Handy Man Fix Home Repair » Maintain

Deck Maintenance and Cleaning

keira — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:11:31 +0000

Having a nice deck is a real status symbol in any neighborhood. However, a deck can quickly turn into an eyesore if it isn’t properly cared for. Weather damage and just general wear and tear can all lead to a deck that looks run down. There are a lot of things you can do to help establish a good deck maintenance regimen that will keep your deck looking its best for years to come.

As is the case with most maintenance tasks, proper deck maintenance starts with cleaning. The question is what exactly is the best way to clean a deck? There are lots of different ways to go about it. You could break out a bucket and scrub brush and do the whole thing by hand, or you could use a pressure washer to speed up the job. You’ve also go to choose what kind of cleaner to use.

Ultimately, there is no one single answer that is best for every deck out there. However, one big concern is that a pressure washer may be too harsh for many types of wood. If you are going to go the pressure washer route, then you want to choose a relatively low powered model or you could end up totally destroying the texture of your deck. You’re probably better off just not risking it. It may be slow, but doing it by hand is the safest path to good deck maintenance.

Most modern deck cleaning products are both effective and safe for the deck and the environment. Just be sure to avoid cleaners that are heavy on bleach as they can remove the color from the wood or even harm nearby plants. While you’re cleaning the deck, another point of deck maintenance you can take care of is sanding down and part of the wood that is jutting out so that the deck’s surface is smooth and uniform.

Once you start cleaning your deck, make sure that you’re thorough. There’s not much point to cleaning if you’re just going to barely scrub the surface. Pay special attention to the crevices between the planks that make up your deck. Debris such as fallen leaves can get inside these crevices and lead to mold problems down the road. Use whatever tool you have at hand to make sure that you completely clean these areas of your deck.

In order to fully protect your deck against the elements, you need to apply a sealant. Sealants prevent moisture from getting into the wood, which helps to prevent them from getting fungal infestations that can destroy them. In addition, sealants can also protect the deck from the sun’s rays, which can cause the wood to become bleached. It’s especially vital to give your deck a thorough cleaning before applying sealant, because you don’t want to seal in any dirt or debris. Note that the wood will only soak up the sealant when it’s dry, so find a nice clear day to perform this part of the deck maintenance procedure.

Photo Credits: sgtgary

Originally posted 2009-09-20 03:25:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Home Maintenance for Dummies by James Carey and Morris Carey

keira — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:20:38 +0000

The Carey brothers achieved great fame with their first Dummies title that focused on home renovation so hopes were pretty high with this latest book on how to maintain your home. This is an area that many people fail to understand how important it can be, which is why we decided to focus on this title first. No matter how much effort you put into renovating your home, if you don't maintain it, there simply is no point.

The audience for the book is definitely beginners, or those that really don't have a lot of time to familiarize themselves with a lot of DIY work. Weekend warriors might be a little disappointed in some of the tips, but overall, this is a great read. There are a few tips that everyone can use, regardless of their experience level and this is a book that deserves at least some space on your shelf.

We appreciated the fact that the book covered a lot of home maintenance ideas that are simply overlooked or never carried out. We all know that we need to keep our eaves clean, but how many of us know how to spot potential safety hazards in our home? This book covers pretty much everything you could ever need to do to keep your home running in tip top shape and chances are, if you follow this advice, you'll find that you have a lot less repair and renovation work to do over the long term.

The section on how to prepare for freezing weather was particularly useful. It is all too easy to assume that everything is going to be alright, only to end knee deep in water. You'll learn exactly how to winterize your home to make sure that this doesn't happen. This one tip can save you hundreds in plumber fees and thousands in damages. They also cover some great winter tips for the rest of your house to make sure that the elements don't over stress it.

The book takes you room by room, showing you what you need to look out for and how to take care of little problems before they become big problems. If you're mystified by a lot of what goes on behind the scenes in your home, the systems section will make it completely easy to understand. This really is a perfect title for those that are getting into home ownership for the first time, especially if they are used to living in an apartment where all of this stuff is taken care of by the landlord.

The best part by far is the fact that the book includes calendars to help you schedule regular maintenance on your home. Everything from cleaning a fireplace to fixing cracks is covered and will end up saving you time and money on your home. We would have liked it if they had gone into gas fireplace tips as well, but overall, this is a terrific book that should be purchased by all homeowners.

Originally posted 2008-11-16 16:29:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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What’s In Your Crawlspace?

keira — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:01:07 +0000

Most of today’s homes have crawl spaces, but few of us ever venture up there. No one really likes to think of crawling up into that tight space, but there may be a few reasons to consider it. It is important to schedule an annual checkup for your crawlspace, since this can help you spot potential signs of trouble and get them stopped before they become larger issues. Let’s take a look at how to inspect your crawlspace for a very common problem and how to fight it.

If you live in a humid area, or your area gets a lot of rain, you may notice a mildew smell in the house that you can’t get rid of. Chances are, your crawlspaces have become damp and the mildew is forming up there. It is important to get rid of this problem as quickly as possible, since mold could also be forming inside that crawlspace. Take this opportunity to check your crawlspace and see what is going on up there.

Once you’ve determined that your crawlspace is indeed a bit damp, there are a few things that you will need to do. First, it is important to ventilate the area. Most crawlspaces are closed up all year round and little air can circulate through there. This creates the ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew spores. If your home does not have a vent, you will need to install one.

You can find appropriate vents at your local hardware store, and the process of installing them is quite easy. Locate a spot on an exterior wall and cut a hole through to the outside. Place the vent in, and properly secure it. You now have a way to get rid of that moisture buildup!

This will help, but you may also need to see what is causing dampness in your crawlspace. If the mildew is not severe, it may just be the side effect of living in a moist climate. If it is severe, chances are you may have a leak. You will need to inspect all the walls inside that crawlspace and look for any leaks that may be occurring. If you do find a leak, repair it immediately. Overtime, this can lead to serious water damage on your ceilings and walls.

Lastly, it is a very good idea to completely clean out your crawlspace. If you are storing excess insulation or even household items up there, remove them and find a new storage space. Insulation is a particularly nasty culprit when it comes to mildew and can be the source of a lot of mildew odor problems. If your crawlspace is permanently smelly, get fiberglass insulation that has a vapor barrier. Install this throughout the crawlspace, with the vapor barrier facing the top of the crawlspace. This will help keep the odors inside the space instead of in your home. This is a great solution if the damage has already been done and you need to get rid of the smell of mildew in your home.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-12-04 20:30:40. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Joe the Plumber

keira — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:13:56 +0000

If your home, apartment or some other building is suddenly experiencing a water leak, then repairing the fixtures, the faucets and the pipes can become extremely urgent in no time at all. You may be able to do some of the repair work yourself, but in most cases it is much more wise a decision simply to bring in Joe the Plumber. Joe the Plumber is your average home plumber, willing to come right to your home or business to tackle a plumbing problem that is deemed to be beyond your capabilities as a home handyman or woman.

If you discover that there is a leak, the first thing that you should do is to shut your water off while you wait for Joe the plumber to arrive. This will prevent any further water damage from occurring just in case hiring a plumber takes a little bit longer than you initially anticipated. The quickest way that you can stop water from leaking from your pipes is to go to the main valve and shut the water supply off there. Then you can go to one of the lowest points in the home or office building and open up a faucet, allowing the remaining water to drain out of the faucet based on gravity, which will significantly minimize the water escaping through the leak until Joe the plumber can arrive.

When Joe the Plumber does arrive, ask him or her how recurring problems can be prevented or avoided in the future. Most plumbers will charge an hourly rate for their service, along with any and all necessary parts costs. You can expect to pay somewhat more money for calls at night or during the weekend. Even at these rates, it is smart to consult with your plumber about repairs and parts options, as well as how future problems can be kept from reoccurring. The more you can learn about the intricacies of your home or office plumbing, the more likely you will be able to solve the problem your own self the next time.

When you decide that you need to hire a plumber, it is definitely going to be most reasonable to hire someone who is reputable and licensed. You should also try to appraise hourly rates beforehand, choosing a plumber that has an hourly rate that agrees with your budget. For example, some plumbers have lower rates on an hourly basis but charge for things like driving time, and others have a higher rate for hourly work, but the clock only starts when they arrive at the scene of the crime. Make your decision based on the rate you feel most comfortable paying, and do not be afraid to have a Joe the plumber on hand so that you can get the help that you need when you need it. Make sure that your plumber is validly licensed in your state if it is required, and keep their phone number of hand so that if a plumbing emergency occurs, you can do something about it.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-10-21 05:18:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Maintenance for your Swimming Pool

keira — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:49:04 +0000

On a humid and hot day in August, there is nothing that feels quite as good as a dip in your pool. If your pool is looking a little bit more like a pond than a place for swimming, then nobody is going to be happy. Here are some tips for swimming pool maintenance that are going to help you make sure that your pool is ready for you as soon as you are ready for it.

Your pool filter should be running 24 hours a day if you want the cleanest possible water. If you do not want that impact on your electric bill, then at the very least your pool filter should be running between 8 hours and 10 hours every day, and preferably during the morning and afternoon hours.
If you are using a skimmer basket, then you are going to want to check it out every day, removing collected debris and leaves to make sure that it is always operating at a peak level of performance.
You should be adding chlorine to your pool every single day with an automatic chlorinator or a chlorine floater.
If you have a pool cover, make sure you are keeping it in a clean environment when it is removed. It can easily collect dirt and debris when it is wet, so if you put it back on the pool you might be introducing more junk into the pool than you intended to simply because you are not caring for your cover when your pool is in use.
If you have an in ground pool, make sure that you have a trash can handy so you can immediately throw away any of the debris that are skimmed from the pool. If you simply empty the net onto the ground, most of the debris are simply going to be introduced right back into the pool again.
Make sure that you are adjusting the level of water in your pool every time that maintenance is performed. This is the quickest and the easiest way for you to add water, as only an inch or so will be necessary rather than several inches if you let it go for too long.
Make sure that you take extra caution when adding chemicals into the pool water. It is better for you to add less than to add too much all at once. Once you have an excess of chemicals within your pool, it is going to be very difficult for you to get your water levels back to normal so try to avoid overdoing the pool chemicals if you can help it.

Photo Credits: blmurch

Originally posted 2009-10-07 03:18:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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