With the nuptials and honeymoon in the rearview mirror, you and your spouse must now turn your collective attention to more pressing aspects of everyday life. For many couples, the first order of business is working on their home. You and your partner should put together a checklist for renovation projects if you have an older home. Check out the renovation recommendations highlighted in this article and consider pursuing them as well.
Cesspool Issues
These days, households that aren’t connected to larger sewage networks often use septic tanks to manage waste. We used the word “often” because many older homes haven’t switched to septic tanks just yet. You may still be using a cesspool due to a lack of funds or unfamiliarity with your household’s septic system.
Cesspools and septic tanks differ from one another in terms of how they handle household waste. Septic tanks separate solid and liquid waste and prep them for additional treatment. Meanwhile, cesspools only store household waste and offer no treatment whatsoever.
Regular septic system maintenance is required for any household, but it’s even more important for folks who rely on cesspools. A cesspool fills up faster because it doesn’t process any of the waste it receives. You should get cesspool pumping done regularly to ensure your sewage doesn’t overflow.
The necessary frequency of pumping will depend mainly on factors like the size of the container and how many people are in your household. Ask a professional to check your cesspool after a month of regular use. Some cesspools already require pumping at that point, so it would be best to get ahead of a potential problem. Put cesspool pumping right near the top of your checklist for renovation projects.
Pole Barn
Whether you’re building a new home or additional structures to support your livestock and crops, you should consider utilizing pole barn construction. For those unfamiliar with the term, pole barn construction is a building method that relies on poles and beams. Instead of a foundation, pole barn structures use poles to generate stability.
Some people prefer pole barn construction because they’re more affordable than the alternative. Professionals can also set these structures up quickly. Using this building method, you can get your barn or greenhouse ready in no time. Even pole barn homes can be built in a relatively short amount of time.
Your checklist for renovation projects should include speaking with the zoning board in your neighborhood to confirm if pole barn structures are allowed. If they are allowed, you can reach out to the best pole barn builder in your area and start designing your project. Work closely with your builder to ensure the final product aligns with your vision.
Basement Drainage
The basement is an often neglected part of the home. Many homeowners forget about their basements because they don’t use them often. They have the space open but never bothered to do anything with it.
While leaving a basement unutilized is an issue in and of itself, there is another matter that should be of greater concern to homeowners. Due to its position within the home, the basement is highly susceptible to water damage. Establishing proper basement drainage should be high on your list checklist for renovation projects because your home may suffer significant damage without it.
Basement damage may be caused by extreme weather and improper grading. It could also be related to wear and tear. Regardless of why your basement has sustained, you need to address it somehow.
Contact basement drainage system services in your area and request assistance. Ask them to install a French drain that can move water away from your home. If installing a French drain is not an option, they can use drain tiles and sump pumps to resolve your basement draining issues. Identify whichever solution works and set it up inside your basement.
Roofing Improvements
Taking care of your roofing is an essential part of your responsibilities as a homeowner. So many lingering issues may emerge as a result of your inability to take proper care of your roof. Do not omit roof care from your checklist for renovation projects.
For starters, you should check if your roof needs repairs or potential replacement. Inspect your roof for missing shingles or sagging points that are often indicators of significant damage. Replacement may also be necessary if your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan. Roofs made from composite and asphalt shingles typically have the shortest lifespans.
Let’s assume that your roof is still in good condition. Do you still need to call a local roofer at that point? Calling a roofer still makes sense in that scenario because you may be missing out on critical upgrades.
Speak to a local roofer and discuss switching to more efficient shingles. Your roofer can also install new insulation if you’re experiencing excessive heat transfer through that part of your home. They can also install new hardware that will direct rainwater away from your roof.
Septic System
Earlier, we discussed the difference between cesspools and septic tanks. We already talked about cesspools, so let’s use this section to highlight septic tank maintenance. Because septic tanks play a more active role in waste management, monthly pumping is not required. Because of that, you can put septic tank cleaning lower on your checklist for renovation projects.
So, how often should a septic tank undergo maintenance? According to the EPA, a septic system should be inspected at least once every three years by a professional. The agency also recommends hiring a local septic cleaner once every three to five years. Just like with cesspools, factors like the size of the septic tank and the number of people inside your household will determine the recommended pumping frequency.
Of course, you don’t have to wait that long to request maintenance. You should call a local cleaner if your water fixtures are draining slowly and producing foul odors. Sewage backing up through your fixtures is also an obvious sign that you need immediate septic tank pumping. Grass and plants looking extra green above your septic tank are additional signs telling you to conduct maintenance.
Garage Upgrades
While putting together your checklist for renovation projects, it may not occur to you to write down garage upgrades. That’s understandable because the garage is often treated as a secondary part of the home. Many only worry about it when they’re done resolving other household issues.
Although your reasoning is sound, you should know that handling your garage that way can cost you a lot of money. Poorly designed garages can prevent HVAC systems from operating efficiently. Taking that approach to your garage also jeopardizes your property value.
Instead of overlooking your garage, you should make a renewed commitment to improving it. Start by installing a garage door that adds practical and aesthetic value. Pair that with the best garage door opener, and you have an additional asset to sell potential buyers down the line.
Laying down some concrete flooring inside your garage is a great idea. Make your new garage floor easier to maintain by sealing it. You can also upgrade your garage by installing some new insulation. Insulate the ceiling, walls, and the panels on the garage door to prevent disproportionate heat transfer.
Bathroom Remodel
Depending on the current state of your bathroom, remodeling could end up pretty high or somewhat low on your checklist for renovation projects. Bathroom remodeling should be your priority if you’ve noticed plumbing problems. Call a plumbing service and ask them to resolve the issues with your plumbing system.
Requesting the aid of a plumber is also recommended if you plan to change your bathroom’s layout. Ask the plumber to check where the key fixtures are before you start moving things around. Your new layout may not be feasible until you change the positioning of your fixtures. Let the plumber handle that job before you move forward with other aspects of your remodeling project.
Aside from changing its layout, you can also improve your bathroom by updating its flooring and lighting. Install anti-slip floor tiles to prevent accidents. Natural light fixtures and LEDs can improve the lighting situation inside your bathroom.
Don’t forget to upgrade your water fixtures. Get a low-flow toilet that uses less water so you can cut down on waste. Upgrading to new faucets can also lower your monthly water bills considerably.
Landscaping
Your checklist for renovation projects should go beyond your home. Improving the area around your property is also a must if you want to tap into your property’s full potential. Certain landscaping improvements can make a huge difference for your property, both short and long-term.
Before adding new elements to your outdoor landscape, you should first consider removing some elements first. Trees in poor health are no longer assets. They will simply lure pests to your property and give them a home. Contact tree removal companies in your area and extract those elements from your property before moving forward with other changes.
Consider adding more plants to replace the old trees. Consult experts to determine which plants will thrive on your property. You can also build pathways that go all over your yard. Those pathways will protect your plants and make your yard easier to navigate.
Comfort-focused backyard additions are also worth pursuing. Build a covered patio that you can use for outdoor dining. Fire pits can also be terrific additions. Ignite those fire pits during winter nights while you’re hanging out with friends and family.
You can also make a swimming pool the focal point of your revamped outdoor landscape. Build your pool using luxurious materials to maximize its appearance and longevity. Jets and additional lighting can take your swimming pool to the next level.
HVAC System
No matter where you live, you need a functioning HVAC system. Look into replacing it if your HVAC system is getting up there in age. Speak to HVAC experts in your area and ask for advice regarding the ideal system for your home. Evaluate your options based on their efficiency and ability to provide consistent performance.
Air conditioning installation is a task best left to professionals. Even minors made during installation can jeopardize the longevity of your HVAC system. You may also fail to recognize issues that can hamper its performance.
If your existing HVAC system is still in good condition, you can focus more on maintenance. Make sure your checklist for renovations includes regular cleaning. Similar to installation, only experts should work on cleaning your HVAC system.
When it comes to HVAC maintenance, you cannot devote your attention solely to the unit itself. Remember that it’s a system, so keeping your ductwork in good condition is also a must. Schedule regular ductwork inspections to ensure your HVAC system works optimally.
Driveway
Last but not least, let’s discuss different ways to improve your driveway. Years of continuous usage can take a toll on that part of your home. After inspecting your driveway, you may find it is covered in cracks and other forms of damage. That’s why driveway repairs should be included in your checklist for renovation projects.
Call asphalt paving services and ask them to lay down some new material for your driveway. Cover your driveway with a new layer of asphalt to ensure it remains safe to navigate at all times. You can also take this opportunity to change the layout of your driveway. Change its positioning so it’s easier to reach from your garage.
You can also turn your driveway into an asset for your property by updating its appearance. Use stamped concrete to give your driveway a more refined appearance. Laying down a driveway made of different materials makes it visually and texturally more appealing. Remember to add some drainage features to your driveway to counter potential flooding.
Mark the start of your marriage by transforming the home you will share with your spouse. Go through the checklist for renovations we detailed here so you can get organized quickly. Give us a call today, and we’ll help you complete those renovations!
