Sources of Water Damage

Today we're talking about leaks and water damage. Our reader asks;

"I know that there are a lot of things that can cause water damage but what are the biggest ones? How can I prevent them from being a problem?"

Water damage can happen very quickly and seemingly without warning

It's true that there are almost unlimited sources for water damage, leaks and flooding can come from almost anywhere. However, the key to preventing most water damage incidents is in maintenance and observation.

Two huge sources of flooding are burst pipes and broken appliances. Visually checking pipes for signs of damage and making sure any exterior pipes are insulated can help prevent this. Worn and damaged pipes can get progressively worse over time and uninsulated pipes can freeze and burst. Regularly inspect appliance water supply lines for signs of damage and to make sure they aren't becoming dislodged at all.

Roof leaks are another common source of water damage. Always inspect the roof at least twice a year. In Sierra Vista, before and after monsoon season are good times to perform these checks, this will help to identify and repair any damage before the summer rains come and then identify any damage that the storms may have caused.

While there is any number of other possible causes for water damage in a home in addition to those listed above, the best method for prevention is to make sure that the home is properly maintained. Addressing potential problems before they cause damage is always easier (and less expensive) than trying to clean up the damage of a water disaster.

What to Know When Hiring a Contractor

Be Cautious of "Cash Up Front" Requirements

Some jobs are simply beyond the scope of the average homeowner. Whether the size is too big, or requires specialized equipment or experience, there are some things that most homeowners need to call in a professional for.

When hiring a contractor, most homeowners find themselves faced with a number of different companies they can choose from. Each of these companies will do nearly everything they can to convince a homeowner that they are the best choice for the job. This may be done trying to convince the homeowner that the company has the best quality work or materials, or that they're the least expensive or even that they can complete a project in the shortest amount of time. While each of these approaches will appeal to different customers there may still be some important things that the homeowner doesn't know, doesn't even know to ask, and may not be volunteered by some contractors.

If you are looking at hiring a contractor for remodeling a room, performing home repairs or doing just about any other work on or around your property, do you know what information you need to know about your contractor?

The first, and perhaps most obvious, question to ask is if the contractor is properly licensed. There are different types of licenses, such as commercial or residential licenses or licenses for specialized types of work as a few examples, and it is important that the contractor has the correct one for your project.

Get quotes from multiple contractors, particularly on large jobs. Be cautious of any contractor who is significantly lower than any others, this can be a sign that the contractor is cutting corners and may not actually be properly insured or keeping all his licenses up to date.

Always get the ROC (Registrar of Contractors) number of the contractor prior to signing any agreement. This will allow you to look up their license online to make sure that it's up to date and see if they've had any complaints against them. Alternately, you can look them up by business name prior to even meeting with them.

Please refer to the ROC website for more information on the Arizona Registrar of Contractors and their consumer tips and information when hiring a contractor as well as a video on hiring a contractor. To get your home renovation or improvement project started with a licensed, bonded and insured contractor in Sierra Vista, Arizona, visit mrfixitsv.com or call Mr. Fix It of Sierra Vista, LLC at 520-227-8194 today!

Six Home Improvements to Increase Property Value

Any time you are thinking of starting a home improvement project it's important to know what kind of return you can expect for it. Some remodeling projects will make your home more enjoyable to live in but will not do much in terms of raising the actual property. This may be absolutely fine if you like your home and have no intention of moving any time soon but if there's even a possibility of the property going on the market it's important to know what kind of return you can expect from the investment.

This reader is looking to get the most bang for their buck:

"I'm planning to move in the next six months or so and I want to make some improvements to my home before I put it on the market, what can I do that will actually let me raise my asking price?"

Here are 6 areas you can look at improving that will show you an increase in property value, actual percentage of return can vary.

6) Deck - Building a deck can be a good home addition. Returns usually range 65%-90% with 73% being a safe amount. This is an improvement that can vary a lot depending on what materials are chosen and the complexity. A nice deck will also provide a good selling point for a home and will help it to stand out.

5) Windows - The addition of energy efficient windows can generate a return of 60%-90% with 80% or 81% being most common depending on the type of window being used. On top of the increase to property value, this is an improvement that will result in a savings in energy costs and may qualify for tax rebates.

4) Adding a room - While the actual addition of a room will add square footage and improve the property value, it can be very expensive and usually results in returns between 50%-83%. However, a more cost effective alternative may be to transform an existing space into a living area. Most common methods for this involve remodeling a basement or attic. If these aren't an option then closing in an attached garage or Arizona room may be a good way to go.

3) Siding - Installation of vinyl siding can show a return as high as 89% - 94%. The highest returns will be seen in cases where the existing siding is very old or there is none. This can be a good time to evaluate your current insulation, adding this as an upgrade can help lower your heating and cooling costs which will improve the long term returns.

A nice kitchen adds value but be careful with high end upgrades.

2) Kitchen - This room is considered to be the home's heart. Improvements here can not only raise the property value but increase the likelihood of the property selling. Return on investment figures estimate that you can recoup 60%-120% of the remodeling costs with a 98% return being very common. As a point of caution though, in most homes, an expensive, high end remodel isn't as likely to get as high of a return as a mid-range one, especially when it doesn't fit with the home or is unusually expensive for the neighborhood. Generally speaking, a modest improvement in this area will give the highest return. Consider updating appliances, adding fresh paint, updating cabinet hardware, replacing old faucets, a new counter top or updating the lighting to get the biggest return for the money you spend and give your kitchen a real "wow" factor.

The best bang for your buck is in the bathroom.

1) Bathroom - Remodeling a bathroom or adding a new one, particularly if your home only has one bathroom, generally provides the highest return on investment. It is estimated that 80%-130% of the costs associated with a project like this can be recouped and 101% is considered a realistic return on many projects. Turning an extra room or other unused space into a new bathroom can take some time and be costly if there aren't water supply lines nearby already so be careful when choosing a location. Improvements that will provide the best return include tile flooring, tile surround for the tub/shower, adding a recessed medicine cabinet with lighting, updating hardware and updating faucets.

While some of these projects, or at least parts of them, can be done by the average home owner. For improvements beyond your ability though it's a good idea to find a skilled general contractor.

Stuck on Stucco

Today's reader asks a question that may be a pretty common one among homeowners in this area, particularly those with older homes. Our reader asks;

Make sure to match the texture of your stucco wall.

"How would I repair the stucco on my home when it is showing signs of "falling" (the stucco is separating; seeing cracks appear) and it is on top of brick. The previous owners (contractor) used some kind of caulking (I have no idea as to what it is); advise would be appreciated."

There are a number of companies that make a textured caulking for this sort of repair. One of them actually has a video on stucco repair up on their website along with a list of instructions and needed equipment. The instructions say to use quickrete products for the repairs, of course, but similar products from other manufacturers will do just fine as well.

Make sure to use a textured patching material and always use a trowel or similar tool to smooth and texture the patch. This will help to ensure that the patch doesn't stand out from the surrounding area. After the stucco has cured it will be ready to paint. Simply paint with the same color as the rest of the wall and it should look as good as new!

Brick and Mortar: Fixing Your Brick Wall

Brick is nice because it doesn't require a lot of maintenance and gains character as it weathers. The only problem is that it can be difficult to make repairs those times when damage does occur. This reader's question is about making repairs to brick and concrete:

"A friend's house is showing signs of a cracked/sinking corner of the house foundation. What can be done to remedy this problem? What is the best way to repair the cracked exterior brick and interior walls?"

Brick walls can be a tricky subject

The cracking and sinking could be the result of the house still settling. If this is the case then it will continue to be an issue unless the area is excavated and the foundation is re-poured. Work on this type is generally best handled by a licensed contractor. Projects like this can be a serious undertaking and are usually best left to professionals and with a licensed contractor there is the additional security of a two year warranty as mandated by the state of Arizona.

Other than the foundation repairs as mentioned above, the only real alternative is to repair the grout or replace bricks if needed. This will make it look better but is ultimately only a temporary fix because without addressing the foundation problem the walls will continue to develop cracks.

The best course of action would be to contact a few contractors who are experienced in this area to take a look at it and provide a quote. This will give a good idea in how serious the problem is and what it would cost to make the repairs. As always, call Mr. Fix It of Sierra Vista at 520-227-8194 for a free quote on this or any other home repair issue!

Turn Up the Heat (or Cool Things Down): Programmable Thermostats

Programmable thermostats are a useful addition to a home, especially in places with extreme temperature fluctuation like Arizona. The installation of a programmable thermostat allows the heating and cooling of a home to automatically change to fit the needs and schedule of the home.

Reduce energy costs with a programmable thermostat

This reader writes; "We have a non-programmable thermostat for our heater and a dial that we turn for our swamp cooler. Can these two things be combined into one programmable thermostat?"

Installing a programmable thermostat is a relatively simple procedure that most home owners can do themselves (here is a video with step by step instructions on installing a programmable thermostat) but it may not be possible to control both a furnace and swamp cooler with one.

Programmable thermostats have an output of approximately # but a control unit for a swamp cooler will usually have an output of about #. This difference in output required from the units is the reason that programmable thermostats are not available for swamp coolers.

While you can replace the thermostat for your heater with a programmable thermostat, it seems you will be unable to use it to manage your cooling without getting an air conditioning unit installed as well.

Mold Prevention: Educate Yourself

Although there hasn't been a specific question on this topic, its an important subject that any property owner should be aware of.

Mold growth can be devastating

When it comes to mold growth, the old saying "one ounce of prevention is worth one pound of cure" really is true. Mold removal is usually an expensive process with the average cost of a claim often ranging from $15,000 to $30,000.

The key to preventing mold growth is to eliminate the conditions where mold will thrive. Mold needs moisture, darkness and heat to grow. This means that a pipe leaking in a wall can make an ideal environment for mold growth in a very short time.

By controlling and limiting the conditions that lead to mold growth the chances of having a problem with mold growth can be dramatically reduced.

For more in depth information, read this article on preventing mold growth. It goes into more detail on ways to prevent the conditions for mold growth.