Foundation Fixes

First, you should make sure that you are exploring issues with the foundation. Problems with the foundation of your home can lead to expensive repairs and are incredibly common with older homes. This will show up on an extensive survey which is why it’s always worth getting your home checked yourself. Particularly, if the property is older than a decade. Common signs of issues with the foundation include doors sticking as well as cracks appearing across the ceilings or the walls. Websites such as rsfoundations.com are a good starting point if you feel as though your home might require a foundation repair. 

Damp Corrections 

Next, you should think about issues with damp. Problems with damp can be highly concerning because it means that you will struggle to sell the home. The reason for this is that a lot of buyers know that damp can cost thousands to repair and lead to problems far beneath the surface of the property. For instance, you might find that damp attracts pests to your property. If you are worried about this then we recommend that you get it sorted sooner rather than later and definitely before you start showing properties to potential buyers. 

Roof Repairs 

Another point to consider is your roof. You might think that you can get away with an issue related to your roof because it’s a problem that is often overlooked by homebuyers but this is not the case. In reality, issues with the roof are one of the biggest problems that can put people off buying your property. Particularly, if your home has recently been damage in a storm which is leading to problems with leaks. 

Modernisation 

Finally, you should think about issues related to modernisation. It’s possible that your home looks a little too old-fashioned and if that’s the case then you’re going to struggle to attract the interest of buyers, particularly if there are new homes on the market in the local area. More often than not, a buyer who can afford it will purchase a new home because they are less likely to have issues that need to be addressed. As such, it’s in your best interest to make sure that you are modernising your home in key areas. This could include an upgrade to your kitchen or a change 

We hope this helps you understand some of the key steps that you need to take to ensure that your home is going to sell for the right price on the market. Don’t forget, if you don’t complete the right repairs, then it’s possible that your home is going to be viewed as a fixer upper and this will limit the offers that you receive. 

The post Discover The Key Changes Needed For Your Home Before You Sell appeared first on InstantELLA.

Not necessarily! Humidity is way more important than you think, and every household should have some sort of humidity reader. It will basically tell you how much moisture is in the air – a higher humidity reading means the air is full of moisture while a lower one tells you that it’s relatively dry. 

Why does this matter? Because the humidity levels impact the air around you, which can have a profound effect on your home and the people in it. This will make more sense if we look at the problems caused by high or low humidity in the house. 

The Problems With Low Humidity Levels

Get a humidity reader and check what it says. Ideally, you should look for readings between 40-60%. That’s the humidity sweet spot, but if you’re seeing a percentage of 30 or below, then the indoor humidity is far too low. 

As a result, the air is excessively dry, which can lead to a host of health issues: 

• Dry skin
• Dry and inflamed nasal passages
• An increased risk of catching colds or other viruses

Not only that, but low humidity levels can cause damage to indoor plants by drying up their soil. It may also shrink timber and other wooden structures on your property because wood needs some moisture to keep it healthy. 

Therefore, you need to boost your humidity levels back up – a humidifier is the easiest way to do this. Or, you can simply run the shower and leave the bathroom door open, allowing steam to moisturize the air. 

The Problems With High Humidity Levels

Low humidity is bad, but high humidity can be just as problematic – if not worse. This is when the levels consistently sit above 60%. Sometimes this isn’t always bad, but if your home is always at 60% or 70% humidity, then there is far too much moisture in the air. 

Compared to low humidity levels and dry air, extra moist air causes a different set of issues. These aren’t health-based but have more to do with your property. Excess moisture will create dampness and generate the best conditions for mold growth. That’s why areas like your kitchen or bathroom often have mold growing – they’re the most humid parts of your house. If you can’t tell if that black spot on the ceiling is mold or not, then you could always contact someone like this company offering mold testing in Baltimore, MD to come out and give you a definitive answer so that you can then take the next steps, if necessary.

Mold is a big problem as it can lead to respiratory problems – but it also damages your home. You’ll need a mold remediation company to come in and remove the affected areas then prevent further growth. It can be a costly and invasive process, so you need to focus on stopping mold growth in the beginning. 

As such, you must lower the humidity to a more reasonable level. This can be done by opening windows or getting a dehumidifier – which does the opposite of a humidifier and removes moisture from the air. 

On that note, this should explain why humidity is such a crucial part of your home. If it gets too low, you can damage parts of the property and cause health issues. When it gets too high, there’s a massive risk of mold and damp growth. So, always focus on maintaining an indoor humidity of between 40-60%. It’s not as difficult as it sounds – open/close windows, use humidifiers/dehumidifiers and you will be fine. 

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Memory

KEEPING MEMORIES ALIVE: HOW TO PRESERVE FAMILY HEIRLOOMS

To make sure family heirlooms are loved, respected and treasured for years to come, take the time to write out an explanation for the item. If the article is your great, great grandfather’s pocket watch that he received from his employer on his wedding day in Ireland, write that down. If you don’t and the story isn’t remembered, that watch just becomes an antique with no meaning.

Just take a note card and answer these 6 simple questions:

1. Who?
2. What?
3. When?
4. Where?
5. Why?
6. How?

If there is some emotional connection to the heirloom like a story, include that as well. If the family sewing machine traveled across the United States in the back of a wagon during the California Gold Rush, write it down. Any item that has been passed down from one generation to the next has stories to tell and it is up to you to preserve those as well.

Temperature

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Fluctuating temperature is a large factor for destroying family heirlooms. Old articles can’t handle incredibly hot or cold temperatures. For this reason, you should try and store your antiques in places that stay around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid storing your old items in the attic, basement, barn, shed or even near windows or heating vents.

Humidity

Basic Tips for Storing Family Heirlooms

Humidity can murder antiques, especially if it is furniture. If you bring an old piano or rocking chair from the dry desert of New Mexico over to the incredibly humid climate of Louisiana, you’re likely to have the wood split as it tries to pull in all of the moisture. Try to keep your antiques in relatively dry areas so they don’t begin to accumulate mold, but remember that too dry can also lead to things drying out and splitting. Keep heirlooms in an environment that they are used to being in and avoid intense humidity or dryness.

Light

Preserve and Protect Family Heirlooms & Treasures

Ultraviolet light can be dangerous for your antiques because it breaks down the chemicals in the pigmentation of photographs, papers, plastics, and other valuables. If you have old pictures that have begun to fade they might have fallen victim to this decay. Just keep in mind that less light is typically better for preserving your family heirlooms.

Dust

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Not only is dust bothersome, but it can also be detrimental to your family heirlooms. Dust can be wiped away relatively easily, but if it is left to sit for too long it can trap in moisture, causing mold to grow. It can also invite bugs to make homes in old books or wood, and it can weaken materials. Just make sure to be diligent in your dust removal.

If you are especially worried about keeping a family heirloom in good condition you can visit a specialist to help you in the care of your article. Most jewelers should be able to help you with watches and jewelry. Visit your local library or college for help in preserving books and documents. Good luck with keeping your families’ memories alive and preserved.

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