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Home Improvement Blogs – Victoria

Home improvement advice for Victoria, BC residents by Ron Neal & The Neal Estate Team.

Found 19 blog entries about Home Improvement Blogs – Victoria.

How To Prepare Your Home For WinterGood homeowners always take steps to make sure their home is protected. They lock the doors when they leave, hide spare keys in extremely secret places, and never leave the stove on while they’re gone. While these are all good things, protecting a home from winter weather is something that all homeowners need to focus on as well. Freezing cold temperatures can do a lot of damage to a home, not a good thing if the home is for sale. But a lot of it is avoidable with the proper preparation. Here are some of the different ways homeowners can winterize their home and prepare it for the worst.

1. Let the Faucets Drip

When it comes to damage done by cold, bursting pipes is easily one of the worst things that can happen. Pipes burst when water freezes in

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3 of the Most Durable Roofing MaterialsMost roofs last for about 20-30 years, depending on the roofing material used. However, some roofing materials can last for much longer. If you're a homeowner who is looking for a long-lasting roof to meet your needs, you have options. And when it comes to selling a home, a good roof helps sell the home. Here's what you need to know.

1. Slate

Slate is a type of stone that is easily cut into long, flat shingles. Slate is one of the oldest types of roofing materials available, and can be found on buildings that have been around for centuries. Because it is a natural stone, slate is very durable and long-lasting.

Soft slate roofing can last up to 125 years, while hard slate can last up to 200 years. While the stone itself can last for

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4 Things Every Toolbox Must HaveFirst-time home buyers often learn a lot of lessons about homeownership as they encounter challenges and problems, but there are some things that homeowners need to be prepared for from the very beginning. Having a toolbox on hand can help ensure that should something break or need a quick fix before it can be replaced or an expert can come and repair it properly. Here are some of the most useful things homeowners can keep in a toolbox.

A Tape Measure

Need to know how big the space where the refrigerator goes to keep from accidentally buying a replacement that’s too big? A tape measure is the easiest way to that that information. While homeowners may not be able to imagine a large number of scenarios where a tape measure is essential, having

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4 Types of Insulation To Use in Your HomeInsulation is extremely important when it comes to keeping homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It acts as a barrier between the home’s interior and the weather outside, and it can be made from many different materials. Some work better than others, and some are more environmentally friendly, so there’s a lot that homeowners need to take into account when choosing the type that they’re going to buy. Good insulation is also a great selling point when people sell their homes. Here are some of the different types of insulation and what makes them unique.

1. Fiberglass Insulation

Most people are familiar with fluffy pink insulation made of fiberglass. Fiberglass insulation is extremely common, affordable, and it’s difficult to find a

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A Simple Guide to Pest Remediation in the HomeWith so much beautiful wildlife in Canada, it's only ‘natural' that some of those creatures will be more pesky than others. In particular, we're talking about eradicating pests from the home—a process that can be fairly challenging depending on the type and amount of critters to be dealt with. It's no secret that common pests here are cockroaches, fleas, rodents, mites and bedbugs that can cause illness and skin irritation. For the safety of occupants, home pest remediation is a must, so here's a quick guide for conventional and natural eradication methods.

Conventional Pest Remediation for Homes

Conventional pest control methods have been around for decades, and these are often administered via sprays, bombs, traps, powders and other

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Different Security Systems For Your HomeEveryone wants to make sure their home is safe, but there’s a lot of different ways homeowners can go about improving their home’s security. Even homeowners who have just purchased a new construction home should also be interested in the security of the home. From getting new locks to changing the spare key’s hiding spot, homeowners can take simple measures, but that isn’t the extent of what they can do.

Homeowners can purchase a home security system to give them some peace of mind, but there are different types of systems that are each  suited to different types of homes. Here are the three main system types and how they operate.

Highest Security: Wireless Alarm Systems

For homeowners who want the most security for their home and want to

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How to Keep Your Home SafeA home may seem like static structures in a person's life, but the trained eye knows that it changes constantly. From major events to everyday wear and tear, what was safe yesterday may not be safe today. Understanding the safety hazards of a home may mean having to consider some fairly unpleasant scenarios, but it's better to imagine the worst than for it to actually occur. To prevent property damage or bodily injury, here are five hazards that everyone should watch for.

Slippery Floors

Falling on a slippery floor is more common than many people realize. In fact, millions of people fall in their homes every year. One in five falls will result in a serious injury, such as a bone break. And while it's more likely to happen to the elderly,

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Why Is It Necessary to Remediate Mould in a Home?Buying a home can be an exciting but complicated time in a homeowners life. Some homeowners may have unknowingly purchased a home with mould while others may see mould appear later on, even in new construction. How concerned should occupants be about mould growth, especially when not all types of moulds are considered to be toxic?

Mould can be a serious issue when it comes to health and home value. When detected, addressing mould at the earliest possible stage often makes for easier remediation. Learn more about why homeowners need to address mould growth in a home.

Mould and Occupant Health

There are different types of moulds that may develop and even when not easily seen, individuals may observe signs of a potential issue. Mould can grow

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Lighting Suggestions for New Construction HomesThe light in your home can have a big impact on your level of comfort and on the functionality of your living space. Having many lighting options and ample natural light can ensure that your house looks spacious, clean and inviting. Great lighting, along with proper staging, helps sell a home. Light is handled differently in each room of the house. This room-by-room lighting guide will help you design a new construction house that is well-lit and attractive.

Living Room

The living room is a place in the home that relies heavily on natural light. Often, living rooms have large picture windows that allow light to enter during daylight hours. When designing a living room with a large picture window, take into consideration the amount of heat

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Living and Dining Outdoors Is a Treat During Most SeasonsOutdoor options have changed over the years. Portable grills and picnic tables are now being supplanted by all-weather kitchens and serving stations, covered decks with comfortable sofas and chairs, and dining areas every bit as elegant as their indoor counterparts. Canadians in all provinces are more attuned to the possibilties of outdoor living—at home—than ever before.

Gaining Additional Living Space

Whether moving into the yard is a reaction to spiraling home prices and higher vacation costs, or simply an acknowledgement that good times can be had at home, well-equipped outdoor living rooms are a hot new trend, even in provinces with shorter summers. Upscale outdoor rooms boast fireplaces or ceiling fans and summer misters to extend the

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