Category Home Services

Fall is the time to begin completing your home services checklist to get your home ready for the cold weather. If you do, you can make it through the cold months without any unwanted surprises. Take care of all must-do repairs on your seasonal maintenance checklist. Being proactive can help you make it through the cold months without facing unnecessary home repair emergencies.

1. Clean The Gutters

Clean gutters enable your roof’s drainage system to safely divert water away from your home’s exterior walls and foundation. Clogged gutters can cause damage to your home’s exterior surfaces and let water get into your basement and foundation and do serious damage. Autumn is the time to thoroughly clean your gutters and cover them with some mesh gutter guards that will keep the debris from getting in them and causing clogs.

2. Seal Up All Air Leaks

Air leaks around your home’s windows and doors let cold air in, warm air out, can make your home drafty, and increase your heating bill by as much as 20%. Thorough inspect f your home and use caulk and weather stripping to plug up the holes. That’s a cost-effective way to control your heating and cooling costs and keep your home comfortable year-round. Caulk and weather-stripping deteriorate over time. , Even if you sealed it last year, inspect all windows and doors and seal those that need it. Hold a lighted candle near the frame of your windows and doors. If air from outside makes the flame flicker, you have an air leak that needs clogging.

3. Inspect The Roof

A leaky roof can cause major problems when the weather outside is cold and wet. Inspect your roof from top to bottom now to identify leaks. Look closely for cracks, rotting, wind damage, curled, loose or missing shingles. Examine the flashing around the vents and chimneys and in the valleys. See if there are lots of granules in the gutter. That

is a sign that the coating on the roof is coming off and will cause problems later. Make sure there are no twigs, leaves, trash, or damage in the gutter that will stop the wastewater from flowing out and may rot the fascia and damage the roof.

4. Service Your Furnace

Now is the time to check, clean, service, or change your furnace filter to make sure it does not clog or fail. Have the furnace professionally inspected and serviced, replace noisy belts, address poor performance to make sure the burners, blower motors, heating ducts, and thermostat are all working properly.

5. Deep Clean Carpets and Floors

It is a good idea to remove the summer’s dirt and allergens from your floors in the fall. Dirt that has built up on carpets and floors will wear them out more quickly. Remove what’s already there before winter strikes. 

If you do those things, there is less chance your home will need an avoidable emergency repair when the weather gets cold.

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You don’t want to clean your own carpet. Professional carpet cleaning will help you save time and stress. However, it is important for you to choose the right company. You will need to take the following things into consideration when you are choosing a carpet cleaning company.

The Type of Carpet Cleaning

There are several ways that a carpet can be cleaned. There are some carpet cleaning companies that use steam cleaning, which is also known as wet cleaning. It can take a long time for your carpet to clean if steam cleaning is used. There are also some cleaning methods that only use a small amount of water and will dry quickly.

Furthermore, you should consider the type of chemicals that are being used. There are many carpet cleaning companies that use eco-friendly methods. Eco-friendly carpet cleaning is better for your health and the environment.

The Pricing

Fresh clean carpets are worth paying for! However, you have to think about your budget before you select a carpet cleaning company. However, it is important to remember that the pricing often reflects the quality of service that you get. That is why choosing the company that charges you the lowest amount of money may not be the best option for you.

Ask About the Services That Are Included

Cleaning companies will give you a quote before they do any type of work. However, it is important for you to ask what is included in the price before any work is done. For example, you may be charged extra if a professional has to move furniture for you. They may also charge you extra if they have to clean a high traffic area.

License And Insurance

Carpet cleaning companies are required to have a license and insurance. A license shows that the company has received the training that they need in order to practice. Insurance will cover any mishaps that occur.

Experience

It is important to choose an experienced carpet cleaning company. Generally speaking, the more experience one has, the better they will get at it. You can choose a good carpet cleaning company that has just gotten started, but it is a good idea for you to check references.

Ask for Recommendations

The internet can be great for finding information that you need. However, your family members and friends can also help you find a good carpet cleaning company. Ask them about what made carpet cleaning a great choice. You should also ask them about the pricing.

A Homeowners’ Association, or HOA, is common in many residential communities that include single-family homes, condominiums, townhouses, or co-ops. The purpose of an HOA is to help maintain an aesthetically-pleasing, clean, and safe neighborhood. Neighborhoods with strong HOAs through the enforcement of the rules and regulations often hold steady or strong property values and are desirable among potential home buyers.

The HOA board is composed of neighborhood residents, elected by fellow residents, who serve in a volunteer capacity, and sometimes representatives from the development’s planners and owners. The role of the HOA board is to address resident concerns, review requests for property changes and improvements, and implement policies that promote an overall enjoyable place to live.

An HOA may have guidelines regarding the color and size of homes, approved landscaping and fencing, and whether or not play structures or trampolines are allowed in yards. Some have strict guidelines prohibiting the parking of boats and recreational vehicles in driveways, leaving trash cans visible from the street, and even the color of curtains visible through windows from the street. It is important to understand the HOA guidelines and penalties for violations that can vary from fines to a home lien. In some cases, an HOA may be able to foreclose on the property if dues are not paid or for severe violations.

Most HOAs assess dues to residents that are paid monthly, quarterly, or yearly. These dues pay for the upkeep of landscaping in common areas, insurance, security, amenities like walking trails, pools, workout facilities, and neighborhood activities. Some HOAs require residents to pay for large community expenses like a clubhouse or utilities through one-time assessments in addition to normal dues, and some may have transfer fees for new property owners.

HOA dues can vary widely from a few dollars per month to hundreds of dollars per month. Some HOAs charge lower fees, but then assess frequent additional costs to cover neighborhood expenses as they arise while others charge higher fees and establish a reserve fund that prevents homeowners from having more frequent, unplanned payments. Different sections of the same neighborhood may have varying amenities like maintenance-provided options, a gated entrance, or an exclusive clubhouse, and these additional options typically come with additional fees. Find the cost of the regular cleaning maintenance not covered by your dues at https://foothillsexterior.com/.

When selling a property, it is the responsibility of the home seller to provide information on the HOA dues and covered amenities. While dues typically increase no more often than annually, it is advisable to inquire about planned increases or anticipated one-time assessments. HOA dues are often planned three to five years out based on estimated future expenses, planned neighborhood growth, and anticipated capital improvements.

HOAs are common across the country and across community types. It is important to understand not only the current HOA fees but also the anticipated future costs to avoid an unplanned expense. While they add an additional expense to property owners, they have a long-standing record of maintaining higher property values.

If you want to be more eco-friendly, you will want to make sure that any home service contractors you have in your home are also eco-friendly. Whether it’s a green carpet cleaning service or an energy-conscious electrician, it can be difficult to ensure that the company you hire is environmentally friendly, but with a little research and time, you can make sure that you are hiring a company that fits your needs.

Ask Questions

When you are first looking for an eco-friendly home service contractor, you want to make sure that you call or go on their website and ask questions. Include the following questions:

• What are your green practices?
• What are your company’s environmentally friendly beliefs?
• Do you remove items with the environment in mind?
• Are you certified in recycling and the environment?

Ensure that you get answers to all these questions before you hire any company for your home service project.

Look at Reviews

When you are researching the company, make sure that you look at some reviews and see what they have to say. Some people will leave reviews about their environmentally friendly status. Ensure you take your time and go through all the reviews to ensure that you are hiring the right company.

Investigate Certifications

If the home service contractor claims that they have certifications, make sure that you follow up on them. Many people have been fooled by contractors claiming that they do have the certifications when they do not. Eco-fake contractors are out there. They will say that they are green when they are not. You will want to make sure the contractor you hire is legitimately environmentally friendly before you put them to work. Look for where they say they are certified from. There should be a place where you can research whether or not they have the proper certifications on their website.

Take your Time

If you rush around trying to find a home service company that is environmentally friendly, you may not always find them. You will need to take your time and do your research to ensure that you find a 100% green home service contractor.

It is important to find a home service contractor that meets all of your environmentally friendly needs when coming to your home. Doing all the above tips will help ensure that they are green-friendly and are working to help the environment. Remember to take your time, investigate certifications, look at reviews, and ask questions before you hire any contractor to come into your home. Failing to do so can lead to hiring a company that is not as environmentally friendly as you like it to be.

When seeking out in-home services, it is essential to take the appropriate precautions. Having the right person for the job ensures it’s done not only correctly but also safely. You are entrusting this person with your home as well as other people. Therefore, it is vital to have a checklist that you can refer to when hiring someone for in-home services. Below we’ll discuss some essential tips to consider when seeking in-home services.

Service Provider Background Check

There is nothing wrong with choosing who provides services in your home. Be sure to contact your agency to perform a provider background check, and if so, verify which method they are using. If you are uncomfortable with the agency’s inspection procedure, it’s best to go with your instincts and get another agency.

Work with a Reputable Agency

Some people prefer hiring individuals directly, rather than hiring someone through a home service agency. While working directly with a provider can save money, choosing to do so comes with responsibilities. As an employer, you are solely responsible for overseeing, hiring, firing, and doing background checks. By working with reputable organizations, one can take on fewer responsibilities and focus on just getting the right organization of the job.

Inquire about provider training

Consult the agency on training and certification requirements that service providers must meet. Basic certifications can give you peace of mind. For example, a carpet cleaning service should be IICRC certified and an electrician should be able to show you completion of an apprenticeship with the IBEW.  A reputable company website should have links to their training provider’s website. Check out http://staycleanli.com/

Local Certification Requirements

Certification requirements for home care services vary from state to state. However, questioning the agency’s certification status can help assess the legitimacy and ensure oversight by regulatory agencies. To inquire about your agency’s specific certification requirements, please contact your local agency or your local senior service department.

Read reviews carefully

Take the time to read reviews on Google. What previous customers have to say can provide you with valuable information about who will be coming into your home. It’s also important to pay attention to how the company responds to reviews, good or bad.

Evaluate the Supervision Process

When entrusting people and your home to service providers, most people usually worry about a lack of supervision. Clients have the right to ask the agency how they monitor the quality of home services.

In-home services are convenient and essential in today’s busy world. However, it is necessary to ensure you not only get the right person for the job but also it is done safely. These tips will go a long way in ensuring the safety of your home.

Misplacing your keys or having issues with your lock can be disappointing, especially when it happens on a momentous day. A bad day with your lock or key will call for locksmith services.

• Locking yourself out of your house
• Broken or lost keys
• Break-ins
• Recoding an electronic keypad
• Forgetting the safe combination

Hiring a locksmith saves you time by addressing your lock issues and moving on with your daily activities. The services provide peace of mind as you’re assured of acquiring the right solutions to your lock and key problems.

Here are some of the factors that you should keep in mind when hiring a locksmith.

Experience

It would help if you opted for a locksmith who has gained experience by providing the services for a significant period. An experienced locksmith will know how to handle and work with various lock systems.

Location

It is imperative to find a locksmith located in your area. The locksmith should be available to provide solutions to your key or lock issues. A locksmith that is miles away will do you no good. Start by searching reputable locksmiths in your area to learn more about their services and capabilities.

Services Offered

Different locksmiths will provide various services. Check out the type of services or locks that the locksmith works with first. Consider your situation and determine whether the locksmith is the right candidate for the task.

Understand your needs and the lock system you’re working with to hire a locksmith with the right qualifications to handle your system. Check whether the locksmith provides emergency services or software configuration of electronic keypads.

Affordability

The cost of the services should also be a driving factor in hiring a locksmith. You don’t need emergency services only but also affordable services. Your key or lock issue may affect you on a bad day, and you need someone to help you at an affordable rate.

As much as the services are affordable, determine the quality and find a locksmith that gives you value for your money.

Availability

Ensure that you check out the locksmith’s time of operation. Check if the locksmith provides emergency services and reliable enough to show up when called upon even at the wee hours. Find a locksmith who will keep in touch with you and avail themselves to clients when needed.

Safety

You should ensure that you hire a locksmith that won’t compromise the security of your home. Thus, you should hire a locksmith who is trustworthy and honest. Hiring a credible and reputable locksmith means that you hire a professional that won’t tamper with the integrity of your locks.

Hiring a locksmith from a reputable company is recommended to uphold the integrity of your home’s locks and security.

Take time to find a professional locksmith to protect your locking system. Weigh your options and settle for the right professional.

For helpful information visit Asafs-locksmith.com 

You may have seen the term “HVAC” in advertisements and articles about air conditioning and heating and wondered what it stands for. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. These three elements work together to provide a comfortable indoor environment. A properly working HVAC unit regulates temperature, controls humidity and helps keep the indoor air clean.

HVAC is often used to describe ducted, forced-air heating and air conditioning systems. However, the term also applies to other types of systems, including ductless mini-splits and heat pumps. These systems are available for both residential and business use.

In ducted systems, conditioned air is distributed through ducts. Usually, both an air conditioner and furnace are connected to a ducted system. However, depending on the climate in the area where you live, a ducted system may include only a furnace or an air conditioner.

Ductless mini-splits do not require ducts to distribute conditioned air. Instead, indoor blower cassettes are connected to an outdoor condenser by a conduit routed through a small hole in the wall. The conduit contains wiring, refrigerant and condensate lines. Each cassette has its own controls, allowing regulation of temperature in a single room or zone. When a room is not in use, the blower can be turned off without affecting comfort in other rooms.

Heat pumps provide heating and cooling in a single unit. They are used in both forced-air and ductless systems. Heat pumps are energy efficient because they do not use energy to produce heat. Instead, they move heat from one place to another. Electricity is used to power fans, motors and blowers.

There are several types of heat pumps. The most common are air-source systems that extract heat energy from the outside air during winter and route it indoors. Ground-source, or geothermal, heat pumps extract heat energy from the earth. During the summer, both systems operate on the principles of refrigeration by extracting heat from the interior of a building and routing it outside.

Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality

Ventilation brings in fresh outdoor air and expels stale indoor air. This air exchange contributes to good indoor air quality. In addition, HVAC units have air filters that capture airborne particulates. In ducted systems, filters prevent pollutants from entering ducts and the living space. In ductless systems, air is not distributed through ducts, so pollutants are not transferred between rooms.

There are several accessories available that work with HVAC systems to increase ventilation and keep indoor air clean, including humidifiers and dehumidifiers, whole-house ventilation systems, UV lights that kill pathogens and air cleaners.

Licensed HVAC contractors are familiar with these systems and components. Most reliable companies offer repair services, preventive maintenance and new installations. The result is a well-functioning heating and cooling system that keeps humidity and temperatures at comfortable levels. HVAC professionals also analyze indoor air quality and recommend good practices and products to keep the air that you breathe clean and fresh.

For more information, visit a Raleigh, NC HVAC contractor website.

We regularly talk about the organization, and a large portion of us concur we could utilize somewhat more of it in our lives. What about slightly more of it in your home? As the years pass by, our homes will, in general, get jumbled and loaded with stuff. On the off chance that you have kids, a life partner, or other relatives living with you, the messiness is aggravated significantly more. One method for keeping the messiness under control is to get organized. In any case, this is more difficult than one might expect for a great many people.

Here are five steps to an increasingly organized home to assist you with keeping it clean and mess-free:

Make day-to-day objectives

Instead of going through a long time organizing and cleaning, make little, short day-to-day objectives for yourself and anyone else in the family unit. At the point when you do it a little at once consistently, it will assist everything with remaining progressively organized.

Put resources into storage

There are many storage alternatives accessible. It is justified even despite the speculation to get a few unique kinds of storage that work for your requirements and then use it well.

Clean out once per month on a month-to-month premise

Make it a reason to experience everything (racks, drawers, and so on) and clean out the old. Do a little smaller than standard Spring cleaning once and month and don’t permit the jumble to accumulate. It will be a lot simpler to get and remain organized.

Make a spot for everything

Take time to locate a legitimate place for everything. On the off chance that you can’t discover a spot for it, do you truly require it? Please give it a home and then keep it in that place. Give everybody access to the family know to keep things in their legitimate spot, and you will have an increasingly organized home.

Offer the duty

It’s never a simple assignment for one individual to attempt to organize a whole family. Have everybody in the house contribute with various errands and undertakings and by organizing their very own things too.

These tips should assist you with getting increasingly organized in your home, which makes it look better, makes it simpler to discover things you need, and causes you to feel better for being in a clean and clean home.

Very frequently, we see individuals that are energized to get organized and attempt to eat the entire elephant. Shockingly, you will wind up going from space to room, doing a smidgen of work in everyone, except never genuinely appear to get anything achieved. To wipe out this, be sure you are focused distinctly on the zone you are as of now working in.

When you have this room clean, move to the following one. On the off chance that you should discover something that has a place in the kitchen, it is currently organized, and you can without much of a stretch spot the thing where it ought to go. Remember that you are just working in the room you have assigned for that day.

Keep track of larger tasks such as carpet cleaning and make a note to schedule these jobs in a timely manner.

This straightforward advance will kick you off in your organized home. When you have your home organized, it is anything but difficult to keep it that way. You need to make yourself a procedure and stick to it.