Marc Roy

A homeowners guide to concrete driveway maintenance

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Concrete is a great choice for a driveway. It may be more expensive but it is worth the investment: it is durable, works well for warm climates and offers more options when it comes to aesthetics (you can choose from a selection of several finishes, colors and patterns). It lasts longer too and you can enjoy it for decades!

If you opt for a concrete driveway and you wish to have it for as long as possible, you need to know how to properly maintain it. Here are some tips to help you with concrete driveway maintenance.

concrete driveway

Cleaning and Stain Removal

Proper maintenance starts with cleaning. Cleaning your concrete driveway occasionally is a must to keep it in good shape. Know that exposure to the elements and any debris can compromise the quality of the concrete, so you need to take time to clean your driveway.

How often should you clean? Frequency of cleaning will depend on two things: weather and vehicle traffic. The latter is a more important consideration as it contributes to the staining of the concrete. Know that as durable as concrete is, it is porous and easily absorbs fluids. This is why you need to take care of stains as soon as possible. Of course, tire tracks can also be a problem. Hence, if you have more vehicle traffic, you will need to clean the driveway more often. [Read more…]

Buyer beware: Signs that a home may have foundation problems

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Home-buyers often make a lengthy list of must-haves and deal-breakers for their realtor when they start their search for a new home. Hand-chiseled hardwood floors, slab granite, outdoor space and roomy open floor plans are popular today. One thing that rarely shows up on that list is a solid, properly built and well-maintained foundation. But most builders and real estate experts would agree that the foundation is perhaps the most important feature in every home.

There are many things that can damage a concrete foundation. If a structure is not built properly on the slab, the shifting frame could damage the foundation. As you examine any home you’re considering buying, look for external cracks in the foundation and on the sides of the home. Loose bricks, damage to exterior surfaces and windows that are sagging could be indications that the house is in trouble.

foundation problems

Specific signs

There are some obvious signs that a home has foundation problems and some more subtle indications that a home may be in need of professional foundation repair. A few additional tips to help home-buyers spot those telltale signs are listed below.

Cracking sheetrock. Cracks along the ceiling and wall joints and large vertical cracks in the paint or wallpaper are signs that the walls are shifting. A faulty foundation might be the culprit.

Bowed walls. Walls that have a bow-shaped protrusion meaning they are flatter at the ceiling and floor than in the middle is a sign that a house is settling unevenly, probably due to foundation problems.

Loose paneling and trim. Look for baseboard trim and ceiling molding that is separating from the wall. Loose nails in paneling and broken trim work might be a sign of old age and abuse or a sign that the house is not stable.

Uneven floors. When you tour a home, bring a marble with you and roll it set in the floor. Take note of whether the marble rolls across the room. If so, that means the home has uneven floors that might be a result of foundation problems. [Read more…]

Great Picture Frame Concepts

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Are you feeling fed up with the wall decorations in your home? Quality picture frames will solve all your issues and using various picture frames on the walls can be described as one of the finest home decorating options. There is a lot of fun involved in selecting picture frames and another important aspect about these types of frames is that they are extremely cost effective. They come in different colours, styles and sizes and a careful selection will enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home at its best. Several materials are being used to make these frames and they include aluminium, hard wood or soft wood and polystyrene.

picture frames decor

These types of frames can be used for a variety of purposes and choosing the best one should be done according to your own taste, attitude and budget. When you are searching for a photo frame to keep wedding photographs you will have to select a silver-plated photo frame and for decorating glamorous occasions like wedding anniversaries, different types of metallic frames can be used as well. Budget-conscious people can opt for artistic picture frames created with large matting, surrounding a smaller photo and the additional space available can be used to sign dedications and names. Portrait frames, poster frames and landscape can also be described as cost effective and they can be mounted on the wall or hung from anywhere in the room. [Read more…]

How to decorate your home in a Minimalistic Style

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The mantra of minimalistic styling is simplicity. Every decor depends on certain features that are essential to the decor. But it is not essential to pack your home with various decorative items in order to give it a distinct look and character. This approach to decoration involves moving out as many items as possible and leaving the basic layout as the main point of attraction. Open floor plans serve as ideal models for this type of design. Minimalistic decoration, when set with functional design, can feature decorative characteristics that accent a space without overpowering it. A few essential features of this type of decor are:

Absence of focal points

One of the main features of minimalistic decor is to avoid any focal point in a room. The decor must be set in a manner so that no particular feature gets highlighted in a room. For instance, if a fireplace exists in your living room, then let it be the point of interest. Nothing should be added to it. The mantle must be given a nude look and must not be loaded with interesting figurines and photos of family members. If you happen to have a simple couch in the room, then placing a few simple pillows on it will make the room interesting in a minimalistic manner. The main thing is that the couch, the fire place and all other features of the room must share an equal level of interest.

Minimalistic Style

Curtains, panels and dividers

Doors are not a highly appreciated thing in a minimalistic decor. A sparse look is always better represented by eliminating the doors altogether and merging the rooms into one singular room. If you want to divide spaces in a home then curtains are a great help. The quality of the fabric depends on your needs. Sheer curtains can be used to demarcate an area while bold color curtains can be used for privacy. In case of bedrooms, a wooden or bamboo divider can be used to separate a room into two halves. [Read more…]