Yesteryear Homes

Yesteryear Homes Making old homes work for modern life! As a former home inspector turned designer & contractor, I help homeowners—especially retirees—remodel their spaces.

We update layouts & systems so your home stays safe, functional, & beautiful for years to come.

08/29/2026

Summer vacation prep is not just packing bags, watering plants, and locking the door.

Before you leave, empty the garbage.
Trust us, you do not want to come home to a house that smells like hot garbage.

Then check the basics:
make sure appliances are off, set light timers if you use them, and secure loose outdoor items if storms are expected.

Set the AC around 75°.
That keeps the house from getting overly hot and humid while you are away without cooling an empty home more than necessary.

If heavy rain is in the forecast, check gutters, downspouts, sump pump operation, and anything outside that could blow around in a storm.

If you will be gone for an extended time, consider turning off the water.

A quiet house still has working systems.

A few minutes of attention before you leave can help you come home to fewer surprises.

The best design doesn't need to announce itself. It simply works.✨ "Architecture is a visual art and the buildings speak...
08/26/2026

The best design doesn't need to announce itself. It simply works.

✨ "Architecture is a visual art and the buildings speak for themselves." — Julia Morgan

What details make a home memorable to you?

08/23/2026

If your basement took on water during last week’s storm and you’ve been without power, there may be another problem waiting after the cleanup:

Moisture.

Without electricity, many homeowners haven’t been able to run fans or dehumidifiers. Meanwhile, wet carpet, drywall, cardboard, furniture and other materials may have been sitting in a warm, humid basement for days.

As power comes back on, take another look downstairs.

Check the bottoms of walls and baseboards. Feel carpet and padding. Move boxes and furniture away from walls. Look in corners and closets where dampness can linger.

Then get the space drying as quickly as you safely can.

The water may be gone.

The moisture may not be.

Storms bring out helpers.They also bring out contractors who know homeowners are overwhelmed, tired and in a hurry to ge...
08/20/2026

Storms bring out helpers.

They also bring out contractors who know homeowners are overwhelmed, tired and in a hurry to get things fixed.

If someone approaches you about storm repairs, take a minute to vet them before you sign anything.

Ask for the contractor’s business name and verify that they are licensed or registered where the work will be performed. Ask for proof of insurance. Get the scope of work and price in writing.

Be especially cautious if someone pressures you to sign immediately, asks for a large payment up front, or leans heavily on “we’re already working in your neighborhood” instead of giving you time to check their credentials.

A legitimate contractor should be willing to answer questions, provide documentation and give you enough breathing room to make a good decision.

The storm may have created urgency.

That does not mean your contractor has to.

Last week’s storm was enormous.Trees are still down. Roads are still blocked in places. Thousands of homes are still wit...
08/18/2026

Last week’s storm was enormous.

Trees are still down. Roads are still blocked in places. Thousands of homes are still without power. Across Northwest Indiana, people are still very much in cleanup and recovery mode.

And while you’re dealing with the obvious damage, there’s one more thing worth doing when you can:

Go look at your house again.

The tree across the driveway got your attention.

The loose shingle, shifted siding, bent gutter, damaged screen, cracked window or branch rubbing against the roof may have stayed quietly in the background.

Take a slow walk around the exterior and look up.

Then look inside. Check ceilings, around windows and exterior doors, attic spaces, basements and crawlspaces for signs of water intrusion.

After a storm this severe, the biggest damage demands attention first. The smaller damage can sit quietly until the next rain makes it much harder to ignore.

So when you have a chance, give your house a second look.

If you find something you’re unsure about, photograph it now, keep an eye on it through the next rain, and get it checked before a small problem becomes a bigger repair.

People may not remember exactly what you said or did. But they will remember whether you made them feel respected, welco...
08/16/2026

People may not remember exactly what you said or did. But they will remember whether you made them feel respected, welcomed, capable, or seen.

Be kind to the people you know. Be kind to the people you work with. Be kind to the people whose names you may never learn.

You are leaving an impression either way.
Make yours a good one

Just because a chimney isn't being used doesn't mean it can be ignored.Even inactive chimneys are exposed to years of ra...
08/16/2026

Just because a chimney isn't being used doesn't mean it can be ignored.

Even inactive chimneys are exposed to years of rain, freeze-thaw cycles, and changing weather. Over time, deteriorating mortar, loose bricks, damaged crowns, missing caps, or unwanted animal visitors can turn an unused chimney into a costly repair.

Take a look for:
• Cracked or missing mortar
• Loose or leaning bricks
• A damaged or missing chimney cap
• Vegetation growing from the masonry
• Signs of water staining inside the house near the fireplace or chimney

An old chimney is still part of your home's exterior system. Caring for it helps protect the roof, masonry, and the home beneath it.

Save this as a reminder for your next walk around the house.

Accessibility is often treated like something to add later.But later may mean tearing apart a beautiful bathroom you jus...
08/12/2026

Accessibility is often treated like something to add later.

But later may mean tearing apart a beautiful bathroom you just paid to remodel.
Thoughtful planning can include better lighting, comfortable clearances, an easier shower entry, durable materials, easy-to-use fixtures, and reinforcement inside the walls for future needs.

None of that has to make the room look clinical.

The goal is not to predict every possible change life may bring. It is to avoid making choices today that unnecessarily limit your options tomorrow.

A beautiful bathroom should not become a problem simply because life changed.

Planning a bathroom remodel? Let’s make sure the choices you make now still work for you later.

Most homeowners think about roof damage after storms, but heat can take a toll too.When an attic gets too hot, that trap...
08/09/2026

Most homeowners think about roof damage after storms, but heat can take a toll too.

When an attic gets too hot, that trapped heat can contribute to premature shingle wear, curling, cracking, and a roof that ages faster than it should.

Ventilation matters. And one of the big pieces to ask about is soffit intake.

Soffit vents bring cooler outside air into the attic. That air should move up and out through the roof ventilation. If the intake is blocked, undersized, or covered by insulation, the attic may not ventilate properly.

Watch for curling shingles, granules near downspouts, dark streaks, and an attic that feels excessively hot.

If you call a roofer, ask them to look at the whole ventilation system, not just the shingles. Ask whether your soffit intake is adequate, whether it is blocked, and whether your attic has balanced intake and exhaust.

Your roof is not just the top of your house. It is part of a system.

If you notice signs of roof wear, have a qualified roofer take a closer look.

08/01/2026

When temperatures rise, your cooling system naturally works harder. But sometimes the real problem is that the house is making that job even harder.

Dirty HVAC filters, attic heat buildup, poor ventilation, leaky ducts, worn weather stripping, and blocked vents can all affect comfort and efficiency.

If your house never feels cool enough, or one room is dramatically different from another, your home may be giving you clues.

Before assuming the whole system needs replacement, start by looking at the simple things that affect how the house performs.

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Valparaiso, IN
46385

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 6pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 6pm
Thursday 8:30am - 6pm
Friday 8:30am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

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