How Long Does Concrete Foundation Repair in Dayton, Ohio, Last? | A Homeowner’s Guide to Repairs

When you invest in concrete foundation repair in Dayton, Ohio, you want to know that those fixes will last as long as possible! Not only are foundation repair costs an expensive investment but it’s vital that your home sits on a solid, stable foundation. A weak foundation allows a structure to shift and then sink, risking wall cracks, buckled floors, mold, and other damage.

A foundation repair contractor in Dayton is the best source of information when it comes to repairs your home needs. However, you might note some general information about various foundation repair methods and their overall longevity, so you know what to expect during the project and if you might need to pay for certain fixes repeatedly throughout the years. Ask the foundation repair experts in Dayton by visiting their website.

Concrete Foundation Repair in Dayton, Ohio, Methods

To better understand how long concrete foundation repair for Dayton homes might last, it’s good to break down this information according to repair methods. Knowing how various repairs are performed can give you a better idea of why they have such a difference in price and longevity, and understand the foundation fixes your contractor might recommend.

Foam injections, patches, and sealants

Foam injections and masonry patches and sealants are excellent choices for minor cracks and emergency repairs. Foam injections seep deep into concrete then expand and harden, filling in cracks and blocking moisture.

Masonry patches and sealants are used to repair surface cracks along concrete walls and blocks. These also keep those cracks from growing and expanding while blocking moisture.

These fixes typically cost just a few hundred dollars per application. Some injections and patches are durable and meant to last for years if not indefinitely, but other products might last anywhere from 3 to 10 years before they degrade and need replacing.

Steel, concrete, and helical piers

Underpinning refers to inserting steel or helical piers or pins into the ground surrounding a basement foundation, or underneath a concrete slab foundation. These either sit under the foundation, providing added support, or are attached to the side of a foundation.

Concrete piers are similar to pins but are poured under a slab foundation. These piers then dry and offer added support to a weak or cracked foundation. Concrete piers are also useful for foundations or concrete structures needing only lightweight support, such as porches or patios.

Steel pins can last for decades if not indefinitely, and especially if you take added steps to protect them from damage such as installing drainage systems. Concrete piers don’t have the same longevity but can last for decades before needing repair or replacing.

House leveling

House leveling or slab jacking is used for homes that have already begun to sink. Holes are drilled into the foundation and then a special slurry or mud is injected underneath the slab; that slurry dries and lifts the foundation back into place, offering added support and stability.

Most house leveling products last for decades if not indefinitely. However, as with any foundation repair in Dayton, Ohio, it’s vital that you take steps to correct whatever may have contributed to that foundation damage in the first place, such as grading your property or waterproofing the foundation.

Carbon fiber straps

Weakened basement walls might tend to bow inward as they struggle to hold up the weight of the home. Carbon fiber straps help correct his bowing; these straps are attached to the walls as needed and then tightened, pushing those walls back into position.

Depending on their quality, carbon fiber straps should last many years if not decades. Waterproofing the basement walls and ensuring proper drainage outside the home will also help prevent future water damage, keeping those walls strong and secure.

Shimming

Shims are wedges pounded in between cross pieces; if your home’s floor tends to sag or squeak in certain areas, you might pound wood shims between the subfloor and floor joists, for added strength and stability. Foundation shims are wood or metal pieces inserted between piers and beams underneath a home.

While shims offer some added stability for a foundation, they are typically considered a short-term fix. Expect to have shims reinstalled or otherwise adjusted every few years, as needed.

How to Ensure Concrete Foundation Repair in Dayton Lasts

As with any home improvement project, if you don’t take steps to correct whatever causes foundation damage in the first place, you will likely need foundation repairs again before too long. Since excess moisture is a common cause of foundation damage, ensure your property is graded properly, allowing moisture to flow away from the home rather than pooling around the foundation.

Concrete waterproofing also helps protect against moisture damage. Invest in professional waterproofing services for your home, as DIY applications are usually low-quality and don’t offer the same protection as professional products and services. Professional waterproofing is often done along with concrete foundation repair in Dayton, to protect that work and ensure your home is always stable and secure.

What Are the Signs That Your Sump Pump Needs Repairs?

Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash

While the rain can be a delight for your senses and mood, it can, unfortunately, wreak destruction in your homes without the right tools to prevent it. Many basements have a sump pump installed to prevent basement flooding due to rain or improper plumbing.

Sump pumps don’t have extremely long durability, with an average life expectancy of 10 years. If it hasn’t been that long since you’ve brought a sump pump and you’re wondering if it needs repairs or maintenance, here are a few signs to watch out for. 

Incorrect Installation

If your pump is switched on, but there is no water in the pit, it may be improper installation. Generally, the pump is installed at the lowest place in your basement, and if that's not the case, it won't work effectively to drain the water.

If your sump pump isn't turning on properly, or you can see signs of water in your basement, it can also be due to improper installation. Consult a licensed plumber if this is the case and get it fixed promptly. 

Strange Noises and Excessive Vibration

If weird noises are coming from your pump, the chances are that there is a broken or malfunctioning component within the pump. It could lead your pump to become jammed and unable to work.

Excessive vibration from your pump is generally due to debris that may have been sucked up with the water into the pump, which has damaged the impellers. If the impellers become damaged, your whole pump becomes unstable and may cause more problems down the line.

When it comes to components within the pump, consider getting the parts replaced by a professional instead of spending more money on buying a new one.

Running All the Time

If your sump pump is running all the time, even when there is no water, it could be a sign of a damaged switch. Since switches control whether your pump is on or off, a malfunctioning switch could cause your pump never to turn off or on.

When your pump keeps on running for long periods, it can cause it to wear out quicker and not handle incoming water when it needs to. To prevent this, replace the switch as soon as possible. 

Visible Signs of Ageing and Rusting

Excessive rust around your pump will directly affect its functioning. When water and iron combine, it is natural to have rust form, but excessive rust will cause issues with the pump's water flow.

You can buy a special solution to clear out the rust at regular intervals. It will ensure that your pump lasts you a long time with no water flow issues. 

Motor Failure

Due to a wiring problem or an electrical issue, your sump pump could completely stop working. You should check to see if all the fuses are functioning and the electricity connection is alright before calling a professional.

If you live in an area where the water cannot get drained out properly due to debris accumulation or freezing temperatures, the motor will overwork itself. If it continues doing this, it leads to motor burnout. Make sure that the water from your pump is being drained properly without any blockages. 

Frequent Electricity Cuts

If you’re experiencing electricity cuts quite frequently due to the weather, it can have a direct impact on your sump pump. It can cause your motor to fail or other components to break down from the shock of being suddenly shut down.

For preventing your sump pump from shutting down, especially at a period where you're facing rainy weather and need the basement to be dry, consider investing in a backup battery. An expert can guide you in making the right backup battery choice for the pump and even installing it.   

Clogged Pump and Stuck Switches

A clogged pump can slow down the speed of water drainage from the sump pit. If your pump is filtering through dirt and debris, the chances of it becoming clogged are higher.

Get regular inspections to ensure that your pump is not clogged or slow due to excessive debris or dirty components. 

Entrust a Professional to Get Your Sump Pump Running Again

If you’ve had your pump for seven to eight years, it might be time to consider replacing it, as around this time, most pumps start working considerably slowly and experience a lot of breakdowns.

When you’re at a loss about what to do with it, consult a professional who can explain to you the different components and help maintain the pump. Regular inspections will ensure that your basement doesn’t get flooded any time soon. 

How to Choose Outdoor Pizza Ovens

Outdoor ovens are in different designs and styles. So you need to consider certain factors when choosing one. In this buying guide, we will discuss the different things that differentiate outdoor pizza ovens. This will assist you in making an excellent choice for your garden.

Choosing an Outdoor Pizza Oven – Buying Guide

When choosing an outdoor oven, consider the following:

The Fuel Type

There are 2 types of fuel to use when making pizza in the garden: wood and gas. Wood is a traditional and very popular option, but gas ovens are becoming popular too. When using a wood oven, you need to gather timber. This may seem straightforward, but there are some wood types that you cannot use to cook. You can click here to learn about them.

Pellets/wood chippings and hardwoods are suitable, but if the wood was treated or colored, the chemicals in them may contaminate your food. Also, cooking with wood requires tending to the fire to prevent it from burning out or escalating into something hazardous. Although wood ovens require a high level of maintenance, they cook food faster. They also infuse good flavors from the smoke into the food. 

Gas ovens, on the other hand, are easy to light since there is no need to get wood. You also do not need to bother about controlling the fire. As a result, you can carry out other activities while waiting for the food to cook properly. Gas also ensures that your pizza cooks at a consistent temperature, so you are sure that one side of the food won’t cook faster than the other.

Although gas ovens are reliable, they take a longer time to heat and do not add the kind of flavor that wood adds to food. However, both gas and wood have advantages and disadvantages. Hence, you need to decide on which one will serve you better.

The Materials Used in Producing Them 

In this section, you want to consider the materials used in creating the oven. Since it is a piece of outdoor equipment, you should ensure that the walls are well insulated to sustain the inner temperature when cooking. The entire equipment should be able to maintain heat to allow the pizza to cook evenly.

When you are cooking pizza, it will stay on the floor of the oven. If the oven only gets hot at the top, only the top side of your food will cook. And no one adores a soggy pizza base with crispy toppings. 

When choosing ovens according to the materials they are made of, consider the following:

• Refractory tiles on the floor of the oven.
• Stone and brick for larger and heavier outdoor events. But ensure you cure the brick before using it to remove moisture.
• Stainless steel walls for weatherproofing and better insulation. But you need to ensure that they do not rust due to the weather condition outdoors.

The Size and Style

Even if you are not concerned about your oven’s aesthetics, you want something that will blend with the theme of your garden. Also, different styles have different cooking benefits and purposes. For instance, the dome-shaped style is larger and you can cook several dishes in it at the same time. It is also very decorative.

Additionally, you need to consider your outdoor space. Can your garden contain a large oven and still have enough space for guests? Usually, people who use larger ovens do so for commercial purposes. Therefore, if you want a model for home use, a lightweight model with wheels will be good. You can easily move it to your garage after use.

There are no guidelines when it comes to choosing a style or size of an oven. If you prefer a large oven, whether you are cooking for just family members or the entire community, it is up to you to decide. Just ensure you choose equipment that will give you the kind of result you want. You can visit https://artisanpizzaovens.net to learn more about the other styles of pizza ovens available on the market.

Conclusion

Pizzas are easy to make and you can customize the recipe to suit your taste. So if you love pizza, you can go ahead and get an outdoor oven that will give you the pleasure of making your favorite meal at home. There are many types to choose from depending on your budget, size, and fuel type, among other factors.

Best Simple Kitchen Renovations In Ottawa To Think About

Smart renovations in any home can make a whole lot of difference to its appeal. Whether you are moving into a brand-new home or selling your existing one, there are a few things you can do to add more value to it. One of the main rooms to do this is in the kitchen. When you renovate a kitchen, it changes the entire house for the better. 

Below we show you how a few ideas can be implemented with this space.

Open Plan Kitchen

When you have a studio flat or an open plan kitchen in a house, you can do lots with it. A space such as this offers great versatility. It may not be easy to decide on one thing, but with the right changes, you can change it to suit your needs.

Starting with clever placement of the kitchen furniture is one great idea of not doing much while doing a lot when it comes to partitioning the area, and some ideas can be found here. It will help break up the area from the rest of the house. You can use items such as a room divider, or a long sofa, with its back facing the rest of the house. 

Many types of large sofas sets or couches can accomplish this, and you can use either a straight or corner sofa to give it that partition feel. You can also add a large floor rug to the seating area. In addition, sectioning off an area can be done using glass walls, or screens. 

Storage Ideas

There is also the aspect of storage to consider. When thinking about changing the storage around or renovating it to add more storage, you can try and reduce the clutter on countertops by getting open shelves built, and adding some freestanding cabinets. 

Keeping things behind closed doors is a good way to open up spaces you never thought you had. When you are done with the toaster, tuck it into a cupboard, or when you did need your glasses or dishes anymore, add a hanging shelf to the wall and line them up on it. 

You can also add a tall cabinet on one corner to keep all the cleaning supplies inside and away from the eye of visitors. Some furniture stores sell sliding out storage solutions that do not take up much space. You can also add a multi-task cupboard with a chalkboard for a door on which you can write your grocery list, and some are also magnetic to stick your family photos and calendar onto it, so you don’t need to use the fridge door anymore. 

Display Pieces

As a bonus tip while your renovating things is, if you’re into some DIY, you can also make yourself some glass jars with labels to keep neatly on the countertops or shelves and use them to store different kinds of pasta, rice, sugar, flour and legumes, for instance. Mason jars are the best for this purpose and can be made into a chic chandelier as well: https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/g2493/kitchen-mason-jar-ideas/?slide=1 which can illuminate any working area and be the centerpiece.

These can make a stylish display on your countertops when placed together in categories, for instance, keep your different selections of pasta in one corner, and your cereals in another.

Building a Shelf Across the Walls

Adding shelves has helped much space. In the bedroom, lounge, garden and pretty much any space you need to add a bit of storage; a shelf is the best thing to do. Some of the best kitchen renovations Ottawa have made the most out of this option when there isn’t room for cabinets or cupboards anymore, and if you add a shelf that runs across the countertops and above the sink area, you can use it to place your favorite dishes, and gain some extra storage that’s away from the floors. 

You can display your kitchenware and crockery so it is easily accessible to you and the rest of the family. Showing off your designer dishes and cookware also helps bring a homely feel to the kitchen area. Anything from pitchers to glasses and bowls can be added to the collection. 

Besides the ideas above you can also opt for a multi-functional island top or freestanding unit that can be moved around the kitchen. A large kitchen trolley is one good idea where you can keep plants on top and use it for cutting your fruits and vegetables, and when you are done with it, you simple reel it off to one corner. Hanging pans and utensils on the wall on simple hooks or a hook stand also completes the look.

Longmont Painters – Providing Exterior Painting Services

Building or renting a house is only the first step in creating a warm home that you’ll always want to get back to. While some people might argue that there isn’t anything like a perfect home, there are several things you could do to make yours warm and inviting, and just right for you. 

Other aspects of setting up a home like furniture arrangement, tiling, and so on are important, however, the beauty of most homes depend on one key aspect-painting. It’s amazing how just a little bit of color can bring life to an empty space and brighten up the entire atmosphere. 

It’s no wonder interior designers are serious about painting and how it affects the ambience of a home. Paints can produce just about any type of feel you want a room to have, be it bright and colorful, luxurious, minimalist, or even moody. With paints, when done right, the results speak for themselves. Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGa7pmeW7C0 to find home painting ideas. 

If you’ve just moved into a new house or apartment, or maybe you’ve just grown tired of the current look in your home, it is important that you understand the types of paints that exist to know which will fit your home. This is because the painting of your home is something that will be obvious and if you want people to feel relaxed and shower you with compliments, you should take your time to get it right. 

In this article, we’ll talk about two important aspects you need to know about painting to enable you make the best choice for your lovely home. 

Types of Paints

There are several types of paints available on the market today with each having its own unique benefits. Some of them are:

Oil-based Paints

These are also called alkyds and they are mostly used for high-moisture areas of the home like kitchens and bathrooms. Other areas like floors, trims, and cabinets that are prone to wear, and impact are also commonly covered with an oil-based paint. 

They have a rich finish and look to them that makes them appealing to many homeowners. Another reason many people choose oil-based paints over others is its durability and leveling (you won’t see brush strokes as brushes fill themselves in properly to produce a cleaner look). 

One of the major problems people have with oil-based is that they take a longer time to dry up. This paint can take several hours to dry and sometimes, up to a day! That said, this long drying time also has an upside to it as fixes can be made conveniently before it dries up. 

Cleaning up is yet another headache that you’ll have to deal with if you choose to go for an oil-based paint. With oil-based, except you’re a professional painter, creating a mess is inevitable. Furthermore, you’ll need chemicals like turpentine or paint thinner to wash up brushes, rollers, and other tools used in the painting process. 

Water-based Paints

A water-based paint isn’t as durable and resilient as an oil-based, but it takes most of the share of wall paints sold today. This is because it is easy to use, wash off painting tools, and most importantly, it dries a lot quicker. If you want your painting done as fast as possible, these paints are perfect for the job.

With this type of paint, you can get many coats done quickly since it takes much less time to dry. This makes the process a lot faster, fun, and easier. As have been mentioned, cleaning up after is easy and can be done with water and a little bit of soap. 

Another advantage water-based have over oil-based is that they do not smell as strong as the former when drying. Also, they are more environment-friendly than oil-based paints since they do not contain as much volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Latex-based Paints

People sometimes confuse latex-based for water-based, often using both terms interchangeably. Some latex-based paints are water-based, while some use chemical, unlike the main water-based paints that only use water.

The main difference between the two will be that latex-based do better when used on the exterior than water-based. That said, if you’d like to use this paint for your exterior walls, take caution and check the body of the paint as there are specific one made just for exterior use. To avoid getting confused, experts can be contacted for professional advice and recommendations.  You can go to Foothills Painting, Longmont CO for help with finding experts.

Types of Finishes

Paint finishes are categorized into five based on their reflectiveness. They are:

Matte

They are also called flat paints and they have the least amount of shine. Mattes are not as durable as other types, but they provide more coverage than others. They also require fewer coats to mask nail holes, and other imperfections. 

Because they aren’t so durable, they can be easily damaged when treated with cleaner. To get the best out of them, make sure they are used in areas of low traffic like ceilings, and dining rooms. 

Satin

These are the most common type of interior finish. They have a silky, soft, velvety sheen to them making them sit between the matte and gloss finish. They are easy to clean, and so, are perfect for areas with high traffic like playrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, and kitchen. It is worth mentioning that using this finish is slightly tricky as it may reveal brush strokes.  

Eggshell

Eggshells are not as durable as matte finishes but works well nonetheless in covering imperfections. They have a low sheen and are suitable for areas in the home with medium traffic like entryways and hallways. 

Semi-gloss

These paints are reflective, shiny, and extremely durable. They are resistant to mildew and so are great for places like bathrooms, trims, kitchens, and kids’ rooms that get a lot of moisture or wear. You should know that they will reveal imperfections more than other less shiny paints due to their glossier finish. 

High-Gloss

These are the shiniest and most reflective of all paint finishes. They are also the most durable and can handle cleaning and washing well. This makes them a great fit for trims, cabinetry, and doors. While they are mostly used for interior finishes, high-gloss paints can also be used for shutters and other outdoor details. They will reveal imperfections if not applied correctly. Click here to learn how to get a high-gloss finish for wooden surfaces in your home.

Conclusion

Discussed in this article are what you should know before heading out to shop for paints. They’ll guide you in making the right choice for the different parts of your home. That said, you may want to involve in interior designer when choosing which colors will fit individual rooms and places in your home.