads more accurately in another space. If resetting doesn’t seem to work, it’s time to call a professional.

4. Washing Machine Smells Bad

As every homeowner can attest, the washing machine may be the single greatest invention ever designed by man. However, you may find one day that it smells anything but clean. This odor likely comes from mold that grows around the seal on front-loading machines. 

You can usually eradicate the mold if you run a hot water cycle, clothes-free, with a cleaning tablet inside your machine. Lower the chances of mold development by keeping the door open when it’s not in use. You can also wipe the seal to reduce excess water. 

5. Power Outlet Doesn’t Work

Modern homes have outlets all over the place and are designed to charge many electric devices at once. However, the amount of electricity you can use at once is limited. Your breaker will shut off the outlet if that's exceeded to prevent overload and a potential fire. 

If your power outlet isn’t working, you may have tripped the breaker, and the outlet has turned itself off. This is most common in the bathroom, although it can happen in your kitchen as well. Try unplugging all devices and hitting the red “reset” button. If it still doesn’t work, you can also try resetting the switch on your home’s main electrical panel. 

Home Appliance Maintenance

Use these five tips to help keep your home running to its full potential. If all attempts to fix an appliance fail, you can always replace the device or call a professional. Keep your machines clean and, if applicable, replace batteries regularly. 

Appliances do eventually wear out. However, you can keep them running well for much longer with regular maintenance and care.

Home Projects to Make Your Winter Cozy and Relaxed

It’s nice to be able to make adjustments to your living space when the cold winter season kicks off. Homeowners and renters alike try to ensure that their homes are comfortable and optimized for a spell of chilly weather.

Here are a few home projects worth considering to make your home cozy and relaxed over the next few months.

Start with Storage

The idea of making a “cozy” space causes most people to leap to thoughts of fluffy blankets and roaring fireplaces. But if you want to make those images a reality, the first place to start is by removing the vestiges of warm weather living.

For example, take the time to properly store your summer clothes. Clean them up, get quality containers, and find a nice out-of-the-way spot where they can wait for the spring thaw.

The same can be said for sandals, air conditioners, and summer decorations. By going through a summer/winter swap and removing warm weather accessories throughout your home, you avoid clutter and set the stage for a calm, clean, and inviting winter space.

Consider Your Home Environment

Once you have the summer stuff put away, take some time to consider any structural changes you need to make to your home. These don’t have to be major construction projects. There are many small ways you can quietly button up your living space for colder weather.

For instance, take some time to go through your rooms and air seal your home. This involves finding drafts and blocking them up.

Drafts can come through a door, window, attic, basement, and so on. Use insulation for larger spaces. A piece of weatherstripping can be all that’s required for a door. You can even use a piece of shrinkwrapped plastic to seal over a leaky window.

Transform Your Backyard Space

Once you have your interior spaces buttoned up, look to the outside for a little outdoor winter renovation. Most people have a small deck or patio that they don’t use much during the winter. Instead of letting it sit empty, spruce it up and make an outdoor space that everyone in your home can enjoy.

You don’t have to hire a landscaper or backyard designer for your winter makeover. You just need the right materials, like this durable composite deck board. It’s easy to use but strong enough to withstand the cold and snow.

Utilize Tech

The idea of a futuristic smart home gadget may not automatically make you think of a cozy winter setting. But there are a few ways that smart tech can actually be a great help in creating a comfy space.

For example, installing a programmable thermostat can be a great way to keep your home at an optimal yet affordable temperature. It can ensure that the temperature is lowered when you’re sleeping or gone while also keeping things toasty and warm when it’s time to hang out in your space.

Smart lighting is another fun way to up the coziness factor. By installing smart lightbulbs, you can control the mood and aesthetics of your space — even when it’s too cold to get out from under that blanket.

Study Up on Hygge Culture

Hygge is a Danish concept that embodies coziness and comfort. It’s much bigger than your decor, and it can revolutionize the feel of your space.

Once you’ve packed away your summer gear, sealed up those drafts, and set the stage with some tech tools, take some time to read up on hygge decor. This can include a variety of things, such as:

• Including more candles in your space;

• Optimizing earthy tones and textures;

• Creating areas where friends and family can congregate;

• Staying clean, pure, and simple in your decorating.

Hygge is a lifestyle more than anything else. By embracing a hygge mindset, you can find an endless variety of ways to incorporate warmth and comfort into your spaces.

Staying Cozy and Relaxed This Winter

Winter is known as a harsh, cold, and uncomfortable season. What better time to buck the trend and steer into a cozy and relaxed atmosphere in your home?

From clean, organized spaces to an optimized environment to hygge accents and decor, there are many ways to warm up your living space during the colder weather. So, assess the current condition of your space and figure out where you can make adjustments in order to create a snug, intimate living space this winter.