How to Keep Your House Warm for Winter

This post comes to us from Realty Times from its December 24th post about how to keep your house warm this winter.

Every homeowner should start their Winter by tackling the "oh so fun" task of checking their home for leaks. Leaks can not only drain your pocket of money, but also drain your home of precious heat.  

The U.S. Department of Energy (energy.gov) knows how important it is for homeowners to stay warm and to save money. This is why they offer up prime tips for what and where to inspect. Let's start on the outside of your home.

Visually inspect:

• All exterior corners
• Outdoor water faucets
• Where siding and chimneys meet
• Areas where the foundation and the bottom of exterior brick or siding meet.

Next, take the inspection inside. Look for drafts and gaps around:

• Electrical outlets
• Switch plates
• Door and window frames
• Electrical and gas service entrances
• Baseboards
• Weather stripping around doors
• Fireplace dampers
• Attic hatches
• Wall- or window-mounted air conditioners.
• Cable TV and phone lines
• Where dryer vents pass through walls
• Vents and fans.

   

After filling gaps and repairing cracks it's time to consider upgrading your insulation. Insulation is literally your defense against cold air and Winter elements. Old homes are notorious for their meager amounts of insulation. Many of today's products were simply not available at the time of the home's construction. If you have an old home, especially one that has not been updated or been subject to today's building codes, it's time to see where improvements can be made.  

Several options are available. If you're a green-minded homeowner, then be sure to check out the latest advances in recycle paper, cellulose, and denim insulations. Yes, you can insulation your home with "old jeans"!  

Recycled denim insulation is VOC and formaldehyde free, as well as 100% recyclable. Cellulose is made from at least 75 percent post-consumer recycled content (newspaper) and takes as much as thirty percent less energy to make than traditional insulation. Cellulose also has no effect on indoor air quality.

http://realtytimes.com/consumeradvice/homeownersadvice1/item/26963-20131225-homeowners-advice-toasty-tips-for-winter

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How to Choose the Right Floor for Your Home

Even though you have chosen to hire a professional to install the flooring in your home, you still have the task of choosing the type of flooring that will be installed.  This can be a difficult task considering how many different types of flooring there are.  Floors really do impact your life.  You need to find the best flooring for your lifestyle and your home style.

You probably know that you do not want carpet in your bathroom.  That was an easy decision.  What do you want for your living room, though?  If you want comfort then you might want carpet.  However, if you have kids, animals and want easy cleanup then you probably want to think about wood or laminate floors.  In fact, many people are choosing bamboo floors because of their sustainability.  They are great for the environment.

Next you need to consider pricing.  Look at your budget.  Real wood floors will cost you more than laminate.  If you have to cover a large amount of space then this many be worth considering.

It is also a good idea to look at your style.  Your home may not be "carpet" style.  Many homes are installing laminate throughout for a fresh, clean look.  Plus, it usually ups the resale value of the home.  Consider going to your local flooring shop and asking for some samples.  This can give you an idea of how they will look in your home.

Once you have made a decision on what type of flooring you want, the next step is to hire a licensed contractor to install it for you.  Contact Jeff with Amazing Handyman Services at (909) 917-7556 and make an appointment for a free estimate in the Inland Empire/LA/Orange County area.

Top 5 Things Homeowners Must Do During the Summer

After a long winter, most homeowners look forward to the summer months. It seems that there is a lot less to do around the house.  There are not usually leaves to rake, pipes to worry about and no leaking roof.  The truth is, though, the summer is the perfect time to maintain your home for the upcoming year.

The following checklist are things that any homeowner can accomplish during the summer months.  These tips can save you a lot of time and money during the year.

• Inspect the gutters.  Be sure that they drain properly and that there are no cracks in them.  Clear any debris.  I will be easier to do this when it is warm instead of waiting until the rainy season. 
• Walk around your home and look at the fascia boards.  Inspect any exposed wood and make any repairs immediately. 
• Look at the shingles on the roof and see if there are any missing or damaged pieces.  Also, look at vents, skylights and chimney to be sure they are in working order with no cracks.  If you do not feel comfortable doing the repairs, contact a licensed roofing company for an estimate for repairs. 
• The summer is the best time to check your faucets, hoses and pipes for freeze damage.  There are several ways that you can do this.  The best way is to turn on the water, place your finger over the water opening.  If the water stops, there is most likely a leak somewhere. 
• The most important thing to have maintained is the air conditioning system.  Have a certified repair man service it annually for top performance. This can eventually save you money, too.   Be sure to also change filters. 

Most of the above tips can be done by the homeowner.  If you do not feel comfortable doing the maintenance on your own, contact a licensed contractor in your area, such as Amazing Handyman Services.

Any Home Repair Issue Solved

No matter what is going on in your life, when there is a problem with your home, life seems to stop.  This is especially true for major home repair issues.  Most homeowners are weary of calling a contractor in fear of getting ripped off and taken advantage of.

While there are a lot of contracting companies to call, Amazing Handyman Services is available to help you.  Licensed and bonded, just one phone call does it all.  Their reliable service is unbeatable.  Call (909) 917-7556 today to schedule your free estimate.

Get Your Home or Business Ready for Spring

Spring is just around the corner.  Right now is the best time to get your home or office ready for it.  Repair broken down fences, fix peeling pain on the trim or paint that front door to make your home more inviting.  Get all your needs met right away by calling Amazing Handyman Services at (909) 917-7556.

From installing new swing sets for the kids to assembling new furniture, save time by calling in an expert.  Many may not realize that proper installation of these items can help make them last longer.  Call to make an appointment today.

More Bang For The Buck

Who doesn't want a good deal for repairs and improvements on their homes and businesses, especially in these tough economic times? Jumping over a dollar to save a dime, really leads to some expensive lessons. The cost of being short sighted is jobs NOT getting completed and ending up with an even bigger mess than what you started with. Hire a professional the Law in California is if labor and materials combined is $500.00 or more a contractor’s license is required.  http://www.cslb.ca.gov/ check the license first.

Contractors can be expensive only dealing in one trade and are not always the practical choice for small jobs. Many contractors won’t be bothered with the smaller jobs. Handymen, however, are professionals who have spent time developing different disciplines (trades). If you find a good one hold on to him, it takes a special and talented person to do work encompassing multiple trades. These men are often more artisan craftsmen than someone who is just a carpenter, just a plumber, just an electrician.

When people hear the word handyman, it brings to mind a guy who couldn’t find a “real job”, or maybe a grandpa type trying to keep busy in his golden years. Descriptions like these do not do justice to the men who have spent years training in various crafts. Many of the men I’ve met and are associated with are truly talented. Most tradesmen only have to carry tools and equipment for one discipline. Handymen have it all, so pay them what they are worth. Don’t jump over a dollar paying your nephew whose home from college to do a job a pro should do.  Many handymen are bonded and license and are a reasonable solution to both save money and protect your home.