Create a Relaxing Patio

Outdoor living spaces should be an extension of your home in that they are comforting and welcoming. Time on the patio with family and friends offers fresh air and a break from screen time and electronics. To encourage your family to take advantage of outdoor living spaces, here are some tips to create a relaxing patio.

Accessorize to Create a Relaxing Patio

Make the patio more interesting by adding a fire pit or water fountain. A fire pit provides extra warmth on cool nights so that the patio is usable all year, and the sounds of water are relaxing and calming.

Install Outdoor Lighting

Enjoy your patio even after dark by adding outdoor lighting. You might choose candles, paraffin torches, string lights, or install post lighting or solar-powered stake lights. Indirect lighting is cozy and makes your patio feel welcoming at night.

Add a Hot Tub to Create a Relaxing Patio

A hot tub is nice after a long, hard day at work. Not only does it relieve stress, but it also provides health benefits like increased blood flow and muscle relaxation. When adding a hot tub to your patio or backyard deck, first make sure the foundation is sturdy enough to support its weight. When full, hot tubs can weigh nearly two tons.

Build Up

Build a structure on your patio to add drama and height. A gazebo makes any space feel more luxurious, whether attached to a deck, installed by the pool, or added to the landscape. Use your gazebo for outdoor dining or lounging.

Another option is a pergola. You can find plans online and build a pergola in a weekend or two, or hire a professional to construct it for you. A pergola provides shade while still allowing light into the area, making your outdoor living spaces more comfortable.

Create a Relaxing Patio with Comfortable Furniture

When selecting furniture for your patio, choose comfortable options that encourage family and friends to spend time there. You can find wrought iron, plastic, and wooden furniture options. Add throw pillows and seat cushions to make the space even cozier.

Add Shade

The patio will be even more pleasant when there’s space to escape from the heat of the sun. Provide shade for the area by planting trees that will grow to block the sun. Other options include using a patio umbrella and installing a sun shade sail or retractable awning.

Beautiful Outdoor Living Spaces

Take your patio décor a step further by adding texture and color to the area. Use brick or tile as a flooring surface. Add pots with bold flowers and plant a container herb garden. Greenery helps bring life to the patio. Hang baskets of flowers or install a trellis and add vining plants.

It’s important that we have spaces where we can relax, unwind, and spend time with family and friends. Use these ideas to create an attractive and functional patio that you can enjoy for years to come.

Inspect it Like a Woman, LLC offers home inspections in Central Florida. Contact us to request an appointment.

March 18, 2021

Places to Look for Water Damage in Your Home

Community, Home Maintenance, Homeowners

Water can cause serious issues in your home. Mildew and mold growth occurs when there is excess moisture or humidity in a space. Water can also cause building materials to deteriorate and compromise the structural integrity of your home. Here are some of the places to look for water damage in your home.

Water Damage in Your Home can Occur Between the Bathtub and Wall

The purpose of the caulk in your bathroom is to keep water from seeping between the tub and the wall. Moisture issues in that space can damage the materials supporting the bathtub and cause mold growth. If the caulk is aging, it will be discolored, brittle, and beginning to crack. A good caulking job will last up to 10 years, but eventually, it will need to be replaced.

Basement Drywall May be Affected by Water

In the case of flooding, water can damage walls and floors. Basement drywall may be affected by water from flooding, burst pipes, overflowing gutters, and other major plumbing leaks. If you experience any type of flooding, remove damaged drywall, thoroughly dry the area, and replace the drywall with new materials to help prevent mold growth.

Look for Water Damage in Your Attic

You may notice dark streaks or stains on wooden beams and damp insulation in the attic if your roof is leaking. These signs of water damage indicate issues with the roofing materials. While you’re inspecting the attic, check for sunlight showing through the roof. If you’re able to see light, this means that water can also find its way inside your home. Call a roofing professional to assess the roofing and make repairs.

Beneath the Sink

Check under your kitchen and bathroom sinks for signs of leaks. You may notice damp walls, damaged cabinetry, or a puddle of water beneath the pipe. Damage can occur when the sink leaks from the gasket under the strainer or when water drips from the drain pipe or water line.

Water Damage On Ceilings or Walls of Your Home

Water stains on your walls or ceiling are more obvious than water damage hiding elsewhere in your home. When plumbing or roofing leaks occur, the moisture generally causes visible marks inside the house. You may see brown or yellow stains or streaks. These indicate a moisture problem that needs to be assessed and fixed.

Behind the Siding

Rainwater can seep behind the siding on your home. Depending on the amount of flooding, the sheathing, insulation, and drywall can become damaged. The most common cause of water damage under the siding is gutters that are clogged and overflowing. Keep your home’s gutters clean to help prevent water damage.

Inspect it Like a Woman, LLC offers home inspection services in Central Florida. Contact us to request an appointment.

February 19, 2021

The 4 Point Inspection, Explained

Community, Home Inspection, Homeowners

When purchasing a home, your homeowners insurance company may require you to have a 4 point inspection before they’ll insure your home. These requests are common, especially if you’re buying a house that was built over 40 years ago. A 4 point inspection isn’t as thorough as a full home inspection, but it includes some of the most important components.

The HVAC System is Included in a 4 Point Inspection

A new HVAC system can cost tens of thousands of dollars, so a company writing an insurance policy for your home wants a report on its condition. Also, the conditioned air and ventilation that this system provides help prevent mold growth in the home. For this reason, some companies won’t insure a home without a working HVAC system.

Roof

The roof’s condition is critical because it affects everything beneath it. If the roof leaks, it will cause water damage to the attic, ceilings, walls, and support beams. Excess water and moisture also lead to mold growth. Because the roof protects so many other materials and systems, the insurance provider wants to verify that the roof is sound and without significant issues.

Plumbing

A faulty plumbing system is one of the most common causes of flooding and water damage. The insurance company wants to know what type of plumbing pipes are in the home and what condition they are in. For instance, polybutylene piping that was commonly used throughout the 80s and 90s is susceptible to bursting. Insurance companies may deny coverage or omit water damage coverage upon finding out that the pipes are made from this material.

A 4 Point Inspection Inspects the Electrical System

Electrical problems pose a hazard to the home and its inhabitants. The electrical system should be in good shape for your own personal safety and the insurance company wants to know that the house is not a risk for an electrical fire. A total loss from a house fire means a big payout from the insurance company, and the goal is to mitigate this possibility.

Inspect it Like a Woman, LLC offers home inspection services, including 4 point inspections, in Central Florida. Contact us to request an appointment.

January 21, 2021

6 Reasons to Order a Pre-listing Inspection for Your Home

Community, Home Inspection, Homeowners

If you are planning to put your home on the market, there are some steps you can take to attract more buyers and simplify the process. When you work closely with a real estate agent, they’ll offer tips to help you sell quickly and avoid common problems. One of the things your agent may recommend is that you order a pre-listing inspection for your home.

Smoother Negotiating with a Pre-listing Inspection

By ordering an inspection before you put your home on the market, you’ll get helpful information on the condition of the property. You’ll learn about any issues so that you can make repairs or price the house accordingly. This means the buyer’s inspection won’t reveal any surprises before closing. You can easily turn down any low-ball offer and have confidence in your asking price.

Avoid Surprises

With almost any real estate transaction, the buyer will order a home inspection. One of the main reasons to have a pre-listing inspection first is to avoid being surprised by the buyer’s inspection report. This will also prevent the closing date from getting delayed, as can happen if negotiations and repairs need to be made.

Significant issues with the property might cause some buyers to withdraw their offer. The pre-listing inspection gives you time to make repairs before the property goes on the market, so you know the home is in good condition and ready to sell.

Offer Buyer Confidence

Pre-listing home inspections help a potential buyer feel more confident because your report will detail the true condition of the property. A buyer will see the inspection as a sign that you’re transparent and you care about the home and the sales process. It gives the buyer peace of mind, which may prevent them from having second thoughts before the closing date.

Price Your Home Correctly with a Pre-Listing Inspection

Having better insight into your home’s condition makes it easier to price the property fairly. If the roof needs to be replaced or the heater is at the end of its lifespan, you can take into consideration the cost of repairs when determining the asking price.

Take Care of Repairs

Ordering an inspection before the home goes on the market gives you enough time to make repairs before potential buyers begin touring your property.

Repair leaky faucets, fix the missing shingles on the roof, and install a new handrail on the staircase. Because you are handling the repairs, you also get to choose the contractor instead of having to use the contractor the buyer wants to hire. Completing the repairs yourself will also help you save money on repair costs.

Better Marketing

You’ll be able to market your home better with a pre-listing inspection because you can promote the benefits of the property in your listing. Your inspector may tell you that the HVAC unit is in great shape or the roof is still in good condition, which you can share in your listing to attract more buyers.

If you’re putting your house on the market, order a pre-listing inspection to better understand the condition of the property. You will go into the process with the information you need for a successful sale.