How To Keep Your Home’s Foundation Strong & Secure

Today, we’re diving into something that’s a bit of a big deal—the foundation of your home. Today, we’re talking about keeping the foundation of our homes as strong as The Hulk – okay, maybe not literally, but you get the gist. Stick with me because we’re about to break down how to keep that foundation solid and avoid forking out loads of cash on repairs later. Ready to jump in?

Let’s shine a spotlight on why this topic is getting all the attention. The bottom line? Your foundation holds up your whole house! Damage here can lead to big headaches like cracks or the dreaded water damage. Ignoring little signs could mean big bucks in repairs later on. But hey, don’t stress – we’ve got your back to stop that from happening!

Just like us, our homes need a little check-up regularly. Previously I’ve shared spring and fall home checklists for maintaining your home. Make it a point to inspect your foundation every 3–6 months for new issues. Look for new or widening cracks, moisture issues, and uneven flooring. There’s a great article, What a Foundation Is & What to Check For, over at Angie’s List. It discusses different kinds of foundations and what to look for.

Hire a professional if you find problems that need addressing. Seeing cracks or noticing doors and windows getting a bit jammy? These might be the early birds of foundation troubles. Catching these signs early can really save you from having to spend your entire emergency fund or getting a second mortgage to cover the costs.

Foundation inspections are crucial because they help identify foundation issues before they cause severe structural damage to your home. Not only do foundation problems tend to get worse over time and end up costing you more money, but the longer an issue persists, the more damage it will do to your structure above.

Handling water around your foundation is key. Keeping your gutters clean and those downspouts pointing the right way is crucial to keep water from being a homebody around your foundation. And if you’re in a spot that gets more than its fair share of rain, considering a yard drainage system could be your go-to saving grace. We’re aiming to keep water from getting too cozy around your foundation.

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Catching Up & My Updated Condo Dining Room

I’ve been in my condo about 2 months. Besides the work I am having done by others, my time was originally spent unpacking and organizing. I shared before that I hurt my back carrying a heavy box. It was getting better until I re-injured it. I have spent weeks trying to relax my back and let the soft tissue injury heal. Last Thursday I was worse than ever as I started having RA (rheumatoid arthritis) flashing pain in various places on my body. I have RA episodes when I’m stressed and I’ve been stressed. I went to see my primary doctor, and he helped. I got a shot and 2 prescriptions to help ease the pain and relax the muscles. Needless to say those boxes left on the balcony will continue to wait.

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Ways To Make The Garden An Extension Of Your Home

Even though we are in winter and many of us have snowy yards, today I want to discuss making our gardens useful places to visit. For many of us, our gardens often feel like a separate outdoor space that isn’t used that often. The problem people have is that perhaps they find that their outdoor space isn’t really a user friendly space. You may have a large lawned area, perhaps planted a few plants at some point, and maybe it is good for sitting out when the sun shines or watching your children play. Now consider how it can be a space that can be used for all kinds of things.

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Saying Goodbye to My Little Home

Today’s photos are from past posts as I say good-bye to my little house on the west coast of Florida and coastal living. It’s kind of sad, but as I take a new step in life in my new home, it’s also exciting. Next week is the big day, and I am more than ready emotionally to let go of my little house. (I’m moving to a 2 bedroom 2 bath condo in Lakeland, Florida. See I Sold My House & Found a Condo for more information.)

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The Murphy ‘Halls Are Officially Decked!’

As many of you know, I am selling my house and buying a condo. I just have a few Christmas items in the living room to keep me happy, but I won’t be putting up a tree and doing all the decorating I normally do. Right now there are 2 stacks of packed boxes in the living room with more to come. Each stack is as tall as me. Same in the dining room. An inspector came last Monday at 12:45. Last Tuesday an appraisor came at noon. Sigh! I’ll be so happy when this is all over. I move to Lakeland on January 10th. Today’s photos are courtesy of my nephew James up in Michigan. Thank you James!

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I Sold My House & Found a Condo

Friday I signed the contract to sell my house. Saturday I drove to Lakeland, Florida, to meet a real estate agent and visit 4 condos. Today I am reviewing online my offer for one of the condominiums. (For my UK friends, a condominum or condo is an apartment you own.) The reason I am moving to an apartment/condo? I am tired of maintaining a home. There for a monthly fee the buildings are maintained including landscaping, maintaining & painting the outside of the building, & paying water bill, trash, internet, and cable. In effect I only pay for my electric bill. I am closing on my home on January 10th in the morning. In the afternoon I am closing on my new condo (if offer is accepted). It is exciting to think I am starting a new leg of my life in a new home in a new small town. Life is full of changes.

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Organic Cleaning With DIY Cleansers

SAFETY TIP: Never combine ammonia-based cleaners with chlorine bleach or products containing bleach, such as powdered dishwasher detergent. The fumes they’ll create are extremely dangerous. Before doing any mixing, read the product labels first. Always label any bottles of DIY cleaners with all the ingredients inside. In case a child or animal consumes it, it’s important to know the ingredients.

In the past, I have experienced allergic reactions to many commercial cleansers. All contain chemicals that can cause asthma attacks and skin reaction. I have researched and tried many alternative, healthier ways of cleaning. Making your own natural organic (organic meaning made in nature) cleaning supplies is better than buying them because you can control what is used, protect your family,  and save money. Most of the ingredients are right in your pantry.

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