Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Things To Consider When Sourcing Suppliers For Your Roofing Needs

In a high-risk business such as the roofing industry, it becomes imperative for potential buyers, whether they are professional or first-time home buyers, to know what they are in for before signing on any dotted line.

Following below, are given several tips of advice that may help either a professional buyer or residential buyer navigate the sometimes stormy seas of roofing. While there are many seasoned, professional firms such as Southshore Roofing found  easily online, choose wisely before making one of the most costly investments in a home.

Peace of Mind

While we tend to think of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as a one-stop source of reliable information, let the buyer beware that not all BBB listings are updated regularly, and some may have even paid for top page placement as a form of advertisement.

Better yet, a careful pre-contract search of your local zoning and building boards may help reveal the company with the most pulled permits--a very positive sign in many cases. Further search may reveal any issued citations.

Other Factors To Consider

Hopefully, a potential residential customer for roofing services will also consider the four below points before signing on the dotted line, and consider word of mouth recommendations of family, friends and co-workers as well.

1. Timeliness

Have all projects or jobs been completed in a timely manner and on schedule as promised?

2. High Quality Products

One of the most important factors to consider: who backs the products used in a roofing project. Does the roofing contractor have certification from a reputable manufacturer?  If so, proceed then with more assurance of job satisfaction.

3. Care For A Customer’s Property

Checking to see if the roofing crews are equipped with proper clothing, equipment and appropriate gear to protect an owner's property. Such gear may include plywood boards, ropes and tarps. A most vital consideration is whether they leave the premises as they found it before their arrival, especially during the dismantling or tear-off part of the project.  

During the most destructive tear-off phase, the protection and safety of a customer’s property should be one of the company's top priorities. 

4. Fair Price 

Careful researching of industry prices, especially among other local competitors is vitally important as well. After all is said and done, choosing wisely is most vital before deciding on the right roofing contractors. 

Thanks to the dynamics of today’s internet, all of the above have now become more easily done by visiting various online roofing companies and checking out their features and prices. Call now, and ask for more information as to what their company can offer the customer now.

Monday, June 12, 2017

How to Increase the Lifespan of Your HVAC System

The quality of your HVAC system will influence the comfort of your home in each season of the year. Over time, the appliance can begin to break down and have issues that develop. Here are a few tips that will allow you to maintain the product and increase its lifespan.

Get an Inspection

Hire a professional to inspect the HVAC system to find any areas that need to be repaired. The appliance should be inspected and cleaned once a year to maintain the parts and keep it running well. Most experts recommend cleaning it in the spring season to make it run at its peak efficiency during the summer months ahead. An HVAC expert can also reduce the energy bill by 15 percent, which can save hundreds of dollars on your electric bill throughout the year. The professional will also give you recommendations on how to increase the efficiency of the product when it's in use.

Avoid Overworking the System

Many homeowners make the mistake of overworking their HVAC system when the temperatures are extremely low or high outdoors. Setting the thermostat to 65 degrees can cause it to work overtime during the day, and it may never reach the temperature. The home should also be insulated to prevent the system from working too hard. Inform your family members to avoid leaving a window or door open in the home, which can cause the HVAC system to work harder than necessary. You'll also need to inspect the home to find any leaks that are present to prevent air from escaping from inside of the building.

Clean the Ducts

Cleaning the air ducts is an important step to take due to the buildup of debris and dust that should be cleaned out. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the main parts of the debris and brush out smaller pieces that are left behind. If you need to clean the entire system, hire a professional to perform the job and can usE motorized brushes and commercial equipment to complete the task in less time. 

Evaluate Drainage Pipes

Determine where the pipes are located in your HVAC system to look for any issues that may develop. It's common for leaves to block the pipes or for damage to occur from ice during the winter season. If you notice any issues, hire a professional immediately to perform AC repair Tomball Texas.

When you want to increase the performance of your HVAC system and add extra years to its lifespan, you'll need to perform regular maintenance to keep it in good shape. With the right steps taken, you can avoid replacing the appliance sooner and keep your interior setting comfortable.



A New Addition To My Garden

For those who frequently visit my blog, you would already know that I am into gardening.  I don't have the luxury of space in my yard but I managed to build plant boxes to accommodate some of my collection and I have gone to container gardening, as well.  Just recently, I have developed a special interest growing succulents. I had my first batch delivered last month but I haven't figured out yet how to take good care of them. Succulents are low maintenance plants but it requires a full knowledge dealing with them if you want to be successful at growing them, like the amount of sunlight they need, amount of water, type of container and soil that you are going to use.  Too bad, I am just too busy right now to do really look into all this, but I am planning to learn more about succulents.  I also wanted to know what are the different varieties and how could I propagate them.

One thing that I like most about succulents is that these are very decorative and do not occupy a lot of space.  I could also play with the design and make them more appealing.

Here are some of my collection:




I am planning to get few more varieties. I hope I could also propagate what I currently have now since these succulents are a bit pricey.

Will post more of this in my future posts.


Friday, June 9, 2017

Decorate With Stones

Natural or engineered stone adds a sophisticated beauty to any home. Stone can be used for counter, vanity, island, bar or peninsula tops, floor or wall tiles, fireplace surrounds, shower enclosures or fire pits. The beauty comes with durability, for the stone has already been in the ground for millions of years. Stone is found in so many colors and patterns from pure black to pure white and nearly every color in between. They can show swirls and clouds of violet, brown, gold, green, blue mized with white and gray. Because of this, there’s a perfect stone piece to complement the decor of any room.

Granite
Granite is a tough rock formed in the depths of volcanoes. Besides the familiar salt and pepper coloring, granite can come in many colors and color combinations, including green, blue, violet, marble and solid black.

Marble
Marble is prized for its beauty, its coolness and its seeming ability to absorb and refract light. It is much softer than granite and is often an insert in a granite countertop. The marble insert is used by cooks to make and roll out pastry because of its coolness.

Limestone
Limestone is a lovely, porous white or beige stone made of the calcium in the skeletons of prehistoric marine animals such as coral. Travertine is a type of limestone that’s deposited by mineral springs. 

Mother of Pearl
Mother of pearl isn’t a stone, but the lining of the shell of a marine animal called an abalone. It has a breathtakingly beautiful luster that reminds people of a pearl. Mother of Pearl can be part of mosaic tiles or added to engineered stone.

Quartzite
Like marble, quartzite is a metamorphic rock, which means it was changed over eons from one type of rock to another. Quartzite countertops are often not slabs of the actual stone but powdered stone mixed with pigment and a resin and formed into a slab. This allows the slab to be extremely strong and nearly perfectly reproducible in case it is badly damaged, for it was made according to a formula. Some countertops are a mix of ground quartzite and granite. Click here.

Mosaic Tiles
These tiles are tiny squares of stone or another material arranged on a mesh. Because of this, they are easy for a layperson to install.

Stone and mother of pearl are wonderful ways to brighten and beautify a home. With proper care, stone can last a century or longer.


Monday, June 5, 2017

Why Is the AC Not Cooling the House?

The heat of summer is the worst time to experience problems with your HVAC unit, but it is the most likely time for it to be noticed. Many times the problem is simple, but you need to call in a technician if it seems to be a deeper, more serious issue. 

Dirty Coils

The overall efficiency of your AC unit is reduced when the coils are dirty. A technician can use an acid-based solution to remove built up dust, grime, dander and pet hair that clings to the coils. You will notice a difference right away.

Blocked Vents

Check the vents in all of the rooms to make sure items have not been inadvertently placed over the openings. You may need a technician to check for blockages in the vents. Holes in the vents can also leak the cool air out before it ever reaches the needed areas of your home.

Low Freon Levels

The substance that helps create the cool air can leak out, even with a pinhole size intrusion. This will cause ice to build up on the coils when the unit is working. You will need to have the unit repaired and recharged.

Constant Traffic

Having doors to the outside opened and closed frequently can make it seem as if the ac is not doing a thing to chill the environment. Limit the traffic, when possible, during the hottest parts of the day. You should quickly notice a difference.

Dirty Filter

The filter for your HVAC unit should be twice a year. Once at the beginning of the hot months and again before the cold sets in. You need free air movement for the unit to function properly. Dust and dander can make an ac filter dirty in a short amount of time. Check this more frequently if you have a full house and lots of pets.

Parts Breakdown

There are a few parts that can break down and need replaced on an HVAC unit. Some are more expensive than others. It is best to bring in a qualified technician to get the proper diagnosis if the unit has stopped working. trying to repair it yourself can cause more damage. 

Contact specialists like CC Air and Heat for all of your ac repair Williamsburg VA.


What A Responsible Dog Owner Should Know

Owning a dog is not easy at is seems. We do not buy dogs simply because we want to be entertained and we want something or someone to pla...