The Homeowner’s Guide to Flooring: When to Replace & What to Choose

At My Old Kentucky Home Repair, we're proud to be a trusted partner of the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation, standing alongside their mission to protect and preserve the architectural heritage of our region.

When renovating a bathroom, it's common to encounter hidden challenges that require expert solutions. This project was no different and during the demolition phase, we uncovered a few unexpected issues. One issue was the bathroom vent wasn’t safely routed outside but was instead directing moisture straight into the attic—which could have led to long-term damage. We also discovered an odd bump-out in one of the walls, left behind from improper framing when the home was built. Our team resolved both problems, ensuring the bathroom was not only beautiful but also structurally sound and up to code.

While cosmetic changes like trendy paint colors or decorative fixtures can enhance the look of your home, they don’t always translate to added value. Here are a few upgrades that truly make a difference when it comes to boosting your property’s worth:

Your doors play a crucial role in your home’s security, energy efficiency, and overall appearance. New doors can be a large investment so it is important to know when it is time to replace them. Below are warning signs to look out for and tips to keep your doors well-maintained.

As a homeowner, there is always something around your house that needs taken care of. Your attic and crawl space are no exception, though taking care of them is often forgotten. Read on to find a few things you can do to make sure your attic and crawl space are in good shape. Attic Insulation: Ensuring that you have proper insulation keeps your home comfortable and reduces heating and cooling bills. The minimum recommended attic insulation level in Kentucky is R-38 and many homeowners don't realize their insulation is insufficient. Checking for gaps or damaged insulation is also critical to maintaining the energy efficiency of your home. Consulting with a professional to determine what type of insulation will best protect your home is an easy way to make sure your home is operating at peak efficiency. Moisture Control in Crawl Spaces: Installing a vapor barrier to keep moisture out, prevent mold, mildew, and structural issues is a sound investment. This barrier protects your home’s framing and improves air quality. It is also important to consider proper insulation in your crawlspace. Adding perimeter insulation, conditioning your crawlspace, and installing dehumidifiers are all ways to make sure your crawlspace doesn't become a hideaway for potential problems. Seal Air Leaks: Properly seal gaps in both areas to improve energy efficiency and keep pests out. Air leaks are one of the most common sources of inefficiency in a home. Performing a blower door test or inspecting with thermal imaging cameras is a great way to determine where your home is leaking air. Use good quality caulking or spray foam around plumbing, vents, and wiring and ensure that your attic and crawlspace openings have proper weather seals and insulation. Check for Pests: In both attics and crawl spaces pests can make their way in and wreak havoc. If pests have damaged your insulation, flooring, wood framing, or wiring call pest control to remedy the situation and have a local handyman repair where needed. At My Old Kentucky Home Repair we specialize in ensuring all of your home's systems are properly maintained. Attics and crawl space are frequently overlooked and a great place to catch small problems before they become big headaches. Inspecting and improving attics and crawl spaces is an easy way to protect your investment and keep your home in proper working order. Let us help you take care of these essential spaces for a healthier, more comfortable home!

Planning to stay in your home as you get older? At My Old Kentucky Home Repair, we specialize in helping homeowners create safe, comfortable, and accessible living spaces to support aging in place. Here are a few areas of your home you can update to make aging in place easier: Entryway: If your home has stairs at any of the entrances, consider adding a ramp to make it easier to enter and exit. Be sure handrails are installed and properly secured around any ramps or stairs. Bathroom: We recommend upgrading to a walk-in shower, adding grab bars, and investing in a shower chair or bench for safer bathing. If you have a low-sitting toilet, consider replacing with a taller toilet that is easier to sit and stand from. Kitchen: Slide-out drawers in cabinets can make it easier to pull out dinnerware, glassware, and small appliances. Around the House: Get help rearranging furniture to make clearer pathways and get rid of items that clutter walkways. Door knobs can be hard to grab and turn as you get older. Lever handles make opening and closing doors easier. You might want to get new chairs with armrests if your current chairs don't have them for easier sitting and standing. By making these adjustments, you can maintain your independence and stay comfortable in your home for years to come. At My Old Kentucky Home Repair, we’re here to help improve your home for every season of life. Contact us today and learn how we can help you age in place with confidence!

Wondering if you should replace your windows? Windows play a vital role in your home’s safety, comfort, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. Here's how to know if you should look into window replacement:

Maintaining your home’s exterior is essential to keep it protected. Our contractors can help with all your exterior soffit, siding, and gutter needs. We’ll take care of all necessary maintenance or new installations to protect your home from pests and water damage.

It’s officially deck season! If you love to soak up time in your outdoor oasis, then we know how important it is to keep your deck in tip-top shape year-round. At My Old Kentucky Home Repair in Lexington, KY, we can help you build and maintain the deck of your dreams. Read on for some essential maintenance tips to ensure your deck stays beautiful and safe through the seasons.