ServiceLive Blog » Homeowner Tips

Prepare Your Home in Spring and Enjoy Summer

Frank Jovine — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:08:20 +0000

With summer right around the corner I can’t help getting excited, because it’s my favorite time of year, the warm weather, birds chirping, seeing green again, and barbecuing with friends and family. But before summer fever sweeps us away let’s take a look at some of the things we should do in and around our homes. My wife calls it the “Should do list”.

The great news is that if you can’t perform some of these projects you can always hire a qualified professional on ServiceLive. Let us help make this your best summer ever!

Should do list

Roofing: Winter is not kind to roofs. The cold weather and ice can cause severe damage. The spring is the perfect time to have your roof inspected for shingles that may be missing or broken. By fixing problems now you will avoid a more costly fix later.

Siding: Siding takes a beating over the winter. It’s a good idea to have a qualified service contractor inspect for peeling paint, exposed bare wood, rotting wood and mold. You may want to consider having your siding power washed, loose paint scraped; sanded and painted.

Sprinkler System: Spring is the time to get your sprinkler system ready. A service contractor will check for broken pipes, clean the sprinkler heads, and replace the timer’s batteries.

Clean the gutters: During the year, gutters can collect a wide range of debris, including dirt, leaves, twigs and even bee’s nests. It’s best to get at them as early as possible to clear away obstructions that will impede the flow of water. Also be sure to check the down spouts to make sure they are securely connected and pointed away from the house so that no water contacts your homes foundation.

Exterior caulking: Inspect caulking and replace if deteriorating. Scrape out all the eroding caulk and re-caulk the needed area.

Decks and porches: Check all decks, patios, porches, stairs and railings for loose members and deterioration. Open decks and wood fences need to be treated every four to six years, depending on how much exposure they get to sun and rain. If the stain doesn’t look like it should, or water has turned some of the wood a dark gray, hire a professional to treat your deck and fence.

Article submitted by Paul Hendrixson – Account Manager at ServiceLive.com

How to Stay Cool and be Energy Efficient during Summer

Frank Jovine — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:07:30 +0000

You can reduce the burden on your hardworking refrigerator/freezer/AC units and lower your energy costs by following a few simple maintenance steps:

Refrigerator/Freezer

First and foremost, vacuum the condenser coil typically located on the back or bottom of the unit (note: some higher end units have the condenser coil located internally to prevent dust/lint build up… you do not need to clean internal condenser coils) to remove dust and pet hair. This is a very important step as it’s imperative that air flow freely past the condenser coils to efficiently remove heat from the coil and allow the unit to cool efficiently.
Check the seals/gasket around the refrigerator/freezer doors to be sure they seal properly against the frame. Replace the seals if they are torn or cracked.
Clean the seal/gasket and the frame with warm soapy water to remove dirt/food spills and to prevent the door from sticking to the frame when opened (sticking may cause premature cracking of the seal).

A couple of helpful YouTube videos:

AC Units

First and foremost, make sure there are no bushes, trees, shrubs or plants blocking air flow around your AC Unit. You should trim any vegetation so that you have adequate air space (about 2 feet is ideal) around your AC Unit. You should also remove dried up leaves and seed packets from the ground around your unit.
Use a garden hose (make sure the power to the unit is off… see YouTube video clips) to wash down the unit and remove dust, dirt and other elements form mother nature (cotton wood… those fuzzy white things you see flying around in late Spring) can severely block the air flow when it sticks to the condenser coil. This is a very important step as it’s imperative that air flow freely past the condenser coils to efficiently extract the heat from the coil and ultimately cool your home.
Change the filter in your Central Heating/AC Unit (ideally once per month if you have furry pets or about every 2 to 3 months in a pet free home).

A couple of helpful YouTube videos:

Article submitted by Jim Bendewald – ServiceLive Business Services

How to Clean Your Dishwasher

Frank Jovine — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:53:47 +0000

How to Clean Your Dishwasher

Time – 30 minutes

Difficulty – Easy

Expertise – Basic familiarity with your dishwasher

Frequency – Once a month

Where – All US

To make sure your dishwasher looks good and works well for a long time, be sure to maintain it properly. Having to repair dishwashers is expensive. Your owner’s manual has all the specifics you need, but here are some tips to get you started.

Steps

Cleaning the exterior. In most cases, regular use of a soft, damp cloth or sponge and a mild detergent is all that’s needed to keep the outside of your dishwasher looking nice and clean.

Cleaning the interior. Hard water minerals can cause a white film to build up on the inside surfaces, especially just beneath the door area.

1. Apply powdered dishwasher detergent to a damp sponge to make a paste. Or, use liquid automatic dishwasher detergent and clean with a damp sponge.
2. Run a normal cycle with detergent after cleaning the interior.

Tips and Warnings

Do not clean the dishwasher interior until it has cooled.
Be sure to wear rubber gloves when cleaning the dishwasher.
Do not use any type of cleanser other than dishwasher detergent because it may cause foaming or sudsing.

Need help or have questions related to your dishwasher or HVAC system? Contact a recommended contractor.

Tips provided by ManageMyLife.com.

Mothers Know Best

Frank Jovine — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:32:15 +0000

Do you remember how Mom would tell you to turn out the lights? Mom was thinking of saving energy dollars, not rolling blackouts and bankrupt utility companies. Rarely have Mom’s words of wisdom been as fitting as they are now. Electricity rates are going up everywhere, besides switching off lights there are several other painless methods to conserve energy and save money.

Save on your utility dollars by following a few simple tips:

Dishwasher: Run your dishwasher only when it’s full. Another cost saving measure would be to turn off the heat dry cycle (if you have this option) and open the door to air dry your load.

Refrigerators: Use more power than any other appliance in the home. Although rushing out to buy a new refrigerator may not be in your budget, it is important to know that new models are more efficient and use as little as half the electricity of older units.

Make sure the refrigerator door seals are tight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the latch may need adjustment or the seal may need replacing.

Place food and liquids in airtight containers because uncovered foods release moisture and make the refrigerator compressor work harder.

Lighting: Turn off lights that are not being used and consider installing timers or photo cells on some lights to conserve energy and reduce costs. Another option, consider using occupancy sensors that would turn on and off automatically when someone enters or leaves a room.

Rather than brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it. For example, use fluorescent under-cabinet lighting for kitchen sinks and counter-tops.

Consider dimmer switches and three-way lamps, these provide low light levels when bright lights are unnecessary.

Every little change can save you money for that next vacation.

5 Reasons to Replace Sinks

Frank Jovine — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:23:27 +0000

Been thinking about replacing one or more sinks around your home or business? It’s likely due to one of the following issues or wants:

1. Chips and cracks – These are common issues with porcelain and ceramic sinks. Consider using a stone, acrylic, or stainless steel sink as a replacement.

2. Color – We all have our favorite palate, and sometimes 50s pink just doesn’t make the cut in a modern building.

3. Size – If you can’t fit your pans inside the kitchen sink or perhaps get to your toilet in the bathroom; it’s about time to think about the hundreds of styles and sizes of sinks out there waiting for a home in your kitchen and bathroom.

4. Function - Bathrooms: Would a wall mounted, pedestal, vessel, vanity or console sink work best for you? Kitchen: Single or double bowl? Deep or standard depth? Top mount, under mount, flush mount, or tile in?

5. Fix pipe leak – If you’re already in the process of fixing a leak (which in many cases is caused by water seeping through the bowl attached to the counter top), think about the items above before starting the project. Tackle repair, design and function at the same time!

Check our handyman list to find great Chicago plumbers as well as plumbers in other areas of the country.

Spring Time Must Do Maintenance and Repairs

Frank Jovine — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:56:51 +0000

With home or business ownership comes the bittersweet responsibility of maintenance. If you don’t have a maintenance fund, you should start saving a bit as there are several seasonal maintenance duties that need to be tackled this spring to keep your bank account and health in check. Even though many of these tasks are do-it-yourself, you should consider hiring a reliable handyman to assist with repairs and inspection.

Check Your Alarms
Your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be checked for damage and have batteries replaced twice a year.

Heating and Cooling Services
Aside from regularly replacing filters (typically once a month), your heating and cooling system should be inspected and cleaned as necessary once a year. This should be completed prior to the first time you heat or cool your home in the winter or spring. It is also important to check the lubrication for the circulating pump and motor.

Have a pro re-install window ACs in the spring to ensure proper insulation so that your cool air stays inside.

Vinyl Windows Installation
If you don’t have them, think about investing in vinyl windows to help keep your home well insulated. Also be sure to check for cracks around windows and doors and properly re-seal as needed.

Cleaning Services
The change of seasons is a good time for a comprehensive cleaning of your home – inside and out.

Check your fireplace and chimney for soot.
Check refrigerator coils for dust.
Check air vents as well as the vents on your dryer and range.
Check storage areas to remove any build up of dirt or materials that have gone bad (e.g. paint)
Flush out your water heater to ensure any residue it removed to allow for proper water flow.
Avoid the need to repair roof leaks. When all of the leaves around your home have found a landing spot, be sure to clean out your gutters in the spring. This will help rain properly drain away and avoid damage to your roof.
Once this is done take your hose and run water through the gutter to check for leaks. If any are found, dry the area around the leak and seal it with an exterior caulk.

Exterior Areas
In fact while you are checking the gutters and downspouts take a moment and inspect all of your areas where caulk has been used to see if it needs replaced. This is a simple process of scrapping the old caulk away and re-caulking with and exterior caulk. As we mentioned above other areas that may need investigating are window, doors, and thresholds.

This makes for a decent size handyman list; however, these maintenance tasks are well worth the effort and expense. Make the tasks a seasonal or bi-annual habit to help avoid major attacks on your pocket!

Don’t Be a Drip, Clean Your Gutters!

Frank Jovine — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:05:43 +0000

It’s a sunny day and yet my gutters continue to drip water although it hasn’t rained in a couple of days. It gets annoying, but a problem that seems so small could lead to bigger problems. I am thinking that the gutters must be full of debris collected over the fall and winter from leaves and branches, unfortunately, I don’t have a ladder to inspect the gutters and I am not good with heights.

A quick call and five days later (it felt like an eternity) a handyman arrives and finds that my gutters are full of debris and one of the seams slightly split open. The handyman cleaned out the gutters and re-sealed the seam and the dripping completely stopped. This may not be a big deal and more of an annoyance, but it could cause other structural damage over time.

It’s really nice to go outside and not hear that dripping noise anymore and my patio is now dry on sunny days!

This is the perfect time of the year to inspect your gutters and to ensure there clear of debris and that the water is flowing away from your home. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, hire a handyman by visiting servicelive.com.

How to Make a Small Room Feel Bigger

Frank Jovine — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:23:50 +0000

Want to be the host for the holiday party this year, but have a small space for entertaining? There are a number of things you can do to make your small room (living, kitchen or bath) feel larger than it really is. Try some or all of the following:

Avoid heavily graphic and vivid wallpaper (or just get rid of it) :P
Stay clear of intense or dark paints
Add more natural light – remove heavy drapes and keep your windows visible
Add artificial light – install light fixtures like sconces or tall lights that don’t have to go on tables
Hang mirrors around your place
Diagonally lay tile if you’re planning to tile your floors
Less is more: keep the amount of trinkets and decorations to a minimum
Don’t overdo it on furniture – if you need to, put some of your items in the closet or bedroom – people like to mingle at parties… keep them moving and open up more space

So paint the walls something light and neutral, remove bathroom and living room wallpaper, mount your plasma TV to the wall, and get a reliable handyman to help you out.

Don’t Use Dinosaur Methods to Find Home Services

Frank Jovine — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:26:23 +0000

Dinosaurs are a diverse group of reptiles. They were the dominant vertebrates for over 160 million years. While I am on the topic of dinosaurs, I am sure you’ve heard the saying get out of the “dinosaur age” or “stop thinking like a dinosaur.”

There are many people who still apply old thinking and probably because that’s what they’re use to. There are far better ways to to do things today, because of technology.

Examples of Old and New

Old: Do you still use the Yellow pages when looking for home services?
New: Why not go online to find qualified contractors who have contractor reviews.

Old: Finding TV repair help in the back of some local newspaper.
New: Google it!!!

Old: Snail mail (The one the mailman delivers)
New: Email, the faster and cheapest way to communicate.

Old: CB Radio
New: Cell phone or smart phone

Old: Record player
New: BluRay player

I am sure by now you’re getting my drift and it’s time to use technology to do things smarter and faster. Stop thinking like a dinosaur!

I know many people prefer a traditional lifestyle with a little mixture of modernization to expedite services. This is still a good approach in life.