Have you noticed water stains extending across your ceilings or running down your walls? If so there is a good chance you have a water leak coming from your roof.

The good news is fixing a roof leak is relatively easy. If you know a few simple roof repair tricks you can have it all patched up in a matter of minutes.

The problem however is actually identifying the leak. If you don’t know where the leak is coming from you will not be able to fix it.

Before we dive in and talk about how you can quickly identify the source of a leak, let me first make one thing very clear. A roof leak is nothing to play with.

If you think you have one you need to have it checked out immediately. Though the leak may be small now, it can quickly get out of control and before you know it your insulation will be destroyed and your ceiling will be damaged.

So in essence, the longer you wait to invest in roofing repair, the more money you will have to spend to have it fixed.

How To Quickly Identify The Source of A Leak

The first thing you want to do when looking for the source of a leak is to look at the roof uphill from the stains for roof penetrations. Generally speaking the source of a roof look is an item that has penetrated through it.

As a matter of fact, it is highly unlikely you will find a leak in an area that is open and has uninterrupted shingles.

Areas of penetration you should inspect first include areas with a chimney, vents and plumbing. If you have easy access to your attic go up there with a flashlight and look for signs of a leak.

If you can’t get into your attic you will need to go up on the roof to check for signs. Some common signs of a leak would be black marks, mold or water stains.

How To Find The Difficult Leaks

Some leaks may be extremely difficult to find. If this is the case you will need to find someone to help you and go on the roof with a water hose. Start slow and work your way up.

The person helping you should stay inside and look for signs of a drip. Be sure to let the hose run in one area for several minutes. If the leak is difficult to find it may take several hours to identify it. Be patient and take your time so you can find the exact spot.

If after a few hours you are still unable to find the leak, consider hiring a roofing contractor to come out and get the job done for you.

If you have ever tried a renovation project on your own you know it’s not as easy as it looks on HGTV. Once you start gathering all the materials you quickly realize you may be in over your head. If you are trying to renovate your home on your own, here are 3 renovation mistakes you need to make sure you avoid.

Mistake #1 – Purchasing Materials Before Planning Out The Renovation

You know how it is….

You’re in the home improvement store and everything you see you just have to have. So you buy floors, a new dishwasher, a new sink, marble counters and anything else that catches your eye.

The problem with this method is you are spending thousands of dollars before you have taken the time to plan out your renovation. Do not purchase any materials until you have planned out the project.

Mistake #2 – Not Taking Accurate Measurements

This is by far one of the most common mistakes do it yourselfers make. When you measure incorrectly it will cost you more money in the long run. It will also cause a lot of headaches.

All it takes is being off just by one inch and the whole renovation can be ruined. When your measurements aren’t accurate you may find yourself not having enough space to install appliances.

You may also find that you didn’t purchase the right amount of materials. To prevent this from happened you should measure the space multiple times.

Mistake #3 – Purchasing The Wrong Paint

Purchasing the right paint is about more than just comparing a ton of samples. You need to make sure you have the right paint for the right surfaces in your home. For example, flat paint is not easy to clean.

It should therefore not be used in the kitchen or any other high traffic area of the home. Knowing what kind of paint to use in different situations is a vital part of bringing the renovation together.

Mistake #4- Hiring a bad contractor

This can be one of the biggest mistakes you could make. Bad contractors are out there and if you aren’t careful you might hire one and not know it until its too late. If this happens to you, you may need to contact a attorney.

Home improvement isn’t just about the inside of your home. You can also make home improvements by making your yard and the front of your home look better. This is especially important if you are trying to sell the home.

While the inside of your home needs to look its best, it is the outside that will make people want to check it out.

Here are 3 simple ways to boost curb appeal and draw more attention to your home.

#1 – Get Rid Of All The Junk

Your front yard and driveway should not be used to store vehicles that don’t work, dead bushes, empty planters or anything that would be considered an eyesore. If something isn’t attractive it doesn’t need to be in your front yard. Go through everything and either give it away, sell it or put it in the trash.

#2 – Make Sure Your Front Door Looks Great

Everyone who drives past your home will see your front door. That’s why it is so important you make sure it looks great. You can start by washing it and painting it. If that isn’t enough, you may need to go ahead and replace it.

Sometimes changing the hardware will make a huge difference as well. The idea is to spruce it up so it catches peoples eye when they drive by.

#3 – Power Wash Driveways and Pathways

When people pull up to your home, besides seeing your front door, they will also see your driveway and pathways. If you have weeds in the walkway, pull them up. If there are cracks in the pathway, have them repaired.

You should also power wash the driveway and pathway so they look clean and bright. These small little home improvements can go a long ways in improving the overall look and feel of your home.

Are you considering renovating your garage? If so this article is for you. Below you will find 4 transformation ideas that will help you turn your boring garage into an amazing living space.

Idea #1 – Turn It Into Office Space

With more and more people start online businesses, working from home is becoming the norm. The problem is most people don’t have the space they need to set up a home office. And that’s where the garage comes into play. It can easily be turned into a convenient work space for less than $1,000.

Idea #2 – Turn It Into A Man Cave

Fellas this is for you. Sometimes you just need your own personal space where you can let loose and be free. Converting the garage into a man cave will give you the space you need to watch football, play video games or do anything that floats your boat without inconveniencing the rest of the family.

Idea #3 – Turn It Into A Home Gym

If you love to workout you can save a ton of money by working out at home. When you have your own private gym you don’t have to worry about crowded gyms, long commutes or monthly fees. You can workout anytime of day which makes a home gym extremely convenient.

Idea #4 – Turn It Into A Play Room

If you have small children you know they need their own space to have fun. This is especially true if you have more than one child. Providing them with their own space will enable them to have fun and be as loud as they want to be without disturbing the rest of the family.

You will have to do a little more work when transforming the garage into a playroom because you will need to make sure it is a safe space for your children to play in.

When it comes to choosing the right roofing materials for your home there is no shortage of options. Besides regular roofing products, there are also specialty roofing products such as metal and tile that you can choose from.

Ultimately, the roofing material you choose will depend on 3 key factors. The first factor is what look are you going for? What style roof do you want? Being that up to 50% of the exterior of your home will be visible roofline, it is very important you use a roof material that complements the outside of your home.

The second factor you want to consider is cost. If you are looking for the best bang for your buck, composition shingles will be the best option. If on the other hand you are looking for something that is durable and can last for many years to come, then a tile roof would be your best option.

Keep in mind tile is very fragile and can break easily which means you may being spending a ton of money just to keep the tiles in tack.

No matter which option you choose, just make sure it fits within your budget. The last thing you want to do is overspend and put yourself in debt.

The third and final factor to consider is location. Where you live will play a huge role in determining the type of roofing material you choose for your home. For instance, if you live in an area that is known to have heavy snowfalls, you want a roofing material that is durable enough to withstand those types of conditions.

In this situation you should avoid clay tile as it can be easily damaged by snow and other cold weather conditions.

The key is to do a little research before you start looking at roofing materials. This way you won’t waste money on a roof that won’t provide the protection you and your family need.

When it comes to the various roofing types homeowners can install, it is very important you compare how much the material will cost versus how it would look on your home. With so many options to choose from it is very important you take an objective approach.

Take your time and look at the full range of products so you can base your on decision on both your budget and your needs.

With that being said, here are the 3 best types of roofing for homeowners on a budget:

Fake Slate Roofing Shingles

The fake slate roofing shingles look just like the real deal. The one big different however is the price. While fake slate is not cheap by any means, it is still a great deal cheaper than real slate.

If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow be sure to install snow guards. This will help protect the slate from becoming damaged in the event an avalanche of snow falls on your home.

Asphalt Roofing Shingles

Asphalt is without a doubt the most common type of roofing material. If you want a good looking roof on a budget, this is the option you should go with. Asphalt is light, easy to install and extremely durable.

It is not unheard of for an asphalt roof to last more than 30 years. Just be careful as asphalt doesn’t always hold up under windy conditions.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing comes in a variety of different textures and shapes. Some of the materials used to create metal roofing include copper, which is the most expensive, steel, alloy and aluminum.

The great thing about metal roofs is that they are extremely light and super easy to install. Metal roofs will also keep your home cooler as they have the ability reflect the sun’s rays.