August Home News

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August Home NewsHow is lockdown going for our wonderful community of customers? We’d love to hear and engage with you. We know that it can be tough and that’s why we want to be there for you, no matter what you need. It may not be the best time to embark on a home renovation project or even that work that you’ve been meaning to complete for months, but that doesn’t need to stop you from learning and being inspired by everything else that’s going on in the small pockets of beauty and innovation around the globe. We promise they’re there. The Victorian Foundation Repairs team is passionate about looking for the positive and finding solutions. We love our monthly round-ups of home news and this month is no different. Read on for more information:

In the days of COVID-19 and everything else that’s going on, technology has never served a more important role. Remember when movies were popular with robots and we thought that would never come to fruition? Well, fantasy is increasingly becoming a reality in different capacities and 3D printing is a great example of this. While the printers are still expensive, large-scale, and not necessarily manufactured for mass production, construction and architecture are two such industries that are keeping a close eye on the evolution of different products and how they can impact constructing some of the coolest structures and art around the world. We found a great example. According to This is Colossal: “To create the three-room home, the duo employs a custom, portable robot that they transport to various sites, allowing them to dig soil and other materials and immediately shape it into the necessary structures.” Check out this link for more information.

Did you know that there is a World Photography Day? We didn’t but do now. Given the inception of Instagram and a dozen other platforms, it does seem like pretty much everyone can be a Diane Arbus or Annie Leibowitz, but the true-blue pioneers behind the camera now officially (we’re not quite sure how official it is) have a day to celebrate themselves and their work. What we noticed when perusing the 2020 notables is that there’s a common theme of beautiful architecture and landscapes. Like we said, never has there been such an optimal moment to focus on inspiration and planning versus execution, so articles like this and the information shared are a great place to start. Check out this link for more information.

It’s also an interesting time to think through your current career and potential shifts in the future. Whether you love what you do and are looking for a job on the side or are ready to follow a full overhaul of your day-to-day, there are a host of resources and those to connect with about what the next path means for you. We spend a lot of time outside, it’s frequently the best way to see if you have any foundation damage. So, we have immense respect for landscapers and gardeners. Think this is a path you might want to follow? Here’s a great article with what skills you should hone.

What to Do When Restumping Goes Wrong?

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What to do when Restumping Goes WrongIf we didn’t paint a full picture of home renovations for our valued customers, we’d be doing you a massive disservice. There’s so much glitz and glamour showcasing the end result of a project, but the Victorian Foundation Repairs team loves all of the steps that lead up to the success as well. Sometimes the projects that we work on are so quick and painless, an easy success story, and a feather in our cap as we reinforce our beliefs that we are the best in the business at reinforcing your foundation. But just as often, we relish the missteps and challenges that we encounter along the way with our different projects, knowing that the outcome will be even sweeter.

If you visit the Victorian Foundation Repairs blog on a regular basis, you may have seen a similar topic in the past, but lo and behold, it’s one of the most popular drivers of traffic to our site. We’re not worried about numbers or traffic necessarily, but we do love to track the topics that you guys want to hear about. Embarking on any project related to your home can be so daunting, and it’s our number one priority to be your support system and advocate as you decide the work that you’re ready to tackle.

But what happens when this work goes wrong? That’s a loaded question and one that we’re sure we’ll tackle in future on a broader spectrum. But let’s start with what we know best – that’s reinforcing the foundation of your home through restumping, reblocking and underpinning. We know how to do it right, but not everyone does. And when a job of this magnitude goes wrong, it impacts pretty much every other aspect of your home. So, here’s what you can do when restumping goes wrong.

It sounds like a cop-out, but there are ways to completely avoid failure here. And they hark back to some of our favourite pieces of advice, like doing your homework and being onsite to monitor the experts that you’re working with. While you shouldn’t have to monitor them, for many types of personalities, it’s vital to save your sanity. If you’ve done your homework, you’ll know exactly what you’re looking for, while checking in. You’ll also know to look for the red flags, like lack of proper attire, equipment, or worst of all – unsafe working conditions.

If both of the above failed you, don’t despair and don’t stress. All you need to do is wait, write an honest review of the work performed, and then reach out to a company like Victorian Foundation Repairs. There should be baseline barometers as to how companies conduct business – never so much as when you’re dealing with the foundation and the structure of anybody’s home.

Questions? Comments? Let us know. Whether your foundation needs work now or you’re planning ahead; whether you’re thinking about a fun home renovation project or you’re incredibly nervous about it – we’re here for you.

Financing Home Improvements

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Financing Home ImprovementsIf you think about it, it’s odd the stigma that we put on the idea of money. You either have too much of it or not enough of it. You work really hard for it. Logic would infer that you should be able to enjoy it once it’s in the bank or wherever you squirrel it away. And yet, money and finances are continuously top of the list for the biggest stressors in the world. We could dig into the psychological thought processes behind this, but we think your time visiting the Victorian Foundation Repairs blog would be better served learning about how to use and enjoy that money – as it relates to your home.

While it’s not January right now, calibrating your finances can take place any time of year. Many love doing it in advance of January 1, because it feels like a tidy way to say goodbye to the previous calendar year and hello to the impending one. Well, January is a long way off, so let’s pretend that we’re starting anew today and we’re looking at the right ways to finance home improvements this year.

We like to follow the 50-30-20 rule. The 50 is the per cent of your paycheck that goes towards bills and payments that you can’t live without. These include your mortgage or rent, power bills, etc. The 30 is for your “wants” – like shopping, hobbies and dining out. Home renovations would fall squarely in this budget. The 20 per cent is where your savings live, never an area where you’d want to skimp. Now, you can always dip from the other “buckets”, but it will muddy the waters very quickly. If you separate the three, you’ll feel confident that you’re set up for success – and be able to look forward to future projects.

One huge mistake that many make is not regularly checking accounts or where your spending is going. We recommend that you check your different streams of revenue at least once a week and taking notes where there are gaps.

Now, it’s time to decide which home improvements need to be completed and in what order. Anything to do with your roof, home’s foundation, or plumbing, needs to be taken care of ASAP, and don’t feel bad about investing money. We’re not just talking about your immediate comfort levels; we’re talking about heavily damaging the home if left neglected.

We recommend that you think six months ahead for anything that’s not absolutely vital… which actually means, our timing for 2021 budgets is perfect. Walk around your house, determine the 2021 projects you want to see completed. Rank them. Cost them. Make a list. Now compare it with your budget and think through exactly how much money each month you’ll want to allocate towards ensuring that your home is as safe and comfortable as possible when you ring in the next year.

Questions? We’re always here. The Victorian Foundation Repairs team is continuously dedicated to being your support system when it comes to all aspects of your home.

Ways that Snow can Impact Your Foundation This Year

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Ways that Snow can Impact Your Foundation This YearSnow can be polarizing, pun intended. It is quite literally found at the world’s two poles (North and South), but it can also isolate groups, based on their perception of it. It was probably all fun and games when you were younger. You couldn’t wait for school to be cancelled, to run and play in it, to start snowball fights and then hurry home for a warm snack or beverage. Conversely, your parents or grandparents may have made the historic comment, “I walked uphill in the snow to school, both ways.” Thanks to technology, keeping roads clear, ensuring that provisions are available to you, and keeping lights and heat on where possible is now the norm. That wasn’t always the case and as with anything we discuss on the Victorian Foundation Repairs blog, the team is grateful for evolution.

Snow is a topic that hits home for the Victorian Foundation Repairs team because it can easily – and greatly – impact the structure of your home. Some changes are noticed right away, and some damage is only noticeable over time. Let’s dive in.

While we pride ourselves on our expertise related to your homes’ foundations, the first place that snow or inclement weather will hit is your roof. If you know that your area or neighbourhood is one that will see heavy snow this season, make sure that you’re prepared. Both snow and ice can weaken or even make your roof collapse if you don’t keep an eye on it. That’s stressful because you don’t know exactly how much snow is too much snow, so our cheat number is 20 pounds per square foot. Note that packed snow weighs much more than fresh snow, giving you extra incentive to clean your roof and gutters in a timely manner.

Snow left untended around the base of your home can cause moisture to seep into crawl spaces, basements and even more frequently used social areas. Visitors and incoming traffic with bring snow and water into the home, potentially damaging the floors and causing them to warp. Moisture is one of the worst enemies of your home’s foundation because water causes soil to expand and contract. When the soil expands and contracts, the structure of the home, and especially the posts holding up the structure can buckle.

Finally, we need to touch on the interior of the home and its most important asset – the inhabitants. If you have younger family members or friends around, snow days can amplify accidents that are easy to avoid, so you’ll want to keep an eye on them. You’ll also want to be careful cooking or using anything powered by wood or fire. Remember the tips for cleaning the roof? These translate here as well. If you’re looking forward to a cosy fire, but haven’t swept the roof or cleaned the chimney, you’re looking at a much bigger fire than you bargained for.

Questions? Let us know! And stay safe out there.

July Home News

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July Home NewsIn the same vein as our last post, we can’t believe that it’s already July! The Victorian Foundation Repairs team has had a crazy year – we’re sure that 2020 has served up some surprises for you as well. Every year does – in fact, every month does. We’ve certainly noticed that doing our digging for home news this month. Some thought that there may be a slump, due to COVID and the other large-scale events going on around the globe. In fact, the opposite is true. We’re inspired by the creativity and commitment that different companies, and even different industries, are bringing to the table, in order to make this year a success. COVID can’t get our country down and it certainly won’t get Victorian Foundation Repairs down. So, we’re packing an extra positivity punch into this month’s instalment of home news. Read on for more information:

If you visited the Victorian Foundation Repairs site because you know the importance of reinforcing your homes’ structure… well, we’re so happy to have you! Emotions aside, there was no better article to start with than this one. Erosion is one of Mother Nature’s worst missiles. You never know when it’s going to happen at a grand scale, but it’s really happening at a slow rate all of the time. There are few areas more impacted than the coastline of any country, state or province. It’s a huge trade-off for a beautiful view and access to the great outdoors… erosion can damage entire communities. That’s certainly the case for Michigan, but don’t worry, contractors are on the case. Check out this link for more information.

There are numerous benefits to working with a professional, but if you have a particularly strong creative muscle, building your own home may be something that’s either strongly just piqued your interest or has been on your mind for a very long time. That’s wonderful – we support you and we’re there for you. But we can’t say the same for many in the industry – contractors that will take advantage of you in cost or timing or lead you astray on your vision. That’s why we love finding articles like this one, that chronicle the right ways to be your own champion and to protect yourself, both legally and financially. You want to be excited when your home is complete, not continuously thinking about the nuances of the process, or when something will go wrong. Read more here.

Fan of golf? Some of us are. (Some of us question it). It’s an interesting sport, but one thing that’s consistent around the globe is the pristine nature of golf courses when it comes to landscaping. The Victorian Foundation Repairs team has seen some beautiful (and not so beautiful) yards, but we will acquiesce to golf pros, who have seen even better care of lawns. They weigh in on a simple seven keys to elevate your property. You can learn expert advice in this article.

Company Update

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Company UpdateCan you believe that we’re MORE than halfway through the 2020 year? We say this every year. In fact, we say it more often than just once a year – whether time is moving at the speed of a snail or if it’s one of those years where you blink and have no idea where time has gone. So far, in summary, the Victorian Foundation Repairs team will call this 365 a little bit of both. And honestly, one that we can’t wait to be done with.

That’s not to say that we haven’t loved every minute of working with our teammates, our vendor partners and our customers, but that whole pandemic thing has really impeded us in a way that we didn’t anticipate on any front.

We will never stop aiming to elevate our commitment to you and what successful relationship is successful without genuine, honest and frequent conversation? We know that a lot of companies (around the globe) have had to go dark, have had to take a break, or have even had to go out of business. Luckily, that’s not the case with us. But, there’s a weird domino effect here, in that when bad things happen to companies, customers easily lose trust in an industry at-large. We’re here to stop that as a general goal, but the objective today is to simply remind you where we are as a company right now and how we can help you.

Three words – (well, technically two words and a contraction) we’re still here. We’re still standing and we’re still your biggest allies when it comes to reinforcing the foundation of your home. Just because any sort of event happens, doesn’t mean that the foundation of your home decides to properly behave. That would be nice, but actually – exponentially more time spent at home means that you’re most likely contributing to the signs and symptoms of foundation movement and damage. Think about it – a family of four may be inclined to take four showers a day. They also may be inclined to be slightly less enthusiastic about airing out moist places or circulating air. This can quickly become both a catalyst and a symptom of foundation damage when you have excess moisture that gathers.

Don’t be scared – the Victorian Foundation Repairs team has your back. We’re still offering many of the services, but we’re doing so in a way that keeps you and yours safe. It’s always been our commitment to have as little impact as possible to your household and daily routines when we complete any sort of work. That means that we work with you to determine when and who will be home if there are ways or a necessity to complete the work with you and yours out of the home and how quickly we can get you back to normal. Normal is actually a poor word – get you back to a home that is now structurally sound and more comfortable than ever.

Here we go, 2020 – let’s finish out strong!

Are There Styles of Homes Whose Foundations Suffer More?

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Are There Styles of Homes Whose Foundations Suffer MoreWelcome back to the Victorian Foundation Repairs blog. We’re thrilled you’ve stopped by, and hope that that you leave with a renewed sense of enthusiasm for not only the foundation of your home but your entire property. When a foundation fails, it not only brings down the value of your home, but it impacts your safety and comfort. And the Victorian Foundation Repairs team simply can’t have that. We specialize in reinforcing your foundation, but we’re passionate about every part of your home. The underlying theme is education and we set up this blog specifically so that you can check back in on a regular basis. Today, we’re talking through different styles of homes. Does your home have more susceptibility to foundation damage than another style? Not necessarily, but read on for more information.

Spoiler alert… the short answer is no. But here are a couple of popular home architecture types that you should be aware of as you shop:

Cape Cod Homes date back to the late 1600s and had a spike in popularity during the 1930s. They’re normally one storey or split level and their highlights include wood siding, windows that are multi-planed and a steep roofline. This is a style of home that’s on the smaller side, so though you still need to check the foundation on a regular basis, you have fewer stumps to worry about. Stumps are what hold up your foundation, and need to be updated on a regular basis.

Country French-style homes were a big trend in the eighteenth century and still are today. Because France was occupying so many different areas around the globe, it was able to leave its legacy of architecture in a clean and classic way. These are again one storey, so they don’t bear much weight, and their other signature attributes include stucco walls and paired shutters. Looking for curb appeal? As long as you take care of your foundation, this is a great option for curb appeal.

Colonial style homes are timeless and probably always will be, no matter where you live. These are a little bit more intensive – two or three storeys, made with either brick or wood for the façade. The trick with homes that require more weight-bearing support is the materials used for the stumps in the foundation. Luckily for you, the Victorian Foundation Repairs team uses the most innovative processes and sustainable materials, so that your foundation is one less thing that you need to worry about.

Each style and many more (believe us, we’ll share them in future posts) have pros and cons. It’s really a question of personal taste and style. It can be overwhelming, but you’ve got us to help you out. Questions? Comments? The Victorian Foundation Repairs team would love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out via phone, email, or make an appointment to see us. As you can tell, we love talking about successful, safe and comfortable homes – let’s make sure that your home fits in all three categories.

June Home News

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June Home NewsThere are fewer styles of posts that the Victorian Foundation Repairs team enjoys writing more than our home news round-ups. They’re akin to the historic rodeo tradition in name because, in the same way cowboys round-up cattle, we round up the best of what the internet and our industry have to offer. While reinforcing your foundation will always be our priority, so too will be sharing the information that guides you on any home-related topic. For those newer to the Victorian Foundation Repairs site, first and foremost – welcome! We do these posts once a month and we hope that you’ll find the information entertaining, engaging and informative. Read on for our favourite finds of this month:

A Tax Credit for Home Improvements Is Vital in the Coronavirus Era

If you’re thinking about making home improvements and need an incentive, then this article is for you. In the time of the Coronavirus and a multitude of other things going on around the world, CNBC is quite accurate when it refers to your home as an anchor in your life. It may be a place where you’re spending much more time than usual, so you’re probably noticing the small things you’d like to change and thinking about the home renovations that you’ve been putting off for a while. While nothing is confirmed and everything is fluid, there’s great evidence here that offering home credits could be a great and timely reason to finally redo the kitchen or add a verandah out back. Visit this link for more information.

My Home Office: Olia Majd

If you’re thinking about your home office and need some inspiration, then this article is for you. We hear you; home offices can be tough. You want them to be unique and inspire creativity, but you also want them to be functional and dynamic so that you can use them for a variety of things. While this article isn’t an all-encompassing go-to guide, it is a kick of that inspiration and creativity we were just discussing. Enter Olia Majid, who normally specializes in beauty and lifestyle. Today, she’s decided to put on a different hat. Scroll through this link if you think it’s time that you elevate the space at home where you do some of your most important work.

Landscaping Industry Evolves, So Does Expectations for Applicants

Whether you work in landscaping, or you’re looking to have a future job completed, this article is for everyone. Landscaping has a new term – hardscaping. We’re talking about the jobs that require specific training or extra experience, like dealing with unique materials or heavy machinery. As consumer needs grow and become more intensive, this industry needs to rise to meet them. So, don’t be surprised if landscaping companies a) begin requiring a more extensive range of skills from applicants, but b) are able to offer significantly more services to consumers who are requesting them. It will be interesting to see where this goes. Read more information here.

While we generally work under the foundation of your home, you can tell that we have a deep appreciation for your entire property. Questions? Comments? Let us know! The Victorian Foundation Repairs team would love to hear from you.

Creating the Best First Impression for Your Home

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Creating the Best First Impression for your HomeFirst impressions are everything, right? And there are a lot of different ways that you can define what a first impression is for you. Raise your hand if the most recent (and important) first impression you can remember had to do with someone important. The team at Victorian Foundation Repairs is guessing that a lot of you are raising your hands. Some first impressions go really, really well. If you’re smiling right now, we’re thinking that it must have worked out with a boss, a friend, a significant other or another paramount character in the story of your life. If you’re grimacing or slowly lowering your hand behind your back, there is NO shame in that, but we’re thinking that the last ‘first impression’ that you had may not have gone quite as you wanted it to.

The Victorian Foundation Repairs team aren’t experts at relationships, but we are experts at your home, and both require a really solid foundation. Both can also really benefit from premium first impressions and those can be just as complicated with your current or future home as any friendship or relationship that you might run into. You’re lucky. You stumbled upon our blog and we have a wealth of knowledge to give out. Here are some of our favourite tips.

  1. Don’t spare the necessary expenses. We don’t want you to go crazy, but we also don’t want you to shirk the dollars that could pay off big in the long run. Homes are expensive, no doubt about it, but they can also be your greatest asset if you treat them right. If it’s the difference between a hundred dollars on a couple of different materials for your fence, go big. You’ll make that money back ten-fold not too far down the line.
  2. Have a vision. We’re guessing that when you moved into your current home, there were things that you were really passionate about. There were also probably things that you weren’t the biggest fan of. Both of these are totally fine, but it’s an opportunity to have a clear and personal vision. Favourite colours? Favourite flowers? A type of windows that you really can’t stand? You already paid the money for the home, make it your own and let your personality show!
  3. Take care of your home’s exterior. The Victorian Foundation Repairs team are big fans of reinforcing not just the foundation of your home, but every other part of it as well. Sometimes that has to do with the premium materials we use, other times it really is all about advice – sweet, short and simple. You take care of the things that mean a lot to you, right? Your home’s exterior should fit squarely in this bucket. Regular maintenance, upkeep and chores, such as window cleaning, will remind you why you’re so proud of the first impression your home creates for any visitors that you may have.

If you have questions, please reach out to the Victorian Foundation Repairs team. We’d love to hear from you.

How Long Should Different Parts of Your Home Last?

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How Long Should Different Parts of Your Home LastIt would be nice to assume that when you move into a new home, it’s good to go. That you can cross over the threshold, dust off your shoes and cross “moving into a new home” off of your list. Ah, that would be a nice life, wouldn’t it? And here’s the tricky part. It will seem that way for you for a while. There’s a reason that when any kind of structure is on the market to be sold that it most likely looks its best. You’re not going to spend an arm and a leg on a property that looks like it has seen better days unless the price tag matches the quality.

So, if you’re selling a home and trying to make as much money as possible, the Victorian Foundation Repairs team is guessing that you invested a dime or two to maximize its value. And when prospective buyers see the home, it’s looking its shiniest and the most enticing to sign on the dotted line. You move in. All is well.

And then time passes. And slowly but surely, different parts of your home start to deteriorate. Sometimes, we’re going to be honest, it’s a hundred per cent on you. Whether you frequently take showers without ventilating your bathroom, it’s inevitable that you’re going to build up mould, which can be pesky to maintain or remedy. If you have a large or active household and the floors are scratched up on a regular basis, you can hardly blame that on anyone but you and your loved ones.

But there are also the general baselines that you can keep in mind (and somewhere in a reminder book) about how long parts of your home’s structure should last. Here are just a few:

Ceilings: Your ceilings should last between 20 and 25 years. This sounds like a long time if you’re just moving in, but think about (and ask about) the history of the home. One of the big variables that the lifespan depends on is whether the old roof was removed at any point. Others include questions around levels of shingles and proper ventilation.

Floors: The magic number for floors is 25 years or even more. This should come as no surprise if you think about how highly certain historic styles of flooring are prized in well-known buildings. The trick with floors is you need to take very good care of them, cleaning, buffing and polishing on a regular basis.

Windows: We’re rounding out this list with windows and perhaps you’ve started to notice a theme in numbers. Windows last 20-25 years. Windows don’t need a tonne of maintenance per se, but they’re not something that you can forget about either. The great thing about windows (and doors as well), is that they’ll start to show any signs of wear and tear early on. If they don’t swing shut properly, or stick when you try to open them, it’s time to call in the experts or embark on a home renovation project.