Michael's Homes l Marquette's Premier Custom Home Builder
  • Home
  • Custom Homes
    • Build Your Dream Home
    • Building Process
    • Free Consultation
    • Commercial Buildings & More
    • Custom Home Gallery
  • Remodeling
    • Remodeling Services
    • Our Process
    • Free Consultation
    • Warranty
    • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
    • Remodeling Gallery
  • Gallery
    • Custom Home Gallery
    • Remodeling Gallery
  • About
    • Meet The Team
    • Testimonials
    • Why Choose Michael's Homes
    • Help Us Support Parkinson's Disease Research
    • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
  • Contact

15 reasons to get rid of clutter

2/23/2017

1 Comment

 
When it comes to removing clutter from your home, the first step is always the hardest.  It seems that it's easy to find almost anything else to do, and it's hard to find the "time" to dive into de-cluttering.  All that's needed to get you going is a spark of motivation.  That's where we come in.  Here you'll find 15 excellent reasons that will get you started AND keep you motivated to maintain a lovely, serene, clutter-free home.

  • Imagine that instead of coming home to the usual piles of junk, you're greeted with space and cleanliness when you step through the front door.  You’ll feel more relaxed and clear-headed when coming home to a clear space rather than a cluttered one.
  • You’ll sleep better.  A serene and clutter-free bedroom is much more relaxing and less stressful.
  
Picture

  • Your next move will be less stressful AND less expensive.
  • You’ll save time and get out the door quicker since it'll take less time to find things.
  • You’ll finally be able to fit your car in the garage.  According to the Department of Energy, 25% of people who own a 2-car garage can't even fit one car inside due to clutter.  If you live in the North, this means no more scraping snow and ice from your windshield every morning!  Hallelujah.
  • You’ll buy less junk and less containers for storing junk.  Small purchases add up!  Instead you’ll have extra money for something more valuable, like paying off debt or taking a family vacation.
  • The more clutter you clear, the easier it’ll get.  It’s like exercising.
  
Picture

  • Next time you get bored, you’ll find more fulfilling ways to pass the time like gardening, hiking, coffee with friends, or volunteering.  No more mindless shopping trips and empty gratification.
  • Cleaning clutter out of your child’s life will help your family refocus on creativity and imagination.  Simpler toys allow for more open-ended play, imagination, and problem-solving.
  • You’ll always have something to wear.  Clear out the clothes that don’t make you feel your best.  They’re only getting in the way.
  • You'll help others by donating things you don’t need or use.
  
Picture
​
  • The words “want” and “need” will take on new meaning.
  • Dusting and cleaning gets a lot easier with less stuff to dust and clean.
  • You’ll realize how little people need to be comfortable.
  • You’ll be more thankful for what you do have.

Well, what are you waiting for?  Quit procrastinating and take steps today to make your life cleaner, simpler, and easier.  You'll be so glad you took that first step to rid your home - and life - of clutter!
1 Comment

THE CABINET CONTROVERSY: PAINTED VS. STAINED

2/15/2017

2 Comments

 
So you're building or remodeling your home, but can't decide whether to go with painted or stained cabinets.  Allow us to help!  We've laid out a few pros and cons so that you can make a confident decision when it comes to your cabinets.

Stained Cabinets
​
Picture

​​​Pro: Allow the natural beauty of the wood to show.  A stain will beautifully enhance and add contrast to the whorls and grain that make your cabinets unique.
​
Pro:  Stained cabinets look very rustic, and will meld perfectly with that style of home.
​

Picture

​​Pro: Touch-ups on stained cabinets tend to blend well into the wood, especially if it has a lot of grain.  Finding a touch-up marker that closely matches your stain is typically pretty easy.

Pro:  Stained cabinets lend a warm, rich, luxurious feel to a room.
​

Picture

​Con:  Medium density fiberboard cabinets don't take stain as well as they do paint.  They are less-expensive cabinets, but staining them won't look as authentic as stained walnut cabinets, for example.

Con:  All of the wood's flaws (some call it character) are easily visible when you use a stain.  While paint covers that up, a stain will enhance it.

Painted Cabinets
​

Picture

​​Pro:  Painted cabinets give a rather crisp, clean, contemporary feel to a room.

Pro:  Paint sticks better to medium density fiberboard.  You can cut cost on the actual cabinet.
​

Picture

​Pro:  You're not limited to the color of the wood.  With paint, you can customize your cabinets to whatever color you'd like.

Pro:  If painting your cabinets white, it'll really open up the area and make the room appear spacious, well-lit, and airy.
​

Picture

​Con:  Paint tends to be more expensive.  You'll have to decide if the added expense will work with your budget.  Of course, you can always go with medium density fiberboard to combat the added cost.

Con:  Paint can be pretty tricky to touch-up.  If your cabinets are bought pre-fabricated, it might be impossible to find an exact match in color.  Also, if the manufacturer applied the paint by spraying, it'll be hard to perfectly blend the touch-up with the smooth finish.  Brushed paint finishes are easier to touch up.

So there you have it!  Hopefully this article will help shed light on which direction you want to go with your cabinets.  Contact the helpful staff at Michael's Homes if you have any further questions, or if you'd like to schedule a remodel today!
2 Comments

HOW TO PREVENT AND DESTROY HOUSEHOLD MOLD

2/9/2017

3 Comments

 
Although mundane household tasks like laundry and cleaning can sometimes be put off for another day, an issue like household mold should always be taken seriously.  Not only does mold cause considerable damage to your home, but it can cause serious health problems for your entire family!  In this article, we’ll guide you through some of the basics of mold prevention and maintenance so you’ll never have to worry about it again.

So how does mold form in the first place?  Mold spores float through the air and eventually will come to rest on a damp surface.  Over time the mold grows and eats away at the damp surface, causing substantial damage to your home.  The damage doesn’t stop there though.  Exposure to mold can also cause health symptoms like allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.

So how do you know when to call a professional?  The EPA recommends calling a Mold Remediation Expert when affected area is larger than 10 square feet (roughly 3x3 feet).  If you’re extra sensitive to the spores though, even 1 square foot of mold might be too much for you to handle alone.

​If you only have spot mold on non-porous surfaces that you are willing to remove yourself, here are some DIY mold removal options you might find helpful.
  • Baking soda: Mix 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in 1 gallon water and scrub affected area.  Rinse with water.  This option is particularly great for killing mold on upholstery.
  • Tea Tree Oil: Add 1 teaspoon tea tree oil per cup of water and spray solution on affected area.  Let sit for a few minutes before wiping off.
  • Vinegar: Put full-strength vinegar into a spray bottle.  Spray affected area and wipe off.
  • Bleach: Mix 1 cup of bleach with enough water to make 1 gallon.  Solution can be put into a spray bottle, or spread with a sponge or cloth.  Don’t rinse.
Picture
Although this home experienced minor exterior damage from Hurricane Katrina, small leaks and inadequate airflow permitted mold infestation.
  • Borax: Borax is not as strong-smelling and corrosive as bleach.  Mix 1 cup borax with enough water to make 1 gallon.  Apply solution to the affected surface and scrub with a brush.  Don’t rinse.  Wipe surface dry.​
  • Ammonia:  Great for killing mold on smooth, nonporous surfaces.  Never use with bleach.  Treat affected area with a solution of equal parts ammonia and water.  Leave on for 10 minutes, and then rinse with water.​
  • Hydrogen Peroxide: Spray full-strength hydrogen peroxide on affected area and let sit for 10 minutes to loosen mold.  Wipe surface and don’t rinse.​

​When mold buildup occurs on porous surfaces like ceiling tiles or carpets, you need to completely replace the affected area.  It's impossible otherwise to entirely remove the mold, and you'll just end up with the same problem again.  If an area like this has been affected, 
contact Michael's Homes today to schedule plans for a renovation.  You'll be on your way to a mold-free home in no time at all!

The key to control future mold growth is to control moisture.  Do you have a leak or water problem?  Find the source of moisture and fix it.  Make sure your indoor humidity is at somewhere around 30-60% to decrease mold growth.  Check bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other sources of moisture to ensure that they ventilate properly to the outside.  Increase ventilation.  Use air conditioners and de-humidifiers.  Use exhaust fans when cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.  Prevent condensation on cold surfaces by adding insulation.  These are a few proactive steps you can take to prevent future mold growth in your home.  

You've now got all the keys to permanently rid your home of mold.  Use one of the DIY options mentioned above, contact Michael's Homes to schedule a renovation, or look up Mold Remediation Experts in your area.  Don't risk your health and home by waiting too long.  Get started today!

NOTE: The Environmental Protection Agency advises wearing rubber gloves, goggles, and possibly an N-95 respirator to avoid breathing in mold spores while cleaning.  The EPA also advises caution when using bleach or biocides since they can cause severe reactions in some people.  

The photo above was taken by Infrogmation and used under the terms of Creative Commons License 2.5.

3 Comments

WHAT ARE ICE DAMS, & HOW TO FIX THEM

2/2/2017

0 Comments

 
Do you have a roof leak that keeps coming back to haunt you no matter how many times you have had your roof repaired? If, during the winter months, you have icicles hanging from your roof, then those leaks are likely to be caused by ice dams. Those icicles hanging from the eaves may look beautiful, but they can be an indicator of serious damage being done to your home! Torn gutters, loose shingles, and persistent leaks are only the start. Peeling paint, warped floors, sagging ceilings, and mold & mildew infested insulation are sure to follow. Luckily, there's a fix that can solve your problem completely so you never have to deal with it again.
​
Picture
​
​To understand what an ice dam is, you first need to understand how and why they form. Due to improper ventilation and insulation, heat collects in your attic and warms the roof everywhere except the eaves. The warmed roof melts snow which trickles down and freezes on the cold eaves. Ice continues to accumulate on the eaves, which eventually forms a dam. Melted water backs up behind the ice dam, flowing under the shingles and into your home. And thus, your resulting leak has been created.


Now you know how the leak is happening, but how do you fix it? Getting up on your roof to hack away at the ice dam with a shovel, pick or chisel is one way, however this is dangerous for both you and your roof! Besides the obvious danger of slipping and falling, you're also likely to damage your roofing. Salting your roof is also a terrible idea. These are both short-term fixes anyway.

The best long-term way to solve any problem is to fix the root cause. Ice dams are caused by improper ventilation and insulation, so that's where you need to start. By properly fixing the problem, you'll live worry-free for decades. Plus, you'll also have a more tightly insulated home, and that means lower home energy costs. Contact Michael's Homes today at 906-401-0575. Our qualified staff will be happy to asses your home and provide a no-obligation quote. Get started today!
0 Comments

    Archives

    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017

    Categories

    All
    Home Improvement Tips
    Project Updates

    RSS Feed

Have a question?

NEED A QUICK ESTIMATE?

Fill out the form below and a representative will contact you shortly.
Submit
Picture
CUSTOM HOMES
REMODELING
SHOWCASE GALLERY
100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
FREE PROJECT ESTIMATE
​CAREERS

Picture
Picture
Picture

1550 W Washington St. Suite A, Marquette, MI 49855   •    906.273.2865    •   inquiries@michaels-homes.com   •   Terms of Use   •    Privacy Policy
Copyright 2023  MICHAEL'S HOMES INC  •   Website by Michaels Homes Inc
  • Home
  • Custom Homes
    • Build Your Dream Home
    • Building Process
    • Free Consultation
    • Commercial Buildings & More
    • Custom Home Gallery
  • Remodeling
    • Remodeling Services
    • Our Process
    • Free Consultation
    • Warranty
    • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
    • Remodeling Gallery
  • Gallery
    • Custom Home Gallery
    • Remodeling Gallery
  • About
    • Meet The Team
    • Testimonials
    • Why Choose Michael's Homes
    • Help Us Support Parkinson's Disease Research
    • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
  • Contact