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Home Reno Tips - Roof and Basement

By: Lifschitz

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Autumn is the time to make sure your roof can handle the load this winter. A little preventive maintenance now can prevent costly roof repairs in the spring, according to Rick Felton, President of Homeservice Club.

"With a little preventative maintenance, you can prevent minor problems from escalating into a major headache in the spring," Felton said. "Minor repairs done now can prevent air and moisture penetration from attacking the structural integrity of your roof, saving you hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars".

Giving eavestroughs a thorough cleaning in the fall, for example, is the best way to prevent ice damming in the winter, he added. Expensive roof damage occurs when moisture is forced up under the roof’s shingles during the freeze and thaw cycles of the winter months. "Our roofing contractors are always busy in the spring, fixing damage and leaks that have occurred because of ice damming," Felton said.

To make sure the eaves are clear, run water from a garden hose into the troughs. If the eaves are doing their job, the water will drain down the downspouts and away from the foundation. The water test also shows if there are any leaks in the gutters.

With the government’s Home Renovation Tax Credit and low interest rates, the time is now to maximize the living space in your basement. Basement renovations are a value-added home improvement. With a payback value of more than 50 per cent, the real payback comes in the added enjoyment of the space created.

Here are a few of the ways you can put your basement space to work:

Home Offices
With more and more people telecommuting and self-employed, a well-designed home office is a definite selling feature. Choose a location away from the hub of family life and make sure that your renovation includes soundproofing. Proper lighting is essential for a basement office. Include lots of recessed fixtures and task lighting to ensure a cosy, bright working area. Remember to include upgraded electrical requirements in your planning. Computers, photocopiers, printers and lighting will probably require an extra circuit.

Home Theatre
If you’ve been yearning for a large-screen television with surround sound, you can create a home theatre in your basement. It’s the easiest area of the house to sound-proof, you can have it as dark as a movie theatre and there is usually the space to accommodate seating at the proper distance (10 feet or more, depending on the size of the screen.)

Additional bathroom
Spa-type bathrooms with luxurious whirlpool baths or soaker tubs are popular choices. If you have the space, why not add a sauna or workout room to complete your home spa.

Playroom
The basement has always been a popular location for the playroom, for children of all ages, from tot to teens. For young children, choose a floor surface that cleans easily and can handle ride-on toy traffic and physical activity. As they grow, carpeting is a good choice, both for comfort and for sound-proofing qualities.

Family Room
Combining a couple of rooms into one can create a spacious and inviting family room in your basement. Add to the ambiance and comfort by installing a zero-clearance fireplace.

Whatever your choice, the entrance to your basement should say “Welcome” with lots of light, soft carpeting and interesting architectural details. Use a combination of recessed light, task lighting and indirect lighting to create a warm and cosy atmosphere for working and relaxing this winter.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

For more information visit Toronto Contractors

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