How Much Do Septic Systems Really Cost To Install In A Home?

If your home is not attached to a municipal sewer plant, then you likely have a septic system to handle your homes wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal. Septic systems lay underground and through filters slowly disperse the newly clean water back into the soil. Septic systems come in many different price ranges due to various external factors such as soil, tank material, tank size, and installation. These reasons make estimating the price difficult so let’s lay out some ways you can get a close guess on the price.

 

Anaerobic System

The anaerobic system is a reasonably simple system that consists of a pipe leading from the house to the tank, and a branched pipe leading from the tank into the drain field. These systems depend on anaerobic bacteria to break down waste in the tank. Anaerobic systems are typically much cheaper to install than the more complex aerobic system. They will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to install.

 

 

Aerobic System

The aerobic system is a wastewater system that depends upon aerobic bacteria to break down waste in the tank. Because oxygen is not naturally present in a septic tank, this system requires an air pump to aerate the tank and promote the breakdown of waste. It will need more than one tank to complete the water treatment process. Aerobic systems are much more complicated than anaerobic systems and can cost between $10,000 and $20,000 to install.

 

Tank Size Guide

To get more specific on what rates you could get depending on the size we created a graph to support you.

 

Tank Gallon Size	House Size	Tank Cost
1,000gal	3 bedroom	$600 – $1,000
1,200gal	5-6 bedroom	$1,200 – $1,600
2,000gal	Small building (14ish occupants)	$1,800 – $2,300
3,000gal	Larger building	$2,900 – $3,900

 

 

Preparation

Unfortunately, the costs don’t end there. To prepare for the tank you’re going to have to prepare the ground. It’s going to take a considerable amount of groundwork to install the tank so be sure to add in that potential cost. The price range can be $1,200 to $4,500, but septic tank installers will wrap these costs into the total price of installation and therefore may offer the excavation at a lower rate.

 

Permits

Depending on how intricate the project is you may need a permit to start construction. Building permits usually come in the range of $400 to $2,500. For a septic tank, a standard permit price should be around $1,000 or less. You can find out if you require to get a building permit by speaking to a local contractor.

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Should I Consider Installing A Whole House Humidifier

Did you know the temperature might not always be to blame for how your home feels? We all like to blame the temperature when the home feels uncomfortable, but what about the humidity? Humidity levels have a lot to do with the comfort of your home, and that’s why many people choose to install a whole-house humidifier.

 

Whole house humidifiers work as part of your home heating system. Unlike a portable humidifier which you plug into your wall and use in individual rooms, a whole house humidifier makes a big difference throughout your entire home. Is this device right for you? Here’s whether you should consider installing a whole house humidifier in your own home.

 

 

How Does a Whole House Humidifier Work?

As said above, a whole house humidifier is a lot different than the portable humidifiers you might be familiar with. Whole house humidifiers are installed in your home ductwork, usually near the furnace. The unit is connected to your home’s water supply.

 

The humidifier works by exposing your home’s air to the moisture in the tank. This increases the humidity levels in your home. Unlike a small, portable humidifier, you’ll have consistent moisture levels throughout your entire house. However, like any other part of your heating or duct system, you’ll need to do some regular maintenance. Luckily, it’s much less maintenance than a portable humidifier.

 

 

Benefits of a Whole House Humidifier

So why should you consider a whole house humidifier when you could just use a portable humidifier? Depending on where you live, your home might be prone to dryness, particularly in the winter months. If the air in your home is too dry, your home is at risk of damage. For instance, gaps form between floorboards and wood furniture can even crack if there’s not enough moisture in the air.

 

There’s also a level of comfort that comes with increasing the moisture level. Many people struggle with dry skin, and this can improve with a humidifier. Higher humidity also does wonders for preventing illness and reducing allergy symptoms.

 

Ultimately a humidifier helps protect your valuables and your body. It’s also a lot more cost-effective compared to a portable humidifier which won’t get the job done as efficiently. Depending on the weather where you live, it can be a lifesaver.

 

 

Is a Whole House Humidifier Right for You?

To answer whether you should consider installing a whole house humidifier, you’ll need to consider a few different things. First, what’s the humidity like where you live? If you live in a warmer, humid climate prone to regular rain, you likely don’t need to install a humidifier for your entire house since a portable one will get the job done.

 

On the other hand, if you live in a dry climate and your home is prone to low moisture, a whole house humidifier can do wonders for your health and the protection of your property. However, before you install a whole house humidifier, check whether your home is properly sealed from the outside. If warm air is naturally escaping and dry air is getting in, this could be a sign you need to update your home’s insulation.

 

If you do decide to install a whole house humidifier, it can be a great way to add more comfort to your home. We all long for some moisture during those colder, dry months. If you use an efficient, modern whole house humidifier, you’ll notice the benefits in your home right away.

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What to Do If You Find Asbestos Your House

Asbestos is a homeowner’s nightmare. Unless you’ve come in close contact with asbestos yourself, you might have a lot of confusion about what exactly asbestos is and what to do if you find it in your home. While asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral, it can sometimes be found in insulation in your home as well as in your floors, shingles, and siding.

 

While occasional, brief exposure to asbestos is relatively harmless, if exposed for a long period of time there are severe potential health risks. Lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis are all possible after prolonged exposure to asbestos. Keep reading this guide to learn what to do if you find asbestos in your own house.

 

 

 

What is Asbestos?

First, let’s take a closer look at what asbestos is exactly. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral substance. The fibers of asbestos are flexible, soft, and resistant to heat and chemical corrosion. Because it’s an effective natural insulator, asbestos was commonly used in paper, cloth, cement, and home insulation.

 

Why was asbestos used so frequently in construction and production? Frankly, it was cheap and durable. It was a great insulator but it also was resistant for fire. The use of asbestos peaked during World War II when builders were looking for cheap, practical materials. This became the ideal building material until the 1970s.

 

Finally, in the 1970s, scientific evidence demonstrated just how dangerous this mineral could be when the fibers are exposed to the air. In 1977, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of these compounds in patching product. It wasn’t until 1989 that the Environmental Protection Agency finally banned most asbestos products, though this was overturned soon after.

 

Today, the EPA bans asbestos in flooring felts and certain papers. Products can still be created with these fibers as long as they account for under 1% of the total product.

 

 

 

Asbestos In Your Home

It’s difficult to know whether a material has asbestos just by looking at it. This makes it hard for homeowners to identify any dangerous materials in their home that might be causing health problems. The best way to find asbestos in your home is to use a professional. An asbestos professional can take samples to confirm whether you have a dangerous amount of asbestos in your home and whether you need to take action.

 

The good news is that if you do discover you have asbestos in your home, there is no reason to be immediately alarmed. These materials become dangerous only when they’re damaged and release asbestos fibers into the air which can be breathed in. If you plan to leave these asbestos materials alone and they’re in good condition, they’re not likely to pose any health risk.

 

However, make sure to keep a close eye on these materials. If they’re worn, damaged, cut, or scraped, they’re likely to release dangerous fibers. Check them regularly for any signs of distress.

 

If you find damaged asbestos or are planning a remodeling project that will disturb current asbestos-containing materials, you need a professional. The repair process usually involves either sealing the material with a binding coating so the fibers cannot be released or covering the material with safe insulation. Removing the material will be a complex process that can only be handled by a trained professional who will reduce the home’s exposure.

 

 

 

 

Protect Your Home From Asbestos

The danger around asbestos is often misunderstood. While finding asbestos-containing materials in the home is not uncommon, it doesn’t mean you need to be immediately concerned. As long as the asbestos is in good condition and unlikely to be messed with, it’s safe to leave it untouched.

 

However, if you do need professional intervention, act quickly. You don’t want to risk the health of your family. The health problems associated with asbestos sometimes take years to appear, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you’re not sure about the state of asbestos in your own home, contact a professional today who can take a closer look.

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How To Know Where Your Property Lines Are When Owning A Home

Property lines are the lines on your property that define where your land ends and your neighbor’s property begins.

 

Knowing exactly where your home’s property lines begin and end can help avoid many disputes with your neighbors. If you plan to put in a pool, new fencing, or other structures and expansions, it’s important to know where your property lines are as to not overlap with your neighbor’s property. Similarly. If your neighbors make any new additions to their home, you can be sure that they are not taking up any of your space.

 

Fortunately, finding out where your home’s property lines are is fairly easy.

 

 

Review Your Deed

First and foremost, you should be sure to review your deed. Your deed will likely detail where your property lines based on certain landmarks, like a tree or something similar. You can use this information to measure your property lines for yourself.

 

In some cases, you’ll find that your deed may refer you to an earlier deed for details regarding your property lines. So, be prepared to do some digging

 

 

Check With Your Local Zoning Department

If you don’t already have the plat for your home, check with your local zoning department as they keep records of all plats for homes in your area. Plats are maps that are drawn to scale and show exactly where your property lines are. You might also be able to find this information online.

 

If you weren’t able to determine where your property lines are based on your deed, this map will make it clear exactly how your land is divided.

 

 

Consult a Surveyor

If you aren’t able to access a plat, your deed wasn’t clear when defining property lines, or you weren’t able to find the deed with information regarding your property lines, you can still find where your property ends by hiring a professional surveyor. A surveyor will measure your property, map your property, and can mark the corners of your property with stakes to show you exactly where the property lines are.

 

Professional surveyors can be somewhat expensive, depending on your location and the size of your property. You should consult with multiple professional surveyors to discuss the details of what you need to be done, receive a quote, and choose which surveyor best fits your needs.

 

Additionally, you should check to ensure that the surveyor you choose holds all the required licenses and insurance required by your state. Ensuring that your surveyor is licensed and insured will protect you in case he or she makes any mistakes when measuring your property.

 

A professional surveyor is a great option if you aren’t able to access the records that define your property lines.

Whether you plan on making expansions and additions to your home or your neighbors are currently doing the same to their home, understanding where your property lines are located is a great way to avoid conflicts and make sure that nobody is taking over land that the other owns.

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Can Missing One Mortgage Payment Affect Your Credit?

Missing a single mortgage payment really can damage your credit score.  Though you already own a home, you still need a solid credit score to qualify for an auto loan, snag a job that requires handling cash and qualify for additional lines of credit.  Let’s take a closer look at why it is so important to pay your mortgage on time.

 

 

The Basics of Missed Mortgage Payments

Miss a home mortgage payment and you run the risk of your lender reporting the delinquency to credit bureaus.  However, if you miss a mortgage payment by merely a day or two, there is a chance the lender might not report this minor lapse. As is often said, life happens.  You might get into a car accident, have a family emergency or simply forget to make the monthly mortgage payment.  If you miss your mortgage payment, reach out to your lender as soon as possible to explain what happened.  Ask the lender to refrain from reporting the lapse. 

 

 

The Ramifications of Missing a Mortgage Payment

Miss one or several monthly mortgage payments and your credit score will drop in due time.  Missing a single payment has the potential to result in a credit score decrease of 90-110 points for those with a credit score in the range of 780 on up.  Unfortunately, this credit blemish will remain on your credit report for seven years. 

 

 

Is there any Leeway for Missed Payments?

In general, the majority of home loan lenders will not report a missed payment unless the account is more than 15 calendar days past due.  However, there is no guarantee your lender will wait until 15 days have passed to take action.  If you are more than 15 days late on your payment, the servicer will likely charge a late fee.  The late fee is applicable each month a payment is missed.  This late fee is significant, typically tacking on an additional 5% to the overdue balance.

 

If you are 30 days late on your mortgage payment, the lender is likely to report your delinquency to the credit bureaus.  This is significant as your credit rating will decrease.  If you are 36 days late on your mortgage payment, federal law mandates the servicer attempt to contact you.  If you do not respond, the servicer might transmit a Notice of Default that provides 30 days notice to provide payment for the original balance due along with accumulated interest.  Be sure to check your state’s specific laws to determine if you have additional time to make payment arrangements prior to foreclosure.  When in doubt, over-communicate with your lender!  The majority of mortgage lenders are willing to work with those who miss mortgage payments to get the payments current.

 

Fail to work out a plan with your lender to make your payments current and the government will mandate the servicer assign a company employee to your file.  This individual is forced to provide assistance options and respond to your questions.  One the 60-day mark is reached, your late fees will likely be doubled.  Reach the 90-day mark and the lender will transmit a demand letter stating the mortgage must be made current or it will be foreclosed.  Fail to make payment arrangements with the timeline detailed din the demand letter and your lender will schedule a foreclosure in which your home is sold and you are forced to find a new living space.  It will be challenging to find a decent place to live now that your credit score has taken a hit.

 

 

The Damage to Your Credit Score

Miss a home mortgage payment and your credit might be dinged by about 50-100 points.  This is not a significant decrease as most people have a credit score between 650 and 800.  There is some irony in the fact that those who have good credit will likely suffer a credit ding greater than those with average credit.  As an example, an individual with a credit score of 800 will likely endure a 100 point drop after missing his or her home mortgage payment for a month.  Alternatively, a homeowner with a 680 credit score who misses two monthly mortgage payments will likely endure a 60-70 point decrease.

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How Much Does It Cost to Refinish Hardwood Floors?

Hardwood floors are a classic addition to any home. They add warmth and depth to your space, plus they’re easy to maintain compared to other flooring options. Even better, because hardwood floors are popular, they’re almost guaranteed to increase the value and style appeal of your home.

 

What does it mean to refinish your hardwood? Even the best quality floors need maintenance. While hardwood floors will look great for years, they need to be cared for and refinished. If you take good care of your floors, you’ll only need to refinish them every 10+ years.

 

 

When do you need to refinish your floors? Here are some signs that it’s time:

• Your floors have uneven coloring
• The wood appears dull even after polishing
• There are visible scratches
• It’s been 20+ years since your last refinishing

 

As far as home improvements go, refinishing your hardwood floors is one of the more affordable options. Most homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $1,072 to $2,374 according to Home Advisor. In this guide, we’ll break down the various costs associated with refinishing your floors so you’ll know if you’re getting the best price for your home improvement.

 

 

The Average Costs

Like all home projects, the price will depend on a number of factors such as the size of your home and whether you use a professional. There might also be some costly variations that might increase the overall expense. For a basic restoration, the price ranges from $970 to $1,250 per 300 square feet.

 

When can you expect to pay more? If your floors are in particularly bad condition, you might need to replace them altogether. This would be the most expensive scenario. Otherwise, it will depend on the quality of finish you plan to use, how many coats are required, and how accessible your floors are.

 

 

Hardwood Floor Refinishing Process

Now that you know the average costs, let’s break down the hardwood refinishing process so you know what to expect. As always, do your research when hiring a professional to work in your home. You want to make sure they know what they’re doing to ensure your floors last as long as possible and look their best.

1. Clear your space. Your first step will be to completely clear each room you plan to refinish. You’ll also want to tape plastic bags over any vents in these rooms since dust can easily clog your filters.
2. Sand the floors. First, use a professional sander with a dust bag to sand down the floors. This is usually the most time-consuming process, and you’ll have a lot of dust and shavings to clean up.
3. Apply any stains. If you plan to use a wood stain, now is the time. The stain will need at least 20 hours to dry, and heat can help speed up this process.
4. Coat the floor – Several coats of polyurethane will need to be applied in order to lock in the stain and give your floors that long-lasting shine. There will be 2-3 coats, and each coat needs a day to dry.
5. Wait 48 hours – Finally, avoid walking on the floors for up to 48 hours to ensure everything is dry. Then, it’s time to move your furniture back.

 

That’s a comprehensive, step-by-step breakdown for what you can expect during the refinishing process. Your hardwood floors should come away looking shiny, healthy, and gorgeous. This process will keep your floors looking their best for the next 10 years or more as long as you maintain them with proper care. Refinishing your hardwood floors is an inexpensive way to bring them back to life and increase the value of your home.

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What To Do If Your Neighbors Are Complicating Your Home Sale

Selling a home can be complicated and difficult as it is, but bad neighbors can make the process even more stressful than it needs to be. Whether your neighbors are loud, inconsiderate, or they just don’t take proper care of their property, they can potentially get in the way of you making a sale.

 

If you’re struggling to sell your home due to bad neighbors, here’s how you can try to remedy the situation.

 

 

What to do About Neighbors with an Ugly House

One of the biggest problems that you might encounter is neighbors with a poorly-kept home and yard. Even if you live in a great area and make sure to stay on top of your home’s appearances, your neighbors can easily damage the curb appeal of your home.

 

Of course, you can’t know for sure why your neighbors don’t maintain their home’s appearance. It might be due to illness or financial problems. As such, the first thing you should do is talk to your neighbors and offer to help them clean up their yard. Be respectful and try to figure out the easiest and most affordable way to spruce up their home so that it is no longer negatively affecting your attempt to sell your home.

 

 

How to Deal with Noisy Neighbors

Another issue you might run into is noisy neighbors. Whether it be loud pets, loud music, or other noises, loud neighbors can turn off potential buyers.

 

However, before you file a noise complaint, you should be sure to talk to your neighbors about the noise and explain how it is affecting your ability to sell your home. Noise complaints can often lead to creating animosity between you and your neighbors, so it’s best to avoid filing one unless necessary.

 

Also, try to time your open houses strategically. Try to schedule your open house around when you know your neighbors will be away from home.

 

 

Abandoned House Next Door

Vacant homes can also negatively impact the curbside appeal of your home. If the issue you’re having is that your neighboring home is abandoned and unkempt, you can consider a few options.

 

First, the financial institution that owns the property will often be willing to perform basic maintenance as they have a vested interest in selling the property. In this case, you might just need to make a few calls to get the process moving.

 

Additionally, you can perform basic chores yourself such as mowing the lawn and making sure to pick up things like newspapers from the driveway. This might not be ideal, but it’s a small price to pay if it helps you sell your home more quickly and for a fair price.

 

Selling a home is already a difficult process, and bad neighbors can make the process infinitely more stressful. Whether your neighbors are loud, messy, or not there at all, there are steps you can take to improve the situation and get your property off the market as quickly as possible.

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