November 20th, 2008 — Heating, Windows, pipes
Whether you have a vacation home that will not be in use for the winter, or you will be gone from your home for an extended period of time this season, it is a good idea to properly close up your home for the winter. This is not difficult and the steps you take here can save you thousands of dollars by preventing burst pipes, water damage and other damage. Here is a quick checklist to help you get prepared.
1. Drain the water heater and the pipes.
This is something that many homeowners forget, but it is the most important step to take and should be done before anything else. If you don’t get rid of excess water in your pipes, plumbing and water heater, there is a chance that they could freeze. Since you won’t be at the home, you may never know what happened until it is too late. If you are not used to flushing your home’s plumbing system, you can easily hire a plumber to help with this job. Once everything has been flushed, double check to make sure that the main water line to the house has been shut off.
Some people recommend adding antifreeze to toilet water, but this is a hazard, particularly if you have pets and small children. It is best simply to flush the house system and close down the water line for the winter.
2. Seal all the windows.
In order to keep the temperature at a constant level, it’s a good idea to seal up and winterize all of your windows and doors. This can save you money on heating an extra home throughout the winter and will help keep the interior less dusty. You can purchase window and door sealing kits at your local hardware store and do this on your own.
3. Set your furnace to the desired level.
If you don’t mind heating the house all winter long, or if you haven’t completely flushed the house water system, you will need to make sure that you leave the heat on. Most people prefer to set the heat at about 50 to 60 degrees to keep it above freezing. This should reduce the cost for heating the house throughout the winter. If you prefer to just turn everything off, double check and make sure that no water is left in the pipes before you do.
4. Turn off the electricity.
If you will not be using the heating system, you can simply turn off the electricity for this portion of the year. Many people feel more comfortable doing this, since they won’t have to worry about electrical fires if something happens when they are not at the house. Talk with your power company about shutting down for the winter. If you have propane or natural gas lines in the home, you should also have those shut down for the winter.
These easy steps will help you make sure that your house is safe and sound for the winter and will be ready for you next spring.
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October 21st, 2008 — Handy Man, Maintain, pipes, plumbing
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.
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October 15th, 2008 — Fix, Flooring, Handy Man, Wood Floors
Warped flooring is a major problem for many homeowners. First, it is typically caused by water damage, and can be indicative of a major leak, but it can also be caused by excessive wear, poor original materials or even chance. Warped floors are a bit of a hazard around the house and should be fixed as soon as possible. Let’s go over a few easy ways that you can get this job done.
Small Warps
These are tiny little warps that are usually barely noticeable. Commonly, if you found a leak in time, or are paying attention, you can spot this type of warp while it is still small and easy to fix. If the average area is less than six inches in diameter, and the boards affected are not numerous, you can try a very easy fix.
Get a cinderblock, or something similar that is very heavy. Wet the area where the warping occurred slightly and then place your heavy object over the warp. Give it a few days and check to see if the warp is gone. If you are using something heavy enough and the floor is still pliable, chances are your warp will be gone. This is a great fix if you are on a budget.
Medium to Large Warps
This is a little more serious and may require spot fixing. In a perfect world, only one flooring board will be warped, but often, it will usually effect more than one. Locate the area where the warping occurred and if necessary, fix the problem that caused it in the first place. Locate replacement boards that are the exact size and length of your existing flooring.
Take up the existing boards and if necessary, fix any underlying problems that may have been caused by a water leak. Get your replacement boards and lay them down, lining them up carefully. Using the appropriate sized screws, attach them to the floor joists one by one until the area has been completely fixed. You may need to either paint or stain them to match your other flooring.
Massive Warps
This is a serious issue, and may require the help of a professional. Massive warping is usually caused either by extreme neglect, bad water damage or age. This will typically require replacing the entire floor, especially if numerous boards are affected. Locate any boards that may be saved, but check them for structural integrity. It is best to err on the side of caution when dealing with massive floor warps since it may be an indication that the wood is rotten.
Rip out the flooring. If you are replacing the entire floor, you have some options as to what materials you will use for the replacement, either new wooden floors, or a subfloor with carpeting. Fix any underlying damage and then install your new flooring option. Again, you may need to either paint or stain it to match, depending on how much of the original floor you were able to keep.
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September 14th, 2008 — Basement, Handy Man, House Damage, Landscape, Mold, Safety, Walls
A leaky basement is a nightmare. Mold and mildew build up and can be hazardous to your health. In addition, many of us store things in the basement and we don’t want to risk having them ruined. There are a few techniques that you can use to make sure that your basement stays dry throughout the year.
1. Install eaves/gutters.
The best way to make sure that you don’t have excess moisture running into your basement is to install gutters or eaves on your home. This makes a big difference and you can even utilize rain barrels at the ends to conserve water. These are not that difficult to install and can mean the difference between a basement that is nice and dry and one that has a foot of standing water. This is the first step that you should take.
2. Pour rocks along the side of your home.
Rocks absorb some moisture and after you’ve got your eaves up, you can line the sides of your home with a rock bed. On the plus side, not only will it help prevent excess moisture from building up, but it will also look very nice. Add in some plantings and you’ll be all set.
3. Make sure outdoor faucets don’t leak.
Many of us have outdoor faucets that are situated right next to basement exterior walls. Even a small leak on one of these faucets can mean big water damage over time. Make sure that your faucets are not leaking and line the area where they are with plastic so that when you are using them, the excess water does not drip down into your basement.
4. Use water blocker paint on basement walls.
Sometimes, and in certain climates, moisture builds up on the concrete blocks that are used to make basements, causing them to weep. There are several different types of paint that can be used to seal these up so that they don’t cause water damage in your basement. Make sure that you open up any windows downstairs or use a fan for ventilation when painting since these paints can be very fumey.
5. Keep a sump pump on hand.
When all else fails and you’ve had a ton of rain or flooding, getting that water out as quickly as possible is vital. Invest in a good sump pump if you have had flooding before. This can make all the difference when it comes to the amount of water damage you have after a flood.
6. Try re-landscaping.
If you are frequently having to deal with water in your basement, your landscaping may be to blame. Find out if there are any slopes that are diverting water towards your house instead of away from it. You may need to hire a professional to help you correct any of these issues unless you already have landscaping experience.
These tips make it easy to keep your basement dry and your storage items free of water damage.
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June 30th, 2008 — Clean, Crawl Space, Handy Man, Maintain, Mold
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.
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