The Importance of Gutters and Downspouts

When moving into or remodeling a home, you might come to a point in which you ask yourself whether or not gutters and downspouts are necessary. Many homeowners wrestle with the idea of installing a gutter and downspout system since it is an expensive investment and clogged gutters can cause a serious amount of costly damages. But this perspective is a risky one to have, and choosing to forgo gutter and downspout installation for the sake of saving money is not a wise nor lucrative decision.

Continue reading to learn 3 important reasons why your home requires a quality gutter and downspout system.

Indianapolis Indiana General Contractors
Indianapolis Indiana General Contractors 317-454-3612

Problems Associated With Gutters and Downspouts

Before discussing the reasons why gutters and downspouts are so important, let’s first address a common misunderstanding that can cost you in the long run. It is wrongly believed by many home and property owners that gutter systems are a risk because they can become clogged and cause costly damage; so, as a result, they forgo them in hopes to prevent flooding and foundation issues. But forgoing a gutter system is the real risk! You need gutters and downspouts whether you are a residential or commercial property owner.

Without a gutter and downspout system, rainwater and melted snow will run over the sides of your home, rather than through a directed, enclosed system. As a result, it would cause massive water pooling issues every time it rains. Even a light rain shower would pose water accumulation risks, and overtime, such pooling will lead to costly structural foundation problems. Many people misinterpret gutters as a risk, but they only cause this issue when they become clogged, which can be easily prevented with a little routine maintenance.

Why You Need a Quality Gutter System

Soil Erosion Prevention. When homes are built to code, they are built on a slight slope so that water runoff is directed away from the home’s foundation. Without gutters and downspouts, water flow is not guided properly, and the soil supporting the foundation of the property will massively erode overtime. After a while, water run-off will flow towards the home rather than away. This causes the foundation to settle, and you can even experience uneven or buckling floors, cracked ceilings, and wall cracks, inside the home.

Basement Flood Prevention. Water has weight, and when soil becomes saturated with water, it is naturally heavier. Without gutters and downspouts, water accumulation weighs down the soil and adds excessive pressure on the foundation. Over time, basement walls will begin to push forward, warp, and crack. It can also lead to mold and mildew damage.

Siding Protection. Unguided water flow will carry dirt, sediment, and debris with it wherever it goes. As it runs down your siding, it will leave behind stains, and eventually cause it to rot away. It can also lead to mold and mildew growth. Not only is this detrimental to your home’s curb appeal, but it also negatively impacts your home’s overall value since siding rot can jeopardize its structural integrity.

Advice to Walk Away With

Talk to a licensed general contractor about repairing or installing a gutter downspout system on your home. They have the knowledge and resources to provide professional assessments and solutions for water runoff , siding repairs, basement renovations, foundation repairs, and more.

Are you looking for qualified basement remodeling or siding contractors in Indianapolis, Indiana? Call Restoration By L&B LLC at 317-454-3612 for the most competitive general contractor rates around!

You Should Also Take a Look at:

Tips for Proper Gutter Maintenance
How to Assess the Cost of a Basement Remodel
Tips for Home Siding Maintenance

How to Increase Rental Income With 6 Renovations

Whether you are a real estate owner of a single family home or a massive, multi-unit housing complex, these six home remodeling renovations will have the most impact on your overall return on investment (ROI) by exponentially increasing your rental income.

Tenant Improvement and Remodeling Contractors 317-454-3612
Tenant Improvement and Remodeling Contractors 317-454-3612

Get More Rental Income Per Tenant With These 6 Renovations

Paint

A fresh coat of paint is the easiest and most instantly gratifying method of increasing your rental income. New paint makes a property look fresh, and even cleaner. Furthermore, it can displace leftover smells from prior tenants, if any. In addition to a fresh paint job, be sure you are also addressing drywall damages. Dents, depressions, nicks, holes, and cracked joints should be repaired to add more value to your paint job.

Flooring

One of the first things potential renters see is the flooring. Whether carpet, laminate, tile, or hardwood, floors are an important element for them. So, start your renovations with professional carpet cleaning or replacement, or with full-on flooring replacement. Floor cleaning and flooring replacement are two key renovations that can instantly make your rental property worth more.

Broken Stuff

Your next point of interest is to repair anything that is broken. Whether it just came to light a few days ago, or has been lurking around your To-Do list for years, making important repairs to your property is an effective and proven method of adding more value to your renters. Thus, you can increase the rent based on your property’s amenities and overall value. From indoor and exterior lighting to bollard posts, driveways, appliances, drywall, and more, fixing what’s broken is a good starting point for increasing rental income.

&Kitchens and Bathrooms

Although flooring is one the main elements of a property that a potential tenant will focus on initially, their next priorities are usually the bathrooms and the kitchen. Focus on these areas when planning your renovation budget so that you can earn the most return on investment for your rental properties. Consider minor and major remodels, from painting cabinets and replacing hardware, to installing new fixtures, converting tubs into spacious showers, buying new kitchen appliances, and similar changes. Simply talk to a licensed contractor to learn how to constructively consider a residential kitchen remodel or easy ways to remodel a master bath.

Basement Conversion

If you have an unfinished basement in your rental property, you have a gold mine of opportunities to increase your rental income. By remodeling a basement, you are instantly and drastically raising the true market value of your rental property. You will get more money per month, plus be able to resell it for a higher price when the time comes! Attics and other areas work well for this type of space conversion ROI.

Preparing to Sell Your Home? Consider some home renovations that will sell your house at a higher price!

Indianapolis Home Remodeling and Commercial General Contractors

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for affordable home remodeling services in Central Indiana and its surrounding areas. Our Indianapolis general contractors provide a wide range of services for both commercial and residential properties, from general handyman services and home remodels to full-on renovations, additions, conversions, and more. Request an estimate, today!

Indianapolis Indiana General Contractors
Indianapolis Indiana General Contractors 317-454-3612

Important Polyurethane Floor Cleaning Tips

Got polyurethane hardwood floors at home or the office? Be sure you take great care of them if you want your flooring to look brand new for years to come. Start by learning the best practices for cleaning hardwood flooring. Continue below to learn one of the most predominately-used methods to clean and care for polyurethane hardwood floors, and who to call for professional floor replacement and repair services you can trust.

Indianapolis Wood Floor Contractors 317-454-3612
Indianapolis Wood Floor Contractors 317-454-3612

Floor Cleaning Supplies You Will Need for Polyurethane Wood

To get started, you will need a few supplies and items to clean polyurethane hardwood floors. First, be sure to have a clean and dry microfiber cloth on hand. Also, procure a dry mop or vacuum mop. This will come in handy for various other cleaning purposes for the home or office as well. Aside from a dry cloth and mop, be sure to have access to a clean water supply, a bucket, store-bought wood floor cleaner (optional) and some mild dish soap.

DO NOT use water to clean lacquered or shellacked hardwood floors!

Cleaning Instructions for Polyurethane Hardwood Flooring:

Fill the bucket up with clean, fresh water. Add two to three drops of dishwashing soap. Use more drops for extra-large surface areas. Set out all your needed supplies so they are ready to be used when you need them.

Use the dry mop or vacuum to sweep up all the tangible dirt, debris, and additional solid particles on the surface of the hardwood. You need a clean and clear surface to properly wash hardwood floors.

Dip your mop into your water and soap solution to mildly dampen it. Be sure to ring out any excess water. Proceed to mop along the grain using smooth and even strokes.

Once the mopping is done, buff the floors using a dry cloth to absorb any leftover soapy residues. You will need to use your hands for this step, and wipe in a circular motion until the floor is dry. 

To further polish your hardwood floors, apply a store-bought wood floor cleaner in the same manner, using circular motions until all streaks are gone. If you do not wish to use a wood floor cleaner, simply use another clean cloth to wipe down the floors in a circular motion until they shine!

One of the best products to invest in for any home or office with hardwood floors is furniture pads. Not only do they provide an easy and effortless way of moving or clearing furniture out of the way for cleaning purposes, but they also prevent unsightly and difficult-to-repair floor scuffs and scratches.

Do You Need Hardwood Floor Replacement?

Sometimes, hardwood floors are past the point of no return. In these cases, it is wise for property owners to hire a professional general contractor for specialty hardwood floor repair and replacement services. They retain the proper training, resources, tools, and certifications to professionally assess, demolition, and replace all flooring types for residential and commercial properties.

Start With a Call to Our Indianapolis Indiana Flooring Contractors

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 to speak with our licensed flooring contractors about your need for professional and affordable wood floor service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer a wide range of residential and commercial flooring services, including floor replacement, installation, repair, procurement, and much more. Contact us today at 317-454-3612 to request an estimate.

Indianapolis Indiana General Contractors
Indianapolis Indiana General Contractors 317-454-3612

How to Get the Best Results With New Crown Molding

Crown molding is a wonderful decorative appliqué that adds a substantial amount of visual appeal to any room. It can instantly convert a plain, boring space into something with style and substance. A room with crown molding is a room with character and charm. It is a budget-friendly way to enhance the interior décor and structure of your home without invasive remodeling and hefty expenses. If you are considering crown molding for your home or office, be sure to review some helpful tips before moving forward with crown moulding installation.

Continue reading to learn how to get the best results when it comes time to replace or install new crown molding in your home.

Indianapolis Home Remodeling and Drywall Services 317-454-3612
Indianapolis Home Remodeling and Drywall Services 317-454-3612

Crown Molding 101 for Homeowners

Shopping Around for Crown Moulding

When in the market for crown molding, it is important that you walk out of a store knowing you’ve chosen wisely. Selecting the right crown molding is important to the overall finish and appearance of your room. This includes choosing the right style and design, as well as the right material. Crown molding comes in a variety of material, the most expensive being wood and plaster. Cheaper varieties include medium density fire board, flexible polymers (PVC), polystyrene, and polyurethanes. Different materials work better for different shapes and structures of rooms. For instance, flexible moldings are best for curves and corners, whereas PVC molding is great for bathrooms and exterior locations. 

Proper Installation is Important

Unless you and a friend are a couple of skilled carpenters with experience in drywall and crown molding, it is strongly suggested to hire a professional company for installation. Not only do the surface areas and moulding need to be measured precisely, but they must be cut precisely as well. This takes much practice and experience to perform and plan properly.  This is especially important if the crown molding is of high quality or price. In this case, you do not want to risk damaging the crown molding in an attempt to install it yourself, whether experienced or not.

Increase Your Property Value

Crown molding is an inexpensive way to add more value to your home. This means that in the case of a re-sale, you are likely to get more money for your home! Many home remodeling projects increase the value of a home if they enhance appearance, efficiency, and convenience. And crown moulding adds a substantial amount of visual appeal!

Affordable Crown Molding Installation and Replacement in Indianapolis

Call Restoration By L & B, LLC at 317-454-3612 for truly affordable Indianapolis home remodeling and drywall services. Owner and general contractor, Lee Elliot, and his team of professional contractors, provide a wide range of commercial and residential remodeling and restoration services at the most economical prices in town. In fact, we guarantee to BEAT any prices quoted by our competition! Contact us to request an estimate for home remodeling crown molding installation, today.

Indianapolis Indiana General Contractors
Indianapolis Indiana General Contractors 317-454-3612