New Fence

I needed a new fence since my old one was looking rather dilapidated. I called my local fence service in Murfreesboro TN to come help me out and I'm so glad I called them! They were great and did an awesome job!! I certainly recommend them.

Dream Home

My husband and I decided to build our dream home from scratch. Obviously this was not something we had ever done before! We did our research and called our local Construction Management Platform and thank goodness we did. It was a life saver! The entire process was certainly a dream vs. being a nightmare.

5 Things to Keep in Mind When Hiring a Professional Chimney Sweep

Maybe you have neglected your chimney for a few years, or perhaps you recently purchased a home with a chimney that requires chimney repair. Either way, you and your home's safety is important, so scheduling a fall chimney sweep this October will keep you warm and safe all winter long.

But do you know where to begin when hiring a chimney sweep in NYC? In this post, we'll give you some tips to keep in mind when deciding on a professional chimney sweep to perform annual maintenance.

1. Look for certifications, like the CSIA Certificated Sweeps. A professional chimney sweep will have specific certifications like the CSIA that prove work quality and assurance, and that they are experienced and competent.

2. Check for information about the sweep on the BBB. Positive ratings on the Better Business Bureau's website are a good way of checking how the sweep you have in mind works with customers.

3. Ask before the sweep performs work if they have workman's comp insurance and are protected from any danger while on the job. This is another way of verifying the chimney sweep company provides quality, guaranteed service.

4. After you make an informed decision on an experienced chimney sweep, verify that the person who shows up is from the company and is wearing a photo name badge, is driving a company truck, is wearing a uniform, and is carrying CSIA paperwork.

5. After the initial consultation, get all work-related information in writing. Usually referred to as a work order, on this official form, the sweep categorizes the work that needs done, outlines a time period in which it all will be performed, and contains a breakdown of the price.

We recommend you call your local chimney sweep in Los Angeles CA today!

Lanscape Help

I needed help with my lawn since it was looking very overgrown. I called my local landscape maintenance in Woodbine MD to come help! They did a great job!! If you're looking for great service then look no further, give them a call.

Consequences of Snow on your Roof

As we expect to get more snow in the near future, it's important to think about how the snow impacts your commercial roofing in Laingsburg MI. The biggest threat that the snow faces is the extra weight that it adds to your roof. It is important to make sure your roof is designed and maintained so that it can accommodate the extra weight.

However, there is another threat that the snow poses to your roof. While the snow sits and melts on your roof, your roof must keep out all of the moisture. Moisture damage to your roof can potentially be a big problem. Often, moisture damage isn't noticed until it is too late and it has seeped all the way through to the interior. It is important to be proactive and make sure that your roof has not suffered any moisture damage.

Bathroom Remodeled

The time had finally come. I had told my wife that we could remodel our bathroom but only after we were finished paying college tuition. While I agreed that our bathroom had always been small and we could definitely use an upgrade, I just wasn't sure if it would be worth the cost.

We had an expert in bathroom remodeling in Waukesha WI come out to our house and look at our current layout. He took some measurements and looked at where the plumbing entered our bathroom. A couple days later, he sent back to us a proposed design for a new bathroom. The design he sent actually included knocking down a wall between our bathroom and closet and remodeling the entire space.

We really like the design and moved forward with it. It turned out so great and I'm so glad that we finally got around to having it done.

How the Cold can Affect your Fence

Wow I can't believe it's about to be December. This year has gone by so fast! We've shifted our mindsets to cold weather and want to continue to share tips and information with you.

This time we wanted to focus on fencing in Bluffton IN. The cold can impact your fence in numerous ways. One big way is the moisture. Whether it's snow or rain, any moisture that comes in contact with your fence can cause damage it. It is important to add a stain or finish to your fence after it's constructed.

Another big impact the winter can have is due to the change of temperatures. Wood, like most materials, expands and contracts when the temperature increases and decreases. This can cause the wood to warp or bend in unwanted ways.

If it has been a while since you've inspected your fence, take a while to check it out and call somebody to make sure it can last the winter.

Now's a Great Time to Have your Roof Inspected

Too often I hear people say that you only need a roof inspected when you're buying or selling a property. However, if you're a commercial property owner, you're roof is of the most important and expensive assets and should be monitored regularly.

Many parts of the country have already experienced their first snow storm of the year. Snow is one of the biggest threats to your commercial roofing in Charlotte MI. The time to have your roof inspected is before it snows. The last thing you want as a business owner is the weight of the snow damaging and possibly collapsing your roof.

Make Sure your Gutters are Clean

Cleaning gutters seems to be a chore that a lot of people overlook. Especially during a drought, such as now, people don't think about their gutters. However, only thinking about the health of your gutters while it rains or snows is a problem. If there is any dirt or anything blocking your gutters, it is too late to clean them if it's already raining.

With winter right around the corner and snow likely coming in the next few months, it's important to make sure that your gutters in Mechanicsville VA are clean. If you aren't comfortable cleaning your gutters on your own, reach out to a professional.

Patio Covers

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! For most of the country, we are getting into the thick of winter. Some of the country has already experienced the first snow storm of the year. As we switch our mindset into snow, we thought we'd share with you the importance of having a patio cover professionally designed and installed.

Patio covers are great. During the summer, they provide much needed protection from the sun and getting burnt. For people who enjoy the rain, they also give great cover to sit outside and withstand the elements. However, things can get tricky with the snow. As is the case with any sort of roof, it is important that it is strong enough to withstand added weight. In this case, the added weight is provided by snow. While it is not very common for it to snow in Texas, if your patio covers in Fort Worth TX are not properly designed and constructed, they may not be able to withstand a surprising winter.

Early Signs that Indicate It Might be Time for Drain Cleaning

Many people never think about drain cleaning until they experience a sink overflowing or begin having backflow into a sink or bathtub while operating a washing machine or dishwasher. Rather than allow these problems to sneak up on you, it's better to recognize some of the early warning signs of a clogged drain so that you can take action much sooner. Here are some things to look for that indicate there could be a problem with one or more of your drains.

Bathroom

Some signs you may notice in the bathroom include:

• Low water pressure in your shower
• A toilet that does not fill all the way or is slow to fill
• Slow-draining water from your sink or bathtub

Kitchen

In the kitchen, you may observe lower-than-average water pressure in both your hot and cold water faucets. Your dishwasher may operate sluggishly and take longer than normal to drain. Sinks may easily become clogged despite your efforts to keep grease out of them. A foul odor may also be present when draining water.

Washing Machine

If clogged drains are an issue, your washing machine may take longer to fill than usual. You may also notice standing water after your clothes have finished washing, making it necessary to repeat the spin cycle several times before your machine empties completely.

Not all of these signs indicate a clogged drain; however, the presence of one or more of them makes it more likely that this is the case. At the first sign of trouble, contact your local Deerfield IL plumbing contractor.

They’ll perform an inspection so you can have your drains cleaned if needed, thereby helping you avoid bigger plumbing problems in the future.

Roof Replacement

The average home owner probably doesn't know a lot of about their roof. The only time they may ever think about their roof is if shingles have broken and fallen off or maybe if there is an issue with the gutters.

However, your roof is a vital part of your home. Your roof is the main defense against the elements, whether that is heat, rain, or wind. It is important to have a well maintained roof. If your roof is old, chances are that it is not insulated as well as it should be. If your roof doesn't have good insulation, it will do a poor job of keeping heat out. This might be a reason why the upstairs of your house is much warmer than the lower levels.

If you suspect this might be the case or have any questions, you should reach out to a Fairfield CT roof replacement professional.

DIY Roofing Tip

Are you the type of the person who likes to tackle projects around the house on your own? One thing we strive to do here is help do-it-yourselfers accomplish their goals. This can be anything from suggesting fun DIY projects around the house to making sure that people are well informed enough to be safe and get the job done correctly.

While roofing is certainly on the extreme end of a DIY project, there are people out there who want to try it. According to roofing in Waukesha WI, repairing or replacing a roof is no easy task and can dangerous and costly if not done correctly. While you may have the skill to replace shingles, there is more that you need to take into account. When a professional replaces a roof, they take a lot of time before hand to draw up a design to make sure the roof is safe and efficient.

If you plan on tackling a roof project on your own, we strongly recommend consulting a Naples FL roof design professional and running through your plan with them. They can help you create a plan of attack.

Locked out of the House

For pretty much my entire life I've never had a house key. We also left our front door locked if no one was home and entered through the garage. It has never been a problem up until just this past weekend.

It was a normal day and the weather was fine. When I got home though I wasn't able to get my garage open. After multiple failed attempts at entering the code I gave up and checked to see if my front or back door was for some reason unlocked. But just as I expected, they were locked and I found myself locked outside my house for the first time ever.

We ended up discovering that we had lost power due to some construction work and that's why the garage wouldn't open. We had to call a locksmith in Estero FL and have him essentially break into our house. Even though it was a rare occurrence and it will likely never happen again, I've learned my lesson and now carry a key on me.

Snow Damage

As a lot of northern US is experiencing the first snow storm of the year, I want to share a story that a friend shared with me last year.

Last year an abnormal amount of snow fell in a lot of place across the US. Some place such as Washington D.C. got 3 feet of snow at once. Even for a place in the Midwest such as Wisconsin, that is a lot of snow to fall at one time.

So my friend lives in Wisconsin and last year the volume of snow really impacted him. When all of the snow melted, he noticed that his apartment siding in Racine WI looked rotted. He called his landlord and after having it inspected, they found out that it suffered a lot of moisture damage from the snow. They ended up having to have a large portion of the siding replaced.

Home Design Tips

We would like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for everyone who supports our blog and keeps us motivated to keep posting! We want to reward you guys for being such great supporters with some home design tips. Thankfully, a Potomac MD home additions professional was kind enough to share these tips with us.

• Design Tip: Using natural materials when replacing floors or countertops is a safe way to avoid them going out of style in the future.
  
• There's a difference between a classic and a timeless look. Just because a style has a classic vibe to it, that doesn't mean it won't be outdated in the future.
  
• When remodeling your basement, use your staircase as an open wall to separate different rooms or the different sides of your basement.

Moving Pains

One of my friends recently got married and bought a house with his wife. They had previously lived in an apartment not far away from where they were moving. We got 6 of our friends and figured that we would be able to knock it all out in a couple of hours.

Boy were we wrong. We did not pack things as efficiently as we should have and we ended up having to make more trips between the two houses than we previously thought. It ended up being a two day process and left us all very sore. We also ended up spending more money than we thought because we needed the truck for an extra day.

Next time one of us moves, we'll definitely just hire movers in Rockville MD. I know it's more expensive than moving on your own but it's definitely well worth the costs.

Broken Chiller

I was recently working on a construction project. It was the first time I had been in charge of a project this big so there were a few things I didn't know much about before starting.

For the most part everything went well. I had a lot of people on the project who had a wide range of experience and they were really helpful when it came to things I didn't know about.

The biggest problem we ran into was with our chiller. I didn't know much about chillers coming into this project but was recommended one by a coworker. We got it set up and running well and I thought that would be the end of it. However, halfway through our project it stopped working. I had no clue what to do. I reached out to an expert and he was able to figure out what was wrong and tell us we needed some new Carrier screw parts.

I'm glad I was surrounded by such smart people. It made my first experience leading a project of this size much easier and less stressful.

Why You Should Hire a Professional Electrician

Basic Electrical System Information

- The initial entry point for your electricity is through your meter. This meter is attached to your home and is monitored by the company that brings you power.

- From the meter, the electricity is routed through your service panel where it is then connected carefully through circuits, and finally to receptacles throughout your home.

- When a current default occurs because of overload, a breaker will shut down the current, which keeps your home safe from fire, and stops the power of damaging any appliances.

- Sometimes homes have sub-panels. These secondary panels are used when a home needs more electricity in a particular area, and they have their own set of breakers.

Receptacles, Outlets, and Blown Fuses

- Some homes have fuses as well as circuit breakers. In both cases, when there is an overload, a fuse will blow (or pop), and the current will be shut down. Though not dangerous, it is generally recommended that homes with fuses be upgraded to the more modern breaker system.

- GFCI, or a ground-fault circuit interrupter, is a quick-acting receptacle designed to shut down an outlet in as little as 1/40 of a second -- functioning, essentially, as a mini-circuit breaker. It is important for fire safety that GFCI outlets are installed in any area of the home where moisture or water is a problem, like bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, or garages.

If you have any questions or don't understand any of this, reach out to Harve De Grace MD Electricians.

Why to Make Plumbing Repairs When Prepping Your Home for Sale

Many homeowners, when prepping to sell their home, focus on aesthetics, the appearance and beauty of their home. Less experienced real estate agents will also only talk about a home's curb appeal and staging. Many don't realize the importance of replacing or upgrading worn-out home systems, especially plumbing repairs.

You may hope that buyers will fall in love with the white picket fence and just not notice plumbing issues. The reality is every buyer will want a home inspection contingency included with any real estate purchase agreement. If your real estate agent has not explained this part of the home sale process, it gives the buyer the opportunity to look for issues with the house before they buy.

Professional home inspectors are trained to find every little issue with a house, and will place those problems in a written report.  If there is a pressure issue, leak, failing water heater, or a problem with the heating and air conditioning system, the home inspector will find it. Buyers can then insist on specific repairs, negotiate a lower sale price, or simply walk away from the deal.

You will sell your home faster and for more money if you address plumbing repairs before placing your home on the market.

• Check to ensure all drainage pipes are solid, with no signs of leaks.
• Inspect the supply pipe. Look for corrosion or signs of dripping.
• The supply line must be turned off and on without leaking.
• Check the supply lines to toilets, ensuring no leaks and that they can be turned on and off.
• Look for warping or cracked flooring around sinks, tubs, dishwashers, toilets, showers, and refrigerators with water dispensers and ice makers.
• Listen for running toilets and dripping water in bathrooms.
• Ensure the water supply to your washing machine can be turned on and off without dripping.
• Check for water marks on ceilings directly below the kitchen and bathrooms.
• Test for rust in the water.
• Closely inspect all visible pipes in a basement or crawls space.
• Inspect your water bill for consistent water usage.
• Check that all drains are free-flowing.
• Have a septic inspection in Timberlake NC
• Toilets should flush and work properly.
• Ensure all faucets work properly and without dripping.

If you would like to talk more about plumbing service in Bakersfield CA when prepping your home for sale, or need more information, please contact your local plumber.

How Plumbers Can Help You Reduce Water Usage in the Bathroom

There are probably two main reasons why you and your family are worried about the amount of water that is used in your household -- the cost of your water bill and the impact on the environment. However, even though you might be taking steps to decrease your water usage, there is a chance that you and your family are using more water than you would like.

Luckily, there is one great place in the home that you can start when focusing on water conservation -- the bathroom. Plus, with the help of the right plumbing professional, you can make a big difference. These are a few ways that plumbers can help reduce water usage in the bathroom. This tips were shared with us by an expert in water treatment systems in Carrboro NC.

Reducing Water Pressure in the Sink

When your family members are washing their hands or brushing their teeth, they might be using more water than necessary. A plumber can put a restrictor on your sink faucet to help reduce the water flow without making a noticeable difference in water pressure. Another option is to install a new sink faucet, which can look great and conserve water at the same time.

Installing a New Toilet

If your toilet is an older model, it might be using quite a few more gallons of water than necessary per flush. Installing a new toilet can be a great way to reduce water usage. Plus, you can finally get rid of that ring that you might have trouble getting out of this fixture!

Changing Your Shower Head

A new shower head can be great for reducing water usage. Plus, you can choose a model that offers a "massage," which can be great after a long day at work or just when you're trying to relax.

As you can see, plumbers can help you reduce water usage in your bathroom in multiple ways. If you'd like to make a difference in the amount of water that is being used in your home, contact an Andover NJ plumbing specialist.