Nicholas Yount, REALTOR

Carpet experiences many forms of abuse on a daily basis. People and pets walk on it, furniture legs get scraped on it and all sorts of foods and beverages can get spilled on it.  Carpets can begin to show signs of wear after just a few years. You can have your carpets professionally cleaned, rearrange furniture so the carpet wears more evenly or use area rugs to cover up trouble spots, but you may eventually realize that it’s time to install new carpeting. Stains If something is spilled on a carpet and you act quickly, you may be able to prevent a stain. If a spill isn’t cleaned right away, however, a stain can set in and can be difficult to remove. Carpet cleaning products and DIY methods may not remove stains from the padding beneath the carpet, making things worse in the long run. Moisture Damage If your house has a leaky pipe or roof, water can damage your carpets. You may be able to handle minor damage yourself or hire a professional to take care of it. If the carpet is soaked...

If the siding on your house is damaged, or if you’re tired of the way it looks and think it may be time to make an upgrade, consider replacing it with wood siding. Like all forms of siding, wood has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some important things you should know to figure out if wood siding is right for you. Benefits of Wood Siding Many homeowners select wood siding because of its beautiful and timeless appearance. You can choose from a variety of wood species, as well as shingles, shakes, clapboard and other types of siding. Wood siding can be stained or painted in a wide range of colors, and a clear sealer or semi-transparent stain can highlight the unique characteristics of the wood. Wood siding is also known for being durable. If you decide to go with wood siding, the species you select and how well you maintain it will influence how long it will last. If the wood gets damaged, it will be easier to fix than some other types of siding. One or a handful of wood shing...

If you open the door to your shed and find insects lurking inside, you may feel a sense of panic. Insects can cause serious damage, but there are ways to get rid of them and keep them from coming back. Eliminate Bugs From Your Shed There are several types of products that you can use to get rid of insects. If you know what type of bugs are in your shed, look for a product that’s designed to deal with that species of insect.  Use an insecticide inside the shed to get rid of any insects that are currently there. Apply it around the perimeter of the structure to keep other bugs from being drawn to it and creating a problem in the future. If you have kids or pets, look for an insecticide that won’t be harmful to them or find a way to keep them away from the shed so they don’t get sick. Make the Shed Unappealing to Insects Insects are often attracted to sheds because there is food inside. If you use your shed to store pet food, grass seed or anything else that could be a source of food ...

If you’re frustrated by high heating bills, or if some parts of your house are colder than others, heated flooring may be the solution. Radiant floor heating can maintain a more consistent temperature, but it’s not right for every home or situation. What Is Radiant Floor Heating? Radiant heating warms the floor in a room, unlike a forced-air system, which warms the air. A radiant heating system can eliminate temperature fluctuations that can make you feel warm in one area and cold in another.  The temperature in your home is often controlled via thermostat. If you install a radiant heating system, you may be able to set your thermostat to a lower temperature and still feel comfortable because the house won’t have some areas that are colder than others. Since radiant heating systems don’t use a furnace, they are quiet. They don’t use air ducts and vents, which means they can’t spread allergens throughout a house. They’re also more energy efficient than other types of heating systems...

Attics often get cold in the winter and unbearably hot in the summer. If you’re thinking about finishing your attic to use it as a spare bedroom, playroom or home office, you’ll need to figure out how to regulate the temperature.  Use the Right Type and Amount of Insulation Insulation reduces the amount of heat transfer between the rest of the house and the attic. If your attic has extreme temperature fluctuations, it may benefit from additional insulation. The U.S. Department of Energy has divided the United States into zones so that homeowners can choose the type of insulation that’s suitable for their climate. Visit a local home improvement store to find out which zone your home is in and to get advice on the type and amount of insulation to use in your attic.  Prevent Air Leakage Gaps around windows and damaged window frames can lead to drafts. Air leakage can make the attic cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Check for any areas where drafts may occur and use caulk ...

Some types of flooring can attract contaminants, such as dust, mold and pet dander, that can affect human health. In addition, some flooring materials release chemical particles known as volatile organic compounds. Other household products, such as furniture, curtains, counters, cabinets and paint, release VOCs into the air, but flooring has more of an impact on indoor air quality than other sources because it covers a much larger amount of surface space. This is why your choice of flooring is so important when it comes to the quality of the air your family breathes. Which Types of Flooring are the Best and Worst for Indoor Air Quality? Carpet fibers can trap pollutants, such as dust and pet dander. Even frequent vacuuming and carpet cleaning can’t remove all those substances. Some carpets also emit volatile organic compounds, and carpet that is exposed to water can harbor mold. Those contaminants can have a negative impact on indoor air quality. If someone in your family has allergies...

Summer is in full swing, which means warmer temperatures outside and indoors. If you struggle to keep your home cool in the warmer months, or your electricity bills are astronomical because you run the air conditioner all day, you may want to consider the following. Keep Sunlight Out Window coverings, such as thermal curtains or shades and blackout curtains, can reduce the amount of sunlight that enters your home and keep it cooler during the hottest parts of the day. Keep curtains or blinds closed during the day, especially on windows that face south and west. You can also use insulated window film to keep heat from pouring into the house. If one part of your house tends to get a lot of sun and there is nothing to block the sunlight, you can plant trees or bushes. Another option is to install awnings outside the windows. Seal Up the House to Control Airflow The average home has lots of small cracks and leaks around windows, door frames, skylights and other locations that let hot outdo...