Plumbing Problems That Most House Owners Ignore

Plumbing Problems that most house owners ignore

In a survey it was concluded that 30% of new house owners actually see their dream turning into nightmare just because they didn't give any value to the plumbing problems before they made the purchase.

Do you know if you have a leaky faucet that drips twice per minute, you’ll waste over a gallon of water in a week?

You must have heard of the story of a new house owner who found out that his gas supply was coming from the garden? Or of a professional handyman who fixed the leaking roof problem of the previous owners by hiding it behind a fresh coat of paint? How about $5 million house with a beautiful bathroom & kitchen renovations all put on an old clay sewer that collapsed shortly after the settlement? The previous one cost the new owner $30,000 to rectify.

The scariest thing about these real life stories is that the house owners had the properties checked prior to the purchase, still then none of the issues were highlighted. Most buyers don’t even bother to check the plumbing before they buy the house because it isn’t their area of expertise, but some experts do not have those expertise either. So make sure you read this blog till the end & get the necessary awareness.

LET’S START FROM THE ROOF

A little check before the purchase may prevent you from spending $15,000 - $30,000.

1. How old is the roof? 

You should actually go to the roof and check the roof if it is rusty. If it is, then you need to raise a red flag. Some roofs even have seedlings growing from them.

2. Is it renovated or newly painted?

Is this a cover up or a spruce up?

3. Hidden access points

Normally if people have something to hide they do it on the roof or the subfloor area, they do it with the help of access points. Be very cautious if you find an access point and inquire further if you find one.

THE ACTUAL INSIDE OF HOUSE

Most of the faults related to water are hidden from the new owner, which can add significantly to the final budget.

4. Tiling job done bad

If your tiles are in a slapdash manner, imagine what the underneath waterproofing is like. A shoddy waterproofing can result in a huge drain on the funds as you’ll need to pay for the leak detection, then small repairs & eventually a full bathroom renovation.

5. Kitchen & Bathroom renovations

When you were purchasing the home who did the renovation: either the building company or the own builder. In any of the case potential buyers should be aware of the quantity of the renovation & inspect it with a fine-toothed comb.

6. Where is the drainage diagram?

Now days most of the contractors have the sewer service diagram attached. If there is no diagram you should ask for it. Principle advantage of the diagram is that it consists of all the drainage repairs occurred. If the homeowner fail to present the diagram this should raise a red flag for you.

THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOME

A major storm water issue might cost you $15,000+, so make sure to keep an eye on the open ended problems right before you final the deal.

7. How old is the hot water unit?

This information is usually available on the badge of the hot water unit. Normally they have a life of 8-10 years if poorly maintained or 18-22 years old, factor in the cost of a replacement in the near future ( starts around $800 but averages $1500 - $2500)

8. Are there any Galvanized pipes?

You need to make sure that pipes are not exposed in any way. If there are copper pipes, run your hand along the surface: rough, pitted or thick ones could be galvanized & will need instant replacement, so keep that in mind.

9. Sewer pipes

Normally the sewer system will break, so consider replacing your drainage system. If it is a shared common sewer watch it is not shared with the neighbor. Moreover, inspect that if the down pipe or garden pipe which is a avoidance of clay pipes.

10. Is it concrete? 

Check for the piece of concrete with a square cut out if it is, it means there were drainage issues. If there was a problem in the past, make sure it has been fixed properly, not just forgotten.

Ensure that your building instructor knows what the current drainage issues are. And if you face any drainage issues make sure to correct them prior to the purchase.

In this era of technological advancement there are couple of companies that are selling great quality online plumbing parts, you can try them and do most of the plumbing work yourself.

**In Illinois all plumbing work must be performed by a Licensed Plumbing Contractor

Guest Contributor, Ailsa Ewert

Bathroom Design Mistakes You Don't Want To Make

Bathroom Design Mistakes You Don't Want to Make

Bathrooms are often neglected when it comes to redecorating and renovating – they’re usually seen as nothing but necessary while, in fact, a bathroom can be one of the best places in the house. It can be your private oasis but, unlike your bedroom, is easily accessible to your friends and household members and therefore it should be spotless and thoughtfully designed. In all that mess about the renovation, it’s easy to make a design mistake you’re going to regret, so here are the most common ones when it comes to bathrooms.

Layout issues

In order to avoid mistakes in bathroom layout, you should have a detailed plan about how your bathroom should look. Messing up the electrical outlets and light switches is pretty common and that’s how you end up with a lack of outlets close to the sink and a light that can be turned only from the inside of a bathroom. The same goes for the layout of bathroom fixtures. Ask any interior designer and they’ll tell you the same thing – a toilet shouldn’t be the first thing you can see when you open the bathroom doors nor should it take the spotlight. Furthermore, keeping the toilet and the shower separated can be even better – especially if there’s a line in front of your bathroom in the morning when everyone’s getting ready.

A lack of storage

Although it might not seem like that, bathrooms require a lot of storage space. This depends on your lifestyle, of course, but you’ll definitively need room for hair styling products and tools, makeup, towels, medicine, and other bathroom necessities. If you give it some thought, you’ll see that everything in a bathroom can serve as a storage space – behind the mirror, under the sink, on the walls. Make use of baskets, stylish shelves, hooks and get creative with bathroom storage space. Having enough storage can help the bathroom look nicer, as well – having too many knickknacks lying around will make it look cluttered and messy.

Size matters

It’s true that size matters, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that bigger is always better. On the contrary, many people make this mistake and then end up with a huge bathroom space they don’t know how to fill. Regardless of its size, a bathroom needs to be functional and balanced and that’s not always easy to figure out on your own. That’s why letting professionals who have experience with complete custom bathroom renovations do the job might be a good idea – they can offer you initial consultations using 3D modeling technology and thus help you design the bathroom you have always dreamed of.

Not lighting it properly

All interior designers agree on one thing – bad lighting is the number one enemy of the good design. Besides, getting the light right in the bathroom is of utmost importance since that’s the place where you probably do your makeup and freshen up.  To illuminate the face, for example, having one ceiling light is not enough – you’ll need task lights around the mirror. Make sure they’re on all sides of the mirror, to avoid any shade on the face. Besides artificial, natural lighting matters, too, so having at least one window is a must. Daylight will make your bathroom look airy and spacious, not to mention how much easier it will be to keep it fresh. It’s also important for keeping the mold at the bay, so make use of windows if you have the chance.

Having a bathroom renovation is a great chance to show off your creative potential and have some fun along the way. Keep these common mistakes in mind and make sure you think everything through and, soon, you’ll have the bathroom of your dreams.

Accreditations to https://www.underfloorheatingtradesupplies.co.uk/

Guest Contributor, Lillian Connors

6 Eco-Friendly Tips To Green Up Your Bathroom

6 Eco-Friendly Tips To Green Up Your Bathroom

A simple yet efficient solution to make your bathroom greener is replacing the old incandescent bulbs, and switching to an energy-saving option. Apart from consuming and wasting a great amount of energy, incandescent bulbs also emit carbon dioxide, which can pose a threat both to your health and the environment. Instead, you should replace them with light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are healthier, more efficient and energy-saving. Although you might invest a bit more initially, LEDs can reduce your power consumption even up to 90%, significantly decreasing your energy bill.

A sustainable irrigation system

Opting for an alternative, green irrigation system can significantly reduce your water consumption and increase your savings in the long run. With a variety of technological advances, rainwater harvesting has gained popularity over the years, meeting both industrial and domestic needs. This type of irrigation system can provide you with enough water to meet your annual demand. Since this technology entails a water harvest tank and several levels of filtrations systems, it enables you to use the collected water for your everyday needs, form drinking and cooking, to bathing.

Water-saving fixtures

The next step towards greening up your bathroom is replacing your old fixtures, such as taps and showerheads, with water-efficient ones. There’s a variety of green options you can choose, from low-flow showerheads, to taps and showers with aerators, to motion sensor faucets. Some of them will simultaneously reduce your water and energy consumption. For example, by installing low-flow showerheads, you’re reducing the amount of water while showering and the amount of energy used to heat the water.

A low-flow toilet

Out of the entire water consumption in your home, toilets account for 27%, which is more than any other appliances, such as shower, washing machine or dishwasher. In addition, if you have a leaky toilet, you’re wasting your water on a daily basis. To reduce your water loss, you should install a low-flow toilet because your old one can use even up to seven gallons of water per flush. In addition, a low-flow toilet with dual flush provides you with two flushing options depending on your needs.

If you have a leaky tank, you should stop the leak as soon as possible because it’s a major source of water loss. To check whether your tank is leaking, pour a bit of food dye before you go to bed in the tank. In the morning, if there’s dye in the toilet, it means that your toilet needs a repair.

Green products

There are some small, but significant changes you can make to boost eco-friendliness of your bathroom. To truly capture the green spirit, you should switch to green products, including recycled toilet paper, green soap and bath products, towels made from organic cotton, etc. By switching to these products, you’ll lower your environmental footprint and protect your health and skin.

Cleaning products are among most dangerous ones that you can find in your household because they contain high levels of toxic chemicals that can endanger your health and the environment. Therefore, you should switch to green cleaning products, or make your own cleaning solutions that are safe, healthy and equally efficient.

Pipe maintenance

Your plumbing can also have a major impact on your overall water consumption, so you need to have your pipes properly maintained, repaired or replaced if needed. Proper and regular pipe maintenance is of the utmost importance if you want to prevent any leaks or water loss. You can also replace your pipes with eco-friendly plumbing solutions that can reduce your heat loss, by proper insulation. If you need any repairs or replacements, you need to contact a reliable plumber who will make sure that the job is done properly. Otherwise, you’ll spend a fortune on additional and unnecessary repairs.

With these simple yet efficient eco-friendly updates, you’ll green up your bathroom in no time. By doing so, you’ll both protect the environment and increase your savings.

Check out Anita’s Housekeeping for more details.

Guest Contributor, Chloe Taylor

Second Annual Best Restaurants for Mother's Day in the Southwest Suburbs 2017

Second Annual Best Restaurants for Mother’s Day in the Southwest Suburbs 2017

Last year we were a part of choosing the Best Restaurants for Mother’s Day in the Southwest Suburbs, and the response was a great. Of course, we had to do it again. Mother’s Day is very special to us, because we understand the importance of celebrating the mothers in our life. No matter what we buy or make our mothers for Mother’s Day, just remember it’s the thought that counts.

We love celebrating local businesses. Seeing these local restaurants doing well and being enjoyed by people in our community makes us want to go out of our way to give them the extra recognition that they deserve. Remember to always celebrate the businesses in your community, because they are the heart of the town you live in.

Sunday, May 14th is Mother’s Day. If you haven’t made reservations, here is a list of the Best Restaurants in the Southwest Suburbs.

After asking our customers, community members, and gathering restaurant reviews, here is our Best of List.

Dancing Marlin- 20590 S La Grange Rd Frankfort, IL 60423dancingmarlinrestaurant.com

Osteria Ottimo- 16111 S LaGrange Rd Orland Park, IL 60467 ottimoorland.com

Frankie's Ristorante- 9501 W 171st St Tinley Park, IL 60477   frankiesristorante.com

Mama Maria's Taco- 16117 S Lagrange Rd Orland Park, IL 60467  mamamariasorland.com

Francesca's Vicianato- 12952 S La Grange Rd Palos Park, IL 60464 miafrancesca.com

Fat Rosies Taco & Tequila Bar- 28 Kansas Street Frankfort, IL 60423 fatrosies.com

The Cottage on Dixie - 18849 Dixie Hwy Homewood, IL 60430 thecottageondixie.com

Thithis Restaurant- 9144 S Kedzie Ave Evergreen Park, IL 60805

Palermo's 95th- 4849 W 95th St Oak Lawn, IL 60453 palermos95th.com

La Crepe Bistro- 13957 S Bell Rd Homer Glen, IL 60491 la-crepe-bistro.com

Harvest Room- 7164 W 127th St Palos Heights, IL 60463 harvestroomrestaurant.com

Jack Gibbons- 14700 Oak Park Ave Oak Forest, IL 60452 jackgibbonsgarden.com

Louisa's- 14025 S Cicero Ave Crestwood, IL 60445

The Primal Cut Steakhouse- 17344 Oak Park Ave Tinley Park, IL 60477   primalcutsteakhouse.com

Please remember to make reservations. https://www.opentable.com/start/home

Brunch at Home

At times, we are unable to take out our mothers or our wives (kid’s mother). Put your chef hat on and go to work. Let’s create delicious brunch for that special lady.

First begin by covering the table with a white table linen, don’t panic, more than likely it’s in the linen closet. Take out your finest china and silverware. Get a vase and add fresh flowers (your local grocery store has a great selection). Choose a variety of flowers instead of roses for your table. Next, begin making brunch.

Your Brunch should include: a fruit salad, toast with a few special items, and a mimosa.

Here are the recipes:

Fruit Salad

In a small bowl, place strawberries, berries, grapes, kiwis, and raspberries. Drizzly a little bit of honey and place it in the fridge for 15 minutes.

Toast with Brie, Salami, Arugula, Avocado & Poached Egg

Ingredients

1 slice bread of choice, toasted

1 oz brie cheese

handful arugula

3 slices crespone salami

1/2 avocado, sliced

1 egg

Salt and pepper

Method
Heat water in saucepan with 1 tsp salt & 2 tsp white vinegar. Bring to a simmer. Crack egg into a small bowl. Using a long wooden spoon, stir the water in one direction to create a whirlpool. Carefully drop the egg into the center of the whirlpool and let cook for 5 mins. 

Toast bread and top with slightly warmed brie, arugula, salami, avocado, poached egg & salt and pepper to taste.

Strawberry Pineapple Mimosa

In a flute, fill the glass with ¾ of Champagne (must be served chill)

A splash of orange juice

A splash of pineapple juice

Add two slices of strawberries

I hope you have a successful Mother’s Day.

Happy Mother’s Day 2017

Bedroom Doors - How To Pick Them and What To Look For

Bedroom Doors – How to Pick Them and What to Look For

Doors are an integral part of every house design. Whether you are building a new house, renovating a couple of rooms, or completely redesigning your home, you should consider replacing your doors. Doors are not only prone to wearing out, but they can also go out of style. Some types of interior doors that were popular a decade ago look quite ridiculous in the modern setting.

That is why we have decided to sort of put together a list of the biggest trends when it comes to interior doors and bedroom doors in particular. We want to show you the best bedroom door designs and teach you all the ins and outs of picking one.

Types of materials

First, let’s talk about materials. First material that comes to your mind when you see a door is probably wood. There is nothing surprising about this, in fact, the majority of good-quality doors are made from wood. But that doesn’t mean that other materials are bad or not suitable. Let us show you what the most popular materials for bedroom doors are.

First of are solid wood doors. These doors are completely made from wood. They are the sturdiest ones, offer the best insulation, and create a natural sound barrier. They have an everlasting look and can easily fit in any design. Solid wood doors are perfect for the entrance to your bedroom.

Next up are solid-core doors. They are pretty similar to the above-mentioned solid wood doors, but the biggest difference is the price. These doors are made from plywood, making them a lot cheaper. If you don’t have a budget for a solid wood door, solid-core ones are a great substitute for a bedroom entrance door.

The third option is a hollow-core door. They are the cheapest option by far and because of that offer the worst insulation and quality. We don’t recommend using this type of door at the entrance to your bedroom, their sound insulation is pretty terrible. But you can put them at your bedroom closet or bathroom entrance.

Lastly, we would like to mention steel frame doors, glass doors, and aluminium doors. They are not that commonly used as the bedroom entrance door, but they are perfect if your bedroom has a balcony. These materials handle elements better than the wood does and if you install a flyscreen door, you will get a lot of natural light in your bedroom.

Styles

After you’ve settled on the material of your bedroom door, we can talk about the different styles that are available on the market. Styles are not universal and they are intended to serve a specific purpose. For example, you can place a bulky front entrance door in your bedroom. That is just impractical and doesn’t make any sense.

But what you can do is place a panel or a flush door at the entrance to your bedroom, use a flyscreen door for your balcony, and install a bifold door in your bedroom closet. These styles are all perfect for their specific roles. Flyscreen doors let the sunlight enter your bedroom from the balcony. Bifold doors take less space than the regular doors, making them perfect for small places like bedroom closets. And panel or flush doors have just a great overall design for entrances. Pair these styles with solid wood and you’ll get a timeless design and long, long lasting doors.

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith

Fun and Creative Front Door Decoration Ideas

Fun and Creative Front Door Decoration Ideas

If there’s a part of your home that is easy to decorate, then it’s definitely your front door. Even though they are so important and visible, many people, unfortunately, forget to decorate them. Those who decide to give them some attention usually put up a wreath, but why not go beyond that and do something more creative. Here are some fun and creative front door decoration ideas you can try instead of a simple wreath. Take a look!

Boots and umbrellas for spring and autumn

These spring or autumn themed decoration ideas are not only super cute, but they are quite easy to make. Simply get your children’s old rain boots, old or broken umbrellas and other objects that remind you of those seasons, match them with some flowers and ribbons and voila! You have a beautiful and fun front door decoration!

Letter monograms

This is a great idea of showing how much you’re proud of your family. These have been popular for a couple of years now and it seems like they aren’t going anywhere. You can be very flexible with them. You can make them in different sizes, colors, fonts and styles, and you can decorate them so they fit your door perfectly. You can actually find letters in some stores, but it’s more fun to make them yourself. You can use some thick cardboard or hardboard and start cutting. You can decorate them according to the season, holiday or simply find something that depicts your family well. You can turn this into a fun family project, so everyone can make their initials.

Chalkboard signs

This is one very creative décor idea. You can buy some blackboards in the store, or you can simply paint a picture frame or even a kitchen tray with chalkboard paint and hang it up. It’s fun because you can write all sorts of different things on it, and you’ll find it more than useful. You can write notes such as “Be right back!” or “I’m in the backyard”; you can let your kids draw and write on it; or you can write some funny jokes and brighten your visitors’ days. Possibilities are truly endless.

Creative artworks

This one is a great Christmas décor idea. You can wrap up some boxes, stack them and turn them into a unique artwork. You can also throw some wrapped boxes all over your porch or liven up your garlands and wreaths with little gift boxes.

Think local

If you got bored of all those pine, fir and spruce garlands you see everywhere, you can start thinking local and make one out of the greenery that grows in your neighbourhood and is native to Australia. You can also pick some wild flowers and incorporate them in your design. If you want to do something extra special, get some white bulbs to mimic the look of blooming flowers.

Locks, mats and colors

Locks, mats and door colors can all make your front door look more inviting and fun, so use them to your advantage. Paint your door in a bold and vivid color, but make sure it fits well with your house exterior. You can choose a fun doormat, hang up some creative street number and spice things up with some unique door knobs and locks. If you’re not that handy with tools, you can always call an expert locksmith from Parramatta who will install some new locks for you. You can also find a creative way to light up your entrance with outdoor pendants and other interesting fixtures.

Now that you see how easy and fun it is to decorate your front door, you’ll never neglect it again. Let your imagination run wild and do something special for your entrance. Soon, the whole neighborhood will be trying to copy your décor.

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith

5 Dining Room Designs For Small Spaces

5 Dining Room Designs for Small Spaces

A dining room is a place devoted to hosting and feasting. So, it must be interesting and entertaining. Whether you’ve a tiny dining room or just stealing a corner from another space in the house for dining, we’ve got some unique designs and ideas to make the most of your dining space.

Try A Round Table

For smaller dining spaces, a round table is the best choice because it can easily fit into the tight spaces and offer more seating space. A round table with armless chairs are the best space saving options for tiny areas. If your living room adjoins the dining area, consider decorating it with the same palette and color scheme to keep things coordinated in the zones. You can also place a rug to demarcate the living room area or you can hang a pendant over the table to add a big style in the small space.

Pair A Round Table Along with Banquette

For the tightest dining corner, banquette paired with round table is a great choice. The built-in bench seating maximizes the space and offers more flexibility. Include storage under the benches to use efficiently all the space. For decoration, consider placing colorful cushions over the seats and hanging beautiful art pieces. To add more character, choose shattered glass table tops.

Add Folding Dining Table

Folding dining table is a smart solution for small space. For the tightest spaces and apartment living, folding tables are the preferred choice of people. Consider installing a sleek table that folds out at mealtime and folds flat against the wall when you require more space. A folding table can be used as a small corner table. You can also mount a shattered glass table top to add a wow factor in your home.

Small Dining Room with Slimline Table

Another best design and space saving solution is to add a slimline table in your dining zone. A slimline table can easily fit into the narrow space areas. A Slimline table having storage drawer can be paired with colorful chairs to add more interest. You can also pair it with banquette or both at the same time. Choose the same upholstery fabric to tie up the mixed seating. Choose ultra slimline table and paint the wall white to create a larger and brighter dining area.

Choose an Expandable Table

The extendable dining tables are the best space saving options for small dining rooms. It offers more flexibility and comfortable seating without adding any extension. A small extendable dining table is perfect because it can be extended to serve more people and then it can again transform into the smaller one to maximize the available space. It is a great choice for small dining rooms, studio apartments and for kitchen dining area. These tables can be made up of glass, wood or metal. Available in different styles and designs, choose the best one that perfectly suit space and requirements.

Guest Contributor, Dan Lyke