Posted by Jason Gettum on Tue, Jan 24, 2012 @ 10:17 AM
Can I do a room addition if I am on a well and septic system?
Indianapolis remodel questions and answers
Answer:
Yes, it is entirely possible to complete a room addition to your home if you have a well and septic system. While there are many differences between city sewer/water systems and septic field/well water systems, in both cases there are underground lines and other components to consider. However, with careful planning, these obstacles can be overcome.
Local building and health department codes will dictate how close a structure can be to a septic system. The last thing you want is your room addition to be placed over a septic tank. For good reason, local code officials will say "no". But, lines can be extended and tanks can be relocated to avoid new room additions. Also, keep in mind that adding space to your existing home may required you to increase the capacity of a septic system. Again, local building and health department codes will dictate what needs to be done.
Although you can investigate requirements on your own, it is recommended to hire an experienced remodel and renovation contractor in the Indianapolis area to research what will need to be done prior to starting construction. And many of these details will need to be explored before applying and submitting for permits. DO NOT allow a contractor to begin work without proper permits as you will possibly face fines and a stop work order. Planning for such issues with well and septic systems should begin early on in the design phases of your project and before you sign a contract. A reputable Design/Build remodel contractor will be your best bet!
If you are on a city sewer and water system, the above will apply the same in many ways. However, most of these utilities generally are installed from the road and up through the front of the house making it less likely you will have to deal with these issues. However, even additions to the front of the home can be planned to address water and sewer lines. Again, an experienced, reputable contractor will know what will need to be done to comply with local building codes.
Im summary, room additions can be constructed even if your home utilizes a well and or septic system. Proper planning before you get too far in the planning phase can go along way to be sure you are satisfied with your overall remodeling experience and will keep costs in line with your budget. For any questions, consult your local building or health department. If your in the Greenwood or Indianapolis Indiana area, give Gettum Associates a call. We are happy to help answer any questions you may have.
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Posted by Jason Gettum on Sat, Jan 21, 2012 @ 12:25 PM
How to clean your tile grout
Question: How do I clean the grout between my tiles? - Jim Kennedy
Answer:
Hi Jim, thanks for the question. And it's a popular one! Here are the steps to take to clean your tile grout, brought to you by the Indianapolis home experts, Gettum Associates Inc.
- Step 1: While cleaning (steps 3 through 5), be sure to wear rubber or latex gloves and safety goggles, and throw open the windows to avoid exposure to the harsh chemical fumes of bleach-containing solutions.
- Step 2: Spray on a commercial grout cleaner or a heavy-duty all-purpose cleaning solution with bleach. Wait for several minutes
- Step 3: Scrub the grout with a stiff scrub brush or a grout brush, then rinse thoroughly.
- Step 4: Blast mold, mildew or stubborn stains with a bleach-containing cleanser, or make your own using 1/4 cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) chlorine bleach and 1 qt. (32 fl oz/1 l) warm water. Let the disinfectant sit at least 10 minutes to thoroughly kill the mold and mildew.
- Step 5: Scrub the grout with a stiff brush or a grout brush, rinse, then dry with a white towel or paper towels.
Do you have questions about how to maintain your Indianapolis area home? If so, you can ask the Indianpolis home experts by clicking below:
Posted by Jason Gettum on Tue, Jan 17, 2012 @ 10:12 AM
Reusing existing granite countertops in your kitchen and bath
Question: Can I reuse my existing granite countertops for my next kitchen or bath remodel?
ANSWER:
More Indianapolis homeowner's are choosing to stay in their homes and renovate or remodel what they have. Kitchen and bathroom remodel projects are among the most popular improvements. In some cases, homeowner's already have upgraded their countertops in the past, but now choose to replace the cabinetry beneath.I have heard many owner's voice there concern of whether they put the cart before the horse, so to speak, and if they made the wrong choice initially. The good news is with a little care and time, your beautiful natural granite countertops CAN be reused!
However, there are a couple of caveats:
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You will want to keep your existing cabinetry layout.
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You will want to keep your existing sink location
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You will want to hire a professional company. Granite can be heavy and bulky, let a professional do the work for you and preferably the same company that installed the countertops originally. They will know the best way to go about a successful removal and reinstallation.
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You will need to accept the fact that no company can guarantee your countertop will not be damaged or break during the attempt. In fact, most companies will have you sign a waiver disclaiming this risk.
That being said, you can save A LOT of money by reusing your existing granite countertops. If you have installed granite countertops to your kitchen in the past, consult with a reputable Indianapolis granite countertop supplier, such as Marble Uniques, about your project.
Do you have other questions about remodeling and renovating your Indianapolis home? Do you need advice on how to select a contractor? Check out our free information guides by clicking below:
(Photos courtesy of Marble Uniques, Inc. )
Posted by Jason Gettum on Mon, Jan 16, 2012 @ 10:22 AM
Yes, you can have hot water quicker!
Question: Hello, I was wondering if there is anything I can do to shorten the time it takes for hot water to come out of my sink. When I am working in the kitchen, I find that I am spending too much time waiting for the water to heat up. Is there a solution for this problem? Thanks, Debbie
Answer: Debbie, There certainly is a solution. You can have a recirculating pump installed. Basically, a recirculating pump is a device that sits between your hot water heater and your sink, and keeps warm water close to the tap and sends cold water back to be re-heated. This nifty device also saves fresh water, since it keeps you from having to run the faucet needlessly, so owning one can give you Federal tax credit for being environmentally savvy.But, please check current credits offered.
The above is an excerpt from one of our latest monthly newsletters. You can check out the Gettum Associates Home Front newsletter by signing up HERE.
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Posted by Jason Gettum on Sat, Dec 31, 2011 @ 04:30 PM
Get that Kitchen Organized and give yourself a lasting holiday present!
A kitchen can be a wonderful place to work but, at times, it can also be a bit of a nightmare. Trying to juggle stacks of skillets or dig around for potholders when something is already burning is no fun, but it happens, at least occasionally, to anyone who uses a kitchen. Fortunately, there is hope for lasting and substantial organization to be brought into a kitchen. This hope comes primarily in the form of kitchen cabinet organizers.
Kitchen cabinet organizers are pieces of hardware that can be installed in a cabinet or cupboard to make it easier to get things in and out of storage. The organizer often takes the form of a pull-out shelf or rack, which is mounted to a rail in the bottom of the cabinet, so that items in the cabinet can be set or hung side by side, rather than stacked. In this way, it becomes possible for you to pull out a pan that's all the way in the back of the cabinet, and rarely used, without having to move all the other pots and pans in the cabinet.
One great thing about kitchen cabinet organizers is that they can be installed in the existing cabinets in your kitchen. The installation can be completed quickly and easily, and your kitchen cabinets can go from a frustrating mess to an easy to use, well-organized storage system at surprisingly little cost to you. This new level of organization can be particularly helpful as the holidays approach – it will be much easier, and much more fun, to entertain friends and family this holiday season if all your pots, pans, platters and plates are in easy reach, even if you haven't used some of them since the last holiday season.
You can find more great home advice and household tips by subscribing to The Home Front newsletter at http://info.gettum.com/indianapolis-remodeling-newsletter/
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pictures courtesy of Diamond Cabinets (www.diamondcabinets.com)
Posted by Jason Gettum on Wed, Dec 21, 2011 @ 06:00 AM
Consider a mudroom for your Indianapolis home
Mudrooms have become popular additions and remodels to our homes. These spaces serve many functions and can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. The key is to think thru and plan out your goals for the area. What do you want YOUR mudroom to do?
Is it simply a space to come from the outside and kick off your shoes? Do you need storage space as well? If you have children, the answer could be yes to both. Traditionally, mudrooms have served as a transition space between the outdoors and the interior of the home. Yes, a place to kick off your boots without tracking mud into the kitchen. (photo by Gettum Associates, Inc)
In modern times, the mudroom has evolved. Not only does it serve the purpose of a barrier between out and in, but also serves to store items that one would take off on their way in, or grab on their way out. This can be in the form of a closet, or in the case of those with children, individual lockers to hang up jackets and coats, store shoes, etc. Pull out baskets, or drawers on the bottom, with a seat and coat pegs for hanging can be very handy. Coming from a family of four boys, and growing up playing sports, I can imagine those features being a welcome addition to any home!
The features of your mudroom will determine the overall size. Many modern mudrooms incorporate a seating/storage area and some even have a laundry space equipped with a laundry - wash tub. Perfect for washing off muddy cleats! Hint: A tough, durable flooring selection such as ceramic tile or heavy-duty vinyl tiles will hold up to wear much better than hardwood (don't even consider carpet for this area!).
But, not all mudrooms need that kind of space to be a success. If you simply want a place to take off your shoes and hang your coat, you can certainly get by with much less space. As is the case in many home improvement projects and room additions, the size and configuration may be determined by the existing lay-out of your home. (photo by Gettum Associates Inc)
Find a reputable, local area contractor to examine your needs and your existing space. They can help you determine the best course of action to obtain your goals. Search for pictures of mudrooms to help you envision the space. Whatever you do, be sure to take the time to brainstorm ideas that match your needs.
If your in the Indianapolis area, give us a call! We would be more than happy to meet with you at your home and help assess your family's needs.
Posted by Jason Gettum on Mon, Dec 19, 2011 @ 03:53 PM
Pictures of remodel projects can help you with ideas for your home
When it come to home improvement and remodeling, one of the toughest obstacles to overcome for many is envisioning the final result. Recognizing the need for renovation, no matter if it's a simple freshening of the old to new, a reorganization of your exisitng space, or adding on to your current home is the easy part. The hard part comes in trying to visualize what the completed product will look like. How will the roof of our new addition tie-in to the existing house? What colors should we choose for our new interior paint job? Would tile or hardwood flooring look better? As a full-service remodeler in the Indianapolis area, we get these questions quite often.
Fortunately, the use of the internet can greatly reduce the stress when making these decisions. Most households are now equipped with a high-speed connection, thus making the world wide web a great resource for home improvement and remodeling. Many household paint manufacturer's, such as Sherwin Williams, offer tools to help you select the perfect color combinations to update your home. As well, flooring manufacturer's often have great pictures that do a good job of showing what is available in carpet, tile and hardwood flooring. When it comes to room additions and major remodeling, most reputable contractors have many pictures examples of past projects that can show what is possible. In some cases, you might even see a home similar in style to yours that can act as a "template" of sorts. Every house is different, but there are enough similarities for most to find a good direction to explore.
When we ask our clients why they came to our website (www.Gettum.com), we find that many come to read about our company history of providing remodeling services in the Indianapolis area. Many come to read about the services we have to offer. But the number one reason our potential clients go to our website is to view our before and after remodeling pictures. So, you should expect most remodel contractors in your area to offer such examples of what is possible. Just remember, you may not find an exact example of what your after. But, there are plenty of ideas out there if you hunt around. Try using a search phrase, such as "before and after remodel pictures in Indianapolis" and substitute your local area.
Posted by Jason Gettum on Sat, Dec 10, 2011 @ 06:00 AM
Consider Eze Breeze porch panels to have a screened porch and 3 season room for one price!
This summer, home improvement contractors across the United States, including here in the Indianapolis Indiana area, saw a rise in the interest of outdoor living projects. Home improvement projects such as decks, pergolas and screened porches were very popular and we expect that trend to continue.
To compliment the interest, a wide variety of newer materials became mainstream. Products such as composite decking and railings, heavy duty porch screening and the like grew in popularity. As well, homeowner's looked to maximize their return on investment. When it came to porches, Gettum Associates Inc was able to provide a product that extended the usefulness of homeowner's screened porches through the use of a up-and-coming product: The Eze Breeze porch panel system. (click photo at above left to see the project gallery)
This unique system combines all the great things about a screen porch with the added benefit of extending the porch to become a 3 season room during the cooler months. The special sliding, vinyl glazed panels can be opened or closed to either block the chilly fall breeze or increase air flow in the warmer months. The "windows" can even be removed if needed or desired.
The glazing used is a vinyl product with elastic qualities. Meaning, it can be pushed in by little Johnnys hand and spring back into its original shape. The panel frames are made out of aluminum and come in four (4) color options: white, bronze, beige and pebble khaki. The glazing comes in a few different shades ranging from clear to a dark gray. The screening that comes with each panel can also be ordered in different colors and densities that filter the incoming light differently.
Sure, you could install aluminum storm windows, or standard vinyl window units. But, when it's time to let the air in, you have to remove the sashes, which are heavier and bulkier than the eze breeze panels. Then, you have to find a place large enough to store them. And, best of all, this products is usually less expensive than installing typical windows!
If your looking to expand the usefulness of your screen porch in the Indianapolis area, schedule a FREE CONSULTATION today and learn how affordable it can be! Click below
Posted by Jason Gettum on Thu, Dec 08, 2011 @ 01:15 PM
Replacing your interior doors can add style and freshen the interior of your home.
There are many ways of giving the look of your home a makeover. There are projects small and large and in many budget ranges. Perhaps one of the biggest improvements, especially for those in older homes, is that of interior door replacement. Replacing your existing interior doors is a major step towards renewing your home and giving it a fresh look.
Let's face it, if you live in an older home, you learn to deal with a few minor imperfections. For the most part, older homes were built well and in many cases exhibit a craftsmanship only seen today in the most custom of homes. One of the most common problems seen in older homes are sticky doors. Sometimes older interior doors can be adjusted to function almost perfectly. Other times, it may be a good time to think about total door replacement.
Actually, replacing your interior doors can give your home a big makeover! Not only can you achieve a fresh look, but you can replace older wood doors with newer materials that will last a lifetime. Newer materials allow interior doors to remain dimensionally stable during the changing seasons where traditional wooden doors tend to swell and warp and become hard to close. And, most come pre-primed and ready for paint which save time and money!
New interior doors can compliment any existing home design. If your on a budget, you can reuse your existing knobs or handles. If you have a few extra dollars to spend, now would be a great time to think about replacing the door handles or knobs on your doors.
Interior door replacement in your home is a great first step in changing the look of your home and maintaining value by staying current with today's trends. After door replacement, changing up the interior trim, ie baseboards and casing would be a great "next step" in overhauling, updating and improving the design and look of your home.
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Posted by Jason Gettum on Sat, Dec 03, 2011 @ 10:33 AM
The Brad Humphrey project is complete!
For those who have followed this special project, we were able to achieve our goal of getting the Humphrey family back into their home for Thanksgiving. While a few minor items remained to be completed, Brad and his mother were able to begin moving back in.
We now have updated pictures posted on the Brad Humphrey web pages. You can see the progression from start to finish and take a look at some of the modifications that allow this home to be accessible.
Also, please take a look at our donor list pages and if you have a need for any of the services these individuals and companies have to offer, we ask you give them an opportunity to earn your business. Without the generosity and time given by these folks, this project would not have happened.
Thank you to everyone that was involved and for all that have followed the project.
