Roof leaks and flooded basements and crawl spaces are not uncommon at this time of year. The recent wind and rain storms have put our home’s roofs, gutters, and drainage systems to the test. How is your home holding up? Take advantage of breaks in the weather to take a quick walk around the outside of your home. Inspect the roof for fallen tree branches or debris, especially if you have large trees alongside your home. Make sure the gutters and downspouts are draining properly and diverting water away from the foundation. Don’t forget to do a quick visual inside as well, especially in rooms that aren’t frequently used. An unnoticed roof leak can cause considerable damage in a short amount of time. Water stains, bubbling paint or sagging drywall are all warning signs that moisture is intruding. The same is true for the basement. Inspect along the foundation walls for signs of water intrusion. If you have a crawl space, even a quick peak with a flashlight can expose a faulty sump pump or drainage problem. Being proactive and keeping an eye open for possible problems is the best way to minimize damages.
Author Archives: Cari
Water & Sewer Line Repairs May Not Be Covered By Your Insurance Policy
Being prepared for a water or sewer line break can save you thousands of dollars. What you might not realize is that most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover repair and replacement costs of underground water and sewer lines. You should check both your insurance policy and your local utility to determine where your insurance coverage ends and the city picks up responsibility. Most likely where the line exits your house and meets the water meter or sewer main is not covered by either side and the homeowner is left paying for these costly repairs. For only a few dollars a month you can purchase water and sewer protection at www.nationalwatercompany.com or by calling 1-800-790-3201. We do not receive any type of compensation for recommending this company. We simply wanted to pass on what appears to be something of good value to homeowners.
New Door Installation, Re-Work Existing Door, Lock and Hardware Installation
An eye-catching front door welcomes visitors to your home with a touch of class
The front door of your house sets the tone for the rest of your home. If you want to spruce up your home’s exterior, consider either replacing the front entry door, or give the existing door a make-over. Selecting an eye-catching front door can give an otherwise plain exterior a touch of class. If the existing door is in good condition you can also add a lot of pop simply by repainting the door with a bold new color. If you’re having a hard time deciding on a color, the following article How To Choose a Front Door Color, by Houzz is full of useful ideas. Don’t forget the hardware. A classy new door knocker, shiny kick plate, or new lockset will give it that final touch. If you need help installing a new door, painting or re-working your existing door (including weather-stripping, thresholds, and sill work), or replacing hardware, we can help. We have exceptional contractors who specialize in just this type of work.
Garage, Work Shop, or Man Cave!
Whatever your needs, we can help. One happy customer, Steve, from Marysville now has an outbuilding he can use for any purpose that suits him.
Contact us if you need help building a custom garage, storage shed, or work shop. We would be happy help make your ‘man cave’ a reality. Whether you have a custom design in mind or need help assembling a pre-fabricated outbuilding we have the expertise to help, including assistance with permits, excavation, and electrical or plumbing if needed.
Garage, Work Shop, Man Cave!
HVAC Contractor
Having an HVAC contractor you know and trust is truly a blessing. Especially when your heating system quits working in the middle of winter. Today I had the opportunity (if you want to call it that) to hire one of the HVAC contractors from my own network of service providers. My furnace quit working over the weekend and I was more than ready to have it fixed today. They would have come Sat but the rates are a bit higher on the weekend so I elected to tough it out. They showed up on time, were courteous and friendly, assessed the problem quickly, and made the repairs, all in about 1.5 hours time. I have to say I’m quite impressed and feel fortunate to be able to try out one of our contractors first hand. If you need HVAC services, whether preventive or emergency, be sure and give me a call and I will gladly and confidently connect you with truly great people!
Happy Holidays!
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We wish you a holiday season filled with joy, peace, and contentment.
We are blessed to have so many wonderful customers and friends. Thank you for your support and friendship. We appreciate and are grateful for each opportunity to assist with your home maintenance, repairs, and remodeling dreams.
Let us also remember those less fortunate this holiday season. Whether it be a donation to your favorite charity or spending time with a friend or neighbor in need, each of our efforts are important and make a difference. Each year, Contractor Hotline donates a portion of the proceeds from each completed job to Habitat for Humanity. Thank you for using our services and thereby contributing to this worthy cause.
Stay tuned this coming year for important announcements and tips to help keep your home well maintained and beautiful. Let us know if you have a special request or suggestion on how we can improve our service. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, or subscribe to our newsletter or blog. We welcome and value your input.
All the best to you this holiday season and New Year! Happy Holidays! Cari |
Insulating Your Home Can Save You Money!
Insulating your home substantially increases it’s energy efficiency. Following is a very good article for those considering adding insulation to their home. Insulating Your Home Can Save You Money! – By Dan Chiras
December 2010/January 2011.
Home Emergency Services, Fire Damage – Post 6 of 6
Winter Storm Damages
House fires can be a devastating tragedy. It is important to work with professionals who are properly trained for this type emergency. They will secure the area and your valuables, eliminate safety hazards to you and the neighborhood, assess damages, and quickly restore your property to pre-loss conditions.
Fire prevention and preparedness is paramount to your safety. Taking precaution and having a plan in place will help prevent fires and greatly increase your chances of surviving a fire.
- Make sure you have properly working smoke alarms installed, check batteries monthly, and replace batteries annually or sooner if needed.
- Check for damage to electrical cords and avoid overloading electrical outlets or extension cords. Do not place cords and wires under rugs or across high traffic areas.
- Immediately shut off appliances that spark or emit an unusual smell.
- Have your chimney cleaned regularly. The chimney should be cleaned after every two cords of seasoned, dry wood is burned.
- Take care to burn candles away from combustible materials and out of reach of children and pets.
- Portable heaters should be placed on a level, non-flammable surface at least three feet away from any combustible materials. Turn off and unplug heaters when unattended. Do not use portable gas heaters or charcoal grills indoors.
- Purchase a fire extinguisher and keep it accessible and fully charged.
- Prepare and rehearse an emergency evacuation plan from every room in the house. Caution everyone to stay low to the floor when escaping from fire and never open doors that are hot. Have a safe location where everyone can meet after escaping the house.
- Prepare an emergency kit consisting of at least a three-day supply of food, water, medications, pet supplies, flashlight, battery-powered radio, spare batteries, and a first aid kit. This kit will be helpful even during temporary power outages.
Home Emergency Services, Mold Remediation – Post 5 of 6
Winter Storm Damages
Mold can cause health problems and deteriorate building materials. Water leaks in attics, crawl spaces, and basements are not always noticeable until mold is present. If you discover mold, or believe you have a mold problem, it is important to have the area inspected and any toxic mold removed by a certified professional. Our full service mold remediation professionals are trained to detect if mold is present, eliminate the source of the mold growth, and follow a specialized and highly effective mold removal process.
Home Emergency Services, Sewage Damage – Post 4 of 6
Winter Storm Damages
Sewage damage can be a serious health hazard. Immediate action should be taken to first identify the source of the problem. Once identified, necessary measures should be taken to stop the growth and further spread of sewage related contamination by cleaning and disinfecting, followed by thoroughly drying the area with proper air filtration.
The service professionals we recommend are equipped to provide 24 hour emergency flood and sewage damage clean-up and restoration work, including any necessary repairs or reconstruction.