Here are some new gadgets that are note worthy. Enjoy!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
Consider the tasks one can do for you
If you have lots of projects around the house that need to get done, it is not uncommon to keep putting them off. Rather than stressing yourself out about such tasks, consider getting a professional to help you out with them. Most people have no problem hiring an electrician or plumber to finish the jobs that they cannot do on their own, but they feel odd hiring someone to complete small chores that do not require a specialist. However, rather than spending your days off completing your to do list, think about just relaxing and getting a handyman to do it all for you.
You might be wondering what kinds of tasks most handymen are capable of completing. The answer is that it varies depending on the person, but most can do all of the typical chores that homeowners tend to put off. For example, most people are perfectly capable of painting, but do not have the tools or patience to do it quickly. Whether you need a room with high ceilings painted, a wallpaper border put up in a new nursery, or a chair rail added to a room, consider hiring a handyman to do it instead of spending hours trying to do it yourself.
Some homeowners find it hard to get around to tasks that do not directly affect them on a daily basis. For example, you might have purchased a ceiling fan long ago, but never installed it because you are not sure that you can do so correctly. If it is fall or wintertime, you may feel that it can wait, but it would be great if you could have it put in place before it begins getting warm where you live. In this case, you can call a handyman to install it, whether the ceiling is prewired for the fan or not. Consider doing the same for large mirrors or pictures that you have never gotten around to putting up on the walls, as your house is missing out on these decorations while they sit and just take up space on the floor.
If you are unsure if a local handyman can do the job you need him to do, all you have to do is call and ask. Do not forget to ask for hourly rates, whether he is licensed and insured, and the soonest time that he can make it to your home. Many homeowners think that they are saving money by trying to do chores on their own, but they often never get around to completing certain tasks. Spending a little money on a professional can bring you peace of mind and allow you to relax and enjoy your days off.
You might be wondering what kinds of tasks most handymen are capable of completing. The answer is that it varies depending on the person, but most can do all of the typical chores that homeowners tend to put off. For example, most people are perfectly capable of painting, but do not have the tools or patience to do it quickly. Whether you need a room with high ceilings painted, a wallpaper border put up in a new nursery, or a chair rail added to a room, consider hiring a handyman to do it instead of spending hours trying to do it yourself.
Some homeowners find it hard to get around to tasks that do not directly affect them on a daily basis. For example, you might have purchased a ceiling fan long ago, but never installed it because you are not sure that you can do so correctly. If it is fall or wintertime, you may feel that it can wait, but it would be great if you could have it put in place before it begins getting warm where you live. In this case, you can call a handyman to install it, whether the ceiling is prewired for the fan or not. Consider doing the same for large mirrors or pictures that you have never gotten around to putting up on the walls, as your house is missing out on these decorations while they sit and just take up space on the floor.
If you are unsure if a local handyman can do the job you need him to do, all you have to do is call and ask. Do not forget to ask for hourly rates, whether he is licensed and insured, and the soonest time that he can make it to your home. Many homeowners think that they are saving money by trying to do chores on their own, but they often never get around to completing certain tasks. Spending a little money on a professional can bring you peace of mind and allow you to relax and enjoy your days off.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Fall Home Maintenance Tips
By following these steps you will avoid more expensive repairs later and keep all parts of your home functioning safely and efficiently. See the “do-it-yourself” section of our web site at http://www.lewisville.handymanmatters.com/ for more details.
• Check Outdoor Paint for Peeling, Cracking & Proper Coverage – Peeling & cracking can allow moisture to get behind the paint and cause rotting and possible interior leaks. You’ll want to take care of this before it gets cold in the winter.
Tools required; wire brush, paint scraper, paint brush, caulk gun
Instructions; visually inspect the paint on your home, scrape areas of loose paint with a scraper or wire brush (be sure to remove all loose paint), caulk any seams or cracks, apply primer and touch up paint
• Inspect Attic for Insulation and Leak Stains – insulation should be at least R-19 and you need to look for stains to determine leaks. Water will stain the insulation and since insulation can hold 30 times its weight and still feel dry to the touch, feeling it is no good. Make sure no insulation is covering any soffit vents and add an exhaust fan if ventilation is inadequate.
Tools required; ladder
Instructions; Get up in your attic (be sure you walk on roof trusses or planks in the rafters so you don’t step through your ceiling), look for daylight coming in around any roof protrusions i.e. plumbing vents or furnace flue stacks (do this when the sun is shining), If you see light water came come in, repair holes as necessary, Visually inspect insulation for stains, bag up and remove wet insulation, replace as needed,
• Inspect Caulking, Weather Stripping, Door Transitions, Exterior Trim, – if you can see outside or feel air coming in thru these areas stopping the air flow will keep the heat inside your home in the winter and reduce your heating bills.
Tools required; screwdrivers, hammer, utility knife
Instructions; look and feel around windows and doors for daylight or drafts, remove and replace worn weather stripping as necessary, (there are many different types of weather stripping, find your exact replacement at your local home improvement store).
• Inspect Gutters, Clean and Re-Attach as necessary – look for roofing nails or pieces of shingles in the gutters, which indicate the roof may need inspecting. Check for rusting on the bottoms of the gutters and to make sure the gutter extensions discharge water at least 6’ away from the house. Also check to make sure you are not dumping water uphill. Water too close to the foundation can cause flooding and deterioration. Clean gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters cause water to back flow into your house.
Tools required; ladder, putty knife, garden hose, screwdriver, nut driver
Instructions; CAUTION Be aware of overhead power lines. Visually inspect gutters for debris, remove sludge with putty knife, use garden hose to rinse down, if down spouts are clogged use nut driver to remove downspout from gutter, clear clog or replace downspout, re attach to gutter, ensure gutters are firmly attached to fascia
• Change Furnace Air Filters – to filter out allergens and keep your furnace running efficiently. We recommend microbial type filters. Change monthly or as recommended by manufacturer.
Tools required; Phillips, slotted screwdriver, nut driver
Instructions; Remove access cover to furnace filter, remove and replace filter, ensure new filter is correct size and air flow direction is correct (look for flow direction arrow on filter edge), replace access cover.
• Test All Smoke or CO Detectors – A few minutes doing this each month could save your family’s life in a fire.
Tools required; Hands with opposable thumbs.
Instructions; depress the push to test button on the device and listen for tone, clean device of any built up dust, replace batteries every 6 month (whenever you change the clocks for daylight savings time).
Go Through the Garage/Sheds and Move Temperature Sensitive Products to a Warmer Area – any water-based products like latex paint will freeze and be damaged.
About Handyman Matters
Handyman Matters bases its business on preferred pricing, an hourly rate plus materials model benefiting the customer. All craftsmen are background-screened employees and are bonded and insured, not outside sub-contractors. We provide a 1 year warranty on our work.
• Check Outdoor Paint for Peeling, Cracking & Proper Coverage – Peeling & cracking can allow moisture to get behind the paint and cause rotting and possible interior leaks. You’ll want to take care of this before it gets cold in the winter.
Tools required; wire brush, paint scraper, paint brush, caulk gun
Instructions; visually inspect the paint on your home, scrape areas of loose paint with a scraper or wire brush (be sure to remove all loose paint), caulk any seams or cracks, apply primer and touch up paint
• Inspect Attic for Insulation and Leak Stains – insulation should be at least R-19 and you need to look for stains to determine leaks. Water will stain the insulation and since insulation can hold 30 times its weight and still feel dry to the touch, feeling it is no good. Make sure no insulation is covering any soffit vents and add an exhaust fan if ventilation is inadequate.
Tools required; ladder
Instructions; Get up in your attic (be sure you walk on roof trusses or planks in the rafters so you don’t step through your ceiling), look for daylight coming in around any roof protrusions i.e. plumbing vents or furnace flue stacks (do this when the sun is shining), If you see light water came come in, repair holes as necessary, Visually inspect insulation for stains, bag up and remove wet insulation, replace as needed,
• Inspect Caulking, Weather Stripping, Door Transitions, Exterior Trim, – if you can see outside or feel air coming in thru these areas stopping the air flow will keep the heat inside your home in the winter and reduce your heating bills.
Tools required; screwdrivers, hammer, utility knife
Instructions; look and feel around windows and doors for daylight or drafts, remove and replace worn weather stripping as necessary, (there are many different types of weather stripping, find your exact replacement at your local home improvement store).
• Inspect Gutters, Clean and Re-Attach as necessary – look for roofing nails or pieces of shingles in the gutters, which indicate the roof may need inspecting. Check for rusting on the bottoms of the gutters and to make sure the gutter extensions discharge water at least 6’ away from the house. Also check to make sure you are not dumping water uphill. Water too close to the foundation can cause flooding and deterioration. Clean gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters cause water to back flow into your house.
Tools required; ladder, putty knife, garden hose, screwdriver, nut driver
Instructions; CAUTION Be aware of overhead power lines. Visually inspect gutters for debris, remove sludge with putty knife, use garden hose to rinse down, if down spouts are clogged use nut driver to remove downspout from gutter, clear clog or replace downspout, re attach to gutter, ensure gutters are firmly attached to fascia
• Change Furnace Air Filters – to filter out allergens and keep your furnace running efficiently. We recommend microbial type filters. Change monthly or as recommended by manufacturer.
Tools required; Phillips, slotted screwdriver, nut driver
Instructions; Remove access cover to furnace filter, remove and replace filter, ensure new filter is correct size and air flow direction is correct (look for flow direction arrow on filter edge), replace access cover.
• Test All Smoke or CO Detectors – A few minutes doing this each month could save your family’s life in a fire.
Tools required; Hands with opposable thumbs.
Instructions; depress the push to test button on the device and listen for tone, clean device of any built up dust, replace batteries every 6 month (whenever you change the clocks for daylight savings time).
Go Through the Garage/Sheds and Move Temperature Sensitive Products to a Warmer Area – any water-based products like latex paint will freeze and be damaged.
About Handyman Matters
Handyman Matters bases its business on preferred pricing, an hourly rate plus materials model benefiting the customer. All craftsmen are background-screened employees and are bonded and insured, not outside sub-contractors. We provide a 1 year warranty on our work.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
How to Wall Mount a Flat Panel TV
Curious how to mount a flat-panel TV in your home? Check out the link below. You can do it, but at the end your TV may not be so secure and all your hard work goes to waste. Check it out... but make sure to make the right choice =]
HOW TO guide to get you through the installation.
HOW TO guide to get you through the installation.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Reasons for Power Washing
We just bought a new power washer and are eager to get to breaking it in. Any body needing their deck cleaned and restained? Here are some ideas for you to consider.
When many homeowners think of ways to make their homes look better, they consider getting services like lawn maintenance, gutter cleaning, window washing and home cleaning. While all of these services are necessary, many homeowners fail to consider their sidewalk and siding and what condition it is in. Simply put, having siding that is in good condition is a necessity, as siding that is in bad condition will be more prone to issues such as mold, which can be a problem for those who are allergic to it. There are many benefits to getting pressure washing done by a professional, as you'll find out in this article.
Four Benefits of Pressure Washing
l It's Not as Expensive as Replacing Things Outright. Does your siding look like it's been there for a long time and is in desperate need of replacement. Or how about your deck-does it look like the wood needs to be re-stained? These are both signs that your siding and deck are in need of maintenance. A lot of people assume that when the condition of anything on their hope deteriorates, it's automatically time to replace it. But a good pressure washing can restore your deck, siding or sidewalk to its original condition because the wash removes dirt and many other things that can make your deck, siding, or sidewalk look in worse condition than it really is.
l It Gets Rid of Harmful Mold. It's a fact that many homes have mold of some kind on them, which can trigger allergic reactions. If you've felt like your home is making you sick, it could very well be a mold build up on the outside. Pressure washing is able to cut through mold and grime and remove it in a way that is safe and will be beneficial to both you and your home.
l Extends the Life of Roof Shingles. Replacing the roof on any home is a very costly thing, and a build-up of mold is a common cause for shingles that need to be replaced a lot more often than they should. Fortunately, pressure washing-even on roofs-can get rid of the mold and greatly extend the life of the shingles, saving homeowners thousands of dollars in potential repairs.
l Better Insulation and More Energy Efficient. Improper home maintenance can result in a home that is poorly insulated and will cost a lot more to keep warm. Due to the rising cost of energy, having a properly insulated home is essential, and believe it or not, pressure washing can aid in this. That's because pressure washing gets rid of things that can affect the insulation of the home, both on the roof and on the siding.
Why to Hire a Professional to Pressure Wash
In some instances, doing things yourself can save money and time, but not when it comes to important home maintenance like pressure washing. It's far cheaper to hire a professional business to do your home's pressure washing, as you won't need to buy the special equipment they use to get it done.
You'll also save time, as you won't have to spend hours doing it yourself.
Finally, the results will last much longer than an amateur job would.
Give us a call at 972-306-8108
When many homeowners think of ways to make their homes look better, they consider getting services like lawn maintenance, gutter cleaning, window washing and home cleaning. While all of these services are necessary, many homeowners fail to consider their sidewalk and siding and what condition it is in. Simply put, having siding that is in good condition is a necessity, as siding that is in bad condition will be more prone to issues such as mold, which can be a problem for those who are allergic to it. There are many benefits to getting pressure washing done by a professional, as you'll find out in this article.
Four Benefits of Pressure Washing
l It's Not as Expensive as Replacing Things Outright. Does your siding look like it's been there for a long time and is in desperate need of replacement. Or how about your deck-does it look like the wood needs to be re-stained? These are both signs that your siding and deck are in need of maintenance. A lot of people assume that when the condition of anything on their hope deteriorates, it's automatically time to replace it. But a good pressure washing can restore your deck, siding or sidewalk to its original condition because the wash removes dirt and many other things that can make your deck, siding, or sidewalk look in worse condition than it really is.
l It Gets Rid of Harmful Mold. It's a fact that many homes have mold of some kind on them, which can trigger allergic reactions. If you've felt like your home is making you sick, it could very well be a mold build up on the outside. Pressure washing is able to cut through mold and grime and remove it in a way that is safe and will be beneficial to both you and your home.
l Extends the Life of Roof Shingles. Replacing the roof on any home is a very costly thing, and a build-up of mold is a common cause for shingles that need to be replaced a lot more often than they should. Fortunately, pressure washing-even on roofs-can get rid of the mold and greatly extend the life of the shingles, saving homeowners thousands of dollars in potential repairs.
l Better Insulation and More Energy Efficient. Improper home maintenance can result in a home that is poorly insulated and will cost a lot more to keep warm. Due to the rising cost of energy, having a properly insulated home is essential, and believe it or not, pressure washing can aid in this. That's because pressure washing gets rid of things that can affect the insulation of the home, both on the roof and on the siding.
Why to Hire a Professional to Pressure Wash
In some instances, doing things yourself can save money and time, but not when it comes to important home maintenance like pressure washing. It's far cheaper to hire a professional business to do your home's pressure washing, as you won't need to buy the special equipment they use to get it done.
You'll also save time, as you won't have to spend hours doing it yourself.
Finally, the results will last much longer than an amateur job would.
Give us a call at 972-306-8108
Friday, August 6, 2010
Do you know WHO you are dealing with?
Ever need to know who you are dealing with? Whether it’s a client, referral partner or someone you need to do work with (contractor, plumber, electrician or handyman) make sure you check them out. Watch this short video that will show you how to “get the scoop” on just about anyone!
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