Consumer Information
How to Rid Your Home
of That Awful Carpet Odor
Congratulations! You have just purchased your new home. Now, you are ready to
put good ‘ol fashioned sweat equity into it. The first thing you realize is the
odor of the previous owner’s cat, who happened to mark his territory in the
living room, the hallway and even the master bedroom. The green shag carpet that
you were able to see beyond when you toured the home was going to be torn out
anyway, has now become your number one priority. More often than not, animal
urine can soak through the carpet, the pad and into your wood subfloor. The
pungent aroma returns every time the house gets warm.
Here are some tips to properly remove the carpet, pad & eliminate the smell:
- Take a sharp utility knife and cut the carpet into 4-foot wide sections.
This makes the carpet more manageable and easier to remove from the house.
- Once the carpet is removed, the pad will be in 6-foot widths, and can be
rolled up, or scraped off the floor.
- Carpet pad is typically stapled down, and these staples should be
removed or hammered down flat.
- Now that the carpet and pad have been removed, it is easy to see the
stains that have been left in your wood subfloor. Your local hardware store
sells a product called “Killz.” This is basically a paint primer and can be
found in the paint department. You will want to roll this onto your wood
subfloor, making sure that you cover the entire area. This will seal your
wood and prevent the odor from coming back. Be sure to give yourself plenty
of ventilation while working.
Please feel free to call me if I can answer any questions regarding floor
covering or if you have any questions or concerns about your remodeling project.
I can be reached at (208) 376-8398 or via email from our website at
www.americanhomeinteriors.com.
Matt McAlister, Sales Manager
American Home Interiors. Inc.
Remodeling: Is It For You?
Yes, you can remodel your home with ease if you plan ahead and take one step
at a time. The home is often the largest investment a person will make. The
decision to alter that investment by paying out more money is not easy--but it
is worth it. Whether you are remodeling to sell the home or just to make it more
comfortable for the coming years, remodeling is a smart decision. But it is a
decision that requires planning and patience.
The following steps should be taken when considering any remodeling project.
Assess your current situation. Do you have the funds, time and patience to
remodel your home? Does it make sense to remodel or simply move into a larger
home? According to the American Homeowner Foundation, moving can be extremely
expensive, typically involving a 6 percent commission on the sale of the current
home, plus another 2-4 percent for closing, moving and other costs. They suggest
that if you like your present neighborhood, you should look into what
improvements you could make in your current home's value before you seriously
consider moving as an alternative to remodeling.
Decide how long you intend to stay in your present home. Are you remodeling
so you can sell faster or get a higher sale price? Or are you remodeling to
create a more comfortable environment for a long-term situation? Perhaps
children are returning with their families or your parents need to stay with you
during an illness. The answers to those questions will determine how much money
you should invest and the scope of the remodeling project you should
realistically undertake.
Start defining the areas of the home that you want to change. You should have
some idea of what the remodeling project will entail before you call a
contractor. Make a list of the essential items you need and then a list of items
you want included in the project. Cut pictures out of magazines. Make a list of
rooms that need to be altered and the reasons for the changes. This information
will help speed the design phase of your remodel.
Clear plenty of time on your calendar for the project. Do not attempt to
remodel your entire kitchen a month before Thanksgiving--it's unrealistic. You
should establish a realistic timetable with your contractor that allows for
delays due to weather, supply shortages, or other glitches that may occur.
Find a reputable contractor. The only way to protect yourself during a
remodeling project is to hire a professional contractor. Make sure that you
choose a contractor who is insured and a member of a professional trade
association, such as Idaho Remodeler's Association/NARI, Inc.
Create a budget. Decide how much you can realistically afford for the project
before you start. If you are remodeling to sell, your budget should not exceed
the increase in sales price of the home that is the result of remodeling. If you
plan on staying in the home for a lengthy amount of time, you should spend a
little more to get what you want.
Get a complete, written contract before the work begins. The contract should
cover the description of the project, timetable, and payment schedule, types of
products, etc., with provisions for the responsibilities of the contractor, the
subcontractors, the owner/owner’s, change order procedures, and warranties.
Tie payments to work stages. Normal contracts split payments by decreasing
percentages of total cost and are tied to significant work stages in the
project. Please note, however, that a large amount of money is usually required
at the start of most remodeling projects to cover the costs of special order
items.
Take a deep breath and keep your perspective. Remodeling can be noisy,
time-consuming and disruptive to the normal home environment. It's important to
keep your sense of humor and stay focused on the end result, not the process
that takes you there.
John Drew, CR, CCR
Drew Construction Inc.
The Remodeling Process
To help you understand the remodeling process, we have developed this list of
Helpful Hints that can make the progress of your project smooth and efficient.
Remember this is a construction site: Wear shoes at all times and keep
unsupervised children out of the project area. We want everyone to be safe.
Protect and cover furniture and carpets in the work area. We will make every
effort to avoid damage to your property, but anything left in the work area may
be at risk.
Remove all pictures, artwork, mirrors and drapes from the work area before
work begins. Dust in an inevitable by-product of remodeling. It is far easier to
take your belongings out of the area beforehand than it is to clean and dust
everything later.
Put jewelry, cash, coin collections and other valuables in safekeeping away
from the work area. It is possible than in the disruption of remodeling, a
valuable item may be misplaced.
Be sure to remove all plants and other large objects that may block work
areas and access routes.
Please secure your pets. We know that dogs and cats are curious by nature, and
we do not want any accidents or confrontations.
Arrange with your Project Manager to allow crews access to the work area
between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (and at other times by
mutual consent).
Our workers, subcontractors and suppliers are not allowed to use your
personal tools, such as hand tools, electrical tools, ladders, hoses,
wheelbarrows, etc., without your permission.
Your project Manager is the main contact for you on your project and handles
communication with our suppliers, trades and subcontractors. Please address your
questions, concerns and additional work requests (AWRs) on all aspects of your
project to your Project Manager.
Strite design + remodel
www.stritedr.com
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