The Home Improvement Blog

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  Making Your Melbourne Home Stay Dry during Winter

  by admin21.05.2013

  Melbournian weather is temperate due to the fact that the city is near the ocean. Summer temperatures range from warm to hot whilst winters are cool and rainy. Speaking of the latter season, it never snows in Victoria’s capital – from June to August, the temperature fluctuates between 7 to 14 degrees Celsius. Rather, Melbourne experiences more precipitation during these months than at any other time of the year. In 2012, the Bureau of Meteorology recorded Melbourne’s “wettest winter since 1996.” Rainfall during the year was considered “above average” and temperatures were average to “very much above average.” Why talk about last year’s precipitation levels? Previous rainfall levels can provide a clue on as to what 2013’s winter may be like. Considering the rainfall averages in 2012, it is wise to prepare very well for the upcoming months now so that from June to August, you and your family can look forward to spending winter in a comfortable and waterproof residence. Here are some helpful tips on ensuring your home is dry during the wintry months: Seal off cracks and gaps Inspect your walls, floors, metal roofing, doors, windows, and basement. See whether there are defects in the framework or surfaces so that you can remedy them before the heavy rains come. Insulate This helps your heater work optimally and keeps your interiors toasty and during cooler days. Use shades You can use roller shutters that can also protect you from hailstones, pelting raindrops, and other adverse weather effects, as well as break-ins. If you want a natural shield, you can introduce plants that can keep strong wind or heat from getting inside your house through your windows and disrupting indoor temperature. Make use of moisture absorbers It is important that your home is well ventilated to avoid having humid spots that can lead to mould growth or gradually damage certain parts of your interiors. During winter, you may not be able to open your windows as much as you you would like due to the climate that comes with the season. You can make use of moister absorbers, like dehumidifying devices or products, instead. Find one that is appropriate to the size of the various rooms in your residence and efficiently keeps humidity levels down. Replace, repair, or de-clog gutters and downspouts Keep drips or wet spots at bay by ensuring the topmost part of your house is in tip-top condition. You will need to go up and check your roofs and quad gutters and do what you can to ensure that these parts are ready for winter while you still have the chance to do so. Perhaps you may be wondering how you can tell for sure whether your guttering will hold up for the increased amount of rainfall in the coming months. To help you ensure you are prepared for the winter months ahead, get help from the professionals at Strong Life Melbourne. Call 03 9310 4455 today to get a FREE consultation and quote!

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  The Compelling Impact of Clogged Gutters on Your Health

  by admin21.05.2013

  What is the current condition of your roof? When was the last time you checked your gutters and downspouts? You have heard of reasons why you should maintain this part of your house and see to it that it does not accumulate debris which will block pipes and keep water from flowing where it should. Most of the reasons are related to various aspects in home improvement and the costs that come with repairing the damage caused by clogged gutters. But did you know that a poorly maintained or defective roofing system also promotes a number of health risks and conditions? Allergies If your guttering is blocked, water may pool in the troughs that surround your Colorbond roofs and overflow onto the sidings and walls of your exteriors until it reaches the base of your house. When not remedied, water will seep into your basement or foundation. After a while, mould will start developing in these consistently damp areas and give off spores that may trigger allergic reactions in you or other members of the family. According to the Government of Western Australia, toxic moulds produce airborne toxins that can compromise your health and lead to the development of neurological complications with prolonged exposure. So, don’t wait until you start getting itchy, watery eyes, rashes, headaches, frequent sneezing, and constantly coughing for extended lengths of time before you do something about your quad gutters. Make sure mould and other harmful microorganisms don’t share the same address as you by eliminating clogs and keeping your home dry. Respiratory Problems This could range from asthma to a simple case of coughs and colds, which always seem to return just when you think you have cured  them. These coughs and colds may be caused by having damp areas in your home that create fluctuations in the temperature within your house. Such health problems may also be caused by the infiltration of microorganisms or contaminants that may trigger respiratory complications. Diseases Triggered by Pests Water pooling in your guttering is sure to invite mosquitoes and other insects that thrive in aquatic environments to breed. It is also possible that, in times of the year when disease-carrying mosquitoes are abundant, you may be encouraging the increase of such pests and in doing so put your own family and community at risk of contracting the said health condition. There has been reports that mosquitoes carrying a rare but fatal virus may be present in some parts of Victoria. ABC News reported on the matter in 2012 – do not wait for any such advisory this year before you take action. Prevention is always a better strategy. In addition, gutters that are clogged are enticing to vermin, who may make such parts of the roof their home. If the chronically moist gutters have caused other aspects of your roofing to rot, it is possible that disease-infested rats may enter your house through these weakened portions. Safeguard your health, as well as that of your family, by ensuring your home is a safe and pest-proof house. Do not take your guttering for granted – have them replaced right away if they’re not functioning as they should  or are largely irreparable. Strong Life has been performing roof restorations and gutter installations for many years. Obtain a FREE Quote from the guttering experts today with just one call on 03 9310 4455!

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  Roofing Horror Stories to Learn from and Avoid

  by admin11.05.2013

  Blogger Karen Warseck has this moral lesson to share: nothing is ever what it seems in roofing. This statement of hers sums up the many “scary stories” she’s heard regarding roofing repair jobs gone wrong.  Here’s a real example: An owner of a building having a leaky metal roof that was only 10 years old hired a consultant to draw up plans and specifications for re-reroofing the structure. The professional managed to accomplish the job and provided three options. The problem began when the owner hired a contractor and did not include the consultant in the building process. The designer’s plans were indeed used, but the builders failed to understand the plans. So, 15 months after the roofing restoration project’s completion, the structure collapsed after a night of heavy rain. It also appeared, based on the consultant’s assessment, that faulty engineering was also to blame for the mishap. Total cost: $2 million. What’s the lesson to learn from this experience? The importance of coordination between the designer and builder from planning to completion of the home improvement project. Plus, it’s essential to hire the right roofing contractors who can assure you of a high-quality result without cutting corners. Another example involves Gypsy roofers. A number of homeowners in some parts of Australia have been subjected to a modus that’s similar to this one: a group of roofers in presentable worker’s attire knock on a house and inform the owner that there are loose tiles or some other roofing defects that are clearly visible from the front. They proceed to offer to do repair work at a cheap price (e.g. $200), which is an irresistible proposition for most victims. Later, they update the homeowner saying that there are other parts of the metal roof that also needs repairing. They recommend including the other parts in the job for an amount that’s typically higher than the initial one. When the owner agrees, they proceed to work but will later say that they have run into other problems and will need to charge an additional fee (which is again higher than the second bid). And so on and so forth. If you’re wondering whether the job done was any good, it’s typically substandard. This is expected as the Gypsies are usually not licenced or properly trained to provide roof restoration services. The Australian Government has already launched a crackdown on these illegal activities to put a stop to them. Moral lesson of this story? Hire roofing contractors from reputable companies and are also duly licenced to practice their trade. Your $200 can easily escalate to the thousands when done by non-professional builders. Strong Life has been restoring Australian roofs for 25 years now and has an excellent track record to show for it. Get a FREE Quote and consultation services when you call Strong Life at 03 9310 4455 today!

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  Keeping Your Gutters Clog-Free All Year Round

  by admin11.05.2013

  Home maintenance is as important outside as it is inside. Your roof and gutters being external to your home and hardest to reach are often most over-looked. As such, they also tend to be one of the least taken cared of. The fact that it’s out of sight (and thus out of mind), also adds to its lack of attention. Sometimes, it’s only when the quad gutters are leaking or overflowing is when the homeowner finally decides to do something about the roofing system. Is this something that sounds familiar to you? There are ways to ensure that your Colorbond guttering is free of blockages no matter what season or time of the year it is. An Old Trick in the Home Improvement Book In a previous blog, we spoke about how making balls of chicken wire and placing them on top of your downpipes help catch leaves and other organic debris without causing a serious obstruction. You simply pick up the improvised filter to clear the pipe during your regular roofing maintenance checks. Easy does it, right? Trim Trees Once you see branches creeping closely towards your guttering and downpipes, schedule a trim within the week. Don’t wait until the leaves are touching or are over your Colorbond roofing before you decide to do anything about it. Prevention is key, as it saves you a lot of future hassles. If you don’t have any vines, trees, or some other leafy shrub but your neighbor does, consider offering your help in trimming the branches that creep into your property to ensure the leaves don’t get into your gutter types. This is a good way of establishing good relations with homeowners living nearby. Who knows, they may also volunteer to do a good turn for you someday. Undertake Gutter Maintenance Regularly It’s inevitable. Once in a while, you have to take your trusty ladder and get yourself up there to see how your “rain catchers” are doing and clear up the troughs so water can flow freely. The closer your maintenance intervals, the easier it is and the quicker you get this job done as there is less debris to deal with. How often you do the de-clogging will depend on the density of foliage in your area. If there’s a lot of it where you live, for example, then you’ll have to do it weekly, especially during fall. Install Gutter Guards You can improvise with mesh wire. However, this is still bound to get clogged as the leaves get caught in the gaps in between the wires and need to be cleared every so often. Instead, go for those that nearly cover the whole opening of your guttering and leave just enough space for water to flow through. Strong Life includes Free Gutter Guards with every installation of guttering and downpipes. To get a no-obligation FREE Quote, call 03 9310 4455 right now!

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