A Simple Guide to Roof Maintenance for Homeowners

Your roof is an important part of your home and perhaps the most expensive part to replace or renovate. Your roof is what protects the inside of your home from rain, snow, wind, blazing sun and moisture. A good roof also reduces your heating and energy bills. Thus it is important to carry out regular roofing maintenance to ensure that your roof remains in a good condition.

Many homeowners look at various home renovation tasks to maintain the inside of their home, but they tend to neglect the roof. Paying attention to your roof only after you have detected a leak is too late. Often times fixing a leak may not be a simple job especially if the roof is in a poor condition due to years of negligence.

Age and Misconceptions

The most common type of roofing system in North America is the asphalt shingles. According to the home builder association, these type of roofs can last anywhere between 10 to 15 years. However, many people falsely believe that the roof does not need any maintenance until it has reached the above age. Unfortunately, this is the wrong assumption that could be very costly. Another false assumption is that asphalt shingles last longer in warmer regions. In fact, asphalt shingles last longer in cooler areas than in warmer areas. Thermal shocks damage these types of roof when the temperature changes within a relatively short period of time.

Regular Inspections

To ensure that your roof will remain in good conditions, it is important to carry out at least one to two inspections each year. This way you can detect and repair a small issue before it become critical. Replacing the entire portion or even parts of your shingles is a very costly home renovation project. You can save yourself lots of money and headache if you just take an hour to inspect your roof or call in an expert to check it out for you.

Simple Chores

Roofing maintenance is not necessarily a heavy burden; simple chores can prolong the life of your roof. For instance, it is important that each fall you check your gutter to make sure that leaves and branches are not blocking the drainage. If the water does not drain properly, it can damage your roof. Poor drainage during the cold season will cause the water to freeze which can further damage your roof.

Don’t Be Shy

Perhaps the most daunting part of roof maintenance is claiming or going on the top. Apart from the challenge of climbing to the top, it may not be safe for you to be up there. Therefore, it is sometimes best to call a trusted professional to check it out for you. The professionals have all the safety tools to ensure that they can look at every corner and all spots.

If you neglect your roof until you detect a large leak in your home, you may be forced to go through a costly home renovation project that could have been easily prevented. As you can see it is easy to maintain and prolong the life of your roof. Following the above tips can save you lots of headache and help to keep your money in your wallet.

Roof Repair – Purpose Process And Prevention

Failure of roof structure can endanger safety of the occupants and the presence of roofing contractors play a significant role in correcting all the problems related to roofs through ideal methods of repair, replacement as well as maintenance.

Through this article, we’ll come to know about the purpose, process and prevention of roof repairs. Let’s discuss them one by one.

Purpose

Regular inspection of roof systems is required to detect the roof problems, protection of assets as well as maintenance of working environments for building occupants. With this purpose, the roofing contractors determine if the systems are working according to the intended functions. It also helps in identifying the main signs of deterioration, weakness or hazard. And finally it makes the experts to identify needed repairs.

Process

Maintenance or inspection process is classified as formal and informal inspection. The formal is meant to check the roofs are free of materials or snow annually. On the other hand, informal inspection means to inspect the roofs after every severe rain or wind condition.

The experts review and follow ideal roof safety procedures and esquire about the problem roof conditions. Before performing the inspection, they check the construction documents, past inspection reports & photographs, particulars of any replacement or repairs, etc.

If any moisture infiltration is found with the roofs, the professionals opt for the non-destruction inspection process. They get approvals of regional superintendent before following the detection or demolition work on any wall or ceiling.

In order to verify any alterations in the structure, they include test data and photographs in the report. This is meant to help future inspectors to understand the historic condition of the structure. And they also record and report inspection findings so as to keep the clients aware of present conditions of their building roofs and structure.

To correct the conditions, they develop a maintenance work plan. And they also follow such methods to minimize damage to the roof membrane and structure and also for the safety of professionals doing the maintenance task.

Prevention

Giving prevention the major priority can make one to stay saved from the huge expenses. Proper roof maintenance is beneficial in various ways. It can increase the life expectancy of the structure, save cost of roof replacement, etc. Adding to it, one can also remain unaffected from costly damage of assets.

Thus, with the above discussions, it can be said that professional roofing contractors follow ideal methods of roof inspection checklist including purpose, process and prevention.

Analyzing the Best Security Systems for Apartments

Amazingly, every 15 seconds, an apartment is burglarized, which means that apartments are not being as well protected as are houses. Even if you are in your apartment, you still have a high probability of being robbed. Unfortunately, this is just a risk that people who live in apartments have to assume. However, they don’t have to make it easy for the burglars to break in. Just as a homeowner would do, an apartment dweller should install a home security system to make sure the unit is as secure as possible.

Homeowners have many options when it comes to installing a home security system. Since they own their property, they can choose a hardwired system that will require some major renovations, particularly to the walls where the wires have to be installed. Most of the time, renters do not have the option of installing a hardwired system because they cannot make any permanent changes to the property. Sometimes, a landlord can be convinced that a hardwired security system actually benefits him because it will remain a part of the unit after you are gone, but it is always advisable to get the landlord’s permission before installation begins.

A wireless system is much easier for renters to install and the system can be taken with them when their lease is up. In fact, renters can often install wireless home security systems themselves; however, if you are getting a system that is monitored, it might be better to have a security expert install it for you. Wireless systems have just one drawback when compared to hardwired systems and that is the fact that you will need to change the batteries on occasion. Even so, this is a small price to pay considering how versatile such a system is.

At one time, interference used to be a problem with wireless systems, but that isn’t the case anymore. They are as reliable as the hardwired systems when they are installed correctly. In addition, wireless alarm systems are often cheaper to install and more convenient overall. You can get started with a basic, non-monitored system for about $100.00. You can then add on as your budget allows. The key is to not leave your apartment unsecured for any more time than you have to. This is, again, another benefit to a wireless system because with a hardwired system, adding on sensors is extremely difficult. The goal is to get your apartment secured as quickly as possible and wireless systems are the best way to do that.

How To Measure, Install and Maintain Venetian Window Blinds

Venetian Blinds – How to measure

Introduction

There are a number of things you need to consider when measuring for new blinds. Below is a quick guide to help you. Firstly make sure you have a pencil and some paper and a tape measure (preferably a metal one).

What to measure in…

Always measure in millimetres (mm) as most blind suppliers require a size in millimetres.

Where to measure…

In normal window areas there are 2 potential places for your blinds to be installed, these are known as the window face, or the window recess. All Venetian Blinds can be fitted to the face of your window frame or wall, or into the top of the window recess. This gives you complete control over the positioning of your blind.

For a recess measurement:

Make sure you have enough depth to mount the Venetian Blind inside the window frame area. 50mm should be fine; any less will result in the blind protruding out of the recess. If you have less than 50mm it may be worth considering installing your blind outside the window recess as a face fit.

  1. Measure the width of the recess from wall to wall at the top. This is where the brackets will be fitted. Be sure to measure across 3 areas of the width to ensure the area is the same width (or very similar) and the walls do not have bulges that will affect the operation of the blind.
  2. Note down the shortest measurement.
  3. Take off 10mm each side – this will give you some flexibility in case of any variants in your walls and will ensure your blind doesn’t get damaged when operated. If you want to cover the total window area we suggest you fit your blind to the window face.
  4. Measure the drop by taking the measurement from the top of the recess to the bottom.
  5. Note down the measurement.

For a face measurement:

  1. Measure the exact width of where you’d like your blind to be. As a guide, add an overlap from the window frame of between 50mm and 100mm, this will help reduce the gap at the side of the blind, providing better light control and more privacy.
  2. Note down the measurement.
  3. Measure the drop from the top of where you want your blind positioned to the bottom.
  4. Note down the measurement.

And remember…

  • Ensure that on all recess width measurements that you have deducted 10mm from each side.
  • Measure at least twice to make sure there are no errors.
  • Note the side you wish the controls to be so that they are easily accessed.
  • To be sure of a great fit it is important that when measuring you account for any obstructions like window handles.
  • For full-length windows we recommend that you measure to approx 20mm off the floor. This will give enough clearance and allow the base rail to move freely.
  • For face fit installations remember to raise the blind by 250mm above the frame to allow the Venetian Blind mechanism to clear as much glass as possible when raised. This will allow more light into the room and is important when blinds are on doors, to allow for clearance.

Other installation considerations

Shallow sill depth (recess fitting):

Around 50mm minimum sill depth is required to fasten all brackets as the minimum depth necessary for a flush mount (where the product does not protrude into the room). If your sill depth does not cover this you should probably consider a face fit installation.

Corner windows:

When two Venetian Blinds meet in a corner or in a corner where there is only glass, there can be a privacy problem. That’s due to a gap where the products fit together. In order to minimize the problem, consider making one product bypass the other, then specify the other product to fit flush into the first.

It is important to consider the side your controls are on when specifying Venetian Blinds for corner windows. Make sure you do not block the control mechanism with the overlap.

French doors and sliding doors:

Venetian Blinds are not the best solution for installation over French Doors and Sliding Doors. When raised Venetian Blinds leave a stack of slats which fall down between 50 and 250mm depending on the length of the blind. If you want to keep the full door area cleared when the blind is raised then the blind needs to be specified wider and taller. You will need a minimum of 50mm (width) x 250mm (drop) additional space per Venetian Blind for the mounting brackets at the top. This higher and wider measurement means that when the Venetian Blind is raised it blocks less of your view and space to move in and out of the door.

We recommend you consider Roller Blinds for installation over French or Sliding Doors. Roller Blinds have less depth when raised than Venetian Blinds. However this is your choice, by no means does this mean you cannot install Venetian Blinds.

For the width you also should add at least 25mm on both sides of the glass (50mm in total). However door handles may constrain the width you’d prefer. Ideally the Venetian Blind should fall just inside the door handle. All Venetian Blinds can be specified to mount either within the doorframe (RECESS) or over it on the wall (FACE). When deciding this ensure you measure to see if the handle is an obstruction.

Venetian Blinds can be installed on either a wood or metal doors. For metal doors, you’ll need “metal screws” designed for attaching to metal doors.

Venetian Blinds – How to Install

Introduction

Venetian Blinds are easy to fit and we are confident it won’t take up too much of your time.

Be sure to read all of the instructions below.

You’ll need:

  1. Power drill
  2. Drill Bit
  3. Phillips Screwdriver (The one with the crossed head)
  4. Flat head Screwdriver
  5. Box of Screws
  6. A pencil

How to fix your brackets into…

Concrete, Brick or Plaster:

If you’re drilling into concrete, brick or plaster you should use a 5.0 mm diameter masonry drill bit. You will also require wall plugs and 1 inch phillips head screws (8 gauge).

Wood or Steel:

If you’re drilling into wood or steel you should use a 3mm diameter high-speed steel drill bit. Often in wood you can secure the screws into the wood without any need to pre-drill.

Tiles:

If you’re drilling into tiles then cover your drilling point with masking tape. This will prevent the drill from slipping.

Installation guide for Venetian blinds

  1. Gather your tools and unpack your blind.
  2. Locate the installation brackets which are supplied as a pair.
    • Inside the frame (recess fit) mounted to the side of the window recess.
    • Inside the frame (recess fit) mounted to the top (ceiling) of the window recess.
    • Venetian Blinds can also be fitted outside the window frame (face fit).

    3. • Have a look at your blind and see which side you ordered the control to be on.
    • It is very important that the brackets are mounted so that the blind is level when installed.
    • Decide where you want the blind to be positioned. The brackets can be placed in 3 different ways:

  3. Mark out your drill holes with a pencil using the blind brackets provided as templates for holes. Ensure that the brackets are perfectly level, so that the blind rolls up and down straight.
  4. Drill your holes and then screw the brackets into place.
  5. Simply clip the blind into place by sliding the Venetian Blind into the brackets and then close the clip to hold the blind in place.
  6. Attach the valance clip and then slide the valance into place.
  7. Some Venetian Blinds are supplied with hold down brackets. Simply fix the hold down bracket to the base of the window recess or to the face of the wall outside the window recess. The base bar of the Venetian Blind will clip into the bottom of the brackets.Shortening the length of an Venetian Blind
  8. Hang the blind in a fully open position (full length from top to bottom) then mark the desired length.
  9. Remove the bottom rail buttons and using scissors cut of the knots from the lift cords.
  10. Pull the lift cord from the bottom rail and slide out the bottom rail and the unwanted blind slats.
  11. Replace the bottom rail beneath the bottom slat and cut off the excess braided ladder string. N.B. Be sure you don’t cut off the lift cord.
  12. Now re-thread the lift cords through the bottom rail and tie in a knot. Twist the braided ladder string ends together and insert into the bottom rail. Replace the bottom rail buttons.

Venetian Blinds – How to Maintain

Cleaning

Cleaning the blind only requires a damp cloth. Make sure not to rub the blind too hard when cleaning as you may damage the slat by kinking or bending the blind slat.

Removing the blinds

If you would like to take your blind down, simply unclip the brackets and release the whole blind. Make sure you have hold of the blind securely so it does not drop down -ideally have someone to help you do this.

Blind damage

If your blind gets damaged many of the component parts can be replaced inexpensively. Common replacement parts include the bottom rail and chain. The bottom rail might need some more intricate work to replace so we recommend you send it back to your supplier for the rework.

Troubleshooting / Common Problems

The blind slats will not lower

When you initially attempt to lower the slats the cord lock may not release causing the slats to not lower. Firstly hold the lift cords level with the headrail and pull. This should release the cord lock. If this does not fix the problem, take the blind out of the window. Locate the cord lock mechanism in the headrail where the cords run through. You will see a pin that should slide out and release the cords; in this instance it will be tight to the cords restricting their movement. Using a flat heads screwdriver carefully push the pin to disengage the cords ensuring you don’t touch the cords and damage them. When the pin releases the slats will lower so be sure that nothing is in the way when the slats release and people are clear of the area as they may be injured.

The blind hands unevenly

Raise the blind and then extend the blind completely. Repeat this operation slowly several times until blind hangs correctly. You can also manually adjust the way the blind sits, however be careful not to damage the blind when doing so.

Need to replace slats

Remove the ladder cap from the underside of the bottom rail. This will expose the ends of the cords, which you can then pull out slightly. Cut the cord just above the knot and then pull the cord up through the last damaged slat. Remove the slats and replace them with the new ones, making sure that you insert the slats so that the route holes are aligned with the existing slats. Then weave the cords through the route holes being certain to alternate the sides of the ladder rungs as you proceed down the blind. Reinsert the cords into the bottom rail and tie them off. Replace caps.

Choosing Colours for Your Window Blinds

Color Schemes

When you first consider buying new window blinds, or if you are buying them for the first time you might not consider color as one the key considerations in your choice. However the color of your window blinds is arguably as important as the color you choose when re-decorating, painting or choosing furniture, and fixtures.

If you understand the basics of color schemes, you’ll be able to choose blinds that add to the decoration of your home and complement your individual style and design choices.

To put it in the simplest terms, a color scheme is any combination of colors that look good together. When choosing your window blinds it is important to consider the existing color schemes within your home. Unless of course you are embarking on a re-decorating project which will give you the chance to try something new and explore options.

Neutral Color Blinds

In many cases blinds are chosen as a single color with a plain or minimal pattern. Most window blinds are variations on whites, blacks, grays and neutral cream and beige colors because these are the simplest colors to integrate with existing decor in the home. These neutral colors are in-offensive and blend into the background to provide a relaxing, and expansive look. Visual harmony can be created in your home when you use different shades of the same color across different furnishings and decor.

White, black, and grays can be classified as neutral colors. They are neither warm nor cool and cannot be seen on the color wheel highlighted below. Adding neutral color blinds to a room ensure they do not stand out in the rooms overall design, they subtly add to the chosen color scheme. Neutral colors are chosen often because the work well with most other colors, this is the reason why so many people choose neutral colors for carpets and walls. The main reason for this is that it means there is much less chance of colors conflicting with furnishings and future additions to the room will not look out of place.

With window blinds wooden venetian blinds often match very well with a house or room that contains wooden furniture, aluminum venetian blinds in a sliver color often match the appliances in a kitchen making them a popular choice and roller blinds are often chosen in neutral colors for the reasons described above.

Warm and Cool Colors Blinds

Warm colors include red, yellow, and orange, because they represent the daytime sun that can ‘warm’ a room. Warm colors work anywhere in your house but particularly well in rooms that are lived in and see activity, for instance living rooms, play rooms and dining rooms. Warm colors give a room a feeling of warmth and coziness.

The cool colors include shades of greens, blues, and purples, cool colors provide a more relaxing and calm effect and are known to create the feeling of open space. They are found suitable for bedrooms.

It is important to note however that suitable colors and styles have to be chosen and suited to the individual. You know what is best for you are your home and must choose your window blinds based on your preferences.