Before the Summer ends, it’s a good idea to consider making these renovations to have a cozy winter season:

1. Exterior Repairs and Maintenance:
   Check for any damaged or worn-out siding, roofing, gutters, and downspouts to prevent water leaks.
   
2. Deck and Patio Re-Sealing:
   Consider refinishing or re-staining wooden decks to protect them from moisture and ensure longevity.
   
3. Window and Door Maintenance:
   Check all windows and doors for air leaks or drafts. Properly sealed windows and doors can significantly improve energy efficiency during the colder months and reduce heating costs. If necessary, replace weather-stripping or caulking.
   
4. Heating System Servicing:
   Have your heating system inspected and serviced by a professional. Cleaning the air ducts, replacing filters, and ensuring that the heating system is functioning optimally can save energy and prevent potential breakdowns during the winter.
   
5. Basement Waterproofing:
   Inspect the basement for any signs of water leakage or moisture issues. Waterproofing the basement can prevent water damage, mold growth, and potential foundation problems. Consider installing a sump pump if necessary to keep the basement dry and protected.

It can be overwhelming deciding which projects to pick and finding PROs to help. HutSolver can help! Simply create a HutSolver post by taking a picture and briefly describing what you’d like to fix in your project. Local PROs will respond with their ideas. Pick the PRO you like the most!

Sign up to HutSolver – it’s free to join and use! We believe you’ll solve many of your home projects with creative ideas and knowledgeable Home Improvement PROs.

About HutSolver
HutSolver is a marketplace for home projects where homeowners share their projects (create project posts), receive creative feedback and build relationships with qualified home improvement professionals (PROs). Post, Hire, and Manage your project all on HutSolver.

The post Don’t Let Summer Slip by Without Making these 5 Maintenance Repairs! appeared first on HutSolver Magazine.

Choosing the right insulation is crucial for enhancing energy efficiency and maintaining a comfortable living environment in your home. Here are some important things to keep in mind when picking the right insulation:

1. R-Value:
   You’ll see this mentioned frequently. The R-value measures an insulation’s thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. Different regions have different climate conditions, so choose insulation with an appropriate R-value for your area. It is very important to remember that a higher R-Value does not necessarily mean better for the area you plan on using it, as it can make things too hot which could create other risks. This is most often seen when too high R-value insulation is placed in wall cavities that may contain hot water or heating pipes, the heat generated has difficulty escaping.
   
2. Insulation Type:
   There are various types of insulation available, including fiberglass, cellulose, spray foam, rigid foam, and mineral wool. Each type has its own pros and cons, so consider factors like cost, effectiveness, and installation requirements. This is particularly important to consider because generally, fiberglass batt can only be installed when sheetrock has not yet been installed. Blown-in fiberglass or cellulose on the other hand can be sprayed in pre-existing walls by punching several holes into a wall. You may have to perform a significant amount of renovation if you have preference for batt vs. blown-in (assuming the space you’re thinking about is not an attic).
   
3. Location:
   Consider where you want to install the insulation. Different parts of the home, such as walls, attics, basements, and crawl spaces, may require different types of insulation due to varying moisture levels and structural considerations.
   
4. Installation:
   Think about the ease of installation. Some insulation types are more suitable for DIY projects, while others may require professional installation. This especially applies to point #3. If you wanted to install batt fiberglass insulation into pre-existing walls, you would have to factor in the cost of demolishing those walls, installing the batt, and then installing new walls.
   
5. Allergens and Chemical Sensitivities:
   This is one of the most important considerations that many people forget to look into. Some insulations including loose cellulose and fiberglass (blown-in) have been reported to cause allergies or chemical sensitivities. Be certain to research the insulation you plan on selecting for cases of allergic reactions, respiratory issues, or sensitivities that might apply to you or your family.

Taking these factors into account will help you make an informed decision that best suits your home’s specific needs and contributes to improved energy efficiency. It’s also wise to speak with a few PROs to get a variety of ideas as they regularly work with these products. You can find high quality PROs on HutSolver. Simply take a picture of your project, post it, and start getting feedback and meeting high quality PROs.

Sign up to HutSolver – it’s free to join and use! We believe you’ll solve many of your home projects with creative ideas and knowledgeable Home Improvement PROs.

About HutSolver
HutSolver is a marketplace for home projects where homeowners share their projects (create project posts), receive creative feedback and build relationships with qualified home improvement professionals (PROs). Post, Hire, and Manage your project all on HutSolver.

The post Top 5 Things to Consider When Picking Insulation appeared first on HutSolver Magazine.

A casual Google search for ideas on how to make your home more energy efficient will inevitably have you considering adding more insulation. We would caution you to be very careful with that idea because it is not as straight forward as it seems.

The general concept of home heating and cooling mentioned in various areas of the internet is that usually, more insulation is better. The answer to this, like most things in life, is it depends, and in many cases, adding insulation may not be the overall solution, but it might be a part of the overall solution.

Picture this, in the winter, your home is freezing, and you think, “Gee, if only I had more insulation to keep the heat in, I’d be much warmer!”. Or in the Summer, you could think, “Gee, if only I had more insulation to keep the air conditioning in, it would be much cooler!”. This common sense thinking is mostly true, however, a very important question should be asked.

Does your home already have insulation? This is a crucial question to find the answer to and here’s why – it’s often forgotten that homes need to breathe. Throughout your home, there are essential air gaps built in. Homes are not made to be airtight boxes (and nor should you want them to be). Most of these gaps are found in your walls and in and around your roof system. These systems tend to consist of air barriers, channels, soffits, and attic vents. These vents allow warm air to escape through the top of your home and fresh air to enter. This constant exchange of air is vital for the home to maintain an ideal indoor air quality balance.

If you or your contractor adds too much insulation, which often happens when homeowners want to add insulation to a home that likely already has some (most homes built after the 1980’s), important air gaps could easily be permanently blocked. This tends to happen because the only straightforward way to add insulation to the walls and attic of a home would be with “blown-in” insulation (i.e. cellulose, fiberglass, etc.), and in some cases, foam. The problem tends to be that contractors might overfill wall cavities and/or the attic, blocking essential vents.

Exploring the avenue of adding insulation is a reasonable one; however, it’s important to work with PROs that understand how to maintain or enhance a home’s breathing nature, while knowing how not to over-insulate a house.

When considering adding insulation, it’s wise to speak with a few PROs to get a variety of ideas as they regularly work with these products. You can find high quality PROs on HutSolver. Simply take a picture of your project, post it, and start getting feedback and meeting high quality PROs.

Sign up to HutSolver – it’s free to join and use! We believe you’ll solve many of your home projects with creative ideas and knowledgeable Home Improvement PROs.

About HutSolver
HutSolver is a marketplace for home projects where homeowners share their projects (create project posts), receive creative feedback and build relationships with qualified home improvement professionals (PROs). Post, Hire, and Manage your project all on HutSolver.

The post Thinking About Adding Insulation to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient? Consider this Before Taking the Next Step! appeared first on HutSolver Magazine.

Interior Home Painting is an activity that most homeowners imagine will be much faster and take less effort than it can in reality; that is, if you want a great looking outcome. Here are 4 things that will make your experience much easier:

1. Have Patience for Preparation
   In every interior home painting project, it’s crucial to follow in order, the 3 P’s: Preparation, Priming, and Painting. In most cases, Preparation will take the vast majority of time. Preparation is not as simple as laying down paper or cloth on the floors; it can and should be much more involved.
   
   In addition to removing furniture, taping off tight corners, and covering floors, remember that protruding old paint must be scraped off. This is typically found where the wall and baseboards meet, and the same for where the wall and moldings/casings meet. You may also have to sand down glossy casings and moldings if you intend to change their color. If you detect areas of lumpiness on your wall, consider sanding these areas down to even out the surface as well.

2. More Patience for Preparation
   Thought you were done preparing? Nope. Consider filling in any gaps, cracks, or dents with spackle or joint compound. For plaster walls, a joint compound and mesh tape may work. You can fill holes and pockets around molding/casing with caulk. Don’t forget to run a damp finger on the caulk to smooth it out immediately following a caulk line. After these compounds and caulks dry, consider wiping down the walls and moldings/casings with a cleaner or degreaser to remove any particles and oils.
   
3. Paint One Wall at a Time
   This may sound obvious, but HutSolver’s staff has been guilty of this and seems worth mentioning. Paint a room’s wall, one wall at a time. Many folks tend to split a room horizontally and paint everything within arm’s (height’s) reach, then come back with a ladder and finish the upper portions an hour plus later. This will create an uneven finish.
   
4. To Make Things Easiest
   Consider hiring a Painting PRO! Save several hours to days by hiring a highly experienced PRO. With HutSolver, you can even hear their ideas and see their work before hiring them!

Sign up to HutSolver – it’s free to join and use! We believe you’ll solve many of your home projects with creative ideas and knowledgeable Home Improvement PROs.

About HutSolver
HutSolver is a marketplace for home projects where homeowners share their projects (create project posts), receive creative feedback and build relationships with qualified home improvement professionals (PROs). Post, Hire, and Manage your project all on HutSolver.

The post Thinking About an Interior Home Painting Project? Here are 4 Things to Make it Easier! appeared first on HutSolver Magazine.

“Clay or concrete pavers? Clay or Concrete? Clay or…. (Passes out)”. Well, maybe the first question is, “what’s the difference?”. Everyone is familiar with clay pavers even if you’ve never intentionally paid attention to them. They are the red or yellow bricks we see on the side of buildings, inside century old palazzos, and on old grand majestic walkways. The main material or ingredient in clay brick pavers is clay and they can look more red or yellow. The variation in color is due to the mineral composition of the clay. For instance, clay that are rich with iron oxide turns reddish, while clay containing a lot of lime will have a white or yellow hue (1). Concrete pavers on the other hand pretty much consist of concrete, sand, and gravel. The concrete is pressed into the shape of a brick. Concrete pavers can come in just about any color because a dry-shake pigment can be added with the concrete to create the desired color. If no pigment is added, the concrete brick will be a colorless grey/white. It should be mentioned, for those that really cannot decide, cobblestones are also an option. Cobblestones are actual stones chiseled into the shape of bricks; however, this is another topic unto itself.

There are a few things to consider when picking concrete or clay pavers:

Cost
It’s commonly believed that clay pavers cost more than concrete pavers. This may not necessarily be true when factoring in your local market, masonry installation costs, and the overall pattern you want (which also dictates labor costs). It’s best to shop around. Overall, thin brick veneer pavers (used for driveways and high trafficked areas) will likely be the cheapest by a large margin. Thin brick pavers are thinner than traditional bricks and are manufactured in both clay and concrete.

Size
When considering desired patterns, brick size may or may not be important in a particular project. The standard clay sizes are 4”x 8” bricks and 8”x 8” rectangles. There’s not much variation in sizes as they are manufactured by kilns that are manufactured to produce primarily these sizes. Alternatively, concrete bricks can be manufactured in just about any size and there is a great amount of variation.

Longevity & Preservation
Both clay and concrete pavers will last many years. However, it’s well known that clay bricks last much longer than concrete in two areas. The first is overall strength. Because concrete bricks are not kiln fired and are dry cured instead, they do not have the overall strength that clay bricks commonly have. Clay bricks have a compressive strength of at least 2.5 times stronger than concrete bricks. This affects lifespan. The lifespan of concrete brick pavers is around 20 -25 years with proper care (regular washing and sealing). The average lifespan of clay pavers can last generations with proper care.

The second is colorfastness. Unlike concrete brick pavers, clay pavers do not fade in color. Concrete pavers fade in color over time because the dry-shake pigments that were added to the concrete pavers (that turn them into a desired color) slowly erode due to foot traffic and weather wear and tear. Concrete pavers can be re-stained after installation, but the brick itself will have lost its color. Both clay and concrete pavers will need to be regularly sealed to prevent moisture and stains from building up within the pavers.

When considering the best stone or brick products for your project, it’s wise to hire an experienced mason that regularly works with these products to add insight. You can find high quality Masons on HutSolver. Simply take a picture of your project, post it, and start getting feedback and meeting high quality PROs.

Sign up to HutSolver – it’s free to join and use! We believe you’ll solve many of your home projects with creative ideas and knowledgeable Home Improvement PROs.

About HutSolver
HutSolver is a marketplace for home projects where homeowners share their projects (create project posts), receive creative feedback and build relationships with qualified home improvement professionals (PROs). Post, Hire, and Manage your project all on HutSolver.

(1) https://ceramics.org/ceramic-tech-today/construction/the-many-types-of-bricks

The post Clay vs. Concrete Brick Pavers, Which Is Better? appeared first on HutSolver Magazine.

Picture this: the masons you hired nine long weeks ago finally laid the last brick on your new driveway. You can barely contain the elation that makes its way to your cheeks, as you know this will be the last day of listening to saws grinding brick, and having to park on the street. As the crew starts packing up their truck and the head mason begins making their way to your front door with the final invoice, you feel such a feeling of satisfaction in the look of the new driveway that you don’t mind paying the remaining balance, you even welcome it! When your mason is thanking you for your business and about to leave your front porch they say, “oh, don’t forget to maintain your driveway periodically”. Too confused to ask a follow-up question, you wonder internally, “what maintenance”?

Newly laid brick or stone driveways, patios, siding, you name it, have a vivid appearance. As time marches on, and if not maintained, their vibrancy decreases. Here are a few basic maintenance tips to keep your pavers looking their best:

Seasonal Maintenance
Each Spring season, it’s a good idea to clean your pavers. Start pulling any weeds growing between joints. Next, saturate your pavers with water. Then, in a bucket, pour paver cleaner (one recommended by the manufacturer or installer of your pavers) and use a coarse street/stable broom to scrub your pavers. If you would prefer to make your own cleaning solution, use warm water with a mild degreasing dish wash instead. Next, rinse the pavers and put a granular weed preventive between the joints. A power washer is not needed, but if you prefer to use one, be careful as generally, their standard pressure can be considered harsh for pavers and sealers; again, use with caution.

Every Few Years
It’s generally recommended to apply a sealer every three years. Be careful not to apply more than twice during the three year period as a heavy film can be created on the surface, which can change in color when exposed to sunlight, distorting the actual color of your pavers. The exception to this is if you decide to have a professional power-wash your pavers. In that case, it’s wise for you or your professional to consider applying a sealant application immediately after.

When considering annual maintenance for your pavers, it’s wise to hire an experienced mason or power washing company that is familiar with cleaning pavers. You can find high quality Masons and Power Washers on HutSolver. Simply take a picture of your project, post it, and start getting feedback and meeting high quality PROs.

Sign up to HutSolver – it’s free to join and use! We believe you’ll solve many of your home projects with creative ideas and knowledgeable Home Improvement PROs.

About HutSolver
HutSolver is a marketplace for home projects where homeowners share their projects (create project posts), receive creative feedback and build relationships with qualified home improvement professionals (PROs). Post, Hire, and Manage your project all on HutSolver.

The post Paver Maintenance? What Maintenance? appeared first on HutSolver Magazine.

When daydreaming about a home’s exterior, it’s difficult not to fall in love with the look of clay brick masonry and pavers. Aside from aesthetics, there’s a reason why solid clay brick was very popular many, many years ago. Simply, it is very durable, while also being resistant to termites, and offering some natural resistance to fire and earthquakes. Depending on where you want to install clay brick, some options may be more favorable than others.

Exterior Walls:
Unless a home is built with a solid clay brick exterior from the beginning, it becomes difficult to fully install brick exterior walls to a home without substantial demolition and renovation of existing structural walls, which can be considerably expensive and time consuming. If that does not sound appealing, there are a few ways you can get a similar look without significant renovation and expense. If you like the look of clay brick masonry and pavers, consider brick veneer. Brick veneer costs much less than solid brick as it uses real clay brick, but only one wythe (layer) of clay brick that can be installed to an existing exterior structure (wood, steel, etc.). If you’re looking for an even cheaper option, you might consider faux brick veneer. Faux brick veneer is made of polyurethane or similar plastics that are made to imitate the look of real brick. This is likely the cheapest option, however, faux brick is usually recommended for decorative accents, and has difficulty standing up to weather elements, making faux brick veneer ideal for more interior applications.

Walkways, Driveways, and Patio
When thinking about walkways, patios, driveways, or pretty much anything on your property (other than your home), options open. The two most common options are solid clay brick or clay brick veneer pavers. Note that clay brick veneer pavers are different than brick veneer (wythe) exterior walls mentioned above. Clay Brick veneer pavers are also known as “thin” brick pavers because they are considerably thinner than solid brick, and are still pretty strong. They tend to be recommended for high traffic areas such as driveways. Thin Clay Brick Veneer Pavers tend to be considerably cheaper than solid brick while looking mostly identical to solid clay brick. In both instances, the homeowner will need to keep up with regularly applying sealers to maintain the appearance and performance of the pavers.

When considering the best masonry products for your project, it’s wise to hire an experienced mason that regularly works with these products and can add insight. You can find high quality Masons on HutSolver. Simply take a picture of your project, post it, and start getting feedback and meeting high quality PROs.

Sign up to HutSolver – it’s free to join and use! We believe you’ll solve many of your home projects with creative ideas and knowledgeable Home Improvement PROs.

About HutSolver
HutSolver is a marketplace for home projects where homeowners share their projects (create project posts), receive creative feedback and build relationships with qualified home improvement professionals (PROs). Post, Hire, and Manage your project all on HutSolver.

The post Love the look of Clay Brick Exteriors? Here’s How to Get the Look for Less appeared first on HutSolver Magazine.

Summer is an exciting time of year…beach, barbeques, hiking, and family fun. Before sending out weekend invitation texts and setting sail, here are a few things to do to get your home ready for the season, while saving a few bucks:

1. Air Conditioning Maintenance:
   Before the heat of summer arrives, it’s important to make sure that your air conditioning system is working smoothly. Schedule a professional HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) technician to inspect and perform annual service for your air conditioner units. They can clean or replace filters, check refrigerant levels, and make any necessary repairs. Proper maintenance helps optimize the efficiency of your system and ensures that it will keep you cool during the summer months.
   
2. Mosquito & Tick Maintenance:
   Mosquitoes seem to be more and more prevalent each season as our climate patterns continue to shift. Remember to remove or drain any areas around the home that are holding moisture. This includes cleaning and draining gutters, emptying pool & sauna covers, razing piles of leaves, and trimming any overgrown trees and bushes. In addition to these areas, you can also hire mosquito & tick spray services that spray around your property periodically. If mosquitoes are particularly annoying and you might not like the idea of spraying the property due to concerns for children or pets, you may want to consider natural remedies such as planting lavender or plants that are known to repel mosquitos. We’ve also found that one of the best ways to mitigate mosquitos is to cut back bushes that might be overgrown as they can breed around dense bushes that may also be moist.
   
3. Energy Efficiency Improvements: Summer can bring higher energy bills due to increased air conditioning usage. To take steps to improve energy efficiency in your home, begin by inspecting windows and doors for any air leaks and seal them using weather-stripping or caulk. Consider installing window coverings such as blinds or curtains that can help block out heat from the sun. Additionally, planting shade trees around your home can provide natural cooling and reduce the need for excessive air conditioning.
   By performing some of these steps, you can help make your Summer that much more enjoyable while potentially reducing energy costs.

Sign up to HutSolver – it’s free to join and use! We believe you will solve many of your home projects with creative ideas and knowledgeable Home Improvement PROs.

About HutSolver
HutSolver is a marketplace for home projects where homeowners share their projects (create project posts), receive creative feedback and build relationships with qualified home improvement professionals (PROs). Post, Hire, and Manage your project all on HutSolver.

The post Top 3 Things to Prepare Your Home For Summer appeared first on HutSolver Magazine.

Did you know that according to the EPA, “the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than outdoor air”? “Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants.”

Here are some ways to increase indoor air quality:

1. Proper Ventilation:
   Ensure proper ventilation throughout your home to remove stale air and bring in fresh air from outside. Open windows and doors whenever possible to allow for natural ventilation, this also includes during the Winter. Additionally, use exhaust fans in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry areas to remove pollutants and moisture.
   
2. Regular Cleaning:
   Regularly clean your home to reduce dust, allergens, and other pollutants. Vacuum carpets and rugs using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to capture fine particles effectively. Dust surfaces with a damp cloth to prevent stirring up dust. Clean bedding, curtains, and upholstery regularly as well.
   
3. Control Humidity:
   Maintain optimal humidity levels in your home to prevent the growth of mold and the spread of allergens. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas, such as basements, to keep humidity levels below 50%. Ensure proper ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens to reduce excess moisture.
   
4. Eliminate Indoor Pollutants:
   Identify and eliminate or minimize potential sources of indoor pollutants. Avoid smoking inside the house, as secondhand smoke can significantly impact air quality. Use natural cleaning products or those labeled as low VOC (volatile organic compounds) to reduce chemical exposure. Be mindful of off-gassing from furniture, carpets, and other household items and choose low-emission or VOC-free options when possible.
   
5. Use Air Purifiers:
   Consider using air purifiers with HEPA filters to remove airborne particles and improve air quality. Air purifiers can be particularly beneficial for individuals with allergies or respiratory conditions. Place them in commonly used areas, such as bedrooms and living rooms, for the best results.

Sign up to HutSolver – it’s free to join and use! We believe you’ll solve many of your home projects with creative ideas and knowledgeable Home Improvement PROs.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guide-indoor-air-quality

About HutSolver
HutSolver is a marketplace for home projects where homeowners share their projects (create project posts), receive creative feedback and build relationships with qualified home improvement professionals (PROs). Post, Hire, and Manage your project all on HutSolver.

The post Have You Ever Wondered How to Increase Your Home’s Air Quality? appeared first on HutSolver Magazine.

1. Experience and Qualifications:
   Check a contractor’s qualifications, licenses, certifications, and any relevant affiliations with professional organizations.
   
2. Reputation and References:
   Check a contractor’s reputation by reading online reviews. Request references from previous clients and follow up with them to learn about their experiences and satisfaction with the contractor’s work. If possible, reviewing pictures of their past work can also be helpful.
   
3. Insurance and Licensing:
   Ensure that the contractor you hire is properly insured. Insurance should cover both workers’ compensation and general liability to protect you from any potential accidents or damages that may occur during the project. Valid licensing demonstrates that the contractor meets local requirements and adheres to industry standards.
   
4. Clear Contract and Communication:
   Before hiring a contractor, ensure that they provide a detailed, written contract that outlines the scope of work, project timeline, materials to be used, payment terms, and any warranties or guarantees. Good communication is crucial, so make sure the contractor is responsive, attentive to your needs, and willing to address any concerns or questions you may have.

Remember, it’s important to interview multiple contractors, compare their estimates, and trust your instincts when making a decision. Taking the time to find a reputable and reliable contractor can save you potential headaches and ensure a successful home improvement project.

Sign up to HutSolver – it’s free to join and use! We believe you’ll solve many of your home projects with creative ideas and knowledgeable Home Improvement PROs.

About HutSolver
HutSolver is a marketplace for home projects where homeowners share their projects (create project posts), receive creative feedback and build relationships with qualified home improvement professio

The post 4 Things to Consider When Hiring a Home Improvement PRO appeared first on HutSolver Magazine.