Categories » Home Improvement And DIY 

Article: Many homeowners are discovering advantages to buying homes that are in various stages of completion,

............ from bare walls and foundation to almost but not quite finished. Instead of hiring professionals to complete the house, some amateur do-it-yourselfers learn how to perform basic home building skills- drywalling, painting, floor finishing, etc. As long as the work meets standard building codes, a homeowner can often see substantial savings over the same work performed by licensed professionals. But not every task is suitable for a competent but fledgling do-it-yourselfer. Due to the specialized skills required to do the job, or the unusual safety hazards inherent in the work, you may have no other choice but to call in the professionals to make sure the job is done safely and properly.

Here are a few situations where you will most likely need to call in the professionals for a home repair job.

1. Electrical wiring bigger than a standard outlet. Some homeowners do feel confident enough to install ceiling fans or replace standard electrical outlets. As long as the power supply is definitely turned off, such repairs are relatively simple and safe. But if you have problems with a 220 volt direct line to your air conditioner or electric oven, you should turn the job over to a licensed electrician. More than likely, the 220 connection is wired directly into a circuit breaker, which means that a homeowner without the proper testing equipment could never be assured that the power is completely cut off. Standard 110 household current can still cause a substantial shock, but 220 or above will definitely create a hole in next year's family album. Leave repairs of the circuit breakers themselves to professionals or the utility company.

Also, if you do choose to purchase a home that is left incomplete, make sure that the electricians have at least performed the 'rough-ins' that you will need for future connections. You may be skilled enough to make many of the later connections, but you will still need a professional's knowledge of building code requirements for electrical outlets and conduits.

2. Brickwork that is not merely decorative should be done by professionals only. At first glance, brickwork may appear to be one of the easiest construction jobs around- repetitive, simple designs and few tools. But as any professional bricklayer will tell you, the job can be overloaded with dangers. If you are working on a fairly straightforward decorative brickwork around a fireplace or as a base for an outdoor barbecue, you may encounter few problems- a crooked layer here or a slight tilt there. But any brickwork that involves a load-bearing wall or unusual angles or height should be left to professional bricklayers and masons. Small deviations from plumb may be okay for a backyard grill, but could cause an entire wall to collapse if unchecked. Professionals have the proper tools and techniques to prevent collapse due to improper alignment. If the job involves load-bearing structures, installation procedures must be followed to the letter, which usually means leaving the project in the hands of experienced workers.

3. Plumbing. Many do-it-yourselfers discover that simple plumbing repairs are completely within their scope of ability. Replacing a leaky toilet, for example, is an involved process but not overly complicated. Pipes for drains and sinks are standard sizes, and will come off with traditional wrenches without much effort. Many drainage problems can be solved with 'over the counter' products such as chemical clog removers and pipe cleaners. But the relative ease of these repairs can lull an inexperienced do-it-yourselfer into a false sense of security. Flooding and excessive water damage can be two of many problems associated with improper plumbing repairs. Much like electricity, you can't always be sure that all the connections are closed before you begin a major repair. Any plumbing job that involves a broken pipe that you can't see or reach should be handled by professionals. They have several methods of finding hidden breaks in pipes, and know how to repair them with little collateral damage. Any connection problems with the main line to the outside water supply should be handled by professionals or utility crews. One mistake could affect many other customers. Also, any drainage problem that is not cured by one or two applications of a commercial drain cleaner should be reported to the pros. You'll need to have some pipes snaked out or have the drains inspected for blockages. Professional plumbers have the right tools to do a thorough cleaning, not the temporary fix that a do-it-yourselfer might achieve on their own.

4. Gas lines are strictly for the pros. If you use natural gas for cooking or heating, you may feel comfortable with relighting the pilot light in a gas water heater or oven, but anything past that should be handled by the professionals. If a gas leak occurs, your only course of action is to evacuate the house and notify the gas company immediately. The longer you remain in the house looking for the leak, the more dangerous it can become. Turn off an obvious source, like an unlit stove eye, only if you can do it on the way out the door with everyone else. Houses contain a few hidden ignition sources, so the safest place to be is out of the line of fire literally. Let the gas company know if you suspect where the leak may be coming from or what steps you may have taken to correct the problem, but let them enter the house alone.

5. Roofing repairs. Do-it-yourselfers often save tremendous amounts of money by doing their own roof work. Once the roof has been properly raised and installed, shingling and other details are relatively easy jobs to perform, although somewhat dangerous due to the height and very uncomfortable because of the heat from above and below. If you are very comfortable with heights and are competent with shingling techniques, this is one project a do-it-yourselfer can probably do on his own. But roofing repairs that involve working at extreme heights or dangerous angles should be left to professionals. Much like a bricklayer, a roofer depends on levels and plumblines for success. If a roof is too far out of true, then it stands a good chance of collapse. Any repairs to the structure of the roof should be left to those who can accurately measure the proper angles needed for loadbearing. Routine repair work such as shingle replacement and even cutting out holes for skylines and vents can still be accomplished by competent do-it-yourselfers, but anything involving the actual frame of the roof should be handled by professional roofers.

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NEWS ARTICLE: Need a re-roof - Think again ! by John Liles.

Is your home protected?

Many home owners do not realise just how much of their hard earned money is disapearing through the roof. Research shows that up to 40% of heat loss is because the roof or loft space is not insulated properly. New regulations aim to combat this but they only relate to new builds and loft conversions so older homes are still suffering. Typical problems are nail fatigue, slipped and broken slates or tiles, condensation, crumbling back pointing, torn roof felt or even no roof felt at all! When a roof starts to leak is about the time most people decide to address the problem, usualy deciding to re-roof the whole property.

There is an alternate.

Spray Polyurethane Foam is a product that has been around in the UK for over 20 years, yet most home owners are still unaware of the advantages of this system over a re-roof. It is suitable for application to any kind of roof structure, whether flat or pitched. This process restores and extends the life of the roof.

Polyurethane foam is a superior insulator than traditional methods.

"U" FACTOR represents the measurement of the amount of heat which passes through a composite of materials (U heat loss). Typical foam thickness used in the encapsulation of domestic roofing materials achieves the following U values: 20mm ..... ..... ..... U Value = .98 40mm ..... ..... ..... U Value = .52 70mm ..... ..... ..... U Value = .29 The lower the U-value the greater the heat retention. At a spray foam thickness of 40mm, there would be a need to incorporate the listed materials by the given percentage increase to achieve a comparable U-value and therefore the same degree of insulation. Polystyrene ..... 64mm ..... ( 60%) Mineral Fibre ..... 72mm ..... ( 80%) Cork ..... ..... 80mm ..... (100%) Cellular Glass 88mm ..... (120%)

Initially applied in a liquid form it expands to 20 times its original size and seals any unwanted air ingress. This locks the independent tiles into one solid structure, cutting heat loss by up to 80% and only adding 2Kg/m2 in weight to the roof. It ensures that the roof is more resistant to storms and gales preventing the ingress of wind driven dust, rain and snow. Spray Foam Insulation has the same breath-ability and combustibility as wood. It meets BS476 Part 1 Surface Spread of Flame. It does not present a fire risk and is also BBA approved. This Eco-friendly product is used and endorsed by local Councils, Health Authorities, commerce, industry and the domestic user throughout the UK.

So, before you decide on an expensive and disruptive re-roof take a look at Polyurethane Spray Foam Insulation, you will be surprised just how cost effective and affordable it realy is.

About the Author

John Liles is a damp proofing consultant based in the UK and founder of JML Associates. John gives advice to thousands of home owners on insulation, roof insulation, wall coatings, block paving sealants and damp proofing.

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ARTICLE: An Introduction to Waterproofing Systems by Peter Emerson.

Many homeowners find it necessary to invest in a waterproofing system for their home, especially if their home has a basement or cellar. In modern home developments, it is often required by state or local regulations to have a waterproofing system installed before the completion of the home. Without the proper installation of a waterproofing system, your home is at risk for water damage. In some areas, black mold is a frightful health concern. A good waterproofing system can help minimize water damage and the growth of black mold in prone areas. Other factors to consider when implementing a waterproofing system are the climate, landscape, weather and terrain of the area.

Why do basements leak? Basements can leak for a multitude of reasons. Water can build up because of cracks in walls or the floor, improperly installed or no footer tiles, pressure build up from the floor or walls, leaks from sweating basement pipes and leaks from basement windows, and for many other reasons as well. Mold is a dead giveaway that your basement has leakage or condensation problems. In cases of mold, it is imperative that you seek a professional installer for your waterproofing system.

Roof leakage is another common reason to turn to waterproofing. Spray polyurethane waterproofing is a popular method for waterproofing roofs and has been a top choice in roof maintenance for more than 35 years. Waterproofing/leak prevention and insulation value, better compressive strength, lightweight, durable and long lasting effects are why many homeowners choose the spray polyurethane waterproofing method.

Polyurethane foam is sprayed in the cracks and crevices of your roof. Once applied, the foam expands to more than 30 times its normal size and dries into a very hard compound. The foam dries in a short time and provides a long-lasting, weather resistant coating. Because it is a very lightweight material, many homeowners and contractors recommend it for both large and small jobs.

Before applying a spray polyurethane-waterproofing compound, it is important to prepare your roof for the application. Your roof needs to be clean, dry and free from any environmental contaminants in order for the foam to be properly applied. Most modern polyurethane waterproofing foams are long lasting. You can expect a properly applied coating to last anywhere between 10 and 15 years. In some cases, it has been reported that this foam has lasted for up to 50 years.

About the Author

Waterproofing Info provides detailed information on waterproofing systems, including injection waterproofing, foundation waterproofing, concrete waterproofing, deck waterproofing, basement waterproofing, and waterproofing basement walls, as well as waterproofing contractors and consultants. Waterproofing Info is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink.