Window Replacement Project
May 24, 2012 by Home Services Link · Leave a Comment
If you have old sash windows in your home you may need to have them renovated to keep them looking their best. It is advised that you should have your windows repaired or renovated, depending on what is needed, every five to seven years. When it comes to renovating your old windows you basically have two choices to make, you can either do the repairs yourself and save the money or you can opt to hire experts to come into your home and do the renovations for you. Either way you will be able to save money on the project if you take into account several key factors when you are deciding on which option will suit your needs the best.
If you are someone who likes to work with your hands and have a lot of patience when it comes to dealing with the unexpected aspects of DIY projects, then you may want to take on the task yourself. If it is just routine maintenance like painting that is required for your sash windows then doing the project yourself could save you a lot of money. Paint is not that expensive and if you do not have a lot of windows in your home prepping them for a new coating of paint will not take up a lot of time. You will find a lot of information over the internet that will help you better understand how you should and should not paint sash windows so getting the job done should be easy enough to handle on your own. You may also be about to perform other routine maintenance projects on your sash windows yourself like draught proofing them with the right draught proofing kit.
Now if the project calls for a little more than just painting or draught proofing, then you may want to take into consideration what experts could do for you. There has always been an old saying that sometimes when you try to do things yourself to save some money you may end up paying more to have the repairs fixed because not only will you have to hire someone to repair what was in need of repairs in the first place, but you also have to pay for other issues that you may have caused by trying to do the repairs yourself. This is never truer than when someone with little knowledge about how to repair their historic sash windows themselves. There are a lot of parts that make a sash window and not all of them are easily repaired. Letting the experts handle these renovation projects may not be as expensive as you may believe.
If you are looking for an expert in the field of sash window renovations and you are not sure where to begin, you can always start out by searching online to see what you can find. There are many great companies in the UK that can do all of your sash window renovation projects for you from maintenance projects all the way up to full restoration projects all at very affordable prices. If you are a business owner and you have a lot of windows that are in need of repair or you are a homeowner that only has one or two windows in need of repairs, there is no job too large or small that it can’t be handled by professionals.
By Nirra Poret.
Oxygen Bleach: Algae’s Worst Enemy
May 22, 2012 by Home Services Link · Leave a Comment
Algae an issue at your home? It seems that it is more common than you expect as highlighted in a recent post from Tim Carter, Ask The Builder. One of his readers inquired on a way to rid her home of algae and how best to keep it away. So if you have the same issue with algae on your home, read this article. It’s a DIY project but a project that you may not want to maintain. As Tim notes, it is a constant maintenance project. If it’s more than you want to tackle, let us help. We’ll connect you with insured, reliable and screened contractors to complete the removal and maintenance.
DEAR TIM: My house must be a magnet for algae. I have green algae on the shaded parts of my deck, it’s on my patio and on my vinyl siding. Furthermore, I believe there’s black mildew on my siding. Then there’s the roof. I have black streaks of algae up there. How can I safely remove the algae from all these surfaces without harming me, my pets and my plants? I’ve heard I should use bleach, but something tells me that this is not the right approach. What would you do? Caroline B., Jackson, MS
DEAR CAROLINE: I have some algae issues at my own home. I have two decks, one on top of another. The lower deck has lots of shade which is a perfect place for algae to grow. I also have algae coating stone steps on my property. I work at keeping them clean because when wet, the algae-covered steps are like walking on wet ice. They are so slippery! You, I, and millions of others suffer from algae around our homes.
Oxygen bleach was used to remove the algae from the decking boards on the right. Photo Credit: Tim Carter
The good news is that it’s not too hard to clean algae. The bad news is that there’s no silver bullet to inhibit its growth on all surfaces.
The first thing you might find interesting is there’s more than one type of bleach. For many years growing up, I thought bleach was bleach. My mom used to buy those white plastic bottles of smelly chlorine bleach for years to use in our laundry. She would save the bottles, rinse them out and then fill them with water in case the water main broke outside our house. It was a big joke around our home, but my mom always was prepared!
Much to my surprise I discovered, about seventeen years ago, there’s at least one other bleach – oxygen bleach. It does many of the same things chlorine bleach does, but it’s not toxic. Oxygen bleach is the preferred bleach to use on the exterior, and interior, of your home because it will not harm you, your pets or your plants.
Chlorine bleach, on the other hand, is highly toxic to plants, humans and animals. It’s so powerful that it will remove the color from wood decking and it can discolor painted exterior surfaces much like it takes out the color from fabrics.
Oxygen bleach will not take the color out of your wood decking, your vinyl siding, your painted surfaces, or your roof. Typically, oxygen bleach is a powder you mix with water. You can easily find oxygen bleach online or at many stores. Once mixed with water, all you get is more water, oxygen ions that do the cleaning and some harmless organic soda ash. Not all oxygen bleaches are the same. Some are completely organic, while others contain fragrances, dyes, color crystals, and excessive fillers.
This past weekend, I mixed up some oxygen bleach to clean algae from my lower deck and from the deck railing. I simply dissolved the powder in warm water, poured it into a simple garden hand-pump sprayer and squirted it on the algae-coated surfaces. I allowed it to soak for about ten minutes, then used a scrub brush to remove the green algae. After rinsing with a garden hose, the surfaces looked brand new!
You can clean roofs with oxygen bleach, but it can be challenging. The biggest problem is that it’s dangerous working up on a roof. The algae-covered roof, once wet with the oxygen bleach solution, can be very slippery. You need to make sure you do not fall from the roof.
It’s imperative the roof surface, or any surface you’re cleaning, does not dry out before you get to scrub it. You must keep the surface wet with the solution at all times. This is hard to do on a roof on a sunny day. It’s best to clean roofs on overcast days when air and roof temperatures are cool.
You need to scrub the surface after the oxygen bleach solution soaks. Don’t ever think that you can just spray on any magical cleaner and get perfectly clean surfaces. Marketers that make that claim are yanking on the heartstrings of your inner self that wants the easy way out. Don’t believe the spray-and-rinse claims for a second.
Once you have the surfaces clean, you can inhibit the growth of algae if you coat the surfaces with a biocide. This is not easy, it can be expensive and it’s a constant maintenance headache.
Copper, however, is a natural biocide as is zinc to a degree. If you have an exposed copper or zinc strip about 3 inches wide along the top of your roof, each time it rains tiny metal atoms are deposited on the roof. Algae will not grow in the presence of copper or zinc.
It’s hard to get copper to coat siding, decking or patios. You can see why you’ll just have to suck it up and do periodic cleaning to keep your home looking great.
Need Help Organizing or Moving, HomeServicesLink Can Help.
May 21, 2012 by Home Services Link · Leave a Comment
May is National Moving Month but if you’ve got an upcoming move, it probably feels more like “How Can I Possibly Move This Month?”
Often times a move is caused by a big life change which can add stress to an already stressful situation. While you’re dealing the changes life is dealing you, you also have to deal with every last little detail that’s involved with a move. And we all know there are lots of little details.
It’s not uncommon for people to feel overwhelmed with the thought of packing up their entire lives into little boxes and relocating. But just like anything else, it is more about preparing for the big day then the big day itself. Remember, if you fail to plan, then you’re planning to fail.
Start by creating a schedule and work backward from the move day. Schedule days to de-clutter and days to pack, taking the house one room at time. If you wait until the last minute to de-clutter and pack you’ll end up with everything thrown into a random box you’ll be left to deal with at the new house. And trust me, I’ve seen it time and again with clients, those “need to go through” boxes will sit in a closet until the next move!
De-cluttering long before the movers show up at the front door is one of the most important things you can do to make a move go more smoothly and be more cost effective. Go through every closet, drawer, file cabinet and room in the house and get rid of what you don’t need anymore. The less stuff you have to move, the less time it takes for the movers to load and unload the truck which means you’re saving money on their hourly rate.
Once you’ve done the first pass of your home, take another look. Are there things in your “keep” pile that really belong in the “donate” pile? Again, getting rid of it now will save you from having to pack it up later.
By de-cluttering the garage a month or two before the big day, you’ll free up storage space for the boxes you’re starting to pack. If you find that most of the stuff in the garage hasn’t been used in years, that’s a sure sign its time to let it go.
It’s easy to just toss a shelf full of books into a box, but don’t. Books take up a lot of space, are heavy to move and tend to stay in their boxes at their new home. I can’t tell you how many times clients of mine have boxes and boxes of books they never unpacked from a prior move. So be brutal and let go of more books than you think you should. Donate them to a local library or senior center.
Be careful of hanging on to old books because you think they are valuable. It’s very rare that an old book is worth anything, so if you think you have a first edition of “Great Expectations,” call a book dealer.
Once you’ve gotten rid of the extra “stuff” it’s time to start using the consumable items you have – starting with the pantry. Eat and use up everything in your cupboards that you can and whatever you do, do not make another trip to bulk-product store.
Taking these steps to de-clutter and organize before your move will help ensure that your move is a smooth one.
Where to send your stuff
Donate unwanted items to a local charity or considering having an estate sale.
Give special items to family or friends who will really appreciate them.
Donate unused / unwanted food to a local food bank.
Take old computers, paint and household chemicals to a hazardous collection site.
Article from The Cincinnati Enquirer, 05/19/2012 by Tracy McCubbin (founder of dClutterfly, dclutterfy.com)
Whether you need help organizing or moving, HomeServicesLink can help. We have insured, reliable and screened professional organizers and moving companies to assist you.
Dryer sheets aren’t just for your laundry
May 16, 2012 by Home Services Link · Leave a Comment
They’re only 6½ by 9 inches, but they pack a lot of power. They keep our clothes from clinging in and out of the dryer.
But that’s not all dryer sheets can do.
Below are some ideas from readers and officials at Bounce, a dryer sheet made by Procter & Gamble. You can accomplish the same things with used dryer sheets, although the scent may not be as strong.
• Tired of stale fast-food smell in your car? Stick a sheet under your car seat for a burst of freshness.
• Make a sachet. Wad several into a ball and put them in an organza bag. Place in your lingerie drawer.
• Overwhelmed when you open your gym bag? Place a sheet (or several) inside.
• Everybody wants sweet-smelling trash. Make your trash bin smell better by placing a sheet in the bottom of the can.
• Sick of gym-shoe smell? Stick them in the toes of your workout shoes as a freshener (be sure to take them out before you exercise).
• Overpowered by the smell of your laundry baskets? Place a sheet in the bottom of a clothes hamper to make dirty laundry smell fresher.
• Having static problems in the car? Rub a sheet on the seats of your car to reduce static.
• Have you noticed a musty or stale smell in your drawers, cabinets, suitcases or closets? Place a sheet or two inside each.
• Toilet woes? Roll up a sheet and place it in the middle of the toilet-paper roll to help keep things smelling fresh around the bathroom.
Article Featured in The Cincinnati Enquirer, 05/11/2012, by Sue Doerfler of Gannett.
Home Services Link Receives 2012 Best of Cincinnati Award
May 11, 2012 by Home Services Link · Leave a Comment
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HomeServicesLink Receives 2012 Best of Cincinnati Award
U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement
NEW YORK, NY, May 4, 2012 — HomeServicesLink has been selected for the 2012 Best of Cincinnati Award in the Plumbing Contractors category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).
The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2012 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.
About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)
U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.
The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.
SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association
CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@uscaaward.com
URL: http://www.uscaaward.com
Update and Upgrade Your Front Door
May 9, 2012 by Home Services Link · Leave a Comment
Your front door is more than an access point into your home. It's a piece of decor.
Today’s front door hardware is more than just handles, latches, and locks. From fashionable finishes that harmonize with the front door paint and ultra-durable door hardware parts to electronic door locks that are as good-looking as they are effective.
Handlesets
What is your guests’ first focus when they approach your front door? Odds are it’s your handleset. As the front door’s centerpiece, it gives you the opportunity to express your creativity, allow entry and ensure safety.
Deadbolts
Deadbolts are the perfect combination of added protection and complementary good looks. Manufacturers often provide perfectly matched handlesets and deadbolts in a set to give your front door a coordinated look.
Electronic door hardware
Ready for the future? Here it is. Electronic door hardware removes the house keys from your pocket while elevating the security level in front of your home. Electronic door hardware provides a universal contemporary look to complement virtually any theme, and is super easy to install.
You’ll never need to hide a key under the mat or behind that weird ceramic goose in front of your home again. And if you need to give the handyman or neighbor quick access to your home, you can easily change the key code once they’re finished.
Accessories
We all know little things can make a huge impact when it comes to design and functionality—the front door is no different. Hinges round out any theme at your front door, kick plates are functional complements and address numbers extend the motif onto the front of your house. And, of course, outdoor lighting can brighten your front door, increase visibility and boost curb appeal.
Door hardware gives your front door the look you want while increasing the security level for your greatest investment.
Article information from build.com.
The Difference Between Banks and Credit Unions – Part 2
May 2, 2012 by Home Services Link · Leave a Comment
In a previous issue of this newsletter, we began examining the major differences between credit unions and banks. In this issue, we will continue the discussion.
Membership requirements also set credit unions apart from banks. As mandated by the Credit Union Membership Access Act of 1998, credit unions cannot serve the general public. Banks, of course, can offer services to everyone who walks through their doors.
In order to join a credit union, potential members must be part of a field of membership, which is typically based on your employment, the community you live in, or membership in an association or organization.
There are, however, a number of ways that banks and credit unions are similar. The deposits of both entities, up to $250,000, are insured by one of two federal agencies: the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
It’s important to note that not all credit unions offer government-backed insurance, so be sure to verify that your credit union is a member of the NCUA.
Banks and credit unions are subject to periodic regulatory and federal insurance examination.
Additionally, credit unions and banks are both required to operate under federal or state charters.
Both credit unions and banks are required by federal law to verify the identity of their applicants.
Finally, banks and credit unions alike offer a variety of financial services, from checking and savings accounts, to consumer and business loans, to mortgages and credit cards, and more.
The contrasts between credit unions and banks may seem subtle at first glance, but their variations can make a big difference in your experience as a customer. To learn if credit union membership is right for you, contact Emery Federal Credit Union.
Many Surface Options For Playing It Safe
April 30, 2012 by Home Services Link · 2 Comments
Playtime doesn’t need to be unsafe to be fun. As summer approaches and the days grow longer, children will be outdoors more and playing. Melissa Kossler Dutton’s article, reprinted in The Cincinnati Enquirer on 04/28/12, takes a look at ways to be safe and have fun when constructing play areas for children. HomeServicesLink is here to help Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky homeowners locate quality, reliable and insured contractors to complete all their home improvement and repair projects.
Children playing outdoors
Joshua Barry knows that wipeouts are inevitable when children are climbing and sliding on outdoor play sets. So he placed shredded rubber under and around the climbing toys his two children use in the backyard of their Aurora, Ohio, home.
“It gives me peace of mind knowing there’s a little bit of cushioning,” he said.
Safety experts say it’s important to address the area around a swing set or climbing equipment.
“Each year hundreds of thousands of children are treated in emergency rooms for playground injuries, and these are preventable,” said Dr. Brunilda Nazario, senior medical editor at WebMD, a health information website.
The key to avoiding injuries is adding surface materials that will cushion a fall, said Kate Carr, president of Safe Kids, a Washington, D.C.-based organization dedicated to preventing childhood injuries.
Asphalt and concrete are too hard, as are grass and turf, Nazario said, since normal wear and tear destroys their quality and absorption properties.
Good options include rubber mulch, wood mulch, sand, fine gravel or safety-tested rubber mats, which are more forgiving than grass and dirt are when a child falls, Nazario said.
How deep you should lay the ground material depends on what you use and how high the play equipment is.
The U.S. Product Safety Commission recommends using at least 9 inches of mulch or shredded rubber for equipment up to 7 feet high. For sand or pea gravel, the commission recommends at least a 9-inch layer for equipment up to 5 feet.
Mulch – either wood or rubber – is a better choice than sand or gravel because it provides more shock absorption, said Rick Jess, vice president of merchandising for lawn and gardening at Lowe’s headquarters in Mooresville, N.C.
Wood mulch is less expensive than rubber, but it decomposes and fades and has to be supplemented each year, he said. Rubber mulch, which is increasingly popular, lasts much longer.
It also is more than double the price of traditional mulch, he said.
“It holds its color,” he said. “It doesn’t decompose.”
Although cheaper than mulch, sand and pea gravel have become less popular surfaces for backyard play sets because they don’t stay put as well, added Ace Hardware’s Lou Manfredini, in Chicago.
“With sand and pea gravel, it’s a mess issue. Sand moves around the yard quite a bit and can even get tracked into the house on kids’ shoes,” said the Ace Home Expert.
Sand also attracts neighborhood cats, more so than rubber.
“Rubber mulch has gotten quite popular over the last 10 years,” Manfredini said. “It tends to look good longer.”
Regardless of what surface parents choose, he suggests first installing a weed protection barrier – a durable fabric that prevent weeds from growing up through the ground cover. He recommends against using weed killers near play sets.
Parents also should carefully choose the location of the set, Nazario said.
She recommends shady areas where the ground is level and there are no low-hanging branches or wires.
Play set safety tips
Play set safety tips
Place the equipment at least 6 feet in all directions away from obstructions such as fences, buildings, trees, electric wires or laundry lines. Keep as far away as possible from streets and driveways. Consider erecting a fence between the equipment and traffic.
Maintain equipment properly, following manufacturer’s guidelines. Check often to make sure bolts are tightly anchored, and cut off or cap protruding bolt ends, which can cause cuts or catch on clothing. Caps or nuts should be flush with the surface, with no gaps or spaces that could create a hook.
Inspect wood equipment for splinters and cracks. It’s also a good idea to round off edges of wood with a sander. Sand it and apply a wood sealer according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Make sure hooks and chains on swings aren’t worn or too rusty.
Don’t allow a free-swinging rope on equipment or trees. Loose ropes can form a loop or noose and strangle a child. Ropes that are securely anchored to the ground are OK as long as they aren’t frayed.
Learning thermostat adjusts to your habits
April 23, 2012 by Home Services Link · Leave a Comment
Provided by Nest Thermostat
The new Nest learning thermostat is taking home automation to the next level. By sensing your movements, it learns your habits and automatically adjusts the temperature thereby maximizing its efficiency.
With Apple and Android interface, the nest can also be controlled remotely with a smartphone or tablet.
According to the EPA, a properly programmed thermostat can save up to 20 percent of a home’s annual heating and cooling costs.
The suggested retail price is $249. Installation and programming costs will run about $119 according to Chris Gallagher, owner of EcoEnvironments, a local Nest Certified Professional.
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Home Air Conditioning Repair Tips
April 19, 2012 by Home Services Link · 1 Comment
Well before sweltering temperatures arrive, it is the time to make sure your cooling system or air conditioner is working properly. Here a few simple home air conditioning repair tips to ensure that your home remains cool over the summer season.
Just like other major components of your home, your cooling system and/or air conditioner should be well maintained. 
At the very least, yearly cleaning and maintenance is needed to ensure all systems are working properly. Many individuals take the, if it is not broken don’t fix it approach when it comes to their air conditioning units cooling the home, but this often leads to days of suffering from heat due to the air conditioner or home cooling system failing and technicians booked solid for days or weeks. Instead of risking the potential of an air conditioning issue, read on to discover what you can do to stay cool.
Cooling System Check Up
Twice a year or at the very least, yearly cleaning and maintenance is key to keeping your cooling components functional and free from problems. If you do not have a regular air conditioning repair company, it is recommended that you find one that you are comfortable with. Many companies have service maintenance contracts with special offers such as free cleaning, discounts on parts and repairs and more. The mistake many individuals make is waiting until there is a problem and unfortunately a problem always seems to occur during the hottest days of the season and you will have to wait or pay big bucks. Customers who have maintenance agreements are often given top priority when it comes to repairs or troubleshooting problems.
Energy Efficient Cooling
Replacing outdated energy wasting air conditioning systems with energy efficient components is one way to save money. Your air conditioning repair company can offer you advice, options, and pricing on installation and equipment. Many companies offer in-house or third party financing options so the expense is not such a burden.
Central Air Installation
Adding a new air conditioning system to replace window air conditioners will save money and energy over time. There are several types of air conditioning systems available; some use electricity while others rely on a combination of natural gas and electricity. A good local air conditioning repair company with a solid reputation will give you the best advice for your needs and the needs of your home based on its size. A local company within the community, understands the climate and conditions, and will know exactly what will work best for your home.
The same preventative measures that you take for appliances, furnaces, and other major components in your home should be taken for your air conditioning system. You do not want to wait until you have a problem, so nip it in the bud and have your air conditioning system evaluated before summer hits. Let HomeServicesLink help.
